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Think of all the things we do to stay alive. We fasten our seat belts. We buy fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. We lock our doors. We wear sunscreen. We take our vitamins and look both ways before we cross the street. We don’t want to die. But today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how death has already died. We’ll see that’s the central message of Easter, and today we’ll find out that’s our eternal hope.

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Reverse mortgages often trigger strong reactions—especially among believers who want to honor God with their finances. But are those reactions grounded in biblical wisdom…or outdated information?

When it comes to debt and home equity, emotions can run high. Yet Scripture calls us to something deeper than instinct—it calls us to understanding. As Proverbs 19:20 reminds us, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”

To help bring clarity to this often misunderstood topic, Harlan Accola—who leads the reverse mortgage team at Movement Mortgage—joins the show today to separate fact from fiction.

For many people, the phrase reverse mortgage immediately raises red flags. And to be fair, some of that concern is rooted in history.

As Harlan Accola explains, earlier versions of these loans—and in some cases, unethical practices—damaged trust. Like many industries, there were bad actors who misused the product and took advantage of seniors. But today’s reverse mortgage is very different.

Modern reverse mortgages are federally regulated through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and include strong consumer protections designed specifically for older homeowners. Still, misinformation persists—often passed along by well-meaning friends, family members, or even within church communities.

That’s why biblical wisdom matters here. We’re called not just to react, but to understand.

One of the biggest misconceptions about reverse mortgages is that they’re simply another form of dangerous debt. But as Harlan points out, not all debt functions the same way.

Traditional consumer debt—like credit cards or auto loans—requires monthly payments. Miss those payments, and the consequences can quickly escalate, creating stress and financial strain.

A reverse mortgage, however, works very differently:

That final point is key. If the home’s value declines, the borrower (or their heirs) is not personally responsible for the difference.

As Harlan emphasizes, understanding the mechanics of a financial product is essential before comparing it to others—or dismissing it altogether.

Harlan highlights a situation that’s becoming increasingly common.

Many homeowners in their 60s and 70s have built substantial equity—but still carry monthly mortgage payments. In fact, a significant number of Americans over 62—and even over 75—are still making those payments.

When unexpected expenses arise—a roof repair, a broken water heater—many turn to high-interest credit cards to cover the gap. This is where a reverse mortgage may offer relief. By eliminating a monthly mortgage payment, it can:

Harlan also notes that this added margin can even open the door to greater generosity—freeing individuals to steward their resources more intentionally.

For Christians, financial decisions are never just about numbers—they’re about faithfulness.

That means we shouldn’t reject or embrace any financial tool without first understanding it. Wisdom requires discernment, not assumptions.

Reverse mortgages aren’t right for everyone. But as Harlan Accola reminds us, decisions should be based on accurate information—not outdated fears.

As Proverbs 19:20 encourages

Feel so familiar with Easter…that it’s hard to deeply appreciate? Author David Mathis helps us marvel at wounds of unfailing love & decisive victory.

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Life seems to be moving faster and faster, so it requires intentionality to slow down. Jennifer Dukes Lee ran so hard that she reached a breaking point, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. She and her husband decided to leave the hurry sickness behind and go back to farm life, where they could learn a different pace and discover a deeper relationship with God and family through the seasons of life. In this discussion, Jennifer will help you “grow slower” to refresh your mind, body, and soul.

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When life comes apart, when dreams die, when relationships break - how do you put it all back together? In this program, Chip offers a solution but it sounds like a rotten idea. He tells us, “You gotta die.” Sound crazy? Join Chip to discover the amazing plan God has for guiding us through whatever comes our way.

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When we finally graduate from childhood to grownup hood, we trade in some simple games for some complicated games. You know, once you get bigger, you have to learn all the rules of football, baseball, and basketball. And they can get pretty complicated. But I remember some of those uncomplicated games I played when I was little, like dive bomber. Yeah, simple rules. All you had to do was come in with your arm extended and knock the hat off the other guys head. That was pretty simple rules. Oh yeah, and try not to knock off the head with the hat. And then we played keep away. That was pretty simple. Keep throwing the ball back and forth and keep it away from the guy in the middle. That was easy. And dodgeball, Did you ever play dodgeball? You know, we'd play dodgeball when a bunch of us guys would get together and we had a good sized ball. And the object of the game was very simple. When another guy tried to throw that ball at you, you just tried to dodge it. In fact, we boys got pretty good at dodging. In fact, some of us still are.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Men Who Run."

Now, our word for today from the Word of God comes from Genesis 3, and I'm going to be reading from verses 7-10. It really introduces us to an interesting and often frustrating trait in a man, especially if you happen to be a woman. It's a trait that goes all the way back. Listen to this scene from the Garden of Eden, "Then the eyes of both Adam and Eve were opened and they realized they were naked. So, they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day. And they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. The Lord God called to the man, 'Where are you?' He answered, 'I heard You in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.'"

Now, it's interesting. When God came to talk after that first sin, Adam grabbed Eve's hand and ran and hid. Did you know Adam is still running from substantial conversation...from confrontation. He's even running from talking with Eve. You see it when it comes to conversations about feelings, about personal and inner personal problems, or conflicts. Oftentimes, we're the great postponer. You know, a wife says, "Honey, we need to talk." So the husband turns out the light and says, "Yes, later, Baby." A child is showing signs of needing some guidance or correction, and Dad will put off confronting that as long as possible - sometimes until there's a heart wrenching crisis.

Men tend to avoid areas where they aren't sure of their competence. So, you know, we'll talk about activities, and achievements, and work, and sports, and politics. But many of us men are unsure of ourselves when it comes to deeply personal areas. So, we play dodgeball when it comes to talking about personal problems. And those things just keep growing until they explode.

As a man, I must, with God's help, resist this urge to run...to postpone...to live with the word "later" when it comes to significant conversation. So many human tragedies could have been averted if only a man hadn't put off dealing with problems and not let the sun go down on it. If we're going to be the leaders God has commanded us to be, guys, we've got to turn and face the issues. Discuss our deep feelings and solve problems while they're small enough to solve.

It's far more manly to catch what's thrown at you than to dodge it.