Challenge for this coming week:
It is good when we pray for the sick -- And we do pray for healing when a person has a disability or when they are in hospital or hurt BUT, ---- how many of us really pray for others for spiritual healing? Do we regularly pray for mental and or spiritual health before we lay hands on for the physical ailments? Our Moshiach can heal us, not just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well. There’s no sin or problem too great or too small for Him to handle.
So the challenge for this coming week is to NOT pray for physical healing only BUT also pray for people for spiritual healing -- we live in a world that gets worse by the day and we all are involved in spiritual battles. Make it a point the week to concentrate on the spiritual side.
Blessings for this week!
SICKNESS
OBEDIENCE TO YHVH IS EXCELLENT PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.
“If you will listen carefully to the voice of Adonai your YHVH and do what is right in His sight, obeying His Commands and Laws, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am Adonai Who heals you.” {Exodus 15:26} YHVH promised that if the people obeyed Him, they would be free from the diseases that plagued the Egyptians. Little did they know that many of the moral Laws He later gave them, were designed to keep them free from sickness. For example, following YHVH’s Law against prostitution would keep them free of venereal disease. YHVH’s Laws for us are often designed to keep us from harm. Men and women are complex beings. Our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives are intertwined. Modern medicine is now acknowledging what these Laws assumed. If we want YHVH to protect us, we need to submit to His directions for living.
THE POWER TO HEAL SICKNESS IS AN AREA IN WHICH WE CAN TRUST MOSHIACH.
“Yeshua travelled throughout Galilee teaching in the synagogues, preaching everywhere the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed people who had every kind of sickness and disease. News about Him spread far beyond the borders of Galilee so that the sick was soon coming to be healed from as far away as Syria. And whatever their illness and pain, or if they were possessed by demons, or were epileptics, or were paralyzed -- He healed them all.” {Matthew 4:23-24} Yeshua was teaching, preaching, and healing. These were the three main aspects of His ministry. Teaching shows Yeshua’ concern for understanding; preaching shows His concern for commitment; and healing shows His concern for wholeness. His miracles of healing authenticated His teaching and preaching, proving that He truly was from YHVH.
PHYSICAL SICKNESS CAN BE A REMINDER OF SPIRITUAL SICKNESS.
Yeshua preached the gospel -- the Good News-to everyone who wanted to hear it. The gospel is that the Kingdom of heaven has come, that YHVH is with us, and that he cares for us. The Moshiach can heal us, not just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well. There’s no sin or problem too great or too small for Him to handle. Yeshua’ words were good news because they offered freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life with YHVH.
MOSHIACH DISPLAYS HIS POWER IN HEALING SICKNESSES OF ALL KINDS.
“Yeshua said to the Roman officer, ‘go on home. What you have believed has happened.’ And the young servant was healed that same hour. When Yeshua arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-Law was in bed with a high fever. But when Yeshua touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for Him.” {Matthew 8:13-15} Through these events, Matthew continues to show Yeshua’ Kingly nature. Through a single touch, Yeshua healed {8:3-15}; when He spoke a single word, evil spirits fled His presence {8:16}. Yeshua has authority over all evil powers and all earthly disease. He also has power and authority to conquer sin. Sickness and evil are consequences of living in a fallen world. But in the future, when YHVH removes all sin, there will be no more sickness and death. Yeshua’ healing miracles were a taste of what the whole world will one day experience in YHVH’s Kingdom.
HOW DOES YHVH RESPOND TO OUR SICKNESS?
Psalm 41:3 – “Adonai nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain and discomfort.” Philippians 2:27 – “He surely was ill; in fact, he almost died. But YHVH had mercy on him - and also on me, so that I would not have such unbearable sorrow.” Matthew 4:23-24 – “Yeshua travelled throughout Galilee teaching in the synagogues, preaching everywhere the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed people who had every kind of sickness and disease. News about Him spread far beyond the borders of Galilee so that the sick was soon coming to be healed from as far away as Syria. And whatever their illness and pain, or if they were possessed by demons, or were epileptics, or were paralyzed-he healed them all.” Matthew 15:29-31 – “Yeshua returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. A vast crowd brought Him the lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others with physical difficulties, and they laid them before Yeshua. And He healed them all. The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking around, and those who had been blind could see again! And they praised the YHVH of Israel.” Mark 1:32-34 – “That evening at sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Yeshua. And a huge crowd of people from all over Capernaum gathered outside the door to watch. So, Yeshua healed great numbers of sick people who had many different kinds of diseases, and he ordered many demons to come out of their victims. But because they knew who he was, he refused to allow the demons to speak.” Matthew 10:1 – “Yeshua called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.” Acts 3:12-16 – “Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. ‘People of Israel,’ he said, ‘what is so astounding about this? And why look at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power and godliness? For it is the YHVH of Abraham, the YHVH of Isaac, the YHVH of Jacob, the YHVH of all our ancestors who has brought glory to His Son Yeshua by doing this. This is the same Yeshua whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release Him. You rejected this Holy, Righteous One and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the Author of life, but YHVH raised Him to life. And we are witnesses of this fact! The Name of Yeshua has healed this man -- and you know how lame he was before. Faith in Yeshua’s Name has caused this healing before your very eyes.’” Matthew 8:17 -- This fulfilled the Word of Adonai through Isaiah, who said, ‘He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.’” Revelation 21:4 – “He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.” --- Our compassionate, merciful YHVH has full authority over all sickness. He can heal whomever He chooses. He can grant His authority to heal to whomever He chooses. Eventually, He will remove all sickness and suffering from all of His children for eternity. Sometimes He chooses not to heal a person, even a devout believer. We do not understand why, but someday we will understand.
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND IN TIMES OF PERSONAL SICKNESS?
Psalm 103:2-3 -- Praise Adonai, I tell myself, and never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” --- We should praise Adonai for His ability to forgive our sins and heal our diseases. We should praise Him even if He chooses not to heal us.
James 5:14 -- Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the Name of Adonai.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 – “Three different times I begged Adonai to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My gracious favour is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of the Moshiach may work through me. Since I know it is all for the Moshiach’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Proverbs 17:22 – “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” --- We should ask Adonai for healing and be content with His decision.
Psalm 73:26 -- My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but YHVH remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.” 1 Corinthians 15:43 – “Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power.” --- Regardless of the condition of our health, whether we are well or sick, we can rejoice that YHVH faithfully remains our strength. Our frail earthly bodies will one day be gloriously transformed for eternity.
HOW CAN WE MINISTER TO THE SICK?
Psalm 35:13-14 – “When they were ill, I grieved for them. I even fasted and prayed for them, but my prayers returned unanswered. I was sad, as though they were my friends or family, as if I were grieving for my own mother.” James 5:14-15 – “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the Name of Adonai. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and Adonai will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.” We can pray for those who are sick.
John 5:7 – “‘I can’t, sir,’ the sick man said, ‘for I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I am trying to get there, someone else always gets in ahead of me.’” Mark 2:3-5 – “Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t get to Yeshua through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above His head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Yeshua. Seeing their faith, Yeshua said to the paralyzed man, ‘My son, your sins are forgiven.’” --- We can help the sick receive healing.
Galatians 4:13-14 – “Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News of the Moshiach. But even though my sickness was revolting to you, you did not reject me and turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from YHVH or even the Moshiach Yeshua Himself.” Luke 10:33-34, 36-37 – “‘A despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him… Now which of these three would you say was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by bandits?’” Yeshua asked. The man replied, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Then Yeshua said, ‘Yes, now go and do the same.’” Matthew 25:36 – “I was naked, and you gave Me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for Me. I was in prison, and you visited Me.” --- We can meet the physical needs of the sick.
WHY DOES YHVH HEAL SOME AND NOT OTHERS?
Psalm 103:2-3 – “Praise Adonai, I tell myself, and never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” Matthew 9:35 – “Yeshua travelled through all the cities and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And wherever He went, He healed people of every sort of disease and illness.” Luke 5:12-13 – “In one of the villages, Yeshua met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Yeshua, he fell to the ground, face down in the dust, begging to be healed. ‘Adonai,’ he said, ‘if You want to, You can make me well again.’ Yeshua reached out and touched the man. ‘I want to,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’ And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” John 9:3, 7 – “‘It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,’ Yeshua answered. ‘He was born blind so the power of YHVH could be seen in him.’ …He told him, ‘Go and wash in the pool of Siloam’ {Siloam means Sent}. So, the man went and washed, and came back seeing!” John 11:4-6 – When Yeshua heard about it He said, ‘Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of YHVH. I, the Son of YHVH, will receive glory from this.’” --- Although Yeshua loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, He stayed where He was for the next two days and did not go to them.
Psalm 119:71 – “The suffering You sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to Your principles.” Romans 5:3 – “We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us -- they help us learn to endure.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – “Even though I have received wonderful revelations from YHVH. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. Three different times I begged Adonai to take it away. Each time He said, ‘My gracious favour is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of the Moshiach may work through me. Since I know it is all for the Moshiach’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” --- YHVH possesses the ability to heal all diseases. He heals, or does not heal, for YHVH’s glory and for other reasons we cannot always comprehend right now. YHVH is sovereign. Whatever He does is right, even though from our earthly perspective we may think it is not.
ARE THERE WAYS TO AVOID SICKNESS?
2 Kings 13:14 – “When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. ‘My father! My father! The chariots and charioteers of Israel!’” he cried.” Job 2:3, 7 – “Then Adonai asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant, Job? He is the finest man in all the earth-a man of complete integrity. He fears YHVH and will have nothing to do with evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you persuaded me to harm him without cause.’ …So, Satan left Adonai’s presence, and he struck Job with a terrible case of boils from head to foot.” Exodus 15:26 – “‘If you will listen carefully to the voice of Adonai your YHVH and do what is right in His sight, obeying His Commands and Laws, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am Adonai Who heals you.’” Exodus 23:25-26 – “You must serve only Adonai your YHVH. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will keep you healthy. There will be no miscarriages or infertility among your people, and I will give you long, full lives.” Psalm 38:2-3 – “Your arrows have struck deep, and Your blows are crushing me. Because of Your anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins.” Acts 12:23 – “Instantly, an angel of Adonai struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to YHVH. So, he was consumed with worms and died.” 1 Corinthians 6:18 – “Run away from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.” 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 – “If anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of Adonai unworthily, that person is guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of Adonai. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup unworthily, not honouring the Body of the Moshiach, you are eating and drinking YHVH’s judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.” --- Sickness can be avoided through obedience to YHVH and His Word.
Exodus 34:21 – “Six days are set aside for work, but on the Shabbat day you must rest, even during the seasons of ploughing and harvest.” Exodus 20:8-11 – “Remember to observe the Shabbat day by keeping it holy. Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to Adonai your YHVH. On that day no one in your household may do any kind of work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days Adonai made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; then He rested on the seventh day. That is why Adonai blessed the Shabbat day and set it apart as holy.” --- Sickness can be avoided by maintaining a balance between work and rest.
Ephesians 5:29 – “No one hates his own body but lovingly cares for it, just as the Moshiach cares for His body, which is the church.” Acts 27:34 – “‘Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.’” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 – “Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.” --- Sickness can be avoided by physically caring for our bodies.
Leviticus 14:54-57 – “‘These are the instructions for dealing with the various kinds of contagious skin disease and infectious mildew, whether in clothing, in a house, in a swollen area of skin, in a skin rash, or in a shiny patch of skin. These instructions must be followed when dealing with any contagious skin disease or infectious mildew, to determine when something is ceremonially clean or unclean.’” Deuteronomy 23:13 – “Each of you must have a spade as part of your equipment. Whenever you relieve yourself, you must dig a hole with the spade and cover the excrement.” --- Sickness can be avoided through personal hygiene.
What does it mean to be childlike? Messiah Yeshua said we should become like children if we are to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. How do we do that?
https://thebarkingfox.com/2025..../11/22/holy-like-a-c
What does it mean to be childlike? Messiah Yeshua said we should become like children if we are to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. How do we do that?
https://thebarkingfox.com/2025..../11/22/holy-like-a-c
If a great number of people believe something, does that make it true? 1 Kings 18:21 — 22, “Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.” As we know God defeated the prophets of Baal through Elijah even though there were many more of them. So the answer to my question is apparently no, just because a lot of people believe something, that doesn’t make it true.
BIBLE STUDY --- THE GOOD SHEPHERD
TURNING TO YESHUA
THE TOUCH OF HEALING
From Mark 5:21 -43
When Yeshua returned to Capernaum, a large crowd met Him at the shore. Jairus, a leader in the synagogue at Capernaum, was there, too. When he saw Yeshua, he knelt down at His feet and begged Him for help. [My little daughter is dying,] said Jairus. [Please come and touch her so that she will get well.] Yeshua went with Jairus toward his home. The people all followed, too, crowding one another to be near Yeshua. In the crowd that day was a woman who had been afflicted with a bleeding problem for twelve years. She had gone from one doctor to another, suffering greatly, and spending all that she had to get well. But instead of getting better, she had become worse. The woman had heard about Yeshua’ miracles and had come here to touch Him. Now she was right behind Him! [If only I can touch His clothing, I will get well,] she thought. With that, she reached out and touched His cloak. Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she knew that she was well. But Yeshua knew that power had gone out from Him. Turning to the crowd, He asked, [Who touched Me?] The disciples were surprised to hear Yeshua ask that. [Look at this crowd pushing toward You on every side,] they said. [Why do You ask if someone touched You?] But Yeshua kept on looking about to see who had done it. The woman who had been healed was trembling with fear, but she realized what had happened, so she came to Yeshua and fell down before Him and told Him the truth. [Daughter, your faith healed you,] said Yeshua. [Go in peace, for you are free from your sickness.] While Yeshua was talking with the woman, some messengers came running from Jairus’ home. [Your daughter is dead,] they told Jairus. [Why bother Yeshua anymore?] But Yeshua paid no attention to the messengers. [Don’t be afraid,] He told Jairus. [Trust Me!] Then Yeshua left immediately for Jairus’ home. He would not let anyone go with Him except Peter, James, John, and Jairus. When He reached the house, He found it in a great commotion, with mourners crying and wailing loudly. [Why are you making such a commotion?] Yeshua asked these people. [The little girl isn’t dead. She is merely sleeping.] The people started making fun of Yeshua so He sent them out of the house. Then He went with Jairus and his wife and His three disciples to the room where the girl was lying. Yeshua took the little girl’s hand in His and spoke to her. [Get up, little girl!] He said. At once, this twelve-year-old girl got up and began walking and jumping about the room. Her parents were so absolutely amazed that they could hardly control themselves. Yeshua gave them strict orders not to tell people what had happened. Then He told the parents to give the girl something to eat.
COMMENTARY
JAIRUS’ FAMILY
Jairus was a ruler, or elder, of the synagogue at Capernaum, Yeshua’ hometown at this time, so he and his family were closely associated with its work. To understand Jairus and his family, it is necessary to understand the synagogue and its work. Some say the synagogue began under Moses. However, it was not popular until the time of the exile. Away from their homeland, the Jews longed for some place to worship. The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and its ruins were far away. The synagogue served as a place to hear the Word of YHVH read, listen to devout men speak, and to pray together. By the time of Yeshua, there was a synagogue in almost every large town in Israel. Some towns had more than one. Synagogues had now become houses of instruction, where the Law was taught to all people. Yeshua attended the synagogue at Nazareth and preached there while Nazareth was His home. Later, when He moved to Capernaum, He attended its synagogue and preached there as well.
JAIRUS
Most of the things known about Jairus are known about his work as synagogue ruler. Almost nothing is known about the man himself. As a synagogue ruler, he was an important man in Capernaum. He was in charge of the building and made sure that it was kept clean and in good repair. Jairus chose people for the synagogue service, inviting them to preach, read from the Scriptures, or lead the prayers. Because of the importance of his job, Jairus sat with other elders in a special seat reserved for them.
JAIRUS’ WIFE
As a wife of an elder and synagogue ruler, Jairus’ wife was prominent in Capernaum, both socially and spiritually. She was well-to-do, for she had servants. Since Capernaum was Yeshua’ hometown at this time, Jairus and his wife knew Yeshua well. Yeshua had preached in the synagogue there, so Jairus would have been the person to invite Him.
JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER
At this time, Jairus’ daughter was twelve, old enough to be married, according to Jewish Law. At twelve years and one day, she was considered an adult. Having grown up in the home of a synagogue ruler, she had been instructed in the home. Although she had not gone to classes with the boys who studied in the synagogue school, she had learned the Law from her parents. Every Shabbat she sat with her mother in the women’s section of the synagogue. In addition to her religious instruction, Jairus’ daughter had been trained to be a wife and mother. Since earliest childhood, she had learned from her mother how to grind grain, spin thread, and weave it into cloth.
BIBLE STUDY --- THE GOOD SHEPHERD
TAMER OF THE SEAS
From Mark 4:35-41
That evening Yeshua said to His disciples, [Let’s go over to the other shore.] When the crowds had been sent home, the disciples took Yeshua into their boat and, with some other boats, set sail for the opposite side of the Sea of Galilee. But a storm with violent winds blowing came over the sea. The waves rose high, splashing over the sides of the boat until it was in danger of sinking. While this happened, Yeshua was asleep in the back of the boat, resting His head on a cushion. The disciples quickly woke Yeshua, shouting above the noise of the wind, [Adonai, don’t You care that we’re about to sink?] Yeshua stood up and gave orders to the wind and the sea. [Be still!] He said. At once the wind quieted and the waves calmed until all was at peace. [Why are you so afraid?] Yeshua asked His disciples. [Do you have no faith?] But they were even more frightened, now when they saw what He had done. [Who is He?] they began to whisper. [Even the wind and the waves obey Him.]
THE TAMING OF A DEMON-POSSESSED MAN
From Mark 5:1-20
When Yeshua and His friends arrived on the other shore, in the land of the Gerasene, a man filled with demons rushed out from the tombs to meet Him. The man was so strong that he always broke the shackles and chains that people tried to put upon him. Night and day he wandered among the tombs and hills, screaming and cutting himself with sharp stones. When the man had seen Yeshua in the distance, he ran and threw himself before Him. When Yeshua Commanded the demons to come out, they let out a piercing scream. [What will You do with us, Yeshua, Son of the Most-High YHVH?] the demons cried out. [We beg you, by the Name of YHVH, not to torment us.] Then Yeshua asked the demons, [What is your name?] [Legion,] the demons answered, [for there are many of us here in this man.] Again, the demons begged Yeshua not to send them to some faraway place. Nearby a large herd of pigs grazed by the mountains. The demons begged Yeshua to send them into the pigs, so He let them do it. At once the entire herd, about two thousand pigs, rushed down the side of the steep hill into the water and were drowned. The man who had been taking care of the pigs ran into town to tell what had happened. Hearing of this event the people of the town came out to see what was going on. There was the man who had been filled with demons, sitting before Yeshua, clothed and normal. When the people saw this and heard an account of what had happened, they were afraid and begged Yeshua to go away. While Yeshua was getting into the boat to leave, the man who had been healed pleaded with Yeshua to let him go, too. [You must go back to your own home instead,] Yeshua told him. [Tell your family and friends what Adonai has done for you and what mercy He has shown you.] The man did go home and went from city to city in all of the Decapolis, telling what Yeshua had done for him. Throughout these ten cities, people were filled with wonder when they heard his message.
COMMENTARY
MANY MOODS OF THE SEA OF GALILEE
The Sea of Galilee sits like a giant bowl of water among the hills of Galilee. The water is about one hundred fifty feet deep. But the surface is about six hundred eighty feet below sea level. Thus, this is no ordinary lake, but an inland sea capable of many moods. At times violent windstorms sweep down from the hills and stir the water into giant waves. Some waves as high as twenty feet have been reported in recent years. These storms may come without a cloud in the sky, a drop of rain, or a bolt of lightning. Within a short time, the sea may be as peaceful as a mirror. Spring wildflowers growing on the shores add another dimension to the changing personality of the sea, accenting it with a rainbow of colours. Barren hills with scrub brush, rich fertile valleys, stately trees, short palms, and golden fields of grain add to the variety of life surrounding the moody bowl of water. The Sea of Galilee constantly changes its moods. At one time violent, another time calm; at one time a mirror of silver, another a ripple of deep blue; at one time a rainbow of colour; another a bleak grey of early morning fog. This changing scene must have been a constant delight to the people who lived there.