Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross COLUMN: Final Phase Proceeding on Our Journey by J. Randal Matheny "When our days there were ended, we left and proceeded on our journey; and all of them, with wives and children, escorted us outside the city. There we knelt down on the beach and prayed ..." (Acts 21:5, NRSV). We give thanks to God for those servants of Christ who have passed through our lives. Perhaps they have already gone, perhaps they stayed only a short time, but they blessed us by their presence, their words, their example. On his way to Jerusalem, Paul passed through Tyre, staying for only seven days. The disciples of that city gave them a warm send-off accompanying them with their entire families to outside the city, where the travelers boarded ship. They shared a last prayer, which certainly included thanksgiving to God for their time together and for Paul and company's safety in Jerusalem. Tenderness and love prevailed during this moment, for seven days, as short as they were, built bonds of fraternity and friendship. Let us remember and give thanks to God for his servants who have blessed us with their presence. And proceed onward, as did they, with our journey toward the Last Day, when none will be separated ever again. ---- Read this article online, tell us what you think, see who's commenting, click here: http://forthright.antville.org/stories/955755/ ---- You can help us get the word out. Here's how: http://forthright.antville.org/stories/340415/