Missed deadline

My journalist son tells me that deadlines are their best friends! They concentrate the mind and close the deal. In October 2025 I agreed to write Encounter Bible Notes for the last few chapters of Hebrews. The deadline was months ahead. June 15 2026. So far distant that I could relax and finish other projects. Indeed, I pushed it into 2026 as a responsibility to be plugged into the New Year. Little did I know that on January 1st Carol was to have the first of her falls and life was to revolve around another axis. Did I forget about Hebrews? Too right! When Carol was dying I received details of the writing contract complete with the June date. It was going to be missed. No deadline best friend here! The Editor extended the deadline by a few weeks, so it is eyes down with a fresh task. 

I guess that Hebrews is not everyone's favourite book. The young C.H. Spurgeon admitted, with typical humour, how he found it difficult to understand. As a teenager he revealed: ' I have a very lively, or rather deadly, recollection of a certain series of discourses on the Hebrews which made a deep impression on my mind of the most undesirable kind. I wished frequently that the Hebrews had kept the Epistle to themselves, for it sadly bored a poor Gentile lad.' 

Inevitably, because it's written to the Jewish Christian nucleus of the young church it needed to show how Jesus not only fitted into the Jewish world of ceremony and sacrifice but how he actually fulfilled its ultimate promise in himself!  And because this young church was already being persecuted it was vital to encourage them on their Christian journey. I am beginning to focus on Chapters 10-13 and, in spite of the heat (here in the UK breaking records for June|) am seeking to hear God's word afresh for the readers of Encounter.  I always find this role demanding, disciplining and immensely rewarding. Just how best can I use 330 words to express a daily truth for each day?  As I go through this task I will signal some of my findings. They are not due to be published until 2028 so it gives a quicke heads-up to any who may be interested!