Choosing A Career

TGD Career Corner
31/01/2015

Good day ladies. How are you doing?
We are starting a Career Corner that will run every Saturday.

We'll give tips to help in building successful careers. God's desire is that we prosper spiritually, physically, mentally, financially, in our relationships, in our bodies and in every area of our lives. If you're facing challenges currently in any area of your life, I pray that the Lord will still that raging storm. I pray that your eyes are annointed to see the way of escape that the Lord has provided. Be encouraged, sister, it came to pass! You will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

We'll begin by sharing tips on choosing one's career.
1. Ask the Lord about it. The steps of a good man (including his career path) are ordered by the Lord. If you ask Him, He'll tell you.
2. Your passion is usually a good indicator of your optimal career path.
3. Sometimes, your friends and loved ones can help point out to you what you do best.

Please share your views and experiences on choosing a career path. Scriptural references are welcome.

Please can we define this relationship?

Good day ladies. How are you doing? I trust the day is going well.

Ifeoma is a beautiful Christian lady. She has been praying concerning her marital destiny since she was 18 years. She is now 27 years old. She works in the Sales and Marketing unit of a telecommunications company.

She met Ekene during a 3-day soft-skills training she attended. He works in the Production unit of a manufacturing company. They sat beside each other on the first day and somehow, by the end of the day, they had exchanged phone numbers. By the end of the training session, they had exchanged BBM pins and had become Facebook friends.

Obviously, they seem to like each other. Infact, they have been keeping in touch daily for the past 6 months. Ekene hasn't really asked Ifeoma for a relationship but he is always available whenever she pings or calls. They've talked about churches once or twice. They've even gone on about 4 lunch dates and seen a movie together once.

Is Ifeoma right to assume that she and Ekene are dating/courting? If yes, what next? If no, what should be Ifeoma's next steps?

Please share your views, experiences and even scriptural references.

The Non-Covenant Child

Today, I have a young man named Ishmael in mind. I suspect that this may touch a few raw nerves here; I apologize in advance.

Ishmael’s conception was awkward. The arrangement was silly…SARAI asked her husband to sleep with her handmaid, Hagar, so that they would have a child to call their own. Infact, Sarai actually gave Hagar to Abram to be HIS WIFE! That ought to have some form of legality na, abi?

Some have speculated that it was Hagar that planted the silly idea in Sarah’s head…what do you think? I’m wondering if Sarai and Abram had an agreement with hagar about giving them the child after conception…

Anyway, their awkward arrangement produced a child – Ishmael. I find it interesting that the angel of the Lord sought Hagar out (who some consider as a strange woman), and spoke to her whereas there is no record of such intimacy between Sarai/Sarah and God/His angel… Also, God told Hagar the name to give to her son before he was born. God agreed to bless Ishmael, make him fruitful and multiply him greatly…That doesn’t seem like what he deserved right? Afterall, he was not a covenant child…

For those that are not aware, Ishmael was also circumcised…

So, Ishmael was caught mocking and that got him and his mother expelled.

They were expelled from Abraham’s house and sent away with some bread and a bottle of water. WAS THAT FAIR? That’s the last record we have of any interaction between Abraham and his son…After that God took custody of Ishmael. We are told that God was with the lad and he grew (Genesis 21:20)

This leads me to my very sensitive question – What do we do with the non-covenant child? Are Abram and Sarai’s actions just? Is there a better way to deal with that child that was conceived out of wedlock as a result of his/her parents’ sin? What involvement should the father of such a child play in his/her life (the child is usually left with the mother)?

In Sarai’s case, she was the one that married a wife for her husband. Should we consider Ishmael an illegitimate child? Afterall, Hagar was given to Abraham as a wife BY HIS OWN WIFE. I read a book by Karen Kingsbury that deals with this issue (Oceans Apart). In this case, the man had a one-time indiscretion that resulted in a ‘non-covenant’ child. How should the spouse that was cheated on relate with the ‘non-covenant’ child?  

Please share your views and experiences RESPECTFULLY. Scriptural references are very welcome. You can send me a private message or leave a comment on the blog.

In-law Matters

Good day ladies. How is the day going? I trust that all is well.

In Genesis 26: 34-35, we read about Isaac and Rebekah's displeasure with Esau's marital choices. This leads me to ask - how much influence should parents have in our choice of spouses?

Also, we keep reading and hearing about in-law troubles that families have. What are the proper roles of in-laws for successful marriages? What are the boundaries? How should we deal with parents/in-laws that cross boundaries and possibly threaten the union?

 

Please share your views and experiences RESPECTFULLY. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Dealing With Grief

"But Job answered and said, O that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me...Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One. What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;" (Job 6:1-4, 8-15).

 

Good day ladies.

Is there a proper attitude to adopt when faced with a tragic loss? If yes, what is the proper attitude for someone faced with a tragic loss? Was Job’s response ideal? Is it proper to keep going over and over the event? We often counsel someone that is faced with a tragic loss to move on, do you have any practical steps to share?

Please share your views and experiences. Scriptural references are also welcome. Please send me a message if you prefer to contribute anonymously.

Mourn With Them That Mourn

"So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great." (Job 2:13).

"Then Job answered and said, I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. " (Job 16:1-5).

Good day ladies.

We’ve heard so much about how Job’s friends were miserable comforters etc. We’ve heard people talk about how the comfort provided by those that tried to comfort them when they were dealing with tragic events – the loss of a loved one, a failed marriage, the loss of a job etc- made things worse. Yet, we are enjoined as believers to “mourn with those that mourn”.

So, what is the proper way to mourn with and comfort someone that is grieving? Is silence a good way to mourn with them? What are the things we should try to avoid saying when mourning with/comforting those that mourn?

Please share your views and experiences. Scriptural references are also welcome.

Dealing with mockers and taunters

“And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunken neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.” (1 Samuel 1:15-16).

Good day ladies.

Hannah was grieved because she didn’t have a child and her ‘mate’ mocked her about it. Have you ever been in this position? How did you deal with it? What should our response be as believers, when people taunt us with something that we’re trusting God for.

Please share your views and experiences. Scriptural references are also welcome.

Work/Life Balance

Good day ladies. Can we talk about Work/Life Balance? What does it really mean? How can we achieve this as working women? What options are available to achieve this in your area of residence?

Please share your views and experiences. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Community Based Parenting

'It takes a community to raise a kid'; how relevant is this in our world? Will you intervene if you know your neighbour's kid is out of line? Are there boundaries? If yes, where are the boundaries? Do you mind others correcting your kid?

 

Please share your views and experiences. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Party Food

Good day ladies. Can we talk about food?

I'm interested in hearing about your best meals and the weirdest mix you've ever tried, lol. However, that's not the main gist of this post.

As usual, I have a few questions.

I've observed that some ladies go to parties, eat and eat and eat. Then they take away so much either in bowls they brought for the purpose or in cellophane bags.

Can you please share your views on this menace? Why do people do that? Do you have similar experiences to share?

 

Please share your views and experiences.

Dealing with Male Chauvinism in the Workplace

Good day ladies. How was the weekend? For a number of us, today begins another working week. This brings me to today's question -

How should a Christian woman  deal with male chauvinism in the work place?  How should she respond to saucy remarks by her male colleagues that she is getting ahead because of 'bottom power'? How should respond to situations where she is passed over concerning things that are due to her because she is a woman? What is the appropriate response to sexist 'jokes'? Should we ignore them or are we obligated to speak up against them? What has your experience been as a working woman?

Please share your views and experience. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Concerning Our Confessions

Can we examine the issue of our confessions as Christians? Some preachers will tell you that all you're experiencing today is as a result of the words you spoke yesterday. Some people believe that it doesn't really matter.

 

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome

Concerning Pregnancy Tests

What are your thoughts on conducting pregnancy tests before marriage? Is there sense in refusing to wed pregnant brides? What is the proper Christian response to people that get pregnant outside of wedlock? Someone said something about the church trying to avoid joining more than one person, hence the pregnancy test. But the church will support such people going to court or going the traditional way... I asked him if they check for ladies that recently had an abortion too. I also asked if the church would wed the couple AFTER the lady has put to bed. I'm still waiting for his response, lol. 

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Comparison

2 Corinthians 10:12

Is there ever a time when comparison is okay? Where do we draw the line between being inspired by others and comparing ourselves with others?

 

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome.

THE STRANGE WOMAN!

THE STRANGE WOMAN! Who is she? What does the Bible say about her? Have you met her before? How do we recognize her? How should we relate to her? Can she be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb or must she always 'fall down and die'? Is she solely responsible for breaking homes?

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Virginity!

Another sensitive one - Virginity! There seems to be a lot to talk about here. I read a lot of posts where we are told not to judge a woman by the presence or absence of a hymen; that it is the state of her heart that matters. Then there is thing about some people with intact hymens but they have done everything else.

What is the definition of virginity? Is virginity an outdated concept? Can we consider those who have intact hymens but they done everything else virgins? If not, what do we call them?Are there benefits  attached to waiting till marriage before losing one’s virginity?

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome.

A list of attributes

What are your thoughts on having a list of attributes you'll look out for in a man?

If you think it's okay, what kind of attributes should be on the list? Is it okay to include physical attraction on the list? Some have 'Must be God fearing' on their list, what does that mean? Married sisters that had a list, did your husband meet your 'cut-off' mark? Please share your stories and testimonies.

If you don't agree with the idea of having a list, how do/did you decide when there are so many suitors?

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Jealousy

I remember talking with a someone and I jokingly told him that he was too jealous. He quoted Exodus 20:5 and Exodus 34:14.

"Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;"  (Exodus 20:5).

"For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:"

(Exodus 34:14).

This leads me to ask

1) Is it okay to be jealous at any point?

2) If yes, when is jealousy healthy? When is it considered a problem?

3) If we agree that jealousy can be a problem, what can we do to address the root of jealousy in ourselves? How should one deal with a jealous relative, colleague, friend or fiance?

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Can we ‘qualify’ for miracles?

Good morning ladies.

There is a question brewing in my mind. I'll appreciate your answers. It is about miracles (divine intervention, breakthroughs or whatever name you prefer to call it).

Do miracles happen purely because of God's mercies? Or are there things we are required to do to 'qualify' for miracles?

In some quarters, when one is dealing with a particular challenge, people tell you 'Your seed will speak for you'. What are your views on this phrase?

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Discretion

Good day ladies.

Someone posted Proverbs 11:22 recently and it has generated quite a lot of questions which we'll appreciate your views on. The questions are

1. What is Discretion? Where is the line between discretion and lying? Please give examples to clarify.

2. One of the definitions of discretion is 'the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offence or revealing confidential information.'

A question arose when discussing the part about avoiding revealing confidential information while exercising discretion - 'What if someone tells me about a heinous crime they committed? Am I obligated to report to the authorities?'

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Concerning Divorce, Remarriage and Ministry

Good day ladies.

Someone asked:

Recently i heard of a white female preacher who divorced her husband and married another one and God is still using her mightily. Does that mean we are free to do anything because we happen to be  ministers or children of God? Has the world changed the word of God? Is it not the same bible they are using that we are using? Or maybe the first man is not the will of God for her and she has to leave him for God to fulfil His purpose in her life, because the preacher is doing exploits for God. These are the questions I usually ask myself whenever I see her on the screen. Please I need to hear from you.

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Honour

Good day ladies. Happy new month. There are some scriptures that keep floating in my head that I'll love us to talk about today.

"Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:32).

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12)

"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." (1 Timothy 5:17).

Today's discussion topic is 'Honour'. The following questions come to mind, please feel free to raise some more honour related questions and answers.

1. What is honour?

2. Who deserves honour?

3. What is the boundary between giving honour to a person and idolizing a person?

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Managing Workplace Policies That Conflict With Our Faith

Good day ladies. How is the day going?

Esther 3:2 has me thinking of how a believer should address workplace policies that conflict with our faith. Was Mordecai's response the best? Is there something you would have done differently?

Please share your views. Scriptural references are very welcome.

Managing Extended Family Members

Good day ladies. How is the day going?

As we were discussing on a post recently, a question that came up was 'Is there only one person that God created for each woman as a spouse? How true is this focus on finding 'The One'? How will a lady know 'The One'? What if someone misses 'The One'?' Can you please throw more light on this 'The One' business? Are there scriptures to support this concept?

The 'One'

Good day ladies. How is the day going?

As we were discussing on a post recently, a question that came up was 'Is there only one person that God created for each woman as a spouse? How true is this focus on finding 'The One'? How will a lady know 'The One'? What if someone misses 'The One'?' Can you please throw more light on this 'The One' business? Are there scriptures to support this concept?

Biblical Role of Women in Church

Good day ladies. How is the day going?

What is the Biblical role of women in the church? Should women be in leadership positions over men? Some have quoted 1Corinthians 11:3-10 and 1Corinthians 14:33-35 as their reason for why women shouldn't lead men in church. What are your views concerning this?