Grains of Sand

Pixabay What is it that makes it possible to turn a valley of sorrow into a mountaintop of joy? Psalm 84:11 describes the believer’s journey toward the heavenly Zion as “ the valley of Baca ” or the valley of weeping.  "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion ." “Baca” or ”Bakah” refers to a tree that weeps resin, likely a Balsam or Mulberry tree. In the psalmist’s day pilgrims would pass through what is now considered to be the actual Valley of Baca, on their way to worship in Jerusalem. It was waterless, dry, barren. The psalmist uses the picture of this valley as representative of the journey of life which so often includes sorrow, suffering, and barrenness. But he insists that the pilgrim can turn that dark and difficult valle...

Google images I wonder what the difference sounded like? “ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as the teachers of the law ” (Matthew 7:28, 29). The sermon delivered on the mountainside had ended and the audience was left with their mouths open, their minds awhirl, and their hearts aflutter. This man, this Jesus, sounded inspired and the people knew the difference between Him and all the others who claimed to speak in the name of God—not too hard since Jesus was God in the flesh! The sermon had ended with a challenge and a warning. Jesus told the parable of the two men who had built houses; one whose foundation was laid on sand and another whose foundation was laid on the rock. When life got difficult the house built on sand collapsed while the other remained upright. Jesus summed up the parable and His teaching by warning the people listening to take heed to His words. “ But everyon...