TAKING A WALK!!

"Now on that same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus..." (Lk.24:1)

Many of you know that I am involved in a ministry intended to strengthen, restore, and renew the spiritual life of the local church called Walk to Emmaus.  This "walk" is a 72 hour spiritual formation weekend which begins on a Thursday evening and concludes on the following Sunday afternoon.  It is a weekend filled with worship, talks from laity and clergy, eating, laughing, sharing, music, prayer, and did I say eating?  It is a weekend that is not intended to "fix' anyone, but to experience again, or maybe for the first time, God's amazing grace.

Yesterday concluded the Men's Walk at 1st UMC in Wichita and as always, it was an incredible weekend.  The stories of how God moved in the lives of the men who came from diverse backgrounds were incredible.  The healing, the bonding together, the restoration, the laughter was once again evidence of God's incredible love for His people.  Each closing service I always sit back and observe God's work in the life of the "pilgrims", and God's work in the life of the team who gave of their time to serve.  And each time, it goes beyond explanation how God meets people right where they are at and moves them towards a place He would have them to go.  All in the context of a loving relationship with Him.

This Thursday begins the Women's Walk at 1st UMC.  I happen to be the spiritual director for this particular walk.  Lori Richards is the Lay Director.  And 31 "pilgrims" (plus the servant team) will be making their way to Wichita to make this journey together.  Once again I am excited about the way God is going to move in the lives of these women.  It's not a matter of "if" God will move.  It is a matter of "how" He will move.  Fasten your seatbelts.

I would ask that you pray for the servant team made up of laity and clergy.  I would ask that you pray for Bri, our youth director from MUMC who is going to be on the journey.  I ask that you pray for me and for Lori as we will be leading together.  Most of all, I ask that you pray for God to once again, "do His thing" in the lives of all who "walk together". 

One thing about it, you can be sure that God's grace will be suffificent.  That's why it's called "AMAZING"!

"....AND THEY RECOGNIZED HIM!"

A milestone was reached this past weekend as 41 women completed the 100th "walk" of the Bread of Life Community Walk to Emmaus in Wichita. What an incredible story to think that over 3,000 men and women have taken part in the 72 hour spiritual journey with Christ from all over the state of Kansas (and other states as well). For those of you who are unaware of the Walk to Emmaus, (in a nutshell) it is a Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon gathering of men (one weekend) and women (the next weekend) who come together to be challenged, restored, renewed, and encouraged in their faith in Jesus Christ with the intention of not only strengthening individuals, but strengthening the local church.


As one who has been involved in countless walks and am now the community spiritual director, I have seen lives and churches transformed as a result of what God has done through the Walk to Emmaus. And as is always the case, this happened again these past 2 weekends. Men and women experienced God's grace in ways never before experienced. They experienced God's love through times of fellowship, times around the table, various talks given by both laity and clergy, times of worship, and times of invitation to the Lord's table. And to hear the testimonies of those who participated - well, once again God did His thing. What a blessing!



I am so thankful for those who were sensitive to the Holy Spirit back in 1987 to charter the wallk in the Wichita area. I am grateful for their persistence, their energy, their patience, their endurance, and their love for the Lord to see that this movement would carry through and carry on. And yes, here we are - 100 walks later. Incredible!



As I mentioned last week, I am seeking to discern those areas that I need to set aside because of my busy schedule. And to be honest, I was considering stepping down from my role in Emmaus. But God affirmed to me through various circumstances and through the voices of many people this past weekend that I am to continue to lead the Bread of Life Community. I have experienced God's working in my life through Emmaus. I have seen lives - men and women - transformed because of Emmaus. I have seen and experienced what Emmaus can do to transform the life of the local church as well. So, with that being said, I commit myself to serving the Lord in this capacity until the Lord tells me differently.





To you who have gone through the walk - De Colores!! To you who will be participating on the future, let me know your desire and I'll be sure and get you a sponsor for the next walk or one down the road. The next walk? 2011 in Garden City, Kansas. Men's walk - March 3-6. Women's walk - March 10-13. Looking to experience God? Take a walk - a walk to Emmaus.

GRACE DISCOVERED!!

I just returned from assisting with what is known as the "Walk to Emmaus", a 72 hour spiritual formation weekend. I worked behind the scenes for the men's walk a week ago but was the spiritual director for the women's walk this past weekend. Wow, did God ever do His thing!


Without going into all the details, it was disheartening to listen to all the struggles, hear all of the pain and the heartache, and see all of the tears that were shed because of deep hurt that so consumed many of the women who participated in the walk. But, as God would have it, He drew them to the foot of the cross where the women were able to leave their burdens and be freed from that which had so entangled them.


And it was all because of a new understanding of grace, God's unconditional love offered to us without price. This is such a hard concept for people because we live in a culture that says we've got to "earn" it, whatever "it" is. So we work hard. We work and work and work and still feel miserable. As a result we carry more and more burdens. Then we work some more and it becomes a viscious cycle. Then insecurity sets in, rejection rears its ugly head, the pressure to measure up weighs us down. And soon we find ourselves incapacitated.


Yet in the midst of it all God offers us His grace, his love that is based upon what He has done through His son Jesus Christ, not what we could ever do. John 3:16 says that "God so loved the world that he "gave" His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life." Our response is merely that of belief, of faith in Jesus. Sin is then forgiven and burdens are lifted and relationship with God and others is restored. Why carry all that junk around when Jesus has come to take it away? In fact Jesus himself said, "Come to me, you who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest".


That's what happened in the lives of so many of the women this past wekend. They were able to respond to God's love and let Jesus remove their pain and heartache. It was amazing! Simply amazing! No wonder we sing amazing grace!!

STILL WALKING!

Just completed another Walk to Emmaus - Men's Walk #95 in Wichita. As always, God did His thing, opening the eyes of men who all of a sudden found themselves in the presence of the living Christ. And what a joy to be a part of another walk. From the send off on Thursday to the closing on Sunday, I was able to observe God's Spirit work in such a way to bring about healing, wholeness, and transformation in the lives of men of all ages.

Thanks to all who worked behind the scenes. Thanks to the sponsors of those who attended. Thanks to the team, both lay and clergy who showed what it meant to offer and live out God's unconditional love. Thanks to the community who showed the support as well as those who prayed throughout the weekend. And thanks for allowing me to be the community spiritual director. I am very appreciative to you and humbled by your support.

And now it's time for the women's walk #96 this weekend. You go girls!

De Colores!!

SPIRITUAL BOOTCAMP!

I had the privilege of being the spiritual director of the latest Walk to Emmaus at Garden City and once again, God outdid Himself (as if that's possible). Four men from the Leoti area participated (all from different churches) and were blessed beyond measure. You'll have to ask them ( Kevin Larson, Chris Antonelli, Matt Ramsey, and Bill Gerstberger) about their experiences.

Emmaus is a 72 hour spiritual formation weekend that helps people come to an understanding of God's love for them through times of various talks, worship services, times of reflection, and food, fun, and fellowship. I've been blessed to observe God's working in the lives of those who participate during the weekend, as well as the weeks, months, and years that follow. Of course, Emmaus is just a tool used by God to bring people closer to him and to each other. It is not some magical weekend experience that will automatically solve all the struggles of life. I've seen the mistake of that misunderstanding. However, it DOES point to the ONE who will never leave nor forsake.

I've taken part in many opportunities for spiritual renewal and growth over the years and Emmaus is just another one of those means that God uses to extend his grace to us. It's not the only one, but it is one that is powerful and highly effective. Others are Lay Witness Missions, Disciple Bible Study, Trinity Studies, small group ministries, Stephen Ministries, prayer retreats, and on and on. Whatever brings people to Jesus is "just" alright with me.

But for this moment, the Walk to Emmaus touched the lives of many men who experienced the fact that God loves them and there's nothing they can do about it. And now, the women who are going this weekend are about to experience that for themselves. Praise God!

EMMAUS (pt.2)

After returning home from Garden on Sunday I am convinced that God uses a "plethra" of methods to draw his people to him through special and powerful ways. Obviously the Walk to Emmaus is one of them. In my prior post someone responded in a way that suggested the walk as being a prerequisite or and additonal work that must take place to get "closer to the gates of heaven". Far from it. Yes, it draws us closer to "Him" but JESUS is the only "gate" and faith in him allows us to enter. The Walk is merely one of many tools used by God to grow in our relationship with Christ. Disciple Bible Study, the Ashram retreat, small group bible studies, Promise Keepers, Women of Faith, etc., etc., are all used by God to draw us closer to him in faith. Praise God for the ways he helps us grow and the ways he "fires us up" for him. Would I like everyone to go on the walk? Sure! But it's by far not the only way people can draw close to Jesus. I'm for whatever God chooses to do.

We all know that life is filled with mountaintop and valley experiences. Why not pursue and experience the mountaintop when you can? There are always plenty of valleys out there.

I am so thankful for what God did in the lives of the women this past weekend. It was awesome to see him work in their lives and am excited for others to hear the stories.

Never apologize about an experience with God. Never!

Have a great week!

ANOTHER AWESOME WALK!!

Just returned from participating in the Walk to Emmaus at Garden City. It's always amazing to see what God does during those 72 hours together. Actually, it's miraculous.

It was humbling once again to be on the team. I was blessed to work with some unbelievable guys led by Steve Mayo (Lay director) and Tod Anthony (spiritual director). And then to observe God's work in the guys from the first day to the last was great - especially watching the guys from Leoti.

Thanks for praying for us all. Now our attention turns towards the women who will be attending this Thursday - Michelle Sheppard, Teresa Clark, Kendra Perry, Marilyn Wilbur, and Cindy Crays. Please keep them in your prayers. They are about to meet God in a new and exciting way.

How about some thoughts from some of you who attended who are reading this here blog? Love to hear from you.

You locals - ask Kevin, Jason, Craig, Gary, or Matt about their experience. See what they have to say.

De Colores!!

BY THE WAY, DID I TELL YOU.........

I'm going to be a GRANDPA -AGAIN!!!!! Congrats to Todd and Melissa. We are super excited as our little Grandson Brayden will have someone to play with soon. Melissa is due the 23rd of May. (Kyle graduates the 17th. Should be interesting). This is an answer to prayer. Yep, I'm going out to order my cane and hearing aids today. You know how it is being a grandpa and all.

Other excitement - Thursday the 18th kicks off the fall Walk to Emmaus in Garden City. We have 10 people from Leoti going plus a couple of us working the team. Be in prayer for Gary Wilbur, Jason Perry, Craig Sheppard, Kevin Clark, Matt Crays, Todd Schumacher, and me as we head to Garden tomorrow at 4:30. Can't wait to see what God has up his sleeve. (Does God have sleeves - or even arms for that matter?)

If you want to read a great blog, check out jesuscreed.org. Scot McKnight is a friend of ours from Chicago. He'll make you think.

Have a great weekend. Stay tuned for grandbaby and Emmaus updates.

Signing off...........................

P.R.