The letter arrived in the mail two weeks ago. The first line began with “Now that your employment with Wells Fargo has ended…” What?! Wait? I just started working for Wells Fargo. As their marketing team likes to say, I just “boarded the stagecoach.” But this letter indicated my “ride” had now come to an end.

I’ve worked for Wells Fargo (formerly Wachovia) for the past four years. I received a letter two weeks ago informing me that I no longer have a position within the Company. While for most their initial response to a letter like this would be anger or sadness, I’ve felt an amazing since of freedom. For the past year or so, I have dreaded each morning going to work. In a since, I have really felt that the Lord is freeing me from a job that caused anxiety and depression. The since of freedom continues even now, two weeks later.

Yet, mixed in with the  emotions I’ve felt is fear. Fear over what’s next. Fear over finances. Fear over decision making. In the back of my mind there’s a fear of not being able to find a job, having to move back to my hometown of HIgh Point, NC and live in my dad’s basement. The movie Failure to Launch is my worst nightmare. To date I’ve applied for at least 20 jobs. I have yet to hear back from any of them regarding an interview.

No one would argue that the key thing a job provides is money. I have also found that maybe even more important for one’s sanity and stability, a job provides a valuable routine. There’s a consistency to life that one gains by having a job. I knew that Sunday though Wednesday, 6:30a to 3:30p, I was going to be at work. Now that routine is gone. After 4 years of the same routine, I’m  left without a rhythm. (And no, I didn’t find my identity in my job. I mean seriously, answering the phone in a 6′x6′ cubical all day. Who wants to find their identity and self-worth in that?!)

So what’s next? Honestly I wish I knew. As I’ve said before, I currently feel called to Columbia. My friends here have become family. I’ve lived in Columbia for the since August 2004. While Columbia isn’t the city of my dreams or where I’m supposed to be forever, I’m certain it’s where I am supposed to continue to call home for now.

So in the days ahead I ask for your prayers and encouragement. Wednesday I go before the State Labor Board against Wachovia. Also, hopefully this will be the week that I start receiving call backs and interviews. Pray as well for financial discernment and blessing.

Feel free to post your comments or prayers. You can also e-mail me directly at Combs.Jamison@gmail.com.

If you were to ask almost anyone about what Christmas means, you will undoubtedly hear something about gifts. For most of us, even children, Christmas is a time of giving and receiving.

I remember in Elementary School making handmade crafts to give to my mom every year. While many would laugh at the construction paper cards or the hand-sewn pillow I made in Third Grade, these gifts meant the world to her. Fast-forward and 20 years later, somehow Christmas has become about what I can spend.

According to the American Research Group, in 2008 the average American spent $431.00 on Christmas gifts. The ARG estimates that this year we’ll each spend $417.00. For most of us, that’s $417.00 we don’t have, thus putting us in debt. Can you remember what you got for Christmas last year? Probably not. What if instead of going into debt and giving often meaningless gifts, this year we gave relationally?

“The WORD became flesh, and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14 | The Message)

Immanuel. God with us. What an amazing thought captured in a simple name. The heart of Advent is to prepare to celebrate this awesome truth: God came to us. God’s gift was Himself. God’s gift to us was relational.

What would it look like for us to give relational gifts to honor and celebrate God’s relational gift to us? What would be more honoring to Christ at Christmas then doing what He did? As He gave Himself relationally to us, we can give ourselves to others.

How do you give relationally? Here’s 15 ways to give relationally of yourself this Christmas:

1. Write a handwritten letter.
2. Create a piece of art.
3. Bake and deliver homemade cookies to a Fire/Police Station.
4. Eat lunch with an old friend.
5. Drink coffee with a new friend.
6. Knit a sweater or scarf for an elderly person.
7. Donate blood in honor of a friend or family member.
8. Volunteer your time to a local Food Bank or Ministry in honor of someone.
9. Invite a family over for dinner.
10. Deliver a homemade pie to a neighbor.
11. Read to children or an elderly adult.
12. Go Christmas caroling with friends.
13. Babysit so a young couple can have a date night.
14. Take a friend to a movie or concert (spend time together).
15. Walk though the woods with a friend or spouse and enjoy a meaningful conversation.

How are you planning to give of yourself relationally this Christmas? Share your ideas by commenting above.

It’s 4a, pouring rain, and Killian needs to go out to piss. Just my luck. I would rather her piss all over the rug then go stand in the rain to watch her “do her thing.” Yet, maybe the rain will wash away this sickness that has seemed to become a way of life.

I wonder who else is up at 4a? My side of the ghetto is pretty quiet. The street sweeper drove by an hour ago. At least Columbia cares to keep the streets clean in the 29203. Except for the occasional roll of thunder and the passing of a fire truck, all is quiet, that is except for my mind.

Thoughts flood my mind like the downpour that’s the rain. Yesterday’s news. Today’s worries. Tomorrow’s turmoil. Tonight even the Ambien can’t make me sleep.

I’ve been sick now for almost 3 months. 1 operation, 72 needle sticks (2 of which are still fresh even as I type this), and countless prescriptions later, I am still sick. The doctor I saw today told me to “go home and rest. Just rest and drink lots of fluids. What you really need to be doing is resting.” No magical prescription drug. No instruction sheet. I just paid some dude $50 to tell me to “rest.“

But HOW? I had bought all sorts of great books, had friends bring over movies, and, dare I admit, I had even taken a trip to Bath and Body Works to stock up on some aromatherapy goodness (my mom recommended it). The result: I have yet to read the books, I got board with the movies, and I’m allergic to the bath beads I bought. Go figure.

I had bought Donald Miller’s new book A Million Miles In A Thousand Years in hopes I would “rest” by reading it. The damn thing sat closed for 2 months. I returned it to Lifeway yesterday. When the Manager asked me what was wrong with it and all I could muster was “I just couldn’t find time to read it.” (If someone wants to buy me another copy and FORCE me to read it, I won’t be disappointed.  PLEASE! SOMEONE?!)

So my question is, how do YOU REST? What is the difference between REST and SLEEP? Share your thoughts.

At the end of an absolutely frustrating day, one thing remains: GOD is GOD. I am not. For that I am grateful.

I’m excited to report my new diet plan is working well. In less than 6 weeks I’ve dropped 16lbs. Amazing huh? Now you’re probably wondering “what diet plan?” Let me introduce you to the “Get Sick, Have Surgery, Get Sicker Diet Plan.”

Three weeks ago I had my gall bladder taken out. I had 7 stones. You can now purchase them on CraigsList.

I’m sicker now than when we started. To date I’ve been stuck with 36 needles. While my body is “littered with tattoos” (as my dad would say) and I have “God awful holes in my ears” (he would say that too), the truth be told, I hate needles. My friend Mikey warned me of developing track marks.  Those are going to be hard to explain one day when I’m a pastor.

I hate peeing in a cup. It’s even worse in cold bathrooms. If you ever want to decrease a man’s self-confidence simply hand him a cup and send him into a cold bathroom.

In all seriousness though, please continue to pray for my health. I should get some results later this week from 2 biopsies that were done. I’d like to avoid having another surgery, but at this point I’m willing to do whatever it takes to feel better. Thankfully I serve a God that is able to heal, that departs wisdom to doctors and can provide comfort even in a time like this.

Two Managers from Publix at Gervais dropped off a basket full of fresh fruit, apple chips, crossword puzzles, a card and a fresh carrot cake. They said they just wanted to check up on me after my surgery and thank me for shopping at their store. How is that for creating customer loyality!

It’s been one week since I had my gallbladder removed. Recovery has been slow and painful. I really didn’t know what to expect. WebMD stays 2-3 weeks with more pain in the second week of recovery than the first. Yet some people made “claims” of having their gallbladder removed on their lunch break and going back to work the same day. All I can say is those people must have had some better medication than I. (And I think mine is some of the strongest.)

A huge thank you to Michael McFadden for spending his entire day last Wednesday with me at Lexington Medical Center. He got to see the drugged, no filter, say anything side of me. Also thanks to Ashley and Travis Wright for letting me spend Wednesday though Friday with them. I really appreciate your hospitality.

Killian and Drake have been amazing companions during my recovery. Here are some new pics of them.

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Your thoughts? Comment by clicking above. Please.

Meet my friend Austin. When I told him recently I’d been sick, he quickly asked:

Why don’t they send down the Magic School Bus?

Yup. That’s Austin.