Our weather in CT has been crazy lately! We have snow, ice and freezing temperatures and yet, we have recently enjoyed some great spring-like days! It has been so refreshing to feel the SUNSHINE and be able to take my young ‘charges’ to the local parks to play! Today’s high temperature was 51 degrees!.

Just yesterday, I was a bit surprised to see HUGE, but very lovely snowflakes falling from the sky during the afternoon hours. I think because the snow was wet and mixed with rain, the flakes stuck together and created some amazingly big flakes! This photo, unfortunately, doesn’t capture the beauty of this snowfall, but for me, it was a real treat to see!

As I watched the snowfall from indoors, I thought of the “manna in the dessert” that God provided for the Israelites as they wandered in the dessert for 40 years. As I pondered, I realized I wasn’t quite sure just WHAT manna actually consisted of. I wondered what the manna of the Old Testament looked like and if it actually fell like snowflakes? What I have always envisioned in my mind was that that manna spoken of in the Old Testament was white and similar to a light wafer-like substance. (a lot like snow that doesn’t melt!) After searching the scripture I learned that my notion of manna was quite off track. (Not sure WHERE or HOW I ever came up with my preconceived idea). What do YOU envision ‘manna’ to look like? Ever thought of it?

I learned that the manna that God provided was actually in appearance of coriander seed and was the color of ‘gum resin’ or pale yellow.

“The manna looked like small coriander seeds, pale yellow in color.* Numbers 11:7 NLT

I’ve read the scripture in Numbers many times, but for some reason, I never truly LEARNED (or remembered) what the manna looked like. I DID remember that the manna fell at night (or early in the morning when the dew fell) and that every morning, except the Sabbath, the Israelites were instructed to gather just the amount that they needed for that day.

“And when the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.” Numbers 11:9 NKJV

The lovely snow of yesterday afforded me not only the opportunity to view a beautiful moment of nature, but to dig a bit deeper in the scripture and study more about manna and to gain an accurate understanding of God’s provision for His chosen people. This experience just goes to show how wise it is to STUDY and RESEARCH or ASK QUESTIONS!

I pray that the every day experiences of life will strike an inquisitive spark in you and you will use the opportunities to learn more about the things of God and His kingdom! I just love digging into the Word of God!

Weeks ago (in the previous post on this blog) I raised a question that a friend asked me to consider. "Why was no one present to see Jesus, during the time (at the moment) that He rose (was rising) from the dead?" I prayerfully did just that and emailed him a response. That was quite some time ago but thought I'd still post my response to him on this blog. Here is what the Holy Spirit taught me:

John 20:29 NKJV
"Jesus said, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Our entire relationship and walk with Christ is (are?) based on FAITH. As it seems to apply to Thomas (and thus to each of us), we are MORE blessed because we do not see and yet we TRUST in the One who is, the Great I AM.

You know, as I do, the times that we have stepped out in pure FAITH in Christ....the blessing that was on the other side of that step. Had we waited until we SAW or KNEW....we either never would have moved (taken the step) or would have never realized the immense joy and blessing that is in FAITH. What amazing testimonies we have....only AFTER we step in faith and are blessed! Perhaps another reason that contributes to the purpose of no one SEEING Jesus rise from the dead is the incredible testimony that acting in FAITH provides for us to share. Can you imagine any of the New Testament without the amazing testimonies of FAITH of the early apostles?

Guess my answer then is two-fold: (so far)
1. To require a step of FAITH for those who follow Christ....which then BUILDS more faith and devotion.
2. To provide or deepen a/the testimony of those who know and follow Jesus.

It all is "part of the plan"......God knows what He is doing."

Any additional thoughts from you bloggers out there?