New Testament references to clouds typically appear in settings involving Jesus. In fact, He even said to the crowd “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does…. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? (Lk. 12:54, 56).
As I investigated Old Testament references to clouds, I noticed that when speaking to Job, God described clouds as the sea’s garment and thick darkness its blanket. (Job 38:9)
Our car’s glove compartment bulged with roadmaps. Mother would mark our vacation route in pencil and navigate Dad from pit stop to pit stop. And, I can still envision her attempting to refold those maps once we safely arrived.
I remember my father saying, “I love a “buttermilk sky” while admiring a scenic view of puffy little clouds. By fourth grade, I’d discovered there was no official “buttermilk sky" cloud formation, only cumulus, stratus, cirrus and multiple variations based on combinations and altitudes.
A glorious day for all involved – the ark of God had come to Jerusalem. King David and the Israelites’ joy at that event inspired a worship experience like no other. Burnt and fellowship offerings, singing, instruments, and words of praise highlighted their day.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” The end. Enough said. I could stop right there -- or could I?
“I lack nothing.” Really? Do I believe that in my heart? Does my life reflect that belief?
Controlling personality type people surely can prove difficult to deal with. Goliath, stood way taller than most men. As a bully, he refused to back down and exuded a misplaced confidence in himself.
“Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8 begins and ends with this celebration of God’s majesty. Nestled in between we find a verse about the praise of children. Have you ever listened to a child or children sing about Jesus? What an uplifting sound!
Anxious and excited both described my feelings on our grandson’s first day of kindergarten. My daughter relayed he had gotten up early and they had made it to the front of the drop off line. He delighted me by face-timing me while they waited in the car.
There is so much talk today … in media, politics, social media, speakers, writers, in the world.
Everyone wants to be followed … listened to … admired … even … worshipped.
I have listened to people who have pulled me the wrong way, away from God … and I have listened to people who have pulled me back the right way to God.
Do you feel invisible sometimes? As though, no one sees you.
Or really knows the real you.
God sees you…
Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13 NLT).
I was lost.
It was getting very dark.
We were on a boat in an unfamiliar lake, unsure of the way home … and it was cloudy, no light.
What do you build on?
For many years … I found hope and joy from my next vacation or the next new, fun thing for my house or fancy meals eating out.
I built my hope on the things money can buy.
Words can hurt … deep within the soul.
In that moment of pain … I have a choice … revenge or forgiveness?
My response matters.
Joshua and the Israelites were marching into the Promised Land and were, therefore, engaged in battle against the Canaanites. Repeatedly, they witnessed God’s power working on their behalf as they defeated their enemies in the south. Their enemies in the north were yet to be defeated. But instead of marching northward, Joshua led the Israelites back to Gilgal.
What if I had…? Have you ever said those words? Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had made a different choice or if your circumstances had been different?
At a young age I was drawn to read the Bible. It wasn’t something I felt I had to do. Reading the Bible was my delight! I owned a translation I could easily understand, and at night I would read and highlight verses. Those verses lingered in my mind, and God gave me opportunities to share them with others. Looking back, I realize the Holy Spirit was drawing me to His Word.
When my daughter was four, she asked my husband, “Daddy, what is an inheritance?” He explained that everything that was Mommy’s and Daddy’s would be hers one day. She sat quietly for a minute and then responded, “Does that mean that one day I will get your chapstick?” Her daddy’s chapstick was the thing she cherished most. Now that she is older and wiser, I wonder if she would be satisfied with only his chapstick?
When I was young, my family rarely went to a restaurant to eat. But on one special occasion, my parents took us to a restaurant that was filled with various buffets. Salad and fruit buffets were in one area. Vegetable and meat buffets were nearby. And my favorite, of course, were the dessert buffets that I remember as taking up an entire room. Lavish quantities of food were everywhere! I wanted to try it all (well, most of it), but the abundance was too great. I couldn’t even sample it all.
Have you ever let dirty dishes sit for a day or so? Really, it doesn’t have to be that long. Maybe just a few hours.
Some of the worst culprits include oatmeal, tomato sauce, cheese, and even coffee.
