One thing about an eyewitness account is the inclusion of little details. For example ... it takes an eyewitness to tell us that the grass was green, the door squeaked, ham sandwiches were on the table or there was the aroma of coffee in the air. The reading from Acts 12 today includes one of those eyewitness details. When Peter, having just been broken out of jail by an angel, knocks on a friendly door, the maid Rhoda is so excited to hear his voice she fails to open the gate. Instead, she runs to share the good news with others and leaves the vulnerable Peter still pounding on the gate. Now there is an eyewitness detail. Not only do we have the inclusion of that unusual mishap but we have the name of the servant girl. Imagine being remembered forever as the one who kept the apostle Peter waiting at the gate. Rhoda can thank Luke for that. These "eyewitness details" give an authority to the stories of the Bible that for me add to their ring of truth. Who would make up a detail like that? Who would think to include a reference to the Angel telling Peter to put on his belt and sandals and cloak? These are the kind of details that could only be included if the story was coming from someone who was actually there ...Peter and those who met him upon his release. Could those who first told these stories and included the details possibly have known that 2000 years later a church full of folks in Greensboro would be reading them and trying to apply their truth to daily living? I don't know the answer to that. But I do know this. I'm thankful they told the stories, details and all. After all ... we may not find ourselves bound in a jail cell but at some point in our lives, we will be bound and desperate for freedom. That's when it will be important to know that God really does send angels. Keep reading. Hope to see most of you Sunday. And if not with us at Christ Church ...join some church for worship this Sunday. Blessings and love, Pastor Jan