Passions & Talents - How do we find them?

Title: Passion & Talents - how do we find them?

How can we find our Passions and Talents? 

What were we created to do? 

We are so uniquely and wonderfully created; how can we maximize what God has given to us for His Glory?

Each one of us has been given abilities and gifts. It seems that many don't know what they are. Before God we will not be responsible for what talents or gifts we don't have, but we are responsible for those we do have. (There are many free 'Gift analysis' questionnaires on line...this will certainly add to the picture you can build of your passions). Our gifts and talents are locked within what we are passionate about. 

Answering these questions below will empower you and lead you towards the following:  1. You will know how you are wired up and what to do with the one life God has given you.  2. You will know what to focus on and what NOT to. You will know what to say YES to and what to say NO to. For example, if you are passionate about public speaking or hospitality, you'll be more motivated to study this subject in depth and become even more skilled. 3. You will be able to pray specifically for the talents God has given you, finding creative ways to use them.  4. Finding your passions will lead you to better understand your gifts & talents. 5. You will better understand yourself, which is always helpful. 6. Answering the questions below will enable you to become more productive. 7. If you work in your passions you will enjoy what you are doing much more. Even the difficult things will be OK for you can see the end result. 

4 easy Steps in answering these questions. 

Step 1. Begin to pray specifically about what God might be saying to you through this process. 

Step 2. Take time to think and answer the questions. This is not a one day thing...take a couple of months over it.

Step 3. It helps to write answers in a small notebook that you go to every day or two and add to what you have written. A picture will begin to form of your passions and even your talents.

Step 4. Ask respected peers and those in leadership over you "what do you see me passionate about?", and "What do you see are my talents or gifts?" Again note the answers down. Writing clarifies and un-clutters thoughts.

Here are the questions:

1. If you could mobilize the masses, what would you do?

2. If someone gave you unlimited finances and resources, what would you do?

3. What do think about all the time?

4. What do you care deeply about? (Your treasures / your values).

5. What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

6. What do you believe God wants you to do?

7. If you could snap your fingers to get something done, what would happen?

8. What absorbs you and captures your attention?

9. What things are you committed to?

10. Slogans and Creeds?

11. What have you achieved with competence or success?

12. Where do you belong? (A large city, small town, medium sized City, the country...?)

13. Are there any should's that have trailed you?

14. What is ministry for you? 

15. What are the events and situations of the past that have ignited good feelings in you?  

Enjoy...remember it's a journey. God has wired you up a certain way. May this serve you so you are able to find your passions and envision His dreams for your life...so all Glory goes to Him.

Enjoy...remember it's a journey. God has wired you up a certain way. May this serve you so you are able to find your passions and envision His dreams for your life...so all Glory goes to Him.

Church Planting: Journalling:

I have blogged about the need for Church planting and the value of Journaling.

I encourage you to read these past posts as they are for me critical for ministry...in fact I have a conviction that all missions dollars needs to leveraged to Church Planting. In fact I believe that this IS Biblical MISSION!

Journaling has really helped me to stop the wanderings in my mind and to pull my thoughts through my fingers to the page. It undoubtedly clears the thinking and unclutters revelation and insights from unhealthy thinking.

What are we up to? - Journalling - Sanity restored. The BEST way to fulfill Matt 28!

What are we up to?

• We are off to Karlsruhe, Germany this weekend, (23rd - 26th October), to meet with Bryce & Kate Gilmor, and their family & speak in their church! What a blast from the past this will be. Bryce & Kate are serving with Stieger International. They were in our church in Hamilton many years ago, as singles & then as a young married couple. It will be alot of fun & laughs I'm sure!!
• On the 27th Oct. we are in Ede meeting with a few contacts which I'm sure will be fruitful.
• For three weeks we have been taking the devotions in a Bible School (His Masters Commission) in Amsterdam North. We are really enjoying being with young people again...fun!
• Finding and nurturing the connections in Europe is our main work here. We aim to begin a Saturday & Sunday meeting (2 different places in Amsterdam) before Christmas...we are looking forward to this. We have 2 buildings to use.
• I will put some Church planting quotes at the END of this BLOG.

Journalling - Sanity restored! I have been journalling now for almost 20 years. I think it has been a critical ingredient in my christian life. As I talk to people in leadership, I am surprised at how many DON'T journal.

Journalling is powerful for several reasons...

1. It is like talking to another person. I find that sometimes talking to someone else helps to clarify issues & situations. If the issue is private & personal then it is great to journal it. Also journalling it over a few days or weeks can really help come to some clarification, answers & action points.

2. Journalling captures the issues, concerns, fears, attitudes & bad thinking patterns on the page! This is huge. Our minds can go round & round & round over a hurt, issue or wrong thinking that can be destructive. Remember that from our thinking, comes our emotions, which in turn causes actions. That's good if our thinking is good, but if it is negative or destructive in some way our emotions will be effected and this can lead to wrong actions. So to interrupt stinking thinking journalling is a key. There are times I write out whole prayers.

3. I often receive preaching messages, ideas & revelation while journalling. If we let the theater of our imagination run; where will it take you? I go to all sorts of wonderful places in God, dreaming, imagining & planning. I also capture those thoughts on a page. This enables me to process them - pray about them and see what God says in it all.

People often say as I did when I began, "What do you write". Sometimes you need to prime the pump to get it started. I began by asking the question, "What did I do yesterday?...How did I feel yesterday went?...What am I enjoying today?...What can I give thanks for today?...What are my major concerns at this time?...What is God saying to me about these?..."

I wrote this when I changed Journals at the beginning of 2010...

Why Journal?

-Disappointments are able to be de-cluttered.
-Untruths are brought out into the light.
-Truths are uncovered.
-Sadness is captured & held long enough to ask the appropriate questions.
-Gladness is celebrated.
-Difficulties are able to be spoken about freely & easily.
-It gives counsel.
-Dreams are nurtured.
-Questions are answered.
-Revelation is recorded.
-It brings self awareness.

-My thinking is checked.

-Prayers are recorded & re-prayed.
-It uncovers heartache & brings healing.
-Perspectives are clarified.
-Messages from God are saved.

-Insights are gained & captured.

-The future is discovered & imagined.

-Clarity comes.

-God ideas come to the surface.
So why wouldn't you begin Journalling! Believe me if I can do it, anyone can...

NOW for the quotes...on the BEST way to evangelize!!

(from the book "Viral Churches" - By Ed Stetzer & Warren Bird. Jossey-Bass).

• "The best way to fulfill the great commission that Jesus gave to us in Matt 28, is to plant new Churches". Rick Warren.
• "The single most effective evangelistic method under Heaven is planting new churches" ...who in turn reproduce themselves. Peter Wagner.
• Pauls missionary journeys were church planting journeys.
• Paul planted new churches, that in turn planted new churches.
• The early church implemented the Great Commission mandate primarily by planting churches.
• The healthiest churches are those who reproduce...
• ...Disciples multiplying churches - not the other way around...
• "It's time to stop counting converts and begin counting congregations." Ralph Moore.
• What a great goal for every church plant...for every new church that is planted, to be born pregnant!!!
• To really change things, we need to learn how to multiply churches.
• "The only way to increase the number & percentage of Christians in a city is to plant thousands of new churches". Tim Keller
• "New church planting is the only way that we can be sure we are going to increase the number of believers in a city & one of the best ways to renew the Body of Christ." Tim Keller.

The conclusion:

Let's not waste hard earned mission's dollars...use them to plant new churches!

Thank you for taking the time to read this...

...Until next time... think about how you can multiply yourself...

2010, Europe, Church Planting, Why Journal!!!

Karen here:
Wow - can you believe it is 2010... how many times will we have to write that before it seems real! I have suddenly become aware that we are going to Holland THIS YEAR!
Oh my - it's not really future anymore! We are now officially on countdown of 13 weeks and 4 days.... (from today that is), 11 weeks left in our house! (actually only 7 as we are away for 4...) YO!!!

We are blessed to have a family to rent our house - so that is one box fully ticked. We also have the first tickets booked and paid for! ( 6 April - 8 July) We also have a home-away-from-home to call our base when we are back from overseas... isn't that cool.

I am reminded that Proverbs says "Do not worry about tomorrow .. today's troubles are enough for themselves!" - so we will take each day & week at a time. Packing for giving away, storing for 2 years and taking with us... Doesn't that sound like fun. Any packing tips are hugely appreciated!

We trust that 2010 will be a great year for you - and we both know that "great" has many many variances & outcomes - but one thing we are sure of, is that God is GREAT and with Him we are in a very good place.

Nick's turn...
Our priorities this year when we arrive in Europe, (Amsterdam), besides finding an apartment to rent, and all that is required in settling into a new country; are:
1. Find & disciple (mentor,coach) church planting leaders. Leaders if 1000's, 100's, 50's & 10's.
2. Create a beach-head by planting the first churches.

We are still waiting to see if Karen has a Dutch passport. (I have received mine).

We always appreciate your prayer regarding this huge venture. We are prayed for and sent out from our home church, Eastside Hamilton on the 4th April.

Yesterday I changed Journals & thought about this journalling thing...
-Disappointments are able to be de-cluttered.
-Untruths are brought out into the light.
-Truths are uncovered.
-Sadness is captured & held long enough to ask the appropriate questions.
-Gladness is celebrated.
-Difficulties are able to be spoken about freely & easily.
-It gives council.
-Dreams are nurtured.
-Questions are answered.
-Revelation is recorded.
-It brings self awareness.
-it uncovers heartache, & brings healing.
-perspectives are clarified.
-messages from God are saved.

Sooo why wouldn't you begin Journalling! Believe me if I can do it, anyone can...

This year, may you know HIS Favour, Grace & fruitfulness in 2ten...& may God keep you close to His heart & His purposes - we look forward to catching up in the near future - hopefully in person - if not, email and phone are wonderful too.

Nick & Karen...