I said it once, I’ll say it again. This looking for a job thing is much more work than having a job. I’m going every which way this morn.

On an I’m-soon-to-be-eating-again front, it appears that I have a job about to be clearly offered to me. The role is far more people oriented than I have had (or felt comfortable with) in the past. I’ve never reported to the sales organization in a company before.

A week ago I was waiting on the prospect of being hired the following Monday. Today I am in the same situation, except with an extra twist. The not-so-large software company that I am in negotiations with has determined that my position fits more appropriately within the sales organization vs. technical. While internal issues are worked out I sit and wait. The unusual thing is that I think my negotiations sparked the organizational re-think.

The plus – it gives me some breathing room in what was a very work intensive and stressful few weeks of job search.

All things will come in their time.

I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out–plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.
Jeremiah 29:11-12 – The Message (MSG)

I have seen this verse so often quoted that I’ve taken it for granted I understood the context. Today it was pointed out to me that the context has everything to do with the hope of the people WHILE IN Babylon. It is not a cling-to-this-and-I’ll-prosper-you verse but instead a verse of encouragement when the people WERE NOT in the land of promise. When the season that God has ordained is over, and not before he would deliver them. But in the meantime…. prosper in the land, make yourself at home, pray for Babylon that it may go well with her.

Babylon is the antithesis of the land of promise. The people should have never been taken captive and forced to settle down there. Nonetheless they were there. So, was the prescription to moan and complain, to put their lives on hold until they were restored to the promised land? No. God told them, “Where I’ve put you be blessed and be a blessing.”

He knows the plans he has for me – be blessed and be a blessing in the land you are in.

I know the immediate context for this verse was for the captives of Judah, but this is a passage for me to cling to in this day. The principles here are timeless. Elohim, Mighty Creator, laid the foundation of the world – he’ll be around long after the Earth is used and discarded like old clothing. He is changeless. His promises and principles abide forever.

This is the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to what was left of the elders among the exiles, to the priests and prophets and all the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken to Babylon from Jerusalem, [...]

The letter said: This is the Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, to all the exiles I’ve taken from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and make yourselves at home. “Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. “Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away. “Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare. “Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.” Yes. Believe it or not, this is the Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God: [...]

This is GOD’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out–plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” GOD’s Decree. “I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you”–GOD’s Decree–”bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.
excerpts from Jeremiah 29:1-14 – The Message (MSG)

Current psychology suggests that a person should have a strong sense of their own identity. While I agree with this, I would also have to put boundaries on self when it comes to marriage. Can it be a marriage in the truest sense if one individuality is retained and thus preventing the depth which results in two merging into one? All relationships have some sense of two merging into one. Whether it be common interests, thoughts or whatever else draws two people from that acquaintance stage to something deeper, it involves two lives becoming intertwined. The depth of this intertwining IS the depth of the relationship.

If two are to truly become one all interests, thoughts, etc. will blend into one. But can this theoretical even occur when physical reality dictates that we live in two separate bodies? No, of course not. Two becoming one has to do with a sense of identity. They are, and by necessity, must always be two individuals but two with a shared purpose and shared sense of being someone collectively more than the parts. It does not require losing one’s self, to the contrary it involves valuing another as much as self.

It would seem that a strong sense of self, used appropriately can enhance relationships, especially when the strong sense of self-identity yields an equally strong sense of considering another as much as self.

I have started a new book called Praying the Names of God to use as my devotional material for the next few months. I am excited. This book has been on “hold” on my reading list while I focus on catching up on other reading but it is time to break it out and start reading.

In the past my devotion time turns into a rigor and my prayer is that this will be different. That my mind would focus not on the task but on the person.

I read an interesting article about how our brain is trained to think based upon early childhood development.

How a child handles money the first time they are given a large amount to spend heavily influences how they’ll spend money for the rest of their life. An example was given of an 8 year old being given a $50 bill by his uncle for this birthday. If life is relatively peaceful and fulfilling in his 8 year mind he will tend to save the money (at least for a period of time). If, however, life is a bit traumatic the tendency will be to spend the money immediately on something, anything. The resulting pleasure this brings into his life will create neural pathways on how spending money makes us feel. The result of this example is that an adult that does not fight or change the urge to spend to find pleasure will typically have money problems for his entire life. Very interesting how the human mind is wired.

This brought to mind a book I recently read that said something very similar about whether the first sexual experience was positive or negative and how that influences thinking for life. I do not know if the data are based on the same research or were derived independently but I find the understanding of why some people do what they do fascinating.

Even though this research explains a lot when it comes to money or sex with application to virtually every other area of life, it does not excuse individual responsibility. Regardless of how we are “wired” we have choices. We were created with a capacity for thought and reason that can overrule thinking that makes no sense.

The body is a wonderful machine.

And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:17 – English Standard Version (ESV)

For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew 12:40 – English Standard Version (ESV)

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:31 – English Standard Version (ESV)

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
John 20:1-9 – English Standard Version (ESV)

He is risen!

Keep it penned until the fourteenth day of this month and then slaughter it–the entire community of Israel will do this–at dusk.
Exodus 12:6 – The Message (MSG)

It was the preparation day for Passover. The hour was noon. Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your king.” They shouted back, “Kill him! Kill him! Crucify him!”
John 19:14-15a – The Message (MSG)

It is no coincidence that the ceremony of Passover, as prescribed some 1,500± years earlier, happened when it did and how it did. All prophecies of the coming Messiah would be fulfilled.

This day marks the 40th (and last) day of reading The Purpose Driven Life. Today has several items of note.

I think it is no coincidence that Day 40, Living With Purpose, coincides with my final day of employment at a major software manufacturer. It is not by chance that two weeks ago I was given notice, along with five of my fellow employees, that on this day our positions would be terminated.

It is no coincidence that today’s reading emphasized family, sports, hobbies, money, fun, or any other activities will not hold life together when things start crumbling. The center of our lives was designed to be God. The center of our life IS god.

How can I know when the center of my life is God? Worship. When I can worship Him in all circumstances, on the mountains, in the valleys, I know that He is the center. When I am free from worry. Worry is a reflection of where I have placed my trust. When my center is right my trust is right.

For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, died, was buried with his ancestors…
Acts 13:36 – New English Translation (NET)

David’s purpose was not for some other generation. David’s God given purpose was for his time. God has a purpose for me, with my talents, skills and abilities, for my time, my generation, my neighborhood, my employment, my church, my circle of friends, my life.

Blessed be your name, in the land that is plentiful.
Where streams of abundance flow.
Blessed be your name.
Blessed be your name, when I’m found in this desert place.
Though I walk through the wilderness.
Blessed be your name.
Blessed Be Your Name – words and music by Matt Redmon

Yesterday I received a call from the HR Manager for a prospective employer following up on the informal offer that was made to me by my would be manager. I am not quite ready to accept the offer but certainly don’t want to pass it over. The reasons seem rather complex but here are a few of the key ones, in no particular order:

1. I’ve had two weeks off work (paid until tomorrow) but haven’t enjoyed a bit of it because I’ve been so busy working to find work.
2. There may be other offers lurking which may provide: better benefits, no travel, shorter commute, more flexible work schedule, better retirement and on and on.
3. Is this position the best place for me?

All told it’s a good solid job utilizing my current skill set. There several former co-workers that I’d look forward to working with again. The job would have fun aspects, ones that I could be passionate about. Sure like any job there’ll be drawbacks but overall I’d be able to contribute to a larger team and goal.