All Saints Day

I can remember several years ago at a Jewett Family Reunion, listening to my Uncle Russ Carlson speak about this "Great Cloud of Witness" mentioned in Hebrews 12. Certainly I had heard it before, for I was in College, but never had I experienced it like I did that day. He spoke as one who was giving account...testifying to what was and is, in words and with conviction that spoke to me on a level beyond the words he was saying. The Kingdom of Heaven was breaking through...in that moment, and I remember catching a glimpse of a reality beyond the senses or intellect..... "since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...."

Today is a victorious day! A day of remembering and paying tribute to those upon whose shoulders we know stand. A day of gratitude and celebration, because these who have gone before are not dead, but are Alive, and surround us know as we still fight in the flesh...running this race with perserverance.....keeping our eyes fixed upon Jesus.....who for the joy set before him endured the cross....consider Him.....so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Here is today's Scripture Lesson:

Hebrews 11:33-12:2 (Epistle)

33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!