Something Bigger Is Going On Here

This title is from an acronym I heard recently from Dennis Keating. Thanks for your faithful ministry of God's word Pastor Keating.

In Chapter 12, the unknown Writer of God's Letter To The Hebrews speaks to we who are alive today when He says "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off all hindrances and the sin that entangles us, and let us run with perseverence the race set before us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."

Who are these people? Are they really surrounding us?

The writer identifies them in Chapter 11 as Old Testament Servants of God Most High. Their lives of faith are presented to encourage us. To serve as examples for us. By faith, we still hear their voices speaking to us. Their lives of faith are Milestones on our journey.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on Earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead they were longing for a better country -- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

In C.S. Lewis' allegory "The Great Divorce", a ghostly resident of a grey and lifeless town boards a shining omnibus for a trip to the world of the solid people. The omnibus rises off the ground and the occupants sense that they are ascending through a huge canyon with steep walls that appear to go on forever. The light gets brighter and brighter and they finally land in the world of solid people. While talking to one of the solid people, the ghost described the massive canyon that they flew through. He was terrified when the solid person shows him a crack in the ground so small that it could hardly be seen. "That", said the solid person 'is the canyon you ascended." Everything that is not part of God's kingdom will fit in a microscopic crack in the Earth.

Our journey with Val seems to be attended by high rock walls looming out of sight. But look up beloved. The light grows stronger. Look up. Our Redeemer lives.

Someone once said, "Life is a journey." And every journey has a destination.

Look again at the lives of the saints described in Chapter 11. Abel murdered. Noah scorned as he built a boat in the desert. Abraham; his faith was so strong that he believed God would raise Isaac from the dead after he slew him. Moses considered Christ greater than the riches of Egypt. They were stoned, sawn in two, tempted, put to death, destitute, afflicted, ill treated.

If you are reading this, you are breathing. And the words of the song are true; "Every breath I take, every move I make. I'll be watching you." God Most High is watching. A great cloud of witnesses are watching. Our world is watching.

Val has had a hard week since her discharge from USC last Sunday. A trip to the emergency room for level 10 pain. Two hours per day of antibiotic infusions. Nausea and pain. She had to cancel a chemo treatment on Thursday. It is re-scheduled for this Thursday. Chris has been traveling. He also had to have an infusion of Remicade for Crohn's. Please pray that Val will be able to make her chemo appointment Thursday. We are encouraged with the cancer report but it seems that all the other demons are lurking in the shadows. Pray for Val's attitude. It is very positive now and I am very grateful for all your prayers and support.

A special thanks to all who continue to provide evening meals. God is a witness to all your acts of kindness.

Godspeed