Day 32: "Using What God Gave You"

We continue on to Day 32 of the book: The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Pastor Rick Warren. This chapter talks all about our SHAPE & how to understand it & USE it.

Here is the first thing that jumped right off the page at me: "It was only after I began accepting opportunities to speak that I saw the result, received confirmation from others, and realized, 'God has gifted me to do this!'" Pastor Warren was talking about his ability to teach. We've talked about each of us having LOTS of gifts. We've also talked about how sometimes we didn't know we had them. I can tell you...after some of my life experiences...that I wonder what I've still got bottled up inside me.

I took a job in sales...didn't even know there was such a thing like it, until I applied for it. Really...had NO CLUE on how to sell what I'd be selling. They taught me how. I listened & placed in our annual sales competition EVERY year, but not only that...I realized (& so did my bosses) that I had a knack for connecting will people...all kinds of people...& not just to make friends, but to build campaigns & work with people in a business setting. That's my first example of a spiritual gift I discovered.

Here's another...had the IDEA come to me about being an auctioneer. I NEVER called an auction before. Never really had any interest to try. I called my Dad, who called my Uncle who TOLD me I was going to go with him to a Church Feast in Plum, Texas & help him....in TWO weeks. I didn't have a chant. I hadn't practiced. Heck...I was still working through the thoughts of if I REALLY wanted to do it & what some people might think about it. I hadn't even told my husband. I could have NOT gone. Uncle Mele still would have loved me :)....BUT...I WENT. For two weeks, I watched You Tube videos, chose my filler words, practiced with my family, counted fence posts as I went down the road & SCARED OUT OF MY MIND.....WENT. Uncle Mele told me to spot first, so I could see where the main bidders were. I did. Then I got up there & sold. Not only did people compliment me, but asked me where I learned how to do it...when I told them You Tube videos & practice they about fell over. Then I did another & people URGED me on with MORE compliments & not only compliments, BUT advice to pursue it. I went to another & thought...okay these people don't HAVE to be nice to me & decided to get my license & here I am PURSUING it. That is example 2.

I was working a full-time job when I started this whole auctioneer journey. I mean I was busy, but I had just unlocked a door to a whole world full of new thoughts & emotions that I had NEVER had. I had a friend that had a Blog called: Pistols & Cupcakes & she wrote a blog about us winning a Halloween Contest with our Ninja Turtle Costumes. HONESTLY...before that I had NEVER read a blog. I didn't really understand the point of them...until I read hers. I can tell you...It was the PERFECT place for me to UNLOAD all of my thoughts about my journey...ALL of them....so I started the blog: Buck Up Baby! & started SHARING my journey. Initially I used it to UNLOAD thoughts...then I started giving props to the organizations & bidders that were at the auctions I did, now I use it to do those things, but also as a marketing tool OR a way to clarify certain things about the events that we are a part of. Anyways....once I started giving props to the events, individuals, & organizations...I started SHARING it on Facebook, on my page & the page of anyone involved. The truth of the matter is though...that I thought a FEW people might read them, but I didn't expect to get the POSITIVE reaction I got....really & I sure didn't expect to get compliments on the WAY I wrote them. I mean I just type it how I think it...& that is usually not grammatically correct...or politically correct. Here I present...Example #3.

I can also tell you that another SPIRITUAL GIFT that God has GIVEN to me is COURAGE & the ABILITY to (sometimes blindly) look past the drawbacks, judgements, perceived thoughts & march onward. It has to be God-given, b/c sometimes I think I'm flat cRaZY for trying to tackle some of the things I do, but I've already gotten myself half-way into it, so there's NO TURNING BACK.

Here's another important...lesson, from this chapter: "Part of accepting your shape is recognizing your limitations. Nobody is good at everything, and no one is called to be everything." WOW...what a lesson I have learned, & I wish I would have learned it sooner. I still strugGLE with it, but I have LEARNED that when I start feeling overwhelmed, stressed, cRAzY, bumfuzzled, twisted up, anxious, out-of-control...there is SOMEONE around me that can HELP me. We are SUPPOSED to work together. Just because you know you are ABLE doesn't mean YOU have to do it. Someone else is able too....& may just have the ability to do a better job at it.

I'm in the middle of a project now where I KNOW...to give the GLORY to GOD...I NEED people to HELP me. I need people to BRING their talents & their SHAPE to the table. This is another one of those things that wouldn't even be a thing....if I wouldn't have decided (with friends urging me) to "CREATE WITH ABANDON" as my journal cover says. That means (my meaning): BELIEVE IT. ENVISION IT. ACT ON IT. Then figure out how to MAKE IT what you ENVISION once you got the ball rolling.

Here is the last thing I'll share from this chapter before I get to the daily info. "Satan will try to steal the joy of service from you in a couple of ways: by tempting you to compare your ministry with others, and by tempting you to conform your ministry to the expectations of others." BELIEVE THIS: Just like God uses us to HELP each other...Satan uses us to HURT each other...all day, everyday, & as often as possible. No one is off limits. Also KNOW...that when you are doing God's work...Satan will ATTACK you every. chance. he. gets. I truly believe that GOD is strengthening my MIND right now to handle his attacks. Pastor Warren shares this in the book: "You will find that people who do not understand your shape for ministry will criticize you and try to get you to conform to what they think you should be doing. Ignore them. Paul often had to deal with critics who misunderstood and maligned his service. His response was always the same: Avoid comparisons, resist exaggerations, and seek only God's commendation. One of the reasons Paul was used so greatly by God was that he refused to be distracted by criticism or by comparing his ministry with others or by being drawn into fruitless debates about his ministry."

"Point to Ponder: God deserves my best."

Daily Bible Verse: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

Daily Question: "How can I make the best use of what God has given me?"

From my journal the first time of reading: The truth is - it seems like it is slowly being revealed to me...in pieces. I know auctions and sharing my journey is part of it...and maybe that's it, but I believe there will be more, once I handle this part.

Believe me when I say...there's MORE. There will always be MORE...& God won't wait until you "handle" one part... It's all on His watch.

Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus!! This chapter talks about a "Life Review Retreat." I'm down for that if anyone knows anything about one. Also...this chapter ENCOURAGES us to talk to our people about our SHAPE...to see what others see in us. Do that...I know it's not easy, but probably worth it.

Heather Schoenst Kaspar
TXL 17037

Day 31:"Understanding Your Shape"

Thanks guys for hangin' in with me! Its been a BusY couple weeks. Tonight I felt EXTREMELY compelled to write this blog. I've fallen behind, so hopefully everyone that needed to catch up with the posts, has & we will carry on to Day 31 of the book: The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Pastor Rick Warren. In the last post, we STARTED discussing our SHAPE. We discussed our Spiritual gifts & listening to our Heart.

Today we learn how to uncover, determine, figure out, & think about the rest of what creates our SHAPE. There is SO much in this book & so many ways this book can reach you, so PLEASE read it for yourself. I will share the things that just FLEW off the page at me.

We'll start with applying our Abilities. First off, the book says: "Your abilities are the natural talents you were born with." Let me tell ya...sometimes you don't even know you have'm. THIS is the most helpful thing for me (in terms of the guidance I was seeking) that this chapter had to offer: (Pastor Warren is discussing some people's ability to run a business.) "First, realize your ability came from God and give him the credit. Second, use your business to serve a need of others and too share your faith with unbelievers. Third, return at least a tithe (10 per cent) of the profit to God as an act of worship. Finally, make your goal to be a Kingdom Builder rather than just a Wealth Builder."

I have said before (in a number of different settings) that the MAIN reason I CONTINUE to pursue this whole auction career is because, through PRAYER, the thought came to my mind, I pursued it....cautiously at first, then proceeded to LEARN more about it & get my license. Many other "God" things have happened regarding it, since then. Here is what I strUGGle with. I WANT to give God the glory, but I don't know how.... I mean YES.... I SHARE my story with people, BUT I want to give him the glory in the act & I have not figured out HOW. I mean....how to do it where it will be EFFECTIVE.....where people will be RECEPTIVE to it....where people will KNOW it is GENUINE & where all the.....static of this world doesn't cloud...or hinder my actions.

Here's the part I'm struggling with: "Second, use your business to serve a need of others and too share your faith with unbelievers." - Here is how I see it & what I have a HARD time CONVEYING to others: (I will just speak plainly.) In the small communities, surrounding my hometown, I have WITNESSED how support systems (communities, families & friends, cause supporters, local business owners, etc.) have come together to shine light in the darkness & GENERATE life-changing funds for causes, organizations, and individuals that NEED it....through the LIVE Auction method. BELIEVE ME...there is an overwhelming need EVERYWHERE for what a LIVE AUCTION can bring & every single one of us has a web of connections that can be used to SUPPORT any NEED out there.

Where I struggle is ACTUALLY sharing my faith...IN THE ACT. It is not that I don't want to...it can be a number of different things such as: the intensity of event day & all the announcements that need to be made, all the people that want/need to make announcements, the numerous small fires that have to be put out like equipment malfunctions, lack of connectivity, people not showing up, etc. I KNOW the MAIN part of this is me though....& how (& why) I'm holding back.....it's the "unbelievers." Not JUST the unbelievers of CHRIST, but the unbelievers in WHAT I'm doing, WHY I'm doing it, HOW I'm doing it, WHEN I'm doing it..... This whole "doing something MOST people don't get" business is the hardest thing I've ever done. NO DOUBT....but.....I would do it over AGAIN in a heartbeat....and it seems like most people just don't get that. This whole MINISTERING to others business ain't easy. I mean....you THINK you are a believer...& THEN...you come to a VERY EVIDENT crossroad...that makes you talk to people, go places, & do things you either didn't want to do OR had NO IDEA you'd have the time or ABILITY to do them......and you just stand there, looking in both directions KNOWING which way you HAVE to go, but not wanting to...& you take the step anyway. That is FAITH my friends & you will be rewarded for it. Just typing this has revealed to me how much CONTROL outside things have over us & how much work I have to do on myself to not let the "unbelievers" hinder the vision that I see & the use of MY God-given ABILITIES.

The next part of our SHAPE this chapter discusses is our Personality. We all know what our personality is like, but let me explain how I applied this part. As a licensed auctioneer there are ALL KINDS of auctions that I could call: auto, livestock, benefit/charity, real estate, estate liquidations, business liquidations, storage units...you get my drift. The simplest way for me to know what direction my SHAPE is taking me is to look at all those options & go to what I would like to do. It doesn't have to be just one & it could change throughout my life. I will use my SHAPE: Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, & (later we'll talk about Experiences) to continue to share my MINISTRY with others. Another way to look at is this way: 2 Auctioneers, selling in the same industry....let's just say...2 estate auction companies... Each auctioneer can bring totally different gifts to their customers by their personalities. One may bring knowledge, guidance, & services & be very well-respected, while the other brings fresh marketing ideas, enthusiasm, & has a unique way of connecting with a crowd.  

The last part of our SHAPE is our Experiences. Here are the experiences the book asks us to examine: family experiences, educational experiences, vocational experiences (jobs you were good at), spiritual experiences, ministry experiences (ways you've served God), & painful experiences. Yeah...go ahead and make that list & say a prayer. It'll sure help you connect the dots. Also know this: "Only shared experiences can help others." The book goes on to discuss how God uses those painful experiences to stretch us & grow us & our need to share them with others. I know....they are the toughest ones to share.

Here's our daily stuff:

"Point to Ponder: Nobody else can be me."

Daily Bible Verse: "God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings." 1 Peter 4:10 (LB)

Daily Question: "What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer to my church?"

From my journal the first time of reading: Blogging, writing, sharing open & honest experiences, auctions, asking tough questions

Yeah....now I know that I can offer all kinds of gifts, abilities, & experiences to my church, my family, my friends, & complete strangers.

God BLESS you all! Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus! LEARN your SHAPE. It takes a little deep-diggin,' but you'll be glad you did.

Heather Schoenst Kaspar
TXL 17037

Day 9: "What Makes God Smile?"

Welcome returning & new readers. We are on Day 9 as we continue our journey through the book: The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Pastor Rick Warren .

Day 9: "What makes God smile?"

"Point to Ponder: God smiles when I trust him."

Daily Verse: "The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love." Psalm 147:11 (CEV)

Daily Question: "Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him the most?"

What I wrote in my journal after reading the first time around: Relationships with family, friends, and acquaintances. He will guide me in ways to console, love, and forgive and will condition the hearts of those in just the right way needed.

Building/Having a place to live. He will provide & shine light on everything necessary to make that happen.

This is a DEEP chapter & the person from the Bible that Pastor Warren chose to EXPLAIN this chapter is NOAH.

From the first page of this chapter: "In Noah's day, the entire world had become morally bankrupt. Everyone lived for their own pleasure, not God's. God couldn't find anyone on earth interested in pleasing him, so he was grieved and regretted making man. God became so disgusted with the human race that he considered wiping it out. But there was one man who made God smile. The bible says, 'Noah was a pleasure to the Lord.'"

From Noah's experience we ALL can learn 5 ACTS OF WORSHIP:

1) "God smiles when we love him supremely."Noah loved God more than ANYTHING else in the world. He wants a relationship with us & that kind!! I am by no means an expert at the Bible, but as I try to LEARN & wrap my head around the word It seems to me that He sent his son, the way he sent him for a VERY precise reason. Jesus walked the walk. He did the tough things. He was ridiculed, beat, cursed, shunned, or questioned his ENTIRE life here on earth...BUT the LIGHT of GOD & the LIGHT in their followers urged him onward. Even as I work through my emotions from day to day I REALize how there are SO many different KINDS of ANGER....of HAPPINESS...of LOSS...of STRUGGLE...of PAIN...of TRUST...of LOVE... I really believe that Jesus experienced ALL of it & sits at the right hand of the Father to HELP him understand our sin here on earth. Jesus was FAITHFUL & God FULLY understands the INTENSE strugGLE we all face & Jesus said to him on that cross: "Forgive them Father. They know not what they do." Luke 23:34 (KJV) & God TRUSTED him & in his FINAL dying breath...SAVED AN ENTIRE WORLD FULL OF SINNERS. That to me...is PROOF that he WANTS a relationship with us & that he loves us & he will TRUST us, if we talk to him.


2)"God smiles when you trust him completely." Noah trusted God when it didn't make sense. The book discusses the 3 main issues Noah faced:

1. "Noah had never seen rain, because prior to the Flood, God irrigated the earth from the ground up."
2. He lived in the middle of dry land hundreds of miles from ANY large body of water.
3. He had to figure out how to round up ALL the animals.

BUT...he did it...without a complaint.

3) "God smiles when we obey him wholeheartedly." Boy...do I have to work on this one & is he ever lettin' me know it! Noah followed ever single direction God gave him...down to the last detail...without question. The book says: "That means doing whatever God asks without reservation or hesitation." THIS IS HARD. HARD...I TELL YOU! This means...not taking the time to pray about it...not working it through in your head...not figuring out the right time....SIGH...INSTANTLY acting... Pastor Warren also says: "Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussions."

4) "God smiles when we praise and thank him continually." Noah praised God before, during, and after his journey on the Ark. I praise God CONTINUALLY in private, BUT now I am working on CONTINUALLY praising him in PUBLIC.

5) "God smiles when we use our abilities." This part of the book is SUCH a good description of this act of worship! Once Noah completed his journey God said: "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth...Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything." Genesis 9:1-3  He wanted them to LIVE. There is not a thing on earth that we can not give to him in worship....washing dishes, caring for livestock, cooking dinner, painting with our children, building a business, selling a product or service, singing a song, enjoying the view......the list could go on for the rest of our lives.

Whew! It's A LOT to take in & I have LOTS of work to do!! Buck UP Baby and Ride with Jesus! He will URGE you to ride in the rain & the hail & the EXTREME wind & ASK you to PERSEVERE through it all & TRUST that he is taking you to a MUCH greener pasture. IT IS NOT EASY, BUT DON'T BE A SISSY!!