Aging is part of God's plan, says author Missy Buchanan—and it's a gift, not punishment. Buchanan reminds us that aging is a matter of perspective—if we fix our eyes on negative images of growing old, we will miss the treasures right before us. But when we focus on God, we will discover an abiding joy that comes only with a long life. Aging Faithfully is divided into four weekly themes: Accepting the Challenges of Aging Finding God's Purpose in Aging Overcoming the Temptations of Aging Dis...

If you provide care for another person, whether you are a family member or a professional caregiver, you know that caregiving is hard, sometimes unappreciated work. But have you ever considered that it isn't easy to be the care receiver? "Caregiving is … about forming a relationship with another whom we might never have chosen to know. It is about doing all we do practically with the intention of growing into a relationship of respect, listening, presence, and truthfulness," Henri Nouwen writ...

Even when we're old, God can still use us. In Don't Write My Obituary Just Yet, Missy Buchanan will warm your heart with her stories of older adults living with a sense of purpose and gratitude for the life God has given them. As Buchanan writes in the introduction, "Good stories leave an imprint on our hearts and inspire us to live differently." The 30 stories in this enlarged-print book give us glimpses into the lives of ordinary people ranging from 70 to 100 years old. Some of these folks ...

This retirement book focuses on the personal dimensions of the move from full-time work to partial or full retirement. Drawing upon conversations with retired professionals from around the country, it identifies some of the key transitions in the first years of retirement, the unique opportunities for personal growth in this phase of life, and the real challenges we must face. Retired engineer Jack Hansen and spiritual formation leader Jerry Haas explore the transitions, opportunities, and ch...

Aging often brings concerns about health, worries about finances, and frustrations about change. The so-called golden years can seem filled with loneliness and pain. How is a person of faith to cope with the challenges and find purpose for the rest of his or her life? Missy Buchanan encourages older adults to maintain open dialogue with God. Through a series of personal poems and reflections, each coupled with a selection from Psalms, Buchanan presents heartfelt talks with God. She addresses ...

In scripture, the opposite of faith is often fear. With remarkable frequency, the first thing God says to those poised at the edge of momentous decisions or holy encounters is, "Do not be afraid." What God intends is not simply an attitude adjustment but empowerment. "Do not be afraid" finds its expression when we do not live afraid. This book invites readers and groups who gather around it to take that word to heart — and beyond heart to living. Each chapter considers a theme that explores w...