Double Standards Alert!!!

[Feathertail]

TruthSeeker -- I may be in the minority for saying this, but I feel that no one has the right to judge you. I'd say to listen to your heart, and if it tells you he's being unfair (and your wife agrees) then maybe he is.

I would go someplace else to find help, like one of the places that PrisonChaplain mentioned, so this man wouldn't have any power over me and my family. Then I would find a more supportive congregation to worship with.

Edited December 18, 2010 by Feathertail

[Guest]

TruthSeeker -- I may be in the minority for saying this, but I feel that no one has the right to judge you. I'd say to listen to your heart, and if it tells you he's being unfair (and your wife agrees) then maybe he is.

I would go someplace else to find help, like one of the places that PrisonChaplain mentioned, so this man wouldn't have any power over me and my family. Then I would find a more supportive congregation to worship with.

Feathertail, you're not LDS?

LDS don't "choose the congregation" because of its Bishop. We "choose the congregation" for its truthfulness of the gospel. The congregation is made up of its faithful members with Jesus Christ at its head... not the Bishop. Everybody has their agency so that even if the Bishop holds the keys to preside over the ward, he doesn't preside over the Family. So, basically, the priesthood of the home is the Father. He holds the keys to preside over that home and decide on what to do. The Bishop is there to guide the ward in matters of ward business... that includes validity of a ward membership, worthiness requirements for baptism or temple attendance, qualification for financial assistance, etc.

[HoosierGuy]

Where are the ward members at in all this? If I was the Bishop I would think this would be a good opportunity to get those retired members of the ward more involved in things. They could host Truthy and his family for dinner. Set up a schedule where Truthy and his family are invited to dinner by the retired couples twice a week.

Edited December 18, 2010 by HoosierGuy

[Whynot]

Again, that has nothing to do with keys. Being a son of God doesn't automatically give one the keys or the right to receive revelation for others.

BTW, we're all sons and daughters of God.

In one sense we are, in that God has made us all, but then in another sense there is a called out from the masses to a select group which is called of God through the Son to become sons of God, and Jesus said this was based in the authority He gives those who believe in His name. And belief not being a mere belief, but belief is found in the witness of God found in doing what the Lord said... as best we can - all of it.

[Iggy]

Where are the ward members at in all this? If I was the Bishop I would think this would be a good opportunity to get those retired members of the ward more involved in things. They could host Truthy and his family for dinner. Set up a schedule where Truthy and his family are invited to dinner by the retired couples twice a week.

Hoosier, this just isn't done - SeattleTruthSeeker has made his plight public here-but you can be pretty sure it is not public knowledge in his ward - his Bishop would never involve the ward. What has transpired between STS and his Bishop remains confidential on the Bishops side - even the Bishops wife doesn't know. Or at least she shouldn't know.

SeattleTruthSeeker- I have been on the receiving end of church welfare. Back in 2000, I had just recently left an abusive marriage (husband was non-member). The church paid my rent for about 3 months, and I got food assistance for a little over 5 months. I was also told to go first to the city, county and state to get help for electricity, water and food. This was when I was in a Branch.

At the State Employment office I found out about Community Services Consortium- it is a federally funded program that helps put you back into the work force. In my case, they paid for my re-training education so that I could, at the age of 52 work in a clerical position rather than as a waitress or retail clerk (aka stocking clerk in a store). CSC paid for my community college courses in Office Word and Excel, and worked with me on a day to day basis in looking for work, doing resumes, being my support group and even being there for me with a shoulder to cry on and a case of tissues to wipe my tears.

I just googled it, and all that comes up is Oregon state. Your state employment office should know if Washington has something similar. While I was involved with CSC- they helped me get grants to pay my electricity- grants are gifts- you don't have to pay them back. They also helped grease the wheels so that I got food stamps (not the $20.00 a month either, I got $131.00 a month) and then through the Church I got personal hygiene items, cleaning items, things that are not paid for by food stamps, but are necessary.

I also have been subject to a Bishop such as yours. In 2005, in Arizona- we were asking for help with my husbands mother. Long story I am not going to get into- the Bishop and I had a confrontation where I didn't mince any words as to what I thought of him as a human, suffice it to say, not much. A slug has more compassion and Christian love than he does. From then on husband and I no longer went to church.

We never left the church, we just didn't go to the meetings or pot lucks.

[bcguy]

I mean, you can still do the other work or, work for your self if you think you have a service that will help the customer save money and also, make you more money.

Also, do not always depend on employers for your next pay check. Wallmart is NOT the place to make a decent living. Ever thought of getting into some kind of trade that could be in demand?

Work two jobs if possible. I know it will suck, but saw some one on tv do it. He was REALLY bagged, but paid off the families 50k debt in about 14 months.

I remember being a mechanic at a shop, then after that, deriving pizza and getting tips. The pizza job was easy, made me hungry :) I loved the pineapple pizza and went home and did it again the next day In fact, im tempted to do it again..but not with my truck!

I was fortunate, and kept all my tools when I worked in shops years ago, and now do mobile automotive work. It sucks at times, because I am helping out a poor soal who cannot pay the full shop rates but that's life.

[Dravin]

Ever thought of getting into some kind of trade that could be in demand?

He did say he was in school. I presume he's not pursuing a Liberal Arts degree.

[SeattleTruthSeeker]

I want to thank everyone for their comments.

First, for those who mentioned wic - my wife and daughter are on WIC and my daughter will be on WIC until next year.

My hours are getting cut at Wally world because I was hired on a seasonal basis. They want to hire me on permanently, but are being a bit wishy washy. I have applied for an apprenticeship program two years ago, however, the Construction industry is not what it used to be.

My main employment that I had been doing the past couple of years has reached a bargaining agreement that I am part of where I will receive a severance package for four years of service. My wife and I have already talked about where the money is going to go. We are expecting to receive close to 3k and most of it is going to get her bills caught up, and pay off some of my bills.

As for additional work, I still am on Unemployment Benefits (currently on the Emergency Unemployment Benefits), and will be for the next few months. I still receive unemployment benefits because my work hours are not full time and the pay is significantly lower than before.

We are still waiting to hear back from DSHS regarding food.

For christmas, we have received a couple of gift cards for Grocery Outlet and will use that to purchase food.

I am seeking employment, but there really is not any good paying jobs out there in Washington State.

Regarding the plant closure, I have a WARN Letter from my previous employer and will be taking advantage of all the other added benefits of unemployment. This includes additional help from the Worksource here in Washington State where (as funding is available) I can receive additional training, schooling, et all. I am now officially considered a dislocated worker and not just unemployed.

I have a message from yesterday from Pace Staffing regarding possible employment opportunities.

I am also currently going to school for a Communications Degree that is emphasizing on Technical Communication. My main area of focus is becoming an established Freelance writer. I am even thinking of pursuing an opportunity to become a freelance editor and manuscript critique service.

[Guest]

For anybody out there who find themselves unemployed and searching for a career choice, you can use the school assistance benefits to take a course in welding (I believe it is a 6-month course for the first level). From what I understand, welding is a high-demand low-supply area at this moment and there is a 100% placement for those who get their certification. It is a relatively high paying job as well - most start out at 55K.

Also, for those who are interested in diving, you can get the extra training for underwater welding which pays over 100K.

Okay, I have to admit, I got this info from a friend and I haven't really spent the time to research it, so don't take this as fact - research it first.