Friday 1 June 2007

Friday Favor

Today is that one topic you have just been dying to talk about on the blog. Well, okay maybe not. Spiritual gifts (That's not what you thought,right?) The other day on the "church blog" we discussed rewards in heaven, and one of the passages talked about talents, and minas. When I read the parable of the talents I think of it as we are all given spiritual gifts, some one or two, some 5 some ten some more. Do we use those gifts that we have been given? Maybe you think the verse is talking about something else, I would like to hear your opinion. Now having said that, do you know what your spiritual gifts are? and the obvious follow up question is are you using it? Anyone wanna start, awwww thanks Su-ann I knew you would just want to jump in on this one ;) Some of the gifts are helps, giving, mercy, hospitality, faith, discernment, knowledge, wisdom, prophecy, exhortation, pastor, teacher, evangelist, healing, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues. Are there others?

P.S. We had a great evening with all of you last night. Thanks for everything ... food, fun and especially your friendship.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cute Pic, by the way Mike!!

Yes, I know my gift is serving. I love behind the scenes things, and I am happiest when i am doing that.

However, here's my morning's monkey wrench... is faith and mercy a spiritual gift? or is that something all of us should be practicing? Seems to me we are all called to be merciful.
sr

Mike said...

Thanks for the wrench, and first thing in the morning too. I will get back to you.

I too love the behind the scenes. That must be why I could probably never be the "pastor". Too much of being in the forefront. I like to be able to come to work, do my job, and then get out. Saturday is usually my favorite day.

Gifts....hmmmm let me think about it. Thanks for going first!

Mike said...

I found a verse in Romans 12:8 that talks about mercy as a gift. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:1-30;&version=31;

As for faith, hmmm In ICorinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." Is Paul referring to these three as gifts? I am not sure.

Anonymous said...

Not sure, Mike. I think you are an awesome blog preacher, but when it comes to public.. you are like me... behind the scenes stuff.. but with small groups of people, too. I absolutely loved last night, just throwing together a last minute party, taking some pressure off Amanda, enjoyed THOROUGHLY the fellowship, getting to know Marlene & Bob, and just seeing the fruit of Bob & Amanda's parenting. Those kids are incredibly delightful, and I am very blessed to have the chance to get to know them all more.
oh yah, did i mention i might be a bit of an encourager gift, too?
sr

Anonymous said...

Good morning! I actually have done spritual gift testing and according to it my spritual gifts are teaching, administration and giving, (maybe that's part of why i would have problems giving to someone who asks for money on the street)I believe though that I also love to serve.

I am a behind the scenes person when working in an adult ministry -I tend to be out front when it is children's ministry. But when I have a passion (ie Missions) I am willing to do what it takes (within the confines of scripture, of course) to get the info out there (ie up front last Sunday).

I think that if everyone used their spiritual gifts the church - the world - would be flourishing. We wouldn't be having to pull teeth to get people to volunteer, we wouldn't have to be cancelling or cutting back programs - mind you maybe those with the gift of knowledge and wisdom would say we don't need to do some of what we are doing and we could better be used elsewhere - Wouldn't it be totally amazing if everyone was using their gifts?????

One thing to note - After I did the spiritual gift test I felt more responsible to use them - I also felt more confident using them.

A2

Anonymous said...

oops another typo I meant to say that's why i would have problems NOT GIVING to those on the street.

A2

Anonymous said...

I take back the giving comment all together - I do think that people can have the gift of giving and not give to people who come up to them on the street.

I think that maybe I tend to give to everyone because when we came to Canada and when my dad was sick we had to depend so much on what people gave us. I guess it's a matter on giving forward for me!

Next time I'll think before I blog.

Amanda

Mike said...

Hey SR, yep you certainly do have the gift of serving and encouraging and they were both in action yesterday.

Amanda, you can add hospitality to your list and definitely serving to your gifts. keep preaching on the use of the gifts too.

Mine, hmmm, I think discernment is one of them.

Anonymous said...

yp, mike. i agree!