Spiritual Gifts- What's Yours Like?

Spiritual gifts are an amazing and wonderful thing. Honestly, I get a tad confused sometimes though. What exactly are they and how do you know what yours are? Do they ever change and how can you tell if that happens?

I've been thinking a lot about my spiritual gifts and wondering what they really are and what to do with them. I've done surveys that tell you what your spiritual gifts could be {Here! you can too}, but I still find myself with questions. 

How do I really know for sure? Can someone else point out my gifts or is this between God and me? Does it take others talking about their gifts for me to know what even constitutes a spiritual gift in action? So many questions- and so few instant answers. Maybe God's testing our patience together, if so- let's band together friend. 

Spiritual Gifts |  Or charismata are endowments which may be given by the Holy Spirit. These are the supernatural graces which individual Christians need to fulfill the mission of the church.

Charismata |  χαρίσματα  plural for charisma; in general denotes any good gift that flows from God's love to humans.

Below are some passages where we can find biblical references to the gifts listed {I love using The Message translation when I'm having a tough time with a topic}.

Romans 12:6-8 | 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; 28-30 | Ephesians 4:11

Administration	Faith	Knowledge	Prophecy
Apostleship	Giving	Leadership	Service
Discernment	Healing	Mercy	Teaching
Evangelism	Helping	Miracles	Tongues
Exhortation	Interpret Tongues	Pastor/Shepherd	Wisdom

HERE is a great interactive visualization of categories and which gift is included in that category.

Okay! Now we know what our options are. What's next? I hone in on what I identify most with. This part is tricky for me; I get tangled in looking to where I think I fit in best and where I want to fit in best. 

I'm confident one of my spiritual gifts is Administration. I love to track things, make lists, coordinate, and find new ways to share important information. My heart lies in events; it overflows with joy when others come together and experience a well thought out/planned/executed event. I love and am thankful Our Father has blessed me with this. 

So why do I get confused? I guess confusion is the wrong word- I get frustrated. My ego puffs up every once in a while and I want to do more. I want to be more. I get lost in the ways of the world and think I deserve better than what I have. Oh goodness do I need Jesus. My heart knows I've been placed where I am to help others; to do the little things that help add up to the big things. But then my mind thinks I've been doing these things for much too long, I need to spread my wings and deserve to have more. 

What's to be done at that point? More questions arise and I get confused, which leads to frustration. Am I wasting my gifts by acting ungrateful and missing opportunities to best work for the Kingdom? Am I stifling what God has planned for me by passing up other opportunities out of comfort or stubbornness? Do I convince myself I need to make the most of what I have because God placed me here and is counting on me to make a difference? Again- too many questions and not enough answers. 

Here's my resolution- more quiet time with God. He's the one with the answers, the plan, and is well aware of our purpose. When I'm confused I need to go to Him. I think He loves for us to ask Him questions about His plan. So let's do it!

Friend- if you're in this place, can we pray for each other? I'd love to encourage you in this journey and would greatly appreciate someone to hold me accountable and covered in prayers. Let me know in the comments below!

Whirlwind Week

Hello Everyone -

This week was just crazy for me! I'm sure you can relate, those weeks that just seem like a whirlwind. I was so happy when Sunday rolled around. Time for some God time, family time, and time to relax.

Pastor Chuck said something today that really hit home for me. He was talking about running around in life trying to catch your breath verse leading a breath taking life. I would MUCH rather lead a breath taking life than constantly needing to take a breather.

Luckily his words hit me like a ton of bricks - so I'm going into this week with a 'breathtaking life' mentality. (Last week was hard enough!!)

Here are some of my highlights:

Tuesday: 

Line Dancing Lessons at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar

Thursday: 

Tanya's last day at Ignite :( Fro Yo with my lovely ladies!

Friday: 

Surprise Birthday Party for my Aunt

Montana's with Katie 

Saturday:

Lunch with Collin

Branding Iron with my Family

Sunday:

Church

Announced first month winner in the Siriani Girls Weight loss challenge

Family Super Bowl Party

...much needed sleep!

Whew! With a demanding job and packed social schedule it's hard to get in much needed beauty rest - so with heavy eye lids I'll be closing them before 10.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

God has a Plan B

When I'm struggling to find my path and looking for answers there are a special two I always seek guidance from, God and my mom. Lately I've been dwelling on {what seem to me} life's big decisions ... they've been the topic of prayers and conversations with God as well as my mother... pretty much anyone who'll listen these days :)

I stumbled upon this book, while out shopping with my sister, God Always Has a Plan B. I was looking for answers and direction and I thought this silly book {the cover caught my eye} might be a fun place to start. 

The book is broken into bite-sized chapters of wisdom. I like to read a few in the morning and a few after I get home from work to bookend my day. This morning I read a chapter titled God Has A Plan B for building grace-fill relationships. I thought the message was too good not to share so here it is. If you're interested in reading more click here. 

'Humanity is never so beautiful as when praying forgiveness or else forgiving another." - Jean Paul Richter

Human relationships will never be perfect until we all get to heaven. Until that day, our interactions with family and friends will be sources of great joy, but also extreme frustration and even deep pain. 

God created relationships and gave us the perfect model of how they should look. We were meant to love each other, to server each other, and to put others' needs ahead of our own.

The world's version of relationship is, quite often, selfish. Think about how many times you've been asked "What do you look for in a friend?" "What's your idea of the perfect date?"

Conversely, have you ever been asked, "What do you hope you can bring to your friendships?" "What kind of romantic partner do you aspire to be?" Did those last two questions seem odd? Thank the 21st Century's mantra: All Me, All the Time. Have you ever heard of anyone ending a romance or a friendship by (honestly) saying, "I don't think I was bringing enough to our relationship. I wasn't doing enough for you"? Nope, it's all about "What's in it for me?" "What have you done for me lately?" "Are you meeting my needs?"

Is it any wonder that we tend to approach relationships with suspicious eyes, half-closed hearts, or worse - a "get them before they get you" attitude?

God did not intend for us to live in this bizarre relationship economy, in which we try to gain as much as we can from others while giving as little as we can get away with. 

A friendship, romance, or family relationship built on that economic model is going to bankrupt people before long. Relationships work best under God's model. IF we, with an open heart, love each other, serve each other, and put our own agenda last on the list, we reap big, hefty bushels of love and joy in return. Does this sound like a paradox? It is. Welcome to the Christian faith, an entire way of life built on a paradox. A small seed becomes a huge tree. Those who are willing to wait at the end of the line end up getting upgraded to the front. Give stuff away like there's no tomorrow, and you get it back with interest. Clutch onto stuff with a kung-fu grip, and it'll wither and die and slip right out of your hands. Serve people humbly, and you'll become a leader.

What does this have to do with your relationship with your co-workers, siblings, friends, or romantic person of interest? Simple: If you are keeping score with any of the above people, you are playing the wrong game.

It's best to put away the scorecards when it comes to your relationships. Start asking yourself questions like, "What can I bring to the table in my relationships?" "What needs do those around me have - and how can I help meet them?" "What can I do that will delight the people in my life? Surprise them? Honor them? Show them God's love?"

This approach, the one Jesus molded so well, will set you free - turn you loose to be the kind of friend, son, daughter, sibling, boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, whatever that people will thank God for. Wouldn't you like to play the relationship game this way, not the world's way? If so, it's your turn to serve. 

Serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13


I hope this shows another perspective if you are having any troubles with the relationships in your life. It's not too late or too hard to start looking at your relationships in a different way now! God wants the best for us and if you're not getting the best it might be time to take a different approach. 

After reading this passage I knew I need to make a better effort at focusing on what I can do for others rather than what I might get in return. 

There are many other amazing 'plan b's' in this book. It's a great bedside table book to keep on hand. Please consider picking up a copy! {I got mine at Kohl's}

xxoo 
J