Chronicles

First of all, to set the records straight, this happened almost three years ago. I have not lost my job, but for those who have and are looking for a way to cope, maybe this will help.

Endurance

As most of you already know, I lost my job a couple of weeks ago and, at first, it was very distressing for me personally. I thought I was going to be at that particular job for years to come, but that was not God's plan. Stacy and I prayed VERY intensely about where God wanted me to go. After talking to a couple of folks, I landed at Logan Appraisals, where I am currently taking a class to become a registered appraiser. I was also studying in the book of James. I have shared in the past about what I have learned out of the book of James and I have learned, yet, another wonderful lesson out of that book. I have learned that life as a Christian is not all peaches and cream. We are not perfect, as the some of the world may think. As a matter of fact, Christian live a life of constant persecution and trials. I am not a patient man, by birth. Just ask my wife. I like results to be immediate and satisfying. So, when my job was gone, I wanted a new one right away. Not only that, but a job that would be rewarding immediately. WRONG ANSWER! God teaches us through the Bible that our endurance must be strengthened through times of trials, tests and suffering. I love the first chapter of James and I have referenced this verse in the past. James 1:3-4 reads:

3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

I love that verse. Especially since it pertains to my life, so directly. Jesus even said in Matt. 10:22 :

22 And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. But those who endure to the end will be saved.

Our endurance should grow daily through the trials and tribulation we face every day, being followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Speaking of Christ, he suffered TREMENDOUSLY for us and it was not an quick suffering. It was prolonged, over a period of years, through mocking, temptation from the devil and the physical suffering on the cross. And here I am worried about a job?! Going back to wanting the immediate results from accepting the job. Part of this job requires going through classroom teaching to acquire my registration. Well, this class is expected to take 4 to 5 weeks. That's 4 to 5 weeks that are going to strengthen me through my growing dependence on the Lord, to provide my family's needs. And in order for that to take place, I will need to draw closer to Him through prayer and by digesting His infallible Word. What an encouraging thought!!! All I have to do is do what I am supposed to do. Continue to strive to be in the presence of the Lord. That's a nice place to be, I'd say. Another fact. I have NO  background in this field of work. This is as completely new to me as if I were going to take a job as a rocket scientist. I am clueless to this job. I liken this to Peter, stepping out of the boat. Stormy seas, rain, wind and the devil, and he stepped out into something he didn't know, and for what? To be with his Lord, his Master, his Christ. And like Peter, I will probably take my eyes off of Him from time to time and sink into sin. But you know something? He will look down at me and reach His hand out and say "Here I am, don't be afraid" (Matt 14:27). What a wonderful friend we have in Jesus. So, I am now in the early stages of a journey that God is leading me in and I want to be as faithful to Him as I can be, since He has been so faithful to us. So I leave you all, my friends, my family with this as encouragement, not just for me, but for others enduring trials:

6 So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.



Now, fast forward to the present, 2007.

Finally, I can not express enough how much I and my family appreciate each and every one of you. Those who have prayed for us, given to us, encouraged us, blessed us, embraced us and most of all loved us with the love of Jesus. I pray this blesses all of you as much, if not more, than it has blessed me. We love you all and will continue to share with you what God has done for us. Take care and have a blessed day. One last set of verses. Paul told the Hebrews (Heb. 12:1-13):

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. 3 Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. 5 And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes those he accepts as his children." 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? .....12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.



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JR