the saints

today is all saints sunday in the church. it is an intentional time in our year when we remember and celebrate all the saints who have gone before us, those who walk with us in the present, and those who will carry on our faith in the future.

my friend stephanie is preaching on revelation 21 this morning...

1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

some of her thoughts on this text have really impacted me. she reminds us that God gives us:
a vision of HOPE saying, "i saw a new heaven and a new earth."
a vision of COMFORT saying, "he will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
a vision of POWER saying, "death will be no more."
a vision of TRANSFORMATION saying, "i am making all things new."
she said, the saints in her life reflect God's actions in this passage, and i agree.

so, join me in remembering and celebrating the saints in your life, as i reflect on the saints in my life...past, present and future. give God all the glory and praise. be thankful.