The Walk to Emmaus was, for me, an immersion in the love of God. It was 72 hours of prayer, learning (cognitively and experientially), repentance, joy, and wonderful community. There were brothers from every denomination, every background. Amazing.
- - - -
Having said that, there is no bed to sleep in quite like my own bed! And as good as the Walk was, it was wonderful to be home last night.
Bed? What bed [on the Walk?] It was like a teasing sniff of what bed and sleep are like.
But then, you have no problem waking and getting up while the moon and stars are still in charge of the night sky. Not I! I like to get up with the sun. Now, going to sleep when the said moon and stars are in charge, is for me, but I get the idea you prefer saying goodnight (sic) to the afternoon sun. 
Of course, at Emmaus you get the ‘best’ of both worlds. Bed and sleep are not of high priority during that 72 hours. Humpf! [grin]
All the above nonsense aside, it sounds as though you are pleased with the weekend and for that, I’m so thankful!!
DeColores!
I pray that sense of immersion in God’s love will stay with you throughout your fourth day.
Sounds like you received a good soaking–I like that term “immersion:-) That’s the prayer and mission of our Emmaus Community, to send pilgrims back to their home church, loved and re-vitalized to share that agape love with the Body of Christ.
You deserved such a weekend, Mike: DeColores!
The only word I could come up with for Diane on Sunday for when I saw you on Saturday was “beaming”. You were aglow. I knew then that you were immersed in His love. I would say there were a whole slew of you in the exact same boat.
I think the one thing about Emmaus that I love the most - besides the openness to allow God’s love to be poured out - is the incredible diversity of people and denominations, etc. It really does illustrate the Body of Christ to me.
Congratulations on your walk. I am so glad that you were able to attend a Walk. DeColores. Diana
I never really care where I am, no matter how great it is, I always want to return to my own bed, there is nothing better after a long trip.
http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org
DeColoros, my Brother.
If your experience is as mine the “immersion” you received and experienced on you “Walk” will continue on you many “Forth Days”.
You are responsible for “watering” many seeds that were planted in my heart. May the seeds that were planted in you bloom and your spirit become His Garden.
God Bless Mike
IMMANUEL!!
Foy J.
Mike,
I am thankful that you had this experience. I had it 11 years ago here in west Tennessee. I hope that you will continue to let God shower you with his love and Grace, as you live out your fourth days, and may God give you His peace.
Peace.
Decolores
I’ll add mine…DeColores!
Why is the Emmaus walk stuff so secretative?
“Why is the Emmaus walk so secretative?” It’s not really. Those who have gone on a Walk just don’t want to spoil the wonderful surprises that await those who have not. It’s kind of like keeping Christmas presents wrapped and under the tree. Some things are just better when they are surprises. At least that’s my opinion.
bpb,
The same reason a Christmas present is so secretive. If you know what it is before you open it, the experience is not as good.
for bpb:
The point is not so much for it to be secretive, but rather for the events to be experienced as unexpected, therefore enhancing the blessing. For example, when the bride-to-be receives the perfect ring from her beloved unexpectedly, it is so much more exciting than when she goes shopping with him to pick it out.
I’ll second Candy’s description of you on Saturday night. You were “beaming,” and it was a blessing to see you enjoying your time immersing in God’s love. De Colores!
bpb: what they said.
The only thing that’s truly secretive is the live chicken sacrifi…well, better not to give that part away.
qb
bpb:
If the reference is to “de colores”, it’s not a secret phrase, it’s just means the many colors of God’s grace & blessings. It’s also a somewhat (okay, really) corny song sung several times over the weekend. It becomes a greeting, but it’s not a “secret handshake” or anything, but just a way of saying “blessings.”
correction: it just means
I agree with Heather and Candy. My description was it was like looking into the face of a very young child getting his first glimpse of Disney World. It was as though you were saying, “Wow!” And all the while trying to take it all in with one wide-eyed gaze at all that was happening. It was pure joy to watch you and the others. I’m so happy for all of you!
deColores, querido amigo, deColores!!
I was near the door when you entered Saturday night, and I think you looked slightly stunned. Aren’t the surprises wonderful? Then the look on your face as we passed by was priceless. You were glowing.
De Colores! May all your 4th days be blessed!
Sarah S
“…brothers from every denomination…” amazing.
“…brothers from every denomination…” amazing.
Amen and Hallelujah!
Hey, did a blog search on “Richland Hills Church” and yours was one of the blogs that came up.
Anyways, My wife & I have been attending for a little while now & we love it!
Well, take care.
Mike,
I hope your walk was all you expected and more.
God bless you brother.
I know that this is off topic, but If you haven’t heard Les Bonnett’s astonishing sermon at the Freed-Hardeman Lectureship last week, you really owe it to yourself to download it. It’s available for download on the FHU web site or you can download the audio here:
http://download.yousendit.com/6D6FA0F720544F2B
I never thought I’d hear something like this at FHU.
“An immersion in the love of God”
What a great description-that is so accurate to how I felt, and I am glad you had the same experience!! I wish I could have been there to watch you “glow”-that was by far one of my favorite parts of the whole weekend-it was a small glimpse of heaven. Amazing…
I pray blessings on all of your fourth days!! De colores!! (and now the song is in my head)
Mike,
So thankful that you had good walk.
DeColores
Jim
Being immersed in love sounds great to me! Glad you experienced that Mike.
I pray it was a time of refreshment and encouragement. I meant every word of that letter…
The Walk to Emmeaus is not the only worthwhile retreat;but it is a powerful one. One sister told me she thinks Emmeaus is one way the father is brining his people to him.
Before my walk I was angry at Conservative Church of Christ People. The walk taught me to be as acceping of brothers wihin our own group as I am to those outside our group. Emmeaus has changed Highland in large and small ways. Highland has changed our brotherhood. I saw mericles of love. I saw God work in powerful ways. I already believed; the walk helped that part of me that was still in unbelief.
One should not preach unity over truth and lead others to accept error for the sake of global evangelism.
Of course, everyone’s walk is “THE BEST ONE EVER!!” But, mine tryly was, at least for me is was. Glad you were able to experience God’s love in such a loving and reverent environment. Was Saturday night great or what????
De Colores,
Linda O’Dell
Brian - you lost me completely. Your statement seems filled with oxymorons - as I said - you lost me completely!
Well, Kathy, what I meant was that it’s possible to be too “politically correct” and ecumenical to the point of accepting false doctrine. In my opinion the Walk to Emmeaus is more about “feeling” than sound doctrine. Like John Oates said,..”it taught me to be as accepting to brothers in our group as to those outside our group.” In other words, lets just accept everyone, no matter their teaching and walk the road together. There is such a thing as false teaching, but you wouldn’t know it by reading this blog.
Mike=I loved the look in your eyes Saturday night. They were so warm and welcoming. I know what a tough day Saturday can be. Each time I go to the cross some more of me dies and it is hard to let yourself go. When I saw you Sunday, I knew you were ready to go home and get about the work of healing that God had begun. I love the Walk To Emmaus. It has opened up a world of beauty that I did not know existed. I love the people I have met and what God has done and is doing in my life because of what He began in me on my walk in 1999.
Thank you for going. It is a vote of confidence to all of us in the Highland flock that has gone. and yes, we REALLY did want you to go.
I love you, my brother.
Squeaky
Brian, on the contrary, people like you spout their false doctrine on this blog all the time.
Brian, it chills me to think that you would withhold the love of Christ to someone who does not know him, for fear they might make an “error”. If God hasn’t overlooked all my errors, I’m doomed. Praise Him for his magnificent Grace!!
Brian - I’m still confused. Have you actually been on a Walk? If so, what “false doctrine” did you encounter? I learned even more about His grace that He pours out on us daily; I was encouraged to dig deeper into His Word on a more consistent manner; the speakers dug down into their own lives, shared moments with us that expressed so beautifully God’s forgiveness, and just as important, we shared giving up those things that God has forgiven. There were even those that had an open confrontation with God about events in their lives; just a few of the things shared/learned on my Walk. What exactly did you encounter that could be considered “false doctrine” and by whose standards are they considered false?
To my way of thinking, this type of ambiguous accusation is like throwing a stick of dynamite into a crowd-it’s powerful, but meant to harm not to build up the body of our LORD. I pray we can extend grace to others. After all, God does and to some undeserving people, including yours truly.
Why is it that those who want tolerance for nearly everything are not tolerant at all of any who disagree with them? (Rhetorical. No answer required fyi.)
Brian stated, “There is such a thing as false teaching, but you wouldn’t know it by reading this blog.”
I completely agree. The only false teaching that seems to be left these days is “complete unbelief in Christ.”
That is a far cry from what the Bible teaches. Fellowship is determined by God, man recognizes it. If a person is not in fellowship with God, then nor can God’s people be in fellowship with him. If two people are in fellowship with one another, it is because they first are both in fellowship with God as individuals. It is sinful to withdraw fellowship from one who is in fellowship with God, and it is equally as sinful to give the right hand of fellowship to one who is not in fellowship with God. That latter statement is the problem with the ‘Walk’ as far as I read it.
Mike, you better be very good at knowing someone’s heart because if you are wrong then I feel sorry for you on the day you answer to God as to why you did not fellowship his children. And as for as “as far as I read it”, you may be basing your salvation on what someone else wrote.
Clint,
I do not have to know someone’s heart, and anyway God is the great heart searcher. I can know, without knowing someone’s heart, whether they have done what God said to do to obey the Gospel; or, whether they are living by faith as God has commanded. How? By either (1) listening to them talk about their experiences, or (2) studying what they believe, practice, and teach. If I take care to gather all of the evidence from them if possible, or from the set of beliefs to which they adhere, then I can know whether they are “in the faith” or not (2 Cor. 13:5). In fact, the Bible requires me to examine not only myself but others (ibid, and 2 John 9-11).
Sincerity is absolutely necessary for one to live by faith but it in and of itself is not sufficient in order to be right with God. Look at the example of Saul before he was converted. He did all in good conscience, though he was persecuting Christ.
I am not interested in withdrawing fellowship from anyone who is in fellowship with God. But nor am I interested, solely for the sake of some type of ‘unity,’ of extending fellowship to those who may be sincere but are truly (for now) enemies of the Gospel of Christ.
The young people in the Church of Christ are not interested in arguing and debating over words in the New Testament to prove that the other person is going to he–. People in the community are not going to be reached if we don’t tell them Jesus loves them no matter who they are.
You are living in fear of messing up one little thing.
eileen,
Hardly. I try and help people in this community learn about the love of Christ by helping them both physically and spiritually. When I sit down and talk with people about what the Bible says, do I not have the responsibility to help them see in the Bible the teaching that applies to their life? Is it more loving to hide the truth from someone or to help them learn it? I do not fear messing up one little thing. I do respect God enough to make a 100% effort to do what He says to do in the way He says to do it.
I am curious. What ages do you include in your “young people” comment?
Mike, I pity you because you think words will save you.
Clint,
Christ saves. But Jesus did say, “The words I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63. Peter said that the Gospel is the preached word (1 Pet. 1:22-25). God chose the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe (1 Cor. 1:18-21). It is the word which God says is the seed of the kingdom (Luke 8:11). Faith therefore comes by hearing that Word (Rom. 10:17). What in the world do you mean by saying “you think words will save you” given these very easy to understand Bible facts?
Mike, facts will not save you either.
Through a newsletter, members of the Walk to Emmeaus community become aware of support needs for upcoming walks. Thus there is the opportunity to work during future weekends in a variety of ways. This then becomes a wing of whatever church is sponsoring and shepherding the individuals. Of course the key to all control groups is to create a warm, enthusiastic bonding movement This can be seen in the responses here about all the “love”, etc.
The stated goal is to get individuals to go back and be good soldiers in their own denomination, but actually the goal is to convert you to their Walk to Emmeaus Community Church and have you go sneak back to your church and convert them. Do you actually think they are interested in building up YOUR congregation? They understand that in order to convert you they will have to ply you with lots of tender love. You will become a very important person. Let the buyer beware!
Mike, that is not even a fact, you are sorely misinformed but you go right ahead and believe the lie
Clint, you need to read John 12:48.
Clint, you are talking about what Brian wrote, not what I wrote.
Mike, you need to read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Sorry Mike could not tell the difference
Clint, oh, so now you want to use the words and the facts? Please. You cannot have it both ways. You cannot pick and choose the times and verses that you will accept or reject. Well, you can because you have that ability. But you should not. I love 1 Cor. 13. I often read it and sub in my name as a test of myself. But I also love every other verse in the Bible, esp. those that I noted that teach the importance of the words of Christ, i.e. His teaching. Do you believe Christ’s teachings are important Clint?
I have not rejected words only that we are not saved by words. I have not rejected the teachings of Christ only your interpretations of those teachings.
Somehow I am not worried that Mike Cope has converted to the Walk to Emmaus Community church and he will come back and convert his church to the Walk to Emmaus Church!!!
eileen,
“I am curious. What ages do you include in your “young people” comment?”
?? I just want to know if I am still young, or unofficially old.
I was speaking of high school and college age, but are you young at heart?
Mike (Not Cope),
Be careful about prooftexting. If you want to be saved by such an approach, you’re already lost. According to you, Luke 8:11 says the word is the seed of the kingdom. Reread the verse (and chapter for that matter)–the word kingdom is not used. You better hope grace covers you putting words in God’s mouth! You also referenced Romans 10:17–I’m sure you are aware that the word translated “word” is not the same word in Luke 8:11. Salvation by legalistic use of words leaves no wiggle-room. Those who live by such die by such.
eddy,
Surely you are aware that “proof texting” is something that every Bible writer used, right? When the Lord answered the devil He did so by saying “It is written” and then quoting the verse. Even when Satan used a verse Jesus demonstrated by another verse that his use was in error.
Who said anything about being saved by such an approach? And does that imply that one cannot go to the Bible to learn from a verse anything at all about salvation? Is that idea something prooftexted from the Bible?
Regarding Luke 8:11, the exact verse says “now the parable is this, the seed is the word of God.” But Matthew 13:19 says, “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom,…” and that is the parallel account of the parable of the sower. So the “seed” IS the Word of the kingdom. I did not add to anything that God said, I merely said what God had already said. Were you not aware of Matthews account? The word “kingdom” is the “church” and thus the seed (word) applies to both the same.
Concerning Romans 10:17, the difference in the Greek on the word “word” doesn’t change the principle taught therein one iota. “Faith comes” how? By hearing. Hearing what? The preaching of the Gospel. In that particular context Paul has in mind the OT prophets: but his modern day application is the same: listen to the preaching of the Gospel and be saved. His target audience in chapters 9-11 are the Jews, whom he says (those who had not obeyed the Gospel) are lost (10:1-4). They should have listened to the writings of the prophets and thus would have known to come to Christ, to i.e. live by faith.
What is a “legalistic use of words” anyway? Was Jesus guilty of that when He kept every jot and tittle of the Old Testament Law while He was on earth? Was He guilty of that when He insisted while on earth that others do the same?
Sorry, I don’t believe your comments were justified in this case.
eileen,
Yes, but nor am I old. But I am older than that by about 17 years.
John Oates? Did he become a theologian after breaking up with Darryl Hall? First I heard of it.
Mere “Doctrinal Error” is never a reason for refusing fellowship… Otherwise, I’m quite certain, God would have stopped fellowshipping all of us wretches long ago. As far as I can see, He is still knocking and pursuing and being found by those who “seek” (not only by those who “seek correctly”).
Thanks Mike (the commentor, not Cope) for depressing me with your dogma (it is indeed hard to teach an old dogma new tricks!).
I noticed that the quota of downloads of Les Bonnett’s sermon from the link posted by Joel Maners has been exceeded. Here is a new link:
http://download.yousendit.com/5A5F9FCB42444256
Decolores!
Walk to Emmaus, Leuders…sounds dreamy
Random: Why do many people with really long complaints leave off thier website addresses?
Linda - Possibly: Anonymous letter syndrome
That’s cool, Pastor Cope! I didn’t realize Walk to Emmaeus was such an interdenominational thing. I went through Chrysalis (the teen version) in the UMC community a few years ago, and have worked a couple and spoken at one since.
Maybe one can’t expect to learn much as far as really deep theology goes - especially if you’ve been to seminary and all
- but there’s something really neat about the atmosphere that develops on the retreat.
De colores.
Heb 13:9
9Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
Eph 4:14; 5:6;
14As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
15but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
1 Tim 4:1-5
1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.
Hebrews 5-7 – reference to Christ as our high priest and no need for another.
Matthew 15:9 –
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8″ ‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
9They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”
Our worship to God is vain if it is based on human doctrines.
Galatians 1:8,9 –
6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
Acts 20:7 - communion on Sunday only
“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.”
Note: When there is a comment from the Mike who writes this blog, there is a link on the name!
The point of my post was that God demands us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. The truth is found in the New Testament. There is no need for other man-made rituals. One can be a Christian but is than led away by false teachings and false worship.