Posted on 07/14/2006 3:27:18 PM PDT by rzeznikj at stout
Whoa.. what good looking men we have here at FReeperland~!!!
Thanks Stout!
I wanna see!
OK...8^)
I just have to share a bit about how God has been moving in my life lately. I have already done this somewhat, a bit at a time, to some here, but I thought this would be a good time to remind everyone of how God DOES bless his children, who follow his will , and stand up for morals . Sometimes it does not look like it will happen, but it does-- sometimes it just takes awhile.
In my own life, things have REALLY improved financially, over the course of this year. Compared to last year-- it is uncanny just how much they have changed. And THIS change is for the BETTER!!
Last year at this time, I was only working here and there, and not getting paid on a regular basis. I would often go a week or more without working. When I did work, I sometimes had to wait 2 or more weeks to get paid. needles to say--this made things difficult. Compounding the problem--the owner of the shop I worked for was a proro freak, and would watch prono while I was there, with his friends. Even though I would get away from them, they would make sure they "informed" me of what was being shown..This made things even worse.
Also, there was tension between me and the boss, as he was a womanizer, living with a woman, and sleeping with many others. I often let him know how wrong this was, when he bragged about it in front of me. Often, he would have women coming in the shop looking for him--and sometimes, they showed interest in me. However NONE of them were of moral character--and so I did not give in to the temptations. By the time Thanksgiving came-- it had all came to a head. I got cheated out of about $400 by him, and waited over 3 weeks for my money. Christmas was NOT looking like it was going to be much fun.
Then-- God sent my first job my way. A few days after thanksgiving, a guy who owned another shop stopped by, and talked to me about working for him. I was unsure about things, as I did not want to go into another "mess", and was tired of being cheated. But, I decided to give it a shot, a couple of weeks later. It turned out, that I was able to come to VERY good terms with that shop, as the owners wife liked me--even though we are opposites politically. Immediately, I began to make decent money--just in time for Christmas. This continued into the new year. I still have that job. It is a good job, and I am paid well, but it is only 3 days a week. Sometimes, I get "into it" with the boss, and occasionally his wife--but it is not too often.
However, I still needed more work. I was only making enough to "get by", and was not often able to save much on a given week.
By May, God answered that prayer, too. I was contacted by a guy I worked with over 14 years ago, and he wanted me to work a couple of days a week with him. This would work out fine, as I was just wasting the time anyway, often sleeping. So, I began working with him, and making about $300 a week extra--just what I needed. This was just in time, to pay house taxes and such, too.
But God was not finished blessing me. Not by a LONG shot!!
As many here know, I am into electronics. It is my career and my hobby. I am a collector of old tv's and hi-fi items, and am always on the lookout for them, wherever I go.
One day, about 5 or so weeks ago, on the way to church, I saw what looked to be a couple of old , possibly desirable tv sets that someone had discarded. (Now, I have long been one to take "cast offs", and often, some good stuff is to be found that way. The old saying-"one man's trash is another man's treasure"--is so true,, and I had always knew that. But I was not really prepared for what was coming.)
I went back, after church, to see what was there. it turned out, the tv's were nothing special, but there, among the worthless junk, was a "golden nuggett". A vintage Mcintosh amplifier, in good shape. needless to say, I grabbed this. Upon getting home, I was shocked to find out the true value of my prize. This amp was worth from $500 to more than 1K, depending on condition!! Mine was in good, but not perfect, condition, and needed restored, as all vintage items do, but was functional. Within 2 weeks I was able to sell this amp for $750 on ebay. I was elated to have made so much from "nothing" so to speak.
I figured this would be one of those "once in a lifetime" finds, and that something like that would not happen again for many years, if ever.
I was VERY wrong about that!!
The same week my Mcintosh sold, I came across ANOTHER amp. This one did not look like it would be worth very much, it looked quite "plain" compared to the chromed, fancy looks of the Mcintosh. I could not have been more mistaken!! It turns out that this was a VERY rare marantz amp, FAR more rare and desired than the Mac. Last Sunday night--it sold for over 3 TIMES that of the Mcintosh, and in under 3 HOURS!!!
Now, I am not telling you all this to brag about the money I have made. I am telling this to show how God can turn things around, and how much he does bless us who follow his will and abstain from wickedness. BOTH of those windfalls were from him. In the first case--had I not gone to church that morning, I would have never found the Mcintosh. And in the second case--I was supposed to be on vacation that week, with my cousin and sister, but had decided some time before not to go, as I did not think I could afford the money or stress. I had to lend my cousin $250 to go anyway. As it turns out--if I had gone, I would have missed out on the Marantz, and a serious amount of money from it. God Knew I needed to be here that week. There will be other vacations, and the money will be useful. I have some home improvements to do, want to buy a laptop, and give to a couple of decent conservative causes and candidates, like Vernon Robinson for example.
Some of hose I have told about this do NOT feel that "God gave them to me". They feel I was just "lucky", or that God does not have time for us here on Earth. I do not feel this way, and tell them that. God does indeed care for us here. He does bless his children. Sometimes, it does not look that way--often times, we have to go through a lot of "valleys", before we get to the "plateau" so to speak. I know I have been one who was discouraged in the past, and felt like God had forgotten me. This all was his way of telling me that he has not. I do not think he is finished blessing me or my family. I do not know what will be next--but I will continue to follow his lead, and speak up when I feel it is appropriate, about those subjects we need to speak about, (morality, salvation, abortion, Homosexuality, sexual purity and so on).
SO, for those Christians who think that God has forgotten you,just be patient. your day is coming!! Mine did!!
Now....If he would only do somethng about my social situation.....But all in his time, I guess!!
Excellent points...
Hey Jacko!!! Great to hear from you again! HOORAY for your windfall!
I think this forum is rich in all sorts of people & we sometimes just see one side of them, depending on the threads etc. We are fortunate when we are able to look closer into someone's soul.thank you for sharing with us Jack
Trusting God with all is so impt..but we are so "smart" sometimes we plug along without much concern etc..
now re: the social.. the amp would NOT have been in your possession had you not made some effort to pick it up.. women folk are about the same way. I dont believe God will just drop one into your living room some day.... but hey, I might be wrong on that one
Hey, it's Friday! see you all tonight!
I love hearing this. Such good news. Bless you.
Thank you Dolly for pinging me to such good news.
O LORD, our Lord, how Excellent is Thy Name in All the Earth! (Ps.8:1)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.