"Our God Is So Sweet!"

Moses and the Israelites stood on the banks of the Red Sea watching as a group of Egyptian soldiers were swept away by the raging waters of the sea. Only moments earlier the Egyptians had been chasing the Israelites, determined to capture them and bring them back to Egypt to live as slaves. The Israelites had been trapped on the other side of the Red Sea when God performed the most amazing miracle. He made a path of dry land right in the middle of the Sea! The Israelites cruised right across to safety, but when the Egyptians tried to cross, God used the waters to sweep them away. The Israelites were now safe! After executing this fantastic miracle right in front of their eyes, God directed the Israelites to a dry, dusty desert where they traveled in the scorching heat for 3 days. The Israelites went 72 hours with no water to look at, bathe in, or drink! That will make your tongue swell and your nose shut down. After traveling for three days they discovered water. Finally their thirst would be quenched. YUCK!!! When they tasted the water, it was bitter and horrible. Now what were they supposed to drink? The Israelites grumbled and complained to Moses. He cried out to God! God showed Moses a piece of wood which Moses picked up and threw into the water. When the people took a second drink they tasted sweet sparkling water. Imagine that, one minute the water tasted gross and bitter and the next minute it was the greatest thing that their lips had ever touched! God used this little episode to get the Israelites attention. God told them that He would continue to take care of them if they listened to Him and did what was right. Otherwise they would end up like the Egyptians. Needless to say, the Israelites got the message and God led them to Elim where there were 70 palm trees and 12 springs. The moral of this story is listen to God and life will be filled with sweet surprises!

 - Pastor Joey

Parent's Corner: 

Summer is a season with more free play and unstructured activities than usual. As a parent, you may hear the words "I'm bored" or "what can I do? Here are some sure fire surprises that will sweet’n up your kid’s summer:

• Star Search ~ On a clear, crisp night have a family “camp out” in your back yard. Enjoy the beauty, look for constellations, read scriptures, and sing praise songs.
  Surprise Chauffer ~ Make up a chauffer name and tell your kids, “I’m Marvin, your chauffer, and I’ll take you anywhere you want to go this afternoon.” Spend several hours letting your kids tell you where to go. You might make it to the park, library, or to an ice cream parlor. Have fun Marvin!!!

• Midnight Milkshakes ~ Wake up your child at midnight and take them out for a milkshake. Enjoy the smile you’ll receive and the quality conversation you will share with no distractions.

• Mirror Mirror on the Wall ~ Use an expo marker to write on the first mirror your kids will use in the morning. Tell them about the surprise outing you will have that day.

• PJ Party ~ Wake your kids up early and plan to kidnap one friend for each of your kids. Have fun gathering all the friends for a fun day of hanging out in pj's. Head home and make pancakes together, play games, watch movies, build card houses, etc. Deliver everyone back to their homes just in time for bed.