I resigned from my job at the mall

[Blake]

I think there is a vast difference between saying you pray about choices and try to follow what you think is God's will and claiming that everything you do is because God told you to do it. The second option is far easier because it takes the responsibility off of you and gives you an easy out to justify whatever it is that you are doing. When you quit college and Mom and Dad want to know why, you can just say that God told you to do it. Who can argue with God?

I think that many people of faith, when faced with a choice or a big decision, pray about it. They may seek input and pray about it for a while, but eventually they have to make a choice. Sometimes the choice is between 2 things and sometimes it is a choice to act or not to act, but either way, the time comes and they decide what "feels" right. Maybe it is their gut, or their heart, or their conscience, or even they feel the Holy Spirit is touching them in some way. They decide and move forward with their decision. They strive to be at peace with the decision- which is what I strive for and pray for most of all. I seek information; I seek counsel; I pray. I try to make an informed choice with my values and priorities in place, but I have never claimed God told me. I find that to be the utmost of hubris to claim that one is so perfectly in tune with God as to be 100% certain of what His will is. I try and seek ways to discern His will, but life proves regularly that we all fall short of that aim.

and I would say many Christians, like Ashbeegh apparently, would agree with this line of reasoning...

which would seemingly contradict the Old Testament where God directly told people what to do.

[CuckingFunt]

Bo said he was upset.

Which is where I start to get confused. I find it hard to believe that any level of faith would allow for God to tell you to do something or otherwise guide you in a direction opposite where you want to go, which would lead me to assume that one acts the way they're going to act and later credits their god with the assist.

Incidentally, I too was upset when I dropped out of college at 19 years old. However, I was upset with myself for investing three semesters into a major I didn't care about and for devoting more time to drinking and partying than to going to class, rather than being upset with a deity for guiding me in ways I didn't understand.

[florige]

LMFAO at people who think "god" is talking to them. I can't believe I just read that .

If you think "god" is talking to you, please seek help from your local mental health care provider. This is assuming that jiffy lubes offer a health care plan

I'd be pissed if God told me to drop out of school to manage an Express Lube.

Pissed.

[sonic21]

It's really disturbing how some religious people avoid taking personal responsibility. They don't have to be responsible for developing strong moral rules because God has done that. They don't have to be responsible for developing sound arguments in defense of their positions because God has done that. They deny their own freedom because freedom means responsibility and responsibility means that if we fail, no one will rescue us.

Of course it's a small %.

[florige]

This is not in any way a shot at Bo or Angel. I grew up a Jehovah's Witness. I have MANY times witnessed where a couple would be dating for a while, both of them working. As soon as they get married then BAM, the wife all of the sudden wants to up and quit her job because Jehovah told her that he wanted her to go into the full-time ministry. But it never really worked liked that. Most of the time they went into full-time off mode leaving the husband out to dry. My worthless aunt is pulling that same crap now. Her husband is working his ass off and all she does is spend, spend , spend. But it is ok because God told her to up and quit her job when they were at the crucial point of their bills. I think I read somewhere in the bible that while God does want you to devote time to him and his work, it doesn;t mean that it is okay for you to be a damn idiot in the process just because you are lazy and want to use the "God told me" line as an excuse to off. Like I said not a shot at Angel at all. Just I have seen this in my lifetime a number of times.

[CosmicCowboy]

People that talk to God scare the crap out of me.

[Soul_Patch]

Where is B2B when you need him?

[scott]

[grindmouse]

People that talk to God scare the crap out of me.

How about people who tweet him?

[Shelly]

No matter how much y'all are praying, it's apparent that God is not a Spurs fan anymore.

[angel_luv]

God does speak to me everyday and I do recognize it is Him when He does. I have learned to recognize God's voice by the same means that I became acquainted with any particular human's voice- through constant interaction and through paying attention.

God has yet to speak to me in an audible voice. However there are numerous times that I can pinpoint when a thought unlike one I have or could ever come up with on my own, enters my mind, accompanied by a sense of great peace and joy. These are what I like to call God thoughts.

There are other times when I am having to choose between two options- like whether to keep working or resign from my mall job- in which God has sent confirmation my way in the form of the same message from various and unrelated sources. These sources can be things I have read in a magazine, seen on television, heard on a sermon, learned in a discussion with a friend, or a verse I've read in the Bible. God uses many means to direct me. I have just listed some of them.

[angel_luv]

I have also learned from experience that success follows obeying God's directions to me.

Yes, I have free will. Yes, I can choose to do my own thing and ignore the loving counsel of God, but my life experience has proved to me that doing so would be incredibly counterproductive and foolish.

[CosmicCowboy]

God does speak to me everyday and I do recognize it is Him when He does. I have learned to recognize God's voice by the same means that I became acquainted with any particular human's voice- through constant interaction and through paying attention.

God has yet to speak to me in an audible voice. However there are numerous times that I can pinpoint when a thought unlike one I have or could ever come up with on my own, enters my mind, accompanied by a sense of great peace and joy. These are what I like to call God thoughts.

There are other times when I am having to choose between two options- like whether to keep working or resign from my mall job- in which God has sent confirmation my way in the form of the same message from various and unrelated sources. These sources can be things I have read in a magazine, seen on television, heard on a sermon, learned in a discussion with a friend, or a verse I've read in the Bible. God uses many means to direct me. I have just listed some of them.

what if Allah is a ventriloquist and tells you to strap on a suicide bomb vest?

[ashbeeigh]

So as long as we're talking about listening to God and all that jazz and professional/personal....and we all know I'm on the same page as angel/bo (and blake? Not quite sure yet)....

I know many of you are not fans of my decision to not run off to West, Chase, Citi, or Allstate the minute I lost my ACORN job. I was holding out, praying about it, listening, and hoping that the answer was "stick with what God told you to do in 2007." What I was told to do in 2007 was social work/advocacy and community service.

I had a string of 5 interviews in early February, an adoption agency, a foster care case manager, an at-risk high school drop out case manager, something for Morgan's Wonderland, and then something at UTHSC. Holy cow that was a lot of stuff. I saw a rerun of the adoption agency ad a few days ago, the UTHSC ad was filled and I saw the foster care agency ad tweeted...and MWL never called back. I was pretty bummed.

But, just kept the faith that something was going to happen. Prayed about it all, hoping that maybe there was something else out there. I'm not sure if it was "told to me, spoken to me, sent to me, etc" but I decided that I would start doing a bit for freelancing-just to make ends meet. All week by week kind of stuff that could be stopped at a moment's notice (on top of the stuff I was doing previously).

Last week, aburptly, the previous assignment ended. Totally bummed I had no idea what I was going to do. I started applying for more freelance stuff. It wasn't going to replace a full time job, but maybe it would add up.

Then, Monday I got an e-mail from the foster care agency (the one that had tweeted the job vacancy). We had exchanged a few e-mail, "can I get your references? We'd like to schedule a second interview (but they never did)." I wasn't holding my breath.

So, had I blown off that "voice" telling me to stick with it and to find a way to make ends meet while I was looking for the "dream" I probably would have gone off to a different path that wasn't right.

I know ST is a group is strong willed opinionated posters. I just hope that everyone understands that we are all en led to our own beliefs and that's the way it is. There's no way of changing the way I see it and seriously, how could a girl lose the last thing holding her together one business day and the next be offered a job if there isn't a God? Just sayin'.

[PakiDan]

God does speak to me everyday and I do recognize it is Him when He does. I have learned to recognize God's voice by the same means that I became acquainted with any particular human's voice- through constant interaction and through paying attention.

God has yet to speak to me in an audible voice. However there are numerous times that I can pinpoint when a thought unlike one I have or could ever come up with on my own, enters my mind, accompanied by a sense of great peace and joy. These are what I like to call God thoughts.

There are other times when I am having to choose between two options- like whether to keep working or resign from my mall job- in which God has sent confirmation my way in the form of the same message from various and unrelated sources. These sources can be things I have read in a magazine, seen on television, heard on a sermon, learned in a discussion with a friend, or a verse I've read in the Bible. God uses many means to direct me. I have just listed some of them.

Angel... I've been one of these people who doubt God and his power... , I was practically their leader. I now know better, and let me tell you that you don't have to waste your time defending and explaining yourself. They will NOT understand until and unless they are ready. This is definately something that cannot be understood until you experience it yourself. Good for you Angel, I hope you and Bo last forever.

[Blake]

God has yet to speak to me in an audible voice. However there are numerous times that I can pinpoint when a thought unlike one I have or could ever come up with on my own, enters my mind, accompanied by a sense of great peace and joy. These are what I like to call God thoughts.

where in the Bible does it mention God thoughts?

There are other times when I am having to choose between two options- like whether to keep working or resign from my mall job- in which God has sent confirmation my way in the form of the same message from various and unrelated sources. These sources can be things I have read in a magazine, seen on television, heard on a sermon, learned in a discussion with a friend, or a verse I've read in the Bible. God uses many means to direct me. I have just listed some of them.

God speaks to you through magazines and TV?

Why are you listening to these type of outlets for guidance instead of strictly the Bible?

[angel_luv]

Ash- I am happy for you.
It takes a lot of guts to stick it out when everything looks bleak, and I admire you for doing it.

I wish I had been more encouraging to you at the time you posted instead of being so quick to dispense advice out to you. Sorry about that. I am trying to learn how to be a better listener.

Angel... I've been one of these people who doubt God and his power... , I was practically their leader. I now know better, and let me tell you that you don't have to waste your time defending and explaining yourself. They will NOT understand until and unless they are ready. This is definately something that cannot be understood until you experience it yourself. Good for you Angel, I hope you and Bo last forever.

Thanks very much Paki. You are a blessing.

[Blake]

So as long as we're talking about listening to God and all that jazz and professional/personal....and we all know I'm on the same page as angel/bo (and blake? Not quite sure yet)....

what page are you on?

.....seriously, how could a girl lose the last thing holding her together one business day and the next be offered a job if there isn't a God? Just sayin'.

seriously, how could someone be broke and homeless one day and win the lottery the next if there isn't a God? Just sayin'.

[Blake]

They will NOT understand until and unless they are ready.

I'm ready. Help me understand.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Whatever gets you through life. Some people choose booze, drugs, sex, God, Allah, L. Ron or any other kind of thing. I can't on a person for doing what helps them. What I deem a poor decision by someone else doesn't effect my life so why should I care?

Personally, I think what Angel is nuts for doing what she is doing it's no business of mine.

[ashbeeigh]

what page are you on?

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showpost...2&postcount=79

[Blake]

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showpost...2&postcount=79

I guess we aren't on the same page.

[angel_luv]

where in the Bible does it mention God thoughts?

Isaiah 55:9-"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."

God speaks to you through magazines and TV?

Why are you listening to these type of outlets for guidance instead of strictly the Bible?

The Bible is my standard. It is the colander ( so to speak) that everything else gets processed through. The Word of God catches anything that does not belong.
There is wisdom in movies-in the quotes, in seeing the positive and negative consequences of actions. I read books that are uplifting and encouraging as well as instructional.

God is in favor of me seeking wisdom and education and is all for me laughing and being entertained, so long as I prioritize His Word above all else.

Proverbs has a lot of great verses regarding wisdom.

This is one of my favorites:

Proverbs 14:33- Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
and even among fools she lets herself be known.

[ashbeeigh]

I guess we aren't on the same page.

Fair enough.

[angel_luv]

On a very positive note...

Last night I made meat loaf all by myself for the very first time and Bo loved it.

I also made mashed potatos and fixed aspargus to go with the meat loaf.

While I was doing that, I prepared taco meat so Bo and I can have tacos for dinner tonight when he finishes work and I get home for class.

I am very pleased with the results of my efforts. The most gratifying moment was when I realized yesterday in the middle of cooking that my kitchen smelled delicious just like my mom's always did when I was growing up.