All Saints Day. 1.11.11

I have never really recognized All Saints Day.  I mean, I recognized that it exists but never did anything special because I know that to be absent from the body, as a believer, is to be present with the Lord.  And there is a tremendous sense of freedom and deliverance in that knowledge.  This year a friend and I were invited to Slovakia to see Bratislava and go to the cemetery in the evening to take part in a very prominent part of catholic culture.  Our hosts, have been missionaries in Slovakia for quite some time and are some of the most gracious and joy-filled people I've ever met.  :)  And what a blessing they have been in my life. 

The catholic church recognizes All Saints Day as a day to remember the Saints who have died and are in heaven.  All Saints Day precedes "All Souls Day" in which the souls of the departed who have not yet reached heaven, are recognized and prayed for.  

This is of course in contrast to the Christian faith where once you've come to a saving knowledge of Christ you are assured of an eternity with God from the moment you leave this Earth.

Hundreds upon thousands of candles lit up this cemetery and I couldn't help but be so grateful for the assurance God has afforded us as His children.  And even more joyous at the thought of Anthony, not awaiting deliverance from a "non-heaven", and not contingent on anything I do on his behalf, but rejoicing in heaven even as I write this.  What blessed assurance.    

So today, Sunday, rejoice in the confidence you have as a believer in where you will spend eternity.  Not waiting... but dancing and singing and worshipping your Creator God.  How amazing, and special and unique and empowering.  :0)  If you do not have this knowledge of God as your Savior please ask someone about it.  May God bless you richly today in visions of His grandeur and what He has in store for you...