DONT MAKE FAILURE AN OCCUPATION

I can recall one day actually having a ray of hope.  I was feeling good about actually winning the lotto.  Not the big "hunk of millions" lotto, but just the weekly grand.  I didn't want to get rich, I just wanted enough to get by on and this particular week I felt like God was gonna bless me.

Well I didn't win, but the sad thing was not the losing ticket, but my thought after I finshed scratching.

                      "I never win anything anyway"

For some of us, faliure is a way of life.

But failure is not an adjective, its a verb.  We FAIL, but are not ourselves FAILURES.  Yet this is the stronghold we have built around ourselves to protect us from the growing pains of BECOMING BETTER BELIEVERS. 

Regardless of our past failures, God is constantly trying to use us.

BEST KEPT SECRET about Jobs

A job has become many peoples source of peace and now-a-days people are stressed because they are seeing the real truth about jobs.

Not Steve Jobs, but positions of employment.

The truth is, people have seen their jobs as something they aren't.                    

STABLE. 

Many felt they would just ride out the emplyment until THEY got ready to move to another company.  Others believed they would be at their dream jobs until they could retire and live a wonderful post-career life.  REALITY IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

Jobs are volitle for many reasons, the main one being that they are a liability to most companies and most companies are trying to operate with as little liability as possible. 

Many overlook the fact that jobs are components of Businesses, which everyone knows are NOT stable right? Well FRANCHISES are types of businesses that are the most stable by percentage, of any endevour designed to generate income, and while there are still many people employed in "good jobs," keep in mind that a businesses provide MOST of the jobs availible.  So do I mean to say that a stability can be found in an instability?  Yes and no.  You see, God is the PROMOTER and DEMOTER.  He lifts up the humble, brings low the proud.  He is our provider...not our jobs/careers. 

SO IN ESSENSE, STABILITY IS NOT DEPENDENT ON IF YOU HAVE A JOB OR A BUSINESS, BUT ON IF GOD KEEPS YOU STABLE.

So whether job or business, we can put our faith in God and WORK AS UNTO Him.  Being faithful and fearless, knowing that God is faithful and not the author of fear or stress.

Easier to say than do, but just as easy to start trying.  Moving from faith to faith.

SERVICE IS JOB ONE

Usually when people ask "what do you do" our first response is where we work, or we begin with the company that has kept us around recently.  Even going as far as listing other prominent jobs that have often times let us go.  There is even a document that most of us have, which list this information.

But the question is about actual SKILLS, not positions.  I have found it even challenging at times to list the actual skills I have learned and utilized at my previous jobs.  It is easier for me to summerize the duties, than to actually list the specific skills.

I am realizing that it is important for us to focus on the results of our skills, not so much the specifics of our skills, but in order to do that, we have to understand how our abilities effect the lives of others.  We need to focus on how "what we do" blesses the people around you.  We need to focus on service.

I Peter 4:10 As every man has received a gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  

PAWNS to PAWN SHOPS

As I was passing a Pawn shop, I was hit with a thought...Pawn shops are for Pawns.

By definition to pawn is "to deposit as security" (dicionary.com)
Usually people brings things to pawn shops to trade for less than their monetary value.  I hate hearing stories of people who rely on such services for money issues.  Funny how the 5th definition says "hostage." MESSAGE!

In chess the pawn is the lowest rank, one of many (8) pieces that are used to gain advantage...which also coincides with definition that refers to manipulation of people in real life.

As I listen to "SAME THING" by Tragic Hero I have to marvel at our inclination NOT to change.  We barely get by and struggle to make a meager living.  Sure we are far worse in poverty here than some countries, but see how people stress regardless. Why do we spend enough energy to kill ourselves but won't put that engergy to change ourselves, if we did, we'd see our world change for the better.  Realize that if we don't ever change we will be the pawn of someone else, hostages that pawn off our lives for nothing.  FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS, BE KINGS AND QUEENS!

THIS IS FOR MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO DREAM OF HAVING THEIR OWN BUSINESS...all pawns disregard.

ENCOURAGE YOURSELF TO SUCCESS.

FROM THE JIM ROHN E-NEWSLETTER

July 11, 2011

Bouncing Back from Tough Times with Self-Encouragement, Part 1
by Jim Rohn

Editor's note: This is the first in a 3-part series of articles.

Here is a familiar scenario for all of us; you may even be going through something like this right now: You have an exciting goal in mind, you've done your homework, you think you're amply prepared… but things just don't work out. You've probably had times when you thought you were doing what you were supposed to do, but you were misinformed. You thought you had it all laid out, but it just didn't work. You burned the midnight oil day after day after day, but it didn't seem to help. You couldn't seem to change the end result.

These are the times when you have to be your own best cheerleader. And there are two ways to keep yourself encouraged.

Number one: Take responsibility for the missed opportunity or the misrepresentation.

 (Encouragement practice number two: Remind yourself that you’re bound to get better.)  

Take time to read more!

SADLY WE ARE QUICK TO DISCOURAGE OURSELVES, FORGETTING WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS.

I THESSALONIANS 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are idle, encourage the fain-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

E-flections: ENTREPRENEURIAL SCHITZO

From the eMyth

There are multiple personalities in the business mind. There is a few as three.

3 PERSONALITIES

1) The technician
The backbone of the business who does all the grunt work.

2) The Manager
The planner who only sees problems and how they can be fixed

3) The Entrepreneur
The visionsary who thinks about the future and where the business is going.

In short...
The technician works on being better at working.
The manager analyzes and improves systems
The Entrepreneur sets the course

Which are you...well you need to be all three in one...like the TRINITY.
 
I find it interesting that our mind has on more than one occation been characterized as being compartmentalized.  Think ID, EGO, AND SUPER EGO.  We often play this theatrical game of being "different" types of people in different situations.Like actors in Rome...changing our masks to fit various parts.  Well in life all you should be, needs to be displayed at home, at work, when you unwind, just chilling, building relationships, or when no one is watching.  Same with business.

You have to be the person who knows how it should be done...not so you can do it all yourself, but because you must develop a system that makes it get done.  You have to be the manager, because you must monitor how things are getting done, and teaching the people who run your "do-it-all" system.  You also have to be the entrepernuer who charts the vision and direction that the business goes.  This leads to the business revolving around your life, not your life revolving around a "business." In order to properly do this, there has to be help not found on earth or within.  Great men in history have been successful in economic climates far less hospitible than todays recession.   The problem with our economy is that it sways with the faith and hopes of many, and it seems they are always scared and pessimistic.  We all individually need to know that God is at the forefront of true success, if we would just give our lives over to Him wisdom and purpose.

You can google and find The E Myth written by Michael Gerber am any major book outlets.  Or just get a copy from the Library.

E-flections on the EMyth pt1

You ever hear of the eMyth by Michael Gerber?  It basically talks about how many have the wrong ideas about being an ENTREPRENEUR.

Here are some thoughts I got out of the introduction:

Listing to the EMyth, chpt 1.
We don't understanding what being an entrepreneur is.

"Inside any business there is someone going crazy" -Joseph Heller (the question is...why are so many going crazy?)

The problem is that most small business dont work, people do...& most are working on the wrong things. (Which is why businesses fail.) 

The major misconception is WE WRONGFULLY BELIEVE THAT THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IS SUPPOSED TO DO ALL THE WORK.

[THE SAD EFFECT IS PEOPLE DON'T BUILD A BUSINESS THAT WORKS FOR THEM.]

{Stats: 40% quit after 1yr, and 80% after 5yrs)

Businesses are successful when the owner has a clear idea of what needs to be done, and those facts are ingrained into their psyche.

Another misconception is we think that Businesses are started by entrepreneurs that risk huge capital to make a profit.

4 ideas to consider.
1. There is a myth which says that business are started by entrepreneurs,
2.There is a turn-key revolution
3. At the heart of the turn-key revolution is a process that allows any company to thrive.
4. The business developement process can by applied by anyone in a step by step process that can be used successfully by anyone if done with fidelity over a long enough period of time. (REQUIRES HARD, BUT GRATIFYING WORK.)

Your business is a direct reflection of your strenghts, limitations, faults, & short comings.  It is a direct reflection of who you are.  MY MIND IS THE KEY TO MY SUCCESS OR FALIURE

>>Remember there is no business without PEOPLE AND A SYSTEM THOSE PEOPLE RUN.<<

"They intoxicate themselves with work, so they wont see how they really are" -Aldus Huxley

Entrepreneurship is believed to be a herculean feat of super skills, but in actuallity its just a road started by ordinary people who had a shaking of their spirit to alter their occupation. 

It starts with an "ENTREPRENEURIAL SEIZURE" when life slaps us enough that we realize we need could do our own thing and be happier.  Often doing what we love or what we already know what to do.  Some falsely believe that since they already know how to do the technical stuff they can start a business. This is wrong.

THOUGHT
"The work that's been born out of love, becomes a chore"

If you focus on the technical side, your dream will turn into a nightmare.  You will literally loath what you originally were excited to do.

With proper help, anyone can own a small business, sadly most just open small jobs where hey are their own CEO, but the business is their boss.  Its a frustrating situation that has destroyed countless dreams of business ownership.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY FOR YOU.

This is only the beginning...

RUN THE WORLD

This is the second instalment of the BEYOND SAY series.
I was like the 5,779,624th to watch the "Year of the 4" video on youtube.  Yeah, kinda late.  The 1st thing that comes to mind is how such behind-the-scenes videos "humanize" a super star. [[This is a word I feel is used unappropriately]]. But what it actually does is show that they are just like us, except they made sacrifices to get where they are.  The 1st thing that comes to mind in regards to the video is that I really like most of the dancing.  Especially the part with the guys from Africa. (Tofu Tofu boyz)

I feel the way Beyonce' does about the track, it makes you want to move, and it is just an extremely catchy tune overall.  I am sure its the nature of the instrumental that drove the nature of the song. 

TRUTH BE TOLD, MUSIC HAS DRAMATIC EFFECT ON US.

So who DOES run the world?  Is it....
...MONEY? (C.R.E.A.M. = cash rules everything Round me)
     ...or POWER? (Political)
                                 ...or maybe MEN?

According to Beyonce'; Girls run the world. Fortunately that is not specificly what the bible says.

I Samuel 2:7 The LORD makes poor, and makes rich: he brings low, and lifts up.  8 He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts up the beggar from the rubbish, to set them among princes,and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he has set the world upon them.   (KJ2000 - CadreBible android app)

So what's up with this song?  It is no secret that many a woman has rendered men, powerful men, powerless by seduction.  Many men fall prey to lust and the book of proverbs warns mant times about such women who misuse their beauty.  Accurate history does not lie, the bible does not lie, so its obvious that Beyonce' must be on to something.  Then you have heard the saying "behind every good man is a good woman right?"  Is this what she is saying?  It seems this song is more about independent women and using their bootyliciousness to control men.  If you looked at the video.  It seems to pay homage to the beauty of the female with the racy costumes and interaction between sexes.  This sort of thing is more silly than empowering, that women don't want to be objectified, but yet they try to find power in that very objective sexuality.  Even trying to embrace the weaponizing of female sexuality.

Lyric wise it take cues from earlier songs like "Independent Women" and "Diva."  Sadly it seems that such empowering songs may be needed to remind a world that degrades and belittles women, that they are precious and important to humanity.  I personally am appaled by the attitudes of many young males toward females.  Women these days seem to be doing better than many fellas, getting higher degrees and jobs.  Many conspiracies have been passed around, but we all can agree that woman have had to do extraordinary things with the abscence of men who do what men should do.  I reminds me that men need to step their manhood up. 

Back to topic...women are doing great things but men still hold the power.  In the end, its not about the power struggle between sexes.  Just remember that life should consist more of men and women in loving relationships(married or otherwise), working together, growing in the knowledge of the LORD and having proper dominion over their piece of the world.

OVERALL RECOMMENDATIONS

REASONABLE DOUBT on lyrics
GREAT PRODUCTION
I would reccommend you have a good spiritual conversation before you allow your teenage girls to listen to this song.

IN(the midst of)DECISION

Don't you just hate it when squirrels run in front of your car while you are driving? I have this one instance that has been stuck in my mind for years.  I was heading away from my parent's house down a street lined with houses of the upper middle-class.  This particular street has always been notorious for squirrel crossings (They should place a sign).  So of course this squrrel is just chilling in the yard of a house I am approaching and just as I am about to pass by, it darts out and disappears under my hood.  It looked as if it purposely ran in front of my tire, but there was no evidence as I maintained my "moderate" speed.  Shortly after I see it in my peripheral vision by my front door, I was relieved.  But before I could release the idea of not hitting a squirrel, it disappeared under my car again.  It felt like I ran over a rock with my back tire.  It happened so quickly but I experienced it so slowly.  I didn't touch my break at all, because I assumed it literally ran under my front tire initially and it was too late.  The second time the "rock" was there, and then it disappeared.  A hard head, but not solid enough.  My eyes focused on the revealing pavement behind me and in my rear-view mirror I saw the evidence.  The body flopping like a fish out of water seemingly attached to the concrete at a fixed point.  Trying to fulfill its mind's last command to keep running...the wrong way. 
Have you ever hit a squirrel crossing the street, did it ever bring your countenace down like this incident did me?  I am not sure what brought about the sadness, I like animals, by no means a PETA man.  Why did I let that little blip in my day dim my smile for a moment?  I am no fan of tragedy.  Here is the point, it wasn't my fault that the squirrel died.  I didn't kill the squirrel.  INDECISION did it.  It had made it beyond the underbelly of my Dodge Intrepid with nothing but "clean" air and manicured lawns with tree heights of safety.  But for some reason it turned back.  Not a pillar of salt, only death on the spot. 
Maybe you've seen this happen on your street.  The sad reminder this story sheds light on is this...we are too often that squirrel.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways...is that sexist?  Nope, man as in mankind.
GOD is seeking deciders, who have put to death indecision, before indecision makes them...like that poor squirrel...press their heads to the pavement.
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.   (KJ2000 - sent from CadreBible)

DREAM JOB

I am currently looking for a job, not a career, just something that pays me enough money to pay bills and get by on and not totally exhaust me.  Benefits would be nice, and other perks that qualify for "good job" talk, but I wouldn't say I am looking for a DREAM JOB.

Why? Two reasons:

One; I don't need something that going to be so comfortable that I forget to run after my purpose. It has been said that American Christianity is so complacent because of the EASE of life here.  We think we have everything here and there is no need for intense spiritual pursuit of God and corresponding live of service.  Not so much being an evangelist/pastor/preacher etc. (unless called to) but being a light where God wants us intrenched in the communities and culture.  Building meaningful relationships, discipling the younger, filling in the gaps in people's lives so they experience the love of God and speaking the truth of the good news to them.  We are so nestled in our comforts we forget to get to work.  I don't this to happen to me.

Two; I don't believe a DREAM JOB exist.  What I mean is, life is what we percieve it to be.  One person enjoys, another dislikes or one person is bored out of their, another is having the time of their lives; but they are all experiencing the same thing.  So it is with Jobs.  Every job has its difficulties and if you look you will find diamonds in the roughness of them.  God has this sort of minset with us, He knows he can work wonders in us and through us if we give Him opportunity. 

THIS IS THE ULTIMATE JOB, THE DREAM JOB.

So in essence what I am saying is that every job is a dream job if you allow God to have His way with you within that job.  There is no dream jobs, only THE DREAM JOB.  Life will have hardship, and enough troubles to keep you busy, it is not the will of God that our lives be a mirror lake, but that we walk on the waves of a hurricane.  I remeber trying to sabotage a job interview with walmart by coming to my final interview underdressed.  Later on I realized how I had unadvertently sabotaged earlier job interviews in pride, and I wanted those jobs. So here I was kicking against the goads but I had already got the job and years later I am greatful for the people I met at store 3297.  God was able to use me, and my only regret is that I didn't allow him to use me more. 

So remember there are no dream jobs, only the DREAM GIVER.(His purpose not ours)

We will never find that dream job until we find God and walk in His ordered steps in love and obedience.

1st John 2:15-17

WORKING IN SOMEONE ELSE'S FIELDS

Nehemiah 5:5
                 "Now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, our children like their children Yet behold,
                  we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters are
                  forced into bondage already, and we are helpless because our fields and vineyards belong to
                  others."

 There was a man once who served a king, who longed for a better life for his kin.  His dedication to God led to good character and work ethic that gave him favor to make a difference.  He was leaving an established economy to venture into rebuilding a new one.  Imagine the butterflies, or the passion of his prayers.  This verse reminds me that just as those who spoke these words were hurting, so are the people around me and you.  I see families who have socially sold their kids into a life of slavery and they are so buried in debt that they don't own the ground the sleep or work on.  HOW LONG SHOULD THAT LAST?

All I know is that God creates and destroys economies as he see's fit.  The kingdom of King Artaxerxes is no longer standing, but Jerusalem still is.

I say again that GOD CONTROLS ECONOMIES, and though there are major problems they are minor to HIM.

I want to encourage you to seek God and listen to the things that he wants you to do, not to be in bondage to the health of Wall Street, but to be free in HIS economic plan for you.  For many it is pursuing what the average person considers "conventional."  Many of us are not doing the things God is prodding us to do because some people call it crazy and foolish. (think Raisin in the Sun)

LETS JUST TRUST GOD!

Some people say that if people don't find your dreams impossible, then they are not big enough to be commissioned by God....OK maybe I just came up with that right now.

LET US JUST TRUST GOD,     
WHEN HAS HE FAILED US?

HOPE IN THE HARD THINGS

Occupationally, and vocationally I think we as men don't do enough.  I have been feeling this for a long time and I often find myself in introspection in regards to my "manly-ness."  I find the scales lacking...I was never willing to pay the price to do what needed to be done, I was mediocre.

...But there is hope!

I recently find myself coming across the brain work of two young believers named Alex and Brett Harris which started with a book "DOING HARD THINGS." I was impressed....with the notion that I had a long way to go, but God could get me there. 

                   GOD....COULD....GET ME THERE!

Studying the bible has shown me that God directs his people, many times through hard things, and we too often run from them.  Recall Mose's dealings with God's people after Egypt. 

I talked to a young man just now....well I was texting with him, and the thought occurred to me that he could really bless what I am trying to do here on Connect FOUR and is like an ASSET WAITING TO HAPPEN. 


Isn't that true with all of us?  Most of us?  Maybe only ten out of a every few thousand, but that leaves many MEN not living to their potential in a city like Houston with a population around 10 million or more surrounding it's heart.  So what is surrounding your heart? 
Fear?
        Doubt?
                   Lack of confidence?
                                                  Precedent of past failure....
                                                                         past failure....

Where my LIONS at!?

                                                                         past failure....
                                                                         past failure?
                                                                                         No faith in God....or belief in...
                                                                                                                                                                                                             god-lite.

I am learning that God is the effect of any worthy cause you could ever trace your efforts too. All that means is that we need to take our fears, lacks, not to mention those past reports...just gird up our loins and walk in courage.  Ever feeding on the fact that God will keep us as safe as we need to be.

LOST IN THE WILDERNESS

I heard a faith man of God say that he was concerned that he had allowed fear to halt some steps that he felt God had been leading him to do, and because of that, it was perhaps too late for that season or ministry.  This concern was due to the fact that he had four kids and a wife to take care of, and the idea of being a missionary in a foreign land seemed unrealistic. 

I have been thinking about what I we discussed and it occurred to me that God specializes in the UNREALISTIC.

the issue is that we can even picture where income and finances needed to do the things most dear to your hearts can come from outside of a job.  It's not our fault, we are brought up this way and we are taught these ideals in education circles.  So many presently can t see the light at the end of the tunnel because they are going down the wrong tunnel.  Too many feel LOST in the recent recession, because they have been chasing after the wrong (sometimes right) things with an improper mindset. 

Here are some key facts to consider as you find your direction...

• Nothing is safe and secure (not even your job)
• There are always risk involved, even if you aren't taking them
• Long before the US had such and economy, people made a living.
• God is the provider of your income, and nothing else.

It is from God that we receive income, and our main job is to do whatever he ask of us, don't let fear of the unknown hold you back from the path God has laid before you.  OUR GOD IS KNOWN.

GOSPEL GANGSTA?

Still Thuggin Ministry

By Sebastian Pettes

Still Thuggin, this is something I often speak about in conversation, rap about in my music, and is also a ministry God has placed on my heart. I understand the images that may pop into one’s mind when the word thug is mentioned. At one time those negative images and ideas where true about me as I was thuggin in the street, but now that God has control of my life I’m thuggin for a righteous cause. You are probably asking, how could one thug for a righteous cause, when the definition of a thug is a toughie, and a bully – (The Freedictionary.com). Online Slang Dictionary.com defines a thug as a person who does their own thing and Urban Dictionary .com defines a thug as a person who will go to great lengths to protect his turf.

         Now when I say Still Thuggin, I don’t deny that I use to be all of these things before Christ became head of my life. I had a great passion and a devotion to the thug life and the mentality that came with it. By me saying Still Thuggin, that is just me saying that God can use that zealousness. He can take the passion and devotion I had, and others had or have to do wrong within the code of the streets, and use it for His good. The Free Online Dictionary.com describes a thug as a toughie or bully, and true enough when I was thuggin in the streets, it was a negative thing, but when you’re thuggin for Christ it’s a positive. Why can’t we say we are thugs for God? Being toughies, sucking up our fear and sharing the Gospel no matter where we are, no matter how rough the neighborhood is? Why can’t we with the power of the Holy Spirit say we are bullying our sinful desires and old ways by constantly killing our flesh? (Galatians 5:24) That misconception of Christians being weak is old. Christians can and should be tough, because toughness is needed in this war we fight. (Ephesians 6:10-12) God created us and the earth for His worship and His glory; therefore we should be going to extreme lengths to protect something that was meant to exemplify Him.-(Urban Dictionary.com) This world is becoming more and more evil each day (2 Timothy 3:1-3), therefore we as Christians must go to an extent to separate from it and do our own thing (Online Slang Dictionary.com), so that we are not conformed by the world, but transformed by the Word. (Romans 12:2)

     God used Paul’s zealousness. He took a man with devotion and passion, a man who used it for the 

  wrong purpose, changed his heart and used it for His Glory. I have a song where I state “Still 

Thuggin means I’m still a hood cat, I just got a different view about the state the hood at”. Basically 

this means I’m from the hood. I will always be from the hood and be able to understand the hood, 

both the negatives and positives of the mentality of those becoming victims of this environment. God 

is God and can do whatever He chooses with whomever He chooses. But I believe He can take and 

has taken people who He has saved from certain life styles, cleaned them up and used them to touch 

those still stuck in those situations. Still Thuggin in a nutshell means that God took those negative 

characteristics and the passion behind them and chose to use them for His glory. The Still Thuggin 

Ministry is about showing people that God wants to use you, and your testimony to touch others. He 

doesn’t want you to hide the past. He wants you to use it to be real and authentic to show what He is 

capable of doing.   

Diamond or Coal?

I once again want to speak on the idea of "WHAT IS OCCUPATION" and how do you know what is  the right fit for you.  1st of all I just want to point out that the notion of a safe and secure position is under attack in the eyes of most people.  The funny thing is, it was a false assumption to begin with.  The reason I say this is because every private sector job available in the United States is the vision, blood, sweat, and tenacity of some individual who took a courageous chance.


So your safe and secure job is built on someone else's insecure business idea.  There were many cultures throughout history where the notion of a great paying job, with full benefits and a great retirement plan never existed.  People lived and many of those people trusted in God and even left legacies for their families without all of the "cushion" we are used to here in the States.  Its interesting how people who lose a job will suddenly beg and plead for God to move on their behalf to get them another job.  The job as we know it is disappearing, the good benefits are becoming too expensive for many sectors of employment to handle.  I truly understand the natural feeling of wanting safe and security, I understand the sigh of relief when you get a job and the feeling of "knowing" you have a check coming in consistently, but I feel this way of thinking is a slap in the face of God.  Why?  Because God is our provider and not the jobs we work at.  We need to be more focused on following God, and not what is status quo.


Too often too many people quit doing the very things they should be doing they are presented with opportunities to do wonderful things, but they quit before the blessing is realized.  All great dealings come with a price the doer must pay, but most people are not willing to pay that price.  This is usually because it is usually uncomfortable or mentally stressful to the self of the individual.  Many could actually change the lives of hundreds, thousands, or even  millions of people for the better, but because it causes a lot of discomfort in the process, they cut their own blessings short.

Symbol that means serving or helping

So my question to you is, what is God really calling you to do?  Many are called to do things that don't come with a preset schedule or consistent paycheck amounts.  Our occupation should not be, simply what we want to do, but what God wants us to do.  There is a level of faith we will never achieve if we choose not to follow God's direction.  The blessing of this recession is that it will force people to really listen to what God is telling them to do, inspire then to do it, and even empower them to stick with it til the end. 

Be blessed
E Hailey

William Shakespeare said"Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them."  In a sense you can say that some are afraid to try because they are afraid to fail, but many are also afraid of dealing with the accolades of greatness.  In this day and age we are freely given access to all sorts of vices from various areas for being "a star" in some subculture in the world.  Worst yet, there is much uneasiness to content with in the management of personal pride and selfish lust.  I have been in situations where I felt that certain opportunities were lay out before me and I ran because I didn't trust myself to deal with it properly.  We all have your bents and temptation come in many forms, but I want to turn toward a different slant.  When it comes to greatness, most of us have it wrong.  Jesus hung around with some guys who felt the same way about greatness: 

²⁰Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, ^(O)bowing down and making a request of Him.
 ²¹And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left."

You can't blame her, she wanted to make sure her sons would have a best place in God's kingdom.  The problem is that we look at greatness as a setting apart and above in stature of the person who has achieved greatness.  Many people feel this way, and it is one of the reasons I feel that the Bible is not written by the sole mind of men, but men under the influence of God.  

²⁵But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
 ²⁶"It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
 ²⁷and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;
 ²⁸just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."


Many times we look down on ourselves because we can't do the things that the "greats" do, we even feel that there are a limited number of slots for greatness and seek to push others aside who we feel are obstacles hindering our rise to prominence.  We see this as backstabbing from co-workers and associates in various organizations.  The sad thing is that it also is happening in churches and ministries here in the US.  However if we only understand what Jesus is saying we will realize that there is plenty of space in the world available for great people, as a matter of fact I would say that there is just enough space to everyone to be great, it is sad that so many will not take the chance.  Don't we understand that in the service of the King and the King's children, there are feats of heroism and bravery worthy of praise.   Service is and occupation we all need to add to our resumes.