Singing praises

We are all singing His praises in the DeArman household. I'm singing a little more quietly, just for God, because I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's ears. But we're all singing, because...

Rob got a job! Praise the Lord, He is so good! Three in-person interviews and one phone interview later, after 3 weeks of waiting, Rob got the good news. He will be working with Milwaukee Electric Tools, the entire state of Alabama and Florida panhandle as his territory. The job is so similar to what he had before, Rob even knows some of his customers already. Alas, I can't get rid of the Blackberry!

We have been holding tight to God's promises of provision, trusting in His timing, so things weren't as depressing as you'd imagine around here. But, the air is so much lighter, now. A man fulfilling his purpose in the Lord is a happy man indeed. I'm amazed at what God has done. Every other door was closed. Rob would send his resume places, based on job-postings, and suddenly they weren't hiring anymore. One specific position he was interested in, the company decided to hire for the lesser positions before filling the one Rob was qualified for. As each door closed (even temporarily), and the Milwaukee process dragged on, we started to wonder if anything would ever happen. But, it did! God's timing is perfect, as is His plan.

Wednesday of the Word

I started to title this one Wordless Wednesday, because Rob was supposed to have heard something from a guy he interviewed with last week. And he did hear from him, but there was no real news. Basically, the company is at a stand-still because of the economy, and nothing can be done for a few weeks. Not what we were hoping to hear!


But, when I started to type the title, I immediately deleted it. I realized that was what Satan wanted me to think. This entire situation has been a faith-building test. I have never seen God more vividly than I see Him right now. And trust me, I am usually the type to give up on God when things get rough. But there have been so many signs along the way, that I know He is holding on tight to us, and there are greater things in store for us.


I am taking this opportunity to share with you some bits from the Word that some of our friends have emailed. If you haven't checked the comments in my previous blog, there are some really good verses there too. Erin, Amber, Shelley, Robyn, and Allison--I have been meaning to email you and thank you for your encouragement. I hope you accept this public shout-out in place of a personalized thank-you!

Here are more treasures from God's word:
Beth Chaney wrote:
"'Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.' ~ James 1:2-4"

June Akers wrote:
"Someone might have already sent you this scripture, but Jer. 29:11 is one of my favorites when we are facing uncertain times. God is in control!!! Isn't that wonderful to know?!!!"

Cindy DeArman wrote:
"'He shall deliver you in six troubles, yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.' ~Job 5:19
'Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.' ~James 1:12 NIV"

Christi Key wrote (After admitting that she is technologically challenged, I might add. Shout out to you Christi--trust me, you are not the only one!):
"Romans 8:28- 'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.' This is my favorite verse in the Bible, and I lean heavily upon it."

Sumer Yates wrote:
"'I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.' ~Phillipians 4:11-13.
"I am doing a Beth Moore Bible study and she talked about this verse... 'Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.' ~Isaiah 40:30-31. And [Beth M.] said that at first she did not fully understand because there is nothing more exhausting than waiting on something. No strength is renewed in waiting on an event. But God revealed to her if we wait upon Him and not upon an event our strength will be renewed."

After these responses, I have to admit that I am very happy I asked for your favorite verses. When going through a tough spot, it's easy to find only one or two verses, and only hold on to those verses during the trial. Perhaps that is my simple mind that has a hard time comprehending too many of God's unfathomable, never-ending promises.

Since I am simple-minded, I will sum these up for myself:
God will be with us, He won't leave us, and we should not be afraid or discouraged. He has plans to prosper us--when we pray, He will listen, and when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him. We will neither be forsaken nor left begging bread. We should not be anxious, but petition God with Thanksgiving. God will meet our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ. We should not worry about what we will eat or wear--God takes care of the birds and we are worth more than them to Him! If we seek Him, He will provide for us. Don't worry about everything, but pray about it instead. Tell God what we need, and thank Him for all He has done, and then we will experience a peace that surpasses understanding--a peace which will guard our hearts and minds [from the world and from anything the Evil One can throw our way (my addition)] as we live in Christ. We should be joyful as we go through this trial, for tests of faith build preseverence, so that we may be mature and complete. God will deliver us from many troubles [in His time], and no evil will touch us during those troubles. If we persevere while in this trial, then we will be blessed and will receive the crown of life He has promised to those of us who love Him. All things will work together for our good--why? Because we love Him and we are called according to His purpose. We should take advice from Paul and be content while in this situation, just as we would be content if we had a job and our TN home had sold--our strength comes from Christ [not from ourselves]. If we wait for the Lord, we will gain new strength, e.g. we will run and not get tired [that means a lot to me because... I. Don't. Run.]. And I'll give credit to Beth Moore here: If we wait on God and not for our house to sell; if we wait on our precious Lord and not on a job--then our strength will be renewed!

WOW! You would think I would be mentally tired from all that application, that my fingers would quit working after typing all that, that my Spirit would be overwhelmed by the wide spectrum of hope and peace and call to trust and call to continue to live in Him. But, I'm not. I'm excited. I am PUMPED! It doesn't get any better than this, people. Praise God we are unemployed! Praise God we are tired of waiting on our house to sell! If not for these trials, I wouldn't know how close I could get to God while still being on this earth and in this human body. Oh, I'm close, and in case you want to know--He is beautiful!

Invitation to Bible scholars

Here's the drill: In January, Makita USA put up a contraption that hasn't been seen for at least half a century anywhere in the world--a guillotine. Well, their contraption was more abstract than concrete, but it sure worked just as well on Rob's job. And they pretty much lined up a bunch of people, just like during the Reign of Terror.

Yes, that's right, we are now a part of the unemployed group. Although I was not working outside the home, I was working inside the home (saving money on childcare and eating out), so Rob's income was "our" income. And besides that, the fact that we are both actively looking for jobs at the moment would mean that both of us are technically unemployed.

This is week 3 of Rob being home. He had several interests at one point, and our hopes were high. But, we have recently found out that one interest has declined (the company is on a hiring freeze), and the company Rob interviewed with Monday has gone with a prospect who has more industry experience. So, we have two interests left: one which Rob will interview for on Thursday, and another which is moving very slowly.

I know that our hope rests in our Omniscient God, and not in these earthly opportunities. And I can feel that we are in God's hands, because He has provided so many signs along the way. But every now and then, Satan gets in a little attack of panic.

Still, I see this as an opportunity for God to reveal who He is and how mighty He is. One of the ways God communicates to us is through His Word, and another way is through our fellow believers. So, I want to open the floor to Bible scholars, fellow Christians, and anyone who feels they have a word of encouragement from our Father for us. I'm posting this here, and not sending out an email, because I want to have this forever--to remember what we felt like in this moment, to see how our friends encouraged us, and to look back after we are in a better place to see exactly what our awesome God did for us.

Please share with us your favorite promises in the Word or any verses God lays on your heart. Thanks in advance for praying and for sharing. We love and treasure you all!