Podcasts about finishing well

Learn how to finish well (or begin well) in ministry as Dr. Danny Akin shares the 10 core convictions that guided his long career. Gain wisdom for your own path. After serving for 22 years as president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Danny Akin delivered a final chapel message that serves as a roadmap for anyone in Christian ministry. This message focuses on the essential principles needed to maintain faithfulness and integrity over a lifetime of service. If you are looking for practical guidance on what it means to finish well, these convictions offer a clear framework for your leadership journey. We explore how your personal theology directly impacts your daily behavior and decision-making. By examining these specific ministry convictions, you can better understand how to align your life with your beliefs and sustain your calling for the long haul. This discussion is essential for pastors, students, and church leaders aiming to build a lasting legacy rooted in biblical truth. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. Watch Part 1 to hear more about Dr. Akin's life and Great Commission legacy.

Make Dollars Make Sense

What happens when you inherit an IRA—and what could it cost you if you make the wrong move? On this episode of Finishing Well, Certified Financial Planner Hans Scheil and Robby Dilmore explain the often-overlooked tax rules surrounding inherited IRAs and why the decisions you make today can have a lasting financial impact. From the SECURE Act's 10-year distribution rule to the special exceptions for spouses and other eligible beneficiaries, Hans breaks down complex IRS regulations into practical, easy-to-understand guidance. You'll also learn why beneficiary designations are one of the most important parts of your retirement plan, how poor planning can create unnecessary taxes for your loved ones, and why seeking wise counsel before making decisions can protect the inheritance you've worked so hard to leave. Whether you've recently inherited an IRA or you're planning your own legacy, this episode offers valuable biblical insight and practical financial wisdom to help you become a faithful steward of God's blessings. Visit cardinalguide.com to access free retirement resources, browse our complete library of episodes, and connect with the Finishing Well ministry. Together, we're helping people honor God by finishing well.

How do you know if you're finishing well or not?  Lionshare's Dave Buehring finishes of conversations with Carmen around "Your Season, Your Calling" and offers a list of six characteristics for those who finish the lives and mission well.  Carmen then talks about being part of a dedication ceremony of a new church sanctuary.  What are we building?  Why are we building?  Do we have the vision of you're building toward and for?  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Are you running the race God called you to run? Faithfulness isn't measured by spectacular highlights, but by consistent, daily obedience. Learn how keeping your focus on Jesus unlocks the endurance required for the destiny God has for you.Did you make a decision to follow Jesus? Text "MADENEW" to 94000.Follow along with our notes on the YouVersion Bible App:https://bible.com/events/49642609CONNECT▪️Web: https://faithfamilyoh.com▪️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfamilyoh/▪️Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfamilyoh/▪️Support: https://faithfamilyoh.com/give

As the Baby Boomer generation enters its later years, one question is becoming increasingly important: Who will carry the load? In this episode of Finishing Well, certified financial planner Hans Scheil and co-host Robbie Dilmore explore the growing need for long-term care planning as millions of Americans face the realities of aging. Hans explains why waiting until a crisis strikes can limit your options and increase costs, while sharing practical strategies for preparing ahead. From traditional long-term care insurance to hybrid policies and short-term care solutions, you'll learn about the different ways to protect your finances, preserve your legacy, and provide peace of mind for your loved ones. Whether you're planning for yourself, your spouse, or your aging parents, this timely conversation offers biblical wisdom and practical financial guidance to help you prepare for the future with confidence. "Visit cardinalguide.com to access free retirement resources, browse our complete library of episodes, and connect with the Finishing Well ministry. Together, we're helping people honor God by finishing well."

Change is rarely easy. Whether you're changing careers, entering a new season of life, becoming an empty nester, retiring, or simply sensing God is calling you into something new, stepping into the unknown can feel overwhelming. As part of our Best of the Known Legacy Podcast series, we're bringing back one of our favorite conversations with Pastor Duke Hergatt (Episode 203). After spending more than 40 years faithfully serving and building a thriving church in Upstate New York, Pastor Duke made the difficult decision to hand the ministry over to the next generation and step into a completely new chapter of life. In this timeless conversation, Duke shares the wisdom he's gained through decades of ministry, leadership, and following God's call—even when it meant letting go of what was comfortable. You'll discover how to navigate change with faith, make an impact in every season, and continue building a legacy that points others to Christ. If you're facing a transition or wondering what God has next for you, this episode is filled with practical wisdom and encouragement you won't want to miss. Listen to Pastor Dukes podcast here: https://pastorduke.podbean.com/ Get your own Wake up Guide and seven day reset: https://mailchi.mp/knownlegacy/the-wake-up-guide Join our weekly mens study - Adrenaline Shot - every Thursday morning at 6:45 am Central. https://soldiersforfaith.com/bible_study/soldiers-adrenaline-shot/ Join the Brotherhood on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1EZL78qtya/ Pick up your own copy of More Than You at www.morethanyoubook.com Chapters (00:00:00) - Known Legacy Podcast(00:01:40) - Known Legacy Podcast(00:02:56) - Restaurant Question of the Day(00:05:26) - Top 3 Closet Restaurants(00:07:10) - Known Legacy: Making a Change After 40 Years(00:07:46) - Pastor Duke on His 40th Anniversary(00:08:49) - Pastor Duke's Journey from New York to South Carolina(00:12:18) - Bill Paxton on His Personal Journey(00:15:52) - The Ultimate Adventure Is in Him(00:21:12) - God Is So Faithful(00:24:24) - Philip Jones on His 44 Years of Ministry and No Scandals(00:28:23) - Pastor Duke: Humility Is Key(00:31:53) - One More Word for You(00:33:39) - George Carlin on His Fast Five(00:34:44) - Pastor Duke

1 Chronicles 28Tim Marrero | July 26, 2026

Follow us on:Facebook: agapechurchsloInstagram: @agapechurchsloWebsite: agape.churchCAMPFIRE: LIFE & LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM THE BIBLEWeek 10 | Campfire with Paul: Finishing Well with Strength and PurposeWho is Paul?Paul's life is one of the clearest pictures in Scripture of what it means to be completely transformed by the grace of God and fully committed to the purpose of God. Once a fierce persecutor of the Church, Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and was radically changed. From that moment on, his life was poured out in service to Christ—preaching the gospel, planting churches, raising leaders, enduring persecution, and writing much of the New Testament. Paul knew suffering, sacrifice, endurance, and opposition, but through it all, he stayed focused on one thing: finishing the race God had given him with faithfulness, strength, and purpose.Foundational Scripture for the SeriesHebrews 12:1 (ESV)“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”[IF PAUL…] sat down at the campfire across from us, I think he would say something like this: “Starting strong may get attention, but finishing faithful is what honors God.”Today Paul speaks to anyone who's asking, “How do I stay faithful all the way to the end?” Our big idea today is this: A strong finish requires endurance, focus, and an unshakable commitment to God's purpose. Some of you in this room are not in a starting season… you are in a staying season. You are not just asking, “What is God calling me to do?” You are asking, “How do I stay faithful? How do I keep going? How do I not get distracted, discouraged, or depleted before I get where God is leading me?”Paul helps us answer that, so let's take a walk through his story.Point 1: FINISHING WELL DOES NOT HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT2 Timothy 4:6–7“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”Paul is near the end of his earthly life, and he's not speaking with regret over wasted years. He's speaking with the sober confidence of a man who has lived intentionally.Paul says, “I have fought.”… “I have finished.”… “I have kept.”The language Paul uses tells us that Paul didn't see himself as drifting into a strong finish.Paul's words indicate that he feels He intentionally lived toward a strong finish in life. Paul lived with the end in view. Strong finishes come from daily faithfulness. A strong finish is not built in one dramatic moment… A strong finish is built in a thousand, faithful daily decisions.Daily obedience… Daily repentance… Daily prayer… Daily endurance.Daily saying yes to God when the race feels way too long.This matters because our culture celebrates the spotlight, but rarely values the hidden faithfulness that made the moment possible.We want: The finish without the formation… and lasting fruit without the long obedience.[IF WE ARE GOING TO FINISH WELL…] we have live fully convinced that Today matters… fully convinced that Today's choices matter… fully convinced that Today's compromises matter… fully convinced that Today's disciplines matter.fully convinced that Today's yes matters… and fully convinced that Today's hidden faithfulness matters.Finishing well is not about perfection… Paul knew, at a very deep level, that he was the benefactor of God's amazing Grace!Finishing well is about direction… it's about intention[FINISHING WELL…] is about living with a clear sense that your life is not random and your race is not casual.Paul's life is challenging some people in this room to make a shift from living reactively to living intentionally.Galatians 6:9 — “And let us not grow weary of doing good…”Proverbs 4:25–27 speaks of fixing your gaze straight ahead and staying on the path.BIG TRUTH: A STRONG FINISH IS OFTEN THE RESULT OF LONG, QUIET FAITHFULNESS. POINT 2: YOU MUST STAY FOCUSED ON THE RIGHT GOALPhilippians 3:12–14“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on… forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal…”The phrase “toward the goal” matters… Paul had focus… Paul had a goal.[BIG KEY] [THIS IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE…] CLARITY OF YOUR PURPOSE PROTECTS YOUR ENDURANCE. One of the reasons many people do not finish well is they slowly lost focus.They got distracted… Distracted by success… by hurt… by people… by offense… by comparison… by comfort.Distracted by things that may not even be sinful in themselves, but are still heavy enough to slow your race.[THIS BRINGS US BACK…]  to Hebrews 12:1 where the writer says: “Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely…”Not just sin… Weights tooSome things do not have to be evil to be unhelpful.Some things do not have to be sinful to still become spiritually costly.Some things simply weaken your focus.Paul refused that kind of drift… He knew where he was going… and He knew what kind of life he wanted to live before God.Paul understood that if you keep the right goal in front of you, it becomes easier to say no to things that weaken our focus and distract us from the race.We don't need more options… we need sharper focus.We don't need more activity… we need greater clarity.You do not need to chase everything… You need to stay aligned with what God actually called you to.Luke 9:62 — “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”1 Corinthians 9:26 — “So I do not run aimlessly…”BIG TRUTH: YOU CANNOT FINISH WELL IF YOU KEEP GIVING YOUR STRENGTH TO THINGS THAT WEAKEN YOUR FOCUS. POINT 3: STRENGTH FOR THE RACE COMES FROM JESUSOne of the great testimonies of Paul's life is that he endured a hard road with God-given strength.Paul faced Persecution… Imprisonment… Rejection… Beatings… Shipwreck… Misunderstanding… Pressure… Loss… And yet he kept going.Why and How? Because he was not drawing strength only from himself.Acts 20:24“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course…”Paul endured hardship because his life was anchored in God's calling. Calling gives strength when the road gets hard.Trouble was not called to Laurel, Nece and I were! (Trouble Don't Last Always)We find ourselves exhausted because we're are trying to sustain a God-given assignment with self-generated strength.We were never designed to life the life of a Christ follower carried by our willpower alone.We need grace… We need the power of the Holy Spirit… and we need the strength of Jesus.When you know your life belongs to God, when you know your race matters, when you know your course is from Him, then even painful seasons are carried differently.And Paul knew where his strength came from… and WE DO TOO!Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”The Lord's word to you today is not simply, “Try harder.”It's: “Draw closer.” And “Receive My strength.” And “Let Me sustain what I called.”Isaiah 40:31 — “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength…”2 Corinthians 4:16 — “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”BIG TRUTH: CALLING SUSTAINED BY CHRIST CAN CARRY YOU THROUGH SEASONS YOUR OWN STRENGTH CANNOT. WAYS TO LIVE PAUL'S LESSON1. LIVE TODAY WITH THE FINISH LINE IN MINDDo not live only for the moment.Do not make decisions as though today is all that matters.Live today with the finish line in mind. Ask yourself: Is this helping me finish well?... Is this strengthening my race or weakening it?2. REFUSE DISTRACTIONS THAT WEAKEN YOUR FOCUSNot everything that calls for your attention deserves your energy.Refuse distractions that weaken your focus. Lay aside the weights… Simplify what needs to be simplified.Keep the goal in front of you.3. DRAW STRENGTH FROM GOD, NOT JUST YOUR OWN EFFORTYou are not called to run this race alone or in your own strength.Draw strength from God, not just your own effort. Pray… Wait on Him… Receive grace… Stay close to Jesus.Let His strength renew you.4. MEASURE SUCCESS BY FAITHFULNESS TO YOUR CALLINGDo not let culture define success for you.Do you look more like Jesus right now than you did this same time last year.CLOSINGPaul's life reminds us that the goal is not just to begin well… but to finish well.The goal is to keep running until the course God gave you is complete.Do not be afraid to pour your life out for what matters most… Because a strong finish requires endurance, focus, and an unshakable commitment to God's purpose. [BECAUSE…] what is poured out for God will never be wasted.RESPONSE / PRAYER MOMENTMaybe today your prayer sounds like this:“Lord, help me live with the finish line in mind.”“Lord, remove the distractions that are weakening my focus.”“Lord, renew my strength for the race.”“Lord, help me measure success by faithfulness, not fame.”

Is Social Security really running out of money? Headlines often paint a frightening picture, but what does the 2025 Social Security Trustees Report actually say? In this episode of Finishing Well, Certified Financial Planner Hans Scheil and Robby Dilmore separate fact from fiction as he breaks down the numbers behind the Social Security Trust Fund. Hans explains how the system is funded, what the trust fund really is, why alarming news reports can be misleading, and what practical steps lawmakers could take to strengthen the program for future generations. If you've ever wondered whether your Social Security benefits are secure or wanted a clearer understanding of how the system works, this conversation offers straightforward answers, practical insight, and a biblical perspective on stewardship, honesty, and planning wisely for the future. "Visit cardinalguide.com to access free retirement resources, browse our complete library of episodes, and connect with the Finishing Well ministry. Together, we're helping people honor God by finishing well."

Spain wins the World Cup over Argentina in extra time — one goal over eight games of tournament play — and Brian From gives it its due before moving on to what's actually on his heart this Monday. He opens with a moment from Sunday morning worship at Compass Church's Hinsdale campus that stopped him cold: singing "Holy, Holy, Holy" in the middle of a set of newer songs, and the way that declaration of God's transcendence and otherness still cuts through everything else. From there, a reflection on three weeks of preaching and the particular pressure of standing behind a pulpit: it becomes very difficult to preach sermons you're ignoring in your own life. Brian shares his message on finishing well, drawn from Paul's words in 2 Timothy 4 — I have fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith — and applies it to the decisions we make today that shape who we'll be at the end. A practical, balanced piece on why people leave churches, why they shouldn't, and how to do it well if the time truly comes — including a direct challenge to have the difficult conversation with your pastor before you go. And a closing piece on theoretical Christian living: the evangelical allergy to the practical, the habit of burying every application in so many caveats it changes no one's life, and the call to a faith that doesn't just stay in the armchair but moves from the pew to the pavement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

by Reagan McClenny

Closing the series, Dave walks us through Paul's final greetings to show that God carries us to the end through two gifts — faithful friends within the church and, above all, a faithful God who never abandons His people.

Turning 65 opens the door to Medicare—but it also introduces a maze of choices that can have lasting financial and healthcare consequences. In this episode of Finishing Well, certified financial planner Hans Scheil and co-host Robbie Dilmore break down the critical decisions you'll face when enrolling in Medicare. Should you delay enrollment? What's the difference between Original Medicare with a supplement and a Medicare Advantage plan? How do provider networks, prior authorizations, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs affect your future care? Hans shares decades of experience helping retirees make informed Medicare decisions, explaining why the lowest upfront cost isn't always the best long-term value. Through real-life examples and practical guidance, you'll learn how to avoid common pitfalls and choose a path that fits your healthcare needs, financial goals, and peace of mind. Rooted in biblical wisdom and practical financial planning, this episode will help you approach one of retirement's biggest decisions with confidence instead of confusion. "Visit cardinalguide.com to access free retirement resources, browse our complete library of episodes, and connect with the Finishing Well ministry. Together, we're helping people honor God by finishing well."

Back in the studio with guest, Bill Yeargin, Pastor Dan Burrell and Bill taps into one of the most important topics of how to navigate life and finish well with the Lord's stamp of approval. 

The world celebrates strength, success, and youth, but Proverbs reminds us that God measures greatness differently. Physical ability has its place, and youthful energy is a gift, yet neither is enough to sustain a life of lasting significance. True strength is anchored in godly character, leadership is preserved through mercy and truth, and a life well lived is crowned with the wisdom that comes from walking faithfully with the Lord through the years. Proverbs 20:28-30 paints a picture of a life that begins with vigor, matures through integrity, and finishes with honor—a reminder that God is not merely interested in how fast we begin the race, but in how faithfully we finish it.

As believers, we are called to Finish Well, and with God's help, we can.   Preached on July 12, 2026

Dr. Darrin Wright,FBCW,FBC Wheeling,Psalm Sermon, Psalm, The Path of Finishing Well Part II, Psalm 119,

Preaching through Paul's final charge to Timothy, Tono shows us that ministry flows not from performance but from belonging to Christ, is carried out before Jesus as our judge, is fulfilled through preaching the word and persevering faithfully, and ends not in a crown but in Christ himself.

Make Dollars Make SenseEver wondered what interest, APY, or compound interest actually mean? In this episode of Make Dollars Make Sense, Trudi Kayser and Jenn Stone simplify these financial terms so you can better understand how your money grows and how to make smarter savings decisions.

Be someone worth imitating.

Is Cliff having a mid-life crisis?  Watch along and find out.Watch  on YouTube: youtube.com/sunrisecommunitychurchWatch live on Mondays at 10am:  www.facebook.com/sunrisecommunityonline/liveSong: Fredji - Happy Life (Vlog No Copyright Music)Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music.Video Link: https://youtu.be/KzQiRABVARk

Hebrews 11:22 ESV   By Faith 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.   For more information about Redeemer Church Lubbock visit our website at redeemerlubbock.org.

Dr. Darrin Wright, FBCW,FBC Wheeling,Psalms Sermon, Psalms, The Path of Finishing Well, Psalm 119,

Estate planning is about far more than deciding who gets what when you're gone—it's about protecting the people you love and ensuring your wishes are carried out with clarity and purpose. In this episode of Finishing Well, Certified Financial Planner Hans Scheil and Robby Dilmore continue the Financial Plan Series by exploring the essential role estate planning plays in a complete retirement strategy. Hans and Robby discuss the unique challenges families face when planning for the future, including blended family dynamics, caring for a surviving spouse, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, trusts, wills, and healthcare directives. You'll learn why estate planning is not just about passing on assets, but about creating a thoughtful plan that protects loved ones, minimizes confusion, and provides peace of mind. Whether your goal is to leave a legacy, support your family, give to charity, or simply ensure your affairs are in order, this episode offers practical guidance to help you make informed decisions and finish well.

For four books of the Bible now (Exodus-Deuteronomy), we have journeyed from a bushel basket in Goshen to the royal palace in Egypt, from the desert of Midian to the wilderness of the Arabah, from the top of Mt. Sinai to the top of Mt. Nebo, following every step of the way one central figure: Moses. But this Sunday as we conclude the book of Deuteronomy, Moses's story comes to a close. As we have learned from his words and example these past 134 chapters now, so too in these final two chapters do we learn from Moses how to “finish well” the race of faith that God has set before each of us. Join us for this sermon for the grand finale of Deuteronomy (and the Torah!)!

Show NotesLearn More about The Emerging Leaders LabGlenn Packiam's The Resilient PastorMark Buchanan's What is Left of The NightGive to our $30,000 Match CampaignThe Pastorate ConferenceThe Pastorate's City MeetupsThe Pastorate Pastors RetreatEpisode NotesThis summer, we're taking you inside the two pastoral formation cohorts at the heart of The Pastorate: the Emerging Leaders Lab and the Lead Pastor Fellowship. Over four episodes, we're sharing the best teaching from this past year's Lab and Fellowship and sitting down with participants from both programs to hear what an intentional season of formation actually does in the life of a pastor. This is the first episode of our four part series, replaying some of the best moments from last year's Emerging Leaders Lab. The Emerging Leaders Lab just wrapped up its third year and kicked off its fourth year. In the 2025-2026 cohort, 24 pastors gathered monthly on Zoom to sit under the teaching of a remarkable lineup of guest teachers, and to do the thing you rarely get to do with someone you've only read or listened to: ask their questions, out loud and in real time. Each guest came to teach around one of the eight formation areas that shape the Lab, covering everything from calling and community to character and craft. In this episode, our team pulled together the moments the cohort named as most impactful.In this episode you'll hear from: Glenn Packiam on why pastors need a constellation of relationships and the diverse voices every pastor needs around them: rulers, peers, sages, healers, and friends.Carey Nieuwhof on burning out in the middle of a decade of explosive growth, finding your line, and how this generation of pastors can finish differently.Helen Burns on why balance is a misaligned goal, what to anchor to instead, and the confession she keeps hearing from pastors: my soul is so tired.Jason Ballard on the difference between the friends you play with and the deep friends who know your shadow side, say the hard thing, and have to be pursued on purpose.Lance Odegard on why you can't know your calling until you know your design, blind spots and the true self, and the game-changing leadership question: how do you experience me?Mark Buchanan on the difference between who you're called to be and what you're called to do, and why the calling on your life can't be revoked.With thanks to the many other voices who contributed to the Lab this past year, including Darrell Johnson, Chris Price, Mark Peters, Milissa Ewing, and Preston Pouteaux.Partners Would you consider giving to our summer match campaign? Every donation in June will be matched by a generous donor up to $30,000.If you are seeking ways to guide your congregation into the next step of their faith journey, we welcome you to explore the Canadian Bible Society's Ministry Toolkit. The Ministry Toolkit is designed to help your church or ministry deliver online or in-person Bible-based programs for the special audiences you may serve.

PODCAST - The Letter to the Hebrews - Finishing Well Trevor Perry

In a world that pulls us toward our own desires and quick comfort, the Christian life is more like a long race than a sprint. In this final message of In a World Like This, Pastor Andy looks at 2 Timothy 4 to explore what it means to start well, endure well, and finish well, wherever you find yourself in the journey.

What does it take to create a retirement income plan that lasts a lifetime? In this episode of Finishing Well, Certified Financial Planner Hans Scheil and Robby Dilmore continue the Financial Plan Series by exploring how retirees can build a reliable income stream that supports both their needs and their dreams. Hans explains the importance of planning from the ground up—starting with essential living expenses, adding lifestyle goals, and then creating a strategy designed to provide dependable income throughout retirement. Learn how Social Security, annuities, investments, tax planning, and estate considerations all work together to form a comprehensive retirement income plan. Drawing inspiration from the biblical account of Elijah and the widow, this conversation highlights the value of faith over fear when making financial decisions. Whether you're approaching retirement or already retired, this episode offers practical insights to help you gain confidence that your income can keep pace with life's challenges and opportunities.

Life can sometimes feel hard. Faith can feel costly. And quitting can seem like the easiest option. In The Good Fight, we walk through the book of 2 Timothy to learn how to stay strong when life gets difficult, stand firm in what we believe, and keep going when we feel like giving up. This series will encourage you to live with courage, hold onto what matters most, and develop a faith that remains strong no matter what you face.NEXT STEPS- Have you made a decision to follow Jesus? You may be wondering what's next on your journey. We want to help! Let us guide you to your next steps in your walk with Christ: https://atmosphere.church/new-to-faith•JOIN A LIFE GROUP- Find the community you've been looking for. Discover the prayer warriors waiting to stand with you. If you're interested in joining or starting a Life Group, visit https://atmosphere.church/life-groups•ABOUT ATMOSPHERE.CHURCH- Wherever you are in life, you have a purpose. Atmosphere.Church wants to help you find your next step. Our hope is that your journey will include joining us in-person at our location in Thousand Oaks, California or globally online at https://atmosphere.church/watch•For the best experience connecting with us, download the Atmosphere.Church app at https://qrco.de/atmosphere-ca

Pastor Scott Gilchrist | Colossians 4:14-18Also available on video

Before enjoying retirement, it's important to understand one of the largest assets many retirees own—their IRA and 401(k) accounts. In this episode of Finishing Well, Certified Financial Planner Hans Scheil and Robby Dilmore continue the Financial Plan Series by exploring how retirement savings fit into a comprehensive retirement strategy. Hans and co-host Robbie Dilmore discuss the critical decisions retirees face regarding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), and Roth conversions. Using a real-life planning example, they explain how taxes, Medicare premiums, charitable giving, and legacy goals can all be impacted by the choices made with retirement accounts. Whether you're approaching retirement, already taking distributions, or looking for ways to leave a tax-efficient inheritance for your loved ones, this episode provides valuable insights to help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Tune in to learn how strategic planning today can help you maximize your retirement income, reduce taxes, support the causes you care about, and finish well.

Send us Fan MailREPLAY OF THE FIRST FWM PODCASTIn this episode of the Finishing Well Podcast, Dr. Hal Habecker and Dr. Randy Hess revisit the very first episode of the show, originally recorded in December 2020. The episode opens with Dr. Habecker expressing his deep desire for older generations—parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents—to be active encouragers and mentors to younger generations. He emphasizes the importance of older adults pouring their wisdom, experiences, and love into their families and communities, highlighting the biblical value placed on elders.The hosts discuss the mission of Finishing Well Ministries, which is to inspire and equip believers of all ages, especially those in their later years, to live purposefully and finish their lives well in service to God. Dr. Habecker shares his personal journey from pastoring at Dallas Bible Church to founding the ministry, motivated by a passion to counter cultural and even church-based tendencies to marginalize older adults. He points out that, contrary to societal views that equate retirement with the end of productivity, Scripture consistently affirms the ongoing value and purpose of older people.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Habecker and Dr. Hess reflect on biblical examples of impactful aging, such as Moses, Joshua, and the apostle John, who accomplished significant work in their later years. They reference key scriptures like Ephesians 2:10 and Psalm 90:12, underscoring that God's purpose for each person does not diminish with age. Instead, the wisdom and experiences accumulated over a lifetime are meant to be shared, especially with younger generations, to build up the church and community.Dr. Hess shares his initial intrigue and eventual conviction about the ministry's vision, noting that many seniors wrestle with questions of purpose after retirement. He observes that while society often promotes leisure and self-indulgence as the goals of aging, true fulfillment comes from discovering and living out God's ongoing calling. The hosts encourage listeners to reflect on their own lives and consider how they can continue to serve, mentor, and make a difference, regardless of age.The episode concludes with a call to action for older adults to embrace their God-given roles as encouragers and mentors, and for all listeners to pursue a life of purpose and impact. The hosts invite feedback and continued engagement with the podcast, reinforcing the message that the later years can be the most fruitful and meaningful season of life when lived in alignment with God's purposes.Support the show"Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to understand and embrace God's calling in their later years, equipping them to actively pursue and fulfill His calling. FWM provides materials, events, and other on-line resources that provide shared insights focused on finishing our lives well. We also recruit and train volunteers who lead and encourage small groups around the world to fulfill God's mission for them in these critically important years." - Hal HabeckerWebsite: www.finishingwellministries.orgEmail us: Hal@finishingwellministries.orgFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finishingwellministriesSupport Our Ministry: https://www.finishingwellministries.org/donateAre there biblical principles to help us understand how to finish well?Explore the Seven Essentials for Finishing Well. Learn more.Thanks for listening as we all strive to live and finish life well!

What does it take to finish well? In this encouraging message, we discover that while starting is often easy, staying faithful through the difficult middle is where perseverance is truly tested. When discouragement, doubt, and exhaustion tempt us to quit, God calls us to keep moving forward with patient endurance.Drawing from the book of Hebrews, this sermon reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the One who finished His race perfectly. If you're feeling weary or tempted to give up, this message will encourage you to keep running and trust God to help you finish strong.

What does it take to finish well? In this encouraging message, we discover that while starting is often easy, staying faithful through the difficult middle is where perseverance is truly tested. When discouragement, doubt, and exhaustion tempt us to quit, God calls us to keep moving forward with patient endurance.Drawing from the book of Hebrews, this sermon reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the One who finished His race perfectly. If you're feeling weary or tempted to give up, this message will encourage you to keep running and trust God to help you finish strong.

What happens when an unexpected health event threatens to derail years of careful retirement planning? In this episode of Finishing Well, Certified Financial Planner Hans Scheil and co-host Robby Dilmore explore one of the most important—and often overlooked—components of a successful retirement strategy: long-term care insurance. Drawing from both personal experience and financial planning expertise, Robby shares how a serious automobile accident highlighted the critical need for having resources available when you can no longer care for yourself or a loved one. Hans then walks listeners through the real-life financial planning case of Tom and Susan, a retired couple preparing for the next phase of life and evaluating how long-term care coverage fits into their overall retirement plan. You'll learn: Why long-term care can quickly unravel an otherwise solid retirement strategy How long-term care decisions affect spouses, children, and future generations The advantages of tax-free long-term care benefits Strategies for using IRA assets to fund long-term care protection How hybrid life insurance and long-term care policies work The growing importance of home health care benefits Ways to protect retirement assets while maintaining flexibility and legacy goals Whether you're approaching retirement or helping aging parents navigate care decisions, this episode provides practical insights into creating a financial plan that protects both your assets and your family. Tune in to discover how planning ahead today can provide peace of mind for tomorrow.

Make Dollars Make Sense

Turning 65 opens a new season of life—and with it comes some of the most important financial and healthcare decisions you'll ever make. In this episode of Finishing Well, Certified Financial Planner Hans Scheil and co-host Robbie Dilmore continue their Financial Plan Series by exploring Medicare, IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount), and how these choices fit into a comprehensive retirement strategy. Hans walks through the key Medicare decisions every retiree faces, including the differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, the importance of Medicare Supplement coverage, and why your initial enrollment period can create opportunities that may never come again. Using the real-life financial planning case of Tom and Susan, listeners will learn how Medicare decisions affect healthcare costs, retirement income planning, tax strategies, and long-term financial security. The discussion also covers Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, common enrollment mistakes, and strategies for managing or potentially reducing costly IRMAA surcharges. Through personal experiences and practical examples, Hans and Robbie highlight how choosing the right Medicare coverage can protect both your health and your retirement savings. Whether you're approaching age 65, already enrolled in Medicare, or helping a loved one navigate retirement healthcare decisions, this episode provides valuable insights to help you make informed choices and avoid costly mistakes. Topics Covered: Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage Medicare Supplement (Plan G) coverage Open enrollment opportunities and deadlines Medicare Part D prescription drug plans Understanding IRMAA and Medicare premiums Healthcare planning as part of a complete retirement strategy Real-world retirement planning case study Learn how thoughtful Medicare planning can help you finish well in retirement.

Send me a Text Message!This episode is going to hit on a few of my favorite themes, calling, travailing prayer, revival, finishing well, and God's desire to do a new thing. You know I have found over and over again, that it's difficult, to finish well, if we aren't willing to lean into new things. And it's almost impossible to lean into new things, without being done with the old things. So my question is, "Are we done with the old things?" As a church are we done with the old things? I long to see the church shine bright like a city on a hill. I long for us to be known as the hands and heart of Christ. I still believe that the church that Jesus is building is the hope of the world. I want to be part of that church and I'm praying for that church to be done with old things. Do you know what the Bible calls being done with old things? It's called repentance. That's where we will end this episode, with a call to repentance. 

ENCOURAGE FIRST MENS RETREAT _______________________________________________________  SCRIPTURE CORINTHIANS 1:3-4                      3. PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF COMPASSION AND THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT, WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES, SO THAT WE CAN COMFORT THOSE IN ANY TROUBLE WITH THE COMFORT WE OURSELVES RECEIVE FROM […]

Send me a Text Message!In this episode we will ponder what it takes to finish well. That's one of the themes that I take with me from the first half of Nehemiah into the second half. John Ortberg writes, "The capacity to finish well is what the New Testament writers called endurance or perseverance....any truly meaningful human accomplishment  will require perseverance. Bobby Clinton defined finishing well as coming to the end of my life being more in love with Jesus than I was in the beginning; having a sense of the unique contribution that God has desired to work through me, and not flaming out through moral sin.None of that happens without perseverance. Finishing well requires a series of breakthroughs that only come with hopeful expectancy. What is the next step you need to take on the journey of finishing well? 

You have more knowledge than you've ever had, and somehow you're more tired. More guarded. More prone to walk into a room and see everything wrong with it before you see anything right. You used to believe things would get better. Now you believe you've simply seen enough to know they probably won't. You call it wisdom. But it might be something else entirely.   Carey Nieuwhof joins me for a conversation I've been looking forward to for years, and he opens up in a way I did not expect. At 61, in the wake of 29 simultaneous external stressors, a rare blood disorder that nearly took his life, aging parents, the death of a father-in-law, and the loss of the physical sanctuary that had been his refuge, Carey is navigating what grief actually looks like for a leader who spent two decades not grieving anything. The phrase that has stayed with me since this conversation is one his mentor gave him 25 years ago: ministry is a series of ungrieved losses. We cover what that means in practice, why cynicism is not a character flaw but a predictable outcome of accumulated knowledge without adequate grief, how the shift from fluid to crystallized intelligence changes what leadership should ask of you in your 40s and beyond, and what Carey and his wife Toni are actually doing, not just saying, to finish well. There is something here that will not comfort you the way you're hoping to be comforted. Carey is too honest for that, and this episode is too important for that. If you have been running at a pace that leaves no room to feel your losses, this conversation is going to cost you something. Sit with it. Let it do its work. Guest Bio Carey Nieuwhof is a former attorney and pastor who leads one of the most listened-to leadership podcasts in the Christian space, with more than 800 episodes and over 36 million downloads. He is the author of several books, including the bestselling At Your Best, and the founder of the Art of Leadership Academy, a growing community of more than 20,000 leaders. He spent over a decade as a lead pastor north of Toronto before stepping away to focus on helping leaders at scale. He has studied burnout, cynicism, moral failure, and the patterns that separate leaders who finish well from those who don't. He brings to this conversation more than two decades of pattern recognition built at the intersection of personal suffering and serious study. Show Partner SafeSleeve designs a phone case that blocks up to 99% of harmful EMF radiation—so I'm not carrying that kind of exposure next to my body all day. It's sleek, durable, and most importantly, lab-tested by third parties. The results aren't hidden—they're published right on their site. And that matters because many so-called EMF blockers on the market either don't work or can't prove they do. We protect our hearts and minds—why wouldn't we protect our bodies too? Head to safesleevecases.com and use the code WINTODAY10 for 10% off your order. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my book "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.