First off, I wanted to say thank you to all the ladies who have participated in this group so far...I have been so blessed and have made some great life changes already!!
Tonight we will be talking about our personal relationships with God, so bring your notebooks and some goals you'd like to start working on. We will be meeting again at the carlson building at 7pm.
I know there are many women who are wanting to be apart of this group, but can't get away from the house for different reasons...well, we may have a solution. We are working on setting up a conference call each week for the discussion hour of our group using skype. High speed internet is required but the service is free. If you are interested in being apart of the group via the web let me know.
Hope to see you all tonight!
Heather
mrscmarsh@yahoo.com
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Standing in the breakers.
"Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me." Psalms 42:7
When I was a kid my mom took me and a few neighbor kids to the beach. I had been sick for awhile so I wasn't allowed to get in the water. It was a beautiful day, sunny but not too hot. I sat on the beach trying to entertain myself while the other kids swam. I decided, in my boredom, to build a sand castle. Before long I was creating quite the masterpiece. I was very focused on my task, creating tunnels and doorways. Then behind me, I heard my mom start yelling, "wave!!!....wave!!!" I turned back around just in time to see a giant wave heading straight toward me. There was nothing I could do...it was too late. The wave hit me...hard. I flew backward and did a somersault. My head hit the ground and I took in a mouthful of water.
As the wave receded, everyone came running to my aide. I just sat there...stunned. Not ten seconds earlier I was happily building my sandcastle...I was dry...I was on my feet...I was in control.
Everyone who went to the beach, including me, had gotten in the water. We were all wet. The only difference...everyone else chose to get in carefully. They stuck their toes in to see how it felt first...they went in slowly...they waded in and out at their leisure. I was overcome...I was out of control...I had been swept over.
It's easy to try to experience God in small manageable portions...to just stick our toes in, but David compares God to a wave...a breaker that sweeps over us. This is the way we are made to interact with God. Notice it doesn't say, "Deep calls to shallow; come stick your feet in."
Be overpowered...be out of control...be swept off your feet by your magnificent creator.
When I was a kid my mom took me and a few neighbor kids to the beach. I had been sick for awhile so I wasn't allowed to get in the water. It was a beautiful day, sunny but not too hot. I sat on the beach trying to entertain myself while the other kids swam. I decided, in my boredom, to build a sand castle. Before long I was creating quite the masterpiece. I was very focused on my task, creating tunnels and doorways. Then behind me, I heard my mom start yelling, "wave!!!....wave!!!" I turned back around just in time to see a giant wave heading straight toward me. There was nothing I could do...it was too late. The wave hit me...hard. I flew backward and did a somersault. My head hit the ground and I took in a mouthful of water.
As the wave receded, everyone came running to my aide. I just sat there...stunned. Not ten seconds earlier I was happily building my sandcastle...I was dry...I was on my feet...I was in control.
Everyone who went to the beach, including me, had gotten in the water. We were all wet. The only difference...everyone else chose to get in carefully. They stuck their toes in to see how it felt first...they went in slowly...they waded in and out at their leisure. I was overcome...I was out of control...I had been swept over.
It's easy to try to experience God in small manageable portions...to just stick our toes in, but David compares God to a wave...a breaker that sweeps over us. This is the way we are made to interact with God. Notice it doesn't say, "Deep calls to shallow; come stick your feet in."
Be overpowered...be out of control...be swept off your feet by your magnificent creator.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Something for Nothing.
I spend a lot of time looking for ways to get what I want without paying for it. I clip coupons on occasion, I love sales, and who can resist the old bogo...buy one, get one free! I don't have any problem paying less for something than it's value.
And it's not just things... I step on the scale after having a gym membership for one week and I am disgusted that I have not lost a single pound! I finally decide to spend a minute with God and I can't figure out why I can't hear Him.
I put so much value on the return but very little value on the sacrifice.
In 2Sam, David goes to a man named Araunah to buy some land to build an altar. Araunah is eager to help and offers the king the land, threshing sledges, ox yokes and oxen all at no cost. I love David's response, "No, I insist on paying for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."
David knew it wasn't just about the offering, but about the sacrifice. God deserves nothing less than full price.
God was please with David, and Israel was spared.
Don't be afraid to make sacrifices. We can't out give God, and we will never be disappointed in the return.
And it's not just things... I step on the scale after having a gym membership for one week and I am disgusted that I have not lost a single pound! I finally decide to spend a minute with God and I can't figure out why I can't hear Him.
I put so much value on the return but very little value on the sacrifice.
In 2Sam, David goes to a man named Araunah to buy some land to build an altar. Araunah is eager to help and offers the king the land, threshing sledges, ox yokes and oxen all at no cost. I love David's response, "No, I insist on paying for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."
David knew it wasn't just about the offering, but about the sacrifice. God deserves nothing less than full price.
God was please with David, and Israel was spared.
Don't be afraid to make sacrifices. We can't out give God, and we will never be disappointed in the return.
Monday, May 4, 2009
theSHIFT ladies accountability group
Ok ladies, as promised, here is the information for the new ladies group starting up...
Who: College age and 20 something's ladies
Who NOT: men and children (no exceptions Bruce!)
What: A group designed to help young women grow stronger spiritually, relationally and physically through accountability and good old fashioned fun!
When: Every Thursday night from 7-9pm.
Where: The location will be on the following schedule
1st Thursday of the mo. - Barnes and Noble
2nd Thursday - Fusion room at Element Church 600 Carlson
3rd Thursday - Fusion room at Element Church
4th Thursday - Marshall's house 1611 Gold Dust
This group is going to focus on 4 main areas of accountability. The first Thursday of every month, beginning this Thursday, we will be talking about relationships, the second Thursday health and fitness, the third Thursday our personal walk with the Lord, and the fourth week will be a planned service project. We will plan extra fun events for any month that contains an extra Thursday!
How to prepare:
I recommend getting some sort of journal. We will be sharing our goals and struggles with one another and keeping updates on our progress as we hold each other accountable.
For fitness nights I recommend coming in comfy clothes...on occasion we will be working out together (I plan on wearing comfy clothes every Thursday...what's better than hangin' with my girls in my jammies!?!?)
This group in general will be equally led and shared by all members, however, Macey and I will be the contact people if you have suggestions, concerns or questions.
Hope to see you at Synergy this Thursday at 7!!
Who: College age and 20 something's ladies
Who NOT: men and children (no exceptions Bruce!)
What: A group designed to help young women grow stronger spiritually, relationally and physically through accountability and good old fashioned fun!
When: Every Thursday night from 7-9pm.
Where: The location will be on the following schedule
1st Thursday of the mo. - Barnes and Noble
2nd Thursday - Fusion room at Element Church 600 Carlson
3rd Thursday - Fusion room at Element Church
4th Thursday - Marshall's house 1611 Gold Dust
This group is going to focus on 4 main areas of accountability. The first Thursday of every month, beginning this Thursday, we will be talking about relationships, the second Thursday health and fitness, the third Thursday our personal walk with the Lord, and the fourth week will be a planned service project. We will plan extra fun events for any month that contains an extra Thursday!
How to prepare:
I recommend getting some sort of journal. We will be sharing our goals and struggles with one another and keeping updates on our progress as we hold each other accountable.
For fitness nights I recommend coming in comfy clothes...on occasion we will be working out together (I plan on wearing comfy clothes every Thursday...what's better than hangin' with my girls in my jammies!?!?)
This group in general will be equally led and shared by all members, however, Macey and I will be the contact people if you have suggestions, concerns or questions.
Hope to see you at Synergy this Thursday at 7!!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Surrounded
"When it rains, it pours."
Why does it seem that life sends struggles in numbers; when the enemy attacks, he comes from all sides.
In 2 Samuel, the Israelite army is in this situation. The Ammonites have decided to attack. Not only that, but they have hired Aramean foot soldiers to attack at the same time from the opposite side.
It's never easy to fight a battle in two directions is it.
A girlfriend of mine came up with a great idea for a small group. There's no leader and no curriculum...just a group a women getting together to help each other through life's battles.
Joab, the commander of the Israelite army had the same great idea. He gathered one group of men to fight the Ammonites and sent Abishai with another group of men to fight the Arameans. Before deploying Abishai, he gave him this instruction, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you."
If you are a college/20 somethings woman and you are feeling like your battles are coming at you from all directions, I would like to invite you to be a part of this new group. We will be meeting on Thursdays from 7-9pm. For more information, please email me at mrscmarsh@yahoo.com or contact curtis at curtis@elementweb.net
It's time to stop fighting our battles alone. I love you ladies and I got your back!
Why does it seem that life sends struggles in numbers; when the enemy attacks, he comes from all sides.
In 2 Samuel, the Israelite army is in this situation. The Ammonites have decided to attack. Not only that, but they have hired Aramean foot soldiers to attack at the same time from the opposite side.
It's never easy to fight a battle in two directions is it.
A girlfriend of mine came up with a great idea for a small group. There's no leader and no curriculum...just a group a women getting together to help each other through life's battles.
Joab, the commander of the Israelite army had the same great idea. He gathered one group of men to fight the Ammonites and sent Abishai with another group of men to fight the Arameans. Before deploying Abishai, he gave him this instruction, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you."
If you are a college/20 somethings woman and you are feeling like your battles are coming at you from all directions, I would like to invite you to be a part of this new group. We will be meeting on Thursdays from 7-9pm. For more information, please email me at mrscmarsh@yahoo.com or contact curtis at curtis@elementweb.net
It's time to stop fighting our battles alone. I love you ladies and I got your back!
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