Got Passion?

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"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17 Question #2: Interests and passions: What do you enjoy doing most? If you had a free day to yourself, what would you be found doing? It comes as no suprise that my interests and passions all invlove using the gifts, talents and skills listed in my answer to the first question. Exhortation and service: i love listening to people as they speak. I really am interested in hearing their stories,hopes and anything else they want to share. I used to wish i talked more but i am starting to realize that sometimes people just want to be heard. They aren't necessarliy looking for me to come back with answers or quick responses. I thank Jeremy and Tonya for helping me come to this realization. Being a listener helps me to better serve, which is something else i love to do. I also love to read. Fiction,non-fiction,biographical,poetry...you name it i'll read it! Books are like friends to me. They teach and inspire me. Then there is my love for music, dance, writing, photography, creating and nature. Could i fit all of this into just one day? If i sit here much longer i am sure i can think of more to add to this list but it has been fun to think about. The sad thing is that it has taken this challenge to help me consider my passions. After so many years of trying to be what i thought others thought i should be i lost sight of who God created me to be. Now i just want to focus on becoming that woman.

First Question

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom, through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 The first question in the weekend challenge asks what we think our gifts,talents and skills are. How do we believe God has equipped us? In my attempt to answer this question honestly and confidently, i have been reading through 1 Corinthians. Chapter 12 deals with the different spiritual gifts and their diversities. Earlier this year i took an online quiz to help determine what my gifts were. The end results showed that i am an exhorter and a server. I was really pleased with those results and felt they were quite accurate. For the longest, i kept the printout in my Bible. Now i can't find it. When i do find it again i will post the link for anyone who might be interested in taking the quiz for themselves. Anyway, i do feel pretty confident of my gifts. However, when it comes to my talents i am having to think a little harder and dig a little deeper. As someone who loves to listen to and encourage others i feel i am a much better listener than i am a speaker. I communicate much better with pen and paper or through the keyboard as i am doing now. So i guess you could say writing is one of my talents. There are others i am sure but i am having to pray and keep my eyes and ears open as God reveals them to me. And now we come to skills...again, this is something i am praying about. Well, so far i do believe this challenge is proving to be an eye opener. It is causing me to consider things that i have neglected to think about due to busyness, distraction or fear. This is one challenge for which i am very thankful. Hope everyone else can say the same. Anyone who cares to join us, jump right in!