Volunteering so all the pieces of the puzzle are in the correct spot!

"God has created each of us with a unique contribution to make in our world and our times. No other person has our same abilities, motivations, network of friends and relationships, perspectives, ideas, or experiences. When we, like misplaced puzzle pieces, fail to show up, the overall picture is diminished."   Richard Stearns: President of World Vision U.S.
Quote from his book: The Hole in our Gospel 

Bloom Where You Are Planted!

We have all heard this phrase so many times that maybe we don't understand what it really means. Google the phrase...you will see what I mean. Some very good secular or worldly advice.

But WHY should we Bloom Where We Are Planted?

As a believer in Jesus Christ and desiring to be a good steward and a faithful "follower" of Jesus on our way to glory...we can be a light for others to see the Truth.

At the end of our lives, I would like to say or have said, "I  have fought the good fight, I  have finished the course, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7)

 ●"The Lord created each of us individually with different Spiritual Gifts, Passions, Abilities, strengths and a unique personality with different experiences.  Helping each other put the pieces of the seeming puzzle together so we each can be most effective in our families, church, community and the world and finish our lives well and leave a legacy that gives glory to the LORD so when we stand before Him one day, we will hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Isn't that what we would like to hear one day?

Now we just need to find a good place where we can put the pieces of the puzzle together and bring glory to the LORD.  Good prayer.

Take a look at the most "popular" posts that viewers are looking at...Right side of screen.
The blog is also "Searchable" by keyword.  Try "prayer" "volunteer" or any word.

Taking the next step in learning where the LORD may be leading you!

 

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Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart

Something we can do everyday!

Still not convinced?  
 If you are an atheist...I challenge you to check out this book!

Evidence That Demands A Verdict...by Josh McDowell

 

 Count your blessings...as we approach Christmas!

 

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Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?

   Do you know your "Strengths"?

How important are they in your job, business, family?

If it's growing lettuce, teaching a class, volunteering at a local non profit or in your family...It's important to find them and use them! Have a great day!

 

 

• 
  
  • Look at strengtsfinder website: 

  • http://strengths.gallup.com/110440/About-StrengthsFinder-2.aspx 
  • Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day ? In your job or volunteering?
  • 
    
  • Chances are, you don't. All too often, our natural talents go untapped. From the cradle to the cubicle, we devote more time to fixing our shortcomings than to developing our strengths. 
  •  
  • To help people uncover their talents, Gallup introduced the first version of its online assessment, StrengthsFinder, in the 2001 management book Now, Discover Your Strengths . The book spent more than five years on the bestseller lists and ignited a global conversation, while StrengthsFinder helped millions to discover their top five talents. 
  •  
  • In StrengthsFinder 2.0 Gallup unveiled the new and improved version of its popular assessment, language of 34 themes, and much more. While you can read this book in one sitting, you'll use it as a reference for decades. 
  •  
  • I would be glad to email you the results of MY assessment if you would like to check it out before you spend the $16 at Amazon for it.
  •  
  • It also gives one a plan to work on their strengths and apply them to their ministry, job and family!

•  A helpful resource I found on the internet.

/http://sourcesofinsight.com/finding-your-key-strengths/

Find Your Strengths

“Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” — Lao Tzu
Finding your strengths is one of the best ways to improve your energy and effectiveness.  If you know your unique combination of strengths, and you play to your strengths instead of focus on your weaknesses, you can dramatically amplify your impact.
One of the key things that can hold you back is spending too much time on your weaknesses and not enough time on your strengths.  The better you know your strengths and talents, the better you can pick the right situations or job to leverage your innate abilities.
How do you find your strengths, though? … What are your key strengths?  What are your talents that come easy for you, but are difficult for others?  Are you fully leveraging your unique combination of strengths?


In Now, Discover Your Strengths, Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. identify 34 key signature themes of strength, based on years of empirical research.

Key Take Aways

Here are my key take aways:

• Identify your signature strengths.  Don’t just know what you’re good at.  Identify what you are great at.  This difference makes all the difference in the world.
•  Be your best. The key here is to be your personal best.  This is why modeling somebody else’s success may not come easy for you.  You may not have the same strengths.
• Cultivate your strengths.  The key is to focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses.  Reducing your weaknesses is not the path to greatness.  Improving your key strengths is your personal path to excellence.
• Use the sum of your talents.  It’s not about having a single strength, it’s about using the synergy of your strengths.
• Find a fit for your strengths. Leveraging your strengths turns your work into passion.   What’s work for somebody else is your play if you find the right way to leverage your unique talents.
• Amplify your results with your network. Once you know your key strengths, you can find the people that complement you in strengths that you lack.

How To Identify Your Strengths

You can go to the authors’ site at StrengthFinder.com – http://strengthsfinder.com/ and take the evaluation.  You need a copy of the book, Now, Discover Your Strengths, for an access code to take the evaluation.

You’ll likely recognize a lot of these strengths in yourself.  The key isn’t to whittle the list down to your absolute strongest talents.  Instead, find the strengths that differentiate you from others and that come easiest for you.

34 Themes of Strengths and Talent

Here are the 34 strengths according to Buckingham and Clifton:

Achiever Activator Adaptability Analytical Arranger Belief Command Communication Competition Connectedness Context Deliberative

Developer Discipline Empathy Fairness Focus Futuristic Harmony Ideation Inclusiveness Individualization Input Intellection

Learner Maximizer Positivity Relater Responsibility Restorative Self-assurance Significance Strategic Woo

34 Strengths Explained

Familiarize yourself with the 34 key themes of strength.  If you can identify your top five themes, you can use the information to start cultivating your strengths for personal excellence and stop focusing on weaknesses.  Here are the 34 signature themes of strength according to Buckingham and Clifton:

Strength	Description
Achiever	A relentless need for achievement.
Activator	“When can we start?” is a recurring question in your life.
Adaptability	You live in the moment.
Analytical	“Prove it. Show me why what you are claiming is true.”
Arranger	You are a conductor.
Belief	You have certain core values that are enduring.
Command	You take charge.
Communication	You like to explain, to describe, to host, to speak in public, and to write.
Competition	You have a need to outperform your peers.
Connectedness	You know that we are all connected.
Context	You look back to understand the present.
Deliberative	You identify, assess, and reduce risk.
Developer	You see the potential in others.
Discipline	Your world needs to be ordered and planned.
Empathy	You can sense the emotions of those around you.
Fairness	Balance is important to you.
Focus	Your goals are your compass.
Futuristic	“Wouldn’t it be great if …” The future fascinates you.
Harmony	You look for areas of agreement.
Ideation	You are fascinated by ideas.
Inclusiveness	“Stretch the circle wider.” You can to include people and make them feel like part of the group.
Individualization	You’re intrigued by the unique qualities of each person.
Input	You collection information – words, facts, books and quotations.
Intellection	You like to think. You like mental activity.
Leaner	You love to learn.
Maximizer	Excellence, not average, is your measure.
Positivity	You are generous with praise, quick with smile, and always on the look out for the positive in the situation.
Relater	You derive a great deal of pleasure and strength from being around your close friends.
Responsibility	You take psychological ownership for anything you commit to, and you feel emotionally bound to follow it through to completion.
Restorative	You love to solve problems.
Self-assurance	You have faith in your strengths.
Significance	You want to be very significant in the eyes of other people.
Strategic	You sort through clutter and find the best route.
Woo	You win others over.

_____________________________________________________________________

A good online assessment is IDAK Abilities or Talent Assessment tool 

 

 

This assessment has a cost, but it is well worth it.

 

 

Short explanation of their method:

 

 

You are asked to look at your past:

 

 

Your hobbies,  community activities where you participated or volunteered, School activities and church activities and the various jobs you have had. 

 

 

You then pick the 10 most enjoyable experiences. Things you did well and enjoyed.

 

 

Then they have you systematically look at your Communication Skills: how you relate to people. 

 

 

Then how you function.

 

 

The end result is that you will probably discover that no matter what the experience you had or where you had it and when... you used the same skills!

 

 

A good book you may want to look at is Discovering Your Natural Talents

 

 

Short description:

 

 NOW YOU CAN LOVE WHAT YOU DO AND DO WHAT YOU LOVE! You have certain innate abilities-talents God has given you-distinct from your achievements, knowledge, personality, interests, and values. These innate abilities just come naturally to you. You do them well without even trying. If you are like many people, however, you may be unaware of these abilities. So you may have made some life choices based on your ambitions rather than on your innate abilities-and spent a great deal of energy doing what doesn't come naturally. 

 

Discovering Your Natural Talents will change all that by helping you discover your natural, God-given abilities and put them to work in every area of your life. Most effective in groups, this process zeroes in on your communication, relational, functional, and leadership abilities-with the goal of helping you enjoy and make the most of your relationships, job, church work, hobbies, community responsibilities, and ministry contributions.

 

  3 good books for nonprofits

 

 

  My latest TWITTER POSTS 

 

Have a great day!

 

My Daily BLOG 

 

 

A Biblical Perspective On The World!

 Perspectives is a fifteen week course designed around four vantage points or "perspectives" — Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic. Each one highlights different aspects of God's global purpose.

The Biblical and Historical sections reveal why our confidence is based on the historic fact of God's relentless work from the dawn of history until this day.

The Cultural and Strategic sections underscore that we are in the midst of a costly, but very "do-able" task, confirming the Biblical and Historical hope.

Why Should I Attend?

---

God has a "world-sized" role for every Christian in His global purpose.Whether people go to distant countries or stay at home is a secondary issue. The primary issue is what most people are hungry to discover: vision to live a life of purpose. Discovering that vision makes this course valuable, and perhaps crucial, for any Christian.

Still time to register for this course!

First two sessions are free!

Come and check it out!

Get a new perspective on what Christian missions is all about!

  

Even if you are of another faith tradition or persuasion...see what passionate Christians believe!

There are four emphasis to the course: Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic...so whatever your interest is, you will be inspired. I came to the course about 9 years ago...with my main interest being "Strategic".  I came back for another 4 years...alumni are free to attend as often as you wish...in any part of the country. There are always new speakers!

Yes, there is a cost...but if you have a real need, there are some scholarships available...don't hesitate to come! 

You have an epic role to play. You're about to experience God's heart for all peoples and encounter the momentum of the World Christian Movement. Perspectives will open the eyes of your heart with fresh knowledge and understanding of God's unchanging purposes and why they're relevant to your life. 

Whether you are single, married, student, homemaker, professional or retired, and whatever your current engagement in the church or its ministries, you will be drawn into exploring God's heart to restore His Glory among All Nations, ransoming His people from every tribe, language and culture!  (Rev 5:9)

Perspectives allows you to hear from 15 different instructors over the course of 15 weeks. All of them excellent and all of them passionate about this course. Some rank among the most highly-regarded missions leaders and mentors in the world and many will travel great distances to join us. They will challenge and inspire you with their wisdom and experience, opening your eyes to a new vision of God's mercy, greatness and love.

No matter who you are or what you do, Perspectives will help you learn how to live for God's Kingdom.

Link to Study Guide for lesson 1

Find a class in any part of the U.S.

More information at the Perspectives website:

 

 What is Perspectives? 

 

 Study Guide

Study Guide

What you can do as an Alumni! 

 

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My Latest TWEETS on TWITTER 

Finding your place to put your gifts & strengths to work, making a difference for eternity

 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ  Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10


 The Journey of Life:  To Be God's people..."Embodying the love of Jesus Christ in the city and the world"!

 "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."-Albert Schweitzer
 
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 

 If we truly are Jesus's hands and feet in the world...how can we be good stewards and invest our lives for His glory?  So we can truly make a difference in the world!

●  When searching for Nonprofits to invest in...either as a volunteer or as an investor, what should I be looking for and why?
 
● Start with your church! Look at your churches' website. What is their Mission statement and Vision for your city and the world?

●  It should jump out at you!  And then a clear statement as to how you can serve with them to help fulfill the Lord's vision both for your city and the world! Simple! 

● Maybe even a few short "Serving descriptions" with a 3 minute video of a volunteer telling what they do?


● What is your PASSION? 


● This is one of the most important items to consider. Need some help in clarifying your passion?

●  Now you need to know your Strengths!  Strengthsfinder 2.0. 

● The $19.99 version is great to use. It gives you your top 5 "Strengths" of the 35 "Strengths."
You get a beautiful 16 page printout of your "Strengths" and how to use them. 

●  If you still aren't convinced to do the "Strengthsfinder 2.0" Assessment...contact me and I will send you my 16 page printout. Just a sample of what you would receive. 


● Set up a visit with your church Volunteer Coordinator, or your favorite non profit.
Be sure to bring along your Strengths" printout to show them and ask how you can use your "Passion" and "Strengths" in advancing their Mission and Vision! Simple!

● Do they have a plan to integrate your Passion, Gifts and Strengths into their ministry and outreach?  Don't get discouraged. This may be something new to them. Set up another meeting.
Are they interested in seeing how your "Strengths" can be a vital part of them fulfilling God's vision and mission with you partnering with them or are they just looking to fill an empty position? Has anyone in their organization taken the assessment?   Maybe you spoke with the wrong person? May be time to move on...

● Don't give up on your church!  Send them a link to this post! 
Again: Pray! 

What one church is doing helping people assess their S.H.A.P.E

Your Spiritual gifts, Heart or Passion, Abilities, Personality and Experiences.
You can take an assessment and they will get back to you with possible places to use your S.H.A.P.E. It's a good assessment, but they don't look at your "Strengths".

Would love to hear your experience! Connect with me on Linkedin or Twitter. 

Meeting for coffee to further discuss your opportunities! 

More on "Strengths' from another blog of mine! 

  
This Blog is searchable...by Keyword.  Try Strengths, Ministry, Calling, Volunteering, Mission,Vision, Faith, S.H.A.P.E, Passion, Boomer, Church, Half Time, Decision Making, Plans, Career, Gifts ...to see previous posts on this BLOG, going back up to 8 years. 

 
●  With the thousands of non profits out there...how can I evaluate them?

●  With our instant access to information on the internet, we are probably already searching and can easily get confused. What are we really looking for and why?

●  Even if we don't know it...we are looking for an organization that aligns with our passion...our desires. We all want to make a difference in the world, don't we? 

● The best way is to start as a volunteer with an organization if possible.

 ●  So start by looking at their website!

●  What you want to find immediately when looking at their website:

 1. Mission Statement

2.  Vision Statement or their strategy for reaching their mission.

A great place to start to volunteer is in your own neighborhood...and you set the schedule!

●  This is what I am telling charities that they need on their website!
The Basic info you need on your site! 

●  But what are donors really looking for?

●  You already had some idea of who you wanted to donate to!


 ●   It's all about Passion and Relationships!  What am I passionate about? A Clue

 ●   What is Passion?  "..passion is morally neutral. It is simply a strong feeling or deep longing  for something." ..."Passion is the God-given ability to feel so deeply about something that it causes us to move toward the object of desire. This passion stems from an urge given by God-a burden, an emotional response to a need or opportunity He wants us to move toward. It's not a feeling that we experience and then lose easily. It's persistent and powerful. We can't ignore it."  Discover Your Destiny by Bill & Kathy Peel.

"The thing is to understand myself, to see what God wishes me to do...to find the idea for which I can live and die"-Soren Kierkegaard
 
 "The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” —William James

"...Embodying the love of Jesus Christ in the city and the world."  A good vision or mission statement!

●  So, what is your passion? 

●  We must have clarity about the Vision and Mission of an organization. If I am looking for a charity that I can volunteer with, I look for people I respect who are practical-minded. I want to be sure it's the sort of project that I can bring something of value to, and in which I'm being involved in a meaningful way. So I always ask myself: Is it a mission I believe in? Do I believe in the people who are in it? and does it use my talents and gifts in a way that engage me?"

●  So one of the best ways to evaluate a charity is to volunteer with them...if they are in your area or have a local chapter...like The American Red Cross or The Salvation Army...just two examples!  They are looking for volunteers! They have FREE training, both online and classroom . ●  No matter what your passion, gifts, abilities, past experience, personality etc. are, each of these organizations has a place for you!  You just have to have patience and talk to people at the organization...and start getting connected. The same for any organization.  These are just two International organizations that have local chapters around the country within easy driving distance. Obviously, there are probably other similar organizations that have local chapters. 


●  When contacting an organization...consider calling and talking to Communications  Director or Volunteer Director.  But do your research on their website first!

●  This is what you want to immediately see and clearly understand!

 1. Vision Statement

2.  Mission Statement

3.  Their Strategy for reaching their Mission

4.  It's also great if they have some testimonies from reciepients of their ministry! 


●  There's a lot of noise going on in the world. We need to listen to God speaking to us and that it is God that is speaking.

●   When I stand before Jesus one day, I want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant". Isn't that what you want to hear?
So what are we asking ourselves as we view their website and consider if we should invest in their cause?
So what is God calling me to do?
We all know there is no I in TEAM.
What is God doing in the world through this organization?

●  Can I be a part of their TEAM by donating to Our cause?  As a volunteer and or investor. Yes, it's our cause!

●  If we are already volunteering with an organization...do we feel a part of the TEAM?
How?
How do they communicate with you?
Newsletter?
Phone call for funds?
Phone call to see how you are doing and if you would like prayer?
If you are on social media, do you promote your favorite organization? Tweets and Retweets.
Status Updates on Linkedin. Does organization acknowledge your efforts? 

Have I prayed about how I might be a good steward and use God's funds to further His cause through this organization?

●  Do I need more help in evaluating this organization?

●  How To Make Wise Choices When Investing Your Funds In A Charity! 

●  Where Would You Like to Volunteer?

 

●   If you have questions about the non profits mission and if they are TRUE to the founders original mission, Is The Organization You Want to Volunteer With, True To Their Mission? and why it is important!

 

●   Has your favorite non profit drifted away from it's original vision and Mission?   A good read on this subject of "Mission Drift"

 

Finding peace with God

  I welcome your thoughtful insights. Richard

 

My latest TWEETS on TWITTER 

Finding peace with God

Steps to peace with God

A one time event...coming to Christ

But daily living it out!  Becoming like Christ!

 Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version (NIV)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Colossians 2:6: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as LORD, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness." 

God's Plan for the world!

What is the Heart of God?

Be part of God's plan for Him to be loved by every people.

Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! (Psalm 96:3)

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" Acts 1:8

  ●   "We all want to do the will of God, and we know that there is nothing nearer to His heart than the evangelization of the world." Oswald J. Smith

  ●      "I am convinced that every person can be given the compassionate heart of God. The heart of God is for the people of the world."  Bobbye Byerly

●     "Is it possible to get close to the Master's heart without getting close to the Master's mission? Larry Moyer

 ●    "Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God." Bob Pierce

 ●     "God is so pleased when He finds His heart beating in another." Steven C. Hawthorne.

 ●    "The secret of Christianity is not asking Jesus into your heart; it is Jesus asking us into His    heart." Jamie Zumwalt


 ●     "We will not be able to seek the mind of the Lord until we receive His heart." Loren Cunningham

   Quotes taken from John Willis Zumwalt's book: Passion For The Heart of God.  Making His Heart Completely Yours.

   
John has taught many  Perspectives on the World Christian Movement  classes over the years. Usually lesson #1

• Perspectives on the World Christian Movement 

  Lesson 1

   The Living God is a Missionary God

  God's purpose is three-fold: against evil—kingdom victory; for the nations—redemption and blessing; and for God—global glory in worship. God's purpose revealed in promise to Abraham. Exploring God's purpose for the nations: Blessing to the nations described.

• Instructor

  

  John Zumwalt

  Outrageous Love, Choctaw OK
  John Zumwalt is the Cross Cultural Coach for the innovative organization, Outrageous Love. After serving as a missionary among the unreached Minnan he returned to America and for over 22 years served as the founder and Director of the Missionary Training Institute, Beautiful Feet Boot Camp. He has trained over 300 Career Missionaries. He has a Doctorate of Divinity from International University for Graduate Studies. John has authored the book, Passion for the Heart of God and travels widely, preaching and holding seminars, raising up activist to go to the ends of the earth. John and his wife, Jamie, also pastor a church in a “red light district” of Oklahoma City. They have five children, Jessica, Josiah, Jael, Jewel and James. 
  Beautiful Feet Boot Camp
  
  

  bA few quotes from the book: Passion For the Heart Of God

   

   The Heartbeat of Our Mission

   

   Perspectives Reader for the class