Hebrews

I have been working my way through the book of Hebrews for a while...for as much as I am in to it, it wouldn't seem to have been a while. However, with my working through it thus far, I have been most recently intrigued by Hebrews chapters 3&4.
The author is working through different Israelite leaders of old (Moses, Aaron, Joshua) and providing reasoning and showing Jesus as superior to them. For, in Hebrews 1:3 "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power," speaking of Jesus. We see that Jesus is obviously in this statement superior to any human, but the author continues on to explain and break down why Jesus is greater than the prior leaders of Israel. The author's reasoning for this probably helps us to understand the audience of the letter.
In chapters 3&4 I have been grabbed by the fact that the Israelite people who were a part of the Exodus out of Egypt continued to forget the work that God had done in their lives and through their unbelief were disobedient. I am so thankful for all of the works that God has done in our lives these past months raising support. I want to not only be reminded myself, but give you all some feedback on His continued grace in our lives and how He has been answering prayers, so that we might remember how He has worked and have faith. I have a couple of stories to exemplify His faithfulness.

Mindy and I for the last year have been "care-taking" for Dad and Mom (Walt and Diane) in MN at their recently sold house. In our process of showing the house and keeping it up we were thankful to have a place to stay, but always cautious because it could sell at any point. We were nervous when we found out there was a buyer for the house, but God was so good to take everything into His own hands and have things "fall in place." We found out shortly after getting the news of the house selling through a series of funny events that some friends of our had purchased a house about .5 miles from the Northwestern Campus. This home had a recent addition which was going to have a loft style apartment over their garage that they would be renting out. We spoke with them and are going to be renting from them as soon as the loft is finished which has affectionately been named, "The Johnson Dorm." Not only did God provide through these means, but has also provided greatly through our dear friends Nathan and Krystal Henson in that they have allowed us to store our belongings at there house until the loft is finished and they have also offered us a place to stay while the loft is being finished!

God through His great provisions has provided about 70% of what we need financially in traditionally the hardest time of year to raise funds, "Summer," and has also done it during an economically stricken time for our society. When speaking with the Trinity church missions pastor, he was surprised and encouraged to hear that we had progressed so much over the summer since we had met with him last time we were in CA. Mindy and I have been a little discouraged and even at times feeling a little discontent to not have been on the campus as soon as students arrived, but were so encouraged to hear that we are further along than most people would have expected. We recognize that God has a plan and perfect timing for getting our support fully raised and so are taking joy in what He has already provided.

There are so many other things He has done; as we have breath each moment, God is at work!

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness..."
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Italics added)

Brian