In our last episode, we talked about preparing for retirement. We highlighted the importance of planning beyond the finances and balancing pleasure with purpose.

But what happens when we get there? Suddenly, the career is over and the demands of the job are gone - as is the paycheck! How do we handle this important time of transition?

Three major areas of focus are finances, health, and lifestyle - and they're all connected. The key at the beginning is to understand our position and plan well enough to enter retirement with confidence. As we develop that understanding, we enable ourselves to pursue our retirement priorities without constant worry about money.

Mental and emotional preparation is also important. The transition into retirement brings with it significant changes in lifestyle and often changes in our most important relationships, especially with our spouse if we're married. This is a time for open and honest communication, flexibility and intentionality, and lots of grace! There's a good chance that our retirement won't meet all of our idealized expectations; this calls for an ongoing attitude of contentment and thankfulness - two key characteristics of the Biblical steward.

Podcast host James Lenhoff helps us think through some important questions in all these areas and outlines an approach to retirement that helps us make the most of our "fourth quarter".

To learn more check out www.GoodSenseMovement.org

Contact James at: JamesLenhoff@GoodSenseMovement.org

You can see the full video of this podcast episode on our YouTube channel.

Most of us who haven't reached retirement yet are looking forward to getting there. But how much have we thought about what retirement actually looks like? If all we're thinking about is what we're retiring from, we're not ready to maximize what we're retiring to.

Many people find after some time that the "permanent Saturday" they were dreaming about doesn't bring fulfillment. It lacks purpose and meaning. The Teacher warns us about the meaninglessness of pursuing nothing but pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11).

At the same time, many of us are consumed with planning for retirement financially but not prayerfully considering how to prepare for it purposefully. As it turns out, the financial planning is actually the easier part. Planning for meaning and purpose is harder, especially if we've built our identity around our careers.

Podcast host James Lenhoff leads us to think through balancing purpose and pleasure as we begin to plan for retirement.

To learn more check out www.GoodSenseMovement.org

Contact James at: JamesLenhoff@GoodSenseMovement.org

You can see the full video of this podcast episode on our YouTube channel.

Is the pursuit of financial freedom a good thing or a bad thing? It depends on your definition. The world's definition and the Biblical definition are very different. In the eyes of the world, financial freedom means being free to spend on whatever we want without worrying. This tends to take one of two forms: either spending recklessly (like the Prodigal Son) or accumulating obsessively to get to the point where we can take life easy (like the Rich Fool in Luke 12).

The problem is that both of these definitions are actually slavery. In the first case, the one who thinks he is free is really only digging a deeper financial hole. In the second case, the one who focuses on the accumulation of wealth actually enslaves himself to money. Neither of these people is free to serve God.

The Bible defines financial freedom differently. Christians see financial freedom in terms of stewardship - an attitude that everything comes from God and belongs to him. This is what enables believers to live without worry (Matthew 6:25-33). And it's what protects them from falling into the trap of pursuing wealth (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Join us as podcast host James Lenhoff shows us how to pursue true financial freedom.

To learn more, check out www.GoodSenseMovement.org

Contact James at: JamesLenhoff@GoodSenseMovement.org

You can see the full video of this podcast episode on our YouTube channel.