Psalms 92:14 the psalmist paints a picture of lovers of God that “even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.” That’s what I want for my life. I want to grow strong in my faith over the years so that even in my later years, I’m still producing fruit, vital and green.

What does that look like?

Many famous people have said it: we all need a Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy in our lives. Someone to teach and challenge us, someone to encourage us, and someone we, in turn, can teach and encourage. This is how we become a cultural influence for Christ – one person at a time.

For all 23 years of his retirement, Ted continued to serve God actively. Even as his health and energy changed, he didn't quit; he just modified the execution of his calling. Because the truth is that God's purpose for you doesn't come to an end when you retire.

We have lived in neighborhoods filled with predominantly retirees for almost two decades, and I'm here to report that the American Dream of Retirement is an illusion. Living a life with no purpose other than to play golf or tennis every day and eat out every night gets old fast. I can't tell you the number of times that a neighbor has told me how bored they are with retirement. It's why Martha and I wrote the book iRetire4Him. Because here's the thing, God's purpose for you doesn't end when your employment does. The work of Jesus isn't confined to 9-5, and your calling doesn't retire.

Let me ask you a question: When you go into vacation mode, is your spiritual life still switched on? If I’m honest, many of my past summers I went on vacation and switched off my faith-life. All I wanted to do was get out, enjoy, and forget about work and all the stressors of the day. I didn’t think about going to church on vacation. I didn’t think about sharing my faith on vacation. I certainly didn’t think about the gospel on vacation. I was basically a summer vacation Atheist.

A year and a half ago, we set off on a journey to write a trilogy that would encourage everyday believers in their work and retirement: iWork4Him, sheWorks4Him, and iRetire4Him. When we started this project, we had no idea the enormous undertaking it would be to write and release three books simultaneously. Everybody said it was impossible. I said it was like eating an elephant, one bite at a time.

The reality is that our world is broken; our communities are broken; broken by sin, by poverty, by hatred, by darkness. And tragically, the Church has largely turned over its responsibility to bring hope, healing, and provision to government programs. But God is asking you to step up, to bring hope and healing to your community and all He requires is willingness.

Jesus put loving your neighbor right up there with loving God. It's THAT important. So how do we move beyond just being a "good" neighbor and into being a Christ-like neighbor? How do we live out our faith in our neighborhoods… especially if we've been living in the area for a long time and NOBODY even knows we're a Christ-follower?

"My friend decided to try and become a mentor through his church. Unfortunately, his church didn't know what to do with a retired executive, and he got put out in the proverbial pasture. So many retired friends of ours have had the same issue. Time on their hands, wisdom in their minds, and willingness in their heart but no place to put all of that into action. Until now…"

Retirement is under attack. Not by the media, the news, or even the government, but Satan. Why did the enemy do this? The enemy has convinced "chronologically superior" people to check out, gather together in one place, sit back, relax, and enjoy the rainbows and unicorns of a well deserved rest.