Career Choices....

[Toplady]

I'm wondering, because in the "Jesus says no to War" thread, it makes me wonder if anyone (well, I guess I do know at least one :D) here believes that there are career choices that should absolutely be avoided by anyone who is truly of the elect, in particular, some choices in question might be police officer and army/navy/marine servicemen (servicepersons? :o)but bring up any others you may think are absolutely taboo for the sheep...

[Toplady]

Ok, in my spirit I was quickly reminded of ... something called prostitution:o...but that I do not consider a true career choice as I do not consider drug trafficking a true career choice.

I guess I do want to focus mainly on professions that call a person to carry and use a weapon that may lead to persons having their lives cut short....does a sovereign Lord call His elect to serve in these types of sometimes violent careers?

[Forester07]

I guess I do want to focus mainly on professions that call a person to carry and use a weapon that may lead to persons having their lives cut short....does a sovereign Lord call His elect to serve in these types of sometimes violent careers?

I was once a security guard during my college days for a medical / research facility. They were mainly concerned with people from PETA coming to protest and try to release all the animals being tested there. I carried a weapon and if someone tried to attack or harm me I'd be left with no choice but to defend myself. I didn't really care for what they did on the animals but I needed a job and it paid well. I don't think it is wrong for an elect person to work in the military or as a policeman. I think God puts the elect in all types of professions and even some that would include possible violent careers. From God's perspective lives are never "cut short" they are exactly the length that God has determined for them. I've also worked as a firefighter and a logger for the Forest Service and I had much more of a chance for my life to be cut short there than any other job I've had. Most people wouldn't have a problem with an elect person working in a high risk job like that. My view is that each elect believer has the liberty to choose exactly what they would like would like to do and if it doesn't violate their conscious before God then I have no problem with someone choosing the military or police as a profession. I would of course expect the elect to refuse orders that would lead to sin, regardless of the consequences.

What would happen if the draft were ever started again? I think we are just one more war away before that could be a reality. Maybe if Iran heats up they might need more troops. If someone is drafted to serve in the military would they be wrong for going? Just some more questions.

Jimmy

[Robert R. Higby]

Jimmy: I think God puts the elect in all types of professions and even some that would include possible violent careers. From God's perspective lives are never "cut short" they are exactly the length that God has determined for them. I've also worked as a firefighter and a logger for the Forest Service and I had much more of a chance for my life to be cut short there than any other job I've had.

Right!

I personally do not believe that the term 'violent careers' should be used to classify security guards, policemen, or military personnel. The act of carrying a weapon to defend one's self in potentially extreme situations does not make a vocation 'violent' at all--in and of itself.

On Monday of this week a firefighter that lives just up the street from me was shot dead by a sniper while on duty. I had to temporarily take down my real estate sign pointing to my home because it was right in front of the house where he lived! If he had carried a weapon, been able to see the sniper in advance, and shot the murderer dead--I don't think that classifies his profession as VIOLENT!!

[Toplady]

I myself work in the medical field, and of course we can point to the extremes in the medical field (abortion at the beginning of mortal life, and Jack Kavorkian :eek: near it's conclusion) and say "no one should work in the medical field..."

I've heard the philosophy that going to a doctor shows you don't have faith in the Lord and His healing....and heard the flip-side argument that the Lord Jesus can and does use doctors for His purposes, this is not a "perfect" world (just finished watching the movie "The Stepford Wives" with Nicole Kidman....puts an interesting spin on "perfect", lol :rolleyes:)...I am an x-ray technologist in an emergency department, and also use fluorography equipment in surgery, both use radiation, which if not properly used, can be very dangerous....some would say we shouldn't use it at all, there are many risks, many things in this world that can "go wrong"....but I agree with Robert, the Lord is sovereign over all of this. We are not to live in fear, but to occupy until He comes, to do the jobs in our mortal existence where He calls us to, and it may not meet up to other's ideas of "the right thing to do", and yet, God's purpose in all of it isn't thwarted. :)

[Ugly_Gaunt_Cow]

I do security for nightclubs - neeedless to say my job can get a little hairy at times but I have to rely on God's grace to restrain my wicked heart and cause me to make the right choices in certain situations. It's really no different from any other job. The propensity to sin is there regardless.

[Greg Winegar]

I do security for nightclubs - neeedless to say my job can get a little hairy at times but I have to rely on God's grace to restrain my wicked heart and cause me to make the right choices in certain situations. It's really no different from any other job. The propensity to sin is there regardless.You work in a nightclub??? :eek:

I didn't know you were that kind of person. ;)

[Eileen]

I myself work in the medical field, and of course we can point to the extremes in the medical field (abortion at the beginning of mortal life, and Jack Kavorkian :eek: near it's conclusion) and say "no one should work in the medical field..."

I've heard the philosophy that going to a doctor shows you don't have faith in the Lord and His healing....and heard the flip-side argument that the Lord Jesus can and does use doctors for His purposes, this is not a "perfect" world (just finished watching the movie "The Stepford Wives" with Nicole Kidman....puts an interesting spin on "perfect", lol :rolleyes:)...I am an x-ray technologist in an emergency department, and also use fluorography equipment in surgery, both use radiation, which if not properly used, can be very dangerous....some would say we shouldn't use it at all, there are many risks, many things in this world that can "go wrong"....but I agree with Robert, the Lord is sovereign over all of this. We are not to live in fear, but to occupy until He comes, to do the jobs in our mortal existence where He calls us to, and it may not meet up to other's ideas of "the right thing to do", and yet, God's purpose in all of it isn't thwarted. :)


Hi Susan,

We have used the medical field in major ways for the last 32 years, before I was a believer and since that time. There is a great difference in the mindset between both. In the first instance a person has this 'trust' in the doctors to be the healers and in the second instance, by faith, I learned to simply trust the Lord to use the medical field providentially to accomplish His will. Such a difference.

As for my career choice, well it wasn't a choice, it was a need that the Lord provided, it was awesome what He provided in a short two week span.

I work at my daily job at the bank, which nowadays have a bad reputation.
:eek:

[Calvinator]

To the elect police officers that keep our streets safe - thank you.

To the elect soldiers that keep Hell packed with fresh souls in the defense of our nation - thank you.

To the elect gun makers that gives us the tools to protect our homes and families - thank you.

To the elect wine makers that make a nice fruity red wine - thank you.

To the elect tobacco growers that make it possible to smoke a fine cigar, pipe and an occasional chew - thank you.

To elect executioners that put an end to the life of those that have been convicted of heinous crimes - thank you.

[Greg Winegar]

To the elect police officers that keep our streets safe - thank you.

To the elect soldiers that keep Hell packed with fresh souls in the defense of our nation - thank you.

To the elect gun makers that gives us the tools to protect our homes and families - thank you.

To the elect wine makers that make a nice fruity red wine - thank you.

To the elect tobacco growers that make it possible to smoke a fine cigar, pipe and an occasional chew - thank you.

To elect executioners that put an end to the life of those that have been convicted of heinous crimes - thank you.To the elect crack bong makers...

...oh never mind.

[Calvinator]

Let's not forget the elect cow killers that kill cows all day long so I don't have too and so I can eat an eighteen once T-Bone steak at Texas Road House - Thank you.

[Brandan Kraft]

What would happen if the draft were ever started again? I think we are just one more war away before that could be a reality. Maybe if Iran heats up they might need more troops. Well, I am against a draft - it's a form of slavery in my opinion. Besides, the military doesn't like forced conscripts - they'd much prefer volunteers as they're more effective soldiers.

I believe Iran has it coming though.... They're just begging to be attacked. :D

[Toplady]

Hi Susan,

We have used the medical field in major ways for the last 32 years, before I was a believer and since that time. There is a great difference in the mindset between both. In the first instance a person has this 'trust' in the doctors to be the healers and in the second instance, by faith, I learned to simply trust the Lord to use the medical field providentially to accomplish His will. Such a difference.

True...:)our human tendency is to focus on man's ability to do, and also what we should or should not do, but since having my blindness removed, the focus changed....and when I do look to myself or others, I fear.... like Peter did when he looked at the wind and waves instead of keeping his gaze steady on Jesus. Then when I remember and see my error, I return to trusting the Lord is still in charge, and it brings true comfort...;)



As for my career choice, well it wasn't a choice, it was a need that the Lord provided, it was awesome what He provided in a short two week span.

I work at my daily job at the bank, which nowadays have a bad reputation.
:eek:

I put some pics in my profile, still going to change it, it's not quite what I want but will do for now...I'm missing a picture of my older daughter, Rebecca, and one of my grandchildren...will correct it maybe next week....? anyway, there's a picture of my youngest daughter, Jessica, she works for Countrywide Financial in the collections department :eek:

[Robert R. Higby]

I believe Iran has it coming though.... They're just begging to be attacked.

The airstrike on the nuclear facilities is not a matter of IF but only a matter of WHEN. The consequences of this would have been far less a year and a half ago.

I expect this to happen after the election before the exit of Pres. Bush from office; he has stated that he will not leave the issue of a nuclear Iran to be dealt with by the next president. But I don't know if the strike will be Israel alone acting or a joint air mission.

I do not expect an invasion of Iran as a result--but there will be a sea war in the Strait of Hormuz if Iran tries to cut it off after being bombed.

[Mickey]

Well, I am against a draft - it's a form of slavery in my opinion. Besides, the military doesn't like forced conscripts - they'd much prefer volunteers as they're more effective soldiers.

I believe Iran has it coming though.... They're just begging to be attacked. :D

I can't say a draft will NEVER be necessary, but I doubt it will ever be necessary.:cool: However, I do see a possibility of a recall of prior enlisted members of the 5 branches if things got real bad. This way they would save time and money on having to train new recruits, all they would have to do is refreshers.

[Robert R. Higby]

Wow have things changed in our world from what I said in July. I now doubt very much whether a strike on Iran is immanent in the near future; too many other issues have stolen the day.

[Mickey]

If there's an air strike on Iran, that'll give them and the other members of OPEC cause to jack up the price of oil again. I don't know if that's reason enough for the Bush or Obama administrations to hold off on a strike; or for the U.S. to allow Israel to use U.S. controlled Iraqi air space for them to strike. Whatever happens you can bet the farm that we will be involved in a major way.

I agree with Bob about the Strait of Hormuz; I'm not sure how long Iran would have any capabilities to control it whatsoever, but they will certainly try. That being said, I will give the Iranian coast a week before it is leveled, this includes the 4 Naval bases on the southern coast.

[Robert R. Higby]

There is intelligence that suggests Israel is planning an attack independent of the U.S. They have acted alone many times in the past against several nations, notably Iraq (the destruction of the 'super gun' that Saddam was building to attack Israel with a nuclear weapon and the hit squad assassination of Gerald Bull its architect, for example).

[Mickey]

Yeah I saw that. Israel can launch an attack but we'll know within minutes what they're up to. They need to give us notice so we have time to mobilize. But I'm thinking that since we have so many troops in the area they won't act without a combined force; I don't think they can afford to put our troops in danger especially with the new Obama administration. If our ships are in the gulf they will need time to make it to the Indian Ocean unless they can ward off the whole Iranian Navy (which is a joke).

All that being said, Israel may 'act alone' but they most certainly wont do so until the U.S. forces are ready. Hopefully Saudi Arabia's willing to pick up the slack in oil production when Iran cuts production.

[Robert R. Higby]

Yea, I hear you Michael, however, Israel has NEVER hesitated in the past for a moment to act when it was perceived that the U.S. was shy of acting and when the act of war was believed to be absolutely essential. I believe that the U.S. would be notified but I do not believe that if they decided to act decisively they could be talked into changing their position.

[Mickey]

Another thing I thought of was the arms deals we give them...to say the least they are sweet, not to mention the x-band radar site (I think its called that) we hooked them up with. If they act too hastily they may find their 'aid packages' harder to come by.

[Greg Winegar]

If they act too hastily they may find their 'aid packages' harder to come by.Under the new administration they may find there is no aid package.