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Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Newsletter
Jan 1999
From Your Spiritual Director
A new year has dawned upon us and with it comes those infamous New Year’s Resolutions! How many of you have started out with one or two or even a list of "things" you want to change in your life and pledge to do so during this new beginning? Maybe it’s a promise to: read the Bible more, or attend church every Sunday, or lose weight, or exercise more, or eat healthier, or save more money, be more loving and giving, etc. The list goes on and on, doesn’t it? And what usually happens? We get off to a good start and then whoops - we’ve lost sight of what we had hoped to accomplish!
A story is told of a carpenter by the name of John Smith. John was very loyal and worked for a successful building contractor who called John into his office one day and said, "John, I’m putting you in charge of the next house we build. I want you to order all the materials and oversee the whole job from the ground up."
John accepted the assignment with great enthusiasm and excitement. John carefully studied the blueprints and checked every specification and measurement. He vowed this would be his best job. Suddenly he had a thought, "If I am really in charge why couldn’t I cut a few corners, use less expensive materials, and put the extra money in my pocket? Who would know the difference?" John cut every corner he could; ordered second-grade lumber, inexpensive concrete for the foundation, and cheap wiring - yet he reported the purchase of much better materials.
When the home was completed and fully painted, John invited the contractor to come and see it. "John," said the contractor, "what a magnificent job you have done! You have been such a faithful carpenter and a friend for all these years that I have decided to show my gratitude by giving you this house you have built as a gift!"
You and I may change our perspective on things and on life, we may "short change" others and ourselves, but praise be to God!! God is always faithful to us and forgiving of our wayward doings. Perhaps one resolution we need to make and to keep is to be more faithful to God in return. Let’s give it a try!!
Peace and Love,
Kathy Reiff
"God’s faithfulness continues for every generation." Psalm 119:90
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
I hope all of you are doing well through the winter storm! I pray that all are experiencing God’s grace and safety, and always remember, Drive Carefully!
After the last Men's walk, Tim Martin and I were helping get the church back in order, when all of a sudden it dawned on me that the lights were still on in the sanctuary. Tim and I went to clean up the area. Then we checked the doors in the back of the church, locked them and turned off the lights. It became very difficult to see, until finally, we couldn't see at all. Tim said to me, "Just stand still for a minute and you will get used to the darkness; then we can leave." You know, he was right! After we were used to the darkness, it was easy to move and do what we wanted without much of a problem.
That experience made me stop for a moment and think about my spiritual life. When I sin and let God down, it is very difficult to move on without repenting and cleaning up my mistakes. It is hard to move on knowing how I have hurt my Lord. But, if I don't repent, and stay in the darkness of sin, it becomes comfortable there. I don't worry so much how I have hurt Him, and it becomes easy to continue on once I get used to the "darkness."
In the book of John, chapter 8, verse 12, it says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
I need to constantly check my walk and see if I am walking in darkness, or if I am walking in the light!
How about you? Where are you in your journey? How are your Fourth Days? Are you walking comfortably in darkness, or are you walking in the light and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
DeColores,
Bill
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Praise Him with the
The Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Info
The Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Communitie’s Gatherings are on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm. We meet at the First United Methodist Church located at 230 E. Poplar St., Sidney Ohio. Please come and celebrate Christ's love with us.
Board Meeting's are held at First United Methodist Church in Sidney in the Chapel at 6:45 PM on the fourth Thursday of each month.