You say, ‘It’s impossible.’

You say, ‘It’s impossible.’
God says, ‘…”What is impossible with men is possible with God.” ‘ (Luke 18:27 NIV).
You say, ‘I’m exhausted.’
He says, ‘”But those who wait on the Lord, Shall renew their strength…”‘ (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV).
You say, ‘Nobody loves me.’
He says, ‘…”I have loved you with an everlasting love”…’ (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV).
You say, ‘I can’t go on.’
He says, ‘…”My grace is sufficient for you”…’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).
You say, ‘I don’t know what to do.’
He says, ‘…”And He shall direct your paths.”‘ (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV).
You say, ‘I can’t do it.’
He says, ‘”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”‘ (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).
You say, ‘It’s not worth it.’
He says, ‘…we will reap a harvest if we do not give up’ (Galatians 6:9 NIV).
You say, ‘I can’t forgive myself.’
He says, ‘…in Christ God forgave you’ (Ephesians 4:32 NIV).
You say, ‘I can’t make ends meet.’
He says, ‘…God shall supply all your need…’ (Philippians 4:19 NKJV).
You say, ‘I’m afraid.’
He says, ‘…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power…’ (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).
You say, ‘I can’t handle this.’
He says, ‘Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you…’ (Psalm 55:22NIV).
You say, ‘I’m not smart enough.’
He says, ‘…if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it…’ (James 1:5 NCV).
You say, ‘I’m all alone.’
He says, ‘…I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV).

The above is taken from a recent daily Bible study note from UCB and I include it here as an encouragement to others.

Feeling free to recycle

In my ignorance I initially thought Freecycling was what I used to do on my bicycle. That is shifting downhill at pace without a care in the world, before clipping the kerb and ending up in a crumpled mess at the bottom. On one occasion I was required to make a reverse charge phone call to my parents who were obliged to came to pick me up and get me home.

Freecycling is a way of offering and getting unwanted stuff (recycling) for free. It saves us from making trips to the rubbish tip, and gives our pre-loved possessions a new lease of life – in a new home.

It works too! Some items just take up far too much space in the loft, shed or under the bed so every now and again we’ll  nominate stuff either for Freecycling or the local charity shop. The beauty of Freecycling is that it’s so easy to get involved.

So far, as a family, we have ourselves benefited from inheriting some children’s books in excellent condition, a Spiderman shoulder bag, a briefcase, and some Megabloks. Sadly we missed out on some CD’s and a DVD player we were keen on, but never mind.

With Christmas on the way, and being short of cash this service is certainly worth thinking about, and the whole service is free (of course).

To find out more, and the potential benefits, take a peek at http://freecycle.org/

The prayer of a desperate man

The prayer of a desperate man or woman is good. By this I mean, whatever our circumstances, the simplest prayers offered, can often be the most honest and heartfelt. If you like me sometimes wonder if it’s ok to pray for ourselves, or even what to pray in a particular situation (ie. For a breakthrough in your work or health situation or for someone else)… Go for it, you’ll have at least one listener. He is the One who brought everything into being, who cares, and has the power and ability to make a difference.

Oh, that they were wise…

The following is an extract taken from my Bible notes for 29 October. I include it here because it made me think about how I spend my time…

The Bible says: ‘Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!’ One of life’s greatest challenges is thinking and doing the things that ultimately matter and bring success. A life in which anything goes, is a life in which nothing goes. Wisdom means having the discipline to prioritise and the ability to work toward a stated goal. The question is not, ‘Will my calendar be full,’ but ‘Who will fill it,’ and ‘What will it be filled with?’ To know your life’s priorities you must frequently pause and ask: 1) ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ (Acts 9:6 NKJV). 2) What is required of me that nobody else can do? 3) What will bring the greatest return? God doesn’t reward wasted effort, He rewards wisdom.

The story’s told of a lighthouse keeper on a rocky stretch of coastline who received a new supply of oil each month to keep the light burning. Being close to the shore he had lots of guests. A woman from the village needed some oil to keep her family warm; a farmer requested some for his tractor; a mechanic wanted some to lubricate a wheel. All the requests seemed legitimate so the lighthouse keeper tried to please everybody. Before the month was over his oil was gone and the beacon went out. As a result several ships were wrecked and lives were lost. When the authorities investigated, the man was very repentant. But to his excuses and pleading their reply was, ‘You were given oil for one purpose – to keep the light burning.’ Be wise – prioritise!

The above notes we produced by UCB,  for more info go to http://www.ucb.co.uk

Back in GMT

It’s October, and just when we’ve got used to Summer being over its fast approaching late Autumn and Winter, or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). This means it will be dark an hour earlier, and very little else actually.

Those who need to wake early will still be getting up early and those fortunate to still have employment will probably still have employment. GMT? Isn’t it all a bit of fuss about nothing.

To keep us all chirpy, there’s always the prospect of SAD, (Seasonal Affective Disorder) or for some it’s Still Angry and Delusional, which some believe is related to a lack of exposure to daylight. It apparently affects people at the same time each year – so I make that anytime from now folks!

If, like me you’re not happy with SAD, I would like to propose being HAPPY as best you can, as it will soon be Christmas soon and then there’s the prospect of Spring.

Yes, life could be worse, for most of us… It really could… But there are still those who do have a well paid job, amongst them are those, who choose inexplicably in the midst of recession to hold the UK population to ransom and go on strike. No, not the militant train drivers (this time), but our friendly posties.

There is however some good news for us customers. The Royal Mail staff on strike have unwittingly started their own job creation scheme, as there will now be more job opportunities this Christmas for those out of work. Brilliant logic. I knew they’d eventually get something sorted. (Excuse the pun!)

Lemony dupe

Lemony dupe really does sounds heaps better than ‘unemployed’ doesn’t it?

If like me you’re still out of full-time employment, looking for work after redundancy or dealing with some other work related trauma… maybe you’ll do well to take a spoonful of the following slightly sweet flavoured medicine. Here then, are some friendlier alternatives to the words of doom itself.

Firstly there’s the word ‘unemployed’. I confess to quite liking the option of using mouldy neep myself, but there’s always employ nude or deploy menu.

And now, to make things complete, how about that despicable (spit) word, ‘redundant’ which treated in a similar fashion will give you:-
and turned, darted nun, nun darted, and who can ignore… daunt nerd.

I might be a bit daunt nerd and mouldy neep myself sometimes, but I can cope!

What’s your favourite?

UP for excitement…

Now the decorating in Marks flat is done… it’s time for new challenges, surely.

I am ever hopeful that one of my current job applications will find favour, blow the socks of a prospective employer and help land me a job. It really isn’t too much to ask.

Until that day comes, I’ll try to keep a positive outlook, and remain hopeful, as I don’t want to go under.

Meanwhile, I still have a fascination for charity shops and the possibility of achieving a haul even though I now have a new wardrobe of shirts, ready for the workplace. I still have an enthusiasm for car booting, why else would I set the alarm closk for such a ridiculous time as 5.10am? When the weather forecast is favourable and the punters are plentiful, it makes it all worth while.

I still am drinking too much tea and still staying up late into the evenings watching the Good Food channel, or on Facebook, on Teamtalk and on a few random job sites before hitting the sack somewhere between 12 and 1am. I’m still struggling to sleep, but have no problem staying in bed weekdays till about 8am.

A quick glance at my mobile phone, and in particular the bible texts that make their way to it in the mornings are always enlightening, and I still don’t tire of reading what God has to say to me. This message signifies hope, and reminds me there’s plenty to be done and God is to be honoured in all I do, for He’ll be back one day…

Isaiah 40 verse 3 reminds me:

“In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD ;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.

I’m up for a challenge, game for a laugh, and for being reminded that a bit hard work never hurt anyone. I may be in a ‘desert place’, or even ‘wilderness’ job-wise, but a couple of days casual work in a warehouse (recently) surrounded by boxes, cartons, and pallets has re-introduced me to work, and to my various upper body muscles, including biceps, triceps, deltoids, and of course pecs. It also served to remind me I am a willing worker, with a desire to do a good days work. Given the chance, I am also UP for some excitement.

If the movie poster for the film of the same name is to believed, so is Carl.

A little wisdom from Horace

‘The darkest hour in any man’s life is when he sits down to plan how to get money without earning it’.

Horace Greeley

Two busy weeks.

The last fortnight has been particularly busy. But not in a finding a job sort of way, but in a variety of different things, not all worthy of featuring on my CV.

I’ve collected a bed from a Dartford address after securing it’s purchase on e-bay, I’ve painted it, I’ve also volunteered and decorated a lounge and bedroom in a flat, preached once, attended a prayer group, worked four part-time shifts, helped unload a lorry of hundreds of boxes, mantled(?) and dismantled childrens’ beds, rearranged two bedrooms with Mrs W, and took a relaxing stroll around a NT property with a friend – who coincidentally is also currently seeking employment.

The walk was great, it was a real tonic and helped blow some cobwebs away for the both of us. We also talked openly about our job searches, laughed a bit and completed the walk in half the estimated time given by the NT staff member.

We must only assume she came up with two hour estimate to complete the walk after seeing sending some frail walkers on their way without a map or failed to see them on their second lap. Maybe she simply wanted to dissuade us from taking on such a perilous journey. The dangers of the route were carefully pointed out to us, getting lost and never being found again alive was the most likely hindrance.

All in all, after our return, we seemed to have succeeded where others failed. As far as I can ascertain, there were no calls to scramble the land and sea rescue helicopter that day, and no major incidents to report other than an under filled sandwich at lunch.

Having  now recovered from the walk, I promise myself that my  job search will resume as soon as possible. (After a bit more decorating and quite possibly a bit more flatpack bookcase construction). It’s so important to keep up ones interests isn’t it?

Rant.

It had to happen at some point. Why it happened in the penultimate week of September I don’t know. Maybe it coincided with my 2nd Anniversary of being out of work.

Like a cloud it came. It was indeed time for a rant, and it centred around 3 things. The lack of success in my job search, the inability of a recruitment agent to make contact after my 4 phone calls, 3 emails and the assurance from 4 of his colleagues that he was ‘the man’ I should talk to and lastly everything else and everyone else. (Well, I exaggerate ever so slightly!). See also ‘The Flip Side’.

Of course life is hard for me and us WorkHopes’, most days i’m on the hillside looking for the way ahead but then, every now and again, lose my footing and find myself face down in mud in the valley. Amusing maybe, but not where I choose to be.

But, I can’t (and won’t) give up. And I try not to dwell too long on the incidents and people who wind me up or when things go pear shaped. (You would have thought I’d got used to it by now!)

I feel I am totally justified in this (my not-so-very occasional) rant, but it really doesn’t achieve a great deal. God knows I’m trying, and making efforts to find employment, looking at career options too. All I need now is an answer, an opportunity and that all important job offer. Till then, it’s peaks and troughs, joys and sorrows, oh yes, and Faith.

Rant over.