Cancer

Faith in the Midst of Trials

March 4, 2021 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

Reading Time: 2 minutes

For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold. These are the words that Ron Hamilton penned as he faced cancer which eventually took his eye. Ron and Shelly Hamilton had only been married three years when they received the news that Ron had cancer in his eye. Initially, the doctors speculated that his cancer could spread further into his brain, which would prohibit any surgical operations. Shelly had to come to grips with the reality that she may lose her husband after only three years of marriage. Thankfully, God had a different plan for Ron and Shelly. The doctors removed Ron’s eye and through that trial was the birth of the Patch the Pirate adventures.

As Shelly points out, God often turns our greatest trials in our lives into the greatest blessings of our lives. At Intelligent Investing, we understand that managing your wealth and finances is a small fraction of your entire life. Our goal is to help be your accountability partner, and advisor, as you face various trials in your life. We’d be honored to have a quick cup of coffee or a call to talk about what is going on in your world, and see if we may be a good fit to assist you as we go through life together.

If you haven’t subscribed to our podcasts, you can go to our podcast page and choose whichever method you want to download them. While you are there, you can go to our blog page and subscribe so you can get our latest Intelligent Insights directly in your inbox.

Shelly Hamilton Bio

Shelly Hamilton, the daughter of Frank Garlock, married Ron Hamilton aka “Patch the Pirate” in 1975. They have managed Majesty Music and written sacred music for children and adults since they joined the ministry in 1978. Shelly currently ministers at Majesty Music as pianist, composer, arranger, and recording producer. In 2013, their son killed himself after years of struggle with mental health issues. The family’s public struggle and acknowledgement of mental health issues has reached people around the world. Most recently her family faces a new challenge: Ron Hamilton’s early onset of dementia. Her insight and music will encourage anyone facing the challenges of life.

In January 2018 Majesty Music announced their third generation of leadership. After years of waiting for God’s timing, Ron and Shelly transitioned the ministry over to their son-in-law Representative Adam Morgan and his wife, Ron and Shelly’s daughter, Megan.

From Trials to Blessings: The Story of Patch the Pirate

February 18, 2021 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

We never know when unexpected trials will come. Perhaps you’re left wondering why and how these trials could be part of God’s sovereign plan. Back in 1978, Ron and Shelly Hamilton were teaching at Bob Jones University when Ron started to notice reading difficulties in his left eye. After a series of tests, they discovered that he had cancer in his eye. Little did Ron and Shelly know that Ron losing his eye would pave the way to an incredible lifelong ministry of music and song. While at church, the children started asking Ron what’s over his left eye, and he responded that it’s a patch. He took it a step further and told the children to call him Patch the Pirate. Fast forward 4o years later, Majesty Music has produced over 40 adventure series of Patch the Pirate. Out of this tragedy, Ron wrote this song, “Rejoice in the Lord” as a reminder of God’s sovereignty.

Shelly’s story about her husband Ron’s cancer and turning these trials into something beyond their wildest dreams is a humble reminder to trust in God’s bigger plan when the days are dark, scary, and lonely. We’ll be learning more from Shelly on several episodes of Intelligent Money Minute. We wanted to provide you with some background information before we dig deeper into financial related topics such as transitioning a family business, caring for a spouse in retirement, and much more.

If you haven’t subscribed to our podcasts, you can go to investedwithyou.com and choose whichever method you want to download them. While you are there, you can go to our blog page and subscribe so you can get our latest Intelligent Insights directly in your inbox.

Shelly Hamilton Bio

Lessons Learned When Battling Cancer

April 5, 2019 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Reading Time: 2 minutes

On today’s Intelligent Money Minute, we’ll interview Carl Sharperson on lessons learned when battling cancer. Cancer has touched the lives of millions of families whether immediate or extended. During this episode, Carl describes how cancer changed his life, and how his faith, family, and friends got him through the battle. Check out our previous podcasts with Carl on Identifying Work-Life Imbalance and How Not to Lose Your Mind When Unemployed. At Intelligent Investing, one of our key tenets is to unify families on communication especially during crisis situations. Our principal, Hans Blake, wrote a personal piece regarding the toll of cancer and the decisions his family had to make during that time. Read more here.

We’ll be interviewing Carl on several podcasts, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts.

Carl Sharperson Jr. is a Leadership Innovation Strategist, speaker, author, and coach. He specializes in helping leaders maximize their potential in their working and personal life. He does this by drawing from his unique experiences in the military, Corporate America, and entrepreneurship.

Carl Sharperson Bio

Carl is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former United States Marine Corps pilot. Following his service, he held a number of senior sales and operational positions with Procter and Gamble, Frito Lay, and Colgate Palmolive. Later, he felt the tug towards entrepreneurship and launched Sharperson’s Executive Leadership in 2000.

As a speaker, Carl travels nationally with the Navy’s Speaking Bureau, inspiring students to consider military training. Also, he shares his message of leadership innovation with colleges, churches, and corporations. Additionally, Carl partners with the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC, as an adjunct trainer.

Carl now works on several community and faith-based initiatives serving as a mentor. Carl and his wife make their home in the upstate of SC, and are proud parents of a son and daughter.