I work as a call center for a major retailer, some advice

1) READING IS FUNdMENTAL: You are entering a legal contract when you purchase. Retailers have legal departments that write this stuff… There are exceptions and all kinds of details Shoppers tend to not know because they refuse to read more than the 1st line… Ignorance is no Excuse for the law

2) This is not Bait & Switch and other illegal advertising practices. Your silly accusations will not change the situation.

3) Retailers issue refunds at the time of cancellation… Your Bank and Credit card company may hold this refund up to 10 BUSINESS days before they put that refund into your account… Don’t scream at the retailer, call your bank.

4) Retailers have sent out record numbers of packages. This goes to say that there will be record amounts of problems. Sorry if you are one of those.

5) Shoppers also have a record number of returns. One major reason is buyers remorse of over spending… No offense but thank-you for contributing to the problem. Don’t have the money don’t hit the complete transaction button.

6) Retailer Greed: Yes greed is a problem with retailers trying to make a buck… And you spent 10 hrs on the phone trying to get an extra $5 off. Time, I figure, is worth $20 hr… so are you spending $200.00 to save $5? That’s greed also! Retailer greed is based upon the greed of the customer… that’s the greed that leads to most problems! Once again Thank-You for your contributions. PS: Jesus gave up his wealth that he may come and buy back those he loved from slavery, paying his all (His very life). Americans (even the conservative Christian types) Spend money they don’t have to buy someone they “love” something for the biggest discount possible, so as to not impact their own wants to much…. and then demand free shipping! (Total Disconnect)

7) Many Major problems with incorrect addressing on packages… It’s not the retailer’s fault you don’t know your address… Make sure you do it right the first time…

8) There ain’t no Magic Wands… things don’t change because you want them. They will change when we use a correct procedure to correct the problem… NO we can’t make an exception, everyone’s problems will be treated in the same way.

9) Emotionalism will not solve the problem… I understand that this is a Xmas present… that info doesn’t effect the solution… My computer system doesn’t really care if you are happy or sad, Sorry. Let’s keep to the pertinent facts. I can listen to your complaint or I can spend time solving the problem; which do you prefer? BTW Retailers are solving the issue as they said in the details (Go back to point 1)

10) Attitude is all important… This is just stuff… The happiest shoppers are the ones with the Xmas Spirit… Like the man in Florida buy 3 kids bikes for his church’s ministry to disadvantaged children… smiling through the order because he knew those kids would never know he was involved, and thanking the Lord for reaching out to them.

Best Buy cancels some Black Friday orders days before Christmas

blog.seattlepi.com

Some customers are still waiting to receive electronics purchased online in December and November, including some Black Friday specials.

To My Children, family and loved ones,

About the time I turned 30 I looked at my father and exclaimed that I had wished that I had listened to him while I was growing up. He asked why “what did I say that you should have listened too”? “I don’t know” I paused “I wasn’t listening”!

Yes, it was a bad joke (and an old one too).

But there was so much truth in it also.

On Sunday, October 20, 2002 our conversation ended…

Dad had a Heart attack on Monday evening.

Tuesday morning I got a call from mom… I know it’s important when mom calls. She doesn’t call to chitchat.

Dad had a heart attack and is going to be sent to Virginia Mason in Seattle for a heart catheter/angioplasty. That happened on Wednesday.

They determined that he needed some bypass’. This was done on Thursday morning.

Thursday evening he was sent to his room for the night. That’s when something happened. What exactly we don’t know…

Father was rushed back into surgery. Past the waiting room door. The look on the medical teams faces were not the kind you like when your parent is involved.

I still feel surreal when I remember Mom’s fear and pain. I had to hold her back from father so that the staff would be able to do their work.

Early Sunday morning… I got the call to come back to Seattle… it was time to remove the life support.

I had the opportunity to have 10 minutes alone with him.

“I wish I had listened”. “I’m not ready to be the ‘Man’ of the Family”.

Nine years later, I think I better understand what I was really trying to say…

“Dad, I know many things about you; but I feel like I know very little about who you are. I not sure what you felt about different things… I don’t know your favorite color… “

“What did you feel when your parents divorced”?

“Dad, what was it like to have lost two kids in tragic deaths”?

“Dad, how did you meet mom”?

“What were your dreams as a teenager”?

“What dreams did you have for me”?

I got just a taste before that week. just a taste.

The week before I was at an IFCA Conference in Lynnwood, when Trina called because CPS had been called about some rumors, asking me to get home ASAP.

I didn’t have my car there and didn’t want to be disruptive to those I was with.

So I called my father who dropped everything to come get me.

He shouldn’t have done so… He was instructed by his doctor to not drive much and not to drive far.

My dad was a stickler for the rules. More so than anyone I ever met.

He had higher rules, I guess that only he could understand (and sometimes only he could appreciate).

That ride between Lynnwood and Sequim was the first and definitely the last time I seen an opening into that heart and soul of the man.

He shared some of his thoughts on child raising. He shared some thoughts about my ministry and upcoming ordination. He shared that he felt ill-equipped to express spiritual matters. He shared regrets about not being more a part of his family’s lives…

At 30 – I should have listened

At 40 – I got a glimpse.

Now as I approach 50, I see that I need to do something for my children & grandchild (more to come???).

As my children are growing up and scattering I realize that I need to express my thoughts and feelings towards things. I need to let them know not just what I did, but why…

The reason I write is because I want to know who I am and I want for my family to know my heart and soul…

I hope you can say that they heard my heart! 

Love,

Dad

19 October 2011

1) The US dollar must go back to being tied to something of tangible value.

2) There will be an end to the two party system. Congress and Senate must be Non-Partisan.

3) Borders will be enforced. Illegal immigration will not be tolerated.

4) The US will develop a system for non-citizen workers to easily and affordably be documented to work in the US, while retaining privileges of citizenship solely to US citizens.

5) The US must live within a balanced budget of 105% of projected tax receipts.

6) Welfare and Social Security shall be reasonably phased out.

7) IRS codes will be reworked and simplified,and a flat tax for corporations and personal income shall be placed.

8) The US shall expedite energy research and development to end the need of foreign resources.

9) Legalization of Marijuana, with proper enforcement to minimize under-aged use.

10) Divesture of the power by the central government back to States and Local governments.

11) Acknowledging the civil right to marriage for Gays and Lesbians that does not interfere with the Religious rights of us opposed.

12) A Year of Jubilee shall be enforced where the debt of the private consumer shall be voided… and more stringent standards shall be placed to discourage over use of credit.

1)  I specialize in the first syllable… FUN. I have yet read any Scripture that tells me to be a sour pickle or joyless.

2)  Thank-You for having an OPINION about my haircut, shoes, earring, tattoos, drinking a beer or a bourbon, preaching in a hoodie, or if I’m “acting” my age. I intend to be made in the image of Christ and not another you. Without Scripture I am not obligated to serve your opinions.

3)  America is great, don’t get me wrong, but nowhere in scripture am I called to build a Christian Nation… Jesus calls us to be a part of the Church He is building. America has never been a “Christian” nation. A Religious nation, Yes. Christian??? If you know of any US government document that acknowledges Jesus Christ as LORD then I will change my stance.

The Declaration of Independence claims … governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed… Read Isaiah 40 to see how unchristian this is. Conservative American Christians who disdain secular humanism embrace their core value!

Many  Conservative American Bible believing churches have turned America into a pagan idol upon their alters to God.

Just look at your US flag upon your alter. Is it to the right of the speaker and the “Christian” flag to the left?

Do the church leaders validate that position by the US Flag Code or through Scripture?

Go back to Isaiah 40 and other places in your Bible… Is there anything that should be place in a more prominent position than Christ upon His alter in His church?

I didn’t think so. But conservative churches in America claim Christ’s subservience to America on a continual basis.

Conservative American Christians have no room to talk about God getting kicked out of schools, and government while they push Christ to the side upon their own alters in order to uplift the American government. Very Ezekiel 23:20 of us.

4)  Conservatism is great, but The Kingdom of God is not a Democracy and Jesus is not a Capitalist. Conservative policies will not save America!

5)  TEENS: Enthusiasm DOES NOT EQUAL Worship… and NO you haven’t come up with anything new or more special than those who came before you. You would all do well to quit your bitchin’  about the old hymns until you get your theology and church history straight. Fanny Crosby could teach you all a valuable lesson in how to live a Truly Spiritual life. That old person across the church from you would be valuable in teaching you how to get through times when your enthusiasm will not penetrate. Your age group may be the driving force in our culture, but inside the church you are to learn from and serve the older generation… get over yourselves, you do not have the knowledge and experience to claim wisdom or leadership.

6) OLDER PEOPLE: Abraham was 75 years old when God asked him to leave everything he knew to go to a place he wouldn’t know until God told him to stop. And yet you think it’s more spiritual to stay in the same old same old that you have always done. Get off your Sunday Only butts… church is 24/7. The younger generations are spoiled and selfish. That’s because we’ve learned well from you. The younger generation are theologically inept and ignorant because most of you have spent little time teaching the Fundamentals and have spent your time specializing in creating a church in your image… Grumpy, frumpy, dopey, and lazy, concerned more about style than substance.Thank-You for creating the church of Laodicea!

… More to come

Soli Deo Gloria,

Douglas Lee Sr

1) I believe the Bible is a sacred, correct, valuable message to mankind…

‎2) I believe that this message is to be listened to and acted upon me first…

‎3) I trust that there is one God in three persons, Father, Son , and Spirit. NO I don’t understand all details about this & NO I don’t care to hear debates from people who got a “C” in Geometry.

4) I believe God created the world in six literal days. I believe scientist don’t even agree with each other about important details, and in fact have changed their own minds as new information comes available.

5) I believe that all of mankind is born sin-filled.

6) I believe that the only solution to our sin-filled state is through the work of Jesus Christ (God incarnate) in his death, burial and resurrection.

‎7) I believe that this sole solution is given in love through grace and mercy alone.

‎8) I believe that Christ does return soon… at a time that no one knows and in a way that is still debated by Theologians.

‎9) Those that are Christ’s will spend eternity (a state of bearing no time) in full relationship… and those who are not Christ’s will spend eternity in complete separation from him.

When you can walk through the entire superstore without the desire to have something (herein known as products, employees and/or other shoppers) THEN you can be assured that you are Spiritually Mature!

IMHO,

Douglas Lee

Proverbs 31:10

     It was one of those late night cyber-sessions…

     A lady explaining to me that she thought the Bible, God and Paul were women haters. This is what she got from her father, a man I knew and respected (and disagreed with on more than one occasion).

     I guess I understand, to some degree why women may feel that way. It seems to be the approach that the male-centric leadership of the church has taken over the millenniums.

     What I don’t understand is: Are we reading the same Bible?

     Because I seriously cannot find in Scripture a bad attitude about women.

      Someone will  mention that the Bible says that women are to be “SILENT” in church.

     In context that means to not be disruptive and argumentative. It does not mean that they are never to say words or share. (or preach but that is for a different argument)

      And by the way ladies, and gentlemen, that is nothing men aren’t expected to follow either. Just check out Titus 3:9-11 and others.

    Jesus’ greatest love and treasure is the Church aka The Bride of Christ.

     In Epesians 5 we learn that he came to wash and sanctify his bride to present her to himself without spot or blemish. His love for his bride was such that he gave up his own life for her (and as an aside: in Philippians 2 it says that he emptied himself of his heavenly authority too).

     It goes on to say that this picture of Christ and his Church is to be represented in our marriage.

     Why would Christ want women to represent his greatest love if he doesn’t like them in the first place?

     As a baseball fan (Cubs & Mariners) that would be like asking me to love the Yankees as the emblem of everything bright and beautiful about baseball. Not gonna happen!

    But on to Proverbs 31.

     I get in trouble for saying this, but, it is a good point:

All women are beautiful… until they open their mouths!”

     When some women open their mouths we find out that there is no beauty on the inside. This came to mind back when I was watching Johnny Carson. There was an extremely gorgeous actress on. Everything was fine until she opened her mouth. Because the second she started to speak it was very apparent that she was thoughtless and crude.

     “Beauty IS skin deep” I thought.

     Most Americans search for churches like we date. Outward appearances.

     Is She pretty? Is she popular? does she like the same music and the same styles?

     Most church planting is seemingly based upon the same notions. What do people want in a church? How can we attract attention? Are we doing what is in style?

     What should a church look like on the outward appearance (as in all beauty) is, I believe, up to the beholder.

     But what should be her characteristics? You know the inside beauty, that shines forth in a loveliness from the heart rather than the skin.

     Now onto Proverbs 31:10-31

     The qualities of a good wife are also the qualities of a good church. The Church of Nobel Character is found in this chapter.

1. Virtue over wealth. v.10
2. Works for gain not left overs v.11
3. Seeks Christ’s happiness v.12
4. Works with Willing Hands v.13
5. Thinks and acts globally v.14
6. Prepares for the needs v.15
7. Has a plan v.16
8. Desires to do more v.17
9. There when needed v.18
10. Reaches out to those in need v.20
11. Is prepared for emergencies v.21-22
12. Makes Christ known in the community v.23
13. Provides for herself v.24
14. Is not afraid of the future v.25
15. Speaks with Kindness and wisdom v.26
16. Ain’t lazy v.27
17. People are Blessed to be there v.28
18. People look to the church first v.29
19. Reverence for GOD v.30

     My wife has most of these qualities. She, as well as many women that I know, are wonderful models to pattern a church after.

     God, Scripture and Paul love women and the Church, and so do I.

     Our job is to love them that their true beauty shines forth.

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