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christian walk: waiting to serve

Posted on 2/20/2007 12:57:07 PM | (0) Comments

Well, here it is shrove tuesday. In 2 hours I'm going to the church to start getting ready for the dinner we've been planning. What was originally planned to be a small dinner has turned hopful for a big one.
We're having a free will offering to benefit the Aurberle Home, it's a place for disenchanted youths, that's the polite version of "troubled" kids. Some of these kids have been taken away from their parents because of abuse, weather it was drugs, physical, or emotional. Some the parents couldn't handle being parents. All of the kids have been court appointed to be there.
We met with a small group of them last night, for an ice cream social, it was a lot of fun... These kids are so starved for attention, longing to know that someone out there loves them, it really breaks your heart. A lot of those kids have so much emotional baggage. I met 2, that had been in at least 4 or 5 homes before coming here (they really dont trust anyone)they want to, they just dont know how. Sometimes it could be a faint smell that triggers a memory that their not even aware of that send them in to a turmoil of emotions. Some lash out but most just shut down, put up walls that cant be torn down, no matter how hard the staff try.
Anyways this dinner is for them so we're praying for a huge turn out. We're hoping to run out of food. The money we collect is going to this ALERT closet(Aurberle Lutheran Emergency Response Team)closet, It's for when these kids are taken away from their families usually in the middle of the night with nothing on their backs... no clothes,toys, or anything. Some of the stuff is also for those that are already there and in need of some supplies, and yet there is going to be stuff for when they get older had have to leave, there will be stuff for them to start their own place. Also, There are (sometimes) opportunities for Aurberle to stop the kids from being taken from the parents if they fill that they can turn the parents around to become more what a parent should be, there will be supplies for that as well.
Our Goal with this new ministry we are launching is to get them to trust in God, put faith in Him and realize that all is not neccessarily lost. And to learn to love. We pray continously... Lord, let us help them. In Jesus' name. Amen.



christian walk: Shrove Tuesday

Posted on 2/18/2007 4:24:31 AM | (1) Comments

Shrove Tuesday is this Tuesday coming up, the 20th. My church does a pancake/sausage dinner every year. My sister-in-law got me involved in it about 6 years ago, cooking the pancakes. I like to think of it as God's way of calling me back to the church. It only took me about 5 out of those 6 years to get the message.
This year, I'm running the show. It's apparently a bigger show than I antisipated, just the groceries, alone seems to be mind blowing... started out planning for 100 people, then 200, and now we're up to 300. I pray we get that many... We always make it a fund raiser for something... this year we're doing it for this home for troubled youths. For one reason or another these children have been placed in this home, mostly through no fault of their own. Some had parents who abused them, some had parents who just didn't want them anymore, some are taken away from their parents for various reason. It's sad really, but the bottom line is these kids need to see, know and feel love, some of them are experiencing it for the first time and dont know how to react to it. Unfortunatly we who have experienced love in our lives cant quite relate to that. In a way it's shallow thinking, vain attempts to try and show these children what love is all about. It is our hope and prayers that we can help at least one of these kids. To provide them at least with the hope of, the glimmer at, what the possiblities are of having someone who loves them and who they can love back.
We are trying to achieve this goal 2 ways. By actual human contact, where a group of us have made a commitment to spend some time with these kids... play games, read stories, take them to the park, anything really, just to let them know we care. The 2nd way is providing them with the neccessities of life clothing, food, health and beauty supplies ect. ect.(some of these kids dont know what to do with a bar of soap) That brings me back to this dinner we're planning. We're taking up a free will offering to supply them with some of these things. We dont have a dollar amount in particular that we're trying to reach but we would like to get as much as possible. Their needs are so tremendous and it is the prayers of our church that we are able to help them in some minute way.
Anyways... It's funny... I was going to tell this story of what Shrove Tuesday means to me, but it's not about me.... It's about, the small part, of what I can do now that I'm involved with the Church. Im confident that it is part of God's plan. I know that by the Grace of God this dinner is going to be successful for those kids and I look forward to the challenge, for the glory of God to cook and serve all those who attend.
In God's hands I place this dinner. Amen



christian walk: Am I ready to be a Joseph

Posted on 2/15/2007 1:04:10 PM | (2) Comments

That was the question posted in my devotion. That's a good question... Don't you think?
They were referring to Issac's son, who was abused by his brothers, sold into slavery, held in prison, made profecies to the pharoah, and governed Egypt.
Well, Given all that...I'd have to say no, but I would like to be. God willing.



christian walk: just another day

Posted on 2/10/2007 6:51:37 PM | (0) Comments

There hasn't been anything exciting going on with me, that's why I haven't been on here lately. My church is getting ready for Shrove Tuesday... we host a dinner, usually I cook but this year I'm in charge of the festivities. Im not that concern with it because I know this is something that God wants me to be doing... I know this cause everything falls into place without complications. My business is doing well my biggest client agreed to a proposal that I presented so finacially Im better off. They have another store that im trying to get but they're dragging their feet on that. It probably wont be for another couple of months before I hear from them. that would be gravy if I can get it.
Nothing else is going on... I hate the cold of winter and Im glad it took awhile to get here, now if it would just go away and let spring return that would be cool with me ... can't wait to get out in the garden and start planting.... My Aunt sent me seeds from four O'clocks that came from my Grandmothers plants and I want to get them going.
I wasn't sure if I was to do something before but they contacted me again so I guess I'm meant to do it. I checked into volunteering to work a suicide prevention hotline and wasn't sure if I was capable to handle it, but since they contacted me again, I'm going to trust God that it is something I'm to do.



christian walk: A New Year

Posted on 1/1/2007 1:07:42 PM | (0) Comments

Well we made it to '07... Happy new year. Let's hope this will be a blessed year for all. May God keep everyone safe. And I pray that everyone draws closer to Christ.
I've been on a mission to read the Bible in less than a year... I've never read the entire Bible before... there were books in there that I thought weren't that important... then it occured to me that they must be important or else they wouldn't be there.
I read 'The Purpose Driven Life' by Rick Warren. I highly recommend it. anyways in there it said that you could read the Bible in a year, reading just 15 minutes a day... well, first Im a slow reader and second I wanted to keep it interesting. So after I finished the purpose book I set my sight on reading the Bible in it's entiredy. To keep it interesting for me. I discovered, or should say, God placed in front of me this book marker that said to read the Bible in a year, break it down to reading it 6days/week and the 7th use for worship. But it broke it down even further and suggested that you read from certain parts on a particular day. It suggest on ...Mondays read Genesis - Deuteronomy,... Tuesday read Joshua - Esther,... Wednesday read Job - Song of Solomon,... Thursday read Isaiah - Malachi, ... Friday read Matthew - John,... and on Saturday read Acts - Revelation.
It does keep it more interesting. You just read however much you want to read. Now I finished reading the Gospels and decided to split up one of the other days... I've found that some of the Bible to be hard to get through and dragged through some parts... I try to read for an hour in the morning... whatever I get read that's it. I've also started reading on Sunday whatever I have the most to get through, which is my Tuesday reading.
I currently have about 300+ more chapters to read, before I'm finished. I generally read between 5-10 chapters a day and I'm trying to get it done by the end of February. I'm finding it very fascinating and I dont't know what I'm going to next, after I'm done. The Bible I'm using is 'Life Application Study Bible' in the back there are dictionary/ concordance and different topics to chose from... the one that caught my eye was life lessons based on the profiles of the people listed in the Bible. I think that might be my next venture but I'm not sure. I wouldn't mind reading the Bible all over but maybe a different format. My Bible has a 365 schedule in it but I notice that it skips some of the chapters and that just seems like cheating or something.
I think the life lessons thing would make a good Sunday School project but with my work I can't make it to Sunday School(bummer).
Well that's enough rambling for now. God Bless.



christian walk: God's purpose prevails

Posted on 12/29/2006 10:22:55 AM | (0) Comments

I was doing my morning devotions this morning and came across this verse from,

Proverbs 19:21
You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.

I believe as we all should that I'm here for a reason. For me, I believe that, for now, I'm to get to know Jesus on a more personal basis. I try to do things on my own and road blocks just keep popping up. It's usually not until I get that exasberating feeling that it occurs to me that I'm not on the path God chose for me.
Also, it occurs to me that as my faith grows that I need to take things directly to the Lord instead of those whom I trusted in the past, not that they're not trust worthy But it's God who has the answers and let's face it, the people I ask for advise are only human, and sometimes their ideas interfer with God's.
there are things that I was persuing that may be part of God's plan, but I also feel that I'm putting the cart before the horse. There were other things going on that I felt that I could relax on and that appears to have been wrong also.
It can all be very confusing... so I'm just going to stop and wait til I get a clear picture from the Lord that this is what I'm suppose to be doing.
I do believe that this journal thing seem to help, or,I pray that this journal be allowed... if not for the public, for me so I can see my thoughts, see where I've been and look forward to a Life IN Christ more fulfilling and pleasing to Him who saved me.



christian walk: God's Greatness

Posted on 12/25/2006 9:37:31 AM | (1) Comments

Happy Birthday Dear Lord Jesus Christ, and thank you.
The magnitude of what God did for us is extraordinary. In His vastness, He became this tiny child. HE loves us so much, wants us to be a part of Him, so badly, that He was willing to become human, teach us the Way, and Die for us... for us!?
Think about the stories in the Bible... He created man, we ate the forbidden fruit. He caused a flood, wiped out everyone... we behaved for a little while. Gave us 10 simple rules for us to follow... but, we didn't. He warned us time and time again to stop. He told us to stop this evil behavior and we didn't. And, still He loves us. How many times did a relationship end because of something as small as "you wouldn't return my call", or "Put the cap back on the toothpaste when you're done", Or something equally stupid?
So, God came to earth, took human form, and died, just so we, with our arrogance, can continually have a relationship with Him.
All I can say about that is THANK YOU, JESUS.



christian walk: Keeping Christ in mind

Posted on 12/23/2006 8:41:23 AM | (1) Comments

During the hustle and bustle of this glorious holiday season, let's remember the true reason... celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As your runnining around and the traffic is greater and some people seem a bit stressed... keep in mind that the Lord came to earth so that we can enjoy life. There's no need to be the first to have the latest, greatest whatever. If you die tomorrow would it matter that you beat the other person to that toy? Would it matter that you got the big screen tv? What would matter...?



christian walk: discernment

Posted on 12/21/2006 10:48:23 AM | (0) Comments

I didn't know what discernment was. Even when it was explained to me i still had to come home and look up the word.
My church just wrapped up a bible study on the " Gifts of the Spirit" (see below in another posted blog)
So, now I pray...
Lord,
Please guide me to the people and places, where I can best use my gifts that You have so graciouly given me. Give me the wisdom to know when You are placing something in front of me. I also ask, Dear Lord, for the strength to carry them out, so that it glorifies Your name. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



christian walk: a long journey

Posted on 12/21/2006 10:29:16 AM | (0) Comments

I was talking to another person on another site. I had told this person that, I've just recently started posting my walk with Christ on these blog things as a way of seeing how my walk is going.
Well, I had gotten side tracked and started talking about other things past, present, and future kinda things. It made me realized how much I want to make that journey to Christ. There are things that I have done in the past that were bad but I cant help but look back at them with fond memories.
Though I know they were wrong... they were fun also and I dont know what to do with those memories.
I want more than anything to be a pleaseing child of Christ. So do I ignore those memories? How can I be forgiven, if I'm not really sorry I did them? There are things that I am remorsful of.... I know God has forgiven me of my past sins, but are the ones I look back fondly at also forgiven? My confidence is in the Lord and a sin is a sin so I have to believe that all of my sins are forgiven... I'm just wondering.
I guess that's something that I need to take up with my Pastor or a therapist.



christian walk: seeing Christ in others

Posted on 12/20/2006 8:03:41 AM | (0) Comments

An interesting thing happened yersterday. I was asked by a new friend to help him out. He had a gift card someone had given him, it had a balance of $24.60 remaining on it. He had asked that if I'd give him $10.00, he'd give me the card. I jumped at the opportunity, and did as he had asked.
Afterwards, I was talking to God about it and felt that, if I were a true friend, I would have given him the full value of the card. So, I promised God that if I saw him I'd give him the rest of the value of the card. Well, guess who showed up early for work this morning? I handed him the $$$ and told him that I couldn't except the card if he wasn't willing to except the balance. He said no at first and I told him that it isn't right for him to sell himself short, and it wouldn't be fare to God, him or myself to take advantage of him.
I see a spirit in him that can only come from God. Weather he knows it or not, I can still see it, and it needs to be encouraged to come out of him and to share it, as he sometimes does, unknowingly. That's how you can see the Spirit of the Lord working through someone when they do something for the good and "just because" it needed to be done. He's a young man and I hope and pray this world doesn't rob him of that gift. It would be a great loss to this world. In Christ's name I pray this. Amen



christian walk: Praying I'm on the right track

Posted on 12/19/2006 8:30:26 AM | (0) Comments

For the past couple of days I've been thinking of a friend of mine that committed suicide, earlier this year. Actually, he's been on my mind alot, since it occurred. I can't help feel that if maybe I had known he was troubled I could of helped. Don't get me wrong... I don't believe I have all the answers, I just wish I could take it back, I miss him.
Even though I dont know the reason behind it, I feel strongly that there is something that I might be able to do, if it's God's will. I praying for an opportunity to help someone else from doing the same thing. I'm going to check if there is a suicide prevention program in my area, and see if they are in need of volunteers.
Everyone was put on this earth for a purpose. Nobody is a mistake. I believe that now but there was a time that I didn't. In the center of my being I know that there is something more important that we were put here on earth to do. I pray that we all find our niche in life and do it to the fullest, so that we may bring glory to the Father that put us here in the first place, God.



christian walk: spiritual happening

Posted on 12/17/2006 1:00:11 PM | (0) Comments

I'm not sure but I believe that I had a profecy thing happen to me in church. I was just praising God while the service was going on, kinda in my own world and I felt this "surge" in me... I thought 'what is it Lord' but I didn't feel anything else. The service kept going and I'm trying to get it back... well at a point shortly there after, we go around and pass the peace of the Lord to everyone there, so I start doing that. I came to my cousin and instead of say "peace of the Lord be with you" I said "You need to apologize to Sharon. I wasn't even thinking that, though Sharon and her did have a falling out and I was bothered by it, I wasn't thinking that because my cousin was celebrating the anniversery of her parents and it was a happy day and I wouldn't want to ruin it for any of them... It just came out.
well Praise Jesus, I guess that was what I was suppose to do. Go with God. Amazing



christian walk: Doing our best to do the work for the Lord

Posted on 12/17/2006 8:46:30 AM | (0) Comments

I know I've said this before, but I have this cleaning business. Well, I clean the restrooms for this major Home Improvement Store. Twice, now this week I've been complitmented on the job I do for them. I'm gratful that they appreciate my work, and I thank them rather vaguely.
I say "vaguely" because what they're not aware of is that I'm doing it to bring glory to God. God gave me that job, and I'm going to clean as if I was cleaning for the Lord. The vague part comes from me not sharing that juicy bit of information to the person complitmenting me. How can it bring Him glory if I'm not sharing it with them. They could scoff at me or whatever but at least I'm letting them know, That, by the grace of God, I'm here to clean for you, and , by the grace of God I'll keep cleaning for you.
So, when they walk into those restrooms and see that they're clean their going to think of God. It's such a simple thing to do, unfortunately, I didn't do that. But I get them next time. In God's name. Amen.



christian walk: doing more for God

Posted on 12/16/2006 5:23:39 AM | (0) Comments

I just finished doing my morning readings as I always do. I read from several different resourses, the first is of course the Bible.
Everyday, I am amazed how everything I read has a theme. Today's theme is doing the work for the Lord. Not to stay in your comfort zone but to embark onto the unknown. Tell someone about Jesus.
The first story was the Book of Colossians. In short, it's telling me that everything I need to do God's work is already in me, through Jesus Christ.
The second reading I did was a reassurance that because Jesus came to die for our sins, we have the gift of Love like know other and we're to share that Love, continualously, especially to those unloved.
The third reading I did comes from the Book of Luke 14:12-21, again affirming that we're to reach out to those who are considered "the least". We can do this several ways but the simplest is showing them the love of the Lord.
The forth,was a story about remembering back in scholl when we were ask to pick teams, and how the ones that were the best got picked first and the worst picked last. BUT remember how good everybody felt when the "worst" got the better of the "best"? That excitement? That's how it is when sharing the story of Jesus to a stranger. That nervous feeling, that excitement when The spirit of the Lord takes over and you just go for it, nailing your fears and concerns on the cross with Jesus and just doing His work as guided by the power of the Holy Spirit.
That's how I feel when I post these blogs. It is my hope in Christ that these messages some how help some one out there.

REMEMBER CHRIST IS THE REASON FOR THIS SEASON



A friend in Christ

Posted on 12/14/2006 12:40:30 PM | (0) Comments

Just got back from the Post Office, I have to go there to get my mail. I'm waiting for a couple of checks from one of my clients and check every day to see if they have come yet. Well they haven't, just bills which I can't pay because... well, you know. Anyways, I met up with a member of my church and we started to talk and talk and talk some more. Even though I can't "afford" to do anything, I can take the time to be there for some one else. We talked about a bunch of different stuff but the topic always adverted back to Christ and what He has done for each of us. We stood outside the PO for an hour and a half, just talking.
I'm getting anxious about those checks not coming in but I know that God is handling it. My cleaning business is sound. My rent is paid and the other Bills will get paid. I just got to wait patiently for God to do His thing. Maybe I'm suppose to be doing something, but since I don't know what that is, I'm waiting for an answer from Christ.
In one of my post I mentioned that I quit my evening cleaning contracts and since, I've been more free to spend time with the Lord and to work for the Lord. I know that I'm where I need to be, waiting on God, relying on Him for everything. So I pray:
Dear Lord Jesus Christ,
I ask for guidance and patience to do Your will. I know there are alot of people out there who have it way worse than me, I pray for them that they know and feel your presence working in their lives, as I know You're doing for me in mine. I put my trust in You dear Jesus that all will be taken care of in Your time. I praise your Holy Name, In Christ I pray. Amen



christian walk: God's Love For us

Posted on 12/14/2006 10:28:08 AM | (0) Comments

How great is it to have the love of God?
We're coming up on the celebration of His birth, so what to you get the Father for His birthday? The greatest gift would be to recognize His love and return the favor and love Him back. Now I said the Father because I strongly believe in the Trinity.
So let's look at that... The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. the blessed Trinity. Since They're one in the same, then God gave Himself to die on the cross. Which means He loves us so much that He was willing to come to earth, teach the Good News, die on the cross, be risen from the dead, and go back up to heaven just so He can have a relationship with us. All we have to do is believe, just believe. And, of course, LOVE HIM BACK.



christian walk: doing God's work and not even knowing it

Posted on 12/12/2006 10:30:53 AM | (1) Comments

My church is doing a Bible study on our spiritual gifts. I've been wondering what my purpose is in life, as I'm sure most of us to from time to time. I've read a "Purpose Driven Life", which told me that, I'm where I need to be, and that's growing in Christ.
Now, with this Bible study... I'm finding that one of my major traits (compassion/mercy) is actually a spiritual gift from God. Who'd a thunk it. I thought I was just a big softy. Though it is a trait that I've always liked about myself, even when people I trusted said that I'm being taken advantage of (sometimes they were right), but I didn't care. I enjoy being able to help others. I always cheer for the underdogs to reach their goal. I'm not bragging or trying to boastful, I'm just Thanking the good Lord for such a wonderful gift. Now, I know who to thank when my heart goes out to someone in need or why I have such a yearning to help or listen to someone.
When I think back to when I was just a kid, it dawned on me that I had this gift from the get go. I can remember reaching out to neighbors and others... being upset over peoples hardships, or, being excited for their joys. I was the kid that would get excited when someone moved to the neighborhood, I couldn't wait to meet them.
Thank you Jesus, praise your Holy Name. I am so jazzed(excited) just thinking about how blessed I've been and still are to have such a wonderful gift.
Even when I was in, what I call, my "dirtbag" stage of my life this gift was still working through me... amazing, simply amazing.

ALL POWER AND GLORY TO YOU O LORD

If anyone is interested in taking the spiritual gift surveys that I took they are: www.elca.org/evangelism/assessments/spiritgifts.html
AND
www.churchgrowth.org/analysis/intro.html
The 2nd one give you a breif overview afterwards, that's similar to a personality test. Try it out, It's amazing. Go with God.



christian walk: God's Blessings

Posted on 12/5/2006 1:59:56 PM | (0) Comments

I have my own business, it's a small cleaning business. I've only been in business for a short time, but, it's built up nicely for me. I had a mentor guiding me when I got started, a guy also with a cleaning business. Lord knows that I've always wanted to have my own business, it's been a dream for as long as I can remember. It's (the dream) has always changed... I wanted to own my own resturant, a bar... something, anything where I could be in charge. Well, this mentor of mine said he got started by printing 1000 business cards and went door to door seeking clients... I couldn't afford 1000 cards so I got 500 and went door to door. I had 2 clients by the end of my 1st week. WOW! I thought this is great, I'm on my way. By the end of the month had 4. In the mean time I was still working a 40 hour job and I was doing some subcontracting jobs for my mentor.
I thought I was doing well, I was constantly working, I always had money in my pocket... well my 40hour job fired me, for all things stealing. I had the money but I still did it. My attitude for the company was slipping anyways and my heart wasn't into it any more. It was a pressure, got to kiss alot of backsides kind-a-job. Anyways I decided to put an ad in the local "spring" home improvement paper that comes out every year, to clean houses And I got 4 more jobs. Oh! I also worked at an auction once a week as a cashier.
I've always believed that God was steering to go my own way. I had picked up some other accounts but soon let them go. If my heart wasn't into it then I couldn't muster up the energy to do the task at hand. I also feel that even though God wants me to clean for people I believe there is something more important and thats getting closer to the Lord and I know that is whats happening.
About a year after my job fired me others soon followed with in a month I lost 3 or 4 clients. I was devastated, How could God let such a thing happen to me. what was I going to do? Well, I prayed... and prayed... and prayed. No matter what I did, nothing. So I prayed if this is your will... so be it, and the worring stopped. I didn't know how or when but I knew God was handling it.
I was making enough to just keep a float. I was robbing peter to pay paul sort of thing. I wouldn't pay a bill til I got the threating letters, like the gas bill and just paying the neccessary bills... rent, phone, car. However, the threating letters were coming faster and I was at the point of jumping ship and thinking of taking a 9 to 5er. All this time I'm still praying and relying on God to help me. He was. He kept sending me these clients that needed something done and that helped tremendously. but still I was thinking of that 9 to 5 thing. Then I went shopping with my mom... She needed something at this store. I'm a diabetic and frequently have to make pit stops. We get into the store and I told her that I be right back. I get to the restroom and they're cleaning it. OH NO! I excused myself & quickly explained myself and went in. Afterwards I came out and complemented them on such a clean place they said that they had to clean because the person they had hired wasn't doing the job. I handed them my card and a week later started working for them. Everytime I decided to give up my business God has always put someone in front of me. All of the clients I have I believe to be a gift from God. I clean these jobs with that in mind. I recently left (quit) working for my mentor, again my heart wasn't in it any more and it was starting to show. the client I just mentioned is early morning and to date my biggest account. my mentors jobs were in the evening and sometimes they were the only thing I did those days, so I'd clean in the morning getting done at 8, then I go back out starting at 5 and go til 9.
I thought that I could just raise my rates on my big account. So I prayed if that was what i should do. I asked people I trusted some said yes some said no. In my gut I knew the answer was no. Then I asked my friend and he said only if you can justify it... well I couldn't, so I didn't.
I want more than anything a closer walk with Christ. My church is starting a Bible study that I wouldn't be able to attend if I still worked at night. My big Account just asked if I would do more for them and that they're willing to increase my fee. God is truly looking out for me. I trust Him completely. I still worry about somethings but I know that God is in the drivers seat and I just got to let go of the wheel.



christian walk: Spiritual Gifts

Posted on 12/3/2006 7:04:26 PM | (0) Comments

I've always believed that I was a christian, however, I never understood the difference between religion and faith. I was in my 20s when I found out. I was baptized in my faith at that time to the sheer dismay of my mother, as I was baptized when I was a baby and in most religions once is enough. My argument with that is that it wasn't my choice to walk with Christ, it was my parents choice. My baptism in my 20s was saying yes I do believe in Jesus Christ.
Anyways, my mom thought I had gone and joined a cult. She wasn't happy. But, the things I experienced while in this group convince me even more that Christ exist and that his Spirit now was in me. I also relized that my mom's experience with Christ was limited. Though my mom is very faithful, I don't want people getting the wrong idea it's just that my grandfather was a Lutheran minister and my mom was raise in a strict household. My mom's faith is limited to what she was taught as a child. She advanced more now that my brother and I are more involved, as well as my sister-in-law (who I praise God for sending my way,to get me to come back to Christ)While I was on my journey I never stopped believing that Christ was beside me though I had done some terrible things and acted out I knew that God was keeping me safe. I never read the bible completely but I found out in my 20s that lifes answers were in there. When my spirit connected with the Holy Spirit, in prayer and I opened the Bible, the life question I was pondering was answered. If the Bible wasn't available... God would just send one in my direction with the answer, out of the blue someone would answer me with out relizing that I was just thinking that exact thing.
Anyways I have a tendacy to ramble... In my church we're doing a Bible study on Spiritual Gifts focusing on what gifts God have given each of us. Some are ment to be leaders, teachers, healers, helpers ect. ect. My Gift is the spirit of service... providing services that others can't do for themselves. I praise God for this wonderful Gift because, to me, there is no greater thing to do for some one than to do something they long to be able to do. When you think of the grand scheme of thing this covers a broad area... helping some one put groceries in their car... holding the door for someone... letting someone go a head of you in line... cleaning,cooking, running arrands, or just listening to someone tell their story for the umphteen time, as though it was the first time you've heard it....Glorious, just Glorious. The miraculous thing about this "discovery" Is I've been doing this all my life with out relizing that it was a Gift from God, but now, relizing this... I give thanks to Him that gave it. Every time I hold the door, help with the groceries, or listen to that story I praise God that I'm able to that for Him. What a simple practical gift... AND it's something that I'll get alot of use out of, not like that ugly sweater I got last year.
What Spirit given gift do you have???



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