THE HOUSE DOCTOR - SETTING SEASONAL STYLES

ANOTHER WAY OF BRINGING THE BEACH INSIDE FOR SUMMER

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

No one loves the beach more than me or my family.  We love everything about it and as soon as we leave we are already making plans for the next time we can return.  That is why I love to give our home a beachy theme every summer.  

A few weeks ago I wrote about turning your home into a beach cottage for the summer months.  I spoke of several ways that can transform a house into a beach retreat (even if you are not really there) during the long hot days of summer.  That article contained several classic decorating tips and photos of what I've used several times over the years inside our home to achieve this "let's hold on to summer" look. If you are seeking ideas for summer decorating that are beachy; here is the link: http://dancinginseason.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-house-doctor-setting-seasonal-styles.html.

Some years are different than others.  Life is always changing and nothing ever stays exactly

the same; but it all is good!  This article is full of beachy themes too, but it will be about a more casual, more modern and trendy type of beach cottage look.  I guess the words that describe this look best would be "lots of sunshine and bright beach colors."    

If you are doing this type of theme-decorating that I do; by following along with all the changing seasons of each year; it is always fun to change up the look of your themes from year to year.  Variety is always more interesting and there are a million and one ways to emphasize the beach look inside your home.  On this particular year that I'm thinking of; when summer approached I wanted to incorporate some color schemes using coral.  I wanted a more trendy, “pop-looking,” colorful entrance.  Of course I wanted people to feel the wonder of the beach when they first walked into the house. 

It all started with our front door.  On the outside I hung an old wooden cross that has been used a lot at our house with many different themes.  It has a weathered look and is like something you might see for sale at the seashore.  I added a little sign that said “by the seashore.”  Your imagination could naturally take over after that.  The little pops of blue really added to the effect I was seeking.  I loved it.  We were off to a good start right outside the front door!

I kept the inside of the door very simple but beachy by hanging a blue wooden boat anchor that I already had on the inside.  It looked great against the solid white door.

One day I was out shopping and thinking about the way I wanted the foyer to look.  I was wondering how I could pull in some brighter beachy colors and add the coral colors that I wanted.   I saw this canvas print that said “Easy Living” and I thought that was just the feeling I wanted to achieve with the house during the beach season.  The painting was very inexpensive; but it had all the right mix of the trendy beach colors I wanted to use, and because it was a sailboat and I had a lot to go with that theme, you know I had to purchase it.  When I got it home and hung it on the wall it became the palette for my whole color scheme for the main part of the house.  The colors in that painting were exactly what I needed to add that little touch of cheer that I had been looking for. 

I thought of some brightly colored bottles that I had scattered around the house and gathered them together to add to the chest under the painting.  

Two starfish from last year’s beach look just seemed to go perfectly.  

The first ten steps into the foyer were covered. 

I was liking the progress of this fresh beach cottage look. 

The year before I had used a large sail boat on the portable bar where your eye rested as you were coming inside the front door.  I still thought it was a good idea, it would fit right in with the entrance painting of a sailboat, but it would add some more natural colors and tone down the bright colors I had incorporated a bit.  I pulled it out and set it in place.  I liked it.  I kept it and used it again this year.

Since I was mixing boats into the decor; I found another one I had in storage and put it across the living room beside a lamp on the floor.  I added a little blue daisy into the setting for a bit more color.  I liked it.  I kept it there. 

Mixing a few basic colors and classic tones with the trendy things seemed to only add interest.  

The foyer was coming together just fine.  The next place my eye went to was the couch table behind the sofa.  I knew it needed something; but I had not quite decided.  I put that off for awhile and let the rest of the room evolve first.  

I found some pillows with a touch of coral mixed with gray.  They seemed to help to add some touches of coral in the room.  I arranged them on the sofa and liked the way they blended into the effects I was aiming to pull together. 

I set my re-purposed chair (I painted it antique white) in the corner by the window and added a contrasting sky blue pillow with a gray seashell design that coordinated with the little bit of gray in the sofa cushions.  I had the photo of Tom’s Pop at the beach that I always bring out in the summer.  (We miss him so much!)   It looks elegant here in front of the sailor’s lantern that I usually always use too.  Most everything was something I usually use every summer, but the painting and the pillows switched up the decorating order into something new and fresh. 

Our coffee table is large and black and things show up well on it.  I always find it easy to use in showing off little treasures.  I wanted something very beachy to go on it's surface.  I have several books about summer vacations and thought they would certainly fit the mood.  I continued the focus on colored bottles and added some blue glass with some clear glass bottles.  I gave them a beach look by filling them up with shells and set them on a silver tray.  I enhanced this by placing a little accent of white lace on top, and a pretty little blue starfish to the side of the arrangement.  All of this made a pretty splash of beach color right in the middle of the room.  

I figured I couldn’t go wrong by adding the old familiar starfish ash tray that I pull out almost ever year.  The coffee table was looking just the way I had envisioned for this summer beach cottage.  I caught myself thinking about shopping for a bathing suit and wondering where I had left my sunglasses and my white floppy hat.  

The book on summer vacations was inspiring me.  I put my feet up for a little while and dreamed of summer adventures before moving on with the decorating.  That is the wonderful thing about summer; you needn’t ever be in a hurry and there is always time for dreaming. 

  

So....back to the task at hand.  What was missing?   

Well, I still felt the need for more coral.  I solved this the next time I browsed through The Christmas Tree Shop.  They have great inexpensive summer decorating items.   I found these small decorative wooden beach chairs that were just the right shade of coral and very cheerful and novel.  I bought four of them and brought them home with me.  I sat two of them (one on each side) on the couch table that I had re-purposed and painted antique white.  They added just the splash of color that I wanted. 

I liked this so much that I put the other two chairs (they have little yellow flip-flops hanging over them with a little hemp rope) across the room on each side of the mantle above the fireplace. 

This novel touch of coral color sort of tied the look together.  I added another starfish just above the fireplace.   I stood back to see the effect.  Overall it was just what I was after, a room full of natural light, with mostly white furniture, and little pops of color here and there.   I added a nautical looking lantern between the chairs and set it on top of a white boat steering wheel.   The rope on the nautical lantern and the jars on the coffee table added to the nautical feel of the room.    I found some warm cozy pillows to put on one side of my other white sofa.  This added some softness against some of the bold sharp colors.  The calico cat just gave a more casual, I'm home sort of feel to it all.  Everything so far began to feel very cozy.

  

I carried the same cheerful trendy-beach theme through the rest of the main living areas.

  I placed scattered bowls of starfish in the dining room and I used the same wooden bowl full of candles and sea shells in my kitchen again, only this time I used a plastic platter of blue and white squares instead of my large black tray.

I scattered little ships everywhere, and I went a bit wild by adding a banner in the kitchen window.  You need something a little novel to make a statement sometimes.  I thought the banner was fun and nautical too.

  

I had re-purposed two old bar stools by painting them a deep bright blue color.  They not only went well with my summer beach look; but they gave me extra bar stools to sit around my counter height table in the middle of the room. I enhanced the look by putting some nautical looking pillows in each bar stool and setting them on each side of the buffet table near the window. 

With hardly any trouble at all our home had taken on a whole new beach cottage look.  

This was on a year that we DID make it to the beach.  You know that feeling; how hard it is to leave it all behind when it is time to come home?  

Returning to our little bit of the beach inside our home only made our great memories last longer!

Having more beach photos to add to my ever growing framed memories for our beach cottage is icing on the cake after having so much fun at the beach.  

I love having a home that flows with the seasons and keeps the memory making going on all year long.  We will enjoy this beachy look all the way up to the end of September.  

Ships ahoy!  Here is wishing you smooth sailing through your summer decorating schemes.

AN APPLE A DAY (DAY 107) ALICE IN WONDERLAND THROWS A TEA PARTY

365 DAYS TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

As I continue to blog about maintaining a healthy lifestyle for mind, body and spirit by paying attention to the little details and daily things of life which bring physical, mental and spiritual health; I am reminded of something my dear deceased father-in-law used to quote to me.  He always said; “Life is never perfect; chew up the meat and spit out the bones.”

Unfortunately, he had to repeat this to me a lot.  He knew that I was the type of person who dove right into things with great passion, then often became disappointed when I found out what I believed at first was not true.

I had to keep my Father-In-Law’s wise concept about the practical side of life in mind as I continued on with a deeper study of the lifestyles of those fascinating Athos Monks. It has been three weeks since I looked at their much acclaimed eating plan, and then decided to modify their basic diet into my own version of an eating plan.  My hopes were to get the same healthy results that they are known for; long life and good health.    

All of the interest in their diet and lifestyles started because a group of scientist studied the cultures all over the world and came up with places they labeled “blue zones” because the people living in these “blue zones” seemed to live longer and be strangely exempt from health problems. The monks of Mt. Athos were one of the cultures that fell into this “blue zone.”

My first clue about the whole truth of their culture came when I discovered that women are never allowed to visit any of the 20 monasteries that sit peacefully and majestically overlooking the Aegean Sea.

I know the men go there to escape distraction so that they may dedicate their time to prayer and meditation. I understand that.  I’m not a novice to those who are living cloistered lives.  I worked within a Catholic television station for many years which dealt constantly with those who had taken vows to various different orders.  The men lived in limited seclusion which did not allow women within their residences and the women lived within the private cloistered walls of convents and shrines where men did not come and go past a certain point; but neither the men or the women of these orders ever TOTALLY excluded the opposite sex from their world.  The Athos have totally abolished all women completely!  There were times when the orders I have known were allowed to speak to members of the opposite sex, even visit their facilities and share religious services with them.  They were certainly open to sharing certain hours of their day with the outside world as a testimony of God to both men and women when they were not inside their cloister.  These monks of Athos have totally rid themselves of women!  Wiped them off the map!  There are N-O-N-E, E-V-E-R.  Absolutely NO women at Mt. Athos.  They have become an autonomous governing body unto themselves, and they require tedious paperwork for anyone to get approval to enter.  You must go there by boat,  and there is no other way to enter.  Women are not allowed past a certain spot in the sea.  They can gaze upon this "Holy Mountain" but not go to it.    

Many reasons are cited for this logic.  It is said by some that way back in 1045 Constantine noticed that certain shepherds were providing “more than just food” to the early monks of Athos.  In his disgust he issued a ban from women for the entire peninsula, along with beardless boys and eunuchs.  The exclusion of women has remained to this present date, and this ban has now even been extended to include female domestic animals; except for cats and hens. Trespassers can expect at least a year of imprisonment!  Others have quoted the fact that The Virgin Mary is highly esteemed on this property and they did not want her to have any competition.  Do you buy that?  Like she could! 

If you are a woman like me; one who has spent a lifetime studying the scriptures that proclaim God’s love for family life, you might find that little bit of information about such a holy place to be a bit intimidating. Immediately flags went up and my mind moved to a place that asks the question; what is the REAL reason behind the holy mask that is presented on first glance?   

That is when I got my second clue; and after that I began reading personal testimonies that stated there have been rumors and acquisitions of homosexuals living within the hillsides of this place called The Holy Mountain.  Any place without women would naturally become a gay man’s paradise; until he is discovered by the pure and holy who are only there for all of the right reasons.  No place is perfect, and whether or not these rumors are true still remain to be decided by people who are higher in life than me.  I have read the written and published stories of many disillusioned pilgrims that sadly make such claims.  I also know that absolutely any good endeavor on earth is going to have those who want to come inside and pursue their own personal interest.  I'm giving the Monks a pass on this; because I feel for those who are truly sincere about their lifestyle there.  As far as I am concerned these tales are only rumours and I hope to never hear of actual proof.

Then there are the others who piously proclaim these monks came to live at the “Holy Mountain” not because they were strong; but because they are weak.   I get the concept here.  Jesus, himself actually started it.  You give your weakness to Christ and live completely in His strength; but this wasn’t what I was reading in the articles.   I was reading quotes from the voices of men who were simply escaping reality.  It was almost like they were hiding behind God and not facing themselves.  This isn’t healthy at all in my book; and it was my third clue that even the holiest places still have their dens of earth.   How many men are hiding there to escape the harsh realities of real life?  Which brings me to the second question; how could that possibly equate to longer life or greater health?  Maybe the elimination of stress; but if this part of the background stories are true; I would think it would be a small percentage of the men; and not the overall average.  

The fourth clue came in the form of accusations that some of the monks were given drugs by those who were over them in order to help them maintain their holy postures and cheerful attitudes.   Hmmmmm…..are these true accusations?  Only God really knows the answer to this; and we will let Him be the judge.  There ARE people who have chemical imbalances that require medications.  I have to overlook this too; due to lack of concrete evidence.  

Red flags and other people's comments and writings were piling up on me though, and the monks were fast dropping down from their rank of pure holiness in my eyes.  Am I surprised to learn this?  No!  They are simply human beings like you and me.  Why should I expect that they are not capable of sin?  The scriptures say "all men have fallen short of the glory of God."  

The last story that upset me was the report of ten monks being accused of scheming in a real estate transaction where great falsehoods were told and carried out in order to earn money to provide the financial needs of their monasteries.  I guess all the celebrities and politicians taking pilgrimage were not giving enough.  I suppose those ancient relics and sacred treasures are very hard to sell on the streets.   Perhaps this was the most disappointing discovery of all.   It would seem that a few (10 of 1500) got so caught up in establishing a place of their own utopia that they forgot why they were originally there – to establish The Kingdom of God on the earth.  This happens sometimes when men are given too much authority over others.  They forget that just because they are livng holy lives, they will never reach the status of God.    Is this small group of only ten men so different from all the rest of us?  I think not.  At least they probably had noble beginnings.   Even their motives must have been noble; but just not pure and innocent.  They still stand in the wrong for what they did.  They are humans making grave human mistakes and I’m sure; living to regret not seeking God’s solutions or higher ways.  Ten men making wrong decisions should not ruin the whole package.  It isn't fair that one bad apple can ruin a whole basket of apples; yet in life sometimes this is the way the world turns.  Apparently the bad apples have been removed and the good apples should now be okay.

This all reminds me of the an old poem that I love; one written by Robert Frost, called “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” The words contained here so completely describe my overall feeling about the Monks of Altos:

NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY

Nature’s first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower,

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day,

Nothing gold can stay.

"The place where time stopped" and "the prayers of 1000 years" have echoed through the walls has its problems!  The encouraging thing to remember is that it seems the problems are now being addressed.  God has a way of using bad situations and turning them for good.  Who knows what opportunities are in store for this so called "Holy Mountain" over the next 1000 years?  Restoration seems to be God's favorite subject.  I have a deep abiding respect for the Greek Orthodox Church, and I'm sure the proper steps will be taken and restoration will come in many miraculous ways.  

Anyway; should I just toss the diet that was working better than anything I have ever tried before?  Wouldn’t that be throwing the baby out with the bath water?   All of the above was stated just to say I still have total confidence in the diet of these famous monks!

So what have I learned after a more complete look at the Athos Monks of Greece?  I’ve learned to chew up the meat and spit out the bones and I hope the whole world will have the same attitude toward these people.  There are probably still MANY good, pure men out there praising God daily and looking for His presence in every minute of their days.  Those who went there with true motives are probably still carrying them out!  They are to be commended for trying to carry on a very worthy 1,000 year tradition that is in concept very good and right.   Also; my main motive for knowing about them; their diet and the things that make them healthy; has proven to be very effective and healthy for me!  So basically we always come back to that same old verse over and over again; the one that says “God works all things together for good.”  I’ll just keep plugging away at this healthy eating plan.

I am moving on into the fourth week of eating their way now; still using the eating plan of 3 moderate days, 3 fast days and one feast day a week.  This routine is still working great!   Having two meals at the same time every day spaced twelve hours apart and not dwelling on food for the rest of the day has totally changed my health.  Eating fruit and vegetables with lean chicken and fish with lots of spices and alternating using olive oils every other day has made me feel so much better. My skin has improved. My coloring has improved.  My digestion has improved.  My brain fog has lifted; and best of all I’ve lost ten pounds already.  I do not get hungry, and I do not crave food which leads to binge eating as I have experienced on so many other unworkable diets I’ve tried in the past.

Overall; the eating plan of the Athos monks has been a great blessing to me!   I would still strongly encourage anyone to follow this plan and to do it for the glory of God by putting His will first as you attempt to keep the body that houses His Holy Spirit living inside of you healthy and functioning to its highest capacity.  The lifestyle of making it a sure practice to praise, pray and invite the Presence of God into your day each morning is awesome.  That part alone will change your life and lift your spirit.

So what else did I discover as I chewed up the meat and spit out the bones?  I discovered these monks generally love to make and serve herbal teas.   I would strongly urge you to incorporate this practice into your own healthy lifestyle.   Gathering details on this part of their day is my "next step" to better health.  

Just as a precautionary measure; in order not to be so easily led astray by only following these specific monks; I looked into the other groups living in the so called “blue zones.”  The other healthy cultures in the world seem to be residing in Costa Rica, Okinawa (Japan), Sardina (Italy), Loma Linda (California, USA) and Ikaria (another island of Greece.)  Can you guess the one common denominator for all of these cultures?  They eat, they breath, they sleep and……..they all drink herbal teas!

I have heard that some of the monks living in the many scattered monasteries of Athos harvest, package and sell their teas; especially herbal and linden teas.  You can look on their website (just google the tea of the Mt. Athos Monks) and order certain teas that they grow from a garden they call:  The Garden of The Mother of God.  (They are actually referring to the whole area of Mt. Athos when they say this.  They are very dedicated to serving The Virgin Mary.)   There you can order all the tea (and other products) from these monks that you wish.  I haven't bought any of these products yet; but  I would love to buy some of their teas (especially some of the lavendar teas, as well as some of the honey they produce, and I would love to read some of the publications they sell.)  Another benefit of clicking into their website to check out their products is that you get to see beautiful breathtaking photos of the views of Mt. Athos.   The website is very intriging and interesting and many of the products they sell look just wonderful.  They are said to produce some awesome Turkish Delight, and even if you know the Narnia story; you would probably love to taste it anyway!    I counted 37 varieties of teas for sale.  Keep in mind the money they trade in is euros.  Use a charge card that relates to all currencies if you order.  

Though he hasn’t visited the area for several years now (probably out of concern for the scandals I've mentioned,) I caught myself thinking about the many stories I've read about Prince Charles visiting The Holy Mountain.  It is said that he used to visit often and very much enjoyed lengthy retreats at Athos.  I wondered if he too had the typical British culture’s trait of the enjoyment of a daily teatime.  I could picture him relaxing and sipping his hot tea as he looked out a balcony window to a view of the rugged Aegean coastline.  

This thought set my mind to pondering about the facts of other cultures that keep the tradition of “having tea.”  Japan is the first place that comes to mind.  I wasn’t surprised to learn that Okinawa Japan is considered to be another of the areas classified in the Blue Zone.

The Greek natives of Ikaria are also tea drinkers.  The people of Ikaria are not monks.  They are just ordinary, everyday, common people just like you and me.  The drastic difference in us and them is that they too are considered among the healthiest people on the earth.  Their diet is very similar in nature to the Athos monk’s diet.  The other similarity is that they drink lots of herbal tea.  Many of their teas are considered diuretic in nature.  A diuretic is just what any physician would order for their patient if the physician found the patient to have high blood pressure.  These teas consumed over a period of time by the Ikaria people seem to have lowered their blood pressures too.  These people are very heart healthy.

So I’m thinking there must be something very healthy about drinking tea!   Here are some of the tea recipes I’m going to try at my house. I’ve come up with most of them from discovering the different ways that most of these “blue zoned” cultures prepare their teas. I’m going to do a little trial and error test and see which ones work the best for me by staying with them for about six months and seeing if they make a difference in how I feel each day.  Come and join me in this experiment if you wish.

The Ikaria natives seem to love a particular brand of Dandelion tea.  Here is how it is prepared.  Pick yourseslf some dandelion leaves.  You can usually find these in local farmer’s markets if you pay attention.  Chop and mince the dandelion leaves well.  Store the mix inside a glass jar and keep it for brewing tea in the future.  When you are ready to prepare the dandelion tea just drop a half a teaspoon of the mix into a glass of hot water.  It is just that simple.  Some people also drop dried dandelion root into a pan of water with a pinch of salt, bring it all to a boil and cover the pan and simmer for about twenty minutes.  Strain the liquid before drinking.  It is recommended that you consume at least three cups of this hot liquid a day.  You can also use the yellow flowers of the dandelion to make dandelion syrup; which is very useful for treating colds, coughs and bronchitis.

As I mentioned above the Athos Monks enjoy a mix of mint, floral herbs and chamomile for tea; among other mixes.   I did see the "mountain tea" for sale.

Based on all of the above facts which do not dwell on the monks exclusively; I've come to the conclusion that tea is probably a very good pursuit. 

I'm also going to explore some tea recipes that are actually helpful for women's health as well as men's.  I will begin to experiment with more teas in the days to come simply because the health benefits of tea are astounding.  Numerous studies show that tea can reduce the risk of cancer, aid in weight loss and support heart health and longevity. 

Keep in mind though, the fact that many teas you buy in the store contain artificial flavors and added unnatural ingredients.  I highly suggest you buy only organically grown teas or even learn how to grow your own tea leaves.    I’ll be adding new tea recipes as we go along to this part of the blog; but for now here is one more healthy tea recipe to add to your own collection:

ORANGE SPICED BLACK TEA

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon of orange extract

1 cup assam tea (any black tea of your choice)

1 tablespoon of rainbow black pepper

1 handful of dried orange slices

1 tablespoon of cinnamon chips

1 tablespoon of cardamom pods, slightly crushed 

Directions:

Place the teaspoon of orange extract into a quart glass jar.  Shake well to distribute the liquid.  Add the assam tea, pepper, orange slices, cinnamon and cardamom.  Shake well.  Let sit for a day or two to allow extract to soak into the tea and spices.  To brew:  Use 1 heaping teaspoon per 8 ounces of hot water.  Steep for 3-5 minutes.  Strain and enjoy with honey. 

So what do the holy scriptures say to us about drinking teas?  

All I can tell you is that teas are produced from different types of leaves.  The tree of life spoken of in the scriptures seems to have leaves that are useful for healing.  So I will leave you to ponder whether or not the scriptures found in Ezekiel 47 and Revelation 22 are speaking of certain types of teas:

Ezekiel 47:12:  And on the banks, of both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food.  Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary.  Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.

Revelation 22:2;  Through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month.  The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

As I wrote this article I was in a conversation with my daughter and asked what my grandson was planning for his birthday party this year.  Besides going to see some astoundingly wonderful gymnists, he wanted to take his little (seven year old) girlfriend to a local restaurant that arranges tea parties for children’s birthdays.  I found that to be very amusing news in light of all that God has been speaking to me concerning tea!

 

You never know; I might even be planning a little tea party of my own!

COME AS A CHILD - LESSON 128

STAYING FOCUSED ON THE CLOUD AND THE FIRE

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Pharaoh finally realized that He was no match for the power of God.  His arrogance and stubbornness had cost him the life of his beloved son.   Not only did he let the Israelites go; he begged them to leave and to take all they had with them.  As I mentioned before; they asked the Egyptians for gold and silver to take on their journey, and they were given everything they requested in hopes that they would just GO and LEAVE THE LAND that was still suffering from the curses leftover from the plagues.

The usual route to Canaan through the land of the Philistines was not so long; but it was full of Philistines and Egyptians who might possibly bring war against the Israelites. So; thinking they might get discouraged if they had to face war right away; God did not tell Moses to lead them through the land on the closest or most convenient routes.  He told Moses to take them through the desert instead.  They took the route that led toward The Red Sea.  They left Egypt ready and willing to face battle if they had to; but this route would seem to made that less likely.

As had been promised to Joseph when he died in Egypt so long ago; they took his bones with them, and did not leave them in Egypt.   Moses had heard the stories of Joseph and knew that Joseph had predicted that God would eventually come to the aid of the people.  Moses honored that last request of his ancestor.

So many people today imagine the people of the Old Testament stories did not know of Christ.  I see evidence in the scriptures here at the very beginning of the Exodus journey that is otherwise.  When the Children of Israel started on their long journey they traveled with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  We read of this in Exodus 13:21; By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

The scriptures clearly say the LORD went with them in the cloud and in the fire.  I think this was Jesus pre-incarnate.  Growing up I always heard this explained as being an “angel.”  Many times when you read the scriptures and they say “The Angel of The LORD” it is my own personal opinion that this speaks of the pre-incarnate Christ.  I believe Jesus was right there with His people all the while; directing Moses each step of the way.  He would have been interceding with the Father from the earth, just as He now intercedes for us from heaven.   He spoke to them from the cloud and the fire.   These scriptures go on to say that the cloud and the fire never left the people.  They were always there, just in front of them; leading, guiding, comforting, caring and protecting.

This is yet another amazing miracle from God that the people experienced.  In those days miracles were a constant, everyday part of daily life.  

  

These two pillars; of cloud and fire, are a picture of God’s faithfulness and a lesson teaching and reminding us once again that God never forsakes his people.  Hebrews 13:5-6 gives us these reassuring words:  “Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have; for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.”  

This scripture is just as relevant today as it was in the days of Moses.  As we approach the last days of mankind on this earth, this scripture should bring comfort to the hearts of all who know God.  It was certainly inspired by the evidence that was constantly before the People of Israel;  those who knew personally of the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. 

Great battles and historical events have been named in memory and respect of this protecting pillar of cloud and this constantly leading pillar of fire.  Today it still stands symbolically as a representation of God’s faithful Presence among His people.  

In November 2012 there was a military operation in Gaza called “Operation Pillar of Cloud.”  The IDF was seeking protection from bombings and they remembered how God protected the ancient Children of Israel and named their operation after the protecting cloud.   

The lyrics of many popular songs and hymns, such as “Lead, Kindly Light” by John Henry Newman, also bring these two witnesses of cloud and fire to mind.  

This manifestation of God’s power and glory and His protection and provision of his people were physically played out in the cloud and the fire that led them through the days and nights of life in the wilderness.  They followed no map; they followed God’s presence in front of them.  Their enemies could clearly see the presence of God was on them.  The cloud and the fire were visible to all for miles around.   There was no way to take the wrong turn and get lost forever if you kept your focus on God in the form of the fire and the cloud.

When I think of this, I always remember the ancient legends and stories I’ve heard of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.  It was said that a thick cloud remained over her tent because she was constantly invoking the Presence of God in the prayers she prayed as she baked their daily bread.  It was said that the candles from her menorah burned brightly and never went out from Sabbath to Sabbath.  This represents the pillar of fire to me.  

Moses was like Sarah; constantly invoking God’s Presence into the camp and their daily lives.  

When the people saw this appearance of the cloud and the fire as they stood in the doorways of their tents they bowed down and worshipped God.  It was a constant reminder of how God led them one step at a time, shinning the light just far enough so that they could see their next step. 

The Children of God traveled to Sukkoth.  When they left there they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.  They followed the pillar of cloud and fire in front of them.  When the cloud moved; the people moved.  When the fire moved; the people moved.  They could travel by day or night; however God chose to lead them.   When the cloud and the fire rested; the people rested.  They walked bravely on with faith as they were led into a wilderness that was vast and desolate and uninhabitable under normal circumstances..  

Had the pillar of fire at night and the pillar of cloud during the day not led them; they would have perished.  You must KNOW and UNDERSTAND this desert wilderness to survive its perils.  The desert is a very dangerous place!  Normally, no man would venture into the land without a good, experienced guide.  

Not only were the elements and  conditions hard; the people were only aliens and sojourners in the land.  They were being led to a place that would prepare them and test them.  Little did they know their first test would soon be that of Pharaoh changing his mind and sending his special forces after them to bring them back to Egypt.  They moved on following the cloud and the fire not even knowing what was just around the corner.  They were simply waiting on God to show them the next step; oblivious to all the dangers that lurked ahead.  The cloud and the fire gave them a sense of security and the courage to move ahead. 

Thinking past the time in the wilderness to the time of the ministry of Christ, we can remember that He too was led by The Spirit into the wilderness for forty days of preparation for his mission to save the world.  There in that place, He too, encountered testing and spiritual warfare. It was there in the wilderness during those forty days that Jesus proved his readiness to obey and trust the Father for everything.  

God’s children were also, even before the Messiah, being given the tests and preparations they needed to become a mighty nation that would represent God to the world.  From them would come the Messiah.  They needed to be ready and prepared.  God would teach them in this harsh desert land.  

We too, even in modern days, must face tests in this wilderness we call life.  The Holy Spirit is our modern-day pillar of cloud and fire.  If we belong to God we too are aliens and pilgrims on a journey to a promised land.  Through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit God guides us each step of the way.  We have been given this great gift, a miracle of God’s love; to guide us and to lead us on.  

Like the ancient Israelites stepping into the unknown of the wilderness, we too must submit to the tests and spiritual warfare and we must pass through to the other side of the wilderness by learning to follow God.   This must be done by all who seek Him; in order to become prepared for a Kingdom that shall never pass away.  

Are you following God’s Holy Spirit in your life?  

Are you submitting to the cloud and the fire of His Holy love?  

Are you worshipping from your doorway every time that you realize the Presence of The LORD has passed through the land and is leading you?  It happens today; just as it did for those ancient Israelites.  God will always lead His people.  Those who are awake and waiting and worshipping from their doorways will look up and see Him passing by.  They will feel His Presence in their lives!  What more is needed?

What is the modern doorway from which we can worship God?  It is none other than Jesus Christ.  He gave us the key to understand this when He said in John 14:6; "I am the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."

I am reminded of a very popular old song.  I’ll try to link you to it here.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUmS5MsqnSw.  

This version is sung by a group called Libera, and the song was written by David Evans.    Just in case you can’t get the link; the words go like this:

Verse 1:

Be still for the Presence of the Lord; The Holy One is here.

Come bow before Him now with reverence and fear, in Him no sin is found.  We stand on holly ground.

Be still for the Presence of the Lord, The Holy One is here.

Verse 2

Be still for the Glory of the Lord is shining all around.  
He burns with holy fire.  
With splendor He is crowned.  
How awesome is the sight.  
Our radiant King of Light.

Be still for the Glory of the Lord is shinning all around.

Verse 3

Be still for the Power of the Lord is moving in this place.

He comes to cleanse and heal,to minister His grace, no work too hard for Him.  
Receive from Him. 

Be still for the Power of the Lord is moving in this place.

Knowing the lesson of the pillar and the cloud should remind us to keep our focus on The Presence of The Lord in our own daily lives.  We should be worshipping through Christ the doorway of our hearts.  

Let us follow Him to a Kingdom that never ends, a place of joy and peace.  Having the vision ever before us will wipe away the hurt and the pain of the wilderness testings of this earth and bring us home to a land that is free and full of love.  

We must forever heed that old scripture:  "Be still and KNOW that I AM God."