sandybillk

Just a couple of thoughts from someone who worked at Wal-Mart (and ironically, the wife of a union worker) on why someone may consider shopping somewhere else. And I am not a "bitter" ex-employee. I simply left my job because I found one that had better hours, better pay, and better benefits. I don't have a grudge against them. But you have to keep one thing in mind--They are a business, and they are out to make money like any business. People can't, or at least shouldn't, disagree with that goal. What some people don't like, though, is their methods. Here is what I saw while I worked there: They have their employees "shop" the competition weekly. While on the clock, they go to local businesses and buy certain items. When they bring the reciepts back, the local store will lower its price to beat the competitor. Wal-Mart doesn't care if they lose money, because once the public is "trained" that Wal-Mart is lower, the customers will come to Wal-Mart out of habit and probably won't notice when Wal-Mart raises its prices back to the original price or higher. But you have to remember, that customer's always have the CHOICE to shop there or somewhere else. You shouldn't blame Wal-Mart for capitalizing on it. Remember, the US economy was built on capitalists. They have decided that, out of all controllable expenses, the ones they are going to focus on reducing is payroll and benefits-which is, generally, the highest controllable expense of any business. They do this by keeping the amount of full time employees allowed per store at a minimum. (If you're not full time, it not only takes longer to get benefits, but those benefits are at a higher cost). They also know that part time employees don't tend to stick around long enough to qualify for benefits. They know that there is an unending supply of teenagers waiting to get a part time job, so they don't have to worry about "fresh bodies". They also have decided to have fewer employees on staff at any given time. Of course, the less employees in the store there are, the less customer service you have. But again, the customer's have decided to accept less customer service in order to have lower prices. I can't tell you how many times I overheard people saying that they are NEVER coming back again, because they can never find anyone to help them, but they come back the next day or the next week. It's their, and your, CHOICE to accept the loss of customer service. So, like anything that someone feels is wrong in this country, you have a CHOICE. Shop, Wal-Mart, or don't, but you can't just sit and bemoan the fact that Wal-Mart exists. If the majority of people don't like something, they really do have the ability to stop it. It just takes effort and the willingness to stick to their ideals. And yes, I do shop at Wal-Mart. Partly because I would have to drive 45 minutes to find something else, and partly because I don't feel that they are EVIL. Do I agree with everything they do? No, but I have yet to find ANY business that I completely agree with. They are what they are.....a business that is trying to do what every other business in this county is doing--trying to make money.

DK- You have to ask yourself one question and answer it honestly....not to any of us, but to yourself. Do you accept the gift of salvation given to you by Jesus at the cross and do you accept Him as your Lord and Savior? I am not asking if you believe in God. Satan believes in God, but he doesn't accept Him as Lord, and is doomed to hell. Being saved is not about being good enough, or knowing enough bible verses, or witnessing, or going to church. Being saved is simply acknowledging the fact that you are a sinner and that you know that you will never be good enough. Then, comes the important part. Go to God and ask for forgiveness and accept Jesus' gift of salvation. Accept not only the salvation, but also make a decision to worship God and let Him be your Lord. That is what saves your soul from eternal damnation and keeps you from hell. Sandy

I really enjoyed the Frank Perretti book This Present Darkness. It gives me a better insight as to what is going on "behind the scenes" in the world and specifically, in my life.

Thank you all for your insight. I guess I tend to get caught up in wanting the instant answer, when I know that God's timing is perfect and that He will indeed answer me. And while I would like for the answer to be yes, I do know that sometimes the answer is no. And sometimes, like right now, the answer is simply "wait". Patience has never been on the the virtues I have a lot of practice with. Maybe that is part of the teaching He has for me as well. I am so very grateful that God has led me here to this site. I thank you all for the help you have given me and I thank God for you all. Sandy

I attended a chuch for a while where the women would wear head coverings. I don't see anything wrong with it. I agree that it was probably disregarded by people who have misunderstood or rejected the whole notion of wives being subject to their husbands. That does seem to set people on their toes!!!! Many of the women who are older in our current church still wear hats to church, but I don't know if they do it out of obedience to that verse or what. I don't think that anything done out of reverence for God's word should reflect negatively on you, but then I know we don't live in a perfect world. One church that I went to for a while asked one of the women in the choir to stop raising her hand in worship during the music, because it was "distracting". We stopped attending that church right after that. I still say, though, that if you feel led to wear a head covering, DO IT!!! If you feel uncomfortable wearing a traditional head covering, try wearing a nice hat. Maybe that way you won't feel like so much attention is being given to it

I don't know if this is the right place for this question, so if I'm wrong, please let me know. Can someone explain to me how many times should you pray for something? Let me explain a little of the situation. My family is going through some very rough times. There is a pending legal issue whose outcome is critical to our future. My husband and I have both prayed for God's mercy and favor for a positive outcome. Due to the court systems being as they are, this could take months to resolve. If we continue to pray daily for God's hand to be placed in this case, are we showing lack of faith? I have placed this in God's hands....should I now stop praying about it? Can someone help me? I do trust God, but I can't seem to get any peace about this.

Thank you for the gentle reminder....without Him, we are nothing.