{ramona williams}

Like The Rain

I woke up Saturday morning to the sound of thunder and water blowing against the sides of the home.  (No lightning, thank goodness.) I looked out the window, and visibility was low, even though it was after 8 am.  I could see the trees blowing, and rain drops as if they were moving side ways.  I thought of the verse in Hosea, and a post that I had written a few years ago.  It is this week's 'Verse of the Week'.

{This post was originally posted on August 11, 2007.}

One Wednesday evening after Bible Study, it started to rain. The rain was not harsh, pounding or intimidating with thunder and lightning, but gentle and calm. As I walked out the door, I struggled to open the umbrella while trying to keep my belongings and myself dry at the same time.  About this time, I looked up to see a young man (probably around 12 -14 years old) standing in the rain. He stood with his arms in the air, his head flung back, as if he were enjoying the rain and praising the Lord at the same time. As I pointed him out to Marc, we both paused for a moment. Here was someone taking the time to enjoy the rain, and worship the Lord in the process.

While watching that young man, I thought of this week's verse:

Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth.

Verse for the Week ~ May 24

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
      Because the LORD has anointed Me
      To preach good tidings to the poor;
      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
      To proclaim liberty to the captives,
      And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
       ² To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
      And the day of vengeance of our God;
      To comfort all who mourn,
       ³ To console those who mourn in Zion,
      To give them beauty for ashes,
      The oil of joy for mourning,
      The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
      That they may be called trees of righteousness,

      The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

~Isaiah 61:1-3 {NKJV}

Verse for The Week - May 17, 2010

Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering.

~Romans 12:1 {The Message}

Verse for the Week - March 7 {Ecclesiastes 3:1-8}

Everything Has Its Time 

¹ To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
   ² A time to be born,
And a time to die;
  A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
   ³ A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
  A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
   ⁴ A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
  A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
   ⁵ A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
  A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
   ⁶ A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
  A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
   ⁷ A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
  A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
   ⁸ A time to love,
And a time to hate;
  A time of war,
And a time of peace.

{Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NKJV}

{Fearfully and Wonderfully Made}

This week's Verse of The Week is in celebration of the recent birth of our Grand Nephew Camron Gene!

For you formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

Psalm 139:13-14 (NKJV)

 

{born January 20, 2010. 6lbs, 19 1/2 inches.}

{A Very Present Help}

By now we have all heard about the devastation of the earthquake that occured in Haiti on January 12.  We have seen the news reports, heard the stories, viewed the photos while sitting in silence, sadness, trying to hold back the tears.

While watching the various news reports, this verse came to mind:

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into
the midst of the sea;

Psalm 46:1-2

 

What can we do to help in the next few days, weeks, months ahead? 

1. Pray for the People of Haiti.

2. Give.  All of the major charity organizations in the United States have established Haiti funds where you can give online.  A few others like the Red Cross allow contributions via the cell phone.  Innovative.  Marc and I are compiling a list and considering which organizations to give to.

3. Volunteer.  There are probably groups within your metro area that have set up sites to collect basic needs goods (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) to ship to Haiti. As the products are being collected, there is also a need for volunteers to help organize and package the goods. 

{Verse for the Week: Isaiah 9:6}

{from the digi files -- December '06}

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon
His shoulder.
And His Name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6