"O that I knew where I might find him!" — Job 23:3

"O that I knew where I might find him!" — Job 23:3

In Job’s uttermost extremity he cried after the Lord. The longing desire of an afflicted child of God is once more to see his Father’s face. His first prayer is not “O that I might be healed of the disease which now festers in every part of my body!” nor even “O that I might see my children restored from the jaws of the grave, and my property once more brought from the hand of the spoiler!” but the first and uppermost cry is, “O that I knew where I might find HIM, who is my God! that I might come even to His seat!” God’s children run home when the storm comes on. It is the heaven‐born instinct of a gracious soul to seek shelter from all ills beneath the wings of Jehovah. “He that hath made his refuge God,” might serve as the title of a true believer. A hypocrite, when afflicted by God, resents the infliction, and, like a slave, would run from the Master who has scourged him; but not so the true heir of heaven, he kisses the hand which smote him, and seeks shelter from the rod in the bosom of the God who frowned upon him. Job’s desire to commune with God was intensified by the failure of all other sources of consolation. The patriarch turned away from his sorry friends, and looked up to the celestial throne, just as a traveller turns from his empty skin bottle, and betakes himself with all speed to the well. He bids farewell to earth‐born hopes, and cries, “O that I knew where I might find my God!” Nothing teaches us so much the preciousness of the Creator, as when we learn the emptiness of all besides. Turning away with bitter scorn from earth’s hives, where we find no honey, but many sharp stings, we rejoice in Him whose faithful word is sweeter than honey or the honeycomb. In every trouble we should first seek to realize God’s presence with us. Only let us enjoy His smile, and we can bear our daily cross with a willing heart for His dear sake.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834 - 1892

Stormy

11/11/2011:  A bit windy and wet for my lunch time walk.  A lot of the fall color will be gone by tonight, a pretty good wind is blowing.

A bit different color than what I'm used to thinking of when I think "Cherry Tree"

Warm Day...

59 and sunny. Didn't need my jacket when I took my walk at noon. Saw a cute little tree, I think it is a type of maple, less than 3 ft tall. I think I have seen one like it at the Rhododendron Gardens, will have to swing by there sometime and see.

Storm system comes in late tonight/early tomorrow, bringing snow down to the 1500 ft level and a continual threat of showers here for the next week.

Partly Cloudy

and 53° F  right now.  The mountain has just its head above the clouds, and the colors of the leaves are magnificent.  And there are even roses still blooming.

And I did find a reference to the average rainfall in the month of November here, 6.57" at Seatac according to KIRO's Sam Argier.

Presidential Quote

"There are a good many problems before the American people today, and before me as President, but I expect to find the solution of those problems just in the proportion that I am faithful in the study of the Word of God. A man has deprived himself of the best there is in the world who has deprived himself of this, a knowledge of the Bible. When you have read the Bible, you will know that it is the Word of God, because you will have found it the key to your own heart, your own happiness, and your own duty." — Woodrow Wilson

Sunlight on my...

Sunny right now (9 AM).  Poured rain last night for a couple of hours.  A chance of rain in the forecast today but I only see widely scattered showers on radar.  about 45 degrees this morning, but the forecast high is only a couple of degrees warmer.  Can't see the mountains for the cloud banks, so don't know if they got snow; but road reports say that Stevens Pass (4000 ft) has snow and slush while Snoqualmie Pass (3000 ft) has rain.

November is rainiest month in this part of the world, guess we can look forward to more.  I seem to recall reading that we can expect 6+ inches of rain this month (but can't find the reference right now).

(Later) Went out for a walk at lunchtime.  Still can't see the mountains for the haze, but the sun is bright.  Here is a photo I took on my walk.  I don't know what kind of tree it is, but to me it appears to have purple leaves during the summer.  Right now it appears to me as a riotous blend of purples and oranges and I think it is quite nice.

Winter?

Once upon a time I used to put my weather observations on this blog.  At least it gave something new to read every day.   I am going to attempt to resume that habit.

First Frost of the season this morning, had to scrape my windshield.   Also heavy fog.  Forecast tonight is for rain here and snow in the mountains down to the 3,000 foot level, prompting a "First snow of the season" Winter Storm Warning for the Mountain Passes.

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