By Steve Silver—The Washington Times, November ’17

Does the title of this article sound like an oxymoron? If you’re a golfer, when was the last time you turned to your walking or riding partner and said, “How is it with you and your faith?”

I’ve never asked that, even though I’ve been serious about my faith for many years and an avid golfer for nearly as many. Let’s face it — in most cases, that question would be out of place, inappropriate and a nonstarter. Let’s unpack this. [Read more…]

By Steve Silver—Mature Living Magazine, April ’16

“Retirement” is something most think of as a time to throttle down, relax, re-prioritize, and enjoy the people, places and activities most important to them. For those fortunate enough to retire, it can indeed be all of that. However, retiring from a career doesn’t mean retiring from ministry. [Read more…]

By Steve Silver—Mature Living Magazine, August ’15

Here’s the scenario. You and your spouse will soon be empty nesters. Maybe you’re already there. Until now, your focus has been on nurturing, raising, loving and launching your children. You’ve thought about this time over the years, but it’s now becoming a reality. You may be a little excited by this sea change, but sad there won’t be kids at home at night—and a little apprehensive about how the empty space will be filled. You may be talking about the getaways you’ll enjoy, friends you’ll spend more time with, hobbies you’ll take up. Possibly even about retirement down the road. [Read more…]

By Steve Silver—Maturing Living Magazine, September ’14

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. Psalm 127:1

Most of us have worked hard to get to where we are today. If you’re like my wife and me, you periodically reflect back over your years of co-laboring. In our case, we can hardly believe it’s been forty-three years. I was in my second year of seminary in Scotland. We had just enough savings between us to squeak through the year. By the time we got back to the states, I had decided not to pursue ministry as a profession but was unclear about what I would do as an alternative. [Read more…]

By Steve Silver—Mature Living Magazine, April ’14

1. “You’re doing that the wrong way.”
2. “Let me give you some advice.”
3. “I’m very disappointed in you.”
4. “Can you afford that?”
5. “Why in the world did you do that?”

These are a few examples of how NOT to speak to your adult children. You’ll put them on the defense, stop the conversation before it even starts, or drive the relationship into a ditch.
Is it possible your children are adults to others but not to you? You’re their parent but are you still their tutor? You raised, nurtured and provided for them. Does that give you a special dispensation for the way you’re allowed to speak to them? [Read more…]

By Jeff Hopper—Links Players Magazine, February ’14

Lunch. It was only lunch.

“Let’s pay for lunch,” Sandy Silver said as nonchalantly as a husband might expect. But Steve Silver had a calculator in his head. And this lunch, at this time, in this place, with this many people, was adding up in a hurry. Steve balked. “We’ve picked up too many checks already,” he said.

That little comment set a spark to dry tinder, and the ensuing hours constituted a very rough patch. You never want misery in your marriage; you especially don’t want it when you’re vacationing in Tuscany, Italy, in celebration of your fortieth wedding anniversary.

But looking back on it, as brave in humility as this requires a man to be, Steve Silver will tell you now, three years later, that this was the end of one of the enduring traits of what he calls his “Old Man.” [Read more…]

By Steve Silver—Baptist Press, December ’13

At Christmas, regardless of what people believe about the birth of Jesus, all boats rise to the occasion of this special day. Thanksgiving rolls by, the November calendar page turns to December, and we sense a change in the air. Gradual at first, then building until full blown on the big morning itself. [Read more…]

By Steve Silver—Today’s Christian Living Magazine, December ’13

Do you have a lawn? Did you used to? Maybe you’re a city dweller, condo owner, or renter who’s not lawn-challenged. Maybe you hire someone to keep your lawn perfect. Perhaps your mostly crabgrass–yard doesn’t bother you or you got out of the lawn business with your last move. If you’re a weekend yard warrior like me, however, you’ll definitely relate to the tribulations and rewards of achieving and maintaining a beautiful lawn. [Read more…]

By Steve Silver—Baptist Press, October ’13

Life is a continuous series of choices. Big ones are obvious. Go to this college. Marry this woman. Break off the engagement. Take that job. Start a business. Buy that company. Have children. Move to this city. Have the operation. Buy that house. Make this investment. Retire now. Retire here. These and other major decisions alter outcomes in ways hard to see at the time. [Read more…]

By Steve Silver—Baptist Press, March ’13

I recently saw the movie “Quartet.” This directorial debut by Dustin Hoffman caught me off guard. I expected a pleasant afternoon of English landscapes and edifying dialogue wrapped in a story about a retirement home for gifted musicians. I got that and more — an acceptance of my own future. Let me explain. [Read more…]