Work and Recession: To all of us
Feb 27, 2009 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
Today will be the shortest post in my series on work in light of the current economic crisis. This post is for all of us.
Psalm 20:7-8 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.
What do we boast about in Lansing? Our chariots (cars)? Our horses (horsepower)? Or the name of the Lord our God?
Tags: Lansing
Work and Recession: To those of us who don’t have jobs
Feb 26, 2009 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
This week, I am exploring the concept of work, especially in light of the current economic crisis. Yesterday, I wrote specifically to those who have jobs. Today, I write to those of us who don’t have jobs. And by this, I mean “unemployed.” I’m not writing to students or homemakers.
Again, I would say that Scripture has a lot to teach us. Here are a few of those things:
Don’t Freak Out
Matthew 6:25-34 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God* above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
I know this is hard to take, but “don’t freak out.” An ulcer won’t help you get a job. You may not have a lot during this season, but trust that God will make sure you have enough. This also ties into yesterday’s post–hopefully those who have jobs will be there to help you during this season. This is why it is so important to be in community with other believers, because that’s where this happens the best.
Most people I have met who are out of a job are out there busting their humps looking for work, but there are some who won’t. To them, I give offer this piece of advice:
Get Off Your Butt
2 Thessalonians 3:10 …while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.
Now make sure you hear me out. There is a very important word in this verse: “unwilling.” There are some I have come across who are simply “unwilling” to work. They think the positions that are out there are “beneath them.” Or they live on unemployment, refusing to get off their duffs to get a job. Paul says to them, “shame on you!” I had a dream last night that the economy caused Riv’s giving to drop so much that I had to get a second job at Home Depot. If that happens, it happens. I will make sure I take care of my family. If I don’t, rebuke me, shame me, get me off my butt.
A friend of mine is moving his family to Texas because there are more jobs there. He’s sad to leave, but he’s doing what he has to for his family. I’ll miss him, but he is making the right call.
The bottom line: trust in Jesus and pound the pavement looking for a job.
Work and Recession: To those of us who have jobs
Feb 25, 2009 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
With the current economic crisis affecting the auto industry, it seems like more and more the spotlight is pointing to Lansing.
A pastor friend of mine in Florida shot me an email the other day. It read simply:
Every time I hear about the ‘woes of Michigan’ I say a prayer for you:) Hope all is well with the family and church.
On a daily basis I am talking about the economy with someone. And since this has been on my brain a lot lately, I thought I’d take a couple days to blog through what I have been thinking. Actually, I want to throw out some verses and with them some thoughts. I am not going to get political or take sides except God’s side. :)
Today I want to write to those of us who have jobs. Our job may be secure or it may be on the line, but for right now we are doing OK.
As employees, Scripture has a lot to teach us. I’ll just hit on two principles that I think are significant right now.
Work Your Tail Off
Colossians 3:23-24 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
As Christ-followers, we should strive to be the best employees our companies have. It doesn’t matter if we are flipping burgers, performing heart surgery or stocking the shelves at Wal-Mart. The “Master” we are serving at our jobs is Jesus. So when we slack off on our job, when we complain about our job, when we do a half-ass job, we are doing so not just to our earthly boss but to Jesus.
Right now, job security is pretty tenuous for many people. Poor job performance should never be the reason a Christ-follower is fired.
Help Those in Need
2 Corinthians 8:14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.
Right now those of us with jobs are faced with an awesome opportunity! We have the chance to let the Gosple pour out of our lives as we take care of those in need. If you have plenty (read: “a job”), share with those who need it (read: “those without jobs”). This isn’t socialism, it’s living the kind of life Jesus has called us to live. Even if it means sacrifice, take care of those in need.
And who knows? With this economy, Paul may be right–there may be a time soon when you need help.
Finnish Rock
Feb 23, 2009 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
You gotta love Finns. And since I am a Finn, it’s just logical that you love me.
But I digress.
Check out this cover of “Sweet Home Alabama” by the Finnish band Leningrad Cowboys (along with the Red Army Choir).
It would only be better if they also had Skynyrd and Kid Rock to back them up as well. BTW, if you feel like wasting the afternoon, check out the rest of their covers on YouTube.
(Thanks to Ben Witherington via Dan):
UPDATE: My new favorite cover of theirs is Happy Together.
UPDATE #2: My new new favorite cover of theirs is Delilah. Oh man.
The Team: Kristie Henry
Feb 23, 2009 The Team
At Riv, we have the best (and most overworked) team. We only have 4 full-time staff that are fully paid by the church. Everyone else is volunteer, part-time or raises their support through GCM.
And since we can’t pay them what they are worth with actual money, I thought of something even better. I’ll start to pay them with an all coveted NoelHeikkinen.com Blog Post! Over the next several weeks (and who knows how much longer), I am going to use my Monday posts to highlight / embarrass / praise someone from our team.
To start this off, I have to talk about our Creative Director, Kristie Henry.
Kristie started out at Riv as an unpaid intern. She spent a summer cleaning up all of our graphic design (she was a design student at NC State). A few years later, she fell into our trap by falling in love with our web-guru Eric. They married and she moved to town to become our part-time graphic artist.
Over the years, her influence has spread greatly. She is part of the benevolent dictatorship (along with Dan and I) of the Black Shirt Club, which is a group of artistic weirdos that do a lot of the weekend service madness around here. She has become the primary architect of Riv’s artistic style, from the weekend services, to the signage, to the building’s aesthetic, to the Corridor Gallery, to the monthly newsletter. Riv would not be nearly as “cool” without Kristie. We wouldn’t be able to help the Right Brained people in the church track with the teachings quite as well without her artistic ability. I have no idea how many hours she tirelessly works, but I do know that she never complains, always looks for things to tweek, and is seriously one of the MVPs around here.
And of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t quote Steve Sommerlot:
“This water tastes like Kristie smells.”
True words.
JustNoel.com
Feb 20, 2009 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
OK, this past weekend at Riv, someone asked me where to find my ChurchLocator.
This is how the conversation went:
“It’s on my personal website.” – Me
“Cool…where’s that?” – Her
“NoelHeikkinen.com” – Me
“Whoa…how do you spell that?” – Her
“N O E L H E I K…uh, nevermind. Just go to RivChurch.com. Then click on “About Us.” Then click on “People.” Then click on “Noel Heikkinen.” At the top, you will see a link to my blog. From there, you can find the Church Locator.” – Me
That’s it. I’m tired of doing that every week. So, I just bought “JustNoel.com”
From there, I will have links to everywhere I am online: my blog, Facebook, Riv, etc. Now I just have to get around to designing that site.
Dang it.
People
Feb 20, 2009 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
What a week.
This week, I did several “ministry things” that were out of the norm for me.
I performed a funeral and attended another. I did a bunch of marriage counseling. I met with someone struggling with deep depression. I interviewed a boy-scout for a badge. I wrote a bunch of reference letters. I met with a couple adopting a girl from China. I coached a couple pastors from out of town and one from in town. I did a bunch of counseling phone calls.
Now, I do these things quite a bit throughout the year, but not all jammed into 4 days.
What a week.
I had two big goals for this week, but didn’t touch either of them. And that’s OK.
One of the counseling appointments (a person with a background in ministry) reminded me of the old adage, “ministry would be great if it wasn’t for the people, right?”
Wrong. But it’s easy to agree with the sentiment at face-value.
Ultimately, ministry is about two things: God and people. If there were no people, there would be no ministry.
This was a crazy, draining week for me. But it was good. It was good to see how much people need Jesus and to affirm that I am in the right field of work. I have to remember that in the busyness of teaching, leading, and planning, it is important to leave buffer for people.
I’ve got two big goals for next week. It will be interesting to see what “divine interruptions” come my way.
Mullets
Feb 19, 2009 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
My youngest two boys got their hair cut today. Here’s the before and after (click for larger images):
Of course Ashley (who is married to a redneck) was kind enough to give them mullets in between (Coley looks delighted with his).
My wife: The Frugalista
Feb 18, 2009 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
I saw this graphic on The Corner today and immediately thought of my wife. Here’s the definition of “frugalista”:
“A person who is frugal but fashionable.”
My wife is the Queen Frugalista. She is the one who makes sure I don’t go off the deep-end in fashion or get too terribly behind the times. She also makes sure our kids are stylin’, each with their own personal style.
And she does all this on the cheap.
Yup…I’m a lucky man.
