tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478973400022206891.post289554172878401042..comments2023-10-22T07:05:30.717-06:00Comments on Titus2:3-5: What's Your Calling?E. Tyler Rowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06715686459337831034noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478973400022206891.post-60675903832004368412011-01-11T11:34:10.672-07:002011-01-11T11:34:10.672-07:00If you are interested in the notion of "calli...If you are interested in the notion of "calling" you should visit the website http://whatsyourcalling.org/ where you can view videos of both religious and secular people discussing their ideas about calling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478973400022206891.post-21749199335741257472010-12-18T16:37:28.876-07:002010-12-18T16:37:28.876-07:00I like your wise words that "It's okay to...I like your wise words that "It's okay to try something and, when you realize it's not where you should be, to let it go."<br /><br />I'm big on experimenting--sometimes things seem so huge we never try OR we feel trapped.<br /><br />One time I was asked to serve on a women's leadership team. "How long is the commitment?" I asked.<br /><br />"Two years."<br /><br />"Two years?!" I exclaimed. "I don't even know what I'm having for dinner tomorrow night--I'm sorry, but I can't make a two-year commitment. I can, however, make a three-month commitment...can I just come on temporarily and see how it goes?"<br /><br />They didn't even flinch. "Sure, I don't see why not!"<br /><br />So I did it for three months, extended it to six and then nine months--eventually to a year, then I let them know that I couldn't continue. And they thanked me for being on the team and found someone else.<br /><br />This was such a great experience that taught me to be sure to ask--you never know how flexible people can be until you ask!<br /><br />And then I could experiment and try it out. I discovered in that year that it wasn't my calling or passion, though I was happy to help out during the time that I served on the team.Ann Kroekerhttp://annkroeker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478973400022206891.post-61794503756501298742010-12-11T17:33:05.699-07:002010-12-11T17:33:05.699-07:00I feel like Jen.... what am I good at? I do it all...I feel like Jen.... what am I good at? I do it all. <br /><br />I like organization, I have the gift of encouragement, helping and giving. I think part of my job in life is to make as much money as possible so I can give generously to the church, those in need, and missionaries. People seek me out for advice, help, and mentoring in many different areas. I am productive and operate well within clear guidelines. I need a list to check off daily or nothing gets done. People always tell me I am like deep water, very calm. people tell me I am kind and have a pleasant disposition. However, I dont feel like I am good at anything. I mostly feel tired, and easily overwhelmed and ineffective.<br /><br />do a part two where you tell us what you think these traits are pointing to? I think you have truly found your calling and your area and it has been exciting to watch you blossom in it! Its been good to think about these things.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10593883156905667032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478973400022206891.post-62409494122404543012010-12-11T09:09:52.131-07:002010-12-11T09:09:52.131-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478973400022206891.post-29856260515083181652010-12-11T09:08:02.875-07:002010-12-11T09:08:02.875-07:00Okay, I'll bite. What is my calling...my close...Okay, I'll bite. What is my calling...my closest friends probably have a better idea than I do. Right Tyler!<br /><br />I'm a problem solver by nature, a little black and white. When I see something that doesn't work I investigate and because I am also a rule girl I then go back to the beginning, instructions, rules whatever. It's vague, I know. Here is my example:<br /><br />I have been a part of women's ministries in part or in whole for over 13 years. I started as a nonbeliever, and have since just stepped away from being a part of the leadership team and small group facilitator. I believe that my experience of women's needs at the beginning stage all the way to mature Christian gives me quite a bit of knowledge and wisdom regarding meeting other women's needs. When I see women whose needs are not being met, I get fired up! Why aren't they being met? What were they searching for that they couldn't find? How can I help? I go back to what worked and what didn't, changes that worked a little bit but done incorrectly. I had a friend point out that "I was sure fired up" about this issue...otherwise I might have skipped this question.<br /><br />Good at? I don't think I'm good at anything. I am more like a Jen of all trades but master of none. I can do a little of this and a little of that. But people tell me that I am a good leader, teacher, and friend. I am adaptable.<br /><br />Spiritual gifts...all women have wisdom, I think mine might be a little less common and for a different purpose I haven't quite figured out yet. If I go by the test Tyler put on her blog a while back I top the charts at teaching, hospitality, prophecy, discernment and faith. What for? Still working on it.<br /><br />I think I covered my experiences in question one. But a new thing I tried was volunteering for Operation Christmas Child. I did not go willingly, I was pulled in by my feet by heavenly hosts. It is a struggle daily, but I am trusting in God's plan for having me there. All is not as it appears.<br /><br />So building authentic relationship with women, community, discipleship...oh I'm sure more will come to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478973400022206891.post-4988687067320191982010-12-10T21:46:17.959-07:002010-12-10T21:46:17.959-07:00Okay, I'll jump - but just because I was invit...Okay, I'll jump - but just because I was invited. While I did do the children's ministry for many years - and did enjoy it, as I gained my own grandchildren I really wasn't finding joy in it anymore. So, for a couple of years I sat in the pews and did nothing. Not that my heart didn't want to - everytime I heard about a need I thought, "I can do that." "I should sign up." But my intentions were much higher than my actions. My wise daughter was leading our Women's Ministry at that time and I was her sounding board, prayer back up, etc., yet I still kept mentally leaping at all these opportunities. Finally one day as we were in conversation - I shared this aspect of my personality with her - did I already say she is wise. Well, in our conversation I questioned how a person really 'knows' what their calling is...and her answer, "sometimes you just have to jump in and do something."<br /><br />That fall I started attending Bible study because I identified a need for Christian fellowship in my life and within weeks - I was the leader. I'm still not really sure how that happened but I lept in where there was a gap and 5 years later I'm still doing it. Actually - not just doing it - I think it is an area of gifting. I show up, invite God to attend - and then I just facilitate the rest - and it works. God gives me words to encourage, to challenge, to pray. And somehow, through God, I have the opportunity to bless others - all because I was challenged to jump in. (thanks daughter)<br /><br />By the way - will I always be here? I doubt it. I think God places us in roles for a season and I hope to be faithful in this season but to also have the discernment when He moves me somewhere else. It's really all about Him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478973400022206891.post-76430725809758980902010-12-10T10:39:08.370-07:002010-12-10T10:39:08.370-07:00My passion is sharing what God is teaching me with...My passion is sharing what God is teaching me with others so that they experience transformation to be more like Christ and their relationship to God grows deeper and stronger. I think it starts with how we think. Ro 12 tells us that when our minds are renewed we will be able to test and approve the will of God.<br /><br />I especially like speaking to women, but I am equally willing to speak to kids, youth, men.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks friend for helping me process that stuff. I get tangled up in other things and forget to take the things God has gifted me in and fired me up about to use for Him!Angela Mackeyhttp://www.rethinkingmythinking.comnoreply@blogger.com