Scammers and scumbags

We were caught up in a phony job offer that was posted on Linkedin. There were several yellow and red flags in the offer. One big concern was it came from a Gmail address. OK, I thought maybe this recruiter has more than one company, and this is the system they use to keep organized. Yes, they used an actual company name and website. 

But, the red flags kept coming. Eventually, I got hold of the legit company and affirmed that the job offer was a scam. 

It's a shame that this is going on. Scumbags and scammers are sociopaths and evil. They use the internet to deceive folks and find ways to hack their bank accounts and access personal information. 

Be very careful and discerning. 

Stuck in a rut

 What do you do when you're in a rut? 

I have read several books about it and have heard myriads of opinions on the subject, and it appears after all my research that there is no one answer. 

A couple of things have helped me in the past. These are in no particular order.

• Doing something you've never done before.
• Doing something that scares you.
• Doing things backward. 
• Mixing routines up.
• Taking a long drive in the country (or city if you live in the country).

These are a few of my suggestions; please share your comments!

Don't be a jerk.

 When is it O.K. to be a jerk? I was thinking about this after a couple of run-ins with some folks. But, of course, the answer for a Christian: never.

Some folks seem to think that being assertive is being a jerk. So first of let's define "jerk." Jerk, in this sense, is a person who is oblivious to the commonly accepted practice of manners and politeness in human interaction.

I don't know how much of jerkiness is nature vs. nurture. But it may be overcome if you are not totally a narcissist. 

Jerkiness vs. direct and confrontational can change depending on the culture. For example, you may be a jerk if you don't know or care about the rules.

Pay attention to the reaction of other people. Notice also if all your friends are obnoxious jerks, well, you birds of a feather. 

Being a jerk is easy on social media. Unfortunately, people who are generally not jerks can be one when they are behind the keyboard. 

Ask for feedback from friends, mentors, and family. Be open to change and please for the sake of our society, "Don't be a jerk!"

God bless America or will he curse it?

I watched the small-town middle-America fireworks last night. I was sad thinking that this is the last vestige of Patriotism left. Even so, some neighbors complained and carped about the noise on social media. They have a right not to be disturbed, you know. But, of course, there are limits. We used to have a neighbor in a rock band that practice until the wee hours of the morning. Unfortunately, our bedroom window was adjacent to their "studio." So as the good Libertarian I am, I asked them politely to keep it down or at least keep it to reasonable hours. But eventually, I called the police. Yes, they violated a city ordinance. 

We could all get along if we could act like reasonable adults. If we were all Christian or at least held to Christain values, life would be a lot better on this side of eternity. 

Back to my main point, a significant number of folks hate this country. I used to hate the phrase, "love it or leave it," but if you hate this country so much, find a better one: I dare you. 

It is like those folks who want a perfect church. If you find one, don't join it, it won't be perfect anymore. 

The hate America hypocrites will find something wrong with where ever they live. Some offensive statute, past indiscretion, or evil-doing of the former ancestors would be enough to set their hair on fire. 

God Bless America. But I am afraid we are incurring His curse. 

PS.

John MacArthur on the State of America