My Top 10 Posts for 2020
This has been a year that we will never forget. 2020 was a highly contentious presidential election year in the middle of a global pandemic. Violence and unrest filled the streets of many cities. Many, many people experienced (and are still experiencing) severe financial hardship. And, of course, many became seriously ill due to the Coronavirus.
Much has been said and written about 2020; I wrote a few articles about it myself. Not surprisingly, based on page visits, they were among the most popular posts on the blog this year.
Throughout the year, I have tried to provide a God-centered, biblically sound perspective on the pandemic's economic issues. It's been a difficult task, especially when things looked so dark. There is hope on the horizon, not just because of vaccines for the virus, but because our good and gracious God sovereignly reigns over all his creation. No matter what the circumstances, we can put our faith and trust in him as his children.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Jer. 17:7-8 (ESV)
To wrap up 2020, in case you missed them, here are the most popular posts for the year:
Loving Your Widow With Wise Stewardship
In my last post, I suggested some new year's resolutions you may want to consider. In this article, I want to carry that theme forward, but in a slightly different way. Not too long ago, I read an article on the Center for Retirement Research website titled, "Husbands Ignore Future Widows Needs." As I read …
Pandemics, Market Crashes, and Retirement Stewardship
Note: Because of extreme volatility, the stock market data I use in this article is changing daily (sometimes hourly). To keep it as current as possible, I used stats for the S&P 500 as of the market close on Tues., March 3rd. You have no doubt taken note that the reported value of your retirement …
It Can't Happen Again (But It Did)
For many of us who remember the 2008 market crash and ensuing recession all too well, this time feels remarkably similar. In addition to the really-scary-virus running around, we also have business shutdowns, massive cash liquidity infusions into the economy by the federal government, and rising unemployment. As I write this, there is a two trillion …
My Thoughts on the New Retirement Savings (aka, "SECURE") Act
Earlier in 2019, I wrote about some retirement legislation that was pending in Congress. Well, surprise, surprise—it passed recently. (Interestingly, the bill was languishing in congress until it was added to a 2020 spending bill and seemed to slip in under the radar.) It's the most significant legislation since the Pension Protection Act of 2006 …
Some Financial Observations From our First Full Calendar Year in Retirement
I retired in late 2018, so 2019 was the first full calendar year in "retirement" for my wife and I. I've written about my decision to retire and some things I've been doing since then. Because this is a blog and not a magazine (although you may not think so based on the types of …
Things I am Grateful For as a Retiree During a Pandemic
We're in the middle of what is, without a doubt, going to be one of strangest years in my almost-68-year lifetime. Six months ago, I didn't think anyone would've believed everything that has transpired if you told them. A coronavirus pandemic, quarantines, shutdowns, record unemployment, stock market crashes, and extreme social unrest—all happening during a …
Is Purchasing a Vacation Home Wise Stewardship?
I was recently asked by a friend what I thought about buying a vacation home, specifically a beach house. They said they have a relative who owns one and rents it out with annual positive cash flow. We didn't have a very in-depth discussion, but I have been thinking about it since. Something that occurred …
What Should Wise Retirement Stewards Do Now?
It's honestly hard to know what to write about in times like this. If you are a Christian believer, I trust you are seeking encouragement and guidance from God and His Word, and strength and consolation through his Holy Spirit. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Like …
Finding Your "Calling" in Retirement
Last year, I attended a week-long event that dealt with integrating faith and work in the life of the Christian. (If you're interested, check out the Redeemer City to City Faith and Work Initiative.) I have always been interested in this topic. But I attended the conference because we want to do more ministry in this …
The "Promised Land" of Retirement
On a recent Sunday morning, one of our lay-elders-in-training (we call them pastoral interns) gave his personal testimony and shared from Joshua 1:1-9, a text that had greatly influenced him. He said that God spoke to him through these verses at an early age, calling him from a promising engineering career to one more focused …