![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on July 14, 2002, at 11:37:33
My Sunday School class has been discussing lately differing gifts of the spirit. And I thought it was an excellent exercise in recognizing our own qualities or the qualities of others as gifts. Especially, perhaps, in recognizing our own gifts. And it has been a huge blessing to our class.
Some examples were the gift of prayer, the gift of being able to inspire others, the gift of being able to make others laugh, the gift of intellectual understanding, the gift of wisdom, etc. Today we recognized in one woman the gift of being able to recognize the blessings in her life.
Someone once told me, and others (including my Sunday School teacher) have agreed since then, that one of my strongest gifts is that I see things just a bit differently than others. This causes me to be a "challenge" sometimes, but also helps others think about their own long held but not deeply examined beliefs, thus helping others strengthen their own beliefs and come to a deeper understanding of them.
As you can well imagine, this "gift" is not one I always welcome, but it is a good exercise for me to see it as a gift rather than a curse.
The gift I would most love to have is the gift of relationships. There was a woman at church once who I admired more than any person I have ever known. To sum her up, she once told me "Dinah, you're weird." And she made it seem like the most natural acceptable thing in the world. In other words, she saw people as they actually were, warts and all, and she warmly accepted them. She made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. What a gift - the gift of relationship and acceptance.
So, I was wondering... What do you see as your gifts of the spirit? What gifts do you most admire in others?
Posted by SandraDee on July 14, 2002, at 16:21:30
In reply to Gifts differing: An exercise (Long and personal), posted by Dinah on July 14, 2002, at 11:37:33
There are two (maybe more) gift tests out there, from what I was told. I took a very condensed one at a women's retreat not long ago. The results were "gift of encouragement" and I don't remember the second, but wayyy down low was teaching (and I know that's cuz I hate to be in front of a crowd). Anyhow, it was an interesting test, and we learned a lot about each other.
Posted by Dinah on July 14, 2002, at 17:26:57
In reply to I took a 'test' somewhat like that... » Dinah, posted by SandraDee on July 14, 2002, at 16:21:30
We're just doing it on an informal basis, as the situations arise. And we've uncovered some very unique gifts that I'm not sure test makers would think of. But it's been one big group hug since we started. (OK that's an exaggeration, but it is a nice experience.)
Encouragement, huh? Yes, I can definitely see that in you. :)
Posted by SandraDee on July 14, 2002, at 17:41:33
In reply to Re: Wow! There's a test? » SandraDee, posted by Dinah on July 14, 2002, at 17:26:57
Like a bad Dr. Suess book (if there ever was a bad Dr. Suess book, but that's another whole thread, huh?) Yes, there was an actual form/test. I will see if I can find more info out about it from the pastors' wife. (sheesh I hope I got all my punctuations right hahaha I'm waiting for my slap from Beardy :) *GRIN*)
When we took our test, I thought, "goodness, these are extensive". She replied, "This one is only an 8 gift test, there is one with 25 spiritual gifts!" :) Just thought you'd like to know.
Posted by Dinah on July 14, 2002, at 17:51:33
In reply to Yes, a test I say! hahahaha » Dinah, posted by SandraDee on July 14, 2002, at 17:41:33
Well, I suppose they'd need to test for more than 25 gifts to discern my talent for being an obnoxious pain in the - oh wait. I mean for being a challenging critical thinker. In fact, I think the person who came up with that gift of mine has his own gift for euphemisms (sp?). But also a talent for making others feel valued.
Posted by SandraDee on July 21, 2002, at 9:46:04
In reply to Re: Yes, a test I say! hahahaha » SandraDee, posted by Dinah on July 14, 2002, at 17:51:33
That has high marks all the way across the graph, Dinah. :) My test was very simple. My "teaching gift" was very low. :) Don't like to be in a crowd (didn't we chat about that), or on stage. But I wouldn't call myself SHY either. hahaha
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Faith | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.