Storm Clouds at Sunrise with Psalm 19:1

 

These beautiful storm clouds were photographed one Summer morning at sunrise.  We had a good thunder storm later in the day.  I chose Psalm 19:1 for the verse as to me the color and shape of the clouds really do declare the glory of God.

A Good Lesson - The Kite

The Kite and Its String

Once on a time a paper kite

Was mounted to a wondrous height,

Where, giddy with its elevation,

It thus expressed self-admiration:

"See how the crowds of gazing people

Admire my flight above the steeple;

How would they wonder if they knew

All that a kite like me can do!

Were I but free, I'd take a flight,

And pierce the clouds beyond their sight;

But, ah! like a poor prisoner bound,

My string confines me near the ground.

I'd brave the eagle's towering wing,

Might I but fly without a string"

It tugged and pulled, while thus it spoke,

To break the string - at last it broke.

Deprived at once of all its stay,

In vain it tried to soar away:

Unable its own weight to bear,

It fluttered downward through the air.

Unable its own course to guide,

The wind soon plunged it to the tide.

Ah, foolish kite, you had no wing:

How could you fly without a string?

My heart replied, "O Lord, I see

How much this kite resembles me

Forgetful that by Thee I stand,

Impatient of Thy ruling hand;

How oft I've wished to break the lines

Thy wisdom for my lot assigns?

How oft indulged a vain desire

For something more, or something higher,

And, but for grace and love divine,

A fall thus dreadful had been mine.

John Newton

The Creation: Cloud Hearts in the Sky

I love watching the clouds because there are faces and shapes for all to see if you just look up.  The account of Elijah and the cloud in 1 Kings 18:43 is a favorite of mine:  "And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand......"

The photo below was taken early one morning from the property of St. Peter's heritage church.  Can you see the hearts?  It was a blessing to see this formation which only lasted minutes.  This photo is untouched.

The Creation: Pre-Storm Clouds at Sunset

Clouds are a particularly beautiful part of God's creation. I love the variety that one can see if they only look up.  And to have a camera handy to record the moment is even better.  I have never seen circular clouds like this in our area before.  If they have a name, I don't know what it is.

Job 35:5 "Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.

2 Samuel 21:12 "And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.