cloud of witnesses

Hebrews 12:1-4; Psalm 22 They will praise you Lord, who long for you; Mark 5:21-43

"We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith."

"For the sake of the joy that lay before him Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.  Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.  In your struggle against sin you have not resisted to the point of shedding blood."

From the gospel of mark, "And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out.  He took along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was.  He took the child by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha koum' which means, "little girl, I say to you arise.  The girl arose immediately."

Faith is not a feeling it is action, a way of life, a determination to refuse to surrender even in the face of opposition.