"for whom did you carry the stone?"

I wrote this as an email today, but just had to share with others on here. 

I just finished reading a book called "These Strange Ashes" by Elisabeth Elliot. Ah! So good. I would definitely recommend it to all of you. It's about her first year as a missionary in Ecuador. (Before she and Jim got married). This excerpt at the end of the book really ministered to me, and I wanted to share it!!!!

 

"A story is told of Jesus and His disciples walk one day along a stony road. Jesus asked each of them to choose a stone to carry for Him. John, it is said, chose a large one while Peter chose the smallest. Jesus led them then to the top of a mountain and commanded that the stones be made bread. Each disciple, by this time tired and hungry, was allowed to eat the bread he held in his hand, but of course, Peter's was not sufficient to satisfy his hunger. John gave him some of his.

 

Some time later Jesus again asked the disciples to pick up a stone to carry. This time Peter chose the largest of all. Taking them to a river, Jesus told them to cast the stones into the water. They did so, but looked at one another in bewilderment. 'For whom,' asked Jesus, 'did you carry the stone?' (pg 148)

 

**Even though throwing the rocks into the river made absolutely NO sense to the disciples, they did it. Jesus asked them to simply carry a stone for Him--no other instructions. They had to follow Him, carrying their stones, whether big or small, until He gave the next command.

 

 If God has asked us to do something, to carry a "stone" for him and then throw it in the river, we must do it, if for no other reason than because of who He is. Because He has asked. Because He is God. Even though it seems weird. Even though it seems like people would think we are crazy. Even though, if I were Peter, I would have thought, "Are you kidding? I want some bread! I am hungry! Do you know how heavy that rock is that I carried? And now I have to throw it in a river? Why?"

 

I want to carry my stone for Jesus. To be willing to do whatever He asks, even if it is throwing it in the river. Even if the stone is actually something more valuable to me. To give it all for Him. My heart is so hard and I am so unwilling.... Oh Lord, help my unwillingness.**

 

 

Great Joy!

God is doing some amazing things in our family! Restoring relationships, healing, helping bring about forgiveness... I'm so excited to see what else the Lord is going to do in 2012. At some point in the next week or so, I am going to write about how the Lord brought me home. It is actually a really neat, and really hard story, but I know it will speak of the Lord's MIGHTY, capable hand in our lives, and also testify of His faithfulness. 

For those of you looking for a good Bible study to do, whether alone, with a small group, or with your family, I highly recommend "Experiencing God," by Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King. Our family is doing that study right now and it's SO good. My eyes have been opened to areas in my life where I was trying to MAKE things happen, instead of letting God us me to fulfill HIS purposes.

Also, Anna and I started going to a  Ladies community group from our church on Wednesday nights. All of the Comm.Groups are doing "The Gospel-Centered Life," by Bob Thune and Will Walker. This, likewise, is a GREAT study that I would suggest to any Believer. It really calls us to examine our hearts before the Lord and to see the areas where we are minimizing God's holiness and magnifying our own "goodness." I have been so blessed and encouraged AND convicted by this book. :)

Other than that, God is giving each of us little tasks and assignments to carry out for Him. Sometimes I feel so worthless and useless here. However, the Lord is showing me the things HE wishes to do through me. And, knowing I'm in the center of His will helps me to overcome fear and doubts. 

A little later today we are going to be visiting a nursing home to "adopt" someone as a grandparent! I think this will be a great opportunity to bring light into a place that is so sad. :)

**Be looking for the story of how I came home sometime in the next week!!**

Have a lovely, wonderful, happy, blessed day!!

A Godly Christian Magazine...for real?

Are any of my girl readers interested in a good, Godly magazine? Well, let me tell you something... SetApartGirl magazine is awesome. (www.setapartgirl.com) I've only read a few of the articles but everything is SO Biblical, edifying, inspiring. I mean, really, I could go on and on. My mouth was hanging wide open as I read. Where has this magazine been my whole teen-age hood? So thankful I found it now. And, I just ordered one of Leslie's books. Can't wait to read it!

I'm thinking about going to this conference....

http://setapartgirl.com//2012-MayConference_files/widget1_markup.html

Oh, and it's FINALLY snowing here! Wahoo! Enjoy your day!

~Rachie