I never considered myself a gifted person....

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12: 4-8 (NIV) I have been drawn to the Bible lately in search of a specific purpose -- to learn more about the "characters" in the Bible and how their actions (good or bad) impacted where we are today. Not surprisingly, all aspects of these people and their action, righteous and unrighteous, fulfilled God's promises and prophesies. Initially, I began my search in getting to know Esther a little better. I had read her story many times but never stopped to ponder the depth of her role in history. She may have started out as a young orphan girl taken into the home of a distant uncle. She was not mistreated but as a Jew she had her place in society, so when the King needed to find a new bride because he deposed his prior queen for not obeying a command, Esther went along with many other young girls to be groomed to go before the King. In the end, Esther was chosen to wear the crown and all along the King had no indication she was of Jewish decent. Through a series of circumstances moved into place by the hand of God, she was able to not only save the Jewish people but allowed them to become elevated and protected across the lands. Esther may have felt she had nothing to offer but God used her and her uncle in a mighty way. Her actions and courage paved the way for the Jewish lineage to continue to grow and the house of Jesse to stay in tact, thus the Lord Jesus would one day come from that branch of the family tree from the house of David. She is a true example of a little ripple becoming a tidal wave with the power of God behind her. The last week, I have spent time in Nehemiah. Again, a man after God's own heart. He was so devoted to God that even in his service to the king as the cup bearer, he paused to pray prior to answering questions from the King. Once Nehemiah was given permission to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem, he too was given carte blanche and safe passage to make it happen. What appealed to me most in the story was how the different people from diverse backgrounds all pitched in to help rebuild. Some of these folks were blacksmiths, perfume makers, rulers, store owners, common folks, families, etc. In addition, I found it interesting that everyone did not repair the same amount or in the same manner. Some only repaired in front of their homes while others repaired from one gate to another. All the while, they all seemed to be in tune with the same goal - to rebuild the wall. None of them fell to the mockers and everyone appeared to be ready to guard their fellow workers as they labored around the clock to make the wall a reality. God is so good at showing us that each of us have gifts, even when we don't think we have any. Esther thought she was nothing more than a young Jewish girl who probably felt she would be sold off into slavery and there was no other future for her, much less the one that she ended up living. Nehemiah and his fellow builders, worked in any capacity they could and gave what they could with labor and resources to complete the job. This is similar to the church body today -- we can all give a little or a lot in time, resources, money, gifts, etc and it will all come together to be just enough, but still more than we imagined to reach God's goal for us. So the next time you think, I don't have any gifts -- (I say this a lot myself), remember God can use ALL of us. We don't have to sing like angels, paint like Picasso, play music like Mozart, act or write like Shakespeare -- all we have to have is a willing spirit, heart and mind to do whatever the Lord leads us to do and to be a part of. Remember, if He leads you, He will equip you to do great things. As Mordecai told Esther in 4:14 "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Now you can substitute whatever you're doing for the royal position and the same can be said for any one of us. So, what "position are you in for such a time as this?" Maybe we'll be working together -- but let me warn you - I can't sing !! Dear Lord: Thank you for the gifts you have given me. I too often do not perceive the things or inclinations as gifts. More over, I typically think of gifts as talents such as in the arts. Forgive me for not keeping my spirit, heart and mind open at all times to be ready for you to show me the gift you want me to use. I want to hear it said that I am going through something or doing something for "such a time as this." Thank you dear Lord for equipping us to work together and complete Your goals. In the wonderful name of Jesus - AMEN There are some good spiritual gifts tests (inventories) out there on the web to help you get to thinking of what gifts the Lord has given you that you may not even be aware of. Here is a link to a pretty detailed one that gives you a score, thus no adding on your part. Once you get to the page, just scroll down past the video link and start the test. It does not ask for any personal information or for anything to be completed other than selecting the answer that best fits you. Application:

• Do you have any gifts? talents? If so, how is God using them and/or has He used them in the past?
• Are you open in mind, body and spirit to do God's will and trust that He will equip you for His calling?
• Pray that the Lord will open your eyes to see His purpose for you. Remember, He may not plan for you to do it all alone.

Evolution of a SOCCER MOM!!!!

Many are the plans in a man's (or woman's) heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) emphasis mine I was having dinner with a friend of mine the other night. She and I have known each other for a while now -- before we were both married. At the time I met her, my life was in a completely different place than it is now. I could not, nor would I have imagined my life as it is currently. To be completely honest, if someone would have held up a crystal ball and shown me my "future," I would have never believed it especially at the place I was at that season. Now I must add, that my friend Jenn was (and still is) a Christian and so was I at the time but being single puts a different outlook on a person's life. As she and I were talking the other night and I was filling her in on the things going on in my life, she kept saying "I can't believe it." So, I guess it would be fitting to give a little back-story on my place in life. When I met Jenn back in Jan 1999. (I think that's the correct year) Any way, it was a long time ago as I perceive it. At that time I was a single, corporate ladder climbing, fast-sports car driving (always in the color red), home owning, clothes shopping, on-to-go gal. Fast forward almost 10 years later and this is what you see now -- married, stay-at-home mom of a 4 yr old son, Bible study leader, women's Ministry participant, future home schooler (in the fall), cake decorating class taker, SUV driving (can't quite get into the minivan mode -- but I must admit they are becoming more appealing) kind of girl. I must say my life has changed a lot since that time but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. It is funny how God marks out paths for us that we could never imagine. He knows the plans He has for us. (Jer 29:11). His plans are always better than our plans yet not always the way we want them. God wants His people to be happy, satisfied and growing with Him. God knew that at that time in my life, I was not happy. I may have seemed happy on the outside but I kept trying to get to the next level, have the next best thing, be independent, keep on the move and get there in a fast and flashy fashion. To be honest, when I walked into my home each night after completely spending myself in all aspects, I would close my door and feel so alone and so empty. You see, the life I had carved out and planned for myself was not as the Lord intended. He spent so many nights holding me as I cried myself to sleep. All along He never left me and I felt as He kept saying "this is not the way for you." It wasn't until I surrendered myself completely -- plans and all to Him, that my life changed and I became fulfilled by slowing down and listening to Him. So, as I complete this post I'm off to Bible study and then to contemplate which cake I will attempt to decorate next week at class. Want to join me???? Dear Lord -- Thank you for bringing me to a place of peace and contentment in my life. I thank you for friends that supported me through the process and all the people you brought along side me to encourage on my transformation. I pray Lord that you help me never to stop growing in YOU and following Your will for my life. I praise you dear Father -- AMEN. Application:

• What has your transformation been like?
• Think back 10/20 years ago, how did you see your life? Does it resemble now?
• Pray that the Lord will guide and direct you according to His will and for His glory.

Esteem one another

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)- emphasis mine Each generation in this life has begged the question "what is the meaning of life?" and/or "what is my purpose on this earth?" I know I have asked these same questions and there are times that I have needed a refresher on what I felt my intended purpose was at that time. Since we are all used of God for His glory, our individual purpose or meaning of life in general could change depending on the season of life. Ultimately, however the main purpose of life and for our meer existence is to glorify the only one true living God - the great "I AM." But let's narrow it down a bit and discuss how we as individuals can be a representation of Jesus to those around us - to make them feel important, valued, appreciated and valid in the scheme of things. Often times things get so "heavy" that we need to be cared for and supported more than usual. I think it is a human characteristic and possibly even a genetic predisposition to NEED to feel useful, wanted and included. Our job as believers and non-believers alike should be to make sure that those closest to us know how much they are a part of who we are. We need to constantly ensure that they understand that our lives would be less without them in it. Jesus did not allow people at any level to feel unimportant. He touched those who were shunned by the community; those that were ill; sinners; children; those others felt were above reproach; fishermen, doctors, young and old; scholars and the uneducated, etc. Jesus loves each of these people, along with you and I unconditionally. We should share that same type of love with those around us, especially those close to us. Join me in caring for those around us and take a moment to encourage someone close to you today. You never know, it might be just the thing they need today. God can use small things to make a difference in a person's day and/or disposition. Not everything has to be a "Red Sea" experience to make a major impact. Let's change the world one person at a time... Dear Lord: Help me to be sensitive to others; help me to humble myself and place others needs before my own; remind me to encourage others and show my appreciation for the efforts of those in my life. AMEN Application:

• Who do you need to encourage today? Who do you need to give a "pat-on-the-back?"
• Pray that the Lord will show you how to humble yourself in order to make those around you feel valued. We all want to feel like we belong and are important.