Last Tuesday I posed a question. After a week of consideration and prayer, God did not show me any areas that weren't given over to him. My overall answer as of today is that I am trusting God with my life, just need to increase my trust overall, and continue relying on him more each day. A growth process...
On another note, I have had a huge answer to prayer this week. As some people know, I have been unhappy in my job for quite some time. I have wanted to get out of collections, but felt that God had me in my current job for his purposes. This has been a very strong conviction in my life - that God placed me with my current company 10 years ago and I was not to leave until he moved me. I was not to pursue a change. Well, yesterday I was given the opportunity to move to another department, doing a job I believe will be even more suited to my strengths and capabilities. This doesn't solve all of my issues at work, but goes a very long way. Thank you Lord for your continued guidance and love. I know you have some new tasks for me, as well as others that will continue despite the change. Help me to show your love and care to all I come in contact with today and every day...
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Random Thoughts
Spiritual Gifts & Temperament
Yesterday I was browsing around on the net and decided to do some research on Pastor Rogers church. Most days I listen to one of Adrian Rogers podcasts as part of my devotional. (As an aside, I've realized I need to contribute to this ministry that has been such an influence over the past year or so in my life) Anyway, I know Pastor Rogers has passed away. The web for his podcast ministry has been set up separate from his old church, which is how it should be, but I got to thinking about that church. Where is it, who is the pastor now, etc. How is it doing with a new person in control. So, I thought I was doing some casual surfing. I should have known better!
As with everything, God's hand was on this too. Funny how we do all these things we think are casual, throwaway actions, but they are all under God's hand, protection and guidance. The bible tells us that our God knows the number of hairs on our head, but often we forget how great a thing that really is. Back to the story ... I track down the church and start browsing their website. On there, under Member Development, they have an online questionnaire for spiritual gifts and temperament. Now God knows that I did a spiritual gifts class, but that was a long time ago. I've heard that our spiritual gifts don't change but have wondered about that for a long time because I've changed so much since when I did that last class. Okay, maybe not so much change as matured, but as always, I wanted to see for myself.
When I took the class way back then, I had three strong gifting areas - Prophecy, Administration and Teaching. Yesterday my gifts showed up as Teaching and Administration. This makes sense to me. I believe the prophecy is still also a gifting, but one that God moves from foreground to background and back at different times in my life. I go through times when God shows me lots of things about the people and world around me, but then I go through other times when the focus is more on internal growth. The focus recently has been on internal growth, putting prophecy into the background.
While I really don't think of myself as a teacher, obviously God does and that is what is important, and administration is another area that just comes naturally like breathing to me. Even if I was to try and stifle it (which I have at times because I haven't wanted the responsibility), it just comes through anyway. Like telling my body I don't want to breathe today, a failed venture from the start.
Now, the most interesting part was the personality test. I'm doing this test, and it didn't seem to make much sense to me. You have to go through and number qualities in each box from 1-4, most unlike to most like yourself. I'm looking at some of the boxes thinking this couldn't possibly work because I'm really not like any of the traits in certain boxes. Oh, me of little faith ;-)
So I do the test and look at the results. My temperament is Melancholy. Okay, is this some kind of a joke? I know I can be moody at times, but I'm much better these days. I'm a happy person overall. When I look at life, I see the glass as half full. How can I be Melancholy? See, this test was definitely flawed! And then I read the description... Oh, me of little faith, it fit me to a T, both the strengths and weaknesses. In the end, it was an incredible encouragement from God, the start to another great day. How wonderful that God knows us and loves us each so well - right down to the number of hairs on my head, or the intricate details of ME - who I am and how he made me, not perfect but perfect for the tasks he sets before me... Thank you Lord!
Should anyone be reading this and wonder what their strengths and temperament are, simply ckick on the title of this post to go to the Member Development page of Belleview Church. On there you'll find the links to both their tests.
Yesterday I was browsing around on the net and decided to do some research on Pastor Rogers church. Most days I listen to one of Adrian Rogers podcasts as part of my devotional. (As an aside, I've realized I need to contribute to this ministry that has been such an influence over the past year or so in my life) Anyway, I know Pastor Rogers has passed away. The web for his podcast ministry has been set up separate from his old church, which is how it should be, but I got to thinking about that church. Where is it, who is the pastor now, etc. How is it doing with a new person in control. So, I thought I was doing some casual surfing. I should have known better!
As with everything, God's hand was on this too. Funny how we do all these things we think are casual, throwaway actions, but they are all under God's hand, protection and guidance. The bible tells us that our God knows the number of hairs on our head, but often we forget how great a thing that really is. Back to the story ... I track down the church and start browsing their website. On there, under Member Development, they have an online questionnaire for spiritual gifts and temperament. Now God knows that I did a spiritual gifts class, but that was a long time ago. I've heard that our spiritual gifts don't change but have wondered about that for a long time because I've changed so much since when I did that last class. Okay, maybe not so much change as matured, but as always, I wanted to see for myself.
When I took the class way back then, I had three strong gifting areas - Prophecy, Administration and Teaching. Yesterday my gifts showed up as Teaching and Administration. This makes sense to me. I believe the prophecy is still also a gifting, but one that God moves from foreground to background and back at different times in my life. I go through times when God shows me lots of things about the people and world around me, but then I go through other times when the focus is more on internal growth. The focus recently has been on internal growth, putting prophecy into the background.
While I really don't think of myself as a teacher, obviously God does and that is what is important, and administration is another area that just comes naturally like breathing to me. Even if I was to try and stifle it (which I have at times because I haven't wanted the responsibility), it just comes through anyway. Like telling my body I don't want to breathe today, a failed venture from the start.
Now, the most interesting part was the personality test. I'm doing this test, and it didn't seem to make much sense to me. You have to go through and number qualities in each box from 1-4, most unlike to most like yourself. I'm looking at some of the boxes thinking this couldn't possibly work because I'm really not like any of the traits in certain boxes. Oh, me of little faith ;-)
So I do the test and look at the results. My temperament is Melancholy. Okay, is this some kind of a joke? I know I can be moody at times, but I'm much better these days. I'm a happy person overall. When I look at life, I see the glass as half full. How can I be Melancholy? See, this test was definitely flawed! And then I read the description... Oh, me of little faith, it fit me to a T, both the strengths and weaknesses. In the end, it was an incredible encouragement from God, the start to another great day. How wonderful that God knows us and loves us each so well - right down to the number of hairs on my head, or the intricate details of ME - who I am and how he made me, not perfect but perfect for the tasks he sets before me... Thank you Lord!
Should anyone be reading this and wonder what their strengths and temperament are, simply ckick on the title of this post to go to the Member Development page of Belleview Church. On there you'll find the links to both their tests.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday Morning Question...
It's a Tuesday morning in July. I'm typing this on my new netbook, a great tiny, portable little thing. I just love it! except that they moved the left 'shift' key over so I have to think everytime I use it. Probably not a bad thing, over all.
We are in the midst of a full out house hunt, looking around an older area of Milton. We've seen some great homes, even to the point of putting in a couple of offers. But we haven't found the one God has picked out for us yet. It's exciting because we've seen some great homes and I know that the one God has for us is even greater than those we've seen. How exciting is that?
I've just finished my devotions for the morning and should really be getting ready for work now, but thought I'd take a minute and jot down a line or two.
My question for today is: Jesus, have I given you the keys to every area of my life?
My quick answer is 'of course I have', but there is a small voice inside that says - like my shift key, maybe I need to stop and think for a second before giving that quick answer. Have I really? So that is my question/request to God today. Lord, if there is an area I haven't surrendered, please show me so that I can hand you that key also. The bible and my experience over the past 25 years tells me that God is faithful and will answer. So I wait with anticipation....
We are in the midst of a full out house hunt, looking around an older area of Milton. We've seen some great homes, even to the point of putting in a couple of offers. But we haven't found the one God has picked out for us yet. It's exciting because we've seen some great homes and I know that the one God has for us is even greater than those we've seen. How exciting is that?
I've just finished my devotions for the morning and should really be getting ready for work now, but thought I'd take a minute and jot down a line or two.
My question for today is: Jesus, have I given you the keys to every area of my life?
My quick answer is 'of course I have', but there is a small voice inside that says - like my shift key, maybe I need to stop and think for a second before giving that quick answer. Have I really? So that is my question/request to God today. Lord, if there is an area I haven't surrendered, please show me so that I can hand you that key also. The bible and my experience over the past 25 years tells me that God is faithful and will answer. So I wait with anticipation....
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