The Contents of the Cloud

The internet and the world wide web are here to stay. Life is so much easier because of the ability to get information within seconds of a query. I am, however, always having to learn something new. Since I travel a great deal, I know how important it is to know the local language and how handicapped one can be when you don't know the language.

The same is true with computer language. I have barely gotten to the point where I know what a hard drive is on my laptop, why it is important to have certain software and how to check a URL to make sure it is legitimate. When I see a word related to the internet that I don't know, I just google it for a definition. None of these words are in the old Webster's Unabridged Dictionary on my shelf. They are too new.

Sometimes computer language uses an old word in a new way. In that big old dictionary of mine, cloud is defined - among other things - as a visible mass of vapor, especially one suspended in the sky. The newest definitions of cloud refer to cloud computing and cloud storage. Most Kindle Fires only have 8 GB of memory because Amazon offers free cloud storage for all Amazon products.

The kicker is that using cloud storage also means you need a WIFI connection in order to stream the content from Amazon's cloud. If you want to read something on your Kindle Fire when a WIFI connection is not possible (like I do), you need to download the book, magazine, document, etc. onto your device.

Perhaps the oldest use of the word cloud comes from God's word. That "visible mass of vapor, especially one suspended in the sky" was part of God's creation, recorded in Genesis. When He led the children of Israel out of Egypt to the promised land, He used His cloud to guide them. As His chosen people, He had a special connection with them.

I, too, have a special connection with God. I am one of His children. I need His guidance and when He is leading forward, I should proceed. Unless He leads, I should wait for Him to say "go."

In that day, the cloud symbolized God's presence and guidance. As Christians, we have the inner guidance of His Holy Spirit. His people still need to follow Him, wherever and however He leads.

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up.... the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel (Exodus 40: 34-38).

Modern Devices and the Loss of Eye to Eye Contact

According to a 2011 New York Times article, there is an interesting trend among young people. If forced to make a choice teenagers would rather have the internet than a car. Staying connected to friends via a smart phone is a priority. "The iPhone is the Ford Mustang of today," according to Thilo Koslowski, an automotive analyst. "Mobile devices, gadgets and the Internet are becoming must-have lifestyle products that convey status."

What this study reveals confirms what I see on the streets. Everywhere I look someone either has their cell phone to their ear or is looking down at it. With their gaze fixed on their IPhone, they are checking social networks or looking for the nearest restaurant.

Recently a news report showed a man who nearly ran into a bear who had wandered into his neighborhood. The man did not see him until he nearly bumped into the bear. He had been texting on his cellphone.

Teenagers have even been caught texting in church - sitting next to each other!

Parents used to say, "Look at me when I am talking to you." With texting, Facebook and smart phone usage so common, this is even harder than it has ever been.

Before smart phones and the internet, people frequently stayed connected through personal visits - made possible by trips in those automobiles which are now rating second place among young people.

Technology has brought incredible advantages that do make our lives easier. I make use of many of them. There is nothing wrong with email, texting or smart phones. I travel a great deal and keep up with family and friends through those means - especially SKYPE which gives me an opportunity to see as well as talk to my grandchildren. However, the trend away from eye to eye contact and face to face conversation makes me uncomfortable.

Certainly there are many ways to communicate. Not all means of communication have to be face to face to be productive. God has used many methods to get His message across to His people - angels, prophets, a burning bush and even a donkey.

There is nothing like eye to eye contact and a personal encounter, however. God chose to meet us face to face through His Son, Jesus Christ. His eye contact was penetrating. So penetrating that people would rather avoid His gaze than be confronted with their own sinful nature. That's what happened to Adam and Eve after they sinned. They hid.

Standing face to face with Jesus not only causes us to confront our own sin, but to realize that His deliberate personal participation in an imperfect world was to redeem those who would believe in Him. Those who have seen Him are never the same.


He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him (Isaiah 53:3). But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately while he was still speaking, a cock crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter (Luke 22:60-61).

Twitter, Facebook, Blogging: Thinking Out Loud on the Internet

I do a lot of internet research searching Wikipedia or websites specific to the topic I am interested in. If I want a personal perspective, though, I check out the blogs. I appreciate those who are willing to share their expertise in a field. Some of the blogs I follow have to do with writing.  The publishing world is changing so fast that the best way to keep up with it is to read an expert's blog on what happened in the industry yesterday or even today.


I view life from a Christian perspective, so I also research the people posting the blogs.That doesn't mean I only read blogs posted by Christians. It means I evaluate what I read by their experience in their field, and take their spiritual state into account as well.


If you follow the news, as I do, you know you should be careful what you post on Twitter, Facebook or your blog. What you say reveals who you are. Politicians and other public figures have discovered that posts are definitely not private: "your sins will find you out."


The tools the internet provides has allowed me to feel connected even though I am not in one place for very long. On Facebook, I might discover a relative has been in the hospital, a friend I haven't seen for a long time has a birthday, another friend had a death in the family or another friend needs prayer.  In an instant, I can send an appropriate comment.


Blogs give bloggers an opportunity for even more individual expression that Twitter and Facebook since the words are limited only by the blogger's desire.  I follow one person who intentionally writes a 1000 word blog every Thursday.  Others are of various length, but research has revealed that most internet readers quickly scan a blog, so one of no more than 500 words has more of a chance of being read.  Short paragraphs, breaking up the text with bullets, and using proper font make it easier to read.  If there are no comments on your blog, don't despair.  Experts say that over 90% of blog readers don't leave a comment.


One blog I follow is a daily blog on prayer.  My friend who writes the blog told me, "This is really hard. I am always thinking about what needs to go in my devotional on prayer."  Well, honestly, how cool is that?  His thoughts are always on the subject of prayer.  


The internet has given us the opportunity to think out loud in front of a world wide audience.  What we think eventually comes out in what we say, and for those who are in our real world (not just our internet world), they know what we think shows us in our actions as well.


Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8 ESV).