Carol,

I think it is kind of natural to want to keep those relationships going in 
our heart and mind, let's face it, we miss them.

Brad


At 05:11 AM 1/29/2007, you wrote:

>Brad,
>
>I agree with your thoughts and take God's Word that "all tears will be 
>wiped away" and that all that has gone before will be of no more concern to us.
>
>Yes, we'd like to think our loved ones were just watching over us but much 
>better, surely, that God is watching over us!
>
>It is sometimes in my grieving that I sit down and a little thought 
>crosses my mind, "Mum, Dad, I'd love you to know that . . .."  Of course 
>we would! But we are to be content with the fact that God knows!
>
>--
>Carol
>[log in to unmask]
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "MV" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2007 7:36 PM
>Subject: Re: wondering.
>
>
>>Chapter and verse are for our benefit and so reading "through" the 
>>beginning  of Chapter 12, starting back in Chapter 11 we have...
>>
>>
>>By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the 
>>Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. By faith the walls of 
>>Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the 
>>harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had 
>>received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time 
>>would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also 
>>of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, 
>>worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 
>>quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of 
>>weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the 
>>armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. And 
>>others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a 
>>better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, 
>>yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in 
>>two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in 
>>sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented-- of whom 
>>the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens 
>>and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony 
>>through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something 
>>better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. 
>>Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of 
>>witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily 
>>ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before 
>>us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the 
>>joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and 
>>has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
>>
>>Seems to me a laundry list of examples of peoples trials and triumphs 
>>were listed stating they did not receive the promise   but God  indeed 
>>had something better in mind for us, and the "cloud of witnesses" is a 
>>point of historical reference on which we can look upon knowing we, 
>>although may endure hardship, will indeed receive the promise.  Also note 
>>the early list of events and how they all mention they had "faith", it 
>>didn't say they were being comforted by the watchful eye of those who 
>>earlier passed on. Faith I think we can safely presume is that in and 
>>from God. To me taking those three words and stretching it to 
>>be  watchful eyes from above is unhealthy. If you notice the continuance 
>>shows Jesus to be the focus of our faith and and not those who have gone 
>>before us. I'd have to see supporting Scripture to see this. I think we 
>>have to look at it from God's perspective as much as we possibly can. He 
>>is our focus, our point of faith and comfort, our joy, our peace and not 
>>those we loved in this world who have passed on. That doesn't mean we 
>>stop looking on their memory as a loving thing, or that we don't find our 
>>selves changed by them or that they stop living   in our hearts, but I'm 
>>not sure God would approve of them being a point of comfort,  peace, 
>>thinking they are watching over us in stead or along with him, or even 
>>the thought they take part in our aid here? I'm sorry, I can not respect 
>>that thought. It is nice to think, to help make our emotional 
>>shortcomings easier to deal with, but that doesn't make it truth. I'd 
>>like to see more Scripture reference on this please.
>>
>>Brad