Hi, boy, it seems like too long since I have visited this post. Sorry about that..I want to do some praying for others, too but today I need some prayer for H and I.<P>H rec'd a miraculous invitation to submit his resume to a wonderful church in our city. We knew the founding pastor who was a true saint of the Lord. H was invited by the Moderator of this particular denomination to apply for pastor!!!! Wow! The moderator knows his brother but not really H, although he is a family friend.<P>H submitted his resume about 2 wks ago and we heard nothing. He was wondering and going to call the contact from the search committee to see if they got it and what was happening. tonight there was a message from the contact person saying his resume had been laid aside and please call if still interested!<P>I am excited for H but scared for me. It's only not quite 5 1/2 mos since d-day. I am finding amazing healing and know this time I will not be a pastor but still worry about being a pastor's wife again in a denomination completely new to me. And this is multi-cultural church--we are white and it is mostly black members. I am totally cool with that as I love all people. The best ministry years in many ways were the two we spent testing our missionary calling with Canada's first nations people in northern British Columbia and I went to school with people of all types of origins so I am blessed to know people are people and we all need Jesus.<P>I have an offer on the table for a receptionist/office manager job--it isn't enough money to help us and there are a few things about it that are kind of red flags. However, the boss is a godly older man and I could see if I took it, staying there out of loyalty to him. The position intimidates me somewhat and I don't feel it's the one for me. The two appealing things are it's right across from my kids new school and the staff are all Christians. And my godly friend works there--she told me about it.<P>I don't know if I am being proud but just feel God has something different for me. AT the same time, I need to get working by fall. If I say yes to the receptionist job, I have to start on Monday, July 30. <P>Decisions!!! Please pray God will guide me in the right way and equip me if He chooses to bless H with his dream and need to obey the Lord by returning to ministry so quickly. Remember H did nothing wrong and was terribly mistreated by our church. The church we attend now wants very much to hire us--H as pastor and me as something?- but as so often the case, not enough funds.<P>Thanks for your prayers on this matter. <P>------------------<BR>Fresh Start

Dear Freshstart, let go of your worry and trust God with it all. I was in a similar situation recently and i just got a new job and the pay is decent. It doent come close to covering my needs but i just praise Jesus i have a job. Its not what i wanted but the Lord has got me there for His purposes. I would have to say take the job that is offered to you and dont worry about if it is enough. Your job will probably be your ministry that the Lord has for you right now. The Lord is concerned about the eternal, not the temporal. He seems to be placing a lot of us in situations where we have to fully depend on Him for provisions. In other words if we made enough money on our jobs, we would have to trust God less and tend to become more lax and comfortable. At least that has been my recent experience and the message im gettin from the Lord. <BR>Im reading this book i bought at goodwill when my wife and i went there a few weeks ago and i didnt think it would be a very good book, but it turns out to be one of the best ive ever read. It turns out to be a biography of one of the original missionaries to China in the 1800s. The book is called Hudson Taylors spiritual journey. I love missonary biographies. I havent read one yet that wasnt great. What faith in the midst of such suffering and testing. Hudson would even claim his faith was weak! This book puts my life and walk with the Lord in a whole new perspective. we really dont know how blessed we are here in North America. <P>I pray the Lord gives you wisdom and courage to fully trust in Him with all areas of your life. May the Lord give you peace in any descision or direction He wants you to go.<BR>In Jesus name, Amen<BR>Mark

Dear Jesus, Help Freshstart feel Your peace. If there is anything left over inside her that it's time to let go of, help her to confess it and release it as she starts her new life. Allow her to understand if this is the right job for her. Lord, being surrounded by Christians sounds like a wonderful place to be for people who have had a lot of suffering but I don't know Your plan. Please send Your Most Holy Spirit to Freshstart so that she has discernment over her PRESENT needs. You will take care of her future, I know.<P>I ask You this, Lord Jesus, because You told me that if I asked, I would be given. I ask You this today for all of us who read this forum: Bless us profusely, shower us with Your grace, cover us with Your love so that we will be a true force that witnesses the Power of the Living God. Amen.

[QUOTE]<B> The Lord is concerned about the eternal, not the temporal. He seems to be placing a lot of us in situations where we have to fully depend on Him for provisions. </B><BR>FS,<BR>Mark is right. I have a similar situation right now, too. My H left and told me he "knew I would be all right and could 'handle things' without" him....he was wrong. I do not make enough money without his income to "handle things" but I know God will take care of me, and eventually show my H that I need him in MANY ways to complete him. I am learning to trust God more, not nag my H about money, and not get anxious for myself and our bills that I'm trying to pay all alone.<P>I would also add that you DO have to have God's PEACE about where He wants you. If you do not have that about your job offer, I would NOT take it, but pray and WAIT until you have peace about what God wants for you. There MAY be a better job for you, just trust God and don't be afraid to wait for Him to direct you with perfect peace. Maybe if you tell them that the pay is a little low, they can increase it and then it might work for you? Just a suggestion. I know how tight church budgets are! <P>I will be praying you will find God's perfect plan before you have to give them an answer. <P>Lupo<P>

Thank you for your prayers. Good to hear from you again, Lostpup.<P>Tryingtohope, yes, one of my battles is fighting materialism. I talked about this with H last night..am I just being greedy wanting a job that pays a few dollars an hour more? I don't think so but pray for revelation if that is the case. God has provided incredibly for almost everything. We owned nothing when we left ministry. The church provided EVERYTHING--furnished manse, leased car, great benefits, etc. So we prayed to know if it was truly God's will that we leave and when we prayed for a couch, we got 4 couches and still have one we could pick up!!!! My 14 asked what's going on with God blessing us with all these sofas? I said, I think He's just messing around with us now--having some fun answering our prayer <P>I just don't have a big giant YES in my spirit about this. Glenn even asked me to pray and said he would. He is worried about my soft voice on the phone as I would be required to promote the drivers ed school. I would have one day with the current lady to learn to work a debit card machine, how to log instructors' hours, etc and have to really brush up on traffic laws as people will call with questions about safe driving, etc. <P>Glenn apologized profusely about the pay and even said he might take an extra day off a week and after 3 mos give me a raise from his own pay. Glenn owns this business and just had a brain tumour removed in February. He is doing great but there is the potential of his going to glory or needing to retire and then what happens. And I feel terrible to be paid more when his instructors need more. Plus I guess I would adjust but you get paid once a month and there are 4 lean mos where you may not get your money readily.<P>I think I would have a deep peace if this is the one.<P>Lupolady, we left the denomination we were ministering at and have been attending a wonderful church since Feb for me,and Mar for H. The girls love it. Unintentionally, we seem to have become leaders there. This church H applied for is yet another denomination. All Protestant. <P>Thanks for your prayers and ideas. I will still pray. I tried to return Glenn's call this morning but he was out. Maybe I was meant to come read here first? <P>Blessings to all of you.

Hello again! Happy birthday, Mark!<P>Well, I got a hold of Glenn. Sometimes you know I feel too blessed! I told him I didn't have peace yet and he was disappointed as he REALLY wants to hire me. He does have a few more possibles. I would start Monday if I accept. I faxed a couple resumes sort of as a fleece I guess. I have a second interview Thursday at 2. <P>A thought occurred to me that maybe this isn't even about work. Maybe God wants to influence me under Glenn's example. He is a wonderful saint. He has a son who is involved in missions work and I have brother-in-law whose brother is in similar work. Then there is the fact that I would be right there when those awful days happen for my girls. <P>But still I don't know....please keep praying till at least Thursday as I have to decide fast! If this is not meant to be, then I pray I will hear about the volunteer coordinator job beforehand.<P>Glenn is looking for someone who will stay with him a long time and I'm not sure if I can committ.<P>I also maybe messed things up as I thought of my single friend who needs work desperately--she has cared for her son and grandson for 4 years and is burned out and hurt her leg...she needs to be off her feet as much as possible and wants to get her own place. She doesn't have office skills although she trained in it. She is friendly but the only thing is if she is put out with someone, she makes no bones about it. If I accept the job now, will I betray her friendship? She is very fragile at the moment emotionally. <P>AAAAAAAA!!!!! Guide me, Lord, please !!

Lord, I pray that you would be with FS and her H in all that they do. Please give them direction in where you want them. I pray for all involved and also pray if that happens to not be the church where you want them that you would put the right person in that position to grow your awsome kingdom. I pray that you would put FS in the position that would make her the strongest and do things for her where she can glorify your name. I also pray that you would keep your hand upon this couple in all they do and guard them from temptation.<P> In Jesus Christ's sweet, precious name I pray,<BR> Amen

Veryhurt, thanks for your prayer.<P>THINGS ARE GETTING CRAZY NOW! I faxed a resume...remember my "fleece"...<P>Well, the lady called me shortly after I faxed and I have an interview tomorrow (Wednesday) at 1:30!! I think I may have this one in the bag, too??? The lady wanted me to come asap as she is going on holidays on Monday. A couple people from my former denomination work there and this agency (which provides respite care for "fried" parents) has a lot of Christian involvement..including being promoted on Christian radio. This could be a starting point for my ultimate dream of a speaking ministry to women in the future. <P>Then I am leaving Prayer Meeting tonight and a friend told me about a receptionist job that pays $3000 a month!!!! I won't take that but just had to laugh how God overblesses me at times. He sure likes to have fun!<P>Thanks for your prayers. Pastor prayed a blessing and the exact words for God to guide me and open the door wide for what He wants and slam the window shut if it's not His will.<P>What will happen next? Stay tuned. Same station, same great God

Wow! It is always so exciting to see how the Lord works. All the atheists completely miss out on the very best part of life.<P>Jesus, thank you for your blessings and for making sure we rely on you. Thank you, Lord. Praise and glory to You and may all knees bend at the sound of Your name. Amen.

<BR><B>I have an interview (Wednesday) at 1:30 </B><P>Our Father,<BR> You ARE an awesome God!! Praise you for providing not only one job offer, but several!!! Lord, you know we are a puny people, and changeable in our ways. Lord, make this decision extremely easy and clear for FS.<P> YOU ALONE are our strength, Lord. Allow FS to lean on YOU during the interview and decision time afterward....make it clear where you want her, Father. Her faithfulness to You has been exciting to watch. Please give her the exact right job, with your Hand clearly in it.<P> Give FS a perfect peace about the decision which must be made shortly. We will give you all praise and honor and blessing for this (SMALL) thing. Father, it is amazing that the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE even cares that we are happy about going to our little jobs every day! We are awed at your power, yet your faithfulness to attend to every little detail of our lives, if we just give them to you.<P> Praise you, Jesus, and thank you for all you did for us, and continue to do. Bless you, Holy Spirit, that you reside in us, and give us direction: "This is the way, walk ye in it." so that we don't stumble when we listen for your voice.<BR>Amen<P>FS, let us know as soon as YOU are sure where God is leading you!<BR>Lupo<BR>

Waa...I used too many images?? Have to write this all over again!<P>OK, Readers Digest Condensed Version, this time. Thank you to all who are praying. The interview was perfect and even fun but I made one HUGE mistake...revealed the name of a client I knew was helped. I did not reveal their situation (just said this person benefited greatly from their work) but I know better than this...please pray it won't kill my otherwise excellent chance for this. H says he thinks it will be forgiven as I apologized immediately and N the interviewer could see my own discomfort over it. Pray I don't beat myself up over it, too as I am wont to do.<P>Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers. This is a dream job and I will hear Friday if I got it or not. There is one more lady to be interviewed. But N already told me when my resume arrived, they looked at the fax and said, We have an answer to prayer here! N also said I have awesome qualifications for the job (which is special to me as I don't hold a degree) The staff are almost all Christians and those who aren't know for sure the others are..it's a very cheerful happy place. I forgot to tell you it's very close to my kids' school, also.<P>I know now for sure I am not to work for Glenn so please pray as he needs someone for Monday just as this job begins Monday.<P>I would meet special people and indeed already did on the tour...it's part time and flex hours and I can be as creative as I want. I can even use my writing abilities to help with the newsletter and develop recruitment. I once helped teach a terrific cooking on a budget course with the help of a public health nurse and there is an opportunity to do this with the assistance of an RN on staff!!! I would get to teach and train volunteers and there is a big golf tournament coming up early Sept that I would have to find helpers for. (Thinking I have to learn this game as my Rotary buddies all golf...I am more of a mini-golfer! )<P>Please pray for the lady I am filling in for as she is not well and her father is dying of ALS (Lou Gehrigs disease--a horrible disease to say the least) In one way, my future depends on hers but I would never want to gain the job at the loss of her health. I believe something good will come for me even if she returns mid-October. I kind of like the idea of testing the waters first for a few months.<P>H has heard to sit tight for now while the search committee reviews the candidates and should hear from them when they are ready. He still needs another job. The garbage at work is bugging him..porn in the bathroom, overheard a visiting salesman ask one of his coworkers for a number for "that" prostitute, etc. Very hard on him and still experiencing fatigue. God will bring blessings to him as he deserves so much after all I put him through and others, too. I know God will bless him big time soon. <P>I just want to send hugs and thanks to all of you for being so terrific in interceding. Hope I have good news to share on Friday.

Okay for some reason I keep coming to your posts even when I'm not replying. I do feel I have the gift of intercessory prayer and yes I'm still praying for you, so why do I keep coming back to you. I don't know for now.<P>I don't want to keep taking over your posts, but you wrote about your H at work and I wanted to share something with you. First off, my H helped to bring a co-worker to Jesus today, it's so exciting to see Him work. Secondly he actually told his boss that he has a filthy mouth. This is a boss who is firing anyone who looks at him wrong. Yes, when it comes to the Lord, H doesn't care whose toes he steps on, but the way things have been going lately, I just can't believe he said that.<P>Still praying for you.

Veryhurt, perhaps you keep coming back to me not only as an intercessor but because God has laid you and your situation at work on my heart, too!<P>Yes, when H took this job, he found out his boss's Dad attends a good church. He hopes to be a witness there and indeed has been. Someone used the f word and he challenged the guy on it. They all know he is a preacher and hopefully assume he is a Christian! H's hard work is a great witness and they marvel at how he fills the down times with cleaning above and beyond the call of duty. <P>How are things going for you? I have been praying for you, too. <P>Blessings, my sister! And hugs.

VeryHurt, PRAISE GOD for a new believer brought in by your H!!!!<P>Sorry I forgot to comment on that immediately. This is fantastic news. I sure hope God uses you in a similar fashion at your workplace, too.<P>There's a party in Heaven over our new friend in Christ today.

Freshstart,<P>Your husband's situation reminded me:<BR>I sometimes wonder how to understand what it is that we are supposed to be doing. I pray for discernment and hope that I have it.<P>I am working with 40 people of whom 6-8 are believers. The rest are atheist (Communist) or agnostic and lots are anti-clerical.<P>Sometimes I want to work with God directly (often!) doing something with orphans or working in a nursing home etc. But then sometimes I think that I am the only open Christian there and maybe my presence is needed, just so that all the atheists understand that there is more out there and at least wonder.<P>Your husband's witnessing might be the only witnessing his colleagues get. Sometimes he can do it with humor, sometimes with a gesture, sometimes in silence - but it won't go unnoticed.<P>So while it is uncomfortable to be one of the few Christians, maybe that's what God does want.<P>Your posts are interesting about finding a job. I think you have to go with your personality and trust the Lord. The receptionist/office type job doesn't sound right for you. You need a creative job in a place where your energy will make a big contribution, I would think. The new job sounded much more in line with your energy.<P>Jesus, I pray for FreshStart to find the job which is right for her at this time. Allow her to trust in Your timing and not feel the need to rush to an important decision. Give her true peace about the decision so that she knows it is the right one. I ask this in Your Holy Name, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen.

Tryingtohope, thank you <P>Yes, I do believe H is being used of God at work although it doesn't appear that way at the moment. VeryHurt's testimony encouraged me so wonderfully. However, I really believe H is meant for another work...we figured out a bare bones budget and he needs to earn $8000 more a yr if we are to survive. We know God will provide as He already has blessed us with a lovely condo to rent, jobs, a $2 car that is awesome! and beautiful children, wonderful family and friends, so, so much...His mercies are new every morning indeed!! <P>Pastor told me when I had the job at the dress shop that he truly believed I was there out of obedience. H and I had a walk tonight (and more painful questions were asked by him--we both cried and felt so thankful the nightmare is over but H is trying to understand what happened to me and how we can work on making sure I know most assuredly his love is solid toward me...he is simply the best!) Anyway, he said the dress shop was a job where he could not possibly overshadow me (something he feels he did in our partnership in ministry) and he is so delighted about the Volunteer Coordinator job for similar reasons.<P>Today I had the second interview with Glenn who was very disappointed that I didn't have peace and had a job offer elsewhere. The new job (your guess was bang-on, Tryingothope!) actually is higher pay but part time so less money in the long run but I know the next few mos are going to be joyful...I feel like I've sat on the shelf for so long...of course, I haven't really because I've been home with my girls and teaching Bible study (from which Pastor's wife gave me a one month break...yay!) and receiving so much healing. But I am ready to contribute to society in some other significant ways now, too. <P>I got home from a great shopping spree (our severance came today so the girls got some clothes, and H surprised me by buying me a higher speed computer! and he got his little standard car he wanted for years and I get the "lady car" as I need one for work.) to a message from N asking if I will come for a second interview (the 3rd woman has not even been interviewed yet!) and talk with the two other staff who decide. She said they are pretty certain they want to make me an offer! I also had a call to babysit for a friend so tomorrow will be hectic but my friend will drive me to the interview (we don't pick up the car till tomorrow night)<P>14 said to me tonight (both girls are thrilled for me,too which sure makes me happy) Mom, I feel so good. It's not just that I got new clothes today but God is so good. Her prayer at devotions tonight again blew me away. She had an online prayer meeting on Messenger recently for a girl she was deeply concerned for. She is maturing in Christ and I couldn't be more pleased. We still have our battles but things are really healing there, too.<P>God is just TOO good to us! The amazing power of prayer. Thanks again, everyone! <P>I won't be online unless it's late tomorrow night so hope to check in on Saturday if possible..when H will have my new puter up and running. <P>Lord, I want to thank You for being an awesome God. For blessing us at this point not just materially but more so for the healing You are pouring upon our family. And I want to thank You for MarriageBuilders and the awesome Christians who post here and are so supportive and bold in their witness of You. I praise you for VH's husband being used of You to bring a new believer into Your Kingdom. I thank You for the miracles You have prepared for all who seek You and the amazing gift of renewed joy. Thank You for giving me Psalm 30:5 for my life verse and the last verse, too...You turned my mourning into dancing again! I love You, Jesus. In all the times...good, bad, sad, mad, lonely, comforted, 24/7, You reign!!! Amen.