IMAGES. Do you ever get an image of something that comes before your eyes – and it seems so very real? Last weekend my husband and I were enjoying a few rare hours of together time out-of-town. The day was sunny and gorgeous, but our spirits were fighting a thick cloud of heaviness. It’s strange how, left undealt with, that can steal away joy and laughter. We sauntered into the Christian bookstore and began browsing through the many products filling aisle after aisle. As we neared the far wall, the beautiful art décor caught our eyes, and we stopped for a closer look. Banners, paintings, lithographs … step after step we looked at the images and read the words. Such powerful messages of encouragement, we mused. Then, I looked up at an especially large painting, and I saw the words, “Cloud of Witnesses”. What I saw made my heart skip a beat and I swallowed hard, my eyes blinking back tears. In the center of the painting, was a pastor standing behind a pulpit preaching from God’s Word. I know that in itself is nothing unusual. But the entire painting was filled with other people. My eyes scanned from left to right, and I saw Moses … he was holding the TenCommandments. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph stood near. No, I couldn’t have called each of them by name because I recognized their faces. But some familiar connection to what is recorded about their lives made me realize that here stood many of the patriarchs and heroes of the Bible. There were some of the disciples, and there stood Peter, James, and John, (I assumed). These servants of God actually filled the front of the church in the painting, surrounding the pastor as he preached. But my eyes stopped roving o’er the painting the moment I saw Him. Yes, it was Jesus, and there He stood – right beside the pastor – with His right hand on the pastor’s shoulder. That verse from God’s Word that I’ve read countless times, leaped off the painting and into my heart! Somehow the words of that verse came to life before my very eyes, and I couldn’t help but think, “O Lord, that we would ‘see’ what You see when we are doing what you’ve called us to do – be it preaching or anything else! Help us to know that we never stand alone, whether it is behind the pulpit – or behind a counter, desk, steering wheel – or anywhere else. Whether we are at the top of our game … or at the bottom of the pit trying to see out, we are surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses, and You are standing the closest! I didn’t imagine it. I didn’t make it up. It’s recorded in YOUR Word! Help us to see the reality and the power of it, Lord! “Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who have borne testimony to the Truth), let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us. Looking away (from all that will distract) to Jesus, Who is the Leader and Source of our faith (giving the first incentive for our belief) and is also its Finisher (bringing it to maturity and perfection). He, for the joy (of obtaining the prize) that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) I pray you will always see the image of the cloud of witnesses surrounding YOU!!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
A BLESSED BIRTHDAY to Pam on March 22nd; and ANNIVERSARY WISHES to James & Tina on March 24th!
SPECIAL THANKS to all from “Project Jeff” who was so touched & grateful for ALL the food we delivered to him!
SUN, MAR 18: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / Message: “Great Expectations of Jesus”
SUN, MAR 18: 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION / Sunday School Classes and Puppet Ministry
WED, MAR 21: 6:30 P.M. – Pre-Easter Bible Study on “Christ’s Final Words on the Cross” – come and be a part!
SUN, MAR 25: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / Women of Faith Meeting / 6:00 P.M. BAPTISMAL SERVICE
SAT, MAY 05: 2:00 P.M. – MOTHER/DAUGHTER GARDEN GET-AWAY … exciting details to come shortly!
PRAYER OPPORTUNTIES . . . Cherry & Johnny, Chuck, Gerard, Danny, Tina, Lundstroms, Seykoras, many unspoken
REMEMBER . . . “You are … infinitely dear to the Father, unspeakably precious to Him. You are never, not for one second, alone.” ~ Norman F. Dowty
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
A BLESSED BIRTHDAY to Pam on March 22nd; and ANNIVERSARY WISHES to James & Tina on March 24th!
SPECIAL THANKS to all from “Project Jeff” who was so touched & grateful for ALL the food we delivered to him!
SUN, MAR 18: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / Message: “Great Expectations of Jesus”
SUN, MAR 18: 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION / Sunday School Classes and Puppet Ministry
WED, MAR 21: 6:30 P.M. – Pre-Easter Bible Study on “Christ’s Final Words on the Cross” – come and be a part!
SUN, MAR 25: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / Women of Faith Meeting / 6:00 P.M. BAPTISMAL SERVICE
SAT, MAY 05: 2:00 P.M. – MOTHER/DAUGHTER GARDEN GET-AWAY … exciting details to come shortly!
PRAYER OPPORTUNTIES . . . Cherry & Johnny, Chuck, Gerard, Danny, Tina, Lundstroms, Seykoras, many unspoken
REMEMBER . . . “You are … infinitely dear to the Father, unspeakably precious to Him. You are never, not for one second, alone.” ~ Norman F. Dowty
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
