One of my favorite things about being a pastor is helping people discover their gifts, abilities and purpose. I love watching people find their sweet spot in life.
Likewise it’s been fun as a dad to watch my boys as they grow up and develop their unique giftedness. I pray almost every day that God will help me encourage them in such a way as to use their gifts to bless the people around them.
Our youngest, Brewer, is full of energy, determination, and focus. Lately, he’s been singing a lot. A whole lot. I thought I would give you a sample. Jury is still out on whether or not this is going to be a gift of his or not. I think his oldest brother might have given him a few lessons.
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/1808063]
Here’s the “all-skate” question. What do you think your primary gift or ability is? How are you using it?
Wow am I really first? I beat Dr. Ruggles? I am a utilty player. I can do whatever is needed.
I am exhorter/encourager.
I lead Impress team ministries.
I am exhorter and encourager also with a heavy dose of administration. Let us not forget sexy and funny, atleast that is what my better half says.
It took me a long time to figure this out – I’m still not sure what my MAIN gift is. But I am good at encouraging people, caring for them and helping them encounter God in various ways. I am good at teaching and leading groups of people forward. I am a minister of worship arts so I think I am using these gifts.
I’m a big time encourager. I could get an animal in Bible study I think if I had the time with him.
Seriously…I love to see people in the Word….it gives me a thrill to get them there and then keep them there. Have a great day. Hugs and blessings…
I would say it is my ability to memorize trivial stuff
I would have to say that my primary gift is teaching, espcially teenagers. I love making the Bible come alive to students and seeing them take ownership of their faith.
@Giant Idiot, I totally agree with you!!
I was a good nurse-I worried about them all but smiled at them anyway and loved them like my family. (retired now due to child rearing)
I had to really think hard about that one…I have no other gifts to my knowledge-blissfully average.
oh…I can bathe children with warp speed…..that’s a talent huh?
hospitality and encourager… i think!
Wish I knew. I’m just trying to be faithful in what I know to do, and if God ever decides to show me what my gifts are, then I’ll be happy. I can do a little bit of alot of things, but I don’t feel that I excel in any of them.
@youthpastoradam, dude that really is a gift. Keep using it in powerful way.
@Gina, that is a gift I wish I had. I’m not comparing though.
to be a helper and giver….
also…. Brewer has a gift, maybe not of singing but entertaining for sure. and i love the fact that he is already comfortable with tattooing himself!
I’d say encourager and discernment are my gifts/talents. I am able to discern what’s good/right (sometimes)…. but because of my encouragement gift I’m not to condemn and be critical of the bad/wrong I see…but instead encourage and focus on the good in anything/anybody. At this point in my life I’m using it most in my home with hubby & toddler son since those are the ‘others’ around me most… at my church those skills are coming in handy as our church body is going through a ton of changes so I am the middle ground member who focuses on the good on all perspectives and stands in the middle ground encouraging and loving on all different voices.
That is a good question. I wish I knew what my gift was???
Does anyone else think it looks like Brewer has a hickey on his neck?
Communications, shepherding, leadership.
Pete, it was great meeting you Sunday at Cross Point. We really enjoyed the worship time, your message and the whole Cross Point experience! We also enjoyed exploring the west end of Nashville. Looks like an outstanding place to grow up and an even better place to do church!
Blessings to you, Brandi and your gifted boys.
Totally having nothing to do with gifts…I went to Jett’s video you linked (singing Taylor Swift) and my 3 year-old grabbed his Guitar Hero guitar and started playing it while he watched Jett sing. Maybe there’s a band in the making??
I’m good at making time for my older family members and neighbors. I know they’re lonely and miss the family of their youth, so my daughter and I visit our neighbors every evening and my 3 grandparents almost every weekend. In January of 2003 one of my grandfathers suddenly died and my grandmother was left to live alone for the first time in her life. I remember talking to my dad and brother at the hospital after this happened and telling them that I would look after “Ma.” I have embraced this assignment from God and it has helped me realize that time is one of the best gifts you can give. My grandparents helped raise me, and I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to reciprocate the love I received from them growing up. Thanks Ma, Momma Jane, and Granddad . . . I may not have made it through the dark without you guys.
is brewer 2, 2.5 or almost 3?
very cute video by the way
@rg…. God bless you so much… you will be abundantly rewarded for this unseen, unpraised & often neglected role of helping the unappreciated & often neglected group. thank you so much for your caring heart. I too have a passion for the elderly and in quiet serve them with my time.
The only ability that I will hang onto at any cost is the ability to hear God. My husband and I are being called by God out of pastoring and into the marketplace…so strange. I read very few blogs anymore by pastors because many of them seem to be a bit drunk with the celebrity and applause they are receiving. Certainly a tough thing to fight. I have great disdain for ministry pedestals. Just wanted you to know that I pray for you, Pete, and for your wife that you will wrap yourselves up in humility every day of your life so that you will continue to hear His voice. He can then truly affect a generation through you. Don’t know why I am telling you this. Have a blessed day!
Oh, I’m so glad you asked. I’ve been dabbling in cartooning as a supplement to my blogging activities. A good place to sample my work would be at my page on ArtSpots!
Hmmm…Its been different gifts at different times…but the basis is caring, nurturing, loving, cultivate the Self.
LOL @ Giant Idiot’s comment, I do that.. at one time in my life, I had the nickname “walking encyclopedia”.
Been trying to figure that one out for years, but recently (in the past few years) the Lord has taken me down the creative road of photography. Now I know that is not on the list of spiritual gifts, but I am passionate about capturing the beauty that God has created and the unique qualities in each individual. When I capture an image of God showing up in someone’s life, now that is just the icing on the cake. I also have the gift of hospitality (I think this one is on the list). I love to be a host, serve others, and just fill in the gaps – do whatever needs to be done.
Oops I forgot to say, thank you for sharing pieces of your life.. that video is such a treasure..
.
When I first heard about praying about my children’s gifts. I thought I never thought about that. Now I am reading power of the praying parent and I have been praying about their gifts. Some of my daughters gifts are easy to see other ones prayer will reveal. Thank you for sharing your gifts( children) from God.
I have no clue what my gift is.
Brewer was just warming up there in the beginning, how cute is he. At least he’ll be able to hit the high notes.
The answer to your question…no clue.
Dude, you’re killing me with these videos!!! So funny. Love that Brewer covered his own ears halfway through… not sure if he was checking for pitch or trying to tune himself out. I assume the hickey on his neck was made with whatever is on his arm.
And Jett… come on! Those faces had me laughing out loud to the point where my dog came and started licking my face because it made him nervous (he always thinks I’m in pain when I laugh… not sure what that says about my laugh). That was the best start of the day ever. Thanks.
As for my primary gift… I’m not sure really. I think my main job is to encourage people and point out their gifts, and I’m usually the one who brings people together and keeps them connected. I’m not sure if that’s a gift as much as it’s just being kind, though!
sara
http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com
i can always find something good about a person, no matter what. ok, so some people breath well – and that’s it!
but the Powers that be have endowed me with the ability to regognise that each person is of royal decent and godly parents.
Brewer is just adorable! I remember videotaping my son in preschool with a handful of other kids. Only two were actually singing – my son and his best friend. And my son was singing SO LOUD that you could hear my laughter (and tears) throughout the entire song. It was hilarious and a tape to save to show his future bride
I’ve been told my gifts are in leadership, spiritual discernment, and loving ‘the unlovable’. I blog about how God used a woman at church who I was given to counsel and pray for to change my heart about compassion for the undesirable, the homeless, the mentally challenged. It humbled me and God gave me a whole new perspective on what it is to love unconditionally. God gifted me but it took this experience to remove the ‘greater than thou’ chip on my shoulder to permanently remind me of His great love for ALL his children.
I enjoy the challenge of trying to reconstruct a mangled arm or hand. Seriously. I am embarrassed by how much I enjoy my work.
Dude.. totally looks like he has a hickey on his neck
Going on 30 and still trying to find my gift, buy I am dangerous with my Star Wars light saber, ask my son the “ninja”.
BTW….Red Sox clinched the AL wildcard. It’s Soxtober!!
I think my primary gift is not the same as my primary ability.
I can organize and think linear like crazy – but more and more I see that my passion, my gift is communicating the Gospel in a non-threatening yet blatantly honest way with people, using my humor and logic to bring down defenses and help people move closer to God.
So I guess basically – preaching =)
the little guy is passionate about this song…hehe!
Music is my primary gift. And right now, I’m using the heck out of it. But lovin’ it!!!!! Second I would say for me is leadership. I’ve kinda got that on the back burner right now to just be mommy for a while. That’s what’s most important at this stage. More will come latter.
BTW…..I went to bed @ 8 because I wasn’t feeling well, thus why I’m already up for the day. Isn’t that crazy! I’ll be tired again about the time my kids start waking up.
Great post, mostly because it got everyone talking about their strengths. A great tool to help you help your kids find theirs is a book called Your Child’s Strengths by Jenifer Fox. It’s both philosophical and really practical. Check her out at http://www.strengthsmovement.com. Your kids will be glad you did.
That…
Was awesome.
Hehe.