Pinterest

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 77...frogs


Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. This week I'm the hostess and my chosen verse for this Sunday is from Exodus 8:9-11 " Moses said to Pharaoh, “I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile.”

10 “Tomorrow,” Pharaoh said.

Moses replied, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God.

11 The frogs will leave you and your houses, your officials and your people; they will remain only in the Nile.”

Our sponsor this week is Doodle Pantry and my challenge is for you to use the color green somewhere in your creation.

Most people are familiar with the story of Moses and Pharaoh and the ten plagues the Lord placed on Egypt and its people. The idea I had for my challenge is something the pastor at our last church pointed out, and you might be familiar with this but it was new to me.

If you look at the passage above very carefully, one word pops out. That's the word 'tomorrow.' If you read back a bit to the beginning of chapter eight in Exodus, this particular plague meant there were frogs everywhere, they 'covered the earth' and were in kneading troughs, in ovens, in beds, on tables, chairs...you couldn't get away from them if you tried. There wasn't just one frog quietly croaking in a corner, they were pestilential!

Pharaoh urgently summoned Moses for him to pray to God to remove the frogs, but when Moses asked Pharaoh when he should pray for their removal Pharaoh answered "tomorrow."

Why tomorrow? Why wait? We can raise endless speculation as to Pharaoh's reasons for that answer, but instead of speculating about Pharaoh, its much more helpful point that scripture at ourselves.

The general gist of the message in church that day related to this passage was that we can be clinging to some secret sin and like Pharaoh, stubbornly refuse to let it go. Part of us wants to, but maybe our pride gets involved and we insist we can handle the problem ourselves and don't need any help. Or maybe, just maybe, that secret sin is too enticing, too . . .secretly enjoyable and we really don't want to let it go. We want just 'one more night with the frogs.' One more night with that sin. I'll give it up tomorrow. . . tomorrow.

In my own life, I would have to point to one frog that give me consistent problems. Its food . . . I have celiac disease which means among other ingredients, I have to avoid wheat in my diet. When I eat it, it makes me sick. I can be sick for three days. When the doctors first diagnosed this disease, with all of their thorough testing and experience I refused to believe them, or believe the situation was serious. "Oh no, they can't possibly be right, it won't hurt me to eat this . . . cookie, bread, cracker, pretzel." It took more than one bout of being sick to admit that maybe they were right. Even now, almost ten years after diagnosis, I still very occasionally give in to temptation. Really? I want to spend a night with THAT frog? (or three nights) Unfortunately, sometimes the answer is yes. And I pay for it dearly.

I have a choice of what I put in my mouth and it directly affects my health, future and happiness. For me, it IS a sin to eat that which I know I cannot. All sin is the same in that we have a choice. Pharaoh had free will. You have free will. I have free will. The question is, will I use my will to be wise, and when I'm struggling to take my problem to God in prayer and ask Him to help me conquer it, to help take away that frog? Or give in and suffer the consequences? Believe me, I know it isn't easy! I mean, I eat every day! This sin of mine is always lurking around the corner with every meal, every snack. So if I have to pray for God to help me each and every day, that's the best solution, rather than stare that frog in the face once again.

Thanks for looking and hope you can play along.

Papertrey Ink has a new challenge on Mondays, mojo Mondays. Last week's was to use a vellum strip across your card, neat technique, I like it.

Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Mark's Finest Papers

18 comments:

Becky said...

Beautiful card Peggysue! Love how it is so Clean and simple, and those butter
butterflies are are just lovely.
Wonderful devotion today, love your insight on this.

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Oh this is beautiful Peggysue. Love how you made it so simple but so beautiful! The butterfly sticks out so perfectly!
Hugs,
Chris

Grace Baxter said...

Peggysue, I have to thank you for your testimony and for reminding me about Pharaoh and the frogs. I never thought about it that way before. You have made me see my own 'sin' of craving sugar for what it is. I am not supposed to be eating it but lately cookies and treats seem to be calling my name all the time. Thanks for the reminder to seek God's help with this every day.

Aimes said...

Wow! That's one beauty of a card! Loving all the scrummy green & sparkle :D
Hugs,
Aimes
x

Miesje said...

Beautiful card Peggysue! I love those butterflies. I really enjoyed reading your take on the scripture! Wow - I really never saw it that way - your frog is wheat - we all have our own and have to identify it - yikes - more self-reflection! Thanks for the challenge!

Grace said...

Hi Peggysue! Your card is gorgeous! Love the sparkle on the ribbon! I have to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your devotional today on the SSIC site! I have never thought before about the "tomorrow" idea but how true!!! Thanks soooo much for sharing your heart and your story about your own struggle and the ill effects you'll have if you waver! We all suffer ill effects when we go astray... maybe not as painful in the moment... but just as damaging spiritually! I really appreciated your words so much and I know they will touch many!!!
Have a wonderful week!
hugs,
Grace

Wendy M said...

Wonderful post... thank you for sharing this message with us. As always, I look forward to the SSIC weekly challenge. There are soooooooo many tallented ladies visit SSIC and take part (PTL). I love to view the projects but especially love the messages each SSIC brings each week.

Hugs
Wendy xx

Patti J said...

What a beauty! Love everything about it, and I love your words. You always have a way of saying what I'm thinking, and trying to say! Love your card, sweet friend! Hugs...

Anthonette said...

Beautiful card!

The Mama Monkey said...

Stunning, stunning card!!

Traci M said...

Hi friend!
This is a wonderful devotional, it did make me think...and I agree with you on holding on to our sin for just one more day. Great insight into this scripture!!
I love your card, that is one of my favorite stamps and I love the additon of the butterflies, it gives it a much less somber feeling, and right now we could all use a dose of spring!!

Joanne (jojot) said...

gorgeous and rich CAS creation...

Jill said...

Peggysue, what a lovely card! All the elements are so nice, but I particularly like the way you photographed the card so that the glittery strips just bring the sentiment to life!
Your devotional today *really* reached me--I too, had never thought of things quite this way and now I feel inspired. I think I might start up a second blog--for weight loss! 'Cuz I sleep with *that* frog every night! :-D

Diane Jaquay said...

What a gorgeous CAS card!!!

Nerina said...

This is so beautiful - you really made the most of the vellum strip! I can't believe how it sparkles! What an uplifting post too - for an amazing concept! HUGS!

Angy said...

Great card Peggysuez, but even better is your "mini" sermon. What a great connection to be made... tomorrow I will leave my sin? No I should do it NOW! Being human though too many times I myself have been known to say tomorrow (or even NEXT WEEK). So thankful for HIS grace and mercy.

Lovely Linda said...

Peggysue - you nailed this challenge in everyway! Thank you so much for the wonderful devotional that has spoken to so many - from the heart and inspiring my friend! I love your card - asimply elegant and such wamrth! Thank you Sistah for the inspiration! {{{hugs}}}

Terri said...

Very pretty. Love the butterflies and the vellum strip with glitter.