#3 of 3-Part Series: In retirement, relationships are super important. How do we know which relationships we should grow, which relationships we should eliminate and which relationships we should start? This whole series has reviewed these questions, and this specific episode will go over the need and importance of making new relationships, even in our later stages of life.

Bruce reviews the seven ways to building relationships with concise explanations that are good to have in mind as you evaluate your own relationships as you listen along. We’re reminded that our relationships aren’t only beneficial to us but also provide us the opportunity to reflect Christ.

PLUS hear more about Retirement Reformation relationship opportunities! This is another fantastic online community that you can get involved in. Just some of the current events, programs, and resources being offered:

Oxygen for Life – an event to “breathe new life” into your church’s retirement ministry

Recreating Retirement – create a strong retirement action plan that answers the question “what’s my next step?”

Fireside Chats – live online monthly discussions on specific topics where retirees can connect and ask questions

Facebook Group – an encouraging online community of Christian retirees

Retirement Reformation Manifesto – start thinking about what you need to change to make your retirement one that fulfills you and glorifies God

www.RetirementReformation.org

Special Guest: Bruce Bruinsma

Ministry: Retirement Reformation

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#2 of 3-Part Series: Relationships can be life-giving, but some can also be poisonous. This is why Jim and Bruce speak about toxic relationships and what retirees ought to do about them – because if we allow this toxicity in our lives, it ends up leading to discouragement and disappointment.

As Bruce of Retirement Reformation remarks, God can certainly change people and relationships, but for the most part, the best option is to remove toxic relationships from your life. But what’s the best way to do this? You can listen to this episode for advice.

And for more counsel, don’t skip the second segment! During your retirement experience, have you ever had situations that haven’t gone the way you planned? Peter Vanacore is back for another interview talking about just that! Transitions are hard, but you can be encouraged by Peter’s story.

As Jim mentions in this show, “just because something surprises us doesn’t mean it surprises God.”

www.RetirementReformation.org

Mid-Segment Special Guest: Peter Vanacore

Ministry: Christian Association of Youth Mentoring

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#1 of 3-Part Series: In various episodes of the iRetire4Him Podcast, we’ve discussed the issue of loneliness and isolation that is often experienced during our retirement years. How are these combated and overcome? Through relationships!  

Especially in retirement, our relationships matter. Bruce Bruinsma with the Retirement Reformation attests that in order to cultivate and hold onto our relationships, it takes intentionality, perseverance, and curiosity. In the first part of this series, Bruce and Jim talk through different types of relationships and Bruce's list of what’s needed to keep our relationships thriving: 

• Stay in touch. 

• Be present with them. 

• Show appreciation for who they are. 

• Celebrate milestones. 

• Share experiences. 

• Communicate openly. 

• Support each other. 

Mid-segment guest Vince Smith talks about the work he’s been involved in surrounding orphan and foster care, recruiting help from the Church. Have you ever considered fostering or adopting? Obviously it’s not for everyone, but, as Vince shares, everyone can be a part of a “care community” that supports a family’s efforts.

Want to help? Here’s a practical next-step example: Once a month, plan to take a lasagna (or any dish) to your local foster care family! You can also find more ideas for supporting this type of ministry in your own church on the CAFO and KFA websites.

www.RetirementReformation.org

Mid-Segment Special Guest: Vince Smith

Ministry: Keystone Family Alliance & Christian Alliance for Orphans

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We’ve mentioned before the “American Dream” of retirement: relaxation, leisure, golf, tennis, cruises, and more. You’ve worked hard and deserve time off, right? But how does that really work out for the average retiree or retired couple? Does it really bring peace and relaxation, or does it deliver some unexpected results?

As Bruce took a “transition” time away with his wife Judy, they were able to interact face-to-face with over 100 couples – on a cruise of all places! This episode highlights some of the “field research” they gathered in these interactions. Although Bruce had great conversations and days of enjoyment, his time aboard the cruise affirmed the great need for Retirement Reformation and a paradigm shift among American retirees.

This episode’s second segment with guest Peter Vanacore is particularly inspiring, as Peter talks about the work of the Christian Association of Youth Mentoring. Do you have a heart for youth? Be encouraged by this quote from Peter about why you should get involved with CAYM:

“I have seen people in their 70s and 80s have impact on youth and their families in ways that will pay off for generations to come.”

You won’t regret giving this episode a listen – and sharing with a friend!

www.RetirementReformation.org

Mid-Segment Special Guest: Peter Vanacore

Ministry: Christian Association of Youth Mentoring

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We’ve mentioned before the “American Dream” of retirement: relaxation, leisure, golf, tennis, cruises, and more. You’ve worked hard and deserve time off, right? But how does that really work out for the average retiree or retired couple? Does it really bring peace and relaxation, or does it deliver some unexpected results?

Retirement Reformation founder, Bruce Bruinsma, and his wife Judy just got back from several weeks of a much-needed vacation – one of their first times doing so since arriving to their early 80s. Bruce prefers using the term “transition” instead of “vacation.” At one point or another, your age catches up with you, and you realize things have changed. Listen to the wisdom shared on their “American Dream” experience.

Mid-segment guests Jay and Tracy Arntzen also joined this show to talk about the mission they started called Saving Susan – which connects need with generosity and a heart for the orphaned. The ministry uses technology that allows “parent partners” to form relationships with children who are unable to be adopted due to government restrictions. Partners even have the opportunity to visit their “kids” and pour into their lives in a way that might be more personal than other similar programs. Check Saving Susan out online at www.SavingSusanMinistry.org.

www.RetirementReformation.org

Mid-Segment Special Guests: Jay & Tracy Arntzen

Ministry: Saving Susan

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Our Retirement years can be years of explosive spiritual growth! Even though our bodies may wear out and break down, our spirit is capable of growth and renewal, even in old age. Christ-followers in retirement can keep growing in wisdom, love, joy, and other spiritual gifts. But are we really doing this? What do we need to be doing NOW in order to ensure this spiritual flourishing?

The more time we spend getting to know the Spirit – through the Bible and in prayer – the more we are able to grow and experience His power in our lives. In the second segment of this show, we interviewed Jeff and Cyndi den Otter, who are obediently living out their Holy Spirit-calling through directing a children’s home in Belize. Are you ready to obey whatever calling God has for your retirement?

Finally, Bruce Bruinsma of the Retirement Reformation, shares resources offered that you can pair with the Holy Spirit’s calling for your retirement:

• Recreating Retirement: a group study that helps you identify your plan for retirement, both online and available to start in your own church or community

• Oxygen for Life: like a group retreat for those preparing for and already in retirement

• So many book resources: book on the Holy Spirit in retirement coming soon!

www.RetirementReformation.org

Mid-Segment Special Guests: Jeff & Cyndi den Otter

Ministry: Hopewell Children’s Home

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#2 of 3-Part Series: Our Retirement years can be years of explosive spiritual growth! Even though our bodies may wear out and break down, our spirit is capable of growth and renewal, even in old age. Christ-followers in retirement can keep growing in wisdom, love, joy, and other spiritual gifts. But are we really doing this? What do we need to be doing NOW in order to ensure this spiritual flourishing?

Why do we get it so wrong about the Holy Spirit? Are we getting our guidance from the world or from the Word? There’s a big difference! How often do we connect to God in prayer? And do our lives produce more spiritual fruit today than they did yesterday?

Be sure to tune in to learn about the resources and advice that Bruce Bruinsma, founder of Retirement Reformation, has for listeners. We also hear from Richard Bergstrom about his experience with the Holy Spirit leading him and his wife to minister to Boomers and retired generations about living out their callings. Check out Re-Ignite!

www.RetirementReformation.org

Mid-Segment Special Guest: Richard Bergstrom

Ministry: Re-Ignite

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#1 of 3-Part Series: Our Retirement years can be years of explosive spiritual growth! Even though our bodies may wear out and break down, our spirit is capable of growth and renewal, even in old age. Christ-followers in retirement can keep growing in wisdom, love, joy, and other spiritual gifts. But are we really doing this? What do we need to be doing NOW in order to ensure this spiritual flourishing?

The first main question tackled in this series is “Who is the Holy Spirit?” By answering this, we’re able to know the Truth, grow spiritual fruit, and access an abundant life.

In spite of changes, losses, and chronic health conditions, our retirement years bring about more quiet time to cultivate our relationship with God. Bruce Bruinsma, founder of Retirement Reformation, and special guest Ted Hains, ambassador of the iRetire4Him Nation, join us in this episode to discuss how their relationships with the Lord continue to grow each day and what this looks like in their lives.

www.RetirementReformation.org

Mid-Segment Special Guest:  Ted Hains

Ministry: Founder and Ambassador of iRetire4Him

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#3 of 3-part series: What if you had the freedom to answer God’s ministry call without having funding hold you back? This is the purpose of a fully funded future ministry plan.

The Future Funded Ministry book series is a great resource to help you take the necessary steps toward having a thriving ministry during retirement. And if you prefer something a bit more hands-on, Recreating Retirement groups walk through the steps of retirement preparation – not just financial, but emotional and mental preparation.

Even though there are iRetire4Him Podcast episode series on the other books in the Future Funded Ministry Series, this current show provides a great summary of what those four books cover. So, if you haven’t looked into those yet, we definitely encourage you to give this week’s episode a listen to learn more about them!

www.RetirementReformation.org

Mid-Segment Special Guest: Blaine Derck

Ministry: Former Pastor and Current Grief Minister to the Unchurched

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#2 of 3-part series: We continue with our review of Bruce Bruinsma’s book Moving Forward – Putting Your Future Funded Ministry into Motion, which is the second book of his Future Funded Ministry Series.

Bruce, who is founder of the Retirement Reformation, wrote these books for YOU, the Christian retiree. This episode emphasizes the necessity to start planning even before your retirement.  (So, this is a message you can share with your kids and grandkids!) But even if you’re late to planning, it’s never too late.

As we talk about how a ministry can be funded, tune in to explore our conversation on money personalities, priorities, and real-life examples of believers living out their own ministries in retirement. Keep listening so that you too can keep moving forward toward your future funded ministry!

www.RetirementReformation.org

Mid-Segment Special Guest:  Hal Halbecker

Ministry: Finishing Well Ministries

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