u/LMO_TheBeginning

I think I may have missed out since I used seven digit phone numbers.

I'm sure I'll be sorry for asking / but let's hear your ailments of the day!

For me it's the knees. Lots of backache history but more recently it's walking up and down stairs that I have to watch my knees.

How about you?

As simple as that.

What was your favorite vacation, the destination, and who were you with?

It's nice to reminisce good times with family, friends or even just traveling solo.

Are you a pianist, guitarist or other type of musician?

Has this helped you maintain your fine motor skills playing these instruments?

Music is a great thing to start or continue. I'm sure there are other instruments that may help with continued dexterity as well.

Because of organizations like the CBA (Christian Booksellers Association), CCM (Contemporary Christian Music labels), Christian bookstores, and radio programs like Focus on the Family, I was convinced of the large C church where were all bonded together in one faith. Songs like "We Will Stand" by Russ Taff pushed that narrative that we're all brothers and sisters.

And yet, if you actually talk to churches and pastors, they're all little kingdoms and fifedoms. There's a reason why there are so many denominations and small nondenominational churches. They will say we're one large family when in fact, they'll consider other churches as distant relatives and that their church is the one true church following the bible, Jesus, etc.

Your thoughts? Now that I'm out of the church I recognize how fractured the evangelical church is and how they only say they're bonded together when it's to their own benefit.

Time for an update on your schedule!

I'm going to a watch party tonight, a picnic tomorrow and washing the car with my son on Sunday.

So what are you doing this weekend?

You can teach an old dog new tricks.

So what classes have you taken as an older adult?

Bonus points if you ended up working towards a degree.

That was such a big part of my life when I was young.

The wanderlust is fading for me.

Is anyone still seeking new opportunities or are you content just staying at home with a good beverage and a book, movie or television program?

The old saying is never discuss politics, religion or money.

Not asking to be contentious but do you think about money? There's so many other things I think about that money is much lower on the list. I'm not rich but I because I know my budget/spend rate, I have enough to survive until the end.

How about you? On the list of things you worry about or make you anxious, is money one of those things?

There was another post about requiring test for driving after 70.

Made me wonder people's thoughts on politicians running for office after a certain age.

Reasonable for me is preventing people from running for office after 72 years old. That would put them at 76 years old after finishing a four year term.

Your thoughts on reasonable age limits?

Being raised evangelical, sex outside of marriage was a no no.

Funny thing is many evangelicals in relationships either broke that rule or did everything but "the deed".

So for those who left but grew up in the church, is the three date rule really a thing? Is it an expectation to be intimate after a certain amount of meeting together?

Hear me out.

When I first joined the church, kingdom of the cults by Walter Martin was a huge thing.

So many worries about Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Catholics, etc.

Now that I've left the evangelical church, I saw many similarities in terms of what they believe.

Sometimes they want you to concentrate on the speck in other people's eyes so you don't notice the plank in your own eye.

Did you experience anything similar?

Purity culture was a big thing in the 1990s with the heights happening during "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" being published in 1997.

I remember someone being held in high regard because their first kiss was at the wedding altar.

Is it still a thing with people born in the 2000s? Maybe not pushed as hard but still an issue?

Twenty to thirty years ago it was often that I had canker sores and allergic reactions to mosquito bites.

Now it rarely occurs for me.

What medical issues plagued you in younger years but are now a thing of the past?

No need to disclose your net worth but are you more generous with your money as you've aged?

The reality is we're living with an expiration date. For me, I realize I have disposable income to spend or donate to worthwhile causes. Nothing crazy but $500 to me is quite different than for a someone in their 20s or 30s.

How about you? What are you spending your money on in your remaining days?

This podcast reflects on Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell.

I remember not appreciating this song as a teenager. I thought it was a trite campfire song.

At my age now it just hits differently.

Both sides now. I'm more seasoned, more grizzled. I've been through the fire and back.

I've seen Both Sides Now. And I wouldn't trade the good and the bad for anything in this world.

Now that you're in your golden plus years, how many hours are you working or volunteering per week?

What are the reasons why you continue to put in the hours?

If you're not yet seventy but retired from your main career, feel free to share your age, hours, and reasons for continuing on.

When I was in ministry I spent between 5-15 hours a week.

All volunteer hours. And I tithed.

The pastors put in many hours but they were well compensated.

So what are your opinions about paid staff? Maybe they should only be paid part time and have other means of income (i.e. like a tent maker?).

Or, I've heard some churches that are transparent and set their top salaries at the median income of their church members. That seems fair.

Let's get rid of pastors who get paid more than most of their congregants.

Your thoughts?

Yes, I know it was aspirational and maybe never accomplished.

When I became born again, it was with the promise of full acceptance, grace, and unconditional love.

Because I never felt that as a child (whole other story) it was amazing to hear of a free gift that included these qualities and eternal life to boot.

So are there things about that life you missed? I was a worship leader, so tried to offer these gifts in music and spirit. Sadly, it was rarely reciprocated which is what led me to eventually leave the church.