Finding the Lord in Your Daily Work

JetCharterPersonal Journal Entry

I sat down about a half hour ago, waiting for the guys to finish putting the carpet down and put the new desks in. I’m at work today, but I have nothing pressing to do. It’s a Saturday. I came in about 1pm to help put the fifteen computers back together in our charter offices. We’re getting new carpet so they had to take everything apart. My associate / assistant / trainee offered to do that so I could stay at the temple for our chapel session last night, which I did. I am extremely grateful.

Being a Good Example to Others

I am greatly blessed. I have a trainee who is anxious, willing, able and excited about learning how to be a computer guy. He is the son of the president and has been working for me for about seven years. He’s still not up to speed on supporting servers but he’s the best help-desk technician you could ask for. He seems to love his work. His happiness is infectious. I reply on him a lot and have never been disappointed. Of course, I praise him every chance I get.

We can Influence Others for Good

He goes out of his way to make sure people are happy and satisfied with his work. I teach him every opportunity I get by delegating tasks and giving him direction. He takes it and goes with it. Great guy – can’t say it enough. I could not do my job without him, especially the part where I get to train on the latest technology – which will never be the latest – things always change. I just wish he would take more initiative in learning how to manage and maintain the servers.

A Few Thoughts From an Old Guy

I’ve spent about thirty, no, make that forty years in the computer industry. I started with punched cards on the IBM System 3 and the IBM System 360. Yep, I’m an old guy. It’s a Saturday afternoon, so nobody is demanding my time. Only the weekend charter crew is here. I’m waiting for the desks to be done so I can put the computers back together for the rest of the charter folks can get right to work on Monday morning. I’ve got a few minutes to think and write.

Count Your many Blessings

I turned off the lights, closed the door, put in my earplugs (I work at the Burbank Airport) and kicked back to relax. But I couldn’t stop thinking about how blessed I am. Don’t get me wrong. I still suffer. The migraines have not gone away. Seven months is a long time to suffer, but I guess the drugs make it easier. What would I do without drugs? What if we couldn’t get the drugs we need to prolong life or make it easier? I shudder to think.

The Blog Goes On

I wanted to write about what’s been happening. Last week I decided I’d had enough. I wrote what I thought was going to be my last post. I said adieu and signed off. I was overwhelmed at the response. I still haven’t had time to read or respond to the comments from people who said they enjoyed my blog and hoped I would reconsider. I had dozens of private emails saying the same and offering private help. I have Facebook notes from people offering individualized help.

Generosity From My Readers

One user sent me a book, free of charge, from Amazon and recommended I read it. I had already read it but just the thought and the idea of taking the trouble not to mention the expense to send it to me overwhelmed me. My uncle passed away last week, the last of six brothers. I cried and cried as I realized the reunion going on in heaven. I am the last and only active male Mormon in my family. I suddenly felt very old. I am old. I’m going to be 57 next February. Is there something I am supposed to accomplish before my days are completed? I’ll be lucky to get another 20 to 25 years. For some reason I feel like Jacob and Moroni – strangers in a strange land, all alone.

Blogs Can Be An Influence for Good

My point is I am overwhelmed at the number of people who said my writing over the last six years has made a difference in their lives. I have expressed my testimony as I have shared my struggles. I have written about finding new books. I have reviewed dozens of books. I have tried to always write about the belief I continue to hold that the Lord has something special in mind he wants me to do. But then, I feel the same way about you too – we live in the last days. Surely the saying is true – he reserved his most valiant servants for the very last days.

I’ve Met a Few Evil Spirits

I’ve shared before but just to review, I met some spirits held captive in spirit prison a few months ago. I went looking for the blog post thinking it was in February of this years but was unable to find it. For those who are seriously interested and want to know how I know I met spirits in spirit prison, I’m happy to send the document. Just send me a private email to tmalonemcse @ gmail.com. I would not have believed it if it had not happened to me. I still find it hard to believe.

Suffering is a Part of This Life

The encounter did not leave me unscathed. The migraines and the anxiety – trust me it is very real and not imagined – have caused me untold sleepless nights and prayers filled with tears and pleadings for relief. But after seven months I am beginning to come to a realization. Suffering, and for me, this is real suffering like I have never suffered before, is simply part of why we came to this earth life. I had one kind individual write to tell me the Lord did not intend for me to suffer, and tried to teach me how to overcome through faith. I didn’t get it or don’t have enough faith. The migraines continue.

Seeing a Professional Mental Health Counselor

My insurance company insists I see a psychiatrist or psychologist as part or the treatment. I am more than willing to do so. In fact, I look forward to the opportunity to talk about my travail if there is any way it can be with a trained priesthood holder. Yet I worry about some of the things I have read that the things I want to talk about are not acceptable in the profession. From what I gather, I could be considered delusional or psychotic. A religious person today who believes in the influence of evil spirits? Why, that’s simply unheard of!

Migraines – Physical Only or Can Be Spiritual

No, I’m sure the pain can be attributed to fungus in whole wheat of some other food allergy. There are a thousand and one things that have been suggested to me as the reason for migraines. But I have yet to find a legitimate explanation for the very real and very powerful experience which I describe in my paper on my encounter with the evil spirits back in February. That’s why I wish I could find someone who believes as I do – that such things exist – and that they do and can have an influence upon us. Read Doug Mendenhall’s or Edith Fiore’s books if you would like to understand a little more about the reality of the spirit world and evil / unclean spirits.

Scrupulosity – Too Much Religious Guilt

This is simply a journal entry as I wait for the time to go put the computers back together. My religion is a big part of my life, perhaps too big, meaning some could accuse me of the very real symptom of scrupulosity- the psychological disorder characterized by pathological guilt about moral or religious issues. I’m not saying I suffer from too much guilt. I mean, what have I got to feel guilty about? I suppose that’s one for the psychologist to discover when I meet with them. But will they rely on their professional training ONLY or are there some who are legitimate and effective who also practice alternative medicine techniques?

The Lord Helps Us Through Life

I know the atonement is real. I know repentance is real. I am grateful for the scriptures. Carol and I read them every night just before our family prayer. I enjoy my service in the church. I know the Lord loves me. He helps me all the time, if not personally, then through his angels, perhaps family members he sends who know my situation best. Maybe these migraines are just a part of the normal suffering of life. I know I’m not the only one who has migraines, but a constant migraine for more than seven months now? And why did they start in February? Is there something the Lord is trying to teach me? Is there something deep in my subconscious that is trying to get my attention and wants to be resolved?

Cast Out Evil Spirits

What good is a religion if those who practice it do not believe or do not have real evidence of healing that can and does take place? Why do we hear more about healings in the early days of the church than we do today? Why do we not hear ANYTHING about the idea if casting out the influence of evil spirits in our modern church? Why is it embarrassing for high priests to talk about such things? Why are they not found in our curriculum, taught, practiced and emphasized?

Beliefs in This Church Have Changed

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I’ve asked these questions before. Why are there not men who have real power in the priesthood that the devils recognize and flee at when such men exercise that power? And why are men embarrassed to talk about it, how they learned about it, how they practiced casting them out, and how they taught this technique to others? Is it possibly because we no longer believe in such things? Migraines can’t possibly be caused by evil spirits, can they?

How to Fight Against Witchcraft

Who do so few of the apostles and prophets, if any, teach us these things? Do they not know? Have we lost this knowledge? Was it much more common knowledge years ago, but then became something that we no longer believe? When was the last time you had a priesthood lesson where the instructor went over the proper procedure to remove the influence of an evil spirit from a home that has been infected by the presence of those who practiced witchcraft?

LDS Professionals in Mental Health Field

What psychologist is going to want to talk to me about these things that I take seriously? I can just see their notes now – “this patient is highly delusional and psychotic about the reality of a spirit world around him. He believes in the reality of evil spirits trying to influence him and keep him from doing some sort of work he imagines he has been foreordained to do – whatever that means.” Look, I’m not looking for a miracle here, just a believing Latter-day Saint professional who knows there is more than what he has learned in graduate school about how to help people.

Patriarchal Blessings – So Very Unique to LDS

Why do we get patriarchal blessings if we do not believe they are meant to come to pass? Why are we promised gifts of healing, prophecy, revelation and other sacred endowments from God if they are not meant to be developed? What about the poor saint like me who believes in the promises of the Lord, has believed all his life and simply wants to do whatever the Lord requires to bring these blessings into a condition of reality, where we can and do see into the spirit world?

Gift of Prophecy and Revelation

Perhaps this is too sacred to share – so we are taught – but my patriarchal blessing states that I will have the gift of prophecy and revelation. What does that mean? It also says I will preside in many high and holy callings. I suppose I can consider serving in bishoprics, on the high council and in the stake presidency as a high and holy calling, but it certainly is not presiding. Can we lose our right to preside? Absolutely – besides, I do not want or seek such callings. I am very happy to serve as a stake clerk, although who would have ever seen me as a financial clerk?

A personal Blog Entry about Work

I know this is a very personal post but I have marked it as a journal entry. I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything. I’m just trying to understand a few of the things I am going through. I love this Church and think it should have answers for me. Better yet, the Holy Ghost should have those answers for me. Why do we (I) not talk to my associates here a work about things that are “Churchy?” I hear stories from General Authorities all the time in Conference how it just came up in natural conversation. You try to talk about anything religious here in California and somebody will complain to HR. You can’t put a book of Mormon on your desk or a religious picture in your office. Thank you, California for taking God out of the workplace.

Life Goes On – We Influence Others

Well, hopefully by now it’s getting close to time to go put fifteen computers back together in the Jet Charter offices. Sure hope the carpet layers didn’t mess up any network wiring with their knives. This is not really all that spiritual. I’m just a regular Mormon guy. I try to live my religion. I try to be nice to people. I try to be honest. I try to serve with a good attitude, although my boss told me the other day I could do better. He didn’t bother to ask if there was anything wrong but that’s OK. He pays me well and his wife is a Mormon. I’m trying to be a good influence on him. Thank you good people for wading through my personal thoughts – God bless.

10 thoughts on “Finding the Lord in Your Daily Work”

  1. Hi Tim. A couple of thoughts. Getting rid of evil spirits must be more involved, even the apostles in Jesus’ day struggled:
    Matthew 17:14-21
    14 ¶And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

    15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

    16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

    17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

    18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

    19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

    20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

    21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

    So, do you believe it can be done? (Your faith) If you do, then talk to your Stake President, or Bishop, or even your home teacher and see if they have the faith also.

    Then do some fasting and prayer (all involved) and get a blessing. You may want to keep this personal, but if you want more support, we would be happy to fast and pray for you too. 🙂

    Other thought, if the tribulations are near, that will probably change everything, and I believe you will see more priesthood power, prophecy, etc. that will attend the tribulations. Then maybe you will see more of your patriarchal blessing come into play!

    1. Thanks Rick. It’s been a constant battle I have fought most all my life. I’d be happy to share details in a private email. In a nutshell, whenever I feel something like this come into my life – non-stop migraines for example, I know the Lord has something in mind for me for which he needs me to prove myself worthy. That doesn’t mean the trial will go away – and trust me – this is a trail to have non-stop headaches – it just means I need to learn how to be happy in spite of the trial. I think the point was driven home to me when my boss, whom I greatly respect, did the power thing, had his secretary called me into his office with the “We need to talk” routine and then told me I was a grumpy old man who needed to change his attitude. Shocked the heck out of me. I thought, “Hey, I have a right to be happy. I’m in pain here.” He didn’t let me get away with it. He said my customer – my fellow employers have a right to a cheerful computer support guy that’s me. I had to do some real thinking before I could accept is counsel. It has definitely helped.

  2. I once served as a temple worker. I twice encountered evils spirits in the temple itself, which had attached themselves to other temple workers.

    Again, a wonderful LDS psychologist who is available via Skype is Natasha Helfer Parker. She is great with scrupulosity issues.

    1. Thanks Tom. I know they’re real. It just makes me wonder why they sometimes come and go, as if there is something they know that I don’t that really bugs me. I will look Natasha up. I still don’t know if that is my real issue – scrupulosity – but it can’t help to seek help, now can it?

  3. Hi Tim – I know I never comment on your blog but know I sometimes read. it strikes conversations between my husband and I often. It particularly struck me about my beliefs in the work place. you understand and I have not yet experienced outright opposition, but there have been countless, i’m sure meant as harmless ribbing it’s become easier to laugh off the jokes when trying to explain our beliefs and also found just 1 co worker that completely understand my life choices even though she has been completely inactive from the church for 30 years. I think the best teaching we can do is being an example to those around us. To use the excuse as to why we can’t work the full weekend shift due to my worship schedule. I feel sad that my career and state I work in forces me to stifle my belief sharing and thus as become my attitude. The only and greatest showing of religion is the showing of thost on ash wednesday. Sometimes i slip but on th whole I would hope that my example of Family first, not needing to alcohol self medicate to forget the day and go above and beyond my expectations would help me shine the light of my countenance if possible. We all deal with demon, personal, emotion or spiritual we deal with them the best we can. Blog Posts, Therapist, medication or running 2 miles an afternoon pushing a 2 year, I pray that you will find happiness and peace, for that is what anyone deserves. Just know you are loved by countless people.

    1. Hi Tim
      I work in a Catholic Hospital that doesn’t allow “overt” proselytizing, but the way around it is that I can have a Temple screen saver, or I can have a picture of the Temple on my book shelf of bulletin board in my own cubicle, so I do. I allow the picture to speak for itself. Sometimes people react with questions or they recognize the Temple and share a personal story about the Temple. The most surprising one was shared by my boss, who told me that she had gone to the open house when the Temple was dedicated. She recalled a very sweet memory or a room that was so peaceful to her senses that after leaving she felt that she could forget about her troubles as that moment. She assured me that I would love going there too.:) On the other side of the coin, during the election, one of our clients came to my office, and upon seeing my picture of the Temple, started to laugh hysterically, almost uncontrollable. When he gained his composure, I asked him why he was laughing. He asked me if I was a member of the church, I said yes, and he started laughing, he said you can’t be serious, do they really allow African Americans in that church? A weird experience to be sure and I wasn’t able to turn it around by defending the church either. But I can’t allow that to bother me, just keep moving forward.

  4. Hi Ramona. That was indeed a weird, but revealing experience of how people can respond. I don’t know how you feel about he 1978 revelation, but it changed a lot for me. In my mission we were not allowed to work in the entire country of Belize. Amazing. I am so gad there are people who have been great examples, know what they’re talking about when the subject comes up and don’t take offense. God bless you and thank you for sharing, especially about your boss.

  5. Ok scriptorians, read these verses from Moroni 7 (we are to judge), and apply them to the Denver saga.

    11 For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil.

    12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.

    13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

    14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.

    15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

    16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

    17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

    18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same bjudgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.

    19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.

    1. If Snuffer invites and entices to do good, to love God, to serve Him, and to believe in Christ, then he is good also.

      If Snuffer persuades me to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and to deny Him, and to serve not God, then he is evil also.

      His books and his blog are public. Therefore, there is no excuse for not doing one’s homework.

      Remember – as ye judge, so shall ye be judged.

      Just as rashly, and as uncharitably, and as unjustly, and as presumptuously, and as arrogantly, and as blindly, and as high-handedly as you judge, you shall be judged of God. I would be very, very slow to judge, and, in fact, would rather until God answered me directly, but choose ye.

      I will also give another bit of counsel: all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.

      JST Matt 5:21 Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so to do, he shall in no wise be saved in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach these commandments of the law until it be fulfilled, the same shall be called great, and shall be saved in the kingdom of heaven.

      And that law above, what we call the Golden Rule, is not one of the least commandments, but rather the second greatest, and admits of no exceptions save it be by direct commandment of God to the individual.

      So evaluate Snuffer just as carefully, as completely, as charitably, and as prayerfully as you would wish to be evaluated in his place.

    2. Honestly, the Golden Rule covers how we should approach them who claim to be prophets, as well as those who do not claim to be prophets. It governs how we should behave towards false prophets, as well as true ones.

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