Shows
FINISHING WELLSPECIAL SERIES #2: The Levites - Biblical Characters and How They FinishSend us a textHal Habecker discusses the biblical perspective on retirement, focusing on the Levites who retired at age 50 to serve in 48 cities across Israel. Despite the modern concept of retirement being less than a century old, Habecker emphasizes that the Bible addresses it implicitly. He highlights the Levites' post-retirement roles as pastors, judges, and teachers, stressing their continued contribution to the community. Habecker argues that older people, like the Levites, should remain active in their faith, mentoring younger generations and fulfilling God's purpose. He encourages continuous growth and service in all stages of life, advocating...2025-07-2420 min
FINISHING WELLSPECIAL SERIES: Finishing Well: A Study of Biblical Lives - IntroductionSend us a textThis study explores the lives of several key biblical characters to examine how they finished their earthly journeys—whether in strength, struggle, or redemption.Hal Habecker introduces a series on aging and fulfilling God's purpose, emphasizing that aging is a meaningful part of God's plan. Hal argues that older people are a valuable resource often ignored by culture citing 2 Timothy 4:6-8 and Psalm 90:12 to underscore the need for wisdom and purpose in aging. Hal encourages continuous service to God, regardless of age, and stresses that retirement does not diminish one's mission. He...2025-07-1714 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S4E16: Friendship and Its Essential QualitiesSend us a textRandy Marshall and Hal Habecker discuss the importance of friendship, particularly in the aging years. They emphasize humility, adversity, and empathy as key traits of true friendship. Randy shares an analogy about finding one's life's purpose through the support of five close friends and the realization that life is brief, with an average of 30,000 days. They highlight the role of encouragement and the need for older people to stay active and engaged. Randy's ministry at Watermark Church, focused on intergenerational mentoring, has seen 20 people sign up to mentor younger generations. They also touch...2025-06-0835 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S4E14: Guest: Ken Wilgus. “Being a Parent of Adult Children”Send us a textAs we age, living with and influencing our adult children is a huge theme in life. In this podcast, listen to Hal as he interviews well-known psychologist, Dr. Ken Wilgus about life with adult children. Ken has written an exceptional book entitled, Feeding the Mouth That Bites You, and while Ken’s book focuses on the adolescent years, the principles he shares are timeless and critically important in the years we share with our adult children.Dr. Hal Habecker and Ken Wilgus discuss the challenges of parenting adult children and the co...2025-05-0738 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S4E15: Guest: Ken Wilgus. "Being a Grandparent of Older Grandchildren"Send us a textDr. Hal Habecker and Ken Wilgus discuss the importance of planned emancipation in parenting and grandparenting. They emphasize respecting adult children and grandchildren, avoiding overbearing advice, and fostering independent adulthood. Wilgus highlights the need for churches to involve older teenagers in mentoring and to support families with technology and discipline. He advises grandparents to communicate respectfully and not side with grandchildren against parents. They also stress the importance of understanding and engaging with younger generations' beliefs, rather than imposing one's own views. The conversation underscores the role of the church in guiding multi-generational...2025-05-0739 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S4E11: Vicki’s Story of Anna: Are We Willing to Change and Grow?Send us a textVicki Habecker tells her story about how God is working in her life in a completely unexpected way a new friend, Anna.Listen to her story and let’s listen to God for the new ways He might be calling us to follow Him.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 free materials, events, and other on-line resources that prov...2025-03-2539 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S4E9: Catch the VisionSend us a textIs the 7 Essentials Curriculum Making a Difference?"Join Hal as he interviews David Windley about the impact the 7 Essentials ismaking in David's life and ministry as he leads a 4th Quarter ministry withEastWest Ministries in Dallas.I believe God wants to make an impact through the 7 Essentials in everyplace. David illustrates this in his life.Support the show"Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to understand and embrace God’s calling in their lat...2025-02-2433 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S4E8: Finding Significance as We AgeSend us a textIn this podcast, Hal and his wife, Vicki, talk about the importance of FINDINGSIGNIFICANCE AS WE AGEThey address these four questions:1. What happens when you’re no longer a big deal?2. What happens when you’re no longer the king pin?3. What happens when you’re no longer the big kahuna?4. What happens if the world is not waiting with bated breath to know what I’mdoing or what I once did?In our aging years, do I feel unimportant or even...2025-02-1740 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S4E7: Simple Relational Disciple MakingSend us a textIn this episode, Hal interviews Jerry Wiles on the topic of remarkable book justpublished entitled, Simple Relational Disciple Making: Ancient Ways for Modern Times. It is a fascinating book that relates to sharing the Gospel and disciple-making, and how that mission should be part of our lives more and more as we age. This conversation has relevance to everything we do, and it related especially to sharing the stories of God’s work as we invest our lives into generations following us. Listen to the podcast and then order the book.2025-01-3037 min
FINISHING WELLEPISODE S4E5: Happy New YearSend us a textLeaning into a new year and all God has for us in it is a wonderful way to enter 2025.Listen to Hal as he shares his heart for God’s purposes in 2025 both personally for him and his family and for the work of Finishing Well Ministries.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 free materials, events, and other on-l...2025-01-1517 min
FINISHING WELLSpecial Episode: Hal's Appearance on the podcast series Saving GraceSend us a textLast month I had the privilege of being a guest on ‘Saving Grace Podcast,’ a regular podcast produced by Grace School of Theology, Houston, Texas. My interviewer was a good friend, Tracy Marshall, a fellow church member where we attend. It was a great opportunity to share the work of Finishing Well Ministries with their network and the radio network of Salem Radio Network. I hope you will enjoy what God is doing through FWM and the doors He continues to open to us. Thanks, Hal HabeckerHow do we live...2024-10-3028 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S4E2 (134): Seeing Opportunity in Retirement with Dr. Tom WatsonSend us a textHal Habecker interviews Tom Watson, a longtime friend, about his life journey and transition into retirement. Tom shares his upbringing in Pampa, Texas, his education in agriculture and biology, and his career as an anesthesiologist in Texarkana. He discusses the challenges of aging, the decision to retire, and the move back to Dallas to be closer to family. Tom emphasizes the importance of finding a new church and community, and he expresses his desire to continue serving God through teaching and reaching out to neighbors. He advises others to find purpose beyond their...2024-10-1632 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S4E1 (133): Daughters, Mothers, and DementiaSend us a textLosing a loved one to dementia is an all-encompassing grief - it affects you physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Listen today as Hal’s wife Vicki interviews 2 of her closest friends, Dawn Pownell and Mary Yarbrough. The 3 of them will share honest yet heart-warming stories (be prepared to laugh and maybe shed a tear or two). They will offer encouraging suggestions and reminders of how God’s faithfulness carried them as they walked this difficult journey.Support the show"Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to unde...2024-09-231h 19
FINISHING WELLEpisode S3E28(132): Having a Vision of How God Uses Us in Our Aging Years in the Most Ordinary of WaysSend us a textAs Hal interviews John Sparks, John shares his story of how God is using him to encourage others in his neighborhood with a simple vison and a dog. It’s a fascinating story, and the journey continues. John’s story will encourage you and perhaps bring fresh insights as to how God wants to use each of us – with the simplest of ways becoming open doors for the work of the Spirit through each of us.Support the show"Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to und...2024-08-2938 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S3E26 (130): Preparing for and Anticipating the Uncertainties of LifeSend us a textLife has lots of interruptions and uncertainties. They may be as simple as too many red lights when one is in a hurry, and they may be as profound and life-changing as an unexpected illness or even death. We can also expect that the longer we live these uncertainties of life may even become more frequent for ourselves or with family and friends. Can we prepare for them? How do we prepare for and anticipate them? Hal and Randy will discuss and encourage us as we trust God with life.Support...2024-08-1227 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S3E25: Churches - Memories and MortarSend us a textThe destructive fire of the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Dallas, started Hal & Vicki thinking about their memories of churches that God used in their lives. This historic church is what God used to launch them into ministry. Perhaps this podcast will jog some thoughts in your heart about the churches that have been a part of your life and how God used them to stir your spiritual growth. Happy listening and growing. If you have a chance, please take an extra few minutes and listen to this song by Emily Ann...2024-08-0326 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S3E23 (127): Hal’s Story – My Bike Wreck and “I’m Back”Send us a textSeven weeks ago Hal had a serious bike wreck and needed surgery. In this new podcast listen to Hal share the story of his bike wreck and recovery. He is back on his feet now and pressing on again in serving God and Finishing Well Ministries. Life can bring many kinds of unanticipated events that will sideline us, but God is good, and He is always working out His purposes in our lives.Support the show"Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to understand and...2024-07-0822 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S3E24(128): Vicki’s Story of Changing LanesSend us a textIn today’s podcast, Hal’s wife, Vicki, shares her story about having to “change lanes” in life. Using the metaphor of a freeway, she shares her story about changes God has for her, changing to a different lane, and even getting off the freeway and onto a service road. Changes in life are not easy at times, but God uses them for His purposes. You will enjoy her story.Support the show"Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to understand and embrace God’s calling in...2024-07-0821 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode S3E20(124): Hal, Randy and FWM - who, what and why? A synopsis.Send us a textRandy is a founding board member of Finishing Well Ministries and cohost of this podcast. After nine years with us, he shares his perspective on the ministry in his own words and where he sees it going. Join us for an exciting and candid conversation with Randy Hess. 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 free materials, events, and other on-line res...2024-04-1817 minFINISHING WELLEpisode S2E17 (122): Happiness and LaughterSend us a textIn this podcast Hal & his wife, Vicki, team up to share insights and encouragement concerning the importance of happiness and laughter in the continued journey of aging and finishing well. There may be reasons to be discouraged - health problems, family problems, world problems, emotional challenges, spiritual challenges, disappointments, trial of all sorts – economic, political, the news every day - but keep the joy of Jesus in focus! Listen in!Support the show"Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to understand and embrace God’s call...2024-03-1929 minFINISHING WELLEpisode S3E17(121): Building a "Toolbox" for Finishing WellSend us a textIn this new podcast Hal and Randy suggest some attitude and behavior tools to build your own resource toolbox in Finishing Well. It all starts with our own personal relationship with Jesus Christ and grows out of life in and through Him. 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 free materials, events, and other on-line resources that provide shared insights focused on...2024-03-0127 minFINISHING WELLEpisode S3E13 (117): “Thinking Together about Pain”Send us a textHal Habecker, together with his wife, Vicki, share their insights on pain and living with pain. Someone has said that pain is the gift no one wants. But God has His purposes in our pain. Vicki and Hal share a bit of their own journey through the ups and downs of pain in their lives along with things God is teaching them.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 ac...2024-01-3030 min
FINISHING WELLEpisode E8S3: The 1st Essential: We will continue to grow spirituallySend us a textOur 1st of the 7 Essentials is GROWTH. We Will GROW – we will not stay the same. Growth is the underpinning of nearly everything in life. Growth is always life-giving. If we are not growing we are not life-giving. Hal and Randy explore the value of Growth in all of life.“If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.” Gail SheehySupport the show"Finishing Well Ministries aims to encourage and inspire aging Christians to understand and embrace God’s...2023-12-1529 minFINISHING WELLEpisode S2E50 (102): Our Identity in ChristSend us a textHal’s wife, Vicki, shares her heart about the importance of “Identity” in all of life, and particularly, in the aging years. Perhaps nothing is as important in life than knowing who God created us to be and to see ourselves as He sees us through the life and death of His Son, Jesus. Satan attempts to pull us away from that incredible truth by tempting us to see our value through what we do. Vicki speaks out of her own heart to women, but the truth of her heart speaks to men as wel...2023-08-1430 minFINISHING WELLEpisode S2E51 (103): Joy in the Aging YearsSend us a textIn this podcast Hal shares some insights related to “joy in the aging years.” God created us in His own image to enjoy the world in which He placed us to live for Him. Despite the flaw of sin in this world (Ecclesiastes 1.12), and despite the challenges of aging along with afflictions together with the end of life, seeing His hand in all of life continually leads us to a life of joy as we keep placing our faith and trust in Him even through the most trying of times.Support the...2023-08-1422 minFINISHING WELLEpisode S2E49(101): When God Keeps Opening DoorsSend us a textListen in as Hal and Randy share the story of God’s faithfulness as He continues to supply the finances needed for the mission of FWM. You will also be encouraged and invited to become a regular financial supporter of FWM. As God keeps opening new doors of ministry to FWM, we are asking God to bring new supporters to meet the continuing growth of this strategic work. Will you make an investment in FWM to strengthen the mission of mobilizing seniors to keep serving Jesus in the best years of life?...2023-07-1421 minFINISHING WELLEpisode S2E48(100): Wine and the Word: John 15:1-11Send us a textFor the past 13 years Hal, along with his son-in-law, Mark McWilliams, have a led a unique 3-day event called “Wine & the Word.” This event takes place in the middle of a vineyard in Healdsburg, CA, Arista Winery, owned by the McWilliams family. In this event, Mark does an “exposition” of the vineyard and wine, while Hal follows him with an exposition of John 15.1-11, where Jesus teaches the spiritual life of His disciples through the metaphor of the vineyard. This podcast is about that event. To learn more about where this event takes place, se...2023-07-1225 minFINISHING WELLEpisode S2E47(99): God's Faithfulness: Randy's Last Few WeeksSend us a textAfter a 3-month absence from our regular Podcasts, Randy rejoins Hal, and he brings us up-to-date with some crucial events in his life. He’ll give you an inside look at the challenges and hardships he and his family have faced along with God’s faithfulness in their journey. Don’t miss it.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 free material...2023-07-1028 min