{{2011_10_24_t1.jpg}} {{2011_10_24_t2.jpg}} {{2011_10_24_t3.jpg}} [[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/de/doku.php/jn_de_2011_10_24|Deutsche Version]] [[Start|| Wiki Start]] [[topics_collection_iii|| Topics Collection iii ]] ======My Talents, Your Talents ...====== Monday, Oct 24, 2011. When we talk about different talents, I have to think about our kids and what they are talented in. We have three kids and they are quite different. They all have very different talents ... and as you can probably imagine, that can also cause a lot of difficulties since kids tend to compare themselves ... {{2011_10_24.jpg }} **Everyone is Gifted ...** But before we talk about the effects of different talents, let us talk about the talents. Everyone is gifted. Everyone is able to do many things. We all know this, we all learn to use language, we learn to carry out calculations, we learn to dance, to sing, to model. But talents also show itself in the social area, or in the business area, in the management area, in counseling, in perception, ... everything we can do or we can not do can be a talent! One of our kids has the talent to keep important tasks of our daily routine in mind. "Dad, you wanted to call your friend!" she reminds me. How did she pick that up? How did she remember? I tend to forget such things, even if they are important. But she remembers this and many other things which need to be done. She has a wonderful talent - one which usually is not recognized as a talent in schools today, except indirectly when she has to remember her homework. Last weekend I was on a party and was asked to play the piano. I always play songs on the piano, but this time I realized that this is quite a talent, which is given to me. It is not given to many people, even those who can play piano well might not be able to accompany songs easily. So I am happy about it, and also amazed about how different humans are, everyone! {{ 2011_10_24_2.jpg}} **God's Approach ...** The bible also reflects the different talents of people. In the New Testament there are different passages where God and his apostles talk about the talents which are given to the "body of Christ", to the believers. Different spiritual gifts are listed and discussed. God's approach to talents is described in the New Testament letters. He wants everyone to participate in his work, in what he is doing. This is realized by our gifts and talents, our worldly talents as well as the spiritual gifts, those which are given to us by the Holy Spirit. With our talents we can take part, we can carry out things in his kingdom. Our talents are given to us to be active parts of God's plans! Talents can be a wonderful thing. They can also be a challenge. They need development. They need practice. They can cause conflict. There is a lot to discuss when we think about talents, a lot to learn! Join us over the next days to explore what God has given to us ... (Roland Potthast) [[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/en/doku.php/topics_collection_iii|... more texts]]