365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 299

What does it mean to have an “open-door policy”? I had the natural assumption that when that person specifically said “I have an open-door policy” that you could go to that person with whatever is on your mind. On Monday, I was called into a meeting unexpectedly in which I ended up not being needed but I come to find out that the owner got very perturbed because the co-manager could not find me initially and told him she must be on break. He made the rash decision to implement scheduled breaks for the data entry department because of this. I wanted to set the record straight with him that I was not on an official break but had simply away from my desk because nature called and I had to go. I also wanted to give him my opinion on scheduled breaks vs. flexible breaks. I came up with an email and had a co-worker review it before sending it to him. Two minutes later, I was called into the co-manager’s office. Apparently, “open-door policy” is not what I thought. The one co-manager that I have had issues with in the past, was angry because the boss was going to come down on her because I did not go to them first. To make a long story short, I came to the point where I just felt beaten down to the point of despair. I cried and told them what do I do stand up to this or walk out. To make the issue even worse, an email was sent later in the day to everyone that no one was to go directly to the owner for anything that we must follow the hierarchy. My co-workers and team lead defended me and found the “open-door policy” in the employee  handbook to be very ambiguous with no clear direction in how to proceed. The owner did not respond to my very nicely put respectful email. My heart felt crushed by the weight of the lack of respect, consideration and courtesy given to myself and my fellow co-workers. I spent the evening looking for a new job and will continue my pursuit of a better work environment where people don’t treat you like you are nothing. Thankfully, I have my God who has an honest and true open door policy. God will never make you feel like you are nothing but quite the opposite. His love, acceptance and caring will heal me from this battle with evil. Please pray that God leads me to another job and/or gives me the strength and courage to go to this job for the next year while I get my schooling done. God is for me and will make good out of the suffering I am going through.

1Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 64

Peace is one of those things that have duo connotations. There is the inner peace within our mind, soul and body and there is the outer peace among us and the world. Jesus made it clear he didn’t come to bring peace, this is the outer peace. He said their will be wars and strife in the days to come. This outer peace will only come when Jesus returns. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for the outer peace but we must know that it won’t come without Jesus. The inner peace is something that we already have within us if we are believers in the one and only son of God and savior of the world. The Holy Spirit is in us waiting for us to call upon him to bring us the inner peace we so desire. We can’t change what is happening in the world but we can change our hearts and have peace regardless of the circumstances of the world. Our inner peace will help others turn from evil and find the truth. Our inner peace is our sword to fight the evil of this world.

Matthew 10:34 Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 18

Today I am looking at verse 6 from 1 Corinthians 13: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. I think this verse is specifically talking about the relationships we have with others and what we do when we are witness to our friend, co-worker, spouse or neighbor sinning. You have heard the saying about a true friend will tell you the truth. Love and honesty go hand-in-hand. If you really love someone, you cannot turn the other cheek as they sin right before your eyes. Of course, every situation is different and will call for specific actions based on the situation but the core part of our motivation is because we love. Now, some sins like gossiping in the office, can be taken care of with a gentle reminder that we shouldn’t be talking negatively behind someone’s back but other situations may need a more assertive approach and still other situations all you can really do is express your love and concern and pray for that person.  Loving someone with truth is not easy. Noboby likes confrontation of any kind but with the Holy Spirit’s help we can overcome the tendency to not say anything, to turn the other cheek, to walk away from the situation and face it with all the love God has for us.

Holy Spirit,

Without you, we are but shells but with you and your fruits we can be all that God wants us to be and become more and more like Jesus. You alone can give us the love we need that will not delight in evil but will face it with love and truth. May we be guided by this love today and be a light for those around us who need guidance, mercy and love. With You All Things Are Possible! Amen.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 238

I was doing my morning exercise when my hubbie came down in his rob with shaving cream all over his face telling me to turn on the news that their was a mass shooting in south part of Denver. Needless to say my thoughts have been on this tragic event and the people who have been affected, some deathly. Despite the horror of events we turn on and see in our news in our neighborhoods and all over the world, we need to praise God for being there. Many will ask why? Why didn't God do something to save these people? I don't have that answer. I do know we live in a fallen world that is under the domain of the evil one and though we see and hear and even experience things of evil like this, God has not forgotten us. We have the hope of Jesus and of eternal life with God. Thank you Lord for rescusing us ultimately from the evil in this world. Give us courage to face each day knowing that despite what may happen you are for us not against us. Amen.
Romans 8:31-32 If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 206

We watched the movie Acts of Valor yesterday as our Father's Day afternoon movie. It's a movie based on true events of Navy Seals and even has the Navy Seals doing the acting. I won't give away the whole story but it makes you think of all the sacrifices our military have given. The Navy Seals are the best of the best. What they do for our country is amazing. There is evil out there and it is working hard to get to us and get to our country. I am thankful for the men and women who take up arms and work even harder to keep that evil away from us. Praise God for the soldiers of our land who are out there doing everything they can, even dying to keep us safe. We, too, are soldiers in this war for souls. Here's a thought to ponder: How can we be the best of the best in the war for souls?

Romans 12: 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 148

Everyday we are assaulted from all sides by the evil in our world. I am comforted and feel strengthend just knowing I have the Lord on my side. He will give me everything I need to conquer my fears, to stand up for the Lord and to be strong in the face of adversity. It doesn't matter what the issue is; God is with us and for us. Go to the one who can give you what you need to win the battle. I know I am. Thank you Lord for your strength and your shield.
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my sheild; my heart trusts in him and I am helped.