When Entry-Level Becomes the New Normal: My Journey Through Inflation and Change

John Cook • November 16, 2025

This is Part 2 of my Journey

In the past few months, I’ve had a front-row seat to how our economic landscape is shifting. We all know that prices have gone up, but what’s really struck me is how entry-level wages have changed the game. Minimum wage used to be just for those starting out — the stepping stone for high school kids flipping burgers or stocking shelves. Now those same entry-level jobs are paying as much as roles that used to require more experience or even a degree.



For me, this all started when I decided to move to North Little Rock. I needed to leave behind the troubles and complications of my previous situation and get a fresh start. Once I got here, I started applying more broadly — over 200 applications later, I’ve seen just how tough the job market is. I’ve been competing not just with other people, but with technology, AI, and a whole new set of challenges.


Right now, I’m working a few hours at UPS just to keep things going. It’s humbling and a reality check. It’s made me realize that these economic shifts aren’t just abstract concepts — they’re real and they affect real people trying to find stability.


What’s also become clear to me is that our lifestyles have expanded in ways that add to these costs. We didn’t always spend seven dollars on a coffee every morning or commute an hour to work. There was a time when we made coffee at home and maybe walked to work or drove just a short distance. Now that convenience and expanded lifestyles have become the norm, it’s no wonder our budgets are feeling the strain. It’s a reminder that the cost of living isn’t just about inflation on paper; it’s about how our everyday habits have evolved.


So when we talk about inflation and the changing economy, it’s not just numbers. It’s about real people feeling the squeeze as our lifestyles shift. This is just the next chapter in that journey, and I’m grateful to have a supportive community and a space to share it.


In the end, I think we’re all just learning to adapt. I’ve had to lean on my faith, the kindness of friends, and the little moments of encouragement that keep me going. Maybe it’s a smile from a neighbor or a quiet morning with a homemade cup of coffee — reminders that even in challenging times, there are still simple joys and reasons to keep moving forward.


As a bit of encouragement, I’ll leave you with this verse:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13

If you’d like to support me in a small way, feel free to visit my homepage. I have a few products there that I’m affiliated with, and any support is always appreciated.

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Written by John Cook
 www.johncook.me

Part Six: Between the Twinkle and the Manger: Finding True Hope This Christmas Eve

By John Cook • December 25, 2025
On Christmas Eve, we pause between the twinkle of lights and the glow of the manger. It’s a quiet space — somewhere between wrapping paper and reverence, between tradition and truth. The house feels different tonight. Softer. Slower. Even the noise of the season seems to take a breath. And in that pause, I find myself thinking about hope. There is a difference between Santa’s joy and the hope of Jesus — but that doesn’t mean one must cancel out the other. Santa represents something real, even if the character himself isn’t. He brings wonder. Generosity. Imagination. For children especially, Santa becomes a symbol of goodness — that someone is watching, that kindness is rewarded, that joy can show up unexpectedly. Those moments matter. They shape memories. They teach us to give. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But Jesus brings a different kind of hope. A deeper one. While Santa’s joy lives in a season, Jesus’ hope lives beyond it. The Christmas tree sparkles with beauty and warmth. It fills the room and makes everything feel alive. But the manger — simple, quiet, unassuming — tells a story that didn’t begin with comfort and didn’t end with it either. It tells the story of love entering a broken world, not wrapped in luxury, but in humility. Christmas isn’t just about what we celebrate — it’s about why. Jesus didn’t come to create a moment. He came to change eternity. The Bible says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19) That’s the kind of hope Christmas ultimately points to. A hope that doesn’t fade when the lights come down. A hope that doesn’t disappear when the season ends. A hope that holds steady when life feels uncertain. Faith, at its core, isn’t about having all the answers or getting everything right. It’s about believing that Jesus came out of love — to offer forgiveness, grace, and a relationship with God. It’s about trusting that His birth mattered, not just historically, but personally. And if this season has stirred something in your heart — a curiosity, a longing, a quiet question you haven’t been able to shake — know this: salvation isn’t complicated. It doesn’t require perfection. It begins with trust. With believing. With opening your heart and asking Jesus to lead your life. If that’s something you’re thinking about — or if you’ve made that decision and don’t quite know what comes next — I would genuinely love to hear from you. Send me a message. I’d be honored to talk, listen, or simply walk alongside you in that moment. Tonight, we can celebrate both. The joy of giving. The wonder of tradition. The laughter of children. The warmth of togetherness. But let’s also remember the hope that lasts long after Christmas morning. The hope found not under the tree — but in the manger. Because that hope didn’t just come for a season. It came for you. John Cook • December 24, 2025 

Part Five: When Going to Church Feels Hard — and Why I Went Anyway

By John Cook • December 22, 2025
This morning started with resistance.