The Rainbow

Last night I was going through some pictures I took last year and I came across this picture of a rainbow. It was a welcome sight with another 10" – 14” of snow on the way to be followed more cold weather. The rainbow reminds me of God’s promise made to Noah that “while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” [Genesis 8:22] I am encouraged to know there will be an end to this snowy, cold weather. Even though it doesn’t look like it now, spring with warm weather and green grass is on the way. That’s the way it is with our troubles. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God.” [Psalm 42:11] Times may be bleak with no end in sight but we can be hopeful of a better, brighter future. The Psalmist reminds us “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” [Psalm 30:5] Why, because our hope is in God. He uses these dark days to strengthen our faith and develop our character. There is hope for us. Just as spring follows winter joy following times of weeping.

The Lighthouse

Something woke me from a deep sleep. What had disturbed my much-needed rest? I lay in bed quietly hoping I'd be able to go back to sleep. There it was again, that noise! It was the same noise that had been disrupting my sleep night after night since we had moved to the coast of Maine - the foghorn! Would I ever adjust to the mournful sound of the foghorn? Frustrated and unable to sleep, I slipped out of bed and made my way downstairs.

Looking through the window, I saw the reason for the foghorn's constant warning. An eerie fog was slowly rolling in from the harbor, covering the blackness of the night. I shivered as I stood there looking out the window, searching through the fog.It wasn't until we moved to the coast of Maine that I realized the importance of the lighthouse. The lighthouse was a vital part of coastal life.

It guided ships safely into the harbor through the fog and darkness. Through violent storms it served as a beacon, warning ships of the dangerous rocks along the coastline. As we focus on the importance of lighthouses to sailors, we seldom think of the significance of the lighthouse to those waiting at home.

The women who waited for the ships to return knew only too well of the dangers at sea. The brightly shining beacon from the lighthouse provided protection and guidance for their loved ones. Day after day, they would wait and watch to see if their men would return home safely. When night came, they would look out across the harbor to make sure the light from the lighthouse was shining brightly.

Meanwhile, sailors would search the dark night for the light that would lead them safely home. The sight of a ship sailing into the harbor brought joy and excitement to waiting friends and loved ones.A lighthouse has no value if its light doesn't shine, In days gone by, a lighthouse needed a keeper of the light.

The lighthouse keeper lived a life of dedication and isolation. No matter how he felt, mirrors and windows needed to be cleaned and a sufficient supply of wicks and fuel needed to be purchased. Can you imagine if a lighthouse keeper decided the light might offend someone and only lit the light occasionally? Would you want a lighthouse keeper that procrastinated? He had to remain true to his job day in and day out.

A lighthouse keeper had many time-consuming responsibilities. There would be days, weeks and months of hard work when no one appreciated his tasks. But when the storms came, people would look for the light to see if the lighthouse keeper was faithfully doing his job.
The lighthouse keeper's faithfulness made all the difference. Today, in this world of darkness, we need faithful keepers of the light. The Bible tells us that Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). Jesus is the light that shines in and through us. "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid, neither do men light a candle, and put it tinder a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).

Just as the lighthouse keeper dedicated his life to keep the light shining, so must we dedicate our lives to the Light of the World. We have the privilege of being keepers of the light, all for the glory of God.

by Mabel R. Flatt

My Thoughts

On this my second post, I thought I might give you a little insight to the workings of my mind. Below are some quotes taken from one of my web pages.

On Love:

"Love is doing what's best for the other person regardless of the cost or response."
"Love not only forgives but seeks forgiveness."
"The Ten Commandments are an expression of God's love carved in stone. We see them as narrow restrictions but He meant them for our protection. We see them as taking the fun out of life but He uses them to point us to the source of life - Jesus Christ."

On the Resurrection:

"The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction with the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances."

On Thanksgivng:

"Thanksgiving like contentment is a learned attribute. The person who hasn't learned to be content will not be thankful for he lives with the delusion that he deserves more or something better."

On Christmas:

"Like thanksgiving, the spirit of Christmas was never meant to be shut up into a single day."
"The giving of gifts is not something man invented. God started the giving spree when He gave a gift beyond words, the unspeakable gift of His Son."

Odds and Ends:

"If a man does something foolish, the test of wisdom is the ability to recognize his foolishness and turn from it."
"A fool is like a bad wagon wheel because they both make a lot of noise and don't say anything."
"Doing it right the first time saves a lot of time and embarrassment."
"It's easier to be against something than for something."

Robert Flatt

Life's Storms

Is there hope in the midst of life's storms? The obvious answer is yes. Then why do I still feel so hopeless and so alone when facing life's difficulties? How do I correct the disconnect between knowledge and emotion? It is so much easier to speak the truth to others then to personally experience the truth in the storms of life.

Where do we begin? Let's start with the Word of God and view both sides of the picture. Let's see the difference between what the disciples perceived to be true and what was really true. In Mark's gospel, we read that as the disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee at night a storm arose. It as a raging storm that threatened to capsize their boat and cast them helpless into a raging sea.

How did the disciples respond? Their response was one of aloneness and a paralyzing fear. Why? They neither fully understood the person of Jesus nor remembered his teachings. While they were in the midst of the storm, what did they fail to realize? They were totally unaware that Jesus was praying for them and that He was totally aware of their dilemma. Mark says that from the mountain top where Jesus was praying "he saw them toiling and rowing."

Faith makes real for us two very important truths. The first is that Jesus sees us when we cannot see Him. Secondly He is with us even when He is physically absent.

We must learn to focus on these same two truths. The first, the Bible tells us that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. [Hebrews 7:25]

The next truth has two facets to it. He has promised never to leave or forsake us. [Hebrews 13:5, 6] Since this is true, He is always knows our difficulties.

How then do I keep from the same disconnect the disciples experienced? How do I keep from feeling a sense of aloneness that allows me to be overcome with fear and hopelessness? Let me suggest four simple thoughts.

First, be a good student of the Word of God and commit the truth of God's Word to memory. Second, remind yourself of theses truths as often as possible so that in difficult times they will be a source of comfort and hope. Third, recognize there is no disconnect between the physical presence of the Lord and His presence. Jesus does not have to be physically present to comfort and strengthen us. Lastly even though you do not feel Jesus presence, it does not mean He is not present. His protective presence is always with us but our comfort comes from the knowledge of His presence. How many times while here on earth did Jesus heal someone while being physically absent from that person?

True faith not only believes something is true but obeys the truth. In times of difficulty stop, remember and pray. Let the truth control our feeling, not our circumstances.

There is one overriding truth that makes all this possible and provide us with hope in difficult times. Jesus is the Son of God, sovereign ruler over all things. It is He who says to us in the midst of life's storms, "Be of good cheer! It is I: do not be afraid."

R. Robert Flatt