Jelly fish and sponges

We had lessons each day at the beach.  

Lesson on Jellyfish - We learned that inside their bell-shaped body is an opening that is its mouth.  They dine on fish, shrimp, crabs and tiny plants.  They digest their food very quickly.  They wouldn't be able to float if they had to carry a large, undigested meal around.  But guess what?  They eat and discard waste from this same opening!  

Our mouths are often potty mouths.  James 3:9,10 says:

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this should not be."

Sponge lesson - We watched Jonathan Bird's Blue World about sponges.   Sponges soak up water through all its holes and pores and traps its food as the water flows through its body.  They filter tiny plankton with the water and any waste products are released through an opening on the top of the sponge.

We need to soak up the Living Water, which is the Word of God.  In our lives we need to get rid of the bad stuff that we don't need.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour.  Instead, be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."  Ephesians 4:31,32

You can squeeze water out of a sponge and it can become totally dry again.  Sometimes people become "dry" too.  Maybe they are going through hard times and they blame God.  They quit spending time reading the Bible/ talking with God.  They lose the joy of "walking" with God!  Their hearts become hard.

I've often said that in difficult times, I would rather hold onto the Father's hand and have Him by my side than to shake my fist at Him.  He is FOR us.  It is the evil one who wants us to turn our backs on the Lord!

The parents taking a nice break while we had lesson and craft time.