Ramble alert

Howdy folks, this is just a random update. School's underway and I'm already tired of it. And I mean literally TIRED! I thought this would be an easy semester, but it's actually been the most hectic so far. Between two bands, softball, karate, Tae Kwon Do, Tau Beta Sigma, Encounter, Wesley Foundation, etc., I've barely got any down time. On the positive side, it prevents boredom which is something I absolutely cannot handle. But hopefully things will slow down a little as the semester progresses.

On another note, football season starts this weekend! The band's been working hard so hopefully it'll pay off and we won't make fools of ourselves. Speaking of band, check out the poster for this year! (Hint- check out the bottom piccolo, second from right)




I thought it was pretty cool. :o)

Like I said earlier, boredom is something I absolutely can't handle. I always have to be doing something...ALWAYS. Because of this, I've always taken up random hobbies. My last one was juggling, but that didn't last very long. I think I want to try rock climbing more often. I climbed a little this weekend (still feeling the pain).

Also, I've decided that I want to go kayaking. And luckily, I have a friend that owns two kayaks so I'll be doing that soon. I can't wait!

You'll be pleased to know that I'm really buckling down with magic...well, illusions. Incase you didn't know, I've been doing magic tricks since I was in the seventh grade. I go through random periods that I become really interested in working on new things, and this just happens to be the biggest period yet. I'll try to get some video of my new material soon so keep an eye out for it. :o) I really enjoy freaking people out, it's a blast!

Well, I've rambled on enough for now. So have a blessed week and I'll do my best to update again soon. Peace.

Spiritual Gifts

Your dominant gifts are Pastor/Shepherd, Showing Mercy, Exhortation


The results of your Spiritual Gifts Inventory indicate that your number one dominant gift is PASTORING/SHEPHERDING! The Greek word "poimen" means pastor. In Paul's spiritual gifts listing in Ephesians 4:11, this term is translated "pastor." Although the word "poimen" is translated pastor only one time in Scripture it is used sixteen additional times. The remaining sixteen are all translated "shepherd." Therefore, we are actually discussing the GIFT of shepherding, not the POSITION of pastor. Though a good pastor must have the gift of shepherding, everyone who has the gift of shepherding is not called to be pastor. The gift can be used in many positions in a church.

As a gifted shepherd, you have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by overseeing, training, and caring for the needs of a group of Christians. You are usually very patient, people-centered, and willing to spend time in prayer for others. You tend to be a "Jack of All and Master of ONE," meaning you are usually dominant in one of the speaking gifts (evangelist, prophet, teacher, exhorter) as well. You are often authoritative, more a leader than a follower, and expressive, composed, and sensitive. Your pleasing personality draws people to you.

You have a burden to see others learn and grow and are protective of those under your care. You want to present the whole Word of God and do not like to present the same materials more than once. You are willing to study what is necessary to feed your group and are more relationship oriented than task oriented. You are a peace-maker and diplomat - very tolerant of people's weaknesses. You tend to remember people's names and faces. You are more concerned with doing for others than others doing for you. You are faithful and devoted and may become a workaholic. You can become an all-purpose person in order to meet needs.

People with the gift of shepherding make the best Sunday school teachers and group leaders because their desire is to go beyond just teaching or leading, to shepherd and minister to the daily needs of their students. The position of Sunday school teacher or group leader is an extension of the pastoral ministry in the church. These groups should be shepherded on a small scale the same as the pastor shepherds the whole congregation on a large scale.

Be careful to involve other people; don't try to do it all yourself. Work on making people accountable. Do not be overly protective of your "flock." Because of these potentially weak areas, other people may think it is your job to do all the work; they rely too heavily on you. You may be expected to be available at all times, know all the answers, and be at every function. Learn when to say no.

Beware of Satan's attack on your gift. He will cause discouragement when the load gets heavy, and pride because your "sheep" look up to you. You may develop family problems because of too little time and attention. You may become selfish when "sheep" feed in other pastures.

HOW CAN YOU USE YOUR GIFT? This gift is a great help in many areas. You may serve as a Sunday school teacher, small group leader, pastor or assistant pastor, bus captain, special ministry leader (such as youth, children, men, etc.), nursery worker or as a half-way house or other type shelter volunteer. You may consider serving as a dormitory leader in a college, orphanage, children's home, etc. Scout troops would appreciate your assistance as a den leader.

Spiritual Gifts

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Strength

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Evangelism 14

Prophecy 15

Teaching 10

Exhortation 16

Pastor/Shepherd 17

Showing Mercy 16

Serving 13

Giving 7

Administration 10
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Find out what your own spiritual gifts are here.

Making my decision

If you've been reading my blog for a while then you've probably heard my rants and worries about nursing school and all that jazz. Well, there's good news. Nursing school will no longer be stressing me out because I'm no longer going. As soon as school starts next week, I'll be officially changing my major to Human Development and Family Studies. There are a lot of factors that contributed to this decision. I've always loved the medical field- I'm addicted to Trauma:Life in the ER, House, Untold Stories of the ER...you get the idea. And some of the most exciting experiences I've had were while working on an ambulance. I didn't decide to go for nursing until my senior year of high school. But I really struggled with it my first year of college. I would be a good nurse. I would enjoy it, and it would be fulfilling to help people. But I just don't think it's where God's calling me to be. That brings me to my next big decision. Everyone keeps asking me what kind of job I can have with a HDFS major. Well, I don't really plan to pursue a career with this exact major, but to use it to prepare me for what I really want to do. So....after I graduate, I'm going to seminary. Yep, seminary. I'll have to make the decision of which one later, but I've narrowed it down to Asbury or Candler. I'm leaning toward college or youth ministry, but I'm not completely disregarding the idea of ordination. I've gotten some great advice from some pastor buddies, and the best route is probably getting a Masters of Divinity degree. That way, I have a wide variety of options and I'm not limited to one particular area such as youth director, missions, etc.

With nursing, it was more of an "I guess this will do" kind of thing rather than a "this is what I'm really passionate about" kind of thing. I've toyed around with the idea of seminary for about four years. I always tried not to think too much about it because it really scared me. It's three or four more years of school...and I honestly can't stand school. It's moving away, Kentucky or Atlanta...and I don't deal well with change. It's a new accountability...and hypocrisy is one of my greatest fears. Because of all these things, I pushed the idea away. But at the end of last semester, it hit me that the nursing thing just wasn't going to work. I had so many questions. What am I supposed to do with my life? It was in that confusion and brokenness that God really revealed His plan. I can't explain it...it just feels right for the first time. That's not to say I'm still not terrified. It's a big step, and I know it's not going to easy. But at the same time, I have a peace about it. I've been really frustrated lately because I haven't exactly gotten the support I would have hoped for with this decision. Actually, the only people I've talked to who actually seemed excited and encouraging have been preachers. But I think they might be just a little biased. It's hard to make such a huge decision just to have it discouraged. But even though it's disappointing, I'm actually glad people have tried talking me out of it. It's made ME make the decision. This isn't something that can be done because someone else wants me to. It's between me and God. That's it. So as tough as it is, the lack of support has really been a blessing. Money's been the main issue. It's like that's supposed to be my main motivation for doing things. It's not that I think money doesn't matter at all...but it's far down on the list of the most important things in my life. There are three words that I constantly have to tell myself that go along with this. GOD WILL PROVIDE. And big surprise, it's the name of a song!

God will provide beyond what we imagine
So much more than we can fathom
He will supply
God will provide when we trust in Him completely
And take each step believing like a child
God will provide.

I've just got to have faith that if God brings me to it, He'll bring me through it. Hey, He hasn't failed me yet. Why doubt Him now? As often as I get discouraged, I honestly can't say He's ever let me down. He's got a plan for me, and though it's often difficult to see how that plan works, we've got to simply trust Him. Another thing I've been struggling with is a huge feeling of unworthiness. I mean, who am I to do this? Who am I? It was almost to the point that I chose not to follow through with this decision. But Nolan helped me out with that one, as well as some other issues. I'm going to quote him, but I'm sure he has all this copyrighted so don't steal it. :op "I remember clearly a preaching professor that talked about never standing in the pulpit without thinking "who am I" to be the one that delivers the word of truth today. It is an awesome responsibility and one not to be taken lightly. The mystery that God chooses to use people like you and me to lead and shape his people is crazy in our logical minds. Ultimately, it isn't you that is doing it. Done rightly, God is working in and through you, and whether you go to seminary or not, God is going to do that." Very well spoken.

I know this isn't going to easy, but it's relieving to stop wrestling so much and just allow God to show me His will. So, there's my announcement/ramble about that. Don't worry, you'll probably hear plenty more about the subject. In the mean time, prayers are much appreciated. Not only about this, but band camp started this week! War Eagle! And it's H-O-T out there. But it's going to be a great season...we've got roughly 375 members this year, the largest band in the history of Auburn. Anyway, I'm exhausted...and you probably are too after reading this long thing. My bad, I get going and just can't stop! God bless and goodnight.