One year ago today (not actually the date, but it was the Friday before Memorial day), was my last day of working for my company. They had decided to close us down and move all operations to the East coast. I didn't know what to do. I had never been out of work before. Now I have been without a job for over a year now.
So the other day I started to reflect back on this past year of unemployment. What I have accomplished, how I have grown, the impact of it all. At first I thought it was cool to be off of work over the summer. I could enjoy my time off and spend the summer with my daughter. We took a family vacation to see my in-laws in California. We went hiking. I coached her softball team. Had all kinds of fun. Then summer gave way to fall, and my daughter went back to school, and my wife was working. I was at home all by myself. I thought what could I do, to get out of the house. I started volunteering at our local hospital! What an awesome position to work. The woman who interviewed me, told me that I would get much more out of this than I could ever imagine. You know what? She is right! This job is so fulfilling!
In the meantime, a friend of mine had been going to ministry school. He mentioned it to me one day, that he thought that I might be interested in going as well. He sent me the link and I checked it out and decided that he was right. I would be interested in going. So I enrolled, recieved my study materials and dove right in. The first class wasn't until January. So I had some time, since it was on November. I had originally did the pick four classes. You take four classes and recieve a Bible certificate. After I finished my fourth class, I knew that I wanted to finish the course and keep going. Is this what GOD has planned for me? Is this why I am still unemployed? If I had a job, I would not be able to attend classes, because the start at 6:00 pm on Friday evenings, and they are a two and half hour drive away!
So I have been sending out resume after resume. I have had about 4 interviews in the year that I have been off. GOD keeps on closing those doors, but He is keeping the ministry door open. Hmmmmmm, doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Unfortunately, this isn't paying the bills. I hate being on unemployment, and I really hate having my wife carry the load of providing for the family. It's a man thing. I have pride, not the sinful kind of pride, but I have pride in taking care of my family. I feel like I am unable to do that, being unemployed. I mean I do the laundry, dishes, mow the yard, snow removal in the winter, vaccum, etc, etc. You get the idea. None of that is putting money in our bank account. So I have learned to trust in Jesus! He will provide for us, just like he always does! He has something big in store for my family! I just have to wait patiently! Praise GOD for his provision, and everything in my life!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
God's provision
For the last month or so, I have been in kind of a down mood. I just lost all of my joy and happiness. I have been laid off since June 1st, 2010 and haven't had any luck finding a job yet. For the first time since I was laid off, I didn't think that we were going to be able to pay our bills. That is a frightning feeling, let me tell you! As a result of this feeling, I was cranky towards everyone. My wife, my daughter, my friends, etc, etc. I didn't even feel like posting on facebook anymore.
Then came the dreaded Friday, payday! I sat at our desk and opened the check book and started paying the bills. I paid bill after bill, and the balance did not go down as much as I thought that it would. Praise GOD! When it was all said and done, we were way ahead of where I thought that we would be! I thought that we wouldn't even make it, and we paid them all! We even had some left over! Praise GOD!! He provided for us, just like He always does! I don't know why I even doubted Him! He kept giving me reminders during the week, to remember to put my trust in Him!
That Friday afternoon after all of this went on, My friend and I had to head out for our ISOM classes. The trip down there was awesome. Our conversation in the car is nothing short of amazing. The class I had over the weekend and the instructor that taught it, really lifted my spirits even more! I came home on Saturday on fire. Ready to get back to being the joyful, happy person that I am. The Sunday morning service at church, put more fuel on my spiritual fire! I am re-ignited for GOD, and I am rejoicing about it!
I praise GOD for it all. He pulled me out of my doldrums, put me back on solid footing and told me not to worry. He has everything in control! Praise GOD for that!
Then came the dreaded Friday, payday! I sat at our desk and opened the check book and started paying the bills. I paid bill after bill, and the balance did not go down as much as I thought that it would. Praise GOD! When it was all said and done, we were way ahead of where I thought that we would be! I thought that we wouldn't even make it, and we paid them all! We even had some left over! Praise GOD!! He provided for us, just like He always does! I don't know why I even doubted Him! He kept giving me reminders during the week, to remember to put my trust in Him!
That Friday afternoon after all of this went on, My friend and I had to head out for our ISOM classes. The trip down there was awesome. Our conversation in the car is nothing short of amazing. The class I had over the weekend and the instructor that taught it, really lifted my spirits even more! I came home on Saturday on fire. Ready to get back to being the joyful, happy person that I am. The Sunday morning service at church, put more fuel on my spiritual fire! I am re-ignited for GOD, and I am rejoicing about it!
I praise GOD for it all. He pulled me out of my doldrums, put me back on solid footing and told me not to worry. He has everything in control! Praise GOD for that!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Explaining Sin!
Our daughter came home from school the other day, and told us something interesting. She told us that she explained sin to a fellow male student while they were waiting in a line. Apparently said student said a certain cuss word in front of her. She proceeded to tell him that using that kind of language was a sin. A friend of hers backed her up when she told him this news.
He asked her if she was one of those "whacko's" who go to church. She responded with a resounding YES! She told him as a matter of fact, I am a Jesus Freak!! My wife and I are both like "SWEET". That's our girl. Standing up for her beliefs and morals and not backing down! Awesome! We are so very proud of her. It's nice to know that we are raising her right and although, sometimes it seems she isn't listening, she actually is! Far to many students I know, would have just blown it off and went on their way. But not our daughter. It's awesome that she is standing up for what is right.
I told her to go in the next day and give him this Bible verse;
Ephesians 4:29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
May our daughter continue to be a light at her school. May she always have the boldness to stand up for what is right. A lot of adults could have learned from her boldness. I pray that we adults have that kind of attitude to do what she did.
We love our daughter very much! She is definately a gift from GOD! I thank GOD for her everyday, and I praise Him for her heart to do what is right!
He asked her if she was one of those "whacko's" who go to church. She responded with a resounding YES! She told him as a matter of fact, I am a Jesus Freak!! My wife and I are both like "SWEET". That's our girl. Standing up for her beliefs and morals and not backing down! Awesome! We are so very proud of her. It's nice to know that we are raising her right and although, sometimes it seems she isn't listening, she actually is! Far to many students I know, would have just blown it off and went on their way. But not our daughter. It's awesome that she is standing up for what is right.
I told her to go in the next day and give him this Bible verse;
Ephesians 4:29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
May our daughter continue to be a light at her school. May she always have the boldness to stand up for what is right. A lot of adults could have learned from her boldness. I pray that we adults have that kind of attitude to do what she did.
We love our daughter very much! She is definately a gift from GOD! I thank GOD for her everyday, and I praise Him for her heart to do what is right!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Conversation
My job for the last six weeks at the hospital has been to work in the Out Patient Services area. I am supposed to make sure that people check in at the front desk for an appointment in Out Patient Services. If they don't check in, I send them back to the front desk to do so. If they don't check in, they will come over, have a seat, and no one will call them because they don't know that they are there. So it has been my job for the last six Monday's to make sure that doesn't happen.
Yesterday, while manning my post, a woman came toward me with a big smile on her face. I told her good morning, and she said the same thing back to me. I asked her how she was doing, and she said "ah, just ok". I told her that she had a big smile on her face, that counted for something.
After her appointment was over, she came up to me and started up a conversation. I have a button on my uniform that says "I Pray". She asked me about that. I asked her if she wanted the long story, or the short story? She told me to tell her everything, so I did. I told her that I was given a button at Christmas time that said " Merry Christmas, God with us". Well since it was after Christmas, I couldn't really wear that anymore. I told her I went on a search for a new button to wear, and that is what I came up with. I told her that I found a pack of three buttons, but this is the only one that was good enough to wear on my uniform. She then asked me where I found them at. I told her the name of the store and how to get there.
She then proceeded to tell me how wonderful it was to meet a fellow Christian working at the hospital. I said to her, if I had to guess, I would have guessed that she was a Christian, just from the smile on her face when she first came in. The Jesus in me, recognized the Jesus in her! I told her that I volunteer there for the Lord, first and foremost. She said "GOD bless" for doing that and giving of my time. I told her thank you, and that I really enjoyed doing it. She then told me her name and that she had to get going. I wished her a great and blessed day!
Once again, I love being able to talk about GOD, Jesus, my faith, in a public place and not have to fear any trouble for it. I praise GOD for my boldness to do so. I will continue to do so as long as I work there. All the glory to GOD!!
Yesterday, while manning my post, a woman came toward me with a big smile on her face. I told her good morning, and she said the same thing back to me. I asked her how she was doing, and she said "ah, just ok". I told her that she had a big smile on her face, that counted for something.
After her appointment was over, she came up to me and started up a conversation. I have a button on my uniform that says "I Pray". She asked me about that. I asked her if she wanted the long story, or the short story? She told me to tell her everything, so I did. I told her that I was given a button at Christmas time that said " Merry Christmas, God with us". Well since it was after Christmas, I couldn't really wear that anymore. I told her I went on a search for a new button to wear, and that is what I came up with. I told her that I found a pack of three buttons, but this is the only one that was good enough to wear on my uniform. She then asked me where I found them at. I told her the name of the store and how to get there.
She then proceeded to tell me how wonderful it was to meet a fellow Christian working at the hospital. I said to her, if I had to guess, I would have guessed that she was a Christian, just from the smile on her face when she first came in. The Jesus in me, recognized the Jesus in her! I told her that I volunteer there for the Lord, first and foremost. She said "GOD bless" for doing that and giving of my time. I told her thank you, and that I really enjoyed doing it. She then told me her name and that she had to get going. I wished her a great and blessed day!
Once again, I love being able to talk about GOD, Jesus, my faith, in a public place and not have to fear any trouble for it. I praise GOD for my boldness to do so. I will continue to do so as long as I work there. All the glory to GOD!!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
My Daughters Heart
My daughter had been saving up her money for an I Pod Touch for over a year. She was saving her birthday money, her allowance money, money from wherever she could get it. She was focused and determined to get this device! I really admired her restraint from spending it on something else.
Our youth group from church went to a Momentum youth convention. My daughter was in that group that went. We gave her some spending money, for food and what not. They were only gone for two days, not long at all.
She came home and told us how she divided up her meal money, so she could give some to the offering taken up at the convention. Praise GOD for her giving heart! That wasn't the best part. Not even close. She proceeded to tell us that she had commited all of her I Pod savings to the Speed the Light missions ministry. What? Where we hearing her correctly? She was giving away all of her savings! Every last cent! Praise GOD again! She was giving up what she wanted, so that someone else could benefit! My daughter is twelve years old!
So the story got around to our family and friends, about her giving her savings to a mission ministry. When black Friday rolled around, a few places had the I Pod on sale for really good price. We didn't know it at the time, but we had family in line at several stores in a couple of different states, waiting in line to make sure that she got her IPod! This brought tears to my eyes, that my family was so moved by my daughters generosity, that they were willing to stand in line for however long it took to get her the IPod! Praise GOD!!
He honors your willful giving! This is the kind of attitude we are trying to maintain. Giving is better than recieving! I praise GOD for my daughter everyday! What a gift from Him she is! To GOD goes all the glory!
Our youth group from church went to a Momentum youth convention. My daughter was in that group that went. We gave her some spending money, for food and what not. They were only gone for two days, not long at all.
She came home and told us how she divided up her meal money, so she could give some to the offering taken up at the convention. Praise GOD for her giving heart! That wasn't the best part. Not even close. She proceeded to tell us that she had commited all of her I Pod savings to the Speed the Light missions ministry. What? Where we hearing her correctly? She was giving away all of her savings! Every last cent! Praise GOD again! She was giving up what she wanted, so that someone else could benefit! My daughter is twelve years old!
So the story got around to our family and friends, about her giving her savings to a mission ministry. When black Friday rolled around, a few places had the I Pod on sale for really good price. We didn't know it at the time, but we had family in line at several stores in a couple of different states, waiting in line to make sure that she got her IPod! This brought tears to my eyes, that my family was so moved by my daughters generosity, that they were willing to stand in line for however long it took to get her the IPod! Praise GOD!!
He honors your willful giving! This is the kind of attitude we are trying to maintain. Giving is better than recieving! I praise GOD for my daughter everyday! What a gift from Him she is! To GOD goes all the glory!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
I know this may seem silly to some, and I know that Facebook will not see this post, but here goes.
I am thankful for Facebook! There I said it. I know that it is kind of like an addiction, a time sucker, but I am still thankful for it. Let me tell you why. When my Dad went into the hospital before Christmas, one of my cousins from down there by him had friended me. I accepted and we began having conversations for the first time in over eight years. She was a Christian now also, so we had a lot more in common. I had mentioned that my Dad (her Uncle) was in the hospital. She told me that she would stop by and see him. So she did. Without Facebook, that would not have been possible. I did not have her phone number and had no way to get ahold of her, or any of my other relatives.
When my Dad got sick a month ago, the same thing happened, except with a different cousin. I contacted her through Facebook and told her what was going on with him. She took control. She would head over to the hospital and give me feedback on what was really happening! Again, I thank GOD for Facebook. Without it, none of this would have been possible.
Finally, when my Dad got sick the last time and was dying, I got ahold of my family via Facebook and let them know what was happening. Same thing happened. Both of my cousins got ahold of thier parents and other siblings and spread the news. People started heading for the hospital to be with family.
Again, all because of one post on Facebook back in December, all of this happened with my family. I thank GOD that I am able to stay in contact with them most of the time! So thank you Facebook for being in existence! For keeping people in touch with one another! I am forever grateful that I was able to let my cousins, aunts and unlces know about what was happening with my Dad!
I praise Your Holy name Jesus!!! You are good!!!
I am thankful for Facebook! There I said it. I know that it is kind of like an addiction, a time sucker, but I am still thankful for it. Let me tell you why. When my Dad went into the hospital before Christmas, one of my cousins from down there by him had friended me. I accepted and we began having conversations for the first time in over eight years. She was a Christian now also, so we had a lot more in common. I had mentioned that my Dad (her Uncle) was in the hospital. She told me that she would stop by and see him. So she did. Without Facebook, that would not have been possible. I did not have her phone number and had no way to get ahold of her, or any of my other relatives.
When my Dad got sick a month ago, the same thing happened, except with a different cousin. I contacted her through Facebook and told her what was going on with him. She took control. She would head over to the hospital and give me feedback on what was really happening! Again, I thank GOD for Facebook. Without it, none of this would have been possible.
Finally, when my Dad got sick the last time and was dying, I got ahold of my family via Facebook and let them know what was happening. Same thing happened. Both of my cousins got ahold of thier parents and other siblings and spread the news. People started heading for the hospital to be with family.
Again, all because of one post on Facebook back in December, all of this happened with my family. I thank GOD that I am able to stay in contact with them most of the time! So thank you Facebook for being in existence! For keeping people in touch with one another! I am forever grateful that I was able to let my cousins, aunts and unlces know about what was happening with my Dad!
I praise Your Holy name Jesus!!! You are good!!!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Proof
When my Dad got sick a few weeks ago, I was concerned with only one question. Did he know Jesus? Was he saved? Did he know where he was going when he passed on? I guess that is three questions isn't it. I contacted one of my cousins that lives down there close to him. I asked her to go see him and ask him those questions. She reported back to me with a resounding YES! Amen! I was filled with joy, and happiness!
While visiting him in the hospital just before he passed, I was able to witness everything that she told me. He was saved, he did know Jesus, and he did know where he was going for eternity. Everytime we asked him if he wanted us to pray for him, he nodded his head yes. He would squeeze our hands in response to questions about heaven and Jesus! Praise GOD for all of this! He was in control of the situation.
So we had the visitation followed by the burial, then we headed for home. Before we did that, we stopped at my step-mom's house. She had two boxes of pictures, one for me and the other one for my brother that she wanted us to have.
A couple of days after all this, I opened up the box and started to go through the pictures. A lot of our old school pictures were in there, as well as other ones that we had taken through the years. A lot of great memories were relived by looking at those pictures.
In the middle of the stack of pictures, I came across three that stopped me right in my tracks. They were pictures of my Dad being baptized, as an adult. Full immersion water baptism! There it was. Proof that he was saved and knew Jesus. Up until that moment all I had to go on was my cousins word that he was. It was like God was cementing for me the truth that he was saved! Those pictures were in there for a purpose, and there was a reason that I got that box of pictures. I needed to see those pictures.
I praise GOD for those pictures, and for me finding them. Now I know for 100% that my Dad was a saved man! I knew that he was by the way things went in the hospital, but this really cemented it for me! Praise GOD!!!
While visiting him in the hospital just before he passed, I was able to witness everything that she told me. He was saved, he did know Jesus, and he did know where he was going for eternity. Everytime we asked him if he wanted us to pray for him, he nodded his head yes. He would squeeze our hands in response to questions about heaven and Jesus! Praise GOD for all of this! He was in control of the situation.
So we had the visitation followed by the burial, then we headed for home. Before we did that, we stopped at my step-mom's house. She had two boxes of pictures, one for me and the other one for my brother that she wanted us to have.
A couple of days after all this, I opened up the box and started to go through the pictures. A lot of our old school pictures were in there, as well as other ones that we had taken through the years. A lot of great memories were relived by looking at those pictures.
In the middle of the stack of pictures, I came across three that stopped me right in my tracks. They were pictures of my Dad being baptized, as an adult. Full immersion water baptism! There it was. Proof that he was saved and knew Jesus. Up until that moment all I had to go on was my cousins word that he was. It was like God was cementing for me the truth that he was saved! Those pictures were in there for a purpose, and there was a reason that I got that box of pictures. I needed to see those pictures.
I praise GOD for those pictures, and for me finding them. Now I know for 100% that my Dad was a saved man! I knew that he was by the way things went in the hospital, but this really cemented it for me! Praise GOD!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)