"Silver-Haloed Clouds and a Golden Orb" by Peter A. Black

Publ Domain Photography

The air was cool and the sun bright, although beginning its descent of early evening, during my drive home one day. And the sky, reaching ahead of me towards the horizon in the West, displayed a colourful array of cloud clusters, from deep purplish black to grey, to violet, pink and blue. Many of them were bathed in striking, shimmering silver haloes. 

It was a sight that seemed just right for the crispness of the now cooler weather of fall. And yet, within twenty minutes, before the sun settled below the silhouetted landscape, it had taken on the appearance and visual warmth of a huge golden orb, characteristic of gorgeous Canadian sunsets. 

GoogleFree Italian Holiday

Had the sun really changed its colour? No. Had the clouds changed substance appreciably? Probably not. However, the position of the earth and the clouds had changed in relation to the sun. In practical terms, the earth did the moving, as it does in its daily revolutions and annually in its circuit around the sun, and so, things appeared different. This, of course, makes for the contrast between night and day.

Is that not how it sometimes is between us and THE Sun (God’s Son) of Righteousness?  Sometimes God and Christ may seem cold and distant to us, while at other times we view matters of faith more warmly, sensing that God is closer and Jesus is with us, and that life has a golden touch. 

In our seasons of life, as well as from day to day, may we be kept by the grace of God in proper relation to our Lord and recognize the silver lining of His mercy, when the cool of life’s evening begins to draw near.

On my journey towards home that day I was careful to keep my eyes on the road ahead, even while viewing the glories of the sky above. May we keep our spiritual eyes on Jesus who is the Way – that is, our path – to God, the Truth of God and the Life of God to us. Let us keep our gaze on Him, until we can view our lives and those around us in a kinder, warmer light – bathed in the gold of His grace.  

And, just as I reached home safely that night, may we each arrive safe at the eternal home prepared for us in the heavens (John 14:1-3). God grant us to be included among His faithful ones: “. . . for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall” (Malachi 4:2). The “sun of righteousness” is personified in Jesus, our Lord.

A Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for the glories of your handiwork written in nature and the skies, and for the parallels to our spiritual lives of which they serve to remind us. Amen. 

~~+~~

Peter A. Black is a retired pastor – well, sort of retired – and lives in Southwestern Ontario. He writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column, P-Pep! and is author of Raise Your Gaze ... Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart, and Parables from the Pond – a children's / family book. ~~+~~

The above post was adapted from one of Peter's column articles published in October 2018.  The sunset pictures are courtesy of free online sources.

Singing In The Rain-by Heidi McLaughlin

 The 1952 romance/musical, Singing in the Rain was so spectacular that I went to see it twice.  The fact that my talented and handsome grandson Ryan had the lead in this live performance might have had something to do with my inspiration and eagerness.  For days afterwards I found myself singing:

“I’m singing in the rain,

Just singing in the rain,

What a glorious feelin’

I’m happy again.

I’m laughing at the clouds

So dark above

The sun’s in my heart.”

And then a lot of doo-dloo-doo-doos.

It’s a catchy, happy song and before I know it I’m snapping my fingers and moving my feet.

And I’m happy again.

January in Kelowna, British Columbia is a dreary and cloudy place.  We live in a valley; hence the clouds cover the mountaintops and a dark blanket covers the Okanagan basin.  January 2017 was not a good month for me after the death of my beloved Jack, so I am trying very hard to create new memories and feelings for 2018.

This week as I drove home with the rain/slush hitting my windshield, I felt the gloominess creeping in.  Then I remembered the song, “Singing in the Rain!” I started to sing and before I knew it was doo-dloo-dooing and tapping my steering wheel. When I pulled into my garage I grabbed my grocery bags and bounced into the house.

Yes, I know happiness depends on our circumstances and joy comes from our glorious hope within. Joy is our assurance that we have an eternal hope in Heaven and that God is involved in every detail of our lives. But some days we just need something to make us happy. Bouncy. Singing. 

Especially for us writers behind our computers during these long winter months.

I challenge each one of us to make intentional efforts to doo-dloo-doo through this cold and gloomy month.  I’m creating new memories in several ways:

·      I had my Bible Study group into my home for a potluck dinner and afterwards we made bead bracelets.  The camaraderie and laughter was contagious. I went to bed full and happy.

·      Get above the clouds. I’m going snowshoeing this week to find some blue sky and fluffy snow.  Again it’s best to do it with friends who light a fire within us.

·      I’m going to see a musical, “Sister Act.” Now that will make me happy. How about you, is there a live musical near you?  You’ll soon be tapping your toes.

·      Have people into your home for a game of cards.  There is sure to be a truckload of laughter.

·      Do a puzzle or a paint by number.

·      Read the books that have been laying by your bedside for years.

·      Simply taking a long walk and breathing in fresh air and new hope, always refreshed the soul and recalibrates our thoughts.

The Bible says: “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 TLB)

God is a good Father to us and He desires that we live our very best life.  Some days are harder than others, especially when we are reliving grief and darkness. But there are ways to lift our spirits. I’m determined to be happy again and God is helping me every step of the way. Doo-dloo-doo-doo.

 Heidi McLaughlin lives in the beautiful vineyards of the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia. Heidi has been widowed twice. She is a mom and step mom of a wonderful, eclectic blended family of 5 children and 12 grandchildren. When Heidi is not working, she loves to curl up with a great book, or golf and laugh with her family and special friends.

Her latest book RESTLESS FOR MORE: Fulfillment in Unexpected Places (Including a FREE downloadable Study Guide) is now available at Amazon.ca; Amazon.com, Goodreads.com or her website: www.heartconnection.ca

Look Up, Waaaaay Up!

I enjoy Fall beauty in nature and the blessings of everyday and also anticipate the Thanksgiving holiday. Autumn, for me, lends itself to wistful reflection. And so, I occasionally hark back to summer days and former joys. I begin with one.
 

I'm sorry I didn't take a pic of
those amazing clouds that day!

“Look, there’s a rabbit. It’s running! See its nose . . . and ears?”  “Yep! They’re really clear.” My beloved and I were having coffee on the deck. We gazed upwards into a gorgeous blue sky painted with wispy, slow-moving clouds.

Soon we saw a dog, clearly resembling a Scottie or a Yorkie – sweetly cute, with distinct facial features – eyes and ears, nostrils and mouth and basic body shape, then next a huge fish. All were clearly distinguishable. Gradual change: The rabbit’s features began to lengthen, morphing in turn to a fawn, a goat and a horse.

Some folk attach significance to the figures they see in cloud formations or in other things. I knew a guy in Scotland who perceived the outline of South Africa in a marking that had formed on a bar of soap and figured that God was sending him there.

Soon his wife and family found themselves aboard ship with all their worldly possessions, heading halfway around the world. He was absolutely sincere. Was he a crank? Lord knows. He and his wife have since passed away, but their daughters now have their own families – not in South Africa, but back home in Scotland.

Courtesy: Free Google Images

A generation or two of preschool Canadians began their morning eagerly awaiting the invitation to “Look up, waaaaay up!” Lounging on the sofa or on the floor of their living rooms – some probably picking away at a bowl of Cheerios™ or Cocoa Pops® – little people in the thousands across the country followed the camera sweep of The Friendly Giant’s big leather boot, all the way up to his cheerful round face. And then they’d see Rusty the chicken and Jerome the giraffe puppets.

I’m sure The Friendly Giant’s mellow intonations inviting kids to view another episode of that children’s morning TV show still resonate warmly in many an adult memory today.

Those recognizable figures we perceive forming in the clouds high overhead have much to do with perspective and perception. The shapes resembling either objects or living things are not merely associated with the eye, but also with the mind. The eye and faculty of sight enable us to see, while the mind perceives, analyses and interprets what is seen.

Courtesy: Free Google Images

The youngsters see the huge, tall man with the long boots and his animal friends contrasting in size with the tiny furniture on the TV production set, and they believe that Friendly really is a kind and gentle giant. Rusty and Jerome, Friendly’s pals, become the kids’ pals too.

Our two younger sons used to watch the program; it was wholesome viewing. The little people had to look waaaaay up if they were to see the giant’s friendly face and his pals, and to follow the goings on at the castle each day.

Dreadful, heinous things are going on in the world around us, some at home, but especially abroad. Should we bury our heads in the sand and pretend it’s not happening? Do we fixate on the evil and darkness?

Acknowledge it, we must. But let us not fail to accept the warm invitation to look up, waaaaay up, to our Creator God, our Heavenly Father, and receive courage and hope, and be warmed in our souls and strengthened in our spirits to live in the light of His grace and love and to share it?

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, “Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness; Open our eyes, let us see Your Beauty . . .”*                                                              

~~~

*Paraphrased from song by Tim Hughes; © Thankyou Music.

~~+~~

Peter A. Black lives in Southwestern Ontario. He writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column, P-Pep! and is author of Raise Your Gaze ... Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart, and Parables from the Pond.

Heading West . . . Random, Automatic, and Intentional — Black

“I see two bears lying down beside each other.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty good. They really do resemble bears, don’t they?”
“Oh, look! That white one’s really unusual. Reminds me of a white, fluffy poodle standing up on its hind legs.”
“Hmm. Yeah. It certainly does . . . very unusual to see them in that vertical formation.”
Silence for a minute or two.
“Now that one is very much like a boy lying down, looking up into the sky, and smiling.”

It’s probable that by now you have guessed . . . we—my wife and I—were talking about some very interesting cloud formations, which to our eye resembled animals and a boy.

We were heading west, travelling along the 401 freeway in Southwestern Ontario. As the driver, I had to be careful, but was able to look ahead of us and join in the fun. I commented that it is amazing how those forms develop randomly, and yet some of them clearly resemble people, animals, and other things.

Now, I’m no meteorologist, physicist, scientist, mathematician, or psychologist, and yet venture to postulate as a layperson on these phenomena. We understand that natural forces give rise to the development of clouds, and that they will of necessity take one form or another. Also, that natural forces of air currents, the sun, changing temperature, et cetera, bring about movement and changes in those formations.

However, there is, from the human point of view, the aspect of randomness in what form those clouds actually take. These things occur without any human planning or conscious choice to create them. Therefore, it is entirely accidental that a cloud looks like a bear, a dog, or a human being—or a car, boat, bus, whatever.

We neared our destination, and the sun grew large, presenting itself golden orange in its descent towards the horizon. Breathtaking vistas of cloud banks stretched before us. Pastel shades and solid colours—from light pinks and reds to fiery orange-yellow, from sky blue to indigo, grey, and taupe, and from mauve to purple-black—delighted us. Gorgeous skyscapes featuring soaring mountains and calm waters, laced with silver and gold, and with islands breaking their surface, set my imagination on fire.

We saw them all. Marvellous. These were all ours for free! The dipping sun and scenic skies couldn’t help it; they offered those delights out of what they were, and the physics of refraction and light inadvertently acted on them.

What is not random, though, is that as onlookers we saw and recognized those shapes. I’d suggest that our minds, drawing from previous knowledge and experience, via memory, processed what our eyes beheld. The result was that we recognized those semblances in the clouds, and distinguished them from what otherwise appeared to us as completely amorphous condensed water vapour, floating in the sky.

Language and writing can be rather like that. To explain: if you have been gracious enough to read these ramblings up to this point, you may have by now recognized that they are not entirely without forces giving them form; that they are not entirely random. I have been intentional, not random.

During the last five minutes you’ve had images in your own mind. You’ve seen clouds resembling bears, a dog, and a boy. You’ve witnessed the glories of nature as seen in an evening sky, while driving west towards the setting sun, and all without even having to leave your house or look out of your window; and you didn't really need the graphic pictures we've added, either.

And how? Because your mind was able—in some measure—to replicate the images described, your mental faculties drawing from your own experience. Deep calls to deep. Resonance and evocation are marvellous processes that enrich our lives as humans made in the image of God. That response in your mind was at least, to some extent, automatic.

Beyond all this talk of randomness, my heart sings, Then sings my soul, my Saviour, God, to Thee . . . How great Thou art!

Now that’s automatic—and it’s intentional too!

~~+~~

Peter A. Black is a freelance writer living in Southwestern Ontario.

He is the author of "Parables from the Pond" (Word Alive Press),

and writes a weekly column in The Watford-Guide Advocate.