via rss reader
via emailof gifts and retreats (1 Cor. 12)
November 2nd, 2009
wow, its been a few weeks since I blogged (which means I’ve been out of the pulpit for a few). well, its back in the saddle this week, and what a week to prepare for.
still thinking through what happened up at the men’s retreat last weekend. so much to process. we had a great group of guys this year, and the speakers were wonderful. this was the first year we offered an afternoon trek up mt. major, and as you can see from the pic, about 20 guys ripped up the hill and were back by 4pm for the afternoon session. great job everybody! but when it is all said and done, there is that “God moment” that just sticks with you.
for me, the God moment really did center on spiritual gifts (and since that is this week’s sermon, what excellent timing). i had the opportunity for the first time to actually work with the group of guys that put the retreat together. it was what you could call a “teachable moment”. we had guys that were great “idea” people, guys that were gifted “administrative” folks, guys that were dedicated “prayer warriors”, and guys that were gifted in “encouragement”. when it was all said and done, i look back and see how each of these guys was used very uniquely by God to make the retreat happen. so, can i take a second and say to all the guys who served on the committee, the guys who spoke, our worship leader, and all the guys who showed up sunday a.m. with the black eyes from football– well done good and faithful servants.
in 1 Corinthians 12, paul talks about how God gives gifts to the church so that all the aspects of ministry can move forward. the retreat just served to reinforce that great truth– different folks, different gifts, but one Lord, one Savior, one mission.
just wondering. anyone else had that kind of spiritual gifts “God moment”, when the Lord showed you how the right person with the right gift in the right place was used by Him in a great way?
Muffy Tarcold said:
I was laid off a few months ago, after years and years of working in various aspects of business management - primarily for financial reasons. Hubby and I were in agreement that, even though it appeared to be a serious financial risk - it was important that I seek to fully use my God-given gifts and passion. Your sermon series on giving your life away was timely. Imagine that.
I spent some time at home looking at various options while taking the opportunity to rid our overstuffed home of stuff. I landed at ChildVoice International in September, using the gift of administration that God has finely tuned through all of those years of “secular” work. When you find that “sweet spot” in God’s kingdom it is an awesome thing. It was truly a God moment when it came to dawn on me last week that I was looking forward to Monday as much as I looked forward to Sundays. And Tuesdays and Wednes….
Barb Evans said:
Well Terry, the TM conversation sprung up for Ray and I too. I guess those guys were in Toronto Ontario, California and the Northeast. My TM wake-up moment was during a video we were shown to encourage us to learn levitation ( I think he was just sitting cross-legged on the floor and leaping briefly into the air!) It was not long after that moment that God brought some Christians on campus into my life who encouraged me to seek a loving God. I am thankful for their kindness and support. I thought they were nerdy ( how crazy was I thinking TM was okay, but these Christians might not be) But they were persistent and caring. It was some time after that before I was sincerely walking with the Lord. I am thankful as I look back and see that God used the gifts of others to bring me to Himself.
I think that as we serve God, He uses our gifts. Too much thinking about what gift(s) we have can keep us from moving ahead in service. We might say “I wonder what my gift is and where I should serve?” We should just give our lives away and God will take care of the details. The Christians that shared with me in Canada may not even know that God used the seeds they planted in my life. We may not always know either, but we have faith that God is at work in His body accomplishing His will. Barb