This morning, I heard a terrific sermon on TV based on Hebrews 12:1.
I have heard previous messages about this “great cloud of witnesses” but today it hit me a bit differently. Isn’t that just like the Holy Spirit to show us a very familiar verse of scripture in a new light?!
Since this verse follows the great Hall of Faith chapter of Hebrews, it certainly refers to that “crowd” of saints from the Old Testament who are cheering us on in our spiritual journey.
From this enormous stadium in Heaven, believers are encouraging us (me) to run faithfully and stay the course.
Faces in the stadium would include those from the Hall of Faith but also mixed into the crowd is my mom, dad, grandparents, former pastors, church friends, college friends and many, many more. All are cheering for me to stay true to God’s paths and ways.
After church today, Katha and I stopped by Wendy’s for a tasty salad. When the cashier asked the name for the order I instinctively said “Albert”. That was my Dad’s name. When getting our food, I handed the tray to my wife and said, “Here Billie.” That was my mother’s name. Guess they were on my mind.
I am very thankful for my heritage of godly parents who are now with the Lord. I know that they and the others will continue to cheer.
“The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.” Psalm 16:6
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Hi Craig,
I have enjoyed your posts to Howard Payne’s alumni newsletter. My husband Pat Chesney and I married in our junior year at HPU and had a baby the next year. He was two months when we graduated. Then we went on to Seminary in Ft Worth. Don’t know if you remember us or not – I was Terri Smith we graduated in 1975. Pat has lead the music in the churches we went to since seminary. We homeschooled our five children. Now have ten grandchildren. I was a journalism person in high school and college and have been writing up our family history and getting special ancestors stories ready for children’s books so bought your Jump Ship Jonah as encouragement. I read it to my grandkids. Keep up the good work! God bless, Terri Chesney
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Terri, Thanks so much for your encouraging words! Wow, ten grandkids! Please push forward with that dream of writing children’s books. When it happens, let me know so I can get one! Many blessings to you and Pat!
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