The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus

My recent Walk to Emmaus was "an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and formation that begins with a 3-day short course in Christianity. It is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way as God's grace and love is revealed to you through other believers.  It begins with a prayerful discernment and invitation from a sponsor. After one accepts this invitation they complete an application. Leaders prayerfully consider each application and in God's time, the person is invited to attend a three-day experience of New Testament Christianity as a lifestyle."

emmaus@upperroom.org

One of many unique aspects of Emmaus was that guests come with no access to clocks, wristwatches, cell phones and communication with home. For me, the value of this is to remove our daily life distractions and reconnect with God, the lover of your soul. By the end of the first day, I was ready to honor this request. It was at the end of the first day that I discovered just how many distractions I have lived with in my life that kept me from connecting with God daily. I was blessed by God to be relieved from distractions. And not fighting the urge to know the agenda became a blessing. There were so many thoughtful sections of the agenda that became meaningful.

It was truly a Walk to Emmaus. Thank you to everyone that unselfishly gave to all of us throughout that 3 day journey. God bless each of you.

Land of Dry Bones

"God grabbed me. God's Spirit took me up and set me down in the middle of an open plain strewn with bones. He led me around and among them - a lot of bones. There were bones all over the plain - lots of dry bones. God said, 'Can these bones live?' 

I said, 'Master God, only you know that.'

God said, 'Prophesy over these bones. Dry bones, listen to the Message of God! I'm bringing the breath of life to you and you'll come to life... You'll come alive and you'll realize that I am God'!  There was a sound and, oh, rustling! The bones moved and came together, bone to bone. God said, 'Come, breath. Breath life!" The breath entered them and then came alive!" 

The Message// Remix Contemporary Bible Translation

Emmaus Walk #62      Table of Ruth

So the first discovery on my journey was that I desperately needed God to breath life into MY dry bones. I didn't seem to pay attention that they were all dried up! Aren't we thankful that God loves us and blesses in spite of ourselves!  And I was truly blessed. It was a lifetime experience that I will forever cherish.

I walked away in awe of the continual demonstration of God's love for me and unconditional love given to me by the body of Christ, by His Church, my brothers and sisters in Christ. To comprehend what I mean, you must experience it for yourselves. 

Now I can look back and fully understand / respect the suggestions given to me to have limited information beforehand and to NOT anticipate. NOT ANTICIPATE! ME? Never!  My inquisitiveness always gets the best of me. Curiosity is something I have a hard time turning off. However, I heeded and gladly obeyed. And it was worth the presentations of surprises. To be pleasantly surprised is a mild description.  I was overwhelmed with love, kindness, joy and peace.  

DeColores my Emmaus Sisters of Walk #62. As I experience more of what God would have me share, I will do so. 

God Bless You and keep you in your journey of life!

Laura

Carolyn - I loved every minute of it!  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Your love and care for me overwhelms me. 

Emmaus Walk

My dear friend Carolyn has chosen to sponsor me for an Emmaus Walk! And I am very excited. She is sending me on a Christian, women's retreat for 3 nights and 3 days, starting this Thursday. I anticipate it to be a time of peace and tranquility, reuniting with the Lord. It is an opportunity to rediscover the Joy of the Lord and my relationship with Him. 

I am so excited for the quietness. It is a retreat set up with limited information of location and agenda. I am asked not to bring a laptop, cell phone or even a watch. I am blindly led by the trust of my friend that it will truly  be an enlightening event.

So after I return from this weekend of anticipation, I am to promise to keep most details of location and activities to myself so that others can experience it on their own. I hope to share with you that I found my way back to the heart of God - well, that my heart was reunited with His. (He is always offering His heart to me and to all in order to show His love.)

Enjoy your week. As for me, I have a four-day work week with an exciting 3-day weekend ahead. God bless you! And thank you again Carolyn. I can't wait to share with you all that I will be experiencing.