Last Day is Friday...

[Hooked]

Almost didn't put this on here because it seems trivial to some of the other prayer requests!  Found out today that Friday is my last day at my current employer.

Good news is I am being let go before May 31st.  Why is that good news, because in order to qualify for the reduced Cobra Healthcare Payments you have to be let go by May 31st.  Otherwise my healthcare payments would have been about $1000 a month.  With Garrett's next heart surgery this Fall, it is nice to know I will be able to afford to keep Cobra until then if I have to.  Payments should be around $350 instead of $1000.  Our Good Lord took care of us there, because if it had happened in June we could have been in trouble!

My dream would be to some how, some way be able to do my Wild Fire Artistry stuff full time.  But I don't charge enough for each piece and can't do them fast enough.  If this is the Lord's plan, then it will be a miracle because I can't see how it could possibly happen!

So, I will be looking for another job, praying we will be able to keep paying the bills until a new job works out.

Please pray that I will know the path He wants me on when I see it (no matter how impossible it seems to me) and that I will stay on it!  That He will give us the peace we can only know with Him. That we will keep the faith that we will be fine and our needs taken care of.

[flint kemper]

Chip,I will say a prayer for you and your family, not only today but everyday. Flint

[Doc Nock]

Whoa... seems you've been reading in Paul's writings or James.  

Give thanks in the midst of turmoil for praise builds character and charcter endurance and endurance hope and hope keeps us focused on jesus.

(paraphrased of course)  

After the past years--- reading anyone in job search mode, rips it for me.

My prayers are for your situation to be illuminated by the Holy Spirit so that you know His will in all things and He will guide you, keep you and make His face to shine on you.

On a pragmatic note: Funny thing happens to p-time artists of your talent...they soon learn they can't live on what they charge so they find other work...then they're too busy to do what other's still want, so in self defense, they either quit, or....

...or...they start to charge what is a reasonable hourly rate for quality work and figure NOBODY will bother them cause it's too expensive--- only to find out late that such talent will always draw those who know and love art in its truest form.  And they will pay!

Your art is truly a niche art... when folks can pay $10,000 to go on special goat, sheep or african hunts, there will always be those who will also want something so very special done in yoru medium and with your God-given talent--and can and will pay what it's worth.

Prayers for discernment, strength and surrender

[oneshot-onekill]

Prayers sent for you and your job sutuation...that God would guide you in the path He has set before you.

[BenBow]

Amen and praying for God's wisdom and peace

[kill shot]

Prayers sent. Chip, this is not trivial. If it's important to you, then it's important to me. I know it's important to god.

[Hooked]

Thanks everybody!  By the way, had a blessing a couple of weeks ago!  Had the pleasure of baptizing my 9 year old daughter.  The allergens in the air must have been really bad cuz this fella had a hard time getting the words out without his eyes leaking.

Doc, as always, you have a way with words!  You should work for Hallmark!

Kill shot, I know it is not trivial.  It is extremely important for my family!  Guess there are a couple reasons I said what I did.  One, there are folks on here with life or death situations that need prayers more critically!  Second, I do feel He is in control.  My concern is that this idiot, ME, will somehow miss the opportunity he is leading me to.

[Doc Nock]

 

I heard you on the fear that "some idiot, ME, will miss the opporutunity..." Yup. You reading my mind, Hoss!? Been there, fear I still do that with freightening regularity.

Keep the Son in your eyes...

[bear1336]

You and your family are in my prayers. Keep your faith and our Lord will provide for all your needs.

In HIS service
Dave

[Nosight]

Have you and yours in our prayers....

Have found out that when God wanted me someplace or somewhere, it did not matter if I missed it or not. He just used a bigger 2x4 to get me squared up.

We have found through our prayers that it is real hard not to know what God wants us to do....

Keep in mind He takes care of things when they need to be taken care of...

Later.....Buzz

[BenBow]

Chip my wife and I won't do anything we are not in agreement on. We pray that if something is God's will that he give us the same mind on things. It amazes me when I'm not sure of something and am not sure if I should even bring it up to my wife, she will bring up the same thing just when I'm ready to talk about it. God is GOOD!

[Doc Nock]

Amazing stuff right there, Benson.

Chip, Keep the Son in your eyes. Be thinking of you and saying a few extra prayers for you today.

[fatman]

Chip, we're praying for you

Have to agree with Buzz;  God's Will does ALWAYS happen, regardless of how hard I try to get in the way.  In my case, the secret to some sort of happiness is to put my self in line with what's happening.

And God's Will normally turns out about 10 times better than what I would have scripted...it just sometimes takes me a while to realize...

Take Care

Kevin

[Hooked]

Kevin,

Thanks for the prayers!  I know His will is gonna happen, my concern is what you said about getting myself in line with His plan.  I have been in the situation where I was not in line with His will and it ain't pretty!  Don't know how many times He knocked me off my feet trying to get my attention and get me back on His path.

Alot is at stake here.  Providing for my family and paying the bills are at the top of the list!  So, as I have said before, I just hope this idiot can see the correct path and have the gumption to take it.  Even if I don't understand the way He is leading me, if I know it is His path I will take blindly if need be.

Please keep praying!  I am looking at putting together a line of products that I can sell as an independent rep. Applied for unemployment, but don't know if I will qualify.  Got about two months of bill paying money before I will have to start pulling out of my 401k/IRA.  

Chip

[Doc Nock]

Chip,

I have a good feeling about this for you. That, and a quarter will get you a cup of coffe in a cheap resturant, I know, but it's there.

I've been down that road you're on now far too often & have had to give up much that meant a lot to me or thought it did...and it did leave a few marks! I'm still learning that He's not done with me and as you fear, I too am a bit too much of my birth sign Aires and ram into instead of calmly walk around challenges.

My prayer won't be for a job, for He has that handled, but for you to find discernment, insight, peace and perseverance when all seems to be telling you you're all wrong. Prayers for the Holy Spirit to grab the reins and keep you on His path.

I ask the same in return.

[Hooked]

You got it, Doc!

[T Lail]

Chip, as someone who has struggled with Gods will for me and my family, and yes someone who has fought his will , I have learned that He is patient, and waits on me,  even when I am stupid and headed in the totally wrong direction....if you seek His will,  all will work out for good.....prayers will continue.......

[Rookie@51]

First I would like to echo some of the things others have told you. God is not caught off guard at any time in our lives. I have been to your web site (I think it was yours) and have seen your work. I am impressed with the detail you put into each work you do. Having to put a value on this type of work would be a hard thing because they are all "Masterpieces" in their own right. Second I would like to tell you that if you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior He has a plan for your life and that it is in full motion at the time you are reading this. There are a whole host of scriptures in the bible that tells us that "he will never leave us not forsake us". Psalms tell us that "He walks closed then a brother". The gospels tell us "Be faithful over a few things and that He would make us rulers over many things". We tend to draw closer to God when we are in need in some area of our life that we can't fix ourselves. It is human nature to do so. Just look back at the Old Testament and the way they would call upon God when in trouble and turn away when things are good. We are that same people today even more so. God has closed a door in your life with your job so now you have to look for the door he has opened for you now. Listen to your heart and walk toward what it is telling you to do. If it is wrong that too will be revealed to you as well. I was in need of a change in my work situation one time and the Lord kept telling me to quit. I could not quit my job because I had a family and bills and, and, and, so forth and so on. I prayed for almost a whole year before I got up one night because I could not sleep. I called my wife and told her that I was going to quit my job and that I wanted her to request prayer for me that night at prayer meeting (Wednesday night) at our church. I went in and turned in my resignation effective that Friday. God got me another job by Friday morning within the company with a promotion. One whole year battling something that was fixed in two days. What a waste of time. He is ready to do the same for you. You do what you have to do and if it is your art work, then there will be enough money for you to take care of your family. If not then He will give you something else to do. Either way all He asks is that we honor Him in all things. Sorry for this long post. I will be praying for you and for the walk you are on right now. I will pray for the one who needs the heart surgery as well that God will heal it so you won’t have that to deal with this fall. Psalms 139:1) O Lord you have searched me and know me. 2) You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thoughts afar off. 3) You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. 4) For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold O Lord you know it altogether. 5) You have hedged me behind and before and laid your hand upon me. 6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain it. God bless you and yours..........Dusty

[ber643]

The best to you and your's, Chip, and may the good Lord help you in your job search as well as the little one's operation and future health.

[Hooked]

Thanks, T Lail, Dusty, and Bernie!

Dusty,
Thanks for the time you took to make that post!  I do understand and believe our Lord is going to take care of us!  Maybe my previous posts are not written well.  I have complete faith that the Lord is watching over us and will provide.  I guess I worry about me, not Him!  My concern is that I could unwittingly go down the wrong path and cause my family more hardships while the Lord corrects my direction!

Also, my son will need the heart surgery barring a huge miracle that would involve a new heart.  He was born with only half a heart.  This third surgery is the last in a series to give him the best chance at life with only half a heart!  After this surgery, he should be good to go for as long as that half a heart can hold up.  Many of the kids who have been through these procedures and are reaching their late teens are needing transplants around age 20.  Who knows what will be available in medicine by he reaches 20.  It is already a great miracle that he is even still here!  

Thanks for all your prayers!!!!!