Pondering a change in careers

I visted an old friend's blog yesterday (for the first time in about a month) and saw that he had a link to a career website that is designed to help one decide on a career path. He encouraged everyone to take the "Career Matchmaker" quiz and share the results. Apparently I am best suited to be a "Crane Operator". :) Here are the top 40 careers that I am apparently best suited for: 1. Crane Operator 2. Heavy Equipment Operator 3. Airport Ground Crew 4. Ship's Crew 5. Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Tech 6. Production Woodworker 7. Coast Guard 8. Commercial Diver 9. Cable Installer and Repairer 10. Tree Harvester 11. Sheet Metal Worker 12. Computer Support Person 13. Carpenter 14. Millwright 15. Fisher 16. Welder 17. Enlisted Member of the Armed Forces 18. Vending Machine Servicer 19. Boilermaker 20. Elevator Installer and Repairer 21. Industrial Machinery Mechanic 22. Power Plant Operator 23. Lineworker 24. Automotive Painter 25. Survey Tech 26. Tilesetter 27. Stationary Engineer 28. Combat Engineer 29. Automobile Assembler 30. Drafter 31. Cabinetmaker 32. Infantry 33. Autobody Repairer 34. Landscaper 35. Glazier 36. Auto Detailer 37. Machinist 38. Tool and Die Maker 39. Computer Network Specialist 40. Nursery / Greenhouse Grower The funny thing is I am currently in my #39 and #17 (part time) 'best suited' career. I've also dabbled with #8 (Auot Parts delivery driver), #12 (first and second tier support), #13 (was an apprecntice for eleven months until I 'broke' into #12), #18 (my little candy store), #30 (took the class in H.S. and loved it), #32 (it was my first 'job' in the National Guard), and #34 (Loved it, but my alergies killed me). I like my job, but not love it. I also don't see Pastor or Bible study leader in there. :) Maybe when I retire I will retake the test to see what I can do to fill my days up. :) For those who are interested here is the link and instructions: 1. Go to http://www.careercruising.com/. 2. Put in Username: nycareers, Password: landmark. 3. Take their "Career Matchmaker" questions. I'd be interested in hearing about your results. :) Verse for today: Colossians 3:16-17, ESV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The Battery Guidon

While I continue to work on my testimony I thought I would post a situation that happened over my last drill weekend. We had several members of our unit return from an overseas mission recently, and this past drill weekend was their first since returning. With so many people returning I was able to deligate the Guidon responsibility to one young soldier. It was a pretty laid back weekend with the tempo of activity being very low. Without being specific the soldier allowed himself, and the Guidon, to get soiled. He also made a mess in another soldiers tent (the one he was sleeping in). Our Guidon is not all that spectacular to look at, but it has a history within our unit. Needless to say, being the interim First Sergeant and acting battery commander, I had to take action. We were away from our homestation so cleaning it up was not an immediate option. In the interim this soldier performed several sets of push-ups and flutter kicks. It was his assigned responsibility to take care of this flag, and not only did he not protect it, but he was the instrument of its damage. Once we returned to home station he was instructed to handwash the Guidon (I also gave him the opportunity to handwash his uniform). Once he was done he was instructed to facilitate the drying of the flag by running it around the motorpool (ten laps). It was pretty hot, so I ensured another soldier watched him, and when he was done that he drank water. At the end of the day I asked the soldiers present if anyone had any problem with how the disciplinary actions were taken. The only concern brought up was the running around the compound. I also took the soldier aside and spoke with him. I made sure he understood that it was nothing personal. I realize that I am speaking to a wide diversity, or at least exposing myself, audience. And I don't expect everyone to understand. But this is a serious thing in my 'world'. Not just the Guidon, but in establishing the fact of who it is that is in charge. I often worry about what others think of me. Too much in my own opinion. But I struggle with doing what needs to be done (at least as I understand it), and worry about what others think. But in situations of Leadership I believe that it is very important to establish the chain of command. "Mold without breaking" is my primary concern. Anyway, before I get off rambling... that is a glimpse of a recent weekend. An insight into what a Guidon is check out this link: A Guide to the Guidon. Verse for today: Colossians 1:15-20, ESV He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by [6] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Proficency with the tools on hand

Sort of an add-on to yesterday's post. It is important to be proficient with the tools that God has given you. Wether you are a supervisor or just a "cog in the machine". If you are a supervisor of 2 or 20,000 you need how to best position those under you to do their jobes effectively. You should known their strengths and weaknesses. Know what they are capable of and what they may fear to tread. If you work solo you still have tools at hand. If it's a hammer or a word processor. You should take the time to learn the tool. Learn how to use it, what it is capable of. And always be open to new ways of doing things. To learn how to do whatever we do effeciently and effectively not only builds self confidence it is good stewardship. Verse for today: Colossians 3:12-17, ESV Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Putting off and taking on

This morning I woke up at 4:30 and was wide awake. The theme of doing all things as if unto the Lord kept going over and over in my mind. I had a pretty good time of prayer and meditation until I fell back asleep sometime after 5:30. This morning I looked up the verse that played over and over in my mind this morning. Colossians 3:17. What a great chapter:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your [1] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: [2] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. [3] In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self [4] with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, [5] free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

from the ESV

That is all I really have to say for today. Do all things as if unto the Lord.