Last Day is Friday...

[Doc Nock]

I will take a wild shot in the dark, Chip, and say I read that all understand and many of us who replied struggle with the same battle you do...fearing you  miss God's will for our/your own willfulness.

What I read and feel myself, is that when God wants us, He will find us and use all at his infinite disposal to put us on the right path, because He knows our heart better'n we do.

I so want to do His will, as you, but get all tangled up in daily survival and the idiotic German culture I grew up in that promoted the un-biblical "The most likely place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm!", or the other great lie, "God helps him who helps himself".

Took 59 years to realize that was all bull! Taking more years to un-learn those tough ideas and truly try to surrender. Not there by a long shot, but I keep praying that soon, He will help me see my destiny and give me strength to step out into the raging waters without fear or thought.

God will provide. Yes! But he offers even more bounty than we can imagine, but the surrender and willingness to endure some suffering, doubt, etc. is such a challenge, that I often loose hope and feel I must have made the wrong choices when things go sour.

I think that is what fear you shared. Fear is it's own task-master!

[Rookie@51]

The EZ part of all of this Christian walk is the talk of it. Walking it is another thing all together. I don't want you to think I have it all together because I don't. I FEAR because I fear what it is I have to go thru when I start seeking to know My Father more. I don't to have to go thru anything that I can't control. I'll walk the trail I want to as long as it don't cost me more then I want to pay.
I will continue to pray for your job and your son and expect that God will provide your son a heart and you a job to take care of them. If I come off like I know how you should act and how you should feel, I missed with what I was trying to do. My friend and brother I will lift you up and will ask our Father for that job and heart. I will pray for the rest of your family as well to that God will carry you thru this time in your lives. God bless you and yours.........Dusty What is your Son's name? I want to put ya'll in my prayer book. Matthew 6:33

[Doc Nock]

Admiring your gumption to just strike out and believe doesn't mean anyone should ever doubt that you struggle, Dusty.

We all do. Some just have the "surrender" part better in hand and some of us might have it more than we realize, but we agonize way too much and think too much and then we defeat ourselves. At least that is the pattern in my life I try to break.  

Peace Brother.

[Smallwood]

Chip, prayers sent for you and your family.

[Hooked]

Well got my last commission check from the old company today.  Not enough to cover the mortgage but it helps.  We are not desperate yet, but I went ahead and pulled some retirement money out.  Hate to do it, especially with the penalties and all, but without it we will be out of money within a month.  

Have several things working but none that will bring any $ in anytime soon.  Praying that he leads me to pursue the right one and that I don't talk myself into the wrong one!

Also, Garrett had his 6 month echo and check up this week.  He will have a catheter procedure sometime in the next few weeks, then his surgery soon thereafter.  If you run short on prayer time, pray for Garrett's health before my job!

[Doc Nock]

Chip,

Those easy procedures like a cath, they tend to worry us the most...

Prayers always up for the munchkin... he's such a treat!

Prayers go bundled, bud....you and Garret. Tis a package deal...our hearts to God's ears!

[Rookie@51]

All,
I have added ya'll into my prayer book for your needs. While they are different they are the same as well. I have added Dave and his wife as well as Adler, Dr. Ed, Doc and Pop, Benha, Stringstrecher just to name a few. I have lifted up just about everyone who has posted here for the last year. I have been lifted up as well by all of you on a couple of different occasions. I know that that God don't need any of us lifting ya'll up to work in your life or the things that are happening. I have found out over the years that when we take time to pray for others we become less focused on our own problems. Just the act of lifting up others makes us more aware of the presents of our Heavenly Father working in our lives. So when I say thank you for asking me to life you up it is because it never fails to produce a blessing in my own life it seems. It causes me to be focused on others so that He can refocus me and my life. That's the way our Father works to bless everyone. If you want to be blessed then bless others by praying for them and their needs. Still praying for you all. Sorry for the long post but the Lord put this on my mind to share here with you all. God bless you and yours........Dusty

[Rookie@51]

Dave,
I haven't forgotten you nor Garrett in all of this. You both are in my book as well. I'm really thankful that you are in the book that counts most of all..... God bless you and yours today on the Lord's day. I hope and will be praying that the phone will be ringing first thing in the morning with a job offer.

[Hooked]

Well, it is looking more and more like I will be taking the independent rep route.  Basically, while I have been looking for employment opportunities, I have also been looking for companies I can contract with to sell there products as an manufacturer's/Independent Rep.

While I have only had two calls from recruiters about job opportunities.  One was to sell dental implants, like with the company I just left, problem is I have a 12 month non-compete agreement.  Second call was for an opportunity in veterinary sales, but they never called me back for an interview.

On the other hand, I have contracted now with 2 companies to sell their dental products and am meeting with another today.  There are also two other companies trying to get me to sell their products.  My plan was to get two or three lines so that I would have 10-12 products to sell.  Starting to get concerned that I will have to many products.

I like the idea that I will basically be self-employed, but that means no healthcare benefits, no expense account, and straight commission. We are covered for healthcare for about 14 more months with Cobra, but not sure what will happen after that.

So far, this is the door the Lord has opened for me.  On the positive side, I feel like atleast one of the companies I will be working with is a great opportunity for an independent rep.  

Chip

[Doc Nock]

Congrats, Chip. That sounds like an interesting avenue to pursue...and you likely know the ropes enough to be able do well.

It takes a special confidence to go independent and pay all your things yourself, but there "used" to be some benefits like deductions for many things normally not in the mix.

Keep the Son in your eyes...

[Rookie@51]

Great news Chip, I am still praying for you and little Garrett. You keep looking and you will find what you are looking for. God bless you and your family and I will continue to lift ya'll up.

[Hooked]

Couple updates...

Garrett has his heart catheter procedure on July 6th (Tues).  This is done to map everything out for the surgery.  

Also, as I have probably mentioned before, I have found a few companies where I can sell their products as an independent rep.  But to further confuse things, in the last week I have received calls about two different positions with companies that I might get to interview for.  Please pray that the Lord will help me to know which way to go if an opportunity is given to me by one of these companies!

Thanks,
Chip

[Doc Nock]

Chip,

Having been there so often, where you are, might I suggest that there are few "perfect" decisions we as mortals can make.  The good news is that we can always "re-decide" and learn from whatever choice we make.

Relax. Be confident in Christ's presence through the Counselor so that you will be open to that still, small voice. That has and is my nemisis...being still inside enough to hear.

My prayer for you will be as for myself...that the Lord speak in creshendos that skip the fleece and go with a brick so we do not mistake His will.  Regardless, in today's world...there will likely not be a "next best job" but a series of things that unfold over time.

Go in peace and knock em all dead!

Keep the Son in your eyes!

[straitera]

The Lord provided or the Jews in the desert for 40 years with water & food (Manna). These trevails must first come before our Messiah appears. So is it written. His instructions are clear to "fear not". He will provide.

Lord please bless our friend Chip & his family. Provide for them in their time of need such that they may know & appreciate your kind love and attention. Amen.

[Hooked]

Just thought I would give a little update and ask for more prayers.

Still trying to get things going as an Independent Sales Rep.  The Lord has provided me with a plethora of products to sell.  Haven't sold any yet though.

Did have an opportunity come up and that is where I would ask for more prayers.  Today I spoke with the VP of Sales and marketing about a sales manager opportunity.  We didn't get to talk long because he had a meeting, but he is supposed to call me back about 9am central tomorrow.  Please pray that it will work out if it is the Lord's will!  Guess I should add that I have always wanted to get into management and this would  be in an area of the healthcare industry that I really enjoyed also.


Thanks!

[bucksdown]

chip i missed out on your prayer request until this morning, brother i do lift you up in prayer. your request isn't funny, but i couldn't help but chuckle. i was reminded of the times i was in your shoes, wanting GOD to speak to me, in my flesh i doughted if i had made the wrong choice, he hadn't moved when "I" thought he should. he always moved in the right time. i would sit and shake head my and tell him i'm sorry for doughting him and being impatient. he always, always, comes through. brother your not alone, we've all done it. in our flesh we're all in the same boat,(or box). he's not. (be still and know that i'm GOD.) i also chuckled at your comment. one of my many goofy sayings is, GOD takes care of fools and idiots so he's got me covered. i've got a bad habit of calling myself stupid when i do something wrong, my wife scolds me and says i call GOD a liar when i say that. well brother we know we're not stupid, only human. if we had all the answers today, our faith would not continue to grow, and we wouldn't feel like we need GOD. your gonna be ok chip.the greatest blessing is yet to come. just have faith, and you to will look back and chuckle to. we love you brother.        

[Doc Nock]

Chip,

Continued prayers as you struggle for direction and discernment amidst the host of choices laid out before you.  Remember, we might not always 'hear' his still, small voice, but we can always choose to 're-decide' when we learn His will was different than our choice.

Keep the Son in your eyes!

[BenBow]

Amen praying for God's favor

[Hooked]

Thanks for the prayers and encouragement!

Talked to the chairman/majority owner of the company this morning.  Then this afternoon the Director of HR called me.  She had some questions and answered some of mine also.

I don't count my chickens before they hatch, but she basically said the VP of Sales and Marketing would be calling me with an offer tomorrow.

Everything involved with this has been so easy that I have to believe it is what the Lord has been planning for me.  I am trying not to get my hopes up to much until the VP calls tomorrow.  

The Lord has kept me busy with the Independent Rep stuff.  I actually made my first sale to a dentist today also.  I would have liked to have given the independent rep thing more of a chance, but timing is everything.  And the added security of a base salary, expenses paid, and healthcare benefits for my family is huge!  Especially the benefits with Garrett's condition.

Please keep praying and hopefully I will be asking for prayers of praise in the near future!

[BenBow]

Praying for a great day and new beginning