As you prepare your tax return information, gather documents that describe all of your assets and financial information. Consider who it is you want to receive those assets as a part of your legacy. Without a will, someone else will make that decision. With a will you can provide for minor children, your spouse and others that depend on you. And while making these decisions, please consider continuing to change children’s lives by including Baptist Children’s Homes in your will.

In these economic times, many individuals have found themselves with lower income. That obviously affects your current giving, which in turn affects the ministry charitable organizations are able to provide. A gift through your will is a wonderful way to help sustain our ministry and continue our vision of sharing hope…changing lives.

Leave a legacy to your children by leaving a legacy to our children. For more information on how you can leave a Legacy call me at 336-474-1230.

Those results come from a seven-year study of patient data in emergency rooms across the United States. They show that 68% of patients 35 to 54 received medications for their pain, while only 49% of patients aged 75 and over received the same treatment.

The lead researcher says, "We're not exactly sure why this happens. It may be because physicians are more concerned about potential side effects in this population."

Patients 65 and older account for some 20 million E.R. visits every year. Almost half of these visits are for the evaluation and treatment of pain.

All this highlights the fact that the medical community needs to better understand how best to manage pain in older patients and understand the barriers to doing this.

As the lead researcher (Timothy Platts-Mills of UNC) says, "All patients, regardless of age, deserve to have relief from pain, especially when it is severe."

Amen to that!

I asked Linda Brookshire of Moravian Falls how she became involved with BCH. She shared how her parents harvested apples and potatoes for the Children’s Homes. Their actions instilled within Linda the importance of giving to meet the needs of God’s precious children. I have listened to story after story of the wonderful legacies that have been passed on from generation to generation that help sustain our ministry today.

Throughout the years, we have been blessed by those who have left a legacy by making Baptist Children’s Homes a part of their Last Will and Testimony. These funds are a critical means of support to the ministry. What greater legacy is there than being a part of changing a child’s life?

My father was a hard working man, and passed on to me a strong work ethic.

My father was a giving man who helped anyone in need. He spent hours upon hours cutting fire wood to give to others. I remember the many times he and mom made the three-hour drive from their home in Roanoke Rapids to Mills Home in Thomasville delivering food and clothes they collected for the children. I am thankful he showed me, by example, the importance of giving.

My father loved life. He enjoyed telling a good joke and laughing as hard as you would as he told it. I am glad he taught me the importance of laughter and bringing joy into the lives of others.

My father was a Christian man who loved to share how God changed his life.  He was a bold witness. As a teenager, I remember him taking me on Thursday night visitation. No, he was not a pastor, just a person who felt compelled to share the Gospel. A few years ago he was in the hospital struggling with heart problems. During that time he wondered why the Lord had not already called him home and what purpose God still had for his life. While in the hospital he led one of his attending nurses to the Lord.

I am so grateful for the legacy he left as he lived out his faith and shared his love for Jesus. What a wonderful legacy!

Legacy

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.

Legacy sung by Christian music artist Nicole Nordeman

All aging adults who live alone need some type of emergency contact system.  Many types are available and provide good service.  Call NCBAM today to help you find the one best for you.

Dr. Michael C. Blackwell is president of Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina as well as North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry. I know you'll love hearing from him as he shares insight regarding the goals and future of NCBAM as well as encouraging words for aging adults and their caregivers.

Brenda B. Gray serves BCH as executive vice-president of development and communications and is also a member of NCBAM's Advisory Team. Look for a series of postings from her soon about the importance of building a legacy by sharing what God has gifted you with.

Look for their postings soon. I know they will bless you!

One's perspective is quite different depending on whether one is looking up from a bed or down on a bed.

Be gracious and thankful to all those who show love and concern...even if their gestures are ill-timed or inappropriate.  They are doing what they can when they can.

Pay no mind to those who attempt to rush your healing or those who tend to dismiss your problem.  They simply don't understand.

Be thankful for every good day.  One's attitude helps the bad days improve.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

We equate importance with wealth and power. God did not create us to amass a lot of things...God created us to make a difference in this world. Paul said we are to live a "life worthy of our calling." Our calling from Christ is to be his agents of grace, mercy, forgiveness, joy, and love. In fact, Jesus said we would be able to do greater things that he did on this earth. The possibilities of our influence are beyond imagining.

When the journey on this earth concludes, the things we've accumulated and all that we've had won't matter. What matters is: Did I make a difference in the lives of others? I think of those who have made a difference in my life. If I wrote out their names, few, if any, would recognize them. Yet their names are imprinted like a hand print on my heart. With whom has my life made a difference? That's where true wealth is found. It is to live a life worthy of our calling. How can I make a difference today?

• A call saying you have won a large sum of money or a new car.  To claim the prize, you are requested to send some money.
• Someone may call or try to visit claiming they want to sign you up for new health care benefits.  They obtain personal information (such as social security number and birth date) and use that information to steal the victim's identity.
• Investment fraud - You are invited to participate in an investment opportunity and promised spectacular profits with no risk.  Instead of making money, you lose it.
• Credit-related schemes - you are promised a credit card for an advance fee.  You pay, but the card is never delivered
• Charity scams - A natural disaster is dominating the news, and you get a letter/mail/phone call asking you to donate funds to help the victims.  You send the money, but the victims never receive your donation or receive only a tiny portion.
• A fraudulent telephone carrier may change your long-distance phone service without your permission or knowledge, which usually results in higher charges for long-distance calls on your phone bill.
• You are asked to pay up front before materials are purchased or a home repair is done.  The person takes the money and never comes back.

Following are some  Fraud Prevention Tips

• Read your telephone bill carefully each monthly and make sure you still have the long-distance company you selected.
• Offers too good to be true usually are.  Ask to receive the "unbelievable deal" or "amazing offer" in writing so you can read it carefully before making a commitment.
• Never give out your personal information over the phone or internet unless you have initiated the contact.  Personal information should only be shared when you are absolutely certain you know the person or company you are dealing with.  If there is ANY doubt or reason to be suspicious, withhold the information until you can verify that you are dealing with a legitimate offer.
• Anyone who sees suspicious activity should call 911 immediately.
• If a caller asks you to pay for an offer in advance or asks for your credit card number or social security number, tell the person you don't give out personal information over the telephone.
• Never allow your credit card to be used for verification.  Scammers try to devise schemes to obtain your credit card information even when you do not purchase anything.
• Practice saying "No."  You do not have to please everyone.  Do not try to please a salesperson.
• Get advice.  Talk to a trusted friend, relative or financial advisor before committing your money.
• Trust your instincts.  Your first impression is often correct.
• Check out the company and professional.  How knowledgeable, experienced and reputable are they?  Large firms are not a guarantee of quality.  
• Never give in to  high-pressure sales tactics that urge you to "act now."