Political and cultural disagreements have divided families, friendships, churches, and communities. In a world that encourages us to build walls, followers of Jesus are called to do something radically different.

Jesus calls us to become peacemakers—people who build bridges through humility, grace, truth, and love. Sometimes the greatest witness we can offer is not winning an argument, but restoring a relationship.

In this week’s featured episode, Building Bridges, Not Walls, I share practical ways to become a bridge builder, reflecting Christ’s heart while keeping eternity at the center of every conversation.

This concluding episode of our Navigating Faith & Government series challenges us to leave behind division and invest instead in relationships that point people to Jesus and pass on a lasting legacy of faith.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

Political seasons often leave us frustrated, discouraged, or even fearful about the future. It’s easy to focus on personalities, elections, and outcomes while forgetting the larger story God is writing.

Scripture reminds us that believers have lived under imperfect rulers throughout history. Our calling is not to place our hope in political leaders, but to pray for them, honor their position, and remain faithful to King Jesus.

In this week’s featured episode, President Nebuchadnezzar?, I explore how Christians can respond to imperfect leaders with wisdom, respect, courage, and trust in God’s sovereignty.

This fifth episode in our Navigating Faith & Government series offers practical guidance for engaging politics without losing sight of the kingdom that will never pass away.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

Many Christians live and work in environments that don’t reflect biblical values. Whether it’s the workplace, government, education, or the broader culture, it can be difficult to know how to remain faithful without withdrawing or compromising.

Daniel’s life provides a remarkable example. He served with integrity and excellence in an ungodly government while remaining completely devoted to God.

In this week’s featured episode, Dare to Be a Daniel, I explore how Daniel’s example can help us stand firm, serve faithfully, and influence the world around us without compromising our convictions.

It’s the fourth installment in our Navigating Faith & Government series, encouraging believers to live with courage, wisdom, and unwavering faith.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

Sometimes it feels as though the culture around us is moving farther and farther away from God. That can leave believers wondering whether they should withdraw, fight back, or simply endure until things improve.

God gave His people a different response. Through the prophet Jeremiah, He instructed His people to seek the good of Babylon, pray for their communities, and remain faithful even while living as exiles.

In this week’s featured episode, Exiles in Babylon, I explore what it means to live as salt and light in today’s world while faithfully representing the Kingdom of God.

This third episode in our Navigating Faith & Government series will encourage you to live with purpose, hope, and an eternal perspective wherever God has placed you.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

It’s easy to become consumed by the political and cultural battles around us. News headlines, elections, and public debates can leave us feeling as though everything depends on what happens here and now.

Yet Scripture reminds us that while we live in earthly nations, our deepest identity belongs somewhere else. We are citizens of heaven, called to live faithfully in this world without placing our hope in it.

In this week’s featured episode, A Tale of Two Cities, I explore the contrast between Babylon and Jerusalem, showing how followers of Jesus can engage culture faithfully while keeping their eyes fixed on Christ.

It’s the second part of our Navigating Faith & Government series, helping you view today’s world through the lens of God’s eternal kingdom.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

Government often feels like a human invention—something shaped by politics, history, and the changing priorities of society. But Scripture presents a very different picture. Long before there were nations, elections, or political parties, God established government as part of His design for human flourishing.

Understanding God’s purpose for government changes the way we think about politics, authority, and our role as followers of Jesus. It reminds us that our hope isn’t found in government itself, but in the God who established it.

In this week’s featured episode, Government 101, I explore God’s design for family, church, and civil government, laying a biblical foundation for navigating today’s cultural and political challenges.

This episode begins our six-part series on Navigating Faith & Government, helping you engage government and culture with biblical wisdom while passing on a legacy of faith to the next generation.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

Waiting for a child or grandchild to return to faith can be one of the hardest seasons to live  through. You care deeply, you pray often, and yet the outcome seemsl uncertain and out of your control.

In that waiting, it’s easy to drift toward trying to control the situation, or becoming discouraged and withdrawing. But Scripture calls us to something different— to be a steady, faithful presence, shaped by truth and grace.

In this week’s featured episode, Your Part in Bringing Them Home, I share what it looks like to reflect the heart of the Father—loving well, praying consistently, and remaining open and ready for the work God is doing.

This final episode in our When Kids Leave the Faith series helps you remain hopeful, faithful, and engaged as you trust God with the outcome.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

When someone you love walks away from their faith, it’s natural to feel a sense of responsibility to bring them back. You want to say the right thing, do the right thing, and somehow guide them toward the truth.

But the reality is, faith is personal—it cannot be inherited or forced. Each person must come to God for themselves, and that work ultimately belongs to Him.

In this week’s featured episode, Let God Bring Them Home, I talk about what it looks like to step out of the “driver’s seat” and trust God to do what only He can do—while you remain faithful in prayer, love, and integrity.

It’s the second of our three-part series on When Kids Leave the Faith, helping you respond with biblical wisdom, patience, and trust in God’s timing.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

When a child or grandchild walks away from faith, it can bring a wave of questions that are hard to shake. What went wrong? Did I fail? Should I have done something differently? These are deeply personal and often painful questions.

But Scripture reminds us that even faithful, godly parents have faced this same reality. Being “lost” is not simply the result of parenting—it is about distance from the Father’s heart. Guilt and condemnation are not the answer.

In this week’s featured episode, A Healthy Perspective, I help reframe this difficult situation through a biblical lens—enabling you to release guilt, and begin moving forward with grace and hope.

This episode is the first  of our three-part series on When Kids Leave the Faith, designed to help you respond with biblical truth, love, and confidence in God’s ongoing work.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

Many grandparents feel a deep burden when it comes to the faith of their children and grandchildren. You care deeply about them. You want them to know Christ. And sometimes it can feel like the responsibility rests entirely on your shoulders.

But Scripture reminds us that while we are called to love, pray, and faithfully share truth, the final outcome is not ours to control. God is the one who ultimately changes hearts.

In this week’s featured episode, Trusting God with the Outcome, I talk about the freedom that comes from faithfully planting seeds while trusting the Holy Spirit to bring growth in His perfect timing.

This episode concludes our four-part series on Time and Availability, encouraging you to remain faithful, hopeful, and prayerful as you invest in the next generation.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

You may feel like you don’t have enough time with the next generation to make a real difference. But meaningful influence doesn’t always require large blocks of time. Often, it begins with being attentive and intentional in the moments we already have.

A brief conversation can become meaningful when we listen carefully. A simple question can open the door to deeper discussion. Even short interactions can point naturally toward faith when we approach them with prayer and purpose.

In this week’s featured episode, Making Little Time Big, I share practical ways to turn ordinary moments into opportunities for encouragement, wisdom, and spiritual influence.

It’s the third part of our four-part series on Time and Availability, helping you make the most of the time God has given you.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children or grandchildren is simply our time. But in today’s busy world, time together can be surprisingly hard to find. Schedules are full. Families are scattered. And meaningful moments can slip by faster than we expect.
The truth is, the window for shaping the next generation is not as long as we might assume. Relationships and influence are built slowly, through presence, shared experiences, and genuine interest in their lives.

In this week’s featured episode, Before the Window Closes, I talk about why time and availability matter so much—and why the small opportunities we have today may be more important than we realize.

This episode is part of our full four-part series on Time and Availability, designed to help you make the most of the moments God gives you with the next generation.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

Do we really need another commandment? We - like the Israelites and everyone else - have been unable to keep the 10 originals, so why is there a NEW commandment? And since the 10 commandments became flesh in Jesus Christ, some might argue that they're extraneous. But they're wrong!

You won't want to miss this last episode in our series, Teaching Our Grandkids the 11 Commandments, to find out WHY we need to follow the 11 commandments, and how to instill them in our children and grandchildren. Be sure to share and discuss this podcast with your loved ones!

Want to catch up? Find the prior episodes here:
Episode One - God First, God Only, God Always | Click Here to Watch
Episode Two - No Lego Gods | Click Here to Watch
Episode Three - You Shall Not Take the Lord's Name In Vain | Click Here to Watch
Episode Four - Sabbath Rest | Click Here to Watch
Episode Five - Honor Your Parents | Click Here to Watch
Episode Six - Murder vs. Kill | Click Here to Watch
Episode Seven - Real Love, Real Boundaries | Click Here to Watch
Episode Eight - The Steal Deal | Click Here to Watch
Episode Nine - Fact-Check Living | Click Here to Watch
Episode Ten - Taming the Want Monster | Click Here to Watch

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

The 10th commandment, "You shall not covet," sounds simple. As the Bible tells us, you shall not covet your neighbor's house, spouse, servants, animals, or possessions. But for all too many of us and our kids, enough is never enough. We all want what others have. Thankfully, there is an antidote to pass on to our young loved ones.

Join Pastor Jeff Ling and me in our series, Teaching Our Grandkids the 11 Commandments, as we reveal why covetousness has been called the root of all evil, and how to counteract it. You'll want to share it with your family and grandchildren too!

Want to catch up? Find the prior episodes here:
Episode One - God First, God Only, God Always | Click Here to Watch
Episode Two - No Lego Gods | Click Here to Watch
Episode Three - You Shall Not Take the Lord's Name In Vain | Click Here to Watch
Episode Four - Sabbath Rest | Click Here to Watch
Episode Five - Honor Your Parents | Click Here to Watch
Episode Six - Murder vs. Kill | Click Here to Watch
Episode Seven - Real Love, Real Boundaries | Click Here to Watch
Episode Eight - The Steal Deal | Click Here to Watch
Episode Nine - Fact-Check Living | Click Here to Watch

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

As Christians, we aim to speak truth. But it's an uphill battle in a topsy-turvy culture where truth is relative and good is bad, right is wrong. Today, like the Israel of old, "everyone did what was right in their own sight." Like them, we have forgotten the 9th Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness." It's not surprising that Satan, the father of lies, has commandeered social media, TV, books, magazines, and even schools to kill, destroy and obliterate truth and moral values. Our kids and grandkids are the biggest victims of all. Left without a moral compass.

Join Pastor Jeff Ling and me in our series, Teaching Our Grandkids the 11 Commandments, as we provide insights to following the 9th commandment and sleuthing out truth. And please share it with your loved ones to provide them with a navigational compass in an upside-down world!

Want to catch up? Find the prior episodes here:
Episode One - God First, God Only, God Always | Click Here to Watch
Episode Two - No Lego Gods | Click Here to Watch
Episode Three - You Shall Not Take the Lord's Name In Vain | Click Here to Watch
Episode Four - Sabbath Rest | Click Here to Watch
Episode Five - Honor Your Parents | Click Here to Watch
Episode Six - Murder vs. Kill | Click Here to Watch
Episode Seven - Real Love, Real Boundaries | Click Here to Watch
Episode Eight - The Steal Deal | Click Here to Watch

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

In today’s culture, values are all relative, subject to one’s beliefs. Take stealing, for example. Some people might get a pass when they steal. It’s ok when it’s a small thing, or when it’s needed to “make ends meet.” But who do they really steal from? And what constitutes stealing anyway? The 8th Commandment, “You shall not steal,” is more involved than it seems. And it’s absolute – not relative.
 
Join Pastor Jeff Ling and me in our series, Teaching Our Grandkids the 11 Commandments, as we unravel the 8th commandment and reveal the ultimate betrayal of stealing.

Want to catch up? Find the prior episodes here:
Episode One - God First, God Only, God Always | Click Here to Watch
Episode Two - No Lego Gods | Click Here to Watch
Episode Three - You Shall Not Take the Lord's Name In Vain | Click Here to Watch
Episode Four - Sabbath Rest | Click Here to Watch
Episode Five - Honor Your Parents | Click Here to Watch
Episode Six - Murder vs. Kill | Click Here to Watch
Episode Seven - Real Love, Real Boundaries | Click Here to Watch

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

The 70s Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song "Teach Your Children Well" starts with this line. And it couldn't be more applicable now, when our NextGen loved ones believe that Truth is subjective and anything goes.

Studies show that our heads are in the sand if we believe our kids and grandkids are not sexually aware or active. That's why we are called to give them guidance from God's 7th commandment: "You shall not commit adultery" – before they fall into the grips of today's culture.

Join Pastor Jeff Ling and Dr. Bob Petterson in our series, Teaching Our Grandkids the 11 Commandments, as we discuss the 7th commandment and the rich nuances it encompasses.

Want to catch up? Find the prior episodes here:
Episode One - God First, God Only, God Always | Click Here to Watch
Episode Two - No Lego Gods | Click Here to Watch
Episode Three - You Shall Not Take the Lord's Name In Vain | Click Here to Watch
Episode Four - Sabbath Rest | Click Here to Watch
Episode Five - Honor Your Parents | Click Here to Watch
Episode Six - Murder vs. Kill | Click Here to Watch

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

As Christians, we may feel that the 6th Commandment, "Thou Shalt Not Kill," doesn't relate to us. We're sinners, but we're not assassins. We're horrified by the idea of killing. We've never killed anyone! But are we in the clear? Maybe not. The 6th Commandment is not as straightforward as it seems.

Join Pastor Jeff Ling and me in our series, Teaching the 11 Commandments, as we discuss the 6th Commandment, all the ambiguities it entails, and why it applies to each one of us.

Want to catch up? Find the prior episodes here:
Episode One - God First, God Only, God Always | Click Here to Watch
Episode Two - No Lego Gods | Click Here to Watch
Episode Three - You Shall Not Take the Lord's Name In Vain | Click Here to Watch
Episode Four - Sabbath Rest | Click Here to Watch
Episode Five - Honor Your Parents | Click Here to Watch

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

Did you know that the 5th commandment goes both ways? Not only should our children honor their heavenly Father, parents, and grandparents, but we are to honor our children! It's a commandment filled with lessons in loving, and the promise that if we obey, we will "live long in the land..."

Join Pastor Jeff Ling and me in our series, Teaching the 11 Commandments, as we discuss the 5th Commandment and the rich, lifelong calling it entails.

Want to catch up? Find the prior episodes here:
Episode One - God First, God Only, God Always | Click Here to Watch
Episode Two - No Lego Gods | Click Here to Watch
Episode Three - You Shall Not Take the Lord's Name In Vain | Click Here to Watch
Episode Four - Sabbath Rest | Click Here to Watch

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider making a donation?

Yet it’s one of the most neglected: the 4th Commandment, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. A day of rest and worship. It’s God’s gift to us for a happier and healthier life.

Join Pastor Jeff Ling and me in our series, Teaching the 11 Commandments, as we discuss the 4th Commandment. You’ll be surprised at all it encompasses and how it affects your walk with the Lord!

Want to catch up? Find the prior episodes here:
Episode One - God First, God Only, God Always | Click Here to Watch
Episode Two - No Lego Gods | Click Here to Watch
Episode Three - You Shall Not Take the Lord's Name In Vain | Click Here to Watch

Be on the lookout in October for a brand new Legacy Imperative website! We’re excited to share a fresh look with you—while staying true to the same mission: equipping grandparents to pass on a legacy of faith.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider making a donation?

In Shakespeare’s play, Romeo & Juliet, Juliet denies the importance of a name. Often, we do too. Consider the ways we may disregard or violate the 3rd Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in Vain. It’s as easy as throwing out an "O - M - ...." in response to a social media post. Or making a false claim concerning His will. And much more.

Join Pastor Jeff Ling and Dr. Bob Petterson as they continue the series, Teaching the 11 Commandments, and reveal the breadth of the 3rd Commandment. You may be surprised at all it encompasses!

Want to catch up? Find the prior episodes here:
Episode One - God First, God Only, God Always | Click Here to Watch
Episode Two - No Lego Gods | Click Here to Watch

Be on the lookout in October for a brand new Legacy Imperative website! We’re excited to share a fresh look with you—while staying true to the same mission: equipping grandparents to pass on a legacy of faith.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider making a donation?

Wouldn’t it be great if we could create our own “perfect” God? A lot of us try to do just that, but our “gods” and idols can never bring us salvation. That’s why God gave the 2nd Commandment: You shall not make an image of God or bow down to it. He’s not just referring to gods made of metal, wood, stone, or the Lego Jesus (yes, there is one). He loves us too much to enable us to create our own impotent idols and worship them.

Join Pastor Jeff Ling and Dr. Bob Petterson as they continue the series, Teaching the 11 Commandments, and delve into the depths of the 2nd Commandment!

Want to catch up? Find the first episode here:
Episode One - God First, God Only, God Always
Watch: https://youtu.be/KfyEBTrZQMQ
Listen: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-syhxv-195b8c5

Be on the lookout in October for a brand new Legacy Imperative website! We’re excited to share a fresh look with you—while staying true to the same mission: equipping grandparents to pass on a legacy of faith.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider making a donation?

 Are the 10 Commandments still relevant today?  Yes—and, there are actually 11 commandments! And we will cover them all, including why they are so relevant still today, in our new podcast series... Teaching the 11 Commandments.

You may say, “Since we have Jesus and live under grace, do we really NEED the Commandments?” Jesus himself followed them and advised us to do the same. They’re our moral compass to navigate in a sinful world.

The Big One

It’s not by chance that God starts His Commands with You shall have no other gods before me. We have no other options. He created us. We belong to Him alone. We aren’t our own. Radical concepts in today’s culture! Join us as we dig into the First Commandment.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider making a donation?

Many people feel pressure to have the “perfect conversation” about faith with the next generation. But influence rarely happens through one dramatic moment. More often, it grows through hundreds—sometimes thousands—of small moments over time.

A shared meal. A short car ride. A conversation after church. A simple question about what they believe or what they’re going through. When we are present and available, these everyday interactions begin to add up in powerful ways.

In this week’s featured episode, The Power of 1,000 Moments, I explain how small moments, repeated over time, can build trust and open the door to meaningful conversations about faith.

It’s the second part of our four-part series on Time and Availability, and it will encourage you to see the everyday moments of life in a whole new way.

Thank you for your interest in our podcasts! Legacy Imperative is donor-funded. Gifts from folks like you ensure that we can continue offering valuable resources free of charge and reach as many people as possible. Would you consider donating?

In reading Dr. Bob’s recent blog “Caught Between Two Paradises,” I was fascinated by the title and underlying theme.  It caused me to recall memories of my own life and the deep thoughts and introspection I had engaged in while chasing after personal happiness, success, and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow—and how I would get to “heaven,” not only in this life but in the next.

I read articles and books on success and theology by such great thinkers as C.S. Lewis and Father Richard Rohr, a well-known Christian thought leader, in pursuit of achieving the bilateral goal of success now and “in the end.” You see…attaining success, wealth, that brand-new fancy car, and the big house…heaven on earth now…gains us entrance to the ultimate place that people of almost all faiths want to be: HEAVEN.  Somehow, we believe that if we achieve those man-made tokens of success, the suitcase we fill with those trophies will position us closer than others to the promise—and we will be first in line.

For an exceptionally long time I had wondered about “success;” what it really meant and how to “get” it.  I grew up surrounded by “successful” people who seemed to be in paradise, but, in reality were “caught between two paradises.”  Many were living in the “paradise” achieved and promised by mortal men; and then, if they were fortunate or blessed, they were recognized as something big.  Yet, very big was always missing.

Regardless of each of our relative successes, how many of us have grappled daily with the task of “keeping the car between the white lines on the highway”—figuring, if we fail here, we will not gain entrance to the promised land?  We have struggled to make the car payments on the newly-acquired luxury automobile that the marketers claimed would make us happy.  How many of us have told ourselves that, if we just had a bigger house in that ritzy community down the road, our life would be better?

The imposed pressure and additional stress we have levied on ourselves by the constant messaging by teachers, journalists and politicians, who promise paradise on earth, has served to destroy many who listen and act on their advice.

From birth, we are barraged by materialistic messages that provoke expectations with us to be prettier, smarter, faster, and more powerful.  This has been done so effectively that few of us question the validity of the message:  “Reach the pot of gold faster than anyone else and reach it big!  This will lead you to paradise!”  Incidentally, this message comes from people who have little idea of what “heaven in between” is, or, more importantly, the Heaven promised in the Bible.

We spend a great deal of our life on earth looking for the pot of gold because we have been told “it is there” and “it is good.”  There are a few problems with this premise:  who is telling us this, how do they know that it is good, and how will we know it when we see it?  Upon examination we discover that the emotional high from the new car smell fades quickly and the roof on the new house leaks.  We are programmed and set up for chronic disappointment with each subsequent  “new pot of gold.”  It will never be enough.

If we are one of the many unfortunate not to recognize that the pursuit of these ultimately-impermanent icons is folly, we are consigned to constructing a weak foundation of happiness for ourselves and our legacy.  Father Rohr suggests, “If you stay in the protected first half of life beyond its natural period, you will become a well- disguised narcissist or an adult infant (who is also a narcissist)—both of whom are also thought to be successful by main street culture.  Sometimes referring to this as a patho-adolescent culture.”

As older, wiser parents and grandparents, we must, in the time we have left, help our children and grandchildren navigate life’s road.   Some of us have not found that the true heaven here on earth is right in front of us: seeing the happiness on our wife or partner’s face, watching our kids and grandkids grow up—even at times when growing up is done imperfectly.  We must use our intellect and experiences, not to live our family’s life for them, but to equip them to live their own life by the values, beliefs, and teachings that we have found indomitable.  We cannot successfully protect them from all harm nor assure them of a materialistically bountiful life.  But we can provide for them a basis for understanding; keys to life; a legacy that will last for generations.  That is the happiness and success for the “in between” in this life.  The happy memories we make and hold will far outlive our materialistic accomplishments. How we lead this mortal life is important.  It is our “warm up” for the Promise.

The Legacy Imperative of providing our children and grandchildren with the values to guide them through the “in between” is the most important gift we can provide for them in preparation for the paradise to come.  Jesus has promised that, if we follow his Word from the Alpha and the Omega, he will provide for us the real “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow”.  He spoke this promise through St. Paul in his second letter to young Timothy:

“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.  For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.  I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day—and not only for me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

Eric F. Rieseberg
Legacy Imperative