“A common characteristic of driven people is that, at some point, they forget the purpose.” Mark Buchanan
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We had a house full of happy Giants fans last night. All right, not exactly Giants FANS; just people who either didn’t want the Pats to be 19-0 or were tired of AFC wins in the Super Bowl.
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Last week I read The Shack
Mack, the grieving father who is burdened under “The Great Sadness” (of losing his daughter), receives an invitation to return to the shack out in the Oregon woods where his life was upended. The novel takes a rather bizarre twist at that point; but it spoke powerfully to me — about God, about incarnation, about evil, about freedom, about prayer, and about reconciliation.
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Included in my sabbatical break will be a Walk to Emmaus. I’ve heard such good things about the experience. Anyone want to share what that time meant to you?
Thanks. I have a Barnes & Noble gift card burning a hole in my pocket and needed a good book title.
Have you ever read Pat Conroy’s “My Losing Season,” Mike? It’s about his senior year playing basketball at The Citadel — they went 8-17. He calls it the most important year of his life. I highly recommend it.
I’ve been to better retreats than Emmaus but when I needed to know honest seekers come from a lot of traditions and backgrounds, God saw fit to bless me with a walk. Fight the urge to analyze each component; just open up and experience it to the glory of God!
Mike, who is sponsoring you on the Walk? Please send us an email.
IMHO, Ditto on *don’t analyze*, and let people serve you. You’ll be glad you did.
Mike, who is sponsoring you? Please send us an email.
IMHO, Ditto on *don’t analyze*, and let people serve you. You’ll be glad you did.
RE: Emmaus, the live chicken sacrifice is (more than) a little disturbing, but it’s all OK in the end.
Golden Spread #132 qb
Squeaky sponsored me several years ago on a walk. I think Eddy nailed it as far as how to approach it. I’m very interested in hearing your reactions.
You already know my reaction to the Walk, Mike. Eddy hit right on the spot with his advice. It would be so easy to fall into ‘analytical’ mode, what with your active intelligence, but my prayer for these past days has been that you will be able to just relax and be one of participants. Enjoy and just let it flood over you.
And qb - you would be the one to give it away. Grrrr!
ETA: ask your questions of Joe Almanza!
Yea, Giants!
You are the second person to recommend ‘The Shack’ to me in the past week. Sounds like it’s getting added to the stack.
Your Walk will be exactly what God intends. Don’t anticipate. I can’t wait to hear from you afterwards.
Evidence that we live in a fallen world:
Eli Manning has a Super Bowl ring.
I also just read The Shack and loved it. Words really can’t describe its impact on my heart.
Re: the Walk - God honestly used it to change my life - completely. I am grateful to have been able to participate in it. My prayer for you, Mike, is that it will be exactly what God wants it to be and that will be more than enough.
Mike,
Blessings on your Walk. I heard so much “hype” about Emmaus before hand that I honestly fought against going. But the Walk represents a transition point for me from thinking that God was experienced in “right” belief or practice to the full experience of God as Love. Allow it to be Love for you and you’ll be blessed abundantly.
From my reading the Emmaus thing sounds very cultish. I would walk away, no RUN from it.
welcome to another cult Mike
I just finished The Shack this weekend. HOW AMAZING!
The book literally wrapped me up like a warm blanket.
I haven’t weeped and laughed through a story in a long time.
Be prepared to read a couple times in order to see EVERYTHING.
weeped = WEPT
so I’m not an academic…
My Walk to Emmaus was incredible. You have heard, and certainly preached better messages than you will hear there. But just go and delight in the love and service you are shown. Enjoy the unity of believers and the witness of God really working in people’s hearts during the retreat. Just go and know that God will show up and enjoy whatever gift he chooses to give you.
DeColores
Just last night at our Super Bowl Party I had a couple of people offer to sponsor my wife and I to go on a Emmaus Walk. I’ve heard much about it from a number of prospectives. All have been good.
God speaks to us though all sorts of people if we are willing to listen. I’ll resist my urge to give a smart reply to Allison and just wish right now that God will one day let her go on one of those weekends and that He will show up so that her heart is on fire.
I agree with Allison. As fast and as far as you can as quickly as possible. That comes from not having read about it, but actually have gone to it. I have related my experience to your wife. She can fill you in.
CS
Mike, as you know, there is NO subject we all agree on, and Emmaus is no exception.
IMHO, cult it is NOT. If you choose to continue you can, if you decide not to, after the weekend, you don’t have to. For instance, I loved my walk, but really don’t engage in much of the follow up, no time, as much as I’d might like to. Consult your sponsor and fellow preachers/pastors/ministers that have gone on a Walk, if you have any doubt. Believe me, Satan will use every trick he can to keep all Pilgrims off the Walk. That pre-Walk struggle is very real. So walk, not run, WALK to Emmaus. You’ll be glad you did. God has something personal and wonderful waiting for you that weekend!
I’m speechless.
Mike,
My Emmaus experience was wonderful. My advice and prayer for you is to go and bask in the Lord as he delights over you. Thanks for all you do:)
Walks are about the heart not the head, about repentance not resistance. God will do a number on you so just go and enjoy his goodness and be amazed! I’m sure Bill Nash has been on you to go for years, so I’m glad you’re finally going!
Google “Walk to Emmaus and Churches of christ.” I don’t believe a christian should be involved in this mind control movement.
Mike…..I just happened to drop by your blog today to see how things were going on your sabbatical. May God richly bless you during this time of rest brother. I went on a walk to Emmaus one time and quite honestly my lfe has not been the same since. The walk is nothing more than a tool, just like many other tools that God uses from time to time to help us on our journey. It was however a tool that God chose to radically change me from a card puncher to, I hope, a man living and embracing Jesus every day. What I was most amazed about the walk was that the only motive was to inspire men and women to go back into their churches and be examples of Christ in a greater way than before they went on their walk. I give you my word brother…..that is the only motive for the walk to Emmaus. It did exactly that for me but oh so much more. I think I became a better husband and dad as well and it opened up my small and narrowminded world of the church of christ to the vast and wonderful world of the Body of Christ.
If the walk to Emmaus is a cult….give me more and please let me go again and again and again…..just kidding….one can only go on ONE walk to Emmaus.
your friend and fellow journeyman….Rob Cunningham
One of our former players from HU is on the Giants - Tank Daniels. It’s his second year in the NFL and he’s on a Super Bowl winner! Tank is a Godly man and great all around guy. He has two kids with his wife Courtney. We’re in church with them during the off-season at the Downtown Church in Searcy. God has been very good to Tank and we’re praying that God will be glorified through Tank’s experiences.
But has Tank walked to Emmaus?
I love the Superbowl description! Ha! My feelings exactly! Who really cares about the Giants, but I wanted ANYONE to beat the Patriots! Loved it! I was pleasantly SHOCKED!!!!
I am reading The Shack right now. I am moved. My eyes are being opened. Please don’t anyone tell the ending… I’m right in the middle.
Hope your weekend is a blessing to your heart… (I was about to make some smart remark with regards to the comments, but I’m refraining!!!!)
Dan, thanks for the link. It lets me know what “mind control movement” you are a part of.
Dan,
I just googled it too and I can’t believe you actually asked Mike to look at it. My reaction is “how sad!”
“The Shack” - oh, sorry, never mind — I thought you were talking about the funny Super Bowl commercial with Shaq.
The remarks of Eddie Sharp were so sad. He actually teaches at ACU, at least then.
C’mon, Amy — let’s hear it.
“Mind-control movement?”
“Cult?”
*chuckle*
Some of you people are a real piece o’ work. Nobody’s ever tried to enforce anything on me since I went on a Walk to Emmaus 8 years ago; the whole thing just exposed me to a group of laypeople for whom selflessness is a way of life, a bunch of people who find great joy in serving others without expecting anything in return.
qb
BTW, if you have some time to waste, go ahead and waste it at http://www.piney.com so that you can see for yourself the attitude that underlies all that garbage about Emmaus being a mind-control cult. If you’ve seen the incredible, slanderous activities that have been directed at Al Maxey lately, piney.com will look and sound awfully familiar.
qb
qb - all that hate within what is supposed to be the family of God and directed at other members of that family - makes me cry and makes me sick to my stomach. NO wonder there are so many that want nothing to do with “organized” religion. How terribly, terribly sad.
Mike
Some of my dearest friends in the body of Christ sponsored my walk to Emmaus. I have been to other retreats and some were better but what stood out to me at this one was the way it comes from the heart. A truly diverse group of believers all with one goal. To help all of us see God clearer and worship Him more genuinely and above all see each other as His children. Anything that does that can only be pleasing to Him. My time there came at that moment when I was emotionally drained and spiritually dry, so the overflowing love of others toward me was so needed and welcomed. I pray God will meet you there as part of your ongoing renewal this winter. Walk to Emmaus is the embodiment of Zephaniah 3:17. Blessings to you
My walk was an amazing experience–filled with love and hope. I’m not sure what the whole chicken sacrifice is about–that didn’t happen on my walk.
Summer
Mike,
I’m certain you will be blessed from your weekend–I sure was! Go and listen for the voice of God–you will hear it in many different ways. Minimize your overall expectations and you will be pleasantly surprised to see God’s love revealed to you in significant ways! Enjoy!
Mike:
I’ve experienced the Walk to Emmaus (here in CA) and didn’t love it at first but I was so blessed by it later. Just remember for yourself to not anticipate anything and just rest this weekend. For your wife, remember that she will be missing you tremendously while you are gone so be very encouraging and loving to her this week and next. God bless you both!
Guacamole anyone?
Mike, now remember again why you are on sabbatical.
Mike, I believe you said on your sabatical you wanted to be able to have time to seek God with your whole heart. Emmaus is a tool for doing just that. I think Emmaus weekends are some of those Thin Places, where heaven and earth meet. There will be many times of quiet and contemplation, and in my experience, God made himself so evident. Nothing miraculous, no lightening bolts, just the still small voice I needed to hear. Sure, there are fun times and fellowship with other Christians from many walks of life and many denominations, but it was the quiet that touched my heart the most.
Don’t anticipate.
Don’t analyze.
Feel free to participate in the Emmaus community afterwards–or don’t if it’s not a fit for you.
I hope the remainder of your time away from us is rewarding.
We miss you.
sarah s
Let me clarify. I never intended to imply it was a mind control cult. It is just that my experience, especially what I learned after the walk, specifically the preparation that went into it beforehand by the people involved (supposedly praying for me and my family, while at the same time knowingly working against my family by spreading lies and untruths that they knew were false at the time they were doing it!).
Lest anyone doubt the story, I have the apology letter to prove it!
That is my “walk” experience.
Hope yours is better.
Charlie Self
It started out as a Catholic outreach. Although this particular “walk” is filtered through the United Methodist Church, it still has heavy Catholic influence. Yes, there are definately psychological aspects to it.
Mike, far be it from me to give you advice. But I humbly offer this: stay away from your blog (or at least THIS comment section) until after your Walk.
May you be blessed in this walk and in this time with Him.
Mike,
I pray that your sabbatical is a walk with God–just the two of you.
I pray that God will refill your spirit, that He will cover you with His grace and mercy as you walk with Him.
I was at Stream Franklin. I heard your cry for renewal, restoration, and repentence, your plea for time to grieve.
When we are soul weary, listening for Him is the best.w
GREAT Advice, Uncle Steve!
Kathy, you are so right…it’s nauseating, sad, anger- and shame-inducing, exhausting, and all the rest. While the Mike Copes and the Al Maxeys of the world try to direct our distracted attentions to the core of the Gospel - the Kingdom of God, embodied and energized by the crucified, risen, and ruling Christ - the Kenneth Subletts and the Brian Yeagers will not rest until they have either intimidated us into adopting their GroupThink [TM] or gleefully consigned us to the fires of Gehenna.
I’m not sure I buy into everything that is posted here, but the fruit of this little cyber-pseudocommunity is pretty telling: it is the fruit, by and large, of people who have learned to disagree on the more peripheral matters (the mint, the dill, and the cumin, as it were) and still receive one another in love (justice, mercy, and faithfulness). Vitriol is largely absent here, and when one judges the tree by its fruit, one finds much to commend around these parts. The same cannot be said of the aforementioned pulpits in El Paso and Tennessee; what I find there is smug self-righteousness, a hastening to judge, shrillness, and a refusal to listen to any points of view other than their own.
qb
For me “Emmaus” is/was all about trust. I knew NOTHING about it until some I absolutly trust tod me to clear my calander. Nearly left the first night! No escape,alas. WAS CERTAIN I would be feed lentil soup, hard bread and old cheese.
Left having been “re-baptized” in Grace and a new awareness on how big the Body of Christ is.
Looking forward to hearing your reactions. The Road is long and we all are at a different place on it. I am suspect the Emmaus detractors have not been.
Will be ready to share the “secret handshake” with you!
de colorous
Foy J
A quote:
A quote:
“Emmaus is for fostering unity in Christ, not for theological debates and arguments about denominations. Emmaus tries to foster appreciation and openness to the different faith perspectives of the participants. Bring the spirit of Christian tolerance and unity toward others, including members of other denominations. If you cannot affirm your unity with other kinds of Christians, if you tend to define Christianity narrowly and legalistically or are intolerant of those who see things differently, then Emmaus is not for you.”
So if you are a Bible believing Christian, who holds to God’s word you might as well forget it. While they make it ’soft’ by suggesting it’s “probably” not for you,, you know that if you, a believer, open your mouth with scripture, you will not be welcome. You better not attempt to teach the Gospel of Christ or you will be asked to leave.
Mike, I’ll be the second one to second Uncle Steve’s advice. BUT, if you are still reading these comments, I’ll add my 2 cents:
My Walk re-filled my heart with joy. That’s what I had prayed for, looked for, but couldn’t latch onto after our Lanny’s death. No magic formula during my weekend but simply the intimate connection with GOD, the Holy Spirit’s saturation of every detail that weekend, gave me the precious “yes” answer to my prayers…at least that is the only explanation i can give for singing His praises with a bright heart day after day (and to this day ) when my Walk was completed. Joy.
Enjoy, dear brother!
I think you should take a sabactical and WALK away from comments for a while. Think of them as unsigned letters…god for the commenter becasue it get it out, good for you because you don’t read them!
I went on Emmaus walk #82 in NCNYWTE, Boonville, NY. I had no clue that I would be sooooo changed spiritualy. I was a changed person. I have since become a Lay Speaker and a servant to Christ Jesus. Even giving Sunday Services on two occasions. If going on the walk was spiritualy the next best thing is to serve on team. Walk #85 I served on team and was lifted higher then I was during my original walk. People have said that this is a cult……Since when is being a Christian considered being in a cult. We have walk #86 coming up in a month and I encourage anyone interested to get there. Check your local Emmaus or Ultrea web sights and do it. You will never regret it. Praise Jesus
Mike, Even though you are on a sabbatical, your example of seeking God in every way you can teaches us and encourages us. God bless you on your walk, not just your Walk to Emmaus but in your ongoing spiritual journey. Peace and love.
I never heard of this place before, but now I would like to go. Some places on earth are thin places, this seems like one of those.
http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org
Mike,
Thank you for sharing about your real walk to Emmaus. I will pray for you during your walk.
I have never walked down the actual road where he did so I can give no supernatural experiences.
I have walked the road though many times brother. I was in ICU about a year ago or so now. I had been a Christian nearly 20 years and minister. I had a horrable night. I surrendered my life completely over to Jesus Christ. Everything. It gave it all over to him. I surrendered my life (all the things I thought I could keep from God) family(my wife,and all children) finances(bills. I knew that he was a God who was bigger than I was ever dream or imagine), and ministry (I could no longer do it myself; I needed him to be a part of it, to be in complete control of it). In that ICU room my eyes were open and I could see and and I said for the first time in my life, “Surely weren’t my bones durning with in me as I prayed and surrendered. My bones.” A nurses aid then entered the room at 3:00 a.m. and said, “Do you mind if I pray with you?” “I said, O.K”. He placed his hand on my head, the other on my left leg which was the weakest during the disease. The hand that he placed on my head was a supernatural hot. Nothing like I have ever in my life experienced before. I prayed. “Psalm 103 “God you are a God who forgives all of our sins and heals all of our diseases.” I could feel my leg getting stronger. Then he place his hand on my chest and prayed for blessings for my family, that generation curses be broken, for “spiritual gifts” to come up on me. “He prayed annointing”. As he was praying tears were running down my face. I could feel a supernatural warmth like never bore in my life.
Was I healed instandly? No. It was quicker than others. I do not boast but in Christ. In what he can do. The first thing in occupational therapy was “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
I say this now because I am now facing health difficulties again. Migraines that are unbarrable. I am asking seeking prayer requests from as many Christians as I can because God does not see us as we see our selfs. We see ourselves as Ultra-Conservative, Conservative, Middle of the Road, Progressive, Liberal. God see’s us as the beautiful creation he has made. Christian. So please pray for me.
You can click on my blog and learn more.
But the deal is I have been having severe migraines for 2 straight weeks. All most no sleep because of the pain, even with pain medication. Keep me in your prayers.
I guess my point is: We all can have Emmaus supernatural experieranes when we real, authentically surrender our will over to His. Jesus will open our eye and will see Him. The bones will with us and we will never be the same again.
I love you Mike.
I am praying for you as you have your Sabbattical.
I am praying for you, preacherman! I pray you are healed once again by our mighty Healer.
As to the Walk, I went on the college version called Chrysalis in 2001, and it was by far one of the best things I have ever done and has played an incredible role in my spiritual formation. There were no divisions, no labels, and it truly embodied the body of Christ-no walls, no barriers, just the same love for a God who has saved us. I have never felt so prayed for, or so much love poured out on me in such a short, but meaningful period of time.
I did not know much going into it, which is the way I wanted-and I am thankful. I only anticipated a time to encounter God and form bonds with other sisters in Christ-which continue today, and that is what I found. It was perfect timing in my life, and it blessed me tremendously.
I truly pray that it will be a refreshing and blessed time for you and all that participate. May you feel the love, grace, mercy, and peace of God rain down on you in tangible and beautiful ways. May you see the community and body of Christ in a new and powerful way.
De colores and may all of your fourth days be filled with blessings of God!!
Cult - are you serious?!? Someone form our background calling anything a cult absolutely blows my mind!
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On to more important matters…
Wow - The walk is different for everyone but let me tell you what it did for me, a girl raised in the COC and been a member of for 44 years. It gave me confidence of my salvation! Something I sadly never had before in our fellowship. HOW SAD! DID YOU HEAR ME! —- CONFIDENCE IN MY SALVATION! Now that is life changing! All of you people ask yourself - have you lived your life in fear of judgement day or death? Come on be honest. Well I can honestly tell you that my walk gave me something back that Satan has stole from me and so many of my brothers and sisters. God reassured me that I am HIS baby girl and he loves me like crazy!
have a great weekend Mike
clint
Feb 7th, 2008 at 7:58 am
have a great weekend Mike
AMEN!!
I must admit I am pretty unfamiliar with Emmaus Walk (as a ministry) but it sounds interesting to me. I have become pretty open about a lot of things that I didn’t used to be but I still have a hard time going to some traditions for growth.
For instance the Baha’i faith may have some valuable teachings. But I certainly don’t believe they are obedient to the gospel and as such I wouldn’t want to allow their teachings to begin to shade my understanding of God.
So if that is the extreme, where do we draw the line? I happen to see quite a divide between Methodists and most other protestant and evangelical groups but I’m sure there are many that don’t see it the same way. What I’m asking is how do I discern whether it’s a good idea to go and listen to a speaker or a weekend retreat or work in a mission with those of different traditions? I’m not pre-supposing the answer here, I’m really interested in how others draw lines in their lives.
Sadly, Kyle, I don’t think a lot of people draw a line anymore.
Kyle, great question, if it is sincere God will lead you into all truth.
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:12-14
By the way, Brian-in all sincerity-I had my Bible open the entire weekend and asked many questions; and by no means was I turned away-but rather embraced, encouraged, and acknowledged for studying and being a student of the Word.
I don’t know where you are coming from, but what you described is not what I experienced by any means. I read what you quoted entirely differently than you perceived it, and pray that one day you, too may be able to see the beauty in the broader community where there is not a need to compromise your beliefs.
Katherine,
I think I see the beauty you speak of in a broader community but how far does it stretch. I mentioned the Baha’i faith earlier not because I think they are bunch of crazies, but I find their teachings somewhat valuable to the world. It’s just that they equate Jesus to Mohammed and Moses and Krishna. That stuff is too much for me and for all the personal satisfaction it might give me to experience unity with those folks, I think God would be very angry with that. So are there some principles you would apply in determining what teaching you will listen to and adhere to? In our tradition there are some who would say only the non-institutional preachers are worthy, still more that will listen as long as church of Christ is on the building. I think many here are accepting that there are some good teachings in the broader evangelical community. I’m just curious how far that community extends for different people.
Mike - check out the NYT article today -
In Bronx School, Culture Shock, Then Revival
By ELISSA GOOTMAN
Kyle and Katherine -
May I chime in here for a moment with my idea on how far we “stretch” out to other fellowships? Here is my criteria:
Belief in the following, to me, core beliefs and indisputable:
1-God exists in three persons in one: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
2-God is our Creator and is enthroned in Heaven
3-The Bible is God’s inspired Word, infallible and Spirit breathed in original manuscripts.
4-Jesus Christ is both God and Man, only begotten Son of God.
5-Jesus lived a perfect life on this earth, was sacrificed for our sins, died, was buried and rose from the dead, and sits on the Throne of Mercy until He returns for us.
6-Salvation of eternal souls is a free gift of God, given through belief in, and obedience to Jesus as the Savior.
7-Jesus established HIS Church and according to Acts 2, adds to the Church those that are being saved. He does, not us, iow, He will judge who is being saved, not us.
8-The world will know we are His by our love for each other and how we care for the less fortunate, as we answer His commandment to teach everyone, everywhere about Jesus and salvation through Him.
Broad brushed, but there you have it. Simply put, call on the name of Jesus as LORD and Savior and then be obedient to Him and His commandments to us. These are immutable to my way of thinking. Anyone that holds to these “core” beliefs is co-heir with me in Jesus. All else are externals to me.
Sorry to interfere in your conversation, but felt a need to butt in.
God created all people. Why should we draw a line and separate any? Isn’t that arrogance of the highest form? And God put us all on one small planet. Isn’t it obvious that we have to live and work together to keep our planet habitable?
The Baha’i teachings give specific tools to help do that.
Besides, Baha’u'llah merely claimed to be the return of Christ so that we, all humans together, could build the Kingdom of God one Earth as it is in Heaven.
And what the Baha’is have done so far has shown that it is possible. And every Baha’i has proved that by rising above the barriers (which are all human limitations) between people, we can work together in amazing ways.
Duane, I wasn’t trying to start a discussion about Baha’i nor was I trying to offend anyone else’s religion. I’m just not a Baha’i kind of guy.
The attitudes and arguments here are the very reason I left the CoC. When you divide yourselves and divide other believers Satan wins, he wins by you wasting your time and focus and enhancing the dividing lines that God hates. Read the first 5 books of the bible and see, it is not a story about man at all… it is a story about God and how man needs to relate to and glorify God. Your conversations are such a waste of time and fuel to Satan’s causes, taking the focus off of an awesome God and putting it on what you think. I’ve not been on an Emmaus yet, but I’ve seen the experience change and heal lives. Its a kingdom thing, read what Jesus said about the kingdom being like a fishing net, full of all kinds of things. But for those of you who are dividing… check you back, because Jesus said the ones who are do do the dividing are the angels… if you don’t have wings you better start doing your job of fishing again and leave the angels the job of dividing!
Mike,
I am so thankful you are going to experience the warm embrace that is the Walk to Emmaus! I went on my own walk in 1995 at a time when I was deeply unsettled, burdened by a deep depression, and was questioning everything in my life. I went tired, depleted, and with nothing to offer..only wanting to see if the experience could do for me what it had done for my sweet husband Rob. What I experienced there was the overwhelming embrace of love by the Body of Christ and God’s unending grace…experienced in a whole new way and shown so clearly and abundantly that I was filled with a joy I had never known in my life. I discovered there that the weight that was crushing me was my own sin and unforgiveness of past hurts and pain I felt were unjustly caused by others. I was able to lay all those burdens down, leaving them at the foot of the cross, and walk away filled with the Spirit instead of pain. My life has never been the same since. I am still a devoted member of my native faith heritage (C of C) that I love dearly, but I have embraced a Body of Christ far larger and my life is richer, and more holy because of those Godly people. I thank God everyday that he blessed me with the Walk experience. Now, these many years later and having served as a team member many times, as a lay director, and even as a board member, I can tell anyone who asks that the ONLY aim of the Walk to Emmaus is to draw people close to the heart of God and to propel them back into their church and their world to serve Him. There is no discussion of traditions or beliefs… Catholic, Methodist or otherwise…just the encouragement to love God with all your heart and to represent him in this world! If only we would all just do that and hush up about all the rest we yap about!
I love you and I am praying renewal beyond what you could have asked or imagined. It may come in a bolt or over many days, months or even years, but it will come! We love you brother, keep on walking!!
Just reading through some of the comments again this morning… once again, I’ll hold my tongue about the comments. The one item in the original post which has gotton few comments is info on The Shack. I think the comments above would be different if the commenters had just read The Shack. Not sure how else to say it…. READ IT!
Have you read it yet, Amy? I just started it last night and am about 110 pages into it. Would love to know your thoughts about it!
And Mike, I’m still recommending that Pat Conroy book I mentioned in comment #1.
YES, Matt! I was speechless when I finished it a couple of nights ago. My current thought is that I want to just go back to the beginning with a highlighter and start the whole book over. I want to see the deeper layers and mark them. I found it stunningly inspired. The first part was almost too scary for me, but then…. what can I say…
Here are two of my favorite quotes:
These are both God speaking about Jesus’ humanity…
“Only as he rested in his relationship with me, and in our communion– our co-union– could he express my heart and will into any given circumstance. So, when you look at Jesus and it appears that he’s flying, he really is… flying. But, what you are actually seeing is me; my life in him. That’s how he lives and acts as a true human, how every human is designed to live– out of my life. A bird’s not defined by being grounded but by his ability to fly. Remember this, humans are not defined by their limitations, but by the intentions that I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in my image.”
“You don’t play a game or color a picture with a child to show your superiority. Rather you choose to limit yourself as to facilitate and honor that relationship. You will even lose a competition to accomplish love. It is not about winning and losing, but about love and respect.”
I had to put the book down several times because my eyes didn’t come with windshield wipers and I had to wait for the mist to clear! I thought it was brilliant.
Let me know if you liked it!
Mike,
A wonderful new sense of Grace…is how I would best describe my Walk.
Having only been a member of the C of C for 15 years let me just say there is nothing denominational or pushy about this awesome 72 hour renewal. I was also in the middle of a 6 month sabbatical when I went on the walk after several of my friends from church suggested that I go. Let me just say I am not one to slow down very long to smell the roses or to hear God speaking to my heart for direction…but at the Walk to Emmmaus I experienced this last October, it has re-energized my relationship with my friend and savior Jesus Christ. It’s strange going through the spiritual motions every week involved in ministry but forgetting God’s GRACE and just remembering the true relationship He wants with me. IT WAS GREAT…don’t let anyone tell you different.
Your brother in Christ from NE Arkansas.
Matt and Amy,
I just finished this weekend. Well ok almost read it without stopping. It is brilliant in every sense of the word.