A Christ follower living in a secular world: Don't be in such a hurry.

A Christ follower living in a secular world: Don't be in such a hurry.: You know sometimes we can be in such a hurry to get some place else we miss out on what is right in front of us. At my work last night, I wa...

Don't be in such a hurry.

You know sometimes we can be in such a hurry to get some place else we miss out on what is right in front of us. At my work last night, I was helping someone finish their task and it ran a little longer than our scheduled shift. It only took like 5 minutes extra or so. My knowledge was superior to his in the area he was working and because of that I averted a problem he was unaware of which would have caused a big waste of time and him some embarrassment. I was glad to lend a hand and very happy to be of use.

Most times when I'm leaving work I am much like everyone else in that I'm busting for the door to get home. Last night(really meaning 7 AM when my shift ends) since I was already a few minutes behind schedule I kind of surrender it and wasn't in a hurry. I saw the person I talked about in my previous blog(You should be thankful you have a job) and had a short but meaningful conversation about my position on the subject at hand. We had some great communicative discussion and I came away from it understanding their points but also feeling heard and understood. It was a warm and fuzzy feeling. Then I encountered a person that I've never had anything more than a standard "hi, how are doing" type conversation and went one step deeper this time. Then I had another one of those with another coworker I seldom had spoken to. At the door I saw an injured coworker who is back at work on graduated return whom I had not seen in months. I was able to give him some encouragement and give him a chance to share his issues. This all transpired in less than 15 minutes. I left work feeling happy and relaxed. What a great end to my day.

Recently God has spoken to me regarding this type of situation. Rather than looking ahead to having happiness why not just enjoy where you're at. My FB home page picture "Happiness just ahead" always makes me smile. Really what I see that to mean for me is happiness is here and also lies ahead. The pic is from Australia and is just outside the town called Happiness FYI. It all kind of fits in with my adherence to guidelines set by those above me. The whole submission to authority theme God has laid on me is for my benefit. I don't have to own every situation. I can surrender it to the powers that be. I just have to do my part.

So I continue to learn. I've been working on speeding and other traffic law bending. As much as at times the speed limits are too slow it is not my place to say. Seldom am I in that big a hurry. I'm usually early for things. Why am I breaking the law to get there a minute earlier still? It is a lack of prudence on my part which I am changing. Besides I love my car, my seat is comfy, and I'm always listening to music on my awesome stereo which I really enjoy so it is no hardship to be in my car.

So slow down, relax and don't forget to be happy where you are. None of us know where we are going next as we can only plan for what we think will happen. If you're in a rose garden you might as well smell the roses before you leave. Make the best of every opportunity and look for goodness and you'll likely find it! Blessings to you right now, right where you are :)

A Christ follower living in a secular world: Quote: You should be thankful you have a job!

A Christ follower living in a secular world: Quote: You should be thankful you have a job!: You know, this morning as I was leaving my work(I work at night) I was conversing with one of my coworkers about the upcoming contract negot...

Quote: You should be thankful you have a job!

You know, this morning as I was leaving my work(I work at night) I was conversing with one of my coworkers about the upcoming contract negotiations and we were discussing one aspect of the current deal which to us seems totally unfair. One of the senior staff members overheard us talking and interpolated with the comment "you guys should be thankful you have a job" to which I replied "I am but at the same time the current system is totally unfair." I said "when I am doing the same work at the same level of competency my wages should at least be in the same ball park as those with more seniority." I've been there 3 years so it's not like I just walked in off the street.

At my work currently there is a large disparity between the haves and the have nots. Its complicated and I won't go through all the details but there are caps on how much you make depending on your seniority and being in the lower tier of a 3 tier system my current rate of pay is capped out other than COLA increases until I move into the next bracket. Even upon moving to the next bracket my rate won't increase for another 1000 hours. It is clear to me that this system was introduced to appease the high seniority staff and get the contract ratified because I'm speculating the high seniority people(top 30%) are more likely to cast ballots so if a contract appeases them it will pass.

3 years ago I had just started with the company when the contract was up. I was only working there at the time as a second job. I didn't think I would be there any length of time and really didn't have much concern about the contract one way or the other. Short sighted thinking on my part but what can you do. Here we are 3 years later and I'm glad I'm there. I enjoy working there. I like my job and happily trot off to work every night. That being said the contract is coming up for renewal and I am fully aware of what's wrong. Actually there are a lot of things in the contract I don't like. I know what needs to be done however it is a matter of getting the other middle and lower tier people to rise up to the challenge.

For me personally at my current rate of pay I'm fine. However I don't have dependents and I live a frugal lifestyle. It doesn't mean I don't spend money but I use prudence. I do my best to not be wasteful. Many of my coworkers have families. I don't know how they get by. I mean I know we here in Canada are wealthy compared to other places but in the land of plenty we live in the costs are high to keep afloat. While I am comfortable others just squeak by.

I'm looking for some justice in an unjust world. It is not a matter of thankfulness. It is a matter of principle. It should be an interesting time coming up. In these uncertain times my company is doing very well. We have gained new clients and the future looks bright as we head towards the end of the current deal which expires at the end of May 2012. I'm going to get more engaged in this issue starting right now. I'll keep you posted.

I just pray I can be graceful in my approach. Blessings!!

A Christ follower living in a secular world: This is your life, you might as well make the best...

A Christ follower living in a secular world: This is your life, you might as well make the best...: Do you just stumble through your days? When trouble comes calling, and it will, take a moment to remember it will pass. You will get throug...

This is your life, you might as well make the best of it!

Do you just stumble through your days? When trouble comes calling, and it will,  take a moment to remember it will pass. You will get through it and better times will lie ahead. When good times are upon you, enjoy them, don't look too far past them to what lies ahead. Enjoy the good times and press forward through the bad. Sounds easy enough but not so easy to actually do.

I tend to focus on the good now. At one time I would dwell on the negative. It's not very fun focusing on what is wrong but many live in that way. Instead, look at the blessings you have. If you are reading this you have access to a computer and the internet has much good to offer. So long as you're looking in the right places.

Plan for the day trouble comes knocking. Some things you can't predict or be fully prepared for but most can be. When in times of plenty store up for what lies ahead. I don't mean just in physical things but in spiritual things too. It is so easy to fall into a place of stagnation because when things are good we can kind of forget where it came from. Don't get too big for God to be in your life. The moment you start to stand on your own strength is when you will begin the inevitable descent. Pride comes before the fall.

Learn to be content in all situations. In times of high stress I would become very angry and lose sight of the good things. Now when in stressful times I tend to smile(on the inside at least) and know it will pass. I trust in something bigger than me and my finite position. Faith is huge for me. I don't take myself as seriously and am not as intense as I once was. I will always be a somewhat intense guy most likely but I think God made me that way for a reason. Letting go of people and situations is hard for me but I'm learning about submission and I see the wisdom in it. I don't have to carry other peoples luggage around with me. It is not my Cross to bear so to speak. You can't carry someone else on your back forever. Everyone has to find their own way. Caring for them is good and noble but to carrying them is not doing them or yourself any good. Take responsibility for what you are responsible for and leave the rest up to God.

So enjoy your life. Whenever possible live at peace with everyone. Don't take the good things for granted and don't make the tough times worse than they really are. Moderation is the key.

A Christ follower living in a secular world: Be strong and courageous but more importantly be y...

A Christ follower living in a secular world: Be strong and courageous but more importantly be y...: I spent a lot of time trying to seek out people that could help me grow as a person. People that had it all together and didn't need anythin...

Be strong and courageous but more importantly be yourself!

I spent a lot of time trying to seek out people that could help me grow as a person. People that had it all together and didn't need anything from me. People that I totally approved of to help me to improve myself. It was an exercise in futility because my standards were tough. Brutally tough and surprisingly enough to me rather unattainable. Truth is everyone has warts of some sort. None of us are perfect. There was one perfect man but we crucified him on a cross. That being said there is a lot of good qualities in the people I meet. Most have many good qualities that I tended to look past when I saw their weaknesses.

In the Bible there were many examples of good men but other than the Messiah each had his quirks or faults. Moses had a temper, David was an adulterer and Elijah was overcome by fears many times to name but 3 great men of God. Not that I deserve to be lumped together with these great men but I too have my faults and day by day I continue to work them out with God's help. I'm 43 now and am still maturing as a person. I know myself better now than ever before and have come to terms with the fact I do have limitations although they are becoming less limiting.

In the book of Joshua, God says over and over to Joshua to be "strong and courageous" and that is good advice for anyone with issues to face in life. God spoke to me(not with words but in thought) and told me to be strong and courageous. That I am the strong and to start acting like it. Rather than focusing on my inadequacies to instead focus on my strengths while still recognizing that I have limitations. So going through life trying to be everything to everybody is a flawed path. Looking to others to be everything you're not is also a flawed path. Being the best you can be is important and do things with full effort. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you truly need it. Don't play it safe and stay in your comfort zone because if you never stretch yourself then you'll never discover your full potential.

So step into the future with boldness. Don't cave in to fear and trepidation. Be strong and courageous with others. Help them with their blind spots and they can help you see yours too.

Blessings!!

A Christ follower living in a secular world: Motives for this blog

A Christ follower living in a secular world: Motives for this blog: I enjoy expressing ideas and concepts in this blog. I use it as a place to blurt out whatever is on my mind. Often in life we have to be pol...

Motives for this blog

I enjoy expressing ideas and concepts in this blog. I use it as a place to blurt out whatever is on my mind. Often in life we have to be politically correct given the situation we find ourselves in at the time. I've talked in previous blog posts about filters and their importance. I don't want to be purposely offensive in this place but if I have something to say this is a place I feel totally free to say it. Some of my posts never get beyond the draft stage. I'm not doing this to make you think like me but just expressing my POV. If you get a little something out of it then that's wonderful. I truly hope people do. The way I learn best is by experiencing different viewpoints and figuring out what works best for me.

Sometimes the lessons I learn have little to do with what has been said by others. Several of the most life changing revelations I've had from God have been during sermons about some totally unrelated topic. Just one sentence can be the basis of a great epiphany in a 500 page book. Look for the diamonds in the rough.

At times I have a lot to say and the blogs will be frequent. Other times I'm just soaking in the world around me and don't really feel the need to share some pearl of what I consider wisdom. I used to have to offer my opinion on everything and anything but I try to measure my words better these days. I'm not the foremost expert on anything really. So take what I say for what it is worth. I do appreciate the readership I get here. Having people browse through my musings from all around the world is cool.

Be blessed!!

A Christ follower living in a secular world: Submission and Surrender, how contorted those word...

A Christ follower living in a secular world: Submission and Surrender, how contorted those word...: When you think of submission what is the first image that pops into your head? I think of a hostage pleading for his/her life with the kid...

Submission and Surrender, how contorted those words have become.

When you think of submission what is the first image that pops into your head?

I think of a hostage pleading for his/her life with the kidnapper who is brandishing a knife or gun.

Not a positive image for sure. Some one begging for mercy with a violent predator of some sort. You may have a different image but I'm guessing it isn't good if you think at all like me.

So now we come to surrender, What image have you got?

I think of a soldier raising a tattered and crudely fashioned white flag. Someone who is looking haggard, bloody with slumped shoulders and full of shame. Again not a positive image.

So upon becoming a Christian and learning to Love him I had trouble at first with those words. Being that they brought up negative imagery for me made it difficult to integrate into my belief system. In fact it is 7 years since I first handed my life over and this year I am working hard at submission to authority. I didn't understand that if want to lead first you must learn to follow. I have a stubborn nature and it takes time to get past my walls of human reasoning. I knew I wanted to follow but just didn't know how. Being that I was a bit of a control freak none of it came natural to me.

Most, if not all, successful businesses operate on this principle. Delegation of authority is the only thing that leads to real growth. It is a matter of trust or faith. The people around you may not do things the way you would do them but it doesn't necessarily make your way right. A lot of times with regards to God I resisted his way and, of course, it didn't work out as I planned.

The truth is if you believe yourself to be self sufficient God will not use you to do his will.

So although it is something I've worked on since the beginning of my walk in recent times it has become a focal point. It is working out very well. I have a temporary position at my work place that I'm in charge of a small crew. I don't have any large mandate or big title nor do I care. A number of people working with me are capable workers and need little supervision. My job is to give them a direction and a focus then let them take it from there. I have several new workers and they need more instruction of course. I trust the people I work with to help in that manner along side me. The team is growing and improving not because of me but because of the group of us.

Had it not been for God I would still be trying to do everything on my own. In fact it is only because of God that I have this opportunity. He gave me this opportunity and sent along side me the perfect compliment of skills in my fellow employees. Even the office person coordinating the operation is highly capable and knowledgeable. The whole experience has been a challenge but I'm very much enjoying it.


An absolute essential of being a Christ follower is allowing him to be the leader of your life. Which means surrendering your will to Jesus and submitting to his authority in your life. The Bible is full of great examples in how God uses people that trust in him. I've seen that come alive in my life and in others.

Before you get authority you should learn how to submit to it. Mathew 8:5-13 has an example of a leader who understood authority and how it works...

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.  “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

  Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

  The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

  When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.  I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.  But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

  Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it.

Jesus blessed this non Jew and said he had great faith. Why? Well it was because he accepted Jesus authority over that of his own. In military terms Generals don't start off as Generals. They start off as Lieutenants and that is only after much schooling and more submission to higher authority. If you want to lead you must learn to follow or you won't succeed. Before the fruit of being a Christian would start ripening in my life I had to learn about submission and surrender. I'm not there yet but I am learning. Jesus is a magnificent teacher but he won't feed those that aren't hungry.

I am a work in progress. I want to take it all on at times but know better. As for surrender, I honestly don't want to take the reigns in my life anymore. I have never been more content with life than I am right now. As for my temporary position that will end soon but as Rick Warren wrote "life is a temporary assignment". The only thing that is permanent is eternity and I know where I'm spending that so I might as well get God's help here too.

Blessings to you, may you be a good and faithful servant in everything you do!!

A Christ follower living in a secular world: The Occupy movement

A Christ follower living in a secular world: The Occupy movement: Just what is it all about? I just don't get it. We live in a free and democratic society. We have real means for social/economic change th...

The Occupy movement

Just what is it all about? I just don't get it.

We live in a free and democratic society. We have real means for social/economic change through legitimate sources. It's not like it was in the sixties when there was real oppression of black Americans in the south. This is not like what happened in the 80s in Poland when an unjust and non democratic government was oppressing the people. It spawned the solidarity movement.

We have problems, I know, and there is a need to change our ways in a big way. This has been a long time coming and Governments have mortgaged our future to satisfy the immediate needs. Our whole economic landscape is bleak. It is going to call for some pretty drastic changes to remedy. At some point there will be a world wide economic meltdown due to so many trade imbalances. We in the western world have been the "haves" for a long time. We have it way better than most of the world and for every action there is a reaction. Since the rubber band has been stretch as far as it has the recoil will be formidable.

All this talk about the "one percent" can make you believe you deserve more. Well I hate to say it but the rest of us around here are in the 2 to 5 percent range. It is not just the mega rich that are the haves. We are better off because of the imbalance. When things fall apart, and they will, we are all going to suffer the consequences along with the 1 percent.

Prepare for the inevitable. Harder times will come upon us. Financially speaking I mean. Canada can't really do much in of itself since the US economy is the only one that really matters. It is all very complicated but the US is the central figure in the world economy and since the gold standard was dropped during the Nixon era(it actually goes back to the days of Teddy Roosevelt but I don't need to go into it all) this paper economy we have has kept the good times rolling here in North America with only a few hiccups.

The US is close to 20 trillion in debt and eventually they will no longer be able to service their debt. When that happens the dominoes will start to fall. This is not mere fantasy but a real event that will happen. Most economists know of this inevitability but few speak of it. It likely will happen before we reach 2020 and honestly could happen anytime.

When this happens everything you've worked and saved for could very well disintegrate. The housing market will plummet. Unemployment will go through the roof. The great depression of the 30s will look mild in comparison.

So what should we do? Well I know what I am doing. I'm doing my best to put people above things. I am only a pilgrim passing through, an alien in this world. There is more to life than possessions. I'd rather invest in relationships than mutual funds(though I do both). I am debt free and do save money but I have no faith in my money. Everyday I live thankful for what I have. I live within my means and give to the needy. I want to give more than I desire to receive.

I have no interest in overthrowing a corrupt system. It is a no win situation. Perhaps rather than being dissidents these people should work on changing their attitude and working on an occupation rather than being a nuisance to people trying to get on with their lives. Just my take on it all.

Blessings!