Using Your Talents

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Colossians 3:17

This is a random post.....mostly just for me.....to chronicle what has been going on in our lives, but there is a spiritual thought at the beginning and end. 

Spring time has been busy, fun, and exciting.  Everyone is ready for the end of school and start of summer break!

Our oldest son has been competing in golf with his high school team.  He has been doing very well, and the team will be competing in the Regional Tournament on Monday.  Golf is fairly new to our school, so this is quite an accomplishment!

Many years ago I bought a really nice camera thinking it would save us a lot of money because I would be taking the kids pictures myself instead of paying someone else to do them.  Here is one of our daughter's recent Senior pictures we took at a Rangers' game.  My husband actually got us tickets (just she and I) for Opening Day at The Ballpark in Arlington to watch the Rangers, then take pictures.  So, so neat!!

Our second oldest son has a new "business" venture.  He's going to be planting pumpkins - not just because I love having pumpkins to decorate with in the fall, but also so that he will have an FFA project that is a type of business. We look forward to selling the pumpkins in the fall, and expect a bumper-crop (no squash bugs, please!).

Our youngest son recently competed in a few 4-H events.  This picture is from the Impressive Dress contest.  He's wearing sportswear - his favorite golf clothes.  He didn't mind standing up in front of judges holding a golf club! He even swung it while on stage!

The other competition was "4-H has Talent".  He sang, "You Raise Me Up", and did great! If  you would like to listen to it, you will need to turn off the music on my blog (down at the bottom of the home page, then click the link OR just copy and past the link and close the home page.  Those who get this via email won't have to worry about the blog music.)  Here's the YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNcRSVcBS5o

My daughter made this little picture for Instagram and added this quote.  It kind of goes along with the pictures I've posted of my children.  They are using their talents.  I had no idea my daughter had this talent, but maybe she'll teach me! :)  

She's right.....we all have talents!  Hundreds of them!  I pray that each of us are using our talents to serve others and to glorify God.

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Hidden Talents

The Chronicles of Biscuit: Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

(Photo: Biscuit playing hide & seek. He's hiding in the laundry hamper.)

Now....on to "The Chronicles of Biscuit":

Biscuit shares a room with his two older brothers, Zachary and Jacob.  If that sounds crowded - it is. (I must remember to be content....Philippians 4:11) Thankfully, it's a large room, but it gets really messy with all three boys, one closet, and very little storage.

Zachary and Jacob do a pretty good job keeping all of their things picked up and put away - for the most part.  But Biscuit?  Not so much. 

Sunday afternoon, Biscuit decided to surprise us all.  He announced he was going to clean up the whole room all by himself - even his brother's stuff! After a while Biscuit asked us to cover our eyes and walk down the hall to his room.  You wouldn't believe what he had done!  He had put EVERYTHING in place and had even straightened up all three of the small dressers. 

Amazing? YES!  Hidden talent?  I think so!

I knew Biscuit should be old enough to clean up better than he had been doing....his whole life....but I guess we just let it slide because the older two took care of it for him.  (An advantage of being the youngest in the family, I know.) I'm grateful that Biscuit desided to use the talent God blessed him with by cleaning up and straightening his room.  And, an added "good deed" thrown in by even cleaning up all of his brothers' things, too.  Hopefully that talent won't be hidden any more!

Hidden talents.  Do you have any hidden talents?  Is there any talent you're not using to it's fullest potential?  (Read Matthew 25:14-30... Parable of the Talents.  Jesus teaches that talents should not be buried.  Note:  A talent in that parable is referring to money, but the application is the same.)

I'm sure we could say we're not using a God-given talent - either at all or at least not to the degree we could be using it.

Let's make a point to be like Biscuit and decide to use a hidden or neglected talent this week!

This post is linked to Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers.

Do You Like Leftovers?

Note: Be sure to vote on the new fun poll: What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

Do you like to eat leftovers? While I do like many leftover foods, some just don't taste very good to me. Some foods (in my opinion) do actually taste better the second time around, but most do not. I enjoy making up new recipes using leftovers - maybe it's trying to disguise them so my children will eat them! Sometimes the new recipe works. Sometimes it doesn't. But leftovers can be great and make things easier.

I don't believe God likes leftovers. No, I believe God wants us to give to Him our very best, no matter what. He doesn't want the money that's left at the end of the month. He wants us to include Him in our financial planning and give to Him every week. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Paul tells the early Christians, "Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week (Sunday), each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made."

God also does not want leftovers of our time, talents, and service. He wants us to serve Him with our very best - each and every day. Read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The word "talents" used in that passage refers to money, but it can apply to every part of our Christian service.

No leftovers for God. Only sacrificial giving. Only sacrificial living. Give God your best!

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

Have a great week, everyone!