Let His light shine

I remember the night as though it were yesterday.  It was July 14^th, 1984, a warm Saturday night.  I was seated near the altar of the United Methodist Church in Marysville, crying my eyes out over my past, filled with awe of the prospects of the future, and well aware of Christ’s presence in my life – at last.  A new sense of joy and warmth filled me as I dedicated my life to Christ.  Now, I was eager to “get out there and tell others about Jesus!”  However, my “eagerness” almost turned people away.

When I returned to work on Monday morning people began to notice “something” different about me and I wasted no time in letting them know all about my Emmaus Walk that weekend.  Several weeks later; a co-worker and I began discussing our churches.  He was a Baptist; I a United Methodist.  As we “discussed” several of the doctrines of our respective churches, another co-worker commented, “If that’s what being a Christian is all about, I don’t think I want any part of it.  All those two are doing is tearing each other apart!”  It was our desire to lead others to Christ, not turn them away.  Both of us were being too judgmental of one another’s beliefs.

It truly is our desire as Christians to lead others to Christ; to be a witness of His love, His joy, His peace.  However, in our own narrowed vision, we turn people away.  We think “our way” is always the “right way.”  The apostle Paul wrote several letters to the people in Corinth about their quarreling and bickering; they were becoming a judgmental group.  In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul counsels the people about judging others.   “I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.” “It is tempting to judge a fellow Christian, evaluating whether or not he or she is a good follower of Christ. But only God knows a person’s heart, and He is the only one with the right to judge.”  You and I have a mission to tell others of Christ and the forgiveness only He can give; of His love for us; and the gift of Salvation.  It is NOT up to you and me to judge that person.

It has come to the attention of the Emmaus Board that someone is placing “tracts” as agape in the packets of some of the Pilgrims.  Several of the Pilgrims who have received this information have been hurt by the messages contained in these “witness” publications, ridiculing and judging the way these Pilgrims worship God.  Our intent in Emmaus, and as Christians, is to lead others TO Christ, not turn them away!  I am asking, as a sister in Christ and the Community Spiritual Director, to please cease from giving these publications. We should not judge other’s salvation, that’s God’s work.  Let’s continue to hold one another in prayer and share the love that Christ has given us.  That’s our mission – to let His light shine in us so that others can see Him.  

Always in Christ and De Colores,

 Kathy Reiff

BOARD POSITIONS TO BE FILLED

 Please be praying over the next person who you would like to see fill these positions:
Position to be filled              Replacing

 Treasurer                                 Bev Wren
Men’s Registrar                      Dod Noffsinger
Men’s Good Shepherd           Dale Noffsinger
Agape                                      Mike & Cheri Clayton
Worship                                  Deb Hereld
Music                                      Jerry Noble
Supplies                                  Lester Settlage
Literature                                 Kathy Maxwell
Outreach/Newsletter               Ruth Harris

The Paintbrush

I keep my paintbrush with me, wherever I may go,
In case I need to cover up,
So the REAL ME doesn’t show.
I’m so afraid to show you ME, afraid of what you’ll do,
You might laugh, or say mean things;
I’m afraid I might LOSE you.
I’d like to remove all my paint coats,
To show you the real me,
But I want you to try and understand—
I need you to LIKE what you see.
So, if you’ll be patient and close your eyes,
I’ll strip off my coats real slow…
Please understand how much it can hurt,
To risk letting the REAL ME show.
Now my coats are all peeled off,
I feel naked, bare, and cold.
If you will love me with all that you see,
You’re my friend, pure as gold.
But I need to save my paintbrush,
And hold it in my hand,
I want to keep it handy,
In case someone doesn’t understand.
So please protect me, my dear friend,
And thanks for loving me true;
Just let me keep my paintbrush—
Until I love me, too!

                   The Touch of the Master’s Hand

Many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the
thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
But the Master comes,
and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and
the change that’s wrought
     By the touch of
   Master’s hand.

                              Myra Brooks Welch

A perfect servant we’ll never be, because the perfect servant died 2000 years ago on a tree.  As the perfect servant JESUS gave to us, wouldn’t it be awesome to give to Him of our time and talents, at a gathering or as a volunteer in Emmaus?

If you’ve ever been Blessed on an Emmaus Walk, consider what a Blessing you could be to a Pilgrim on their Emmaus weekend. JESUS IS COUNTING ON YOU!!!!!!!

God Bless You,

Bill And Peg Dorman

Social Committee

Thank You

I would like to thank everyone who volunteered their time to help with Logistics set up and tear down; it went a lot better than the last walk.  When plenty of help comes in it goes a lot better and faster.Let’s have fun and do it all over again on Men’s Walk #17.
Emmaus Logistic

Ernie Heintz