A Big Fish and 5 Things to Apply to Your Life

I'm loving this little sermon series Rich is doing right now.

Sunday was about Jonah and the big fish. One thing I thought was interesting was as children we were taught that it was Jonah and the whale. However, the Bible clearly states that it was a big fish, which means it couldn't have been a whale because whales are mammals not fish.

Anyway, The Lord came to Jonah and told him to go to Nineveh and announce his judgment against it because of their wicked ways. Jonah refused and ran away on a ship, which was caught in a storm so the other men throw him over and he as swallowed by a big fish, only to be spit out three days later and to obey what God had asked of him.



There are five things to take from the story and apply to OUR lives daily.

1.God sends his people out to others.
-When God's people are in trouble he sends others out to help them see the light. Keep your heart and mind open to the Lord using you.

2.You can run from God but you can't hide.
-When you run away from the Lord he waits on you. He waits on you to obey him and trust and love him again. But he always knows where you're at, you can't hide!

3.It's not pleasant inside a fish.
-We all at some point in our life are going to be in the belly of a fish, whether it be death of a friend or family member, debt, fired, or any other kind of conflict. Hopefully, when your wading through the bones and seaweed, you turn to the Lord and you over come your fish together.

4.God WANTS to forgive and restore us.
-It's the Lord's nature to want to take what's broken and make it whole again.

5.Stop pouting.
-Get on board with the mission of Christ. Don't pout because it's not what you wanted, it's to further the kingdom. Stop being selfish and listen to what the Lord WANTS, whether that means you pack up and move across the world or you stay and become a leader in your own church, stop pouting and do what the Lord has asked of you.

6 Rules to live by..

This past Sunday the sermon was about the story of Joseph and how through out all the things that we're thrown at him he remained faithful to the Lord. When the sermon was over we were to take away 6 things from the story. Here they are.

1. God still speaks to us in our dreams.

-Keep your mind open to this. How many of us have had a dream about something that relates to something happening in our life and we chalk it up to a coincidence, but have you ever consider it's the Lord talking to you.

2. Trust in the Lord always.
-When you think there is no way out, trust in the Lord. When your marriage has hit a rough patch, trust in the Lord. When your child is rebelling, trust in the Lord. When there has been a death in the family, trust in the Lord. He's always there and he's waiting on us to trust him completely.

3. Do right, even when you have a chance to do wrong.

-If you haven't already be given the chance you will one day. There will be a time when you can cheat, or steal, or lie and nobody will know, but don't. The Lord ALWAYS knows.

4. In your darkest hour, God still speaks.

-The Holy Spirit is always present, and wether it's a praise or you've hit rock bottom, the Lord WILL speak to you. Clear your mind, and ask the Lord to speak to you.

5. Always give God the praise.

-It doesn't matter if your praising him for finding your keys in the couch, or your praising him for all the blessing his pour out upon you, praise him. Our Father is so loving and patient and a gracious God and he yearns to hear from us but most importantly he want's us to praise him and love him.

6. Forgive

-Don't EVER go to bed anger, or leave a situation unfixed. What if the Lord only forgave you as much as you forgave others, I bet you would forgive always. Don't hold a grudge, it's one of the heaviest things you can carry.

Isn't our God wonderful. He loves and cares for us so much. Try these 6 things and see how they can better your life.

God's Plan

Have you every wondered if you're where God wants you to be? Are you doing what God has called you to do? I've asked myself these questions over the past week. Brody and I have had an opportunity arise and while it seems wonderful and like a good idea I can't help but wonder if God doesn't have something else in store for us. BUT with that said I also wonder if my own personal feelings aren't getting in the way. Knowing the Lord's plan for us can be so hard at times. Pray for us as we try to weed through the worldly things around us and see God's vision for our little family.

Lord,

I pray first and foremost that YOUR will be done! Lord please show us what you have in store for our family Lord. I pray that where ever we are and what ever we're doing we would be there doing it to further YOUR kingdom and name. Father, I pray for clarity in the situation and a peace with the decision that is made. I pray that no matter what you will remain the center and our main focus at all times. Thank you father for all your blessing you've poured out upon my family. Father, thank you for your precious son, Jesus Christ, and for sending him to wash away our sins and making us pure! We love you and we praise you! In Jesus name. Amen

Hey Mom, look what I can do!

Wade has discovered he can climb in and out of the chair and the couch in our living room, and let me tell you he thinks he's big stuff. I walked out of the room to grab something the other day and came back to this....



"Hi mom"





" I won't tell you how I got up here."





"ok ok i will, like this you see!"




"Aww I'm so proud of myself."




"Don't worry mom, I can get down too!"




"and back up again"



"i'm so brave!"



"Dad I don't have time for a picture, I've got to get down"

Fun Weekend Ahead...

I'm so ready for the weekend. The boys are going hunting and the girls get to play!!! Mom is coming into town tomorrow to spend the night with Wade and I! We have BIG plans to shop a little, decorate my house for fall (my FAVORITE time of year), order Chinese food and have it delivered, and eat it in our pajamas while we watch a super girly movie or show!!! Now if that doesn't sound fun/relaxing I don't know what does!





Sunday is the first Tech game and we're super excited we got season tickets with The Thomas. For the first game we got baby-sitters and we're actually going to tailgate and have a good ole' time! Wade WILL be going to the rest of them though! He already has his jersey and raider red shirt ready to go!! Not to mention all the red and black outfits he got last weekend for his birthday!




Thankfully, Brody and I both have Monday off. You can bet your bottom dollar that will be spent sleeping in, eating homemade waffles, running the waffles off, and playing with my boys!! Yes my friends, it's going to be a FABULOUS weekend!!! Happy Labor Day!!!