"HEROES OF FAITH"

I have many heroes of faith -- men and women I’ve personally known and loved, who have lived their lives for the Lord and are now eternally with Him.  They are souls I long to meet again and live with forever!  Of course Jessica and my Dad are part of my great “Cloud of Witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1), but there really are a host of others who have deeply inspired me to keep on keeping on when I’ve wanted to just stop, give up, give in, and give over.

Last Thursday afternoon I opened up my mail and perused a bulletin from a congregation my family and I loved and worshipped with years ago in Texas.  Inside was this sentence: “Lois E______ passed away Sunday night at AGH.”  Lois was 102 years old when she died. She and her husband, J.D., were great encouragers to me at a time I needed them most.  When I spoke at J.D.’s funeral, over 15 years ago this week, they had been married four months shy of 70 years.  (Remind you of anyone....i.e. Richard & Margaret?!)

Today is the one-year anniversary of Sam H__________’s death.  I did not know Sam long, but I will long remember him!  Sam and Tracy and their family came to worship with us over a year ago while Sam was undergoing treatment here at Mayo. Many of us remember Sam’s positive attitude of faith -- even after suffering multiple amputations of his hands, feet and legs, while undergoing many other complications and difficulties.  Yet, Sam encouraged us all by his love for the Lord and his family, along with his great passion for praising God in song.  Sam H___________ is definitely one of my heroes of faith.

Embedded forever in my mind is the picture of Sam raising his “stubs” to the heavens in praise of our Lord and King!  Early on October 9, 2015, Sam was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22), where I believe all my heroes of faith to dwell.  Someday we will all be carried away.  I have to tell you that I long for that day!  Blessings to Tracy and her family and to all who long for Jesus’ appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).  

God is good.  Mr. Steve