[Thomas Barker]

Lesson 7:

For the past few years, I’ve seen that people don’t know how to hear one another, nor can they speak to each other. We discount those who aren’t easy to be around and I believe this has created a great deal of loneliness in the world. Perhaps this is because we don’t make friends easily in our production/efficiency driven society.

I hope to be a friend.

[Thomas Barker]

Lesson 5

This was helpful, especially illustrating the difference between fruits of the spirit and spiritual gifts. I’m planning on asking a few people what they think my spiritual gifts are and seeing how it matches up with the results of the test, as well as finding other ways to test them. Emphasizing the mutual responsibilities we have was also helpful as it is important to remember that certain gifts do not “let us off the hook” for all the duties Christians have.

-Tom

[Thomas Barker]

Lesson 4

Gifts:

1. Nurturing Leadership-26
2. Mercy-26
3. Helping-20
4. Servanthood-19
5. Shepherding-19

I kind of expecting this to be a bit different, though it is not a big surprise. I thought teaching the faith and discernment might be on there, but alas. Perhaps they will develop in time. I suspect our gift strength may fluctuate throughout our lives. This was encouraging, I hope to prove worthy of that Mercy score.

-Tom

[Thomas Barker]

For Lesson 3

It was a bit difficult. I felt as though I’d forgotten things I used to be proud of the fact that I was a part of them. But, didn’t have too much trouble coming up with a few things that I felt like I’d done well, learned a lot from and/or enjoyed how I’d grown through them.

It took a bit of guestimating how I’d contributed to the success of each. In the case of a few of them, I came to appreciate, learn and grow not as a result of what I had done, but by what others had taught me. I noticed everything I mentioned involved being intentional with other people. And I suspect that is where spiritual gifts are best put to use.

It was a good exercise. Learned a lot, hopefully it will provide evidence for whatever gifts we are able to determine I have.

-Tom

[Thomas Barker]

For Lesson 2

Admired People in no particular order
My Grandfather, Tripp Graziano, The Iron giant (from the movie, The Iron Giant), Jean Vanier, Henri Nouwen

Common themes were thoughtfulness, gentleness, kindness, the ability to listen, compassion, and being good friends of others.

-Tom

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