Retirement? Preferring to wear out, not just rust out, I prefer to call it re-directment. Do you remember the slogan "FREEDOM FIFTY-FIVE"? It was used by an insurance company to sell us insurance. But how realistic is such an idea?
Phil starts in. “A lot of Christians,” he says, leaning on the side of the dumpster, “think that hope is in church, or in ritual, or in prayer or pious behavior. But most of ‘em believe that ultimately, hope is in heaven. They are just waiting for their tickets out of this madhouse so they can take it easy in the sweet bye and bye.” He pauses, and I shiver, nodding dumbly.
One of the most attractive things about the character of Jesus for me was his ability to move through social boundaries like class. That to me is a good sign of a love that is not ordinary and a faith that is not conventional.
The economic newsletter I read yesterday was full of dire predictions of falling production, no consumer confidence and global layoffs. I remembered what it felt like to be suddenly searching for a job.