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Dear Shiloh Family,

There was no rain in sight, and all storms were out of the general vicinity. Anita saw it first and called it to the attention of everyone.

 "Hey, look, there is a rainbow. And look how bright it is."

And she was right. Just beneath the white, billowing clouds to the south and east was the brightest, most iridescent arc of colors I have seen in a long time. Every color of ROY G BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet) was perfectly defined and pleading for attention. Certainly, everyone in attendance obliged the plea and gazed for what seemed like an eternity.

Normally, a rainbow occurs during or after a rain shower, but it had been hours since the last downpour. I even commented on the rarity of the occurrence. 

It is my understanding that white sunlight holds every color of the visible spectrum. When that light enters a raindrop, it is bent or refracted and split into individual colors because they all travel at different speeds through water. Those colors are then reflected out the back of the raindrops and refracted again as they exit which creates the arc of beauty that we see. 

I know all of you scientists and meteorologists are screaming that there is more to it than that, but that is not the point. I was amazed that even though I couldn’t see, hear, taste, smell, or feel the moisture, it was still there. When all of my human senses failed to notice anything except the unbearable heat of a Georgia Summer evening, God's wonderful sense of ariel artistry and picture of eternal promise prevailed. 

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. NKJV

I am reminded of how our Heavenly Father has a knak of showing up when we least expect him. When we are scorched by life and struggling to breathe, when we are surrounded by clouds and open sky, even when there is no apparent explanation or evidence for God's presence - He presents himself in brilliant fashion. Our loving creator even gives us undeserved, unpetitioned blessings. 

Don't lose hope! Though you can't recognize him, when you don't have something tangible, and even when you are not necessarily searching for him, he is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. Just enjoy the fact that not only is he always near, he often chooses to reveal to us his magnificence in heavenly fashion. 

Most of you know the story of Job and Satan’s attack. Listen to a few of his words.

Job 26:7-14:7 He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing. 8 He binds up the water in His thick clouds, yet the clouds are not broken under it. 9 He covers the face of His throne, and spreads His cloud over it. 10 He drew a circular horizon on the face of the waters, At the boundary of light and darkness. 11 The pillars of heaven tremble, and are astonished at His rebuke. 12 He stirs up the sea with His power, And by His understanding He breaks up the storm. 13 By His Spirit He adorned the heavens; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent. 14 Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, and how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand? NKJV

His unwavering heart is often more comfortable than his unseen hand. 

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell