Steak-n-Shake for Heaven Sakes

My three year old son who is beginning to pick up on words that we say and use them in the proper manner. One of the words/phrases that he has heard his Mother and Nana say is the phrase "for heaven sakes" no big deal right! Well thats not exactly how he says it! On Friday ad dinner we are sitting at the table eating, and my wife is getting my son something from the kitchen and he says "for heaven sakes mom" but as i listen i have to cipher what he is saying he is meaning to say "for heaven sakes" but because he is only 3 and still learning tongue control it sounds like "we're having sex" My wife and I look at each other and of coarse we laugh. So now my son, thinks this is funny and says it several more times. Thats fine for us, because we are in our own home. . . .

Well, on Saturday Night, we are out to eat at Stake-n-Shake as a family and with one of our teenagers that now works in our ministry. Something happens in the coarse of our meal and my wife says, "for heaven sakes" All of the sudden my eyes got big because I knew what was going to happen next, almost as loud as he could, Josiah repeats what he hears his mom say, "We're having Sex". It was loud, right there in the middle of family meals all over the Steak-n-Shake restaurant. It was pretty embarrassing, especially for the teenager we had with us!!!!

Kids are fun partly because you never know whats going to happen next!

Exodus 6:1-13

"Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the LORD. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the LORD!’” v6-8
The Israelites where so mad and worked that they refused to listen to Moses when he came to declare Gods message. It is easy to get caught up in the things going on around us and miss the message God is trying to give us. Or better yet, refuse to listen. How receptive am I to the things of God. Is my life so loud that I don't hear him, or when I do, do I listen intently or refuse to believe what He is saying?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible.

Exodus 5:1-23

"Then Moses went back to the LORD and protested, 'Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!'" v22-23
Pharaoh had just increased the Hebrews' workload, and Moses protested that God had not rescued his people. Moses expected faster results and fewer problems. (ever been there?) When God is at work, suffering, setbacks, and hardship may still occur. In James 1:2-4 we are encouraged to be happy when difficulties come our way. Problems develop our patience and character by teaching us to:
1.) Trust God to do what is best for us
2.) Look for ways to honor God in our present situation
3.) Remember that God will not abandon us
4.) Watch for God's plan for us

Exodus 4:1-17

"But Moses protested again, 'What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The LORD never appeared to you’?'” v1
Excuses, Excuses, Excuses, Moses' reluctance and fear were caused by overanticipation. He was worried about how the people might respond to him. (fear of rejection) We often build up events in our minds and then panic over what might go wrong. God does not ask us to go where he has not provided the means to help. Go where he leads, trusting him to supply courage, confidence, and resources at the right moment!

The next time an opportunity comes my way, will I make excuses as to why I can't, or will I trust God to do the impossible?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

6 Signs the Dating Relationship is in Trouble . . .

Perry has a great blog on this topic!!!!

Exodus 3:1-22

"But Moses protested to God, 'Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”'
God answered, 'I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.'" v11-12
Many people have heard the story of Moses and the burning bush. At a young age it is taught and we are amazed that God talked to Moses in this way. it is radical and awesome!!! But there is more to it than that. God used the burning bush to get Moses attention. This leaves us having to answer this question, "What does God have to do to get my attention?"

For Moses it took a burning bush, for me it takes .....? But when He gets our attention, how do we respond to His message!

Moses made excuses because he felt inadequate for the job God asked him to do. It was natural for him to feel that way. He was inadequate all by himself. But God wasn't asking Moses to work alone. He offered other resources to help. God often calls us to do tasks that seem too difficult, but he doesn't ask us to do them alone. God offers us his resources, just as he did to Moses. We should not hide behind our inadequacies, as Moses did, but look beyond ourselves to the great resources available. Then we can allow God to use our unique contributions.

When God does speak to you, which may not happen through a burning bush, do you hear Him? Are you willing to do what He asks and follow where He leads, even if you think it is impossible?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

Exodus 2:11-25

"Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand." v11-12
Moses tried to make sure no one was watching before he killed the Egyptian. But as it turned out, someone did see, and Moses had to flee the country. Sometimes we mistakenly think we can get away with doing wrong if no one sees or catches us. Sooner or later, however, doing wrong will catch up with us as it did with Moses. Even if we are not caught in this life, we will still have to face God and his evaluation of actions.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible