Friday, January 22, 2010

GOD'S RAINBOW


This last week all of us who live here in Southern California were hit with a series of winter storms which resulted in LOTS and LOTS of rain, hail, lightening, thunder and cold and wet conditions which we just don’t usually have much of in this sunny state. Unfortunately, for many it also resulted in flooding, mud slides, and collapsed roofs just to name a few calamities. We, thank God, survived just fine and I personally enjoyed the “feel” of a winter storm. I caught up on all my laundry, straightened out a couple of messy closets, and spent the rest of the time either curled up with a book I promised to read for my granddaughter Annabel (to see if it was appropriate for her age.. which alas I did not) in my comfy chair and afghan. I also played around a lot with pictures on my computer on a new (for me) site that my friend Genn pointed me towards. It takes me a while to figure things out, but I am getting the hang of it, and had a really good time in the process. I did of course babysit my grandkids as usual as well, and I am happy to report that the baby Cody, who is rapidly approaching his first birthday, has finally begun to understand the word “NO” haha. Oh how much easier it makes it for me to just say this little word (quite firmly which Grandma does have a hard time with) and have him actually stop and change his direction and purpose. We still have lots of room for improvement, but in the meantime, lots less chasing went on this week. He is such a sweet, sweet baby. Grandma enjoyed him for sure this week. On Thursday morning I headed out to Newport Beach to have my hair done. (Oh how fast those gray roots grow!) I was especially looking forward to the time with my niece who does my hair as she got engaged last week and I was anxious to see her ring and hear the stories of the romantic proposal. I will tell more of that story later as I want to devote an entire post to this exciting news. But on my way home, in the late afternoon, I came upon one of the MOST beautiful rainbows I think the good Lord may have ever created. It was just GORGEOUS!! I have never seen one soo bright and spectacular. I did pull over a couple of times and tried to capture it on my camera, but it just didn’t do it justice it all. Maybe if I had a better camera, haha, or maybe some things are just never the way they are in person. But I did put together one of my “new” collages for you to see. I was struck, after seeing it, once again by the majesty of God and His creation. His promise to us in Genesis 9: 11-16 says:


Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." And God said: "This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

How I love this. His promise to all of us colors the sky in its unmatched beauty for all to see. Later that afternoon when my grandkids arrived, I told them about what Grandma had seen. I asked Jeffie to color me a picture of one while Lindsey was busy with her homework and Cody sat in his high chair making slow work of his teething biscuit. Jeffie said to me, “Grandma, why do we have rainbows?” And I suppose I could have given him all the scientific reasons of how they work, but I was happy to say with a thankful heart, “Because God promised them to us to enjoy.”

I know all of our hearts have been soo heavy with all that has happened in Haiti.  My prayers have been with them all constantly.  So much destruction is hard to understand.  But God's love and promises are as constant and plentiful as always.  I pray He watches over all the innocent little children especially, and fills the hearts and spirits of these people with hope for their futures.  We serve a mighty and awesome God who can bring healing from the ashes.

Blessings to you all,

Debbie




I am going to link this post to both Then Sings My Soul Saturday HERE, and Spiritual Sunday HERE. Be sure and read the other posts from these wonderful sights, you will be soo blessed, and may you all have a wonderful week-end.

31 comments:

  1. Sounds like you got alot done on those rainy, yucky days (or ducky days as my mom called them!)...kinda like making lemonade out of lemons! Productive days are so refreshing:)

    I do believe this collage making could be habit forming! I love rainbows! Have a beautiful weekend.

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  2. WOW...love the rainbow!!

    Grandkids are awesome. We have our grandbaby for the weekend. We enjoy her soooooo much.
    Blessings, andrea

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  3. Friday blessings to you Debbie, Loved the photos of the rainbow. It is beautiful and such a good reminder from the Lord. I imagine you will feel like a duck once all the storms are done(you have some more coming)and I don't really miss the rain plus we haven't gotten hit with the storms here in northern Co. so I'm thankful for somewhat pleasant days.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  4. Great rainbow pictures! Look at you, gettin all fancy with your collages! I like that mirrored effect that you chose with the rainbows too. Makes it look really neat.

    I love that you had your camera with you in the car. I am wanting to bring mine with me everywhere. I wished I had it this afternoon when the sun broke through on my way to grocery shop. I think it was out for about 10 minutes, but everything was so bright and pretty.

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  5. Nice shots! Glory to God for the nice reminder of His covenant. Glad you had wonderful time with your grandkids. And I'm sure they learn so much from their loving grandma [who can't say "no"? :)] who loves them all the same. Have a great weekend and God bless you.

    Thank you for your honest and courageous comment in my site. May the Lord continue to guide and protect your niece.

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  6. Hi Debbie. The rainbows have been spectacular haven't they? We sure have been hit hard by this storm. I have messes everywhere. Now, a back bedroom, with soaked pad and carpet!!! What next?
    Have a great weekend.
    K

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  7. BEAUTIFUL Debbie! I LOVE the rainbow!!!
    In our Bible Study this week one of our questions was "What do you feel is a tangible gift the Lord gives us that shows HIS love to us?"

    Rainbow was one of them!!!

    I just love Thunderstorms ~ we had one this week which is not normal for us in January but it was sooo nice :) but the best part after the storm is always seeing the Rainbow ...a kiss from the LORD of HIS Faithfulness

    Bless you my friend ~ Have a wonderful weekend!

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  8. Debbie, I love rainbows! Every time I see one I think of God's promise in Genesis. I remember teaching the little 2-5 year olds in BSF. After they learned this, their moms would tell me that they always looked for the rainbow after the rain.

    Blessings and love to you,
    Debbie

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  9. A beautiful rainbow, Dear ~ I'm glad you were safe in the storm. Thanks for your sweet visit. Blessings ~

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  10. What a sweet uplifting post. I love rainbows too. I saw a double one a while back and didn't have my camera with me. Now I never go anywhere without it. I learned my lesson. The collage here on your post is beautiful. I've enjoyed the rain here in AZ the past few days too. Thank you for sharing your blessings with us.
    Charlotte

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  11. Debbie - beautiful photos and a lovely post. The morning of my Mom's funeral (twenty-one years ago), I saw the most beautiful rainbow and remembered God's promise.

    Thank you for sharing this today

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  12. Your "Sweeties" are so beautiful. They look so HAPPY!!! And Jeffie has such a charming smile. So glad I came by.
    Love,
    Melanie@Bella~Mella

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  13. Every time I see a rainbow, I think of God's promises and His faithfulness. Thanks for posting this!

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  14. I have so enjoyed a first visit here getting to know you. I am now a follower.

    Glad you were not directly affected by the storms.

    Would love for you to hop over soon my way!!

    Have a great weekend.

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  15. Wow!!! that rainbow is huge and awesome. A great sign that His promises are true and He can bring beauty from ashes...Sarah

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  16. Wow Deb!! That sure is a beauty!! God is such a magnificent artist isn't He?? I'm sure the colors were much more brilliant than show up here! I've had that happen to me with sunsets etc... So glad you captured it to share with us!!

    Praying for you gal, and all that concerns you! Still recovering, but doing well here!

    Love all the pics of Melly and hubby! Too precious! She is such a stunning beauty! Good genes!!

    Have a joyful Sunday, sweetie!!
    Love ya,
    Becky

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  17. Great post and you have many excellent comments. I agree with the other comments. Thanks for posting.

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  18. Debbie, It is so funny because I saw a rainbow on Thursday my thoughts were first I thanked the Lord because I love seeing rainbow and then I was thinking I wonder who else can see this rainbow here in Southern CA. I'm glad your family is safe. I'm just starting to get some gray.I'm having such a hard time decide what to do, color, weave, or just let it go. I'm 48 and I'm just not sure I'm ready for the gray yet.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

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  19. This is such a lovely post! The rainbow is just spectacular. I don't think I've ever seen one that gi-normous! Thanks for sharing it with us!
    PS Sounds like you got a lot done!

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  20. Thank you so much for sharing this, and for visiting my blog.

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  21. Debbie,
    I love rainbows and God's promise to us! Thanks for the pictures and stopping by to say "hi."


    Blessings,
    Jean

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  22. Hi Debbie,
    First of all, let me tell you that you have BEAUTIFUL grandchildren! I enjoyed your photos of the rainbow, God's promise, too. Thank you for your wonderful SS post today. Have a wonderful week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  23. Thank you for sharing the beautiful rainbow with us. I'm glad you got a picture. Rainbows are just amazing to me and it always makes me smile to see one and remember God's promise.

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  24. Your blog looks great. My hair is dark and the white hairs really shine about every two weeks. I love rainbows. Thanks for the wonderful story and pictures. Doylne

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  25. Good Morning dear sweet Debbie,
    I always enjoy reading your post. I have been watching and hearing of all of your weather problems, and give thanks that you all are safe.

    And you know me anytime anyone tells of adventures with their grandchildren I am all ears. LOL And the answer you gave Jeffie is just the one I would have given. lol beaaue it's the right answer. lol I can just picture you there with your g-children,

    Your mosaics are great, I haven't mastered them yet, due to not being able to visit sites that give help. Love your blog design. I have so much fun decorating mine, would love to do some changing at home, but isn't in our budget, so for now I will decorate my blog. lol

    My heart has been heavy too with all that is gong on in the world, but like you I know Who has everything in control. What would I do without the promises of God, especially through this trying time with my health issues.
    Thank you so much for your prayers, I do feel them.
    Hugs and blessings,
    Sue

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  26. What a beautiful reminder of God's provision! Love the photos!

    And yes, I agree, the roots come back too soon!!!

    Enjoy your day!

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  27. Hey Debbie!

    I thought of you often as the weather rolled from Cali across to AZ and brought wind, hail, rain and snow. They say that the storm So Cal and the SW got was the worst in 140 years and I must say, the rain and mud slides ya'll had looked very scary! We're still covered in snow in N. AZ where I am and I guess there's another storm on the way this week. I'm like you, I kinda like the wintery "feel" and love curling up with a good book and enjoying the comforts of snuggling at home.

    Love your rainbow collage. Rainbows are always such an encouragement to me......Undoubledly, "in our face" before our very eyes a manifested promise of God - awesome!

    Have a richly blessed week!
    Jackie
    PS ~ What photo site did your friend Glenn recommend? I'm also in the process of learning about the photo graphics thing and would love to check it out and learn some tips!

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  28. I ,too always think of his covenant when I see a rainbow &I love rainbows. Your pics are beautiful! I love" Over the Rainbow" &this is a beautiful version .
    Blessings to You,
    ~Myrna

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!