I seldom ask for prayer online.....

[Guest]

....but I need prayer.

I want to thank Michelle (right now) though, because she has prayed I would find a job.

If you are a Christian and -- if you also feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit -- I request your prayer. But only if you feel "specially led" to, please (I don't take prayer lightly...and see people on the web asking for prayer for a slight headache or "I stubbed my toe" and other such, well, nonsense!).....

Since I moved back to my small hometown due to a family illness in 2001, I haven't been able to find a "permanent" job. I've worked for temporary agencies and none of them have led to good, steady employment ("getting hired in"). Some of these temporary assignments just "ended." Also, I had to quit 2 jobs due to my health (I cannot work around very loud noises or in really smoky atmospheres...and almost all jobs here are in factories, some being real loud and very smoky). I lost my last temporary job 3 weeks ago for these health reasons (I got sick and called-in & they fired me). But I've managed to get one part time job this week. It will help but won't pay all the bills....

Today (Tuesday), on the way to a job interview: I had a wreck. A man with his wife and about 3 kids was pulling into his driveway...and he STOPPED in my lane. I saw him coming and turning-in and had no reason to slow down until I saw his car just sitting there. As soon as I hit the brakes: BANG!
After the smoke from my tires cleared I realized I'd just had a wreck and that I wasn't hurt. No one was seriously hurt; one boy had a minor cut on his forehead.
I was just about to buy insurance for my truck when I lost my job. (And I hated driving without it but a person has to go to work to make money...to buy insurance).

Anyway, the Sheriff made the decision not to cite anyone any tickets. If he had cited the guy who I ran into (and it was the guy's fault); he would have had to cite me for no insurance (I'm reasoning but do not know). This guy's insurance company might have had to pay for my truck also... As far as I know the guy has to pay for his car, and me, my truck. The Sheriff may have reasoned it through and saw "no citations" as the best option for both parties (he cut me some slack for sure for not having insurance...even though it wasn't my fault (my not having insurance wasn't really at issue...as far as I know, till now anyway). My truck is an 87 Jeep pickup and doesn't need much work to get it "running" (the fender bent off of the tire & new headlight, older vehicles are more "solid"). This guy's car might be totaled (I took out his trunk, smashing it in half)!

The guy told the Sheriff, "I stopped to talk to my son in the back seat. I saw the truck coming but didn't think it was that close. When I turned around from talking to my son I Floored-It but it was too late." If this man hadn't seen me still "coming" (as he told the Sheriff) and then, "floored it" I'm positive there would have been serious injuries or death(s). He moved forward about 4 feet after flooring it...or I would have ran right into his wife in the passenger seat. The car was stopped at a 45 degree angle, turning into the driveway...."to talk to my son"......???? (What was he thinking???)....

Why you may not feel led to pray for me:

I've said I couldn't afford insurance on my truck. But I probably could have afforded it. Why? Though I got completely off alcohol 2 years ago after many attempts at it...I have kept the nasty and expensive habit of smoking (being too influenced by stuff I'd heard in AA, which I, also, no longer believe). Never the less, though I've cut back on smoking; I haven't quit it altogether. So, after paying for towing my truck home I have 25 dollars to my name, only a part time job, and this month's rent and bills are past due. Um, I don't have any cigarette money now: not even roll-yer-own's! (Is a car wreck God's way to get me to finally quit? Is this punishment? (chastizement)? I know one thing: If the guy hadn't pulled forward just a few feet...I might be in prison very soon....And, I also know I believe in Angels (no one got seriously hurt), Praise God for that!!!!

Lastly, a neighbor told me today about 3 Christian organizations in town who may help me out financially and/or with food till I get going again. I'm going to them tomorrow (later today). I will also stop by another job possibility and kind of, well, "plea" for the job! I can walk to it and ride my bicycle to the other job. I don't plan on driving without basic insurance ever again in my life. I do plan on stopping cigarettes coz, well, they cost money, just like insurance (I had a whole pack at the start of the day, had the wreck, got nervous, and chain-smoked almost all of them)... My face feels like it is "melting off" in the morning till I smoke one and get woke up: NOT an excuse, however! No, not at all.

On a positive note, I will have some unemployment benefits (money) coming in at the end of the month. I should still have the internet, at least till then... Btw, I have local (people I "see" in person) Christian folks praying for me too.

I have no idea what all this stuff means or if I'm being disciplined or what all is involved: Things like this happen in that thing we call "life." But I know God is Sovereign! And He wants us to do His Will in every (so-called) "area" of our lives. (I'm also a former preacher but that's a whole another different topic...Am I looking for the wrong job)?

This family certainly needs prayer too. But I'm making it my business to do that.

Thanks and God bless you,
In Jesus,
Rick

[Guest]

Well Rick, it looks to me as though you have laid it all out. You seem to know what to do and you seem to be heading in the direction to do it. God is faithful, yes, but we must still do our job in the faith end of things as well. I do not know how to advise you but I will certainly pray for things to turn around for you.

[Guest]

Wow, Rick.

[Guest]

RickC-

if this was truly the other guy's fault (i assume he was turning left in front of you coming from the opposite direction) then his insurance company should pay for your truck, even if the other driver was not cited. It will be totalled and probably isnt worth much but it is better than nothing. They should also be willing to pay for a rental car until you get a check for your vehicle; however if you dont have auto insurance i am pretty sure you can't rent a car, so it wont do much good.

I will be praying. If you have any specific questions, send me a PM-- i work in insurance claims so I can likely be of some assistance.

TK

[Guest]

Ladies First, Hi Michelle

Wow, Rick.

I knowww....what else can you say?
Btw, I had to delete Paltalk from my computer.

And, Alphabetically

Well Rick, it looks to me as though you have laid it all out. You seem to know what to do and you seem to be heading in the direction to do it. God is faithful, yes, but we must still do our job in the faith end of things as well. I do not know how to advise you but I will certainly pray for things to turn around for you.

Thanks very much, Allyn. "What you said, I said, the Bible said"...lol,

f this was truly the other guy's fault (i assume he was turning left in front of you coming from the opposite direction) then his insurance company should pay for your truck, even if the other driver was not cited. It will be totalled and probably isnt worth much but it is better than nothing. They should also be willing to pay for a rental car until you get a check for your vehicle; however if you dont have auto insurance i am pretty sure you can't rent a car, so it wont do much good....I will be praying. If you have any specific questions, send me a PM-- i work in insurance claims so I can likely be of some assistance.

I forgot that you, also, prayed for me (about getting a job...and I've gotten a part time one since then). 'Was reminded about that today after going to: The Jesus Creed thread. So Thanks for that, once again! I should know about another part-time job Monday (and if I get it, that will solve the employment problem).

I really appreciate your offer to PM about this "wreck" situation too. But I've decided to just post here about the Big Picture of things as I'm seeing them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starting Over: Hi Everyone

Not to make this a "journal" but, well, lol.....

Today (Wednesday) I didn't get anything done in terms of making any contacts about a job or regarding this wreck. I was pretty drained (emotionally, stress, etc.). But I talked with some of my neighbors who happen to be Christians and/or relatives (cousins). I also spent time praying and relaxing (settling down and "getting my batteries charged").

On the wreck:
From experiences my neighbors have had with the legal system in my town; it seems best that I don't make any efforts to get the guy's (who I hit) insurance to pay for my truck. Bypassing details; he could file a civil suit against me and I would be forced to pay for his car. He has up to 90 days (or it may be 60?) to do this. I don't know if he will or if he knows he can. So this being the case, it seems best to not pursue it. Especially since, just before the tow truck came to tow my truck and this man and his family were inside; I asked the Sheriff if he thought I should get the guy's number (I was kind of in shock and wanted to do the right thing). The Sheriff's reply was, "No. He (the guy) said he doesn't want anyone on his property." Apparently he told the Sheriff he wants me "out of there," so to speak. To sum up on the legalities of this; if I were to contact this fellow I could be in really deep debt (lawyer fees and legal fines) and could potentially lose my driving privileges altogether. I wasn't cited for no insurance (a big plus!), my truck is fixable, probably by myself for not very much and "Kay Sir-ah, Sir-ah" (whoever he is, haha). I have doubts that this man will file a civil suit against me in that, his dad, who lives next door to him, came out. And when I said my name to the Sheriff, he said, "Hi Rick. Your hair's not red any more." (He and I graduated high school together so I have doubts that his son will take me to court). I said hello back and how sorry I was to see him under these circumstances. I may go see him again some time...but not for 90 days or so, if you get my drift.

Job(s) and the smoking habit:
I was planning to ride my bicycle to work some, anyway (to save on ga$ and to "rehab" my lungs, the cigs thing). I still have a half bottle of "Commit" nicotine lozenges that were given to me at an Emmaus Walk retreat last November. The guy who did all of the Scripture readings and was the overall "MC" gave them to me.

One thing that immediately impressed me about these was: "Commit."
Sounds biblical, dunnit?
God bless you all,
Rick

[Guest]

I just prayed for you.

Hebrews 12:1-17

[Guest]

Thanks very much, Dave

You guys rock!!!
Wonder why?

"There is no one holy (or no Holy One} like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no ROCK like our God!

^^^^^^ that's why!

update:

I just found out about and applied for a full time job at the local hospital as a housekeeper (janitor). I also know someone who works in the department, an "insider." I called her and she said she will put in a good word for me today (we grew up together, same church, high school, and everything). She also told me the only way she got hired was through "knowing someone." So I should at least get an interview, I hope and pray. Real close too, I could walk or ride my bicycle, np.

Also, my landlord, who just happened to come by the apartments today said, "You do what you can and don't worry about it. Just let me know when you get a job and can pay." Friends, she is a Christian also (she rocks too)!

God bless you all!
In Jesus,
Rick

[Guest]

Praise God for the good news.

[Guest]

I've been saying "I should get a blog" for years.....but I guess this will do for now, lol

Praise God for the good news.

Amen, Bro!

update:

I have, yet, more options for work and will look into them, and should know about one of them, tomorrow (Monday). I've got a part-time job which I will be doing today (Sunday). I may or may not make it to your online church, Allyn. Sometimes I go to a face-to-face service on Saturday nites but didn't go last nite (my truck is almost "going" but not quite).

At any rate, things are gelling. I have just enough money to make-it till I get more work and/or if the unemployment benefits (money) come through: They are being contested and I should have a "decision" this week (and am guessing I will get them). I may have to discontinue phone service and the internet (I'm on dialup) for a while but should be online till the 20th, anyway.

I took time today (Saturday) to rest in the Lord and read up to the fourth chapter of Scot McKnight's The Jesus Creed...something I have been planning on doing for a while now. It was a real blessing (get this book if you can, please) and, for whatever this may be worth, I'm happy I got "wore out" this past week! It slowed me down to the point of resting -- resting in the Lord -- to (really) get with Him...I'd been kind of "on auto-pilot" for a while, for too long, for sure....

Speaking of rest: I better get to bed.
Your prayers have made a difference (all of you)...I have no doubt about it!
Thanks very much! and God bless every one of you, in Jesus,
Rick

[Guest]

I and my family will pray that God's will be done in your life.

God bless,

Liseux