Greater Scioto Valley Emmaus
August/September, 2005
Volume 11, Issue 8/9
Did you catch the morning news? Wars, conflicts, terrorist acts, poverty, famine, inflation, devaluation, politics, political correctness, disasters, accidents, shortages, housing markets going bust, businesses going bust, layoffs, killer hurricanes, displacement? How about closer to home? Personal or family illness, death, financial troubles, demands upon your time, personal space, too much work, not enough work, roof leaks, car quit? ItÕs enough to cause even the most diehard optimist or realist to take a step back.
For as long as I can remember, I have taken the optimist/realist approach to life. I have come acknowledge that good and bad things will happen to others and to me, and that it is my response to these givens that matters. The realist knows that these things will happen and prepares to deal with them accordingly. I retired from an avocation in public safety after 28 years. During that time, I trained extensively in the areas of fire, EMS, HazMat, and Incident Command. Every alarm brought butterflies, but they were good butterflies, that when combined with training and experience, helped me respond to each situation properly and accordingly. The optimist adds the additional spin that through it all, good must and will triumph over evil, and seeks and promotes the good in all situations. I can recall many times when I have seen good come from seemingly hopeless situations, and I believe that there are even more yet to be revealed to me.
The optimist/realist approach does not guarantee all smiles, all ÒupÓ, all the time. There are times when even the most diehard among us suffer from the beatings of life. The chorus from Twila ParisÕ, ÒWarrior is a ChildÓ perhaps says it best-
ÒThey don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a childÓ
This year has been very stressful. I must admit IÕve done quite a bit of running home to Him this year, and there is a lot of time remaining. However, I receive great comfort and strength from a very simple and often used phrase from GodÕs Word. That is, ÒAnd it came to passÉÓ. The realistÕs marching chant. It's an intriguing phrase..."and it came to pass." I've never read, "And it came to stay." It's always, "And it came to pass..."
Whenever I have encountered problems over the years, they came to pass. My anxieties and worries always proved to be temporary. In fact, I have forgotten most of the fears that once kept me awake at night. I've learned that most tough times and impossible situations eventually come to pass. And sufficient strength can be found in Him for those few that may linger a while.
Besides, what else are you going to do? New York Yankees outfielder Mickey Rivers once said, "Ain't no sense in worrying about things you got control over, 'cause if you got control over them, ain't no sense worrying. And there ain't no sense worrying about things you got no control over, 'cause if you got no control over them, ain't no sense worrying about them." Alright, so my English teachers are cringing. Hopefully you get the point. I can rest in the peace that, like most of what I worry about, all things will come to pass. With Christ as my Savior, my Guide, my strength, my friend, and His promise that He has everything under control, I have nothing to worry about.
I suspect the same can be said about what troubles you.
De Colores!
Kevin
Are You Ready to Learn?
In Matthew 14 there is a story of Jesus walking on the water. Peter sees him and says ÒLord if it be you bid me come unto thee on the water.Ó I always wonder about the reaction of the other disciples when he made this request. Were they shocked or envious of his faith? Were they wondering what is the point? I wonder how he exited the ship. Did he jump or did he hang on to the side and feel the solid surface needed for storm walking? Why did Jesus wait until after the short walk to still the storm?
Sometimes God calms the storms and sometimes he calms his children in the midst of the storm. We like it the best when he calm and removes us from the storms. A very wise man told me recently as he was struggling with issues of life, ÒI wonder what lesson that God wants me to learn in this situation?Ó There are no wasted moments with God. There is purpose and potential in every day. Even when we are where we need to be God will meet us there and call us back as he did with Peter after his denial.
Romans 8 - 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What is God trying to teach you today?
In His Service, Phil Howard
Prayer vigil time slots are available by signing up on the website or by contacting the Lay Director (see page 4). Please pray that these pilgrims see Christ throughout the entire weekend and in their Fourth Days.
Agape guidelines: Pilgrims begin receiving agape Friday at supper and then again at bedtime. For table agape, please provide 64 identical pieces. For pilgrim bedtime—36 pieces, for the entire walk roster—64 pieces. Personal gifts received during the walk weekend in the agape room will be held and returned to the sponsor after the weekend to give to the pilgrim later. Letters for the packets should be received in the agape room by Sunday morning. Please do not visit the pilgrim or team sleeping quarters at any time during the weekend. Each pilgrim is to receive GodÕs love equally.
Monthly Gatherings are held the Third Thursday of each month. The next gathering will be Thursday, September 15th at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. Plan on attending and bring a friend!
MenÕs Walk #24
September 8-11, 2005
WomenÕs Walk #35
October 13-16, 2005
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE FOR THE ONLINE PRAYER VIGIL AND KITCHEN AND HOUSEKEEPING VOLUNTEER SIGN UP SHEETS FOR FUTURE WALKS.
www.gsvemmaus.org
SPECIAL TIMES AND OTHER INFORMATION FOR THE WALK WEEKEND
Pilgrims to arrive at Trinity: Thursday, September 8th between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m.
Send Off, SponsorÕs Hour and Prayer Chapel: Thursday, September 8th at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight: Saturday, September 10th at 8:30 p.m.
Closing: Sunday, September 11th at 5:00 p.m.
Participation in these services is limited to those who have participated in the Walk to Emmaus, Cursillo or Chrysalis. Child care will NOT be available for any of these services — please make other arrangements for your children.
TO SIGN UP TO WORK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS, CONTACT THE BOARD REPRESENTATIVE LISTED AND/OR CHECK THE WEBSITE (www.gsvemmaus.org):
Kitchen: Tom Dishong* or Dale Stevens*
Housekeeping: Neil Foster*
Prayer Vigil: Kevin Pancake* or John Tussey (Walk Lay Director)
*All board phone numbers and e-mail addresses are listed on the websit
Opportunity To Serve
Ladies of the GSV Emmaus Community have the opportunity to give special agape to the Team and Pilgrims of Walk #24 by serving dinner on Saturday evening. Those interested should meet in the hallway by the kitchen by 5:15pm. If possible wear either red or white. It only takes a few minutes to serve and then you can go upstairs and join in the fun with Sister Act. If you are able to serve, please, notify Peg Beekman at 937-981-9805 or email at pbeekman@direcway.com .