I seldom ask for prayer online.....

[Guest]

Thanx again, everbody

If things go according to schedule I'll be working about 55 hours a week now. I started my full time today (Friday, 2nd shift, am up late now). I hope to keep my weekend part time job for a while...till I get caught up in the bill$.

Have a good weekends, folks. I have to work! (great!) lol
God bless you though....really
In Jesus,
Rick

[Guest]

Another update: (just to let y'all know how things are going...I promise not to make this a "Journal"),

I finally did get unemployment benefits (some money) last week. They have stopped as I'm back to work now (full time). But what little money I got (it wasn't a lot) helps.

I mistakenly overpaid on my ISP, lol, so I still have the internet.

I'm off work this week for what they call "shutdown." Where Maintenance takes everything apart on the assembly line and makes repairs; they're the only people working. I'm not getting paid for the time off but will be ok.

Btw, this factory makes: Frijs (refrigerators, lol, of different sizes, most go in campers or RVs). It's fast paced assembly line work but not difficult once you get yer speed up.

I've quit my part time job for a couple reasons. Though I could use the extra money; I won't really be able to do it now. It's just too physically demanding with my new full time job (I need weekends to rest, lol). Also, the boss on that job wasn't very, um, reliable or professional. He still hasn't paid me for the work I did in June! and never had all of the equipment I needed on the jobsite to do the job...(and as a result I didn't work much).
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Check THIS out.

Last Friday the company I work for (though I'm still contracted thru a temps agency) had a picnic at the end of the shift "on the clock." A big tent, there are about 50 of us, and very good burgers! & etc. They had a small public address system set up and some music playing.

Then, a lady came up to "MC." She made some general announcements, thanking the people who set the tent up, the cooking, & everything. Someone said she was the Head HR Rep. for the company which has only 2 plants (I think it is family owned).

After the announcements -- and this freaked me out but in a good way -- she said, "Let's bow our heads to pray over our food...Heavenly Father....in Your Name, Amen." It was a short prayer and wasn't in Jesus' name. But you could tell she was a Christian. While I was freaking out I also thought to myself, "Only in this small town...elsewhere the atheists would have the ACLU after them in a heartbeat! But, thank you, Lord!!!!"
There were just a couple people talking and laughing during the prayer. I don't know if they didn't hear that we were praying or were unbelievers who didn't care to join in.

Ohio isn't really in "the Bible belt" though parts of southern Ohio are on its fringes. I'm about 70 miles north from the boundary (according to a Wikipedia article). I got interested in this and found a site that shows demographics of religious adherence and denominational affiliations for each county in the USA. My county is higher than neighboring counties with a 50-75% "religious adherence" demographic. I looked this up out of curiosity as I didn't live here for 21 years, moving back in 2001 (this survey was based on 2000 statistics).

Being in the Navy and living all around the country, leaving this town in 1976; it is more "religious" than when I grew up. It still amazes me, though, that in this day and age people can pray like that (on the clock, someone telling everyone "Let's pray"). I'm not complaining! It's just that I had to check my calendar to see if it was the 21st century, lol!

Anyway, after the prayer, this Brother got up and sang Amazing Grace acapella! (I was like, is this real?).

I had been working hard on this job all week and one day the week before (when I started). I was very tired from recent events and was hearing myself think, "Yeah, they all say 'You will get hired on full time' but my assignment always ends: that never happens. Well, maybe I'll be here for a couple months anyway"...I seldom get very discouraged or depressed, but was close to it last Friday (a spiritually "dry" feeling).

But when I heard Amazing Grace I broke down in tears (but I think I successfully "hid" it). God provided this job...and gave me an extra boost with this Brother's song. It was all I could do to keep from raising my hands and saying, "Praise the Lord!" This blessing came just at the right time, if you know what I mean....

I met this Brother afterwards. He said he could see my "nodding (yes)" and assured me that I will get hired if I do a good job, etc.

Church at work? Yep, we had it, imo!

I only have one other thing that is bothersome. I have had nasal polyps for about 4 years but didn't know it till last year. They are getting pretty bad and I've asked my doctor (I go to the V.A., have no insurance) to get me an appointment to have them out. I can't wait too long as they are getting worse (and the ENT doctor, "nose specialist," told me at my last appointment I would have to be off work for two weeks). I'm going to the V.A. this week to get a routine blood test and will get a copy of my medical records...Hopefully, I can make arrangements to have this done and still keep my job.

Thanks, again everyone! (I know this is an unusual thread for FBFF but I want you all to know how much I appreciate you for your support)....God bless you!

In Jesus,
Rick

[Guest]

Rick,
Thank you for the update. I will continue praying. Actually you are a great story teller. I found myself standing beside you during the "Amazing Grace" song. I enjoyed it.

[Guest]

Hello Allyn,

Like my story telling, eh? But, dear brother Allyn, don't you have any decent books around? "Leo Tolstoi" by Warren Peace was a good one, haha, j/k
Thanks, yer a blessing, man!

[Guest]

I found myself standing beside you during the "Amazing Grace" song. I enjoyed it.

As did I!

[Guest]

I found myself standing beside you during the "Amazing Grace" song. I enjoyed it.

Me three!...cept, akshully, I was sittin down...but I know igzackly what y'all mean,
Praise God for unity in the body of Christ..."for we are members of one another."

Just to make fersure though...I meant that even though I was sitting down; not that I was sitting beside myself (plz forgive me if I seem beside myself); but could tell that, um, it was like you guys were there too; (we had some extra chairs...you myas well a been in em, seems like, beside myself); or, um, WAIT! ..............

"We once were lost but now are found, Once blind but now: We see: Jesus, already given a crown of glory and honor. He was made a little lower than the angels. He suffered death. By the grace of God, he tasted death for everyone. That is why he was given his crown. God has made everything. He has acted in exactly the right way. He is bringing his many sons and daughters to share in his glory. To do so, he has made the One who saved them perfect because of his sufferings. The One who makes people holy and the people he makes holy belong to the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters" (Hebrews 2:9-11, NIrV, New International Reader's Version...my Hermeneutics and Romans professor helped translate it)....and I just found an mp3 of his Sunday! & hadn't heard him since about 1981, Here:
Benny Aker, "Postmodernity Meets Jesus---At Dinner"
18 minutes long...I'm sure you would like this message...he sez some of the same things Steve does (its about the Lord's Table & Service in the Body of Christ). This man has passion for God. His preaching style is "gruffly compassionate" (being such a very loving man and won't hesitate to tell you the truth)! Btw, he just retired in March. I email him from time to time.....ok........................God bless you all!

[Guest]

I would certainly miss your "blog" IF you didnt write! Allyn is correct you are a great story teller......Thank you for sharing and allowing us to tand with you in agreement in prayer...God is faithful!

[Guest]

oops, "stand"

[Guest]

MLH, (and of course, the rest of y'all),

You guys are too kind! (except can Christians be that?)....prolly not.

"Give and it shall be given," a Bible principle to live by.

God bless till...if...there's a next time, lol
Rick

[Guest]

Okay.

FBFF member "MLH" made a big announcement wondering how I've been doing. So I suppose I'm under an obligation to reply (here). Actually (shhhhhh, don't tell anyone), but almost everyone likes talking about themselves: a LOT.

So, where was I? or Where were we? if you prefer, haha
Now I'm getting embarrassed,

First, it was cool coming back to this thread for a "reminder" of how God is always there during the good & hard times...and at all the other in-between times.

Next, the update. Since July I've:
1. been to work every day (when scheduled, even when I really didn't want to go, was sort of sick)
2. gotten hired 2 weeks ago as a regular full-time (not a temp) employee
3. found out the job has really good benefits
4. may sign up for them later...as I'm still behind on bill$ but am just about to catch-up all the way
5. been posting on this forum a lot (almost to the point of wondering if I should ask Steve if I should shutup some), lol
6. had a visit from my cousin & his wife; he's a Calvinist preacher and we didn't "debate it" this year on his yearly visit...one reason being because:
7. his son had become a heavy drinker, if not an alcoholic, who:
8. did 'the prodigal son' and came home to his parents about 3 weeks ago needing total Help....(broke, destitute, lost most if not all friends)...But:
9. found (it himself on the internet) a Christian half-way house that specializes in addiction...and: went there a week ago, Friday!

The first month is totally free of charge and is an "in-house" teaching & getting life-disciplines-back environment. Get up, make yer bed, eat, read the Bible, discuss it, and go to classes. Here's the site: Mount Zion House. Then, next month; my cousin's son will get a job and begin to do the stuff "normal" people do (as they say in some recovery programs). I had emailed this young man about my own recovery from alcoholism after he came home telling him of my long battle, "stints in & out of AA", and how it was the Lord Who brought me my final deliverance (see 1 Co 6:9-11, my "sober up verses").

Other than this, I'm enjoying the "routine" again of knowing I have a job, when I work, come home, what my income is....(sounds like I'm in "rehab" too, huh?). Actually, I am. The Christian life can be seen as a "recovery" of the image of God that we find, see, and gain through our Lord Jesus Christ! All Glory be to God, to the ages, Amen.

What else? I've discovered anew and afresh that debating with Calvinists is probably not what God wants me to do...not very much, anyway. This past summer I had participated in it here @ FBFF...thinking to myself that I will get more informed before my cousin, the Calvinist preacher comes...so I might debate better (as he always wants to debate it). But God works all things for the good to those who love Him...and the tragedy of my cousin's son preempted any debates: We had more important things to consider (as his son was in pretty bad shape, they didn't even know where he was)....

I recently "goofed" on Calvinism...again...by joining a Calvinistic forum. I won't say anything about it other than: It was a mistake and I've quit posting there.

Also, I've known a nice Christian lady (but only online) for over two years. We've talked about meeting in person and used to be in touch regularly on Yahoo Messenger, emails, and on the phone (daily almost). For the last three weeks she has all but "disappeared" so I'm sort of worried about her. She has a boy she is guardian of and he has given her some problems...and she's not answering my emails. I guess I should say that,as far as finding a Christian girlfriend/wife; I haven't put any effort into it "in person"...I'm so broke all I can afford for fun is dialup! My online lady friend & I are both sort of "loners" along these lines...so we keep in touch...(wherever she is right now & what's going on?). If you feel led to, pray for "Joy" (thanks in advance if you do).

Much of my social life is "online"...I'm almost ashamed to admit. But I go to a church fairly often...though my working second shift makes it only-on-weekends. I'm missing several weekly events that I sure would like to go to. Perhaps I can get on Day Shift...after about 6 months is what the boss says about it.

Finally!

I've been so broke financially for, well, years. But now I'm bringing home about $50 more per week than I made as a temp. I'm right at being fully caught up on bills...and will soon have some surplus. During my "down time" (when unemployed, that wreck, etc.)...I got some financial help from some folks I met online; not even asking for it. I asked if they would like me to pay them back. They said I could if I wanted to or pass it along to someone else in need.

Allyn, on another thread, posted a ministry he gives to and I've decided to help them out some myself: The Home of New Life in Ramallah, Israel. Thanks again for posting them, Allyn, These folks, the Mount Zion House, and Steve Gregg's ministry (yay!)...I hope to help out a little.

That's my update. The longer I live, the more I know God loves me (and you)...and wants us to be channels of His blessings. "Freely you have received, freely give."

May the Lord be with you (all),
Rick

P.S. I like this forum...gives me something to do with myself! But I want to be more 'out there' where the needs are. Being an introvert and a thinking type is okay. But there comes a time to put theory to pracitce as the Lord enables......take care.