The New Year brings us face to face with the possibilities of a new start, a chance to do it right this time, a resolve to be faithful in areas where we've struggled in our faith and life.
I don't like New Year's resolutions. I think I broke most I made within a few days or a few hours all the time I was growing up. Making resolutions didn't seem to help me, I think, because there was more of me in it than Jesus.
Of course, I didn't know Jesus during my growing up years. Made resolutions! Broke them! Didn't make promises! Thought I'd break them! Even after calling on the power of God and praying.
Knowing Christ, I've finally found the power to make resolutions and keep them--all with the help and accountability of persons in the Cross Point Emmaus Community and persons in my Celebrate Recovery community. I guess my faith is more than just say-so now. It's know so. It's walking the talk. It's knowing not only what to do, but knowing that God has given me the wherewithal to do it.
To persons in the Cross Point Emmaus Community, I want to give you a challenge in 2009. I want to urge you to be very resolute about something. Something that's in your power to do something about. Be a SPONSOR in this New Year. On April 16-19 we have scheduled Walk to Emmaus for Men #73. On April 23-26 we have scheduled Walk to Emmaus for Women #74. And, we NEED you to sponsor someone.
If your Walk meant that you were able to take another step or two or three on down the road with Jesus, what would it mean for someone in your family, one of your friends, someone in your church? If it rates up there with one of the top experiences in your life, what do you think it could mean for someone else?
Right now virtually no one has signed up. Every Emmaus community is dependent upon good sponsorship. It's time for YOU to step up to the plate. We cannot receive Emmaus applications later than two weeks before the Walks. We will no longer receive last minute signees. So, the time is now!
I encourage you to get an appointment with the person(s) you are considering sponsoring. Plan to sit down with them and spend an hour sharing every thing you know about the Walk to Emmaus. There's nothing that you can't share about the Walk. Have them fill out an application and submit the $35 deposit. Then fill out the sponsor form on back and mail in the pilgrim's form, the sponsor's form, and the deposit to the Emmaus registrar. You can download the forms from the website
De Colores,
Dan Patman
Cross Point Emmaus Walk #1
Table of Mark
