Heaven Can Seem Like Hell, But Hell Can Never Seem Like Heaven
If hearing the name of Jesus bothers you, then heaven would be like hell to you. If singing to God for all eternity would bother you, then heaven would be like hell to you. If hearing angels sing praises to God would bother you, then heaven would be like hell to you. If the idea of being a servant to God forever bothers you, then you know the rest…
But if you had only a few seconds to experience hell and all the torments that are there for all eternity, then you would realize that hell is no heaven and you would do anything in this life to avoid it!! In hell there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. That is to say there will be those that will cry forever and those that will be angry forever. Both sadness and anger will not be in heaven, but they will be in hell. There is no light in hell either, but only darkness. Hell is no heaven my friend.
You can avoid hell as long as you repent or turn from your sinful ways. Cursing, swearing, taking God’s name in vain, having sex outside of marriage, watching porn, are just a few of the sins that will keep you out of heaven. You also need to believe that Jesus came here as a sinless example for how we are to live and that He was put to death, rose again and is coming back to judge the world. Repenting of your sinful ways because you are scared of going to hell won’t cut it. You have to repent of your sinful ways because you have offended God and you actually feel bad for offending God. We live in a world where not many people think of God or even believe in Him but that will all change soon.
Listen to this sermon from the 1700’s for a better idea of what it means to repent and hopefully avoid hell.
Suicide Is The Worst Option
If you are depressed or feeling hopeless considering ending your life then I am glad you found this post. I want to tell you that you are not alone feeling this way. Many years ago I was in a deep depression and felt like ending my life, but I didn’t, and that’s why I am able to write this post. I was able to find a wife and had three wonderful children. I found a rewarding career and made great friends for life. I traveled the world and learned about many cultures. All of which I couldn’t have done if I would have ended my life so long ago.
On the flip side, over the years I have been the recipient of the awful news that a friend took their life. It hurts so bad when you hear that someone you loved ended their life. The first thing you think about is why didn’t they say something, or why didn’t they reach out for help? These questions never go away.
Suicide is not a good option, it’s the worst! It leaves everyone around you wounded for life and more important it cuts off your wonderful life that is waiting to happen.
I care so deeply about this that I am putting myself out there as someone to talk with. So if you are interested in giving me a call to talk about your situation and how to get through it, then I am here for you. This is my home phone landline you can call anytime if you are thinking of ending your wonderful life 1-705-676-2221. My name is John and I am someone who cares. If for some reason I am not home with no answer and you want someone to connect with right away then please call this number 1-800-273-8255 for help.
THE PROSECUTOR WHO DEFENDED ME
Many years ago when I was young and foolish I was drinking heavily at a party. By the end of the night, or early in the morning, I decided to stagger home. I was passing a closed restaurant when I realized I was hungry and decided to break in to cook myself some food. So I made my way into the closed restaurant through the ventilation system on the roof. I ended up falling through the ceiling and landed right smack in front of the grill in the kitchen and thought to myself “this is convenient.” However, in my drunken stupor I quickly changed my mind about food and made my way to the bar. I grabbed the biggest bottle of booze and left by the back door and proceeded to stagger home. The next morning I was woken by two detectives who had some questions for me. I was very hungover and my head was pounding from drinking the night before. I knew what they were there for and I decided to admit everything and not lie. I was brought in to the station and questioned in which I fully cooperated by writing a confession, then they let me go with a court date. It was scheduled in a couple of weeks and I’ll never forget how worried I was about jail being a possible punishment. A couple weeks go by and I am in the waiting room outside the courtroom when a familiar face walks by and notices me. It was the Crown Prosecutor who was going to be the one to prosecute me for my crime. I remembered doing some landscaping for him when I was a student a few years prior. He asked me why I was there and I told him. He could see that I was very sorry and also worried about jail. So after a short talk he told me that he would defend me and see to it that I didn’t go to jail. When my case was called, I stood and the prosecutor began to defend my case. He asked the judge for mercy. The judge listened to him and I walked out of the courtroom free, feeling very thankful and relieved. Since that day I changed my ways and never thought of breaking the law ever again.
This was a true story that happened to me so long ago. It has a lot of similarities to the true story of all of us, as we will one day meet the ultimate judge in the great judgement that is to come. Jesus, who is the actual prosecutor on that day, will prosecute every crime or sin you have committed and the punishment is eternal. But you can become friends with Him by acknowledging Him and confessing your sins, then changing your ways to match His. Then the prosecutor will become your defender and the judge will grant you mercy and forgiveness so you can be made free with eternal life. Jesus paid for your punishment on the day he was crucified by being an acceptable sacrifice for your sins. All you have to do is acknowledge Him and become a new creation in Him so he can defend you. John 5:24 Jesus says Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Finally John 8:36 Jesus says Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. Turn from your ways of sin and death and become a new creation before it’s too late. Start by repenting and seeking after Jesus by reading His word in the bible and He will be your defender instead of your prosecutor.
You Are What You Think
You have heard the statement before that you are what you eat. You don’t hear the statement that you are what you think very often.
We all have images of ourselves that are derived from many things around us including what we see in the movies, magazines and social media. We also get input from our own brains about what we are and I would like to talk about a positive way to help change how you think of yourself for a better life.
This post is mainly for those of you that have depression or feeling down and out with a negative self image. If this describes you then close your eyes and think of all the compliments and nice things people have said about you over the years. At first it may be difficult, but keep thinking of them and you will begin to smile and feel better about yourself. You may have been told that you are so kind, nice, caring, pretty or handsome. It’s different for everyone but you get the picture! Do this whenever you need a smile on your face and in your heart.
If you have no memories of other people saying such positive things about you over your life then imagine someone you love with all your heart, like your kids or spouse. That feeling of unconditional love that you would do anything for that person. Now try to imagine that God in heaven loves you many more times than that. So much more that you really can’t comprehend how big and vast His love is for you. This should put a smile in your heart and on your face.
Troubled Times Ahead
When I first started writing on here, years ago, I was writing about proper leadership in the workplace. As of lately, I have been writing about healing from trauma for a better life. Both topics of healing and proper leadership are dear to me and so is my faith in the good Lord. The best leaders are ones that have a solid foundation in God and the worst leaders have no relationship to God. The same is true for healing emotional wounds. The world apart from God offers temporary fixes in pills and advice that don’t really heal or have any lasting effect. However, when you let go of all the resentment, anger, pride and give your life to your heavenly Father through repentance, that is when true healing with your soul begins.
I’ve had many near death experiences over the years. Usually when someone has just one near death experience, they have a new appreciation for life and how precious it is. I have had over a dozen! One day I finally had that new appreciation for life. It got me thinking of how many times God miraculously saved me from death, which led me to the bible and ultimately to a real relationship with our Father in heaven that I am very thankful for.
The title of this post is Troubled Times Ahead and I would like to help some of you understand how you can both heal your soul and be confident in the coming troubled times ahead. I’ll begin with some wisdom from the bible in 1 John 2 15-17 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. This is a powerful couple of verses that clearly states that the world in all it’s lusts and the pride of life will pass away but notice that whoever does the will of God will abide forever. Are you lustful or full of pride? If so then humble yourself and repent of your lusts and pride before it’s too late. Also, you must believe that God gave His Son as a perfect example and sacrifice for us, who was without sin and killed, then defeated death when He rose on the third day. John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. When you do this then you cannot be separated from the love of God as it is written in Romans 8:39 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. You may be wondering why you have to believe in Jesus and all He did and that is answered in Roman 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. You see, God is so holy and pure that He cannot even look at sin. That is why when you believe in the perfect sacrifice He made, you are made into His Son’s image. All your sin’s are forgiven and you become a new creation as it is written in 2 Corinthians 5:17 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Troubled times are ahead my friend, but you can be a new creation that gives you an assurance that nothing can separate you from God, not even the troubled times ahead. Remember, the world is passing away and that is why times are so strange. But if you do the will of God He will keep you for His eternal glory in heaven.
If you have read all that I have said so far and want to understand more, then watch this blessed movie about the true story of Jesus and I pray that God will open your eyes to the truth and become a new creation!
The Simplicity in Christ
The King is Coming!
Love Your Wife Love Your Life
I grew up in a dysfunctional home. I witnessed my Mom get beat almost daily. One night was so bad, her head was being smashed against the tub. I had to run outside to get help, in my underwear. I was only 10 years old at the time. I really couldn’t understand why this man was always so angry and hurtful. I understood that it was wrong! Even now, I still don’t understand the feeling of hitting, hurting or humiliating a woman, and I thank God for that.
When you love your wife, your wife will love you and stay close to you.
When you put fear into her, she will fear you and separate from you.
There has been a drastic and unfortunate spike in abuse in the home as of lately and this has to stop. We’re not to put fear into those we love. If you are an abusive man who is angry and frustrated, who feels any kind of remorse for hurting the one he is to love, then please heed my words and make a vow to never hurt them again.
Love and cherish her, and she will lovingly do the same.
11-11-2020
As a former Canadian Navy sailor, I navigated 3 oceans and visited 13 countries. I became a Shell-Back after only my first 3 weeks at sea. The former Navy can appreciate that achievement.
I’ve been to countries that are so poor by our standards. Straw houses with dirt floors. But, out of the thousands of people that I’ve met; the poorest people of the world are indeed the happiest in my humble opinion. I have countless wonderful stories of utter kindness and generosity with families that were so excited to have a friendly Canadian sailor visit them. Even in countries that were not poor, like Australia. I was hugged with excitement from every Australian when they realized I was Canadian. Quite frankly, it was so good to be a Canadian sailor, that American sailors made it a habit to say they were Canadian in many ports.
Canada is truly admired by the whole world because we are glorious and free!
Our words are very powerful as you must know by now. If you don’t believe our words can bring life or death, then I recommend looking at the rice experiment or water memory studies for understanding on this topic.
Our words that are directed to God, like in our National Anthem, “God keep our land glorious and free”, are like a prayer we have recited daily since our national anthem was first sung. I dare say God has answered that request and has kept our land glorious and free all along up till now.
If you’re a Canadian Forces member or Veteran, then you have defended that glorious freedom and I want to say thank you on this 11-11-2020.
Post-Trauma Peace
Helpful Advice for Trauma Survivors
Sadness, shame, helplessness, anger, vulnerability, embarrassment, disappointment and frustration are the eight unpleasant feelings that prevent us from having a happier life according to Dr. Joan Rosenberg.
Whatever trauma you have been through, let me first congratulate you because you have made it through! All trauma is unique for each situation, however, the “after effects” are most, or all, of these unpleasant feelings. Holding on to them holds you back from happiness.
I know for me, I felt completely helpless and vulnerable, which led to me hiding away in my house. I became lazy and overweight. I ate whatever I wanted and drank beer everyday to deal with my sadness and shame. Many things about my trauma, and how it was handled, caused great disappointment, frustration and even anger.
This anger symptom was the first one I recognized and dealt with a few years ago. Simply put, anger is one letter away from danger! Over time, I have managed to change my life for the better by dealing with these unpleasant feelings in a productive way, rather than a destructive way. I eat healthy, non-processed food and drink fresh lemon water and do 22 push-ups a day. I have gone from 240 lbs down to 170 lbs. I used to wear a size 42 pant and am down to a size 32. My blood pressure was 166/111 and now it is down to 120/80. I am much happier now! Up until 2019, I was still holding onto disappointment and frustration from my military career. I was advised by a good friend to go see Veterans Affairs to see if they could help me. It was very difficult for me to be vulnerable and to ask for help, but I am glad that I did. Just as McDonalds had terrible coffee and changed it to great coffee, so it is with Veterans Affairs. They had a reputation of not really caring and I thought it might be a waste of my time, but I was very wrong. I was met with love and compassion and I felt like my concerns were finally being addressed. This has allowed me to start to heal that part of my life.
If you’re like most trauma survivors and feel anxiety often, then listen closely:
you have two different nervous systems. One is called sympathetic and the other is parasympathetic. Parasympathetic is when you are calm and at peace, just like before you fall asleep. Your body heals while you sleep and when you are calm during the times you are awake. On the other hand, the sympathetic state kicks in when you see a bear with her cubs 10 feet away. Your heart rate and blood pressure go into survival mode and you are prevented from healing.
I spent years always anxious and worried, as a blood pressure of 166/111 would tell you, but over time I changed my habits and I have learned that the most important person to take care of in your life is YOU. In order to take care of yourself, you must deal with past negatives to make room for the positives.
This is indeed different for every person, depending on your circumstances, but for me, I found classical music, warm salt baths, being around positive people and nature to be most helpful. Whatever brings you to that place of calm and peace, should be your direction in life from now on. Also, deal with every unpleasant feeling or situation that comes along as positively as you can so you can quickly go back to your healing state of calm.
In 2016, I saw a statistic that said 22 military members take their life everyday and that shook me to the core. I had also heard of a group of former military personnel that do 22 push-ups a day to bring awareness, and also, in some weird way, to put our collective energy into combating this tragedy. This was the very beginning of my healing journey that has brought me this far.
If you are ever considering now or in the future to end your life for whatever reason, please understand that you have a real purpose for the life that you have been given. There are countless people, including myself, who have been at the bottom of a hopeless pit wanting to just die, but I am here to tell you that no matter how bad things get, they will always get better! I am living proof of that, so please never ever allow yourself to feel that way again. Keep breathing!
My definition of confidence is: the deep sense that you can handle the emotional outcome of whatever you face or pursue in life. I hope this article brings you understanding and confidence to handle whatever you face or pursue in your journey to peace.
Stress In The Workplace
Studies have shown that for every dollar spent on controlling psychosocial hazards, you can save between three to six dollars on your bottom line!
We can learn many things about stress management and how stress management can benefit workplaces. For example, dairy farmers are drastically changing the way in which cows are raised. Dairy farmers have found that creating a relaxing, non-stressful environment for the cows turns into better profits. Cows no longer are cooped up in small stalls, or separated from their young; instead they roam freely in pastures. Come milking time, the cows go in a modern, high-tech barn that is designed for maximum comfort. The floors are made of stainless steel, that’s so that the robotic squeegee can scrape all waste matter away to prevent disease. The cows also have access to large “car-wash type” brushes that automatically spin when a cow is present, this is to help the cow get at those irritating itches. Milking the cow is accomplished by a laser guided machine that finds each nipple, all without any person touching the cow. Once hooked up, the machine monitors the milk for any temperature changes or disease. To further reduce stress the cow is always with their young, even when it’s time for milking.
Dairy farmers say that a happy cow gives more milk, and that the milk is better quality. They are witnessing positive results from their investment in stress management.
How can we apply stress management to everyday workers? We need to first realize that stressed workers are less productive, more prone to accidents, have more sick days, and cost the company many thousands of dollars on the bottom line.
The solution to these problems can come through a good stress management program where employees feel good about coming to work and doing the best job they can. Creating this friendly, non-confrontational atmosphere can be attained through: commitment, desire, and proper leadership. The monetary cost of stress management can be minimal when you understand your psychosocial hazards that exist in your workplace, and you control them.
Over the past twenty years of health and safety management, there has been much study on the term Psychosocial hazard, and, if it really exists in our workplaces. The Ministry of Labor, W.S.I.B., Health and Safety Professionals, C.S.A and Union Leaders all recognize that psychosocial hazards are real, and that they can be controlled just as much as physical hazards.
Holy Cow!
Employee Recognition – Guiding Principles
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Guiding Principles
- A Simple ‘Thank You’
- It only takes a moment (less than 60 seconds) to recognize the efforts of a co-worker. You could call it “fly-by appreciation”. Example: “Thanks for getting that study out to the staff so quickly. Now they will have time to read it before the meeting…”(15 sec.)
- Pay Attention
- Noticing when people are doing the right thing increases the probability they will repeat it. Example: “I saw how smoothly you let that student know what they could do to avoid a delay. Thanks for doing that level of customer service…”
- Inspire Effort
- People who feel appreciated give more to the job than what is merely required. They are ready to give the “discretionary effort” necessary to a healthy organization.
- Reward the right things
- You get what you pay attention to. If you positively comment on how an effort helps maintain our core values, or facilitates customer service, or helps new staff orient, or cross-trains staff, or builds teamwork, etc. staff will know what is important around here.
- Personalized Approach
- One size does not fit all. Staff are individuals and respond differently to the same strategy. Ask staff how they want to be recognized.
- Equal Opportunity
- There should be opportunity for all staff to receive recognition–whether for improving performance, for extra effort, for creativity, or for reliably doing their job each day.
- Keep it Positive
- To have the greatest impact, the recognition message needs to be completely positive (coach later!), specific, sincere, and given soon after the effort.
- Enjoy!
- “Fun, joy and sharing go hand-in glove with world class quality.”- Tom Peters. Celebrate individual and unit accomplishments- planned or spontaneously!
- Recognize Leadership
- Give recognition to staff that support a “recognition culture” with their actions and words by publicly noting their contribution, including it in their performance appraisal, inviting them to recognition celebrations, etc.
- Recognize Teamwork
- When the relationship among co-workers is good, recognition enhances work performance. When the relationship is troubled, it usually doesn’t matter how you reward or recognize people.
Source: Adapted from University of Iowa
Service Recognition Topics
http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/roles/mgr/ee-recognition/guiding-principles.html
Managers!! Get out of the office
One of the best things that managers can do is get out of the office and get some face time going with the workers on the front line. Get out and interact with them. Not in an event way like “ride the big bike” for charity event once a year. I mean get out there as individuals and create friendships with the employees. Too many times there is a distinct separation between management and hourly employees, which causes a distancing effect from your workforce that can undermine your corporate goals as a whole.
When a regular hourly employee knows your name and you give genuine recognition, then you have an employee who feels like you care about them and they will stop at nothing to do the best job they can to aid and assist in the success of the corporate goals.
Employee Wellness, Morale, and the Bottom Line
Keeping your employees happy is a key component to getting the most out of your bottom line. With a business being ran by a bunch of unhappy campers who don’t want to be there, you can bet that your production rates will decrease as well. Not every job is glamorous. As a matter of fact, most jobs are the complete opposite. However, that does not warrant the assumption that every day has to be a living hell. Understanding the connection between employee wellness, morale, and the bottom line will help any frustrated supervisor transform their workforce.
Tracking Employee Wellness
Your employees are simply human beings who are trying to make a living. They do not need or wish to be treated as slaves – machines that can take a beating without uttering a complaint. Even machines break down; and your employees will as well if you don’t take some time…
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4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Hiring An Employee
I have hired or been a part of hiring several employees. Some have turned out to be great employees while others were not. Over the years, I hope that I have become better at identifying those employees who will be great through continued education and learning from my successes and failures.
I have learned that great employees are capable, hard-working team players you can trust. Before I place an offer on the table to a prospective employee, I try to have four questions on trust answered. Here are four questions to ask yourself before hiring an employee:
1. Can I trust them to do the job well?
Some employees are able to jump into a new position and immediately excel. Others need some ramp up time to learn the nuances of the role. I am fine with either. Like Jim Collins, I believe that it is simply important to get…
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Morale
Morale, also known as esprit de corps when discussing the morale of a group, is an intangible term used to describe the capacity of people to maintain belief in an institution or a goal.
Right from the start of every military career, esprit de corps is taught to young recruits as an essential part of being in the military. It is the “Glue” that keeps a unit together, ready for whatever challenge may arise.
Being posted to a warship I know how true this really is, for example, when a ship has a high morale things are good. The food is great, everybody is rested and feeling energized.. smiles.. jokes and high fives all around. Nothing can stop us!
On the flip side, when the morale is low it can be like a jail with no escape. People are upset, frustrated and even emotionally damaged. You just don’t want to be there anymore, but you don’t really have a choice because you can’t just get off a ship in the middle of the ocean.
Interestingly enough, the Captain of the ship and how he treats the crew, is the sole reason for good or bad morale.
“One With The Strength Of Many“
Psychosocial Hazard?
When we think of hazards at work, we generally think of physical hazards like: pinch points, nip points, trip hazards and guarding issues.
Psychosocial hazards are just as real as physical hazards at work, and in some cases, if not recognized and controlled they can have a very negative impact on your bottom line.
Many studies have been done on psychosocial hazards, and the impact on the workplace. Dr. Martin Shain and Health Canada have put out a recent study called Best Advice on Risk Management in the Workplace. It simply states that workers with a high demand for production and little or no control, and, or, high effort/low reward are at risk of being frustrated, angry, and stressed, which can contribute to aggressive behavior, sabotage, poor physical and mental health and a general lack of safety. These negative feelings can be multiplied two to three times if the employee perceives the employer as being unfair.
We can come up with many situations that exemplify this research, such as the example of a good marriage. When you ask two people who have been married for a long time “what helped them stay together”; they always say the same thing… “it is a relationship of give and take” which means the effort/reward system is good. On the other hand, ask a divorced couple to highlight the reasons why they got divorced and the answer is mostly…”I gave so much and got nothing in return”, Which means the effort/reward system has failed and so has their relationship.
Oddly enough, the marriage scenario is most like our workplaces. The relationship between employer/employee both have basic needs that have to be met to feel good about the working relationship.
Recognizing that psychosocial hazards exist is the first step in a process set up to control them, and controlling them can put you in Canada’s top 100 employers list where the effort/reward system is working; and it is the main reason why they are considered Top Employers!
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“The Right to Refuse”
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We here in Canada have some great laws that protect the worker’s safety, however, they’re widely unknown and unused.
The most unused law is the right to refuse unsafe work. It’s probably the most powerful and important “right” workers have, yet it goes unused. Just think of all the deaths and accidents that could have been prevented if they had used that right.
Every person I hire starts their fist day with me. We go through training videos, have a safety tour of the plant at which time I show them all the does and don’t s and what to watch for. I also explain in detail the right to refuse unsafe work and I encourage them to use it. By doing this I give them the knowledge and tools to stay safe and go home at the end of each shift.
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