I began this blog as an opportunity to "think out loud". That's why I called it Moffat Musings.
It's been a month since I have offered anything here. Lots of things have happened since my last entry. Some things real special. Like the visit of my sister and brother-in-law from Lake Havasu. Like the mini family reunion we had when they were here. A lot of family stuff, including the hunting adventure of my grandson Luke and his wife Becca that ended on a scary mountain near Kodiak, Alaska with Becca being evacuated by helicopter with a severely broken leg. (They did get a beautiful mountain goat). Like the death of a very dear friend Henry almost three weeks ago,We visited Henry the three days he was in the hospital on his journey to eternity. that gave me a lots of pause and opportunity to muse. But nothing compares to what happened last week.
It has been a beautiful Fall here in Oregon. Carol and I decided to take advantage of the warm sunny day to visit Silver Falls State Park, a couple hours away East of Salem. We drove down, stopping at Mt. Angel for lunch. A Bavarian theme town. We had Goulash at a German restaurant and then drove to the park. It has got to be one of the most stunningly beautiful places in Oregon. One of the many hiking trails is a three mile loop that descends into a deep canyon and where the trail goes behind two waterfalls. Of course, going down into the canyon means you have to hike out!!!
As we were about three fourths of the way around the circuit enjoying the huge Douglas firs interspersed with the hardwoods in their fall colors I saw my father coming down the trail. Now mind you, dad has been dead for quite a few years. But the man leading the way toward us ,
accompanied by two young adults appeared to be my dad. He was dressed in bib coveralls like dad in the picture. (Pictured taken in 1966 at
Kokrine Hills Bible Camp in Interior Alaska).
Somewhat shocked I whispered to Carol, "that looks like my dad coming." The shock increased the closer they came until the stranger cheerfully greeted us and joked "Am I halfway yet?" I could barely get out "not quite" and we passed on the trail. I was dazed and kick myself for not finding out who he was and if maybe he was a Moffat. But I was speechless.
I was glad Carol was with me to affirm what we saw.
After spending all the time just prior to that with Henry, watching him take the journey from this life to the next, my spiritual sensors were really tuned in to eternal things. Henry died with peace as He knew where he was going. I was with my dad when he died and am sure he trusted in God for his eternal destiny.
I am convinced we see reality, as the Bible says, "through a glass darkly". Randy Alcorn has written a book "HEAVEN" which is a journey through the Bible to explain questions about heaven. He makes it quite clear that heaven is going to be a lot more than sitting on a cloud strumming on a harp. It is going to be an eternity of surprises and joys and adventures and maybe occasional trips to other places? I am so glad that because of John 3:16 I can say "whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) has eternal life." I believe that.
I'm still musing about what I saw.
