I’ve been writing this morning, trying hard to edit and rewrite portions of my current work-in-progress. In particular, I’ve been focusing on Hebrews 11:4 and Abel’s great contribution to our walkabouts in faith. The title of the piece is “Faith Gives a Good Offering to God {Abel}.” All characters mentioned in Hebrews 11 make their own personal contribution to the definition of faith. My goal is to broaden our understanding of faith by giving each person and his/her story a tangible characteristic that can be applied to our daily living. Accordingly, with this particular piece I examine what a “good offering” is and how faith is connected to the process. I wanted to share with you a bit of what I wrote this morning, and then I want to connect it to something else. Here’s a portion…
“…Good offerings initiate from a pure heart. A heart that is willing to release the best to God’s altar—the fat portions, the first yearlings, the choicest lambs… even the diseased flesh— is a heart ready to see the exponential increase of the Father’s kingdom. Such lavish surrender reaches the portals of heaven and burns as sweet aroma before the throne. As it arrives and moves into the loving heart of the Father, it then becomes a sacrifice for all humanity, which begs a further question.How is faith connected to a good offering?Surrendering for surrendering’s sake—as a formality or as good, religious practice—isn’t an offering of faith. An offering of faith believes forward, beyond the act of surrender to take hold of God’s bigger picture. Good offerings made in faith understand that, in God’s hands, the law of multiplication is at work. When faith gives with God in mind, an enlargement takes place, not just in our own hearts but in the grander scheme of God’s greater purposes. When we release our best to God, he takes the gift, breaks the gift, and begins to share it with the world. Our small sacrifices seed largely into God’s soil of increase.We may not be privy to the resulting grace around us; God’s work and ways are mysterious to most. But we can be certain that as we lean into our good surrenders, God willingly uses them for his good, his glory, and his gain. The kingdom increases when we give our good offerings to God. Not only are we changed, but the world around us reverberates with the witness of our sacred contributions.”(ElaineOlsen.4-26-11.allrightsreserved.)
With that being said (actually being typed), here’s the connection I want to make today as it pertains to good offerings and the law of multiplication.
Friends, you have blessed me in recent days with your good offerings. Many of you know that Sheri started a scholarship fund for me to attend P31’s She Speaks this year. Because of your generous contributions, I’ll be able to attend and to share my heart and work with other women and professionals in the publishing world. Given our family’s strained budget in recent days, I wouldn’t have felt comfortable attending this year’s conference. You have made the difference, and in doing so, have invested in God’s work through my life. Who can fathom the increase to come? I cannot, but I certainly believe that whether small or large, the gain is a direct result of your loving, good offering to God on my behalf. Thank you.
Secondly, I want to thank Kathie for sending me this beautiful table covering. I saw one that she had made over at her blog and commented about its loveliness. A few weeks later, this one was waiting on my doorstep. Thank you, friend, for the good offering of your hands. Your sewing love will grace my dining room for many seasons to come.
Lastly, I want to thank Deborah for writing this song for me. Several weeks ago she contacted me about writing such a gift. I heartily agreed; Deborah has been a reader of the blog for a long while, so she already had a good sense of my heart. She spent a lot of time reading and reflecting on my posts before writing the song. I’m so tickled to be able to share it with you today. Please make sure to visit this post for a listen. Thank you, friend, for the offering of your hands. Your musical love will rest in my mind, heart, and soul for many seasons to come.
Good offerings. I have been the recipient of many of yours. Offerings, first made to God and then trickling downward to me. I am blessed to be a part of your faithful “increase.” May God continue to multiply its witness in me and through me in the seasons ahead. Some day soon we shall all be privy to how our “good offerings made in faith” have genuinely and exponentially impacted the kingdom of God.
Keep to it, friends. I love you each one. As always…
Peace for the journey,
~elaine
your friends are such a sweet testimony to
your value! what lovely gifts! i'm very
happy to hear about your scholarship and
pray you squeeze every drop of goodness
from it.
blessings,
lea
I just read and listened to Deborah's song written for you! What a beautiful tribute to the strength that God has given you and the faith that shines brightly through you! Thank you for sharing this with us. Also, thanks for sharing a "sneak preview" of your current work-in-progress! You are so right, good offerings are a result of a pure heart and a growing faith. It is important to give sincerely…to remove any selfish motive and to offer ourselves to Him. That is my prayer. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Living for Him, Joan
Elaine, you have been such a blessing and encouragement to me, it was an honour to write a song for you…as I said on my blog, I must give you credit for the lyrics…your writing just called out to be a song!
I love your words, Elaine. As always. Like two fish and five loaves – blessings are multiplied through your typewriter to my heart.
Thank you for sharing.
I hope you had a wonderful Easter – and that the glory of the Resurrection continues to shower you with hope and joy.
GOD BLESS!
"…lavish surrender…" what a challenge.
Sometimes I surrender stingily (is that word?) – but you know what I mean.
Today, I am challenged by your thoughts on lavish surrender. Thank you …Marsha
Offerings from a pure heart…the best of gifts, the biggest of blessings!
I'm so glad you get to go to She Speaks. 🙂
Love you
You are a blessing, Elaine! Thank you for allowing God to work through you. =-D
What a beautiful message in the song Deborah wrote for you. I'm sure it touched you deeply, Elaine.
Was also excited to hear about your son's scholarship and assistanceship on Facebook the other day. Very exciting! May God continue to shower you all with good things!
Beautiful song, like the inspiration for it. Words fail me right now, just much gratitude.
Love and holy hugs,
Kathie
The song is beautiful..the words could have been spoken from my heart! Thanks so much for sharing!
I am so excited you have the opportunity to attend She Speaks…I was able to attend last year–it was an awesome experience!
Dear Elaine, the blessing was all mine. Thankful to the Lord that He spoke… I heard/obeyed… and He provided. You are one special lady!
wonderous Blessings!! Beautiful post, beautiful table cloth and beautiful song. How blessed we all are to have found each other…Thank you for your encouragement and strength! take care..;j
Such amazing gifts Elaine. And the song is beautiful. I just got through listening to it. Your words from your new work in progress have spoken deep into my soul this morning. Thank you for following Jesus and sharing your journey with all of us here in blog world. You have no idea what a tremendous blessings you are.
Blessings,
Jennfier
wifeforthejourney:
How our lives have been surrounded by the generosity of others and the provision of God. Last night we sat around our table, covered with Kathie's tablecloth. As I'm typing, I've got Deborah's song going in the background, and I am so humbled by the gifts you have received so that you can attend "She Speaks" this summer.
I hope we can both continue to make good offerings, and be encouraged by God's exceeding and abundant grace! Hang in there with your "work-in-progress,"
love you,
Billy
Absolutely beautiful Elaine! Your words are inspired – they strike a chord of truth in my heart.
I listened to and read Deborah's song and it is beautiful. I'm so glad to know you and I wish you the best. You are in my prayers.
oxoxo
Denalee
Definitely grace notes!
I'm looking forward to your next book.
I love the photo, too. The old fashioned typewriter with a mouse somehow fits me!
Wishing you a blessed Resurrection season ahead of you dear Elaine.
Love
Lidj
Elaine,
You are such an incredible light to all and that's evidenced by the recent love offerings you've received.
I just know you'll have a wonderful time at She Speaks. I pray God blesses you to overflowing and expands your writing and ministry territory even further. I'm not going to She Speaks this year, so I want to hear all about it.
Thinking about you today.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases…" What a blessing to have eyes open to his blessings.
Oh what wonderful friends and gifts! How it must bless your heart. I am soo happy to you will be able to attend this event. Your words this morning have just so spoken to me heart!
Hugs,
Debbie
Can't wait to hug you at She Speaks; you are a gem!!
I'm praying your writing is rich and fruitful friend.
PS I love your wedding pics!!
I LOVE how this is worded…
"An offering of faith believes forward, beyond the act of surrender to take hold of God’s bigger picture."…
Oh, sister, the best is yet to come…