The Sign of Jonah

Sometimes life is like this.

A jumble.

A mess.

We need to make sense of it.

From the jumble of images, experiences,

challenges that God allows in our life,

we can "pull" meaning, inspiration, encouragement.

We can also "pull" negativity and discouragement.

Jesus was asked by scribes and 

Pharisees for a sign in Matthew 12. 

Jesus answered that he would give no sign

except the sign of Jonah the prophet.

"Just as Jonah was in the belly 

of the whale three days and three nights,

so will the Son of Man be in the heart 

of the earth three days and three nights."

Sometimes we do not understand 

the signs that God gives us.

Our job is to trust Him!

I truly appreciate your visits and comments.

Although I try my best to return your visits,

between family life, work and commitments

to my Christian community,

it's just not possible! 

As a thank you to all of you wonderful people 

who take the time and effort to leave a comment,

I pick one of you every week to receive an ATC

from me or a postcard of one of my paintings.

The RNG picked Jennifer Carter this morning.

I'll be emailing her so she can choose 

from one of the ATCs above 

or the postcard of my canvas.

I love blog parties!

Won't you join us?

On Your Heart Tuesdays,

 

and

Blessings,

Patsy

Older Posts

What's on my storm tossed desk?

 

I am happy to report that the weather has cleared up!

No storms today, except on my desk! 

Ever since I was young, I was always so messy!

I remember that I could not sleep on my bed

because it was so full of things!

Here is my journal on top of my desk.

This morning I continued to read about Jonah.

God provided a gourd plant to 

protect Jonah from the heat of the sun.

Then a worm came and made the plant wither.

The sun blazed down Jonah's head

and he grew faint.

"It is better for me to die than live!" he exclaimed.

God used this as a teaching moment for Jonah,

the same way he uses our times of trial to teach us.

"You are concerned about a plant 

which cost you no labor to make it grow," God said,

admonishing Jonah for not caring about the Ninevites 

who did not know good from evil.

Sometimes our way of thinking is skewed.

We get bothered about little things, 

like maybe the remote control of the TV not working,

but we are less concerned over the 

plight of real people starving,

or little children being kidnapped!

May we learn to be concerned for 

what concerns God, what He values!

On my side table,

I've been doing a little experiment.

My sister Peggy told me the easiest way to

learn how to draw a face was 

to trace faces again and again

till your hand muscles remember.

So this is what I did.

My son Josh commented she looked creepy!

Joining the lovely Julia for a 

peek at desks and projects!

Linking up with
Encouraging Words Wednesday

Me a Princess?

The story of Jonah and the whale

reminds me of my cousin.

God "hounded" him to become a priest

but he refused for several years.

He studied law and became a lawyer,

but God didn't stop running after him.

Eventually he gave up 

and now he is a priest!

God wanted Jonah to preach

to the people of Nineveh

so they would change from their wickedness.

Jonah refused and ran away!

He boarded a ship

and God allowed the ship to be buffeted

by a furious tempest!

The ship's crew got frightened

and eventually Jonah confessed

that it was because of him that

they were experiencing such troubles.

Although they did not want to,

the sailors eventually threw Jonah off the ship...

and into the waiting jaws of a large fish!

What an incredible story!

It got me to thinking:

Is God waiting for me to DO something?

In Jonah's story, the crew got to know God.

After they threw Jonah off the ship,

they offered sacrifices and made vows.

They realized that Jonah's God was the

true God!

Perhaps God is waiting for me to 

learn something

so that others would know Him.

When I was a pastoral leader of

single women in our community,

God asked me to tell them

that they were princesses.

We are all children of the King,

and yes, that would make us...

princes and princesses!

We have a heavenly inheritance!

Sometimes God has to run after us

so that we will realize this! 

Linking with
Spiritual Sundays.
Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday,
On Your Heart Tuesdays,

Laura at the Wellspring,

and Brag on God Friday.