The Rainbow in the Clouds

The rainbow appears when we have most reason to fear the rain prevailing; God then shows this seal of the promise, that it shall not prevail. The thicker the cloud, the brighter the bow in the cloud. Thus, as threatening afflictions abound, encouraging consolations much more abound. The rainbow is the reflection of the beams of the sun shining upon or through the drops of rain: all the glory of the seals of the covenant are derived from Christ, the Sun of righteousness. And he will shed a glory on the tears of his saints.*

Yesterday evening while in Winamac (celebrating Alicia's completion of high school!), a huge storm came through.  Several of us stood outside watching the storm brew and standing in the midst of it while it greeted us with its powerful presence.  To experience things like this is a marvelous reminder of the power of God. 

I saw a miraculous thing yesterday. It may mean little to my readers but to me it was momentous.  I have been praying for a rainbow for some time.  I have experienced a few since, and although they are all beautiful, I've never seen anything like this one in my life.  I want to record this and share some photos. 

I'm so thankful to serve and know the God of all creation, who creates such beautiful things and blesses us by allowing us to experience his beauty through them. 

*Excerpt from commentary by Matthew Henry on Genesis 9:8-17.

Hearing the Voice of God!

In the below article, John Piper explains how he heard the voice of God one morning in 2007. He talks about how he knew what he heard was clearly the words of God and how he will never forget those words and the details about which they came to him.

Can you imagine?! Hearing words directly out of the mouth of God, the creater of all of the world?! The One in charge of EVERYTHING who holds your entire life and all of the rest of the universe in the palm of his almighty hand?! Speaking to you?!

You can!! Pray. Open your bible. Read. His words are throughout all of the pages! :)

The Morning I Heard the Voice of God by John Piper

L.O.V.E.

God's love is perfected in us if we love because he loved... [1 John 4:7-12]

This love (agape) is not the love that we as humans are capable of producing on our own based on feelings/emotions. This love is a selfless love - a love that we may only receive from God. A love poured out through us, given us by the Holy Spirit. It is a sacrificial love. A love that gives without expectation. A love that gives unconditionally. It is through this love that we love one another as Christ loved us.

The perfect example of this kind of love was acted out when He sent his Son to die on the cross for undeserving sinners (us!) to provide eternal life through the ultimate sacrifice.

"By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." 1 John 3:16

So with that being said... let us LOVE!

(It is so exciting to be able to understand these things!!!! OK, This is the end of my thought process for it is late. It is bedtime now... Goodnight my nonexistent readers!)