Abilities - Creating in Faith

Some of us, from a young age are told the abilities that we have and these are celebrated.  I am not talking about talent to do a particular thing but the positive emotional impact that our actions can generate.  How many of you can remember having to perform for relatives - whether a dance routine, piano piece or a song?  Our parents looked on us with pride and happiness perhaps seeing an unfulfilled dream that they want you to explore.  Some of us have desires to make an impact on our surroundings, to do things differently and if given the right exposure and nurtured uncover many abilities that can blossom.  We can also think about those never got any encouragement or support who through their hardship only find out about about a particular ability until very much later on in life discovering that they have the desire to write, paint, or fulfil a passion that they had once thought buried, and these activities impacts on the emotional lives of others.

We all have the ability to impact positively on others and in the fast paced lives we lead we often miss opportunity because we haven't given ourselves the time to really explore, and get to know ourselves and what makes us tick.  It can sometimes be easier to see the abilities that another has and feel frustrated that they are not utilising what they have or not getting the most that could be gained out of life.

I don't think that the abilities that we have are meant for ourselves either.  If you have an ability to be able to encourage others, why wouldn't you, or to teach - find different ways to do it if you are not comfortable in the class room - think video, podcasts.  You might have the ability to keep calm and in stressful situations or bring about peace.  You might be able to inspire and encourage others enabling them to see the treasures and the light in their lives, or through your humour ease tension. 

Think out of the box when you think about your abilities, the don't have to manifest in the traditional ways, we don't have to use them as they've always been used, or are expected to be used.  God gives us talents, gifts and abilities which are to be used for the benefit of all who live in the world today and who are yet to come, not to be afraid of, shamed or hidden, but to be used, shared and celebrated each and every day.  How can you take one step today to recognise an ability that you have, or have not used for a long time and shine a spot light on it?

I am coming soon. ..Revelation 3:11

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 2 Corinthians 1:8

Gratitudes - 30 Day Challenges

30 Day challenges and longer, have taught me that it only takes one small action to make a change that can impact the rest of your life.  We all have the ability to do one thing differently today and you would be surprised where it could lead.  I am grateful that I have been involved with several challenges that have enabled me to see different perspectives and new relationships.  What will be your next challenge?

Savour - Thought for the Day - 52 Weeks of Colour

Thought for the week  

Peace is possible in your life at any given moment and starts from within, it doesn’t matter what your circumstances are riding the storm will enable you to savor the calm. As you understand the joys of the heart you will begin living in truth every day. 

Too much of a good thing is wonderful. ...Mae West

 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and

 supplication, with thanks giving, let you requests be made

 known to God; ..." Philipians 4:6

Generousity - Creating in Faith

We can think of many people we know who have a generous nature, always giving of themselves whether it’s the time they give, or that they always remember your birthday or that person who always has an encouraging word for you. We know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of someone’s generosity and it can bring much needed relief to a difficult situation, especially if the generosity was unexpected. 

How are we in turn giving of ourselves to others, we can decide what form it could take, what impact are we making to our friends, neighbours our local community, do we really listen to what others are saying when we ask them ‘how they are’? 

You could find different ways to give to charity, thinking of unique ways to raise and get your creative juices flowing. You can give without expectation that you will receive in return. The ultimate sacrifice being given by God, when he gave his only son reminds me that the very things we can hold onto and feel precious about in the bigger scheme of things have no value whatsoever.   

As we take some time this week to really re-evaluate our lives, let us think of all those areas we can work on that can bring joy to someone else’s life, if we all gave something there would be no lack in the world.  Join the ‘It Starts with Us Team’  15 minutes of your time once a week to touch hearts and change the life of someone somewhere in this world – maybe even your next door neighbour.

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice Psalm 112:5 

The generous will themselves be blessed,
    for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9