Are you happy?

Are you happy? A simple three word sentence with huge impact. Many people go through life surviving, doing what they think they should, chasing a dream that turns into a night mare. Very few go after what they really want because they've been programmed to think that's abnormal.

After watching the Hallmark movie, Stranded in Paradise, it got me  thinking. Was I happy? Were all the survival jobs I worked for over three decades really worth it? Did I really step out and taste life?

Oh, I did a few times, but those were rare. Mostly I worked for thankless and disloyal employers, enduring positions I detested, for one reason - Money!

The Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil. Our government worships it. Many churches worship it. Every person in our society thinks it's important. Is it? It's ink on paper. Pure and simple.

Are you happy? Are you doing what God called you to do, or are you following the dictates of society?

Broken Principle - Ignore?

Can a Christian work for an employer who is unethical? They can, if they keep their mouths shut. However, eventually, a clash is going to happen and the Christian is going to either willingly or not, move on.

Why?

Because the job grates against the holy spirit. The Christian knows what is going on is wrong. That principle is being broken. And the Christian simply can't ignore it.

And shouldn't.

Violating Principle - Sad Results

Something happened at work this week that violated my sense of right and wrong. While I do agree my job helps certain individuals in the aging market, the measures my employer will take to garner their business is troubling. In fact, some of it is border line harassment, and has been called such by many prospects.

Rather than being upfront with them, they put seniors through a process that manipulates them, in order to allow a home rep to visit them. Many of those visits don't actually end in sales, and the few that do, from what I've heard, they're actually grateful to have freedom in this part of their lives.

Still, what right does anyone have to prey on someone's pain? The basic principles being violated make me shudder. I have to change my goal from my employer's agenda to making sure I bless every single person I talk to. I can't say I like their process and I've actually had more success being upfront with people rather than manipulating them.

Unfortunately, this is a symptom of what is wrong with American business. With the Great Recession, anyone else agree it was actually a Depression? Employers have gotten used to using everyone, including employees, to their end. Then when they can't keep good people or business sinks, they can't figure out what they did wrong.

The sad part is, how many people buy in to the deception and blindly follow.

God Answers Prayer

God answers prayer when you least expect. Recently, I had started a job that I knew, on day two, it wasn't the place for me to be. However, I stuck it out despite having to get up at 4 AM, driving an hour away a bit more in snow, very little money and not being awake in training.

The same day as I started this position, I interviewed for another, which would be a better fit for me. Almost a week later I was called and offered the position. I accepted.

During the days of the job I didn't want, I told God I was thankful for it, would follow His will, and tried my best not to complain. Hard to do when every early morning I'm up I tell myself I can't go on even as I dragged myself out of bed.

The saddest part was telling my trainer I was leaving. He was disappointed. He could see my potential and counted the company lucky to have me. (Unlike my previous job, but I won't go there.)

In a week and half I start training for my new job. I'm excited because I can see all sorts of possibilities as far as a working future is concerned.

It was a good move for me and I'm thankful God opened the door.

Time of Trouble

Do you sometimes wonder if God hates you? I know I do.

I'm currently unemployed...again. Searching for a job and at least finding plenty to apply for. Am also searching for a new home since I know that the current one I live in will have to be sold sometime in the next few months.

What's on my plate is ridiculous. Yet, I'm not a complete emotional mess. I've good friends who have been very supportive. What I've been told over and over is that I am very strong.

I don't feel like it at times.

My blessings right now is that I have plenty of money to live on while unemployment plods it way along. I have a roof over my head. I've had many interviews.

I know God has promised to take care of all my needs and my guess is, that I needed a break. My previous job had been all consuming. I got very little else done.

Now, I have time to rest and am beginning to write again. It's what God called me to do. Just proves He's much smarter than we think He is.

God loves me. Even in my time of trouble.

Trusting God

Trusting God can be a hard thing when faced with so many troubles at the same time. My own personal struggle right now includes:

My spouse left me and wants a divorce.
My writing career is in the dumps this year.
I lost my job.
I'm facing loosing my home of fifteen years because it has to be sold and the profits split.
The cost of housing is ridiculous.
I don't want to rent an apartment nor live with several room mates. (I want to own my place.)
Living wage jobs are hard to find.
It's coming up on the holidays and finding work during this time of year is extremely difficult.
I'm terrified about having to be on my own again after knowing the security of being with a mate. 
I have no idea what I'm going to do about medical coverage and whether or not I can actually afford it.
I'm getting older and the only jobs employers will normally hire for are low paying service positions or sales.

Yet the Bible promises that God will take care of our needs. I learned this during my many years of being single. He never failed me. I always had a job even if it wasn't the best.

So, here I am, back to square one and having to trust God to supply what I need.
A job.
A home.
Support.
And whatever else I need.

Okay, God. You're on!

Careful what you ask for

Be careful what you tell God you want because He may not give it to you in the way you had in mind.

Recently, due to many changes in my life, I told God I wanted to double my wages. What I really had in mind was to continue to work my current job while I looked for another one. Most of us figured we'd be gone by April 1st anyway due to the close of open enrollment.

What actually happened was that I was let go yesterday for a making a mistake that I wasn't even aware was one. Where the employer was a fault was not allowing me to learn from it. Instead, they took the extreme approach.

My reaction, the first thing I did was come home and talk to another former employee of the same company who gave me a job lead. Granted, it's a temp job.

What I also did was call a company who listed an opening and sent my resume off to another.

I've been unemployed often during the past few years due to the economy. The biggest mistake I kept making was underestimating myself. This time, I'm looking at different opportunities since I know the life style I would like to live and am tired of low paying, dead end jobs.

The next few weeks is going to an interesting journey.

Idols

When most think of idols, images of Buddha come to mind or shrines, grottos with the Virgin Mary or other figures. They're found in homes, on properties and churches.

Yet, idols can be other things as well. The current popular singer, TV or movie star. Money. Your job or spouse, or anything that takes the place of God in your heart.

The Bible tells us we should have no other gods before God. The love of money is the root of all evil. Where your treasure is so is your heart.

Modern day Christians get as caught up in this as unbelievers do.

Are there idols in your life?

Wait on the Lord

One of the hardest things we do is 'wait on the Lord'. We live in a culture so used to instant gratification, that we tend to forget that sometimes, we need some maturity before we can move into what God has in mind for us.Honestly, we really do need to wait upon His timing because we're not always ready for what we think we are.

A good example is my writing career. I had everything all set up, my social marketing, my platform, and even finished work. Yet, I was made to wait until I was ready to move into this new venture.

Was it frustrating? YES! Was it worth the wait. YOU BET!

When the door opened for this new chapter of my life I had gained the maturity that I needed. When I get swelled headed - I know it and get humble because, I would not be where I am right now without waiting upon the Lord. HE knew when the timing would be best and all the wonderful opportunities I've been handed.

My best advice, whether you're waiting for a new job, a spouse, or a dream. WAIT. WAIT. and WAIT some more. God's timing is always perfect. It may not be OUR timing, but the right door at the right time will be there to be opened.

Question is - will you open it when it's offered? Or gripe because you didn't get what you wanted, when you wanted it, in the manner you wanted it?

The Pressure Cooker

Everything happens at once. How many times has this happened? Once? Twice? More times than can be counted?


Here's the current list:

Father recovering from minor heart attack.

Father-in-Law in hospital suffering from a major infection and not doing what the doctor's are telling him.

Need new car because the old one's transmission blew.

Starting a new job.

Strained relationship with spouse.

Trying to keep up writing career between personal and work conflicts.

What is keeping the blogger sane? Pure faith in God that every need will be met because He has proven Himself in the past to be faithful.

But my God shall, absolutely, meet all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
(Reference. No idea. But it's a verse memorized.)

Modern Day Prophecies

In recent months there have been a number of prophecies, both religious and secular, saying the United States is due for a major economic meltdown. Money will be useless, the government will fall and then with no where to go, everyone will turn to the church who will rise up and take care of people's needs.

Part of this has already been seen with churches stepping in during Hurricane Rita to help survivors. Many have food banks. Others are sponsoring job networking groups. More recently over a thousand volunteers descended on Denver, CO with KLOVE for Sharefest and saved the school district lots of money in upgrades and repairs.

The increase in church or religious involvement in the community is wonderful. Hopefully, there will be more in the future.

However, what makes the prophecies believable and yet not are two factors.

1. Secular economists are saying the US and the entire world is headed for another major collapse. Millions will die and after that happens life will be better for the survivors as they rebuild.

2. The prophets keep making these predictions saying the US is under God's judgement. Yet still they ask for money to buy their books, CD's or DVD's to tell people how to survive and prosper in the horrible days ahead. Really? And they're the ones saying that money will be useless? If that is so, why don't they just give their resources away?

Will these events really come to pass? Or are leaders just preying on peoples fears?

Sources: Various educational & religious channels.

'Why Not Question' : Patience

Evie: 'Patience is a virtue.'
Rick: 'Not right now it isn't.'

The two above lines from 'The Mummy' shows an example of the conflict in today's culture. There are those who understand that waiting patiently for something is far more valuable than those who think they want what they want 'right now'.

Granted, the characters were in mortal danger at the time with the mummy and his followers bearing down on them. However, Evie figured out the vital clue that ultimately saved all their lives.

Being patient about a dream or desire, is far more rewarding than running out and grabbing what a person wants.

Consequences seen in our culture right now are bankruptcies in record numbers due to credit card purchases of items wanted and the inability to pay for them.

Massive foreclosures and people losing their homes, often houses that were far too expensive for them in the first place. Granted, some of these were caused by the greed of lender and other financial disasters like losing a job or medical bills.

Not living on a budget and within the person's means.

Those who are more patient have done things like buy a new home and being able to pay it off.

Pay cash for everything.

Price items wanted and wait until they can afford them.

Pay off credit card balances every month so there's no finance charge.

Find the right mate rather than settling.

Find the right job rather than a series of 'survival' positions.

Patience is also a fruit of the spirit and is wonderful thing to have. It also helps the believer wait on God's timing, rather than rushing out and making a huge mistake that could cost a high price in the end.

Patience - has it's reward. Be patient and wait on the Lord.

'Why Not Question' : Today's problems

Life is full of disappointments and sometimes we think God is just plain crazy.

For instance, we land a job we really don't want and can't understand why we're wasting time doing something that is so far below our talent level we dread getting up in the morning. However, there might be one incident that makes it worth while and we hope God does something good with it like He promises.

Life, particularly today, if very unpredictable. Jobs are scare. Finances are tight. People are losing their homes and living in their cars or in the streets. Employers are picky and unreasonable.

How can we, as Christians, shine in a place so full of hopeless and need?

Yes, some churches are providing food banks. Others have stepped in to help those struck by tragedy. Many did so during Katrina, Rita and the tornado outbreak of 2011.

Yet, as individuals we are overwhelmed. Many of us are no better off in this time of trouble.

Is there an answer?

We can only hold on to God and pray He provides for our needs.