A Perfect Week of Weather

This morning as I chopped a bit of ice on the first day of December, I gave thanks again for the wonderful weather last week.  The weather was truly perfect this past week, and I do mean perfect.  All glory goes to our Heavenly Father, Creator of heaven and earth.  He gave us precisely what we needed and the last day of the week began with a glorious sunset as we headed into Shabbat.  The daylight hours were a beautiful combination of sunshine and perfect temperature, in the upper sixties.  Although we had a windy few days, the temperature remained warm until last evening.

And now, the recap of the week.  None other than our very own weather guy, Gerry Davis rolled into Goshen just after last Sabbath.  He didn't get to see much that evening, but the next morning, even with an overcast sky, it was only hoodie weather.   The fellowship was a delightful blessing and his photos are good, as always.

Monday the Goshen Gazette rolled off the presses with temperatures a bit cooler but still well above freezing.  Daddy called Tuesday morning to tell me about his deer and make plans.  Interestingly, I was enjoying weather in the low fifties, but the temperatures in his area were forecasted to range between upper 20s and low 40s.  Perfect weather for aging venison.  We made arrangements for Friday and although windy, the temperature couldn't have been better.  The meat was still cold, but my hands remained warm with the outdoor temp around 60.  That was the most pleasant and efficient processing, I can remember.  Usually we have to take breaks just to warm our hands.  This was no small white tail!

By the time the phone rang regarding my daughter's ETA, the venison was in the freezer and the kitchen was back to "normal."  We had to protect little ears from the wind, but the temperature was perfect for enjoying the evening outdoors. 

 

The sunset leading into Shabbat was glorious.

 Although we decided a Sabbath picnic probably wouldn't be such a good idea in the wind, as trying to keep food on our plates outdoors would turn into work.  We did spend a wonderful day enjoying the beautiful weather.  Just under 70° the 29th of November.  HalleluYah!   Except for the service time and meals, we were outdoors all day.

  

 

In the midst of all this wonderful weather and great outdoors, I was blessed to speak the Aharonic blessing over this precious little girl!

What a blessing it is to personally know the Master of the wind.

Why These Names?

Is it possible that last year's harsh winter and the projected one this year have something to do with "honoring" false gods in the recent decision to name winter storms?

http://www.weather.com/news/weather-winter/winter-storm-names-2013-2014-20131001?cm_ven=Facebook&cm_cat=fb_article_rec&fb_ref=story_share

Clouds . . .

We so often associate clouds with a negative atmosphere and impending doom, but Scripture doesn't usually refer to clouds, negatively.  The word "cloud" appears in the KJV of the Bible 147 times, and most of those times give reference the presence of our Creator!

I'm not claiming to be all knowing on the subject here, but I will offer two absolutes.  The clouds are not intended nor were they ever to be in the control of man, thus they are under the authority of our Creator.  Throughout Torah, the clouds signified the promise of YHWH.  The cloud held the signature of YHWH in the rainbow:  Genesis 9:13, I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.  In Exodus 13:21 we are introduced to His leading of the children of Israel in the pillar of cloud: And YHWH went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.  The cloud signified His presence in the Tabernacle in Leviticus 16:2:  And YHWH said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.   His glory in Numbers 16:42: And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of YHWH appeared.  When Moses spoke the summation of the journey in the book of Deuteronomy, this was recorded in 5:22.  These words YHWH spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and He added no more. And He wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

The New Testament also includes references of clouds and the presence of YHWH and His Word.  Matthew 17:5 our Heavenly Father speaks His approval of His Son: While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.  Mark 13:26 speaks of the return of Messiah in the clouds.  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.  Acts 1:9-11 records Messiah's ascension into the clouds and addresses His return.  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.   I Thessalonians gives quite a vivid image, detailing clouds, of the Second Coming of Messiah:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The Revelation virtually begins with the announcement of the Second Coming, 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.   

Could it be, the clouds contain such a negative message for so many and instill such ominous fear so often because, as a society, we are not listening and not following?