The House on Rock

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Well, I love a rainy night

I love a rainy night

I love to hear the thunder

Watch the lightening

When it lights up the sky

You know it makes me feel good.

~Eddie Rabbit~

I sat on my covered porch, listening to distant thunder. It was just after sundown, but the sky looked more like midnight. The rain that had been forecasted for the morning hours had taken its time to arrive.

Thunderstorms make me want to drop whatever I’m doing and go sit in front of a window. Or sit on the porch. I remember as a young mom, I’d hear that far-off rumble and tell the kids it was time to watch the storm come in.

But today I sat alone in the three-season room, listening to the first raindrops pinging off the metal roof. Everything in me relaxed, and I sunk deeper into my cushioned chair. The sound of the rain, and even the wind, calmed me as the flames of the candles I’d lit danced in the breeze.

I started thinking about why I loved thunderstorms. The cracks of lightening and the rolling explosions of thunder startle some people. Why don’t I feel that way?

I realized that I like it because I can view it in safety.

If I was driving in a storm, I wouldn’t be relaxed. I’d be concentrating on getting home. The slick roads and the lack of clear vision can get pretty frightening. If I was walking outside, I’d be picking up the pace, hoping I got home before the rain started coming down in sheets.

Having a sturdy shelter is the source of my peace. I live in a well-made house. I have windows without cracks, a roof that doesn’t leak and a basement that has a sealed foundation. Knowing that I am secure, I don’t worry about the weather. I can even appreciate the beauty of it.

These same ideas really speak to my spiritual life too.

There are storms in the minutes and hours of my everyday. Fender benders, disagreements and frustrations barge into my perfectly planned day. It’s hard to meet these situations in peace, much less appreciate the beauty. That sounds a little crazy doesn’t it?

But it is possible. It just depends on how sturdy my foundation is.

God knows every car accident and disappointment I’ll ever have. But he also knows that I can learn, survive and thrive right through them. But only if my house is on solid rock. The rock of Christ.

If my faith in him is firm, then I’ll be able to deal with the problems that come. In him there are no cracks or leaks. I am sealed in his love and protection.

So the next time I hear that distant rumbling, I’ll remember why I can love that sound. I have a house that protects me. When I am faced with hard times, I’ll remember why I can those too.

He is my rock and my shelter. So I am safe.

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70 thoughts on “ The House on Rock ”

  1. W.o.w! Ceil! I would love to be with you enjoy the storm.
    Thank you that remind me to enjoy the storms of life that I have a strong shelter! We even can dance probably.

    Oh so you live near the sea? That’s remind me of my grandma’s house in the village- we live in the beach because it’s island.

    Thank you for sharing this.
    Have a glorious week.
    Blessing,
    Delvalina

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    • Hi Delvalina! Wouldn’t that be fun? My porch is so cozy…but has plenty of room to dance too.

      I do not live by the sea, unfortunately. My parents had a condo in Florida, a southern state in the USA. It was on the Gulf of Mexico, and the water was so beautiful. That’s what I think of when I think of big bodies of water!
      Loved your post on the flower crowns! You looked like you were having so much fun :)
      Have a peaceful night,
      Ceil

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  2. This was a beautiful post, my dear Ceil. My heart rejoices to know we have a Rock and precious Shelter in our Lord. Your words make me think of the hymn ‘A Shelter in the Time of Storm – “The Lord’s our Rock in Him we a hide, a shelter in the time of storm…”

    Thank you so much for this, dear friend. Have a wonderful week!

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Stephanie! I like the words to the hymn you have here. It’s not familiar to me, but I like it :)
      He is a sturdy shelter…we are truly blessed.

      Have a peaceful night my friend,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Shelly! We have kindred spirits, don’t we! It sure makes it easier to enjoy bad weather when we are safe on our porches, isn’t it? And God is so good to be our sheltering porch too.

      Thank you for your kind comments tonight!
      Have a peaceful night,
      Ceil

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  4. Soothing words tonight, dear Ceil … as I finished reading, the words of that old hymn came to mind … ‘On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.’

    A visit with you is the perfect finale to this loveliest of weekends. Hugs to you.

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  5. A precious post about storms by a woman who knows she has a solid foundation in Jesus Christ! “My Hope is built on nothing less…” as the hymn goes. Thank you, Ceil, for sharing with us about how and why you enjoy storms.

    Your setting is painted vividly with your words. It sounds cozy and delightful!

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    • Hi Dianna! Thank you for your kind comments tonight. My porch is my favorite place to be in the warm months. It doesn’t have heat, so I can’t use it in the winter, or when it gets too cold outside. It’s a special place for me!

      Have a restful night my friend,
      Ceil

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  6. I really enjoy a good thunderstorm too, and a porch or 3 season room is the perfect place to view one. (Of course, sleeping is always good in the rain too).
    You are right about being in a safe place during a storm. It makes all the difference!
    PS – you are more than welcome to share the funnies from my blog. Someone else shared with me. :)

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Mari! Oooh, I like waking in the middle of the night to the sound of thunder and rain too! Again, I am safe in my room :)

      Thank you for the permission to use the images. They really did bring a smile to my face. Thank you for the chuckle tonight!
      Blessings to you, and have a restful night,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Linda! I’m so sorry you had a tough weekend…that stinks. But I’m glad you could see some encouragement on the post today.

      You’ll be in my prayers today and I hope this week will start out better for you.
      May you be abundantly blessed my friend,
      Ceil

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  8. Hi Ceil! Praise God that He is our Shelter from the storm, the solid Rock to which we can cling in any disaster, the Foundation on Whom we can build our lives. Thanks for the beautiful post, and have a blessed week in Him!
    Laurie

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  9. Another good lesson Ceil. Thank you.

    It is when we are faced with the real storms of life that our Faith should remain strong; or even stronger. I know I often stumble. But I can draw on past experiences when He was by my side.

    God bless you.

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    • Hi Victor! Good point about relying on past experiences with the Lord to help in times of trouble. Like you, I often stumble in the worries of the day, or the big walls that are in my path. Even though I know that Jesus will bring me out, I still get frustrated.

      I think that’s why we have the Bible to read and faith and friends too. God certainly knows what we need to succeed. And I need all of it, believe me!

      Always good to see you here my friend,
      Ceil

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  11. This brought to my mind one of my favorite scriptures, Psalm 40:2
    “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” I’m continually amazed at God’s forgiveness, protection and love towards us.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Lauren! Nice Scripture addition! It’s just perfect. Rock is certainly a sturdy place to stand, isn’t it?

      We are so blessed by his love and protection…and all the other things you mentioned. Who else would love us so intensely?
      Thank you for that Scripture :)
      Ceil

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  12. Beautiful post. I love the storms too and you are so right. It’s because we know we are safe that those storms can be beautiful. It is very different when we are driving or in unfamiliar territory. Life’s storms really do show us just how important it is to be cradled in the Lord’s arms, to know we are encased in His protection for eternity. Thanks for this post – beautiful!

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Strahlen! I like your thoughts about being with him for eternity. I love that, thank you. I was just reading about how important our storms are, because without them, we wouldn’t understand what being in peace is really like.

      So storms are necessary, but we can always rely on God’s protection.
      Thank you for your encouraging comment!
      Ceil

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  13. Ceil, this is amazing! I love thunderstorms too and you nailed it – the enjoyment is because we are in safety watching them. I hate storms when I’m driving or sitting like a duck in a flimsy canvas tent.

    The Lord is so good to give us that strength, that stability, and security. The world could be crumbling around us but if we keep our eyes on Him we can feel safe and at peace.

    Blessings to you my friend.
    xoxo

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    • Hi Jennifer! Right, I forgot about the tent thing. I’ve been in more storms in a tent than I’d care to remember! But you know, we all made it just fine.

      Keeping my eyes on him I’ll be okay. Then I do feel his peace. Thank you for that insight too.
      I appreciate your thoughtful comment today :)
      Ceil

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  14. I just love a great thunderstorm, as long as it is not accompanied by high wind. It always reminds me of our Lord washing away the old and refreshing us again.

    Is this photo of the home right in the middle of the water in Newport, RI? It looks just like it. We passed it sailing a few years ago while on vacation there. That area is one of my favorite on the East Coast.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Kim! This is the house on the rock in Newport! Good eye! I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. What a great example of the theme here, but I wouldn’t want to take much a stroll after dinner :)
      I think you can rent this space too.

      Great thoughts on rain, and the cleansing properties of the water. Thank you for that!
      Have a blessed Monday,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Patty! Someone else likes Eddie Rabbit!! An oldie by a goodie, just like me :)

      Welcome back from your time away. I hope you had good weather? Weren’t you going to meet a friend in Florida? Can’t wait to hear all about it. I hope you’re refreshed and ready to jump back into your life!

      Blessings,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Pam! I do too! Isn’t it fun to find little places in your day where God is calling so clearly? I know he calls all the time, but when I do see it, I’m so thankful.

      Thank you for your kind comment Pam. It means a lot coming from you my friend.
      Have a peaceful evening,
      Ceil

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  19. Yes, I’ve been thinking about some of these very same things lately. (Especially when I was outside, in a tent, in one of those storms!) But yes, when the foundation is built on The Rock, and when we are sheltered by His wings, we need not fear the storms. The Voice that said, “Be still” is still on the throne. And sometimes, His words – “Be still” – are spoken not to the storms, but to our hearts.

    GOD BLESS!

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Sharon! You too! One other commenter said the same thing, and I remember those storms in a tent too. Two words: “not fun”

      I love the way you phrased that God is still on the throne. So true. He is forever and ever. So our Rock is secure.

      Thanks for visiting today Sharon! And for your always lovely comments.
      Ceil

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    • Hi Lulu! Storms actually soothe me. I remember listening to them as a little girl. I’d wake up to hear the thunder, and just snuggle down into my bed. I felt so safe.

      So glad you liked the post today :)
      Blessings,
      Ceil

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  21. Seems there is many of us who enjoy viewing storms from a safe place. The wind reminds me of the Holy Spirit, the rain reminds me He fill the clouds with moisture, He brings the lightening and thunder to show He is in control. Thanks God for the comfort that comes from leaning on the rock during any storm. One of the things we liked about New Tribes Mission when we were looking for a mission board was their stand on teaching the foundational truth in the Old Testament before they ever present Christ. They who God is, who man is, what sin is, and how God took care of the sin through a sacrificial lamb. Before a missionary gets to the story of Jesus they already are looking for Him in the next story. The recognize Jesus as the Lamb because foundational truths has been taught. I had a pastor wife tell me once it’s hard to get people lost in the states. That’s one of the easy things to get a lost tribal person to see. They identify quickly they are just like the religious person in the Old Testament. I have been thinking about teaching the Firm Foundation Truth in my bible study. You post made me want to do it even more. Bless you.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Betty! You have such wonderful memories and truths from your work with New Tribes Mission. Thank you for sharing with me here. I guess it’s true that it’s pretty hard to get lost these days, I know I use a GPS if I don’t know where I’m going.

      I’m so glad that this helped you decide to use your Firm Foundation Truth for the bible study. I know you’ll teach it so well.
      Have a peaceful evening!
      Ceil

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  22. Well I love how yesterday my pastor’s sermon was on standing firm in your faith and then read this from you today. This has been on my heart a lot lately and makes me think of Col. 2:7 “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Great message! I loved coming here before we met but there is something about now coming here after meeting in real life. I just love it!! :) Much love.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Beth! Well, that’s pretty cool! And I like that Scripture you quoted too. Not only rock, but roots too.

      It is fun to have a new base of friendship, isn’t it? Now our words and ideas have more impact because we can see each other saying them. At least that’s how it is for me. What a gift :)

      Love to you too my friend. Hope you have a peaceful evening,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Natalie! How nice to see you here!

      Thank you for your kind comments on the post. How great that it is one of your favorite Scripture passages too. Knowing how we are so reliant on God makes us thankful for even storms…because we can make it through with him!

      Have a blessed evening!
      Ceil

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  25. This goes along with something I’ve been thinking about lately in Psalm 91. Abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, He is my refuge and fortress – that’s where I always want to be. Thanks so much for sharing your heart and encouraging us.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Karen! I love how God encourages us in so many ways. Psalms, Scripture, each other…it never stops. Thank the Lord!

      And thank you for your encouraging words today my friend.
      Blessings,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Jerralea! I’m so glad you liked the idea of the shelter. It was fun how it came to me in that storm. Literally! I think we can all relate to wanting to be safe in the hard times.

      Nice to see you today :)
      Ceil

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  27. Praise God! He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the joy set before us. This world is not our home. Because of this, we can face the storms of life. We are not alone. Our God is with us. He rains down on us with grace and justice and He reigns in our hearts/lives when we allow Him too.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi TC! I am so thankful that we are not alone. What would I do without a rock to cling to?

      And you are so right about needing to give God permission to enter our hearts. I was just thinking about that today. Grace rains down all the time. But do I open myself to it? That’s a great question that begs some action!

      Have a great afternoon :)
      Ceil

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  28. I think this is one of my favorite posts of yours. I used to be terrified of storms, but now I love them. I think it’s because I began to find God’s majesty in His creation, to hear His voice in the thunder. Thanks for a beautiful, insightful post.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Nan! Thank you so much, I’m so glad you like it.

      That’s quite a change you made! But finding God in the storm does take the fear away, doesn’t it? And I love how you describe hearing God in the thunder. Beautiful :)

      Blessings,
      Ceil

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  29. You had me smiling from the opening, what with the Eddie Rabbit lyrics :) Then I started remembering how, as a teenager, I would hang my head off the porch during a good “gully washer” (not so much a thunderstorm) and wash my hair in the down pour. This is a great analogy, and I’m glad you shared it with us.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Brandee! I’m glad you remember the song! (Now it’s going through my head again!) I have not heard that term ‘gully washer’ in a long time. So it’s my turn to smile :)

      Thank you for your kind comment. And thank you for the visit too!
      Have a peaceful evening,
      Ceil

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  30. I love this analogy! It is amazing how feeling protected makes it so much easier to face the dangers of life — be it actual physical danger, or emotional/spiritual danger. God is our great protector. In this adventure I’m on lately, I have been resting in that a lot. Ha, one of the verses I’ve been going back to time and time again has been Isaiah 41:10. Yes….protection. :-)

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Anne! Ok, you got me. I looked it up! “do not be afraid I am with you…” There is a song that starts with that line. It ends with “I love you, and you are mine.” So gorgeous. And so true. He really is our protector.

      Thank you for that reference tonight. As I write this, I am listening to the rain and thunder again. Safe in my physical house, and safe in my soul.
      Have a restful night my friend,
      Ceil

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  31. Good Morning Ceil!

    This was so, so, so good! He is indeed my rock and I am so thankful for his outpouring protection! I wouldn’t want to be out in the storm not knowing that I was safe and protected from the elements around me. When we built our house a few years back, the Lord told us to put prayer and scripture into our foundation, so we wrote on index cards our favorite scripture and placed it in the cement on our four posts of the house. So, now we are reminded that God is in our foundation around our home. He is indeed my rock, my life and in my comfort zone.

    Thank you for sharing. What a treasure to keep with us always.

    Hugs to you,
    Amy

    PS… Please say a little prayer for us, we need a new car and we are praying for God’s guidance on the right one. We will be car shopping this weekend. :)

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Amy! Thank you for your email, I’ll be responding soon!

      What a beautiful thing to do! To put Scriptures in the foundations of you house? That is so touching…I just love it. Do you remember which ones you used?

      You are always in my prayers, but I will think of your car shopping in particular. The experience of looking for a car is fun and daunting all at the same time. I pray you will find just the right one for your family.
      Blessings my friend,
      Ceil

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  33. Ceil,
    What a great image of how a storm really does look different depending on where you are seeing it from….and what a difference having God as our Rock makes…Thank you…I experienced my first East Coast storm a few years ago…it was scary as we were in a car driving…blessings to you:)

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Dolly! It can be really scary driving in a storm. Especially if the rain is coming down in buckets. So hard to see!

      Thank you for your kind comments, and I do think it’s all about perspective. If we are with God, we are safe.

      Have a peaceful evening!
      Ceil

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  34. Hello, Ceil. Thanks for this timely post. We’ve recently become part-time caregivers to my mom, and it’s uncharted waters for us. I needed the reminder that if I’m building on the solid rock of Jesus Christ, I am safe from the storm.

    Happy Day!
    Jen

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Jen! Oh my, that is a stress. I hope she is not too sick? I know you would be a wonderful care giver. You are so grounded in your faith. But it sure can be scary at first..all those unknowns.

      I’ll be keeping you in my prayers, and your mother too. Switching roles is never easy, but I know God sees you and will equip you too.
      Gods blessings,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Lizzie! Thank you for visiting today. Seems like we are not alone in loving a good storm…but only while I am safe in my house!

      I’m so glad you liked the post. It’s nice to meet you :)
      Have a good holiday weekend, and I hope you will stop back again sometime!
      Ceil

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