Throw a stone, kill a flock.

I wrote a post like this not too long ago, but the Holy Spirit just keeps impressing this idea on my heart. 

Do you ever wonder why God doesn't just do His work by Himself? Why Israel had to paint their doorposts with blood for the passover? Why the disciples had to go find the food for Jesus to multiply? 

In 2Kings 4 there is a woman who's in need of a miracle. Her husband has passed away and she is in serious debt. Her creditor's are trying to take her sons as payment. She goes to Elisha for help and Elisha sends her around to all of her neighbors to collect jars. She has a small amount of oil that she begins pouring into the jars. As the jars fill up the oil is multiplied until she is able to fill every jar. Elisha then has her sell the oil and she is able to make enough money to pay all her debt and have some left over.

So why all the hoopla? If God wants to help the woman pay her debts why doesn't He just do it...make money rain down from heaven?

Ever hear of the saying, "kill two birds with one stone"? God likes to throw a stone and kill a flock.

God isn't satisfied with just providing for this woman. He is in the business of making Himself famous. He likes to create a testimony that is big enough for everyone to have a piece. Elisha, the woman, her sons, all her neighbors, and even the creditors have now been affected by this one mighty act of God. 

When we help...when we serve...when we get involved...we are choosing to be a part of the miracle taking place. 

What are you doing to be a part? 

Living Sacrifice

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship."
Romans 12:1

I've been thinking a lot lately about my body being a living sacrifice. What makes a body a holy and pleasing sacrifice? What does that even mean? Is it using my gifts to bring glory to God? Is it honoring God in the things I choose to be apart of?

What if this scripture is really, literally, talking about our physical bodies. If it is, what kind of sacrifice are we giving...is it holy and pleasing, or feeble and lazy?

In Genesis, there is a story about two brothers, Cain and Abel. Cain is a farmer and Abel is a shepherd. Cain brings some of his fruit as his sacrifice to the Lord, and Abel brings portions of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord is pleased with Abel's sacrifice but not satisfied with Cain's.

Both brother's brought a sacrifice, but only one was accepted. Abel gave from the best of what he had and his sacrifice was holy and pleasing. Cain gave...but he didn't give his best.

If we all decided today to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, what would God's response be? Would He be pleased with our offering? Would He find it lacking?

I don't know about you, but my sacrifice could use some work.

"but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself may not be disqualified."
1 Corinthians 9:27

Psalm 94:19

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Ladies Accountability Group

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

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.

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.

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!!