Well, I was able to get 3-4 of the mandatory trainings done yesterday as my bosses pretty much were busy yesterday and didn't send me a lot of work. I still have several to go - like I'm guessing about 18 of them but haven't counted. That would be too depressing. I have this 'quiz block' that happens whenever I take a test, and even though some of this stuff I know, most of it I don't because my job doesn't require me to have anything to do with it. So I have to make sure I read through everything. And I cheat a little... I screen print the reading so that if I can't figure out for sure the answer to the question, I can search for it. It's not really cheating.... I just don't retain things like I used to. Especially with all the distractions I have throughout the day. And they give us all the material. I did find with two of the quizzes I didn't have to look at the notes, so I just deleted them when I was finished. This stuff isn't part of my job, and it has nothing to do with me, so it is frustrating to have to take it - or lose my job. The only consolation is that even the president has to take all these trainings as well. As do all my bosses. My one boss and I both work on them as we can because when the lists come out of who hasn't completed them, we don't want our names on them! And, we don't want to have to take our personal time to complete them so try to complete them during the work day. In years past, I know some who give up a weekend and just sit and take one test after another. Nope. That's MY time and I'm not willing to give it up for trainings. I try to knock out at least one a day - I have until June 30th, but the sooner I get them done, the better.
I think hubby had a decent birthday. He got lots of birthday greetings, which brought him joy. He had training yesterday morning and then went to breakfast with a friend who wanted to take him out for his birthday. He 'asked permission' to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon (will you get mad if I take a nap? I think that is asking permission.) and slept almost 2 hours. It was interesting he asked as this happens when he sits in his recliner in the afternoon. Regardless, he asked. As I got ready to go for my workout, I asked if he wanted to go out to eat after for his birthday or come home and I'll cook. He said it didn't matter, so I pulled chicken out of the freezer and put in a bowl of water to thaw while we were at the gym. But then, at the gym, I was teasing our trainer - should I go home and cook hubby a birthday dinner or go to Popeye's (which is right next to the gym). He looked at me and said 'go home'. I protested with 'but it's hubby's birthday!' and he laughed and said "go to Popeye's". So I told hubby he had a choice - chicken and veggies at home or go to Popeye's - and that our trainer had said Popeye's was his choice. LOL Hubby immediately goes "Popeye's!" so that's where we had his birthday dinner. Got home, the thawed chicken went in the refrigerator for lunch today, and he ate a large piece of strawberry pie for dessert. He wanted to watch a movie, but I didn't, so he watched FBI while I listened to an audible book.
I have read this book before, but just haven't pulled it off the shelf. I had downloaded it for free several months ago so wanted to listen to it. The Bait of Satan by John Bevere. I would encourage you to read it. I think it was chapter 6 last night that gave me pause. He talked about living without offense. He referred some to leaving churches because someone or something offended you... and I had to think back over the years and also where we are now. I know God was wanting us to leave the one church, and I believe that He orchestrated things to happen that confirmed we were to leave. But, in my heart, I know that I still felt offended by something the pastor did. I have no idea where that pastor is now, but he caused a lot of people to leave rapidly. But I haven't felt 'home' at any church since. Still struggling where we are, but realize I need to be praying not only where does God want us to go, and if where we are we are to stay, I need to be praying that we don't leave until God releases us from that church. In all of John Bevere's books he makes me ponder and think about where I am, what I think, my reactions to things - and it's all biblical. That's what I love about his books. He doesn't pull punches. Either you follow Jesus completely, or you are of this world. You can't pick and choose when you want to follow Jesus or when you want to do your own thing. I'll give you another example another time. I have the book I'm thinking of, but want to read it again as well. But, bottom line, 'being good' isn't good enough to get you in to heaven.
Romans 14:11 (NKJV): For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue confess to God."
Romans 14:11-12(TPT): For it is written, "A surely as I am the Living God, I tell you: 'Every knee will bow before me and every tongue will confess the truth and glorify me!' Therefore each one must answer for himself and give a personal account of his own life before God.
Everything we do - every action, every word - we will confess before God when we come to His throne. We often think we have plenty of time; we feel healthy, we think we are doing good, so nothing is going to happen for a long time, right? How wrong that thinking is. We never know when our time will come to an end. It could happen in a car accident. Some of you who have been in accidents that are serious, know how close it was that your life could have been taken. Just walking across the street one can be injured. There are many things that can cause what we would all 'a premature death'. And those of us who are older, we know that anything can happen to us. Yes, I've often thought about my life and if I would 'be ready' to kneel before God and be accepted into heaven. I can't judge anyone else on their life, I am too busy confessing all my known and unknown sins that I will be in heaven! As you know, I am not perfect, by any means.
But I love Jesus and I strive to follow Him and follow His teachings from His Word. Reminds me, at the last service I gave at the RV park, a man came through the line and said he wanted to ask me a question. It was an interesting question, and I had to pause and then confess the truth. His question? "Are any of your children faithfully in church and serving the Lord?"
My heart broke. I had to respond with the truth. I did say that one or two go to church occasionally, or watch online, but no, none are fully following Jesus. That is on me. I didn't give them the example to follow and that is my fault. But then, I was not given the example either, although I was brought up in church every week. Our home life was definitely not a Christian home. We used to say that we didn't have to watch the fights (boxing) on TV; we had the 'Friday night fights at our house every week". I wasn't raised in a Christian home. I tried to raise my children in one, but I obviously did not succeed in that. I know I did a lot of things wrong. I hope they have learned from my mistakes and choose to rise above my mistakes and chooses Jesus about this world.
And that is what I often pray for them. Choose Jesus. Follow Him. He is the only way to live in this world. I keep thinking I need to go back to fasting once a week for them; I used to, but got away from it when we left our first church. Today would be a good day to start. If you need an incentive, National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 2nd.
What are you doing for your children? Are you praying for them? Not only for their safety, but for their salvation? Maybe today would be a good day to start for that. Think about it.
Blessings!
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