September 2015 - Choose Life

We’ve heard “pro-life” and “pro-choice” language now for several decades.  I was struck while  reading Deuteronomy 30:18-20 that God uses both words.  “I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life...”  This injunction CHOOSE LIFE goes way beyond abortion or euthanasia or self-destructive acts.  Taken to its fullest measure, it means to live in such a way that you are infused with life and purpose and meaning and significance and hope.  LIVE!!

John 10:10 reminds us that “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  Embracing Jesus is a truly “pro-life” decision!

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Why talk about life right now?  I have two reasons this month really.  My name is Kathi Dunlap, Gary’s business consultant, and I asked if I could be the voice of Faith Focus this month.  I wanted to be able to share with you, our friends and clients, about the passing Gary’s mother, Janice Reese.  She went to be with Jesus on Saturday, September 5, surrounded by family.  Gary says, "Mom was a  saint and a great prayer warrior.  We know she's with Jesus and with her loved ones who have gone before.  We are hurting, of course, but we have great peace."   I remember Janice as always having such a beautiful smile and a kind word for those she came in contact with.  I also deeply admired her love for all her family and I personally saw her close relationship with Gary and Shannon’s son, Andrew.  Janice lived well and now she knows what it means to truly LIVE!

The second reason that I focus on life is the very grievous videos recently released concerning Planned Parenthood’s involvement in harvesting and selling body parts from aborted babies.  An article at The Federalist compares this atrocity and our nation’s response to it with 19th century slavery.  Jayme Metzgar says, “In no uncertain terms, these doctors and technicians speak of harvesting hearts and livers, lungs and lower extremities. Recognizable human organs are being carefully extracted and their monetary value discussed. There is no plausibility in the argument that this is a donation of the woman’s tissue; it’s patently obvious that the mother isn’t donating her own liver, heart, lungs, or lower extremities. Clearly, like our ancestors before us, we’ve created a class of sub-humanity. These unborn children are human enough to be “donors” of recognizable human organs—but not human enough to enjoy legal personhood. We can kill them at will and use their bodies how we wish. We own them.”  I recommend this article to you in its entirety.  It makes it painfully clear that we as Americans are caught with blood on our hands. 

Just as the Israelites had a choice set before them, so do we.  “This day I call the heavens and  the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life!”  I would heartily encourage you to explore all that that can mean for you — perhaps a commitment to Jesus Christ, a renewed commitment to love and serve your family, a fresh perspective on materialism vs stewardship, re-examining your understanding of abortion, and so forth.  Benjamin Franklin says, “If you love life, then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.”   How will you spend time and eternity?

Blessings to you, dear ones!

77 Companies that Support Planned Parenthood

BIG NEWS!!

After years of prayer, deliberation, assessing needs, research, and networking, we have made the decision to open an office at 122 N. Main Street, Bluffton, OH.  Many of you who have been a client, friend, or follower for awhile know that we began our business in our home in 2003.  We have always had a dedicated office there, first in a remodeled basement and then in an additional separate office on the back of the house.  We’ve always had space dedicated to meeting with clients, handling files and paperwork, and completing other staff functions.  The benefits of working from home are tangible and we enjoy the flexibility and convenience.  Of course, the downsides have been low visibility and loss of personal space. 

Because of our commitment to “only work with those who want to work with us”, we have not been overly concerned about low visibility — God seems to regularly bring to us those folks we can serve well and with whom we can build a relationship .  As our staff has grown, the loss of personal space has been and continues to be an ongoing challenge.   As we hope to bring an   associate into our firm in the upcoming years, moving to an outside office will give us the space and flexibility we need to grow.

We are just beginning to renovate the space and are hoping to open this office this fall.  We will have limited hours in the Main Street office and will continue to do much of the ‘behind the scenes’ work from our home office.  We will keep everyone posted in the coming weeks about possible changes in  contact information, mailing address, and so forth.   We do not expect client service to be interrupted at all — and if anything, it will be enhanced as we grow.  Watch for more details to   follow… We are grateful to God for this expansion.  To God be the glory!! 

 HAPPENINGS

REFERRAL DRAWING

We hold a referral drawing every 6 months to recognize those individuals who refer clients to us.  The January to June winners were Dottie E of Gallipolis, OH and Samuel W. of Jenera, OH.  We appreciate everyone who shares a kind word about how we have assisted them. Our business grows best by referral. 

DAVE RAMSEY

Gary is an Endorsed Local Provider (ELP) for Dave Ramsey in the northwest Ohio area.   We have begun conversations with a number of folks who have reached out to us via the Dave Ramsey website.  We are equipped to help people understand and follow Dave’s financial principles as well as guide them in their long-term investing plans.  If we can be of help to you in that area, don’t hesitate to contact us.

FALL CONFERENCE AT cfd

Several of our staff will be attending the Fall Conference at cfd Investments in Kokomo, IN  later this month.  cfd is our Broker/Dealer for securities business and they do an excellent job  of keeping our firm abreast of changes in the industry and ways to better serve our clients.  We always look forward to meeting with other reps and assistants.  The past several conferences have included sessions with Patrice Tsague of The Nehemiah Project (www.nehemiahproject.org), who has helped us in the area of Biblical entrepreneurship and building our own business here in Bluffton.  We value his expertise and would recommend his training to other entrepreneurs.

SOCIAL SECURITY PRO

We have recently started using a cutting-edge Social Security software that examines all of the various possibilities for filing for Social Security, as well as the optimum time to do so.  You do not have to file for Social Security blindly — let us help you make an optimum selection!

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Abiding in Christ means trusting Him fully in all things

“Abiding in Christ means total dependence on Him.  It is holding steady in Him, no matter how much turmoil, suffering or pain we endure.  It means resting in His Word, even though our world seems to be crumbling around us.”