Remember the story of the pig in the Python...it's near!

It is not a pretty sight, but this is the economic future awaiting Baby Boomers. You see, in the year 2010, the first Boomer turns 65 and will want their Medicare and Social Security benefits for wich they have for their most their working lives.

The next 20 years, 72 million more will reach age 65 and be looking for their benefits. THAT'S THE PIG IN THE PYTHON!

Did you that Social Security is NOT increasing benefits with cost of living next year?

Why?

Because of the enormous strain that is about to hit the system. Only two choices remain.

Increase taxes or reduce benefits.

Which do you trust Congress to do? Probably both.

Are you financially prepared? Probably not.

What to do? Keep tuned.

The Best Legacy to Leave

It is something that prior generations are more concerned about than many today.

It is something that increases in value with integrity,faith and faithfulness.

It is more valuable and precious than precious metals.

What is it?

Proverbs 22:1 tells us. "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold."

Considering names being muddied in today's headlines and across all forms of media, this is a rare and precious jewel to leave.

It has to be guarded and regarded. It can be lost in an instant. Once it is tainted it can be nearly impossible to restore.

What can restore it? A relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Jesus heard rumors about his parents and his own family thought Him to be delusional and needed to be locked up.

Jesus hung in total openness before family and a few friends and many accusers. He was reviled and repulsive to many as He suffered and died.

Yet what was the final outcome? Again let the Word of God tell us.

Phl 2:9-1 "being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.11 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Are you living up to the family name?

Are you leaving a legacy that will not die?

Messed Economy not Fault of Either party...It's Demographics!

So many people are quick to blame the opposing party for the current financial mess, but they are not solely responsible.

We are being pummeled by demographic realities. Somewhere along the way we got sold bill of goods that small families were better because you "could do more for" a fewer number of children. BALONEY (Or insert your preferred exclamation of incredulity here!

Another group has convinced 1 of 3 women in the US today to obtain abortions for "unwanted' children.

Stats tell us that we are missing 50 million of our US citizens who were not allowed to leave their Mom's body safely. How many more children would they have produced had they grown up to have families as well? There are probably 100 million of us missing.

Consider this. If 40 million of that number were in the workforce would we have trouble funding Social Security? What about housing? Would we still be building new homes?

What scientist, artists, musicians and potential leaders will we never know due to their termination?

Many of this missing generation could have been the ones to fill the gap we are about to hit for home care for the elderly.

God forgive us for our stupidity.

R U Ready for Departure?

Tomorrow I will speak to 20 or so pastors at a luncheon. I am going to verbally slap them across the face to wake them up. There is a huge problem facing most of their congregation and they are not warning their church members.

I have seen this problem in my years of ministry, insurance and being a Senior Adult Expert. Many people have left their families in a financial and legal mes that could have been avoided. 95% do not have current documents such as wills and powers of attorney.

Let me ask you this. Do you have a will and end of life documents that have been updated in the last 5 years? Do you have a DNR filled out and on file? Do you have Durable Power of Attorney completed or anything for your last wishes?

If not, you are missing the example Jesus gave us in His death on the Cross.

When he looked up, He saw His mother, Mary and John, the beloved disciple. He said "Woman, this is your son". To John, He said, "This is your mother". I marvel at what is recorded in the WORD. From that time on she went to live with him.

In the throes of death and pain like no one will ever experience, Jesus made end of life provision for his Mom. She was already a widow and now losing her oldest son. He knew life would be tough on her. He provided her care for her latter years.

I am begining to do workshops in churches with local attorneys to help people get their papers in order. A few minutes of planning and few bucks of legal fees can reduce the heartache your family will face when you are gone.

Email me and I will send you some basic documents to help start the process.

lee@balinas.net

You Never Know How the Blessing Will Flow

Big secret about me: I love people.

More than that, I love helping people.

Several years ago, I took a class to help me grow I my confidence in my insurance business. It was to help me better understand who I am, what I do effortlessly and how I can bless others.

One exercise was to survey 10-15 people who know me well and ask the following questions:

What makes me unique?

What makes me stand out in a crowd?

What do I do well?

It is a humbling and eye opening exercise I would encourage you to try.

The things that came out about me most consistently were:

- good communicator both with individuals and in public

- great sense of humor

- passion for people and their needs

- distinctive physical presence- not just size, but height and voice

One thing that came up with people who know me best is that I LOVE to get to know people’s needs and then bring every resource to bear that I can to help them.

GUILTY AS CHARGED!

I will share some stories in future blogs how the Lord has me in the right place a right time to help others. It is fun and fulfilling.

Leaving a Legacy

I recently decided to be more intentional in how I reflect on my life and what is happening around me.

http://davidrm.com/ is a website to look into for a way to preserve your life story. You can download a 45 day free trials of journal software. I did the free download about 10 days ago and now have bought the system.

It has prompts to help you be stimulated to write and reflection your life.

I down loaded the module called "Memory Grabber". It is a guided form to help one record one's life story.

Check it out.

"Member Memorial Day?

Many of us enjoyed time with friends, food and family yesterday. Some had to work. Others could not be there because they made Memorial Day possible.

Memorial Day is the traditional start of summer as Labor Day marks its’ conclusion. With all the men firing up their grills, icing down beverages of various sorts and days of work, we sometimes forget the original purpose.

It is a day to honor those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us to enjoy freedom. I fear we enjoy freedom more than we appreciate freedom.

That is a universal malady with all of us- we enjoy privileges much more than we appreciate them.

We enjoy cable TV or internet, but do not appreciate it until we lose it for awhile.

We enjoy having our health, but do not appreciate it until we are ill or injured.

We enjoy friends and relationships, but fail to appreciate them until they are gone, have to move or taken from us.

I pray that we will learn to appreciate and value our freedom so we may enjoy it with the proper degree of gratitude and humility. Gratitude that we intentionally express to those who have worn the uniform or lost loved ones. Humility realizing God has blessed this nation with men and women who will serve to protect us.