Prairie Wind

HOPE

“You covered the earth with the deep as with a garment. The waters stood above the mountains. At Your rebuke, they fled, at the voice of Your thunder they hastened away. They went up over the mountains, they went down into the valleys to the place which You founded for them. You have set a boundary that they may not pass over. That they may not return to cover the earth.” Psalm 104:6-9

            This is the day the Lord has made! The day Noah, his family and all the many animals came out of the ark! I can just see it. Can’t you? The sun is shinning, if only briefly, since it is believed that the air was filled with volcanic ash and smoke for many years after the flood, which caused the ice age. But I’m sure on this great day the sun was peeking out of…

SALVATION

“Now I saw Heaven opened and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True. In righteousness He judges and makes war on evil. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelations 19:11,16)

Rain pounded on the roof of the ark. Noah and his family huddled together against a wall on the third deck. Tears ran down their faces, but no one said a word. Since the first tidal wave, no human cries were heard outside the salvation boat. Several more giant waves had hit, rocking and shaking the ship. They knew their friends and family were gone. Forever.

Noah braved a peek out the small window and was astounded at what he saw.

The lowlands below were washed clean of houses or any sign of life. Birds flew in the sky…

THE SHAKING

            “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from Heaven, whose voice shook the earth.” Hebrews 12:25

The shaking began deep in the core of the earth. Shock waves vibrated through the rocks, pounding the surface. Cracks began to open all over the face of the earth. Pressure built in the core. Tremors of growing magnitude spread around the globe. A low rumbling could be heard as the earth groaned.

In the middle of the sea, the ocean floor split open all around the earth. Hot lava spewed out of this giant fissure, causing the sea to boil and roil. Shock waves pounded the earth’s surface. Waves began to build and pile on top of each other. The sea…

THE LAST CHANCE

“After seven days the waters of the flood came and covered the earth. When Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the underground waters erupted from the earth and rain fell in mighty torrents from the sky.”Genesis 10-11NLT

            Seven long days they waited in the dim interior of the boat. Isn’t it interesting that it took God 7 days to create the earth, the universe and all life on the earth, and He also waited 7 days before destroying all living things on the face of the earth?

All the animals, two of each kind, seven of the clean animals, the ones used for sacrifice and later for food, were in the ship. Noah and his family, eight people were on board and God closed the door and sealed it. No one else could get in.

Then they waited…

GET ON BOARD

“God’s light came into the world but the people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.” John 3:19

The door of the ark closed with a bang. The echoes vibrated in the darkness. Animal noises of all kinds filled the large ship.

On the third deck, just below the small opening that ran along the eves, Noah and his family waited and listened to the gentle pitter, patter on the roof above them. What was this water dripping from the sky? It had started just as they were walking up the ramp to the door.

Noah glanced around at the family’s meager belongings. They had lanterns, pallets to sleep on, a fire in a large iron stove to cook on, wood to burn, pots and pans and all the things eight people needed to live in this small space for an extended…

REDEMPTION SERIES 2

ONLY ONE

            The earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence.

God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy, and annihilate ALL living creatures for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, Noah, I will wipe them all out along with the earth. Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. Every person but you, Noah, you and your wife, your sons and their wives. So I may preserve the human race, and the animals, build a boat, Noah, a big boat for your family and a pair of every animal that lives. Make it 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. Make it water tight and make it strong, it has to stand up to a mighty flood that will cover the whole…

THE SON

part 3

MORNING LIHGT

“Because of God’s tender mercy the morning Light from Heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide us to the path of peace.” Luke 1:78-79

The stable that was under the living quarters of the house was quiet. Now and then an animal shifted in the straw and dim light shown throughout. Mary’s father sat leaning against the far wall and dozed in the stillness. Joseph sat by Mary holding her head in his lap and every so often wiping her sweaty face with a cool cloth.

Joseph had no idea that birthing would be so hard, but Mary labored much and once in awhile a soft moan would escape her drawn lips. He was happy Mary’s mother was there to attended to her needs. He would…

THE JOURNEY

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead be very glad for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT

Mary:

I draw in a deep breath of the fresh morning air as I walk beside the donkey Joseph is leading. It is a fine day. The sun, not far on its journey, shines brilliant in a bright blue sky. The friends and family we travel with, sing a merry song as we march, only a few hours into the journey to Bethlehem to register for the census.

The heavy robe I had worn at the start of our journey in the chilly predawn hours is now tied…