Road to Emmaus

It is now covered by a water pipeline and electrical lines. Beneath the weeds and fill-gravel you can find sections of 10-20 large squared off stones in a perfectly straight line. These stones are a curbline and all that remains of the 7 mile stretch of Roman road between Jerusalem and the town of Emmaus. Here is a picture of that stretch, some of those stones, and myself in Israel this past January. It was on this road that Jesus appeared to two of His followers after His resurrection. Luke 24:13-35

This past weekend I went on a different type of "walk to Emmaus". It was an awesome reminder of the power of God's Spirit and His work in believer's lives through the power of Christ on the Cross. It was encouraging to see how Christ's body is represented here on earth and demonstrated in the love of His followers through the church.

http://www.etownemmaus.org/ (although I think the site is temporarily down)

Thank you to all who prayed for, supported, and wrote letters to me.

Let's not forget of our own daily need to draw close to Christ in our own personal walk with Him! We must also remain disciplined in our sharing of His message with others!

http://www.thegoodnews.org/

Sin.

Yesterday I was blessed to hear a message by Dr. Millard Erickson on the interaction between theology and history. He is well known for his book titled "Christian Theology" which is all about systematic theology.

What is systematic theology? I never knew until seminary...it is basically what does the WHOLE Bible say about a certain subject. As I prepare for a 2 week study on Sin and its practical emergence in sexual areas and addictions, I am reminded of the need for a systematic understanding of sin.

I like how the Baptist Faith & Message sums it up:

"In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God. "

A shorter definition of sin?

Anything that gets between me and a right relationship with God.

In all things we must ask ourselves... is pride or self-worship at the heart of my actions & thoughts...or am I focused on glorifying and worshipping God?

Romans 1:25

"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. "

Barbershop Blessings

I had the blessing to meet a wonderful Christian barber today. His encouragement was a great reminder that the Lord desires to use us wherever He places us...whether it is behind a pulpit, in the mission field, as a student, as a businessman, as a stay-at-home mom, or wherever we work. It reminded me of a clever response I recently read about (can't remember where though and not an exact quote...Jonathan-paraphrased!).... Someone was asked, "What do you do for a living?" Their response? "I am a servant of God, sharing His love and truth while cleverly disguised as a grocery store bagger." What are you cleverly disguised as? Are you on mission for God no matter where you are? 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 16Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it. 19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.