My First Job in a Nutshell

This was a joke in an e-newsletter I receive called "You Make Me Laugh" from Crosswalk.com. I found it highly amusing.  And, unfortunately, I also found it shockingly true of my very first job, which I first started working when I was sixteen.  The instant I turned eighteen, they worked me from eight o'clock in the morning to four in the afternoon without a break.  I quit ten days after I turned eighteen, and I've had numerous nightmares about that job.  If the puns in this joke aren't spot on to what I actually had to do at that job, they're frighteningly close.

I was going to put in bold the ones that were actually true of the job. I'm now finding it a moot point to do so; all but two or three points are true.

Here's the joke:

JOB SEARCH JARGON

Whether you are a student looking for that first time or summer job or a long-time veteran looking for a change of pace, this JOB SEARCH JARGON should help you get on your way...

COMPETITIVE SALARY: We remain competitive by paying less than our competitors.

FLEXIBLE HOURS: Work 55 hours; get paid for 37.5

GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Management communicates, you listen and figure out what they want you to do.

ABILITY TO HANDLE A HEAVY WORKLOAD: You whine, you're fired.

CAREER-MINDED: We expect that you will want to flip hamburgers until you are 70.

SELF-MOTIVATED: Management won't answer questions.

SOME OVERTIME REQUIRED: Some time each night and some time each weekend.

DUTIES WILL VARY: Anyone in the office can boss you around.

COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT: We have a lot of turnover.

SALES POSITION REQUIRING MOTIVATED SELF-STARTER: We're not going to supply you with leads; there's no base salary; you'll wait 30 days for your first commission check.

CASUAL WORK ATMOSPHERE: We don't pay enough to expect that you'll dress up; well, a couple of the real daring guys wear earrings.

SOME PUBLIC RELATIONS REQUIRED: If we're in trouble, you'll go on TV and get us out of it.

SEEKING CANDIDATES WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF EXPERIENCE: You'll need it to replace three people who just left.

PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS A MUST: You're walking into a company in perpetual chaos. 

Standard of Living

Our standard of living has not changed in the U.S. for some time, but the following quote makes me sick:

You are rich.  I'm not speaking metaphorically or spiritually.  I mean it: You're rich.  If you're reading this book right now, you're most likely among the financially elite of the world and in history -- even if you're from a low-income household in America.  Did you drink clean water today without risk of death or disease?  Are you wearing a pair of shoes?  Do you have a dry, safe place to sleep tonight?  Did you eat today?  You are rich.  You are richer than billions of others.  The Gross National Income per capita in the United States in 2003 was $37,610.  In India it was $530.  In Ethiopia it was $90.

The quote comes from the book Hope Lives by Amber Van Schooneveld.  I discovered the quote on Greg Nettle's blog, "The Roar of Love".

It is sick that we pour so much of our own money into utilities so that we can have that higher standard of living.  I'm not saying we shouldn't have the higher standard of living, but must it cost so much? How much of our annual salaries do we pour out into ventures, like utilities that we take for granted, and give the money to people on the other end of that bill who probably don't need that much in the first place?

Am I making sense?  I just know that quote rumbles deep dread and unease in my soul. Knowing that all of the money I make, American society will tell me to keep for myself, while there really are little kids starving in Ethiopia.  I hate the quotes I hear like, "Drink your beer. There are sober kids in India."  What is that supposed to mean? To me, for people to say that, is revolting. Why are we so selfish? Use what you have; don't be wasteful. But don't binge just because you might be able to.  It's disgusting.

Jars of Clay: Dead Man (Carry Me)

This song tickles my fancy late at night, as that happens to be the time.  I'm sure it would tickle at other times of the day as well.  I thought I'd throw down the lyrics.  Maybe it'll tickle a fancy somewhere in you, too.

January 1, I've got a lot of this on my mind. I'm lookin' at my body through a new spy satellite. Try to lift a finger but I don't think I can make the call. So tell me if I move, 'cause I don't feel anything at all.

So carry me, I'm just a dead man lying on the carpet; can't find a heartbeat. Make me breathe. I want to be a new man.  Tired of the old one.  Off with the old plan.

I woke up from a dream about an empty funeral.  But it was better than the party full of people I don't really know.  Well they've got hearts to break and burn, dirty hands to feel the earth.  Got something in my veins but I can't seem to make it work.  Won't work...

So carry me, I'm just a dead man lying on the carpet; can't find a heartbeat.  Make me breathe.  I want to be a new man.  Tired of the old one.  Out with the old plan.

Can you find a beat inside of me?

Any pulse?

Getting worse?

Any pulse?

Getting worse?

Inside of me?

Can you find a beat?

Carry me, I'm just a dead man lying on the carpet; can't find a heartbeat.  Make me breathe. I want to be a new man.  Tired of the old one.  Off with the old plan.

Carry me, I'm just a dead man lying on the carpet; can't find a heartbeat.  Make me breathe.  I want to be a new man.  Tired of the old one.  Out with the old plan.

It's a catchy little tune.  Catchy little idea too, when you think about it.

Breaking Dawn: Pre-Ordered

I don't know that I've ever been this excited about a book before.  I mean, come on.  It's a book. However, if it's as good as its three precursors, I'm sure Breaking Dawn will not disappoint.  So I pre-ordered myself one copy, along with two other copies for two other friends.  And we're talking about (read: planning on) going to the release party all dressed up too.

Again, I tell you: Never before have I been so excited about a book.  Save maybe, for the one I'm writing.  And even that one still has some great excitement that hasn't bubbled over yet.  No, the day I find out it's actually getting published will be shocking.

That, and I did break down and return to Bath & Body Works.  Sea Island Cotton just wouldn't stay off my mind.  And, as per a little special they were running at the store, I had an Eau de Toilette (Wild Honeysuckle scent) thrown in for free.  And for the life of me, I don't think I could pronounce "eau de toilette" properly to save my life.  Probably because no one else can either.

*Shrug.*  I just know I'm really excited for Sunday school tomorrow.  Both my sisters will be there, and a friend of mine is coming, who hasn't come in years.

Sea Island Cotton

Gotta say it - I don't go in Bath & Body Works that often, but when I do.... it's quite tempting.  I went today with my sisters (including the Monties) and "fell in love" with a new (to me) scent they have: Sea Island Cotton.  I was quite tempted to buy the body splash right then and there. Big bottle - it'd probably last me for quite a while.  It was twelve dollars.  I may just have to consider it a little more.  And possibly some of the companion lotion.

That, and I went to bed last night having worked on my story a little.  And this morning I woke up with several new ideas for a family of characters, which I knew would be somewhat imminent, I just hadn't actually taken the time to think about them yet.  Some of the ideas were in my head when I woke up, some I added as the day went on.  But all in all - quite productive.

I hope it's a slow night at work.  The creative juices are flowing, and I don't want to stop.  That, and I never thought I'd say this, but it's actually refreshing to eat less, not more.

Reception Perceptions

My older sister and I went up to a friend's wedding reception today in Cleveland.  She and her now-hubby actually got married a couple weeks ago, but they decided to hold a reception for people who couldn't make it to Nashville for their wedding.

Let's just say that the day before going to the reception was, in many ways, more fun than the reception itself.  We went shopping for a dress for me (and if you know me, that is a rarity). But I actually felt like wearing a dress to this thing.  I found a cute black and white knee-length dress, sleeveless, and the neck is rather low cut.  Not exactly my thing, but we pinned it (it was a wee bit better that way).

Don't get me wrong; the reception was okay.  The food was good, and the few people we did have somewhat forced conversation with were nice.  We just didn't know anyone.  Period.  Save for the bride.  And of course, she's always the center (or near center) of attention.

It's just kind of funny how anticlimactic your whole day can become once situations are out of your control.  But, for the record, the new dress was only $30 with employee discount, flippin' cute, and only a size 16! Smaller than what it would have been in the past.  *Does little happy dance*

If Everyone Knew Just One Thing About You

If everyone you ever met, ever passed on the street corner, ever talked with for five minutes but never saw again in your life, ever stood behind in line of, ever had knowledge of your very existence knew one thing about you.... what would it be?

What is the one, most important thing you would want to tell people about yourself?  Out of all the things that might matter to you, that might help to define you, what is the one thing at the top of that list - the one thing that you would, out of all other things - want them to know?  Do you have such a thing that defines you?

If anyone ever knows anything about me, I would want them to know this:  That I am for God, for Jesus, and for the Spirit.  

Everything else I know in this existence is virtually meaningless for the long haul, more insignificant than even an afterthought when compared to the glory and love such an amazing God has, and freely gives to us.

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

The first night of the mission trip, Jordan, one of the YouthWorks staff challenged us to come with a goal for the week.  I started writing mine with "Lord, help me step out of my comfort zone..."

And I stopped writing.  Where would I be stepping from there?  What words could I write that would convey what I wanted to accomplish that week?  My mind was completely blank.  But then these words came to me, to finish my goal "and into your's."

Into God's comfort zone?  Yeah, I'll take it.  It might not be my own personal thing.  But I gotta believe that if He really is my Creator, and Father, and Savior, He's not going to let something happen to me that isn't supposed to if I'm really living, and moving, and having my being in His name.

So I'll pose the same challenge to you, as I did to my church this morning in my bit of the sermon: Step out of your comfort zone, and into God's.  It's challenging, to say the least.  But at the end of the day, there's really nothing more gratifying.  Anything earthly just feels anticlimactic next to the glory God can show us.

Dry Spell Turned Spirit Oasis

Yes, the Charleston trip was lovely.  But then I was assigned the task (which, I knew about) of speaking on Sunday (this coming) about a particular part of the trip that affected me.  I went through a day or so of withdrawal after we got back from the trip - because I missed it so much. But for the past couple days, I've felt rather dead, spiritually speaking.  Work sucked the life out of me.

And I'm supposed to talk about how God worked through me this past week?  I don't remember. I haven't the slightest clue of what I'm supposed to say - and I'm speaking for the SERMON. Granted, there will be four others with me - but STILL.  I'm getting up in front of my entire congregation and speaking to them about a trip that is now so far in the back of my mind for some reason, that I can't think of one logical thing to say.

I'd figured out as much what verses I was going to reference, but I wasn't sure what I was going to say for my own personal part.  And then it hit me - the spirit moves in ways we do not expect.  I admitted aloud to my sister that I was going through a dry spell.  And then not ten minutes later, the spirit filled me so much, and I knew instantly what I was going to say.

And would you know, but I checked my school email, and one of my classmates (not to mention good friend) had emailed, asking for my screenname, and cell phone number, because she'd lost them.  But the best part, resting at the end of that email were the simple words, "I miss yall...plus I got great news....I GOT SAVED."

ELATION abounding.  Tears of joy flowed freely down my face.  Praise to the King of Kings!

MOVE: Charleston Pictures

To see some pictures from the Charleston trip, check them out here.

We had a conglomeration of three digital cameras with us on the trip: Mine, Sue's, and Elaine's.  I think we all probably took pictures on everyone else's cameras at one point or another.  In any case, the trip was well-documented.

The Design is ALIVE!

The new header is officially up - and I WILL stop playing with it now!

My brain was too focused on making the header look something akin to what was already there, so I decided I really needed to change it up, and get away from orange, green, and gray.  So I began browsing the iPhoto gallery, and discovered a picture my sister took at the ALIVE festival this year.  And, it ended up working pretty well, if I do say so myself.  The rest of the color combinations (particularly the purple sidebar) surprised me, but they really work quite well together, so why change a good thing?

Enjoy.  Now on to updating links and whatnot.  YouthWorks - go check it out!  The mission trip was incredible.  Refer to "To Laud My God" for a little more trip recap.  Long story short:  The trip was amazing, and the YouthWorks staff who were there were a real inspiration to me.  I would love to be on their staff next summer.  They would be very long days, but I'm thinking they would be more than rewarding.  Even now, today, not even a few days back from the trip and I felt so blah and unproductive.  There'd never be a dull moment working with YouthWorks.  I wouldn't be working some corporate American clock, logging hours to get a paycheck.  I'd be out in the world - completely on God's time - and that would be wonderful. 

MOVE: The Charleston Trip

This mission trip to Charleston, West Virginia has been in the works for several months, and now it has finally come to pass. There were five of us who went from my church: Renee, Elaine, Laura, and Sue and I, who went as leaders.  I was a bit apprehensive about the whole thing, but I am no longer.

Because it was amazing.

The theme verse for the week was Acts 17:28: "For in Him we live and move and have our being."  Thus, MOVE takes its place in the post title.

At the time (at several times) really, it didn't feel that amazing.  It was hot, we all got sunburnt, and many times it didn't feel like we were really reaching the kids we were supposed to be helping.  We spent the entire week at the Paul Lawrence Dunbar Center, working with an organization called Communities Closing the Gap.  The demographic of children who attend there is entirely African American, so it was a slight change of pace, coming from a predominantly Caucasian area.  But to me, race is really a non-issue.  We're all human beings, all needing the love of Christ.  I have several black friends, but I never think about the fact unless someone brings it up.  One of the ladies who came to greet us the first day had these simple words to say,"Some are good kids, and some are not so good kids."  Those words pretty much sum up the week for me.  There were some kids who were irresistibly cute, and would take advantage of piggyback rides every chance they got (even when none of us had a free back). Others were less interested in hanging around us, which was fine too.

My buddy for the week was Izhane.  I met her the first day, and we played every day after that. Granted, there were others I would give rides to, and play with.  But Izhane was the one who was there constantly.  By Friday, she'd pretty much decided she was going to do everything with me, which was fine, and I more than loved it.

If one thing was presented to me clearly this week, it was the reinforcement of the fact that I really do want to live my life (and gear my career) for God.  The thought of having to return to work put a huge damper on my mind.  The thought of people thinking I ought to climb corporate ladders for a living is desolating to my livelihood.  I cringe at the very thought, because each step I would take in that direction would pull me farther and farther from my Father, when all the while I'm still just trying to get closer to Him.

The YouthWorks staff were an incredible group.  And they're all my age.  There really was never a question in my mind once I started the trip about whether I'd ever want to be on the YouthWorks staff.  The idea of applying for next summer popped into my head around Monday or Tuesday of the trip, and never once was there a negative thought about all the work I'd have to do being with YouthWorks. Because it would all be for God.  I'm not saying it wouldn't be hard - I know it will be, and very tiring. But it would be a good tired, a gratifying tired.  A for God tired.  And I'd rather be tired for Christ more than anyone or anything else.