That verse above has been made more real to me lately. We at Aldersgate have said good-bye to two saints in the last few weeks who understood that verse and made it a part of who they were. I’m talking about Vivian Lyndon and Don Mills - two very different people who shared a common faith. You may have other Christian role models in your own life. They may still be alive on this earth or alive in God’s heavenly kingdom. But I learned a lot about faith in observing how Vivian and Don approached death. They had never seen heaven before. No one had ever been there and come back to tell them what it was like. Even the Bible spends very little time explaining or describing heaven. And yet these two people had no fears. As the verse from Hebrews says, they had a “conviction of things not seen.” I struggle to let go and allow someone else to be in charge – occasionally, even when that someone is God. Don and Vivian, on the other hand, both had complete trust that everything would truly be all right. I don’t know that they ever doubted at any point in their life; but when push came to shove and the end was near they didn’t doubt at all. I was so impressed that I had to share this observation with you all. If you continue to read Hebrews Chapter 11 you will read a list of heroes from the Old Testament who acted in faith. I think we can add Vivian Lyndon and Don Mills to that list. They taught us so much in life in their quiet unassuming ways. Don showed us that strength comes from humility, and that we can love without conditions or the thought of judging others. Vivian showed us that one can serve without expecting anything in return, or without anyone acknowledging that she was serving at all. But if you knew either one of these people then you knew that already. I wanted to let you know that their faith shined just as bright at the end of life as it did when they had more physical vigor and strength. These two people showed us how to live; but they also showed us how to die. And because of their undying faith they will forever live with God.

Peace in Christ,
Pastor Doug