A farmer lived on the same farm all his life. It was a good farm, but over the years, the farmer began to tire of it.

He longed for a change — for something "better."

Every day, he found a new reason for criticizing some feature of the old place.

Finally, he decided to sell, and listed the farm with a real estate broker who promptly prepared a sales advertisement.

The ad emphasized all the farm's advantages: ideal location, modern equipment, healthy stock and acres of fertile ground.

Before placing the ad, the Realtor called the farmer and read the text to him for his approval. When he had finished, the farmer said, "Hold everything!  I've changed my mind. I am not going to sell. I've been looking for a place like that all my life."

People sometimes become blinded to their blessings.

That most of us have a roof over our heads is something for which to be grateful. But how many complain about their house, because for some reason they feel as though they deserve a bigger, better one?

We all have clothing on our backs. But how many complain when those clothes lack designer labels or come from the "wrong" store?

Can you be content with the material things you have? Can you refrain from spending money you don't have, or money that needs to be saved for a catastrophe?

If the answer is no, I would invite you to determine why your heart is restless and unsettled.

Are you happy with the direction your life is going? Do you feel like there must be something more, or better, or different waiting for you? Is something else going on that is keeping you stirred up?

If you are unsettled, perhaps you are looking for a kind of contentment that cannot come from material possessions, but only from God's hand. If you are not living a contented, fulfilling life, perhaps you are looking for happiness in the wrong places and in the wrong ways.

Jesus Christ provides the kind of happiness and contentment we each look for. He will open the door to lead you in right paths. Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, then everything else will be added to you."  (Matthew 6:33).

God first; everything else second — because everything else is secondary to your relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving Day is approaching quickly. Will you recognize the goodness that surrounds you?  Will you be truly thankful for all you have?  Will you seek God first in every aspect of your life?

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Be content with what you have

If you're part of Generation X — the age cohort born between the mid-1960s and the early 1980s — you're probably in one of the busiest phases of your life, as you're well into your working years and, at the same time, busy raising a family.

But just as you're multi-tasking in your life, you'll also need to address multiple financial goals.

In seeking to accomplish your key objectives, you may be asking yourself a variety of questions, including the following:

Should I contribute as much as possible to my IRA and 401(k)? In a word, yes. Your earnings on a traditional Individual Retirement Account and a 401(k) grow on a tax-deferred basis, so your money can accumulate faster than it would if placed in an investment on which you paid taxes every year.

Plus, since you typically make 401(k) contributions with pretax dollars, the more you contribute, the lower your taxable income. And your traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible, depending on your income.

If you meet income guidelines, you can contribute to a Roth IRA, which provides tax-free earnings, provided you meet certain conditions.

Should I put away money for my kids' college education? It's not easy to fund your retirement accounts plus save money for your children's college education. Still, college is expensive, so if you feel strongly about helping to pay for the high costs of higher education, you may want to explore college funding vehicles, such as a 529 plan, which offers tax advantages.

Should I pay down my mortgage or invest those funds? Most of us dream of freeing ourselves from a mortgage someday. So, as your career advances and your income rises, you may wonder if you should make bigger mortgage payments.

On one hand, there's no denying the psychological benefits you'd receive from paying off your mortgage. However, you may want to consider putting any extra money into your investment portfolio to help as you work toward your retirement goals.

Work with your financial adviser to determine what may be most appropriate for your portfolio.

Do I have enough insurance in place to protect my family? You may hear that you need seven or eight times your annual income in life insurance, but there's really no "right" figure for everyone.

You may want to consult with a financial adviser to determine how much life insurance is appropriate for your needs.

Am I familiar with my parents' financial situation and estate considerations? Now is the time to communicate with your parents about a variety of issues related to their financial situation and estate plans. The more you know, the better positioned you'll be to provide assistance and support if and when it's needed.

Just to name one example, you should inquire of your parents if they've designated a durable power of attorney to make financial decisions for them in case they're ever incapacitated.

By answering these questions, you can get a handle on all the financial issues you face at your stage of life.

It may seem challenging, but taking the time now can help you better position yourself to reach your financial goals.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: Gen X'ers must juggle a variety of financial issues

Okaloosa County's 4-H program has received a $1,500 donation from Legacy Insurance and Tower Hill Insurance Companies to help start an archery club.   

The donation will help purchase equipment to start the club, along with T-shirts for youth members and volunteers, and a banner the club can use when traveling to 4-H state competitions.

The archery club will continue a 4-H tradition: focusing on developing youths as individuals and responsible, productive citizens.

The 4-H Shooting Sports Program stands out as an example. Youths learn marksmanship, safe use of firearms, the principles of hunting and archery.

The program's activities and adult leaders' support provide young people with opportunities to develop life skills, self-worth, and conservation ethics.

Local 4-H Shooting Sports clubs are open to all youths ages 8 to 18.

Shooting sports can be gratifying for youngsters, especially those who aren’t athletes. The program provides a supportive environment in which young people can experience hands-on, fun learning experiences.

4-H also offers youths opportunities to acquire knowledge, develop leadership skills, and form attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing community members.

The programs are offered in volunteer-run project and community clubs. 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for 4-H, contact Misty Smith at mismith@ufl.edu.

If your children are interested in joining the 4-H Archery Club, contact club leaders George and Carrie Cook at cld020411@gmail.com.  

Misty Smith is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SMITH: Donation helps fund Okaloosa 4-H Archery Club

Cell phones and social media can be a blessing — keeping us connected with faraway loved ones, for instance — but they also can be massive problem makers.

Often, I see children trying to talk to parents in restaurants, at parks and other places, and they get ignored because someone is on the phone.

Our ability to personally interact with one another, and with God, has been seriously damaged when we allow these items to occupy our minds, eyes and hearts.

I mourn the demise of the ability to use the handwritten word. I still have letters from my great-grandmother, great-uncles, grandparents, and yes, small handwritten notes from my wife.

When I see the writing on them, based on their style alone, I can picture loved ones as though they are standing right there. 

Paul, in writing several of his letters, stated they were indeed written by his own hand. This would have given a sense of authority, intimacy, and emotion. In essence, he was stating that he cared enough about a situation to sit down and write a personal letter instead of dictating it to Luke or someone else.

We no longer have a commitment to sit down and write something. No more personal contact, no long lasting memories.

 I wonder sometimes if we have gotten too convenient for our own good.

Perhaps if we shut down these devices, spend some time with our children without the distraction, and learn to respond to one another, the world could be a better place.

Or would we rather tune out and ignore those around us, even our children, to their detriment?

Our first major piece of communication came in the form of letters, written by men as they were given inspiration and instruction.

God's written word is to us a letter of confirmation of his great intentions for us.

When he put flesh upon His Word, and that flesh became his son Jesus, he was not tuning out, but expressing with his own hand that his love is so great toward us.

Tune in to him today. Unplug, and live.

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: Mourning the handwritten word