Cross 

 Point

MONTHLY GATHERINGS (7:00 p.m.) (Board meeting at 5:00 p.m.)				WALKS
Feb 14th		FUMC, Gene Autry		Men’s Walk #73		04/16/09-04/19/09
Mar 14th		tbd		Women’s Walk #74		04/23/09-04/26/09

I’ve been thinking about what it is that drives my Christian life. Is it worship? Is it service? Is it my Emmaus Reunion Group? Is it my Celebrate Recovery group? Certainly each one of these is meaningful to me. But something exceeds them all. What is it? My daily devotional time!

I’ll have to confess that for years I maintained this practice in an “off and on” fashion. Sometimes missing a day or two and sometimes missing several months or years. Oh, I’ve always found myself praying throughout the day — praying for people at the hospital, praying before meals, praying before a meeting, praying in a worship service, praying for someone in need, praying for guidance. I Thessalonians 5:17 says simply, “Pray without ceasing.” I believe that! I’ve always believed that. And, to one degree or another I have practiced that throughout my ministry. But I have also found that maintaining a daily time alone with God is most difficult. Then a couple of things happened to change that —

The first thing was an encounter with the Lord. I was reading one morning in the Bible and the Lord seemed to say to me, “Dan, do you love me?” I said, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” The Lord said, “Do you really!” And I said, “Yes, you know that I love you.” The Lord said, “Well, you sure don’t act like it. If you loved me, you would make time for me. If you loved me, you would spend time with me.” And I said, “I guess I don’t love you that much, do I?” The Lord said, “No, you don’t; but I love you.” And there came such an infusion of grace in my life that I knew that I would never be without a daily quiet time with the Lord.

A second thing that happened about that same time. I went with two Reunion Groups to Colorado to go white water rafting down the Arkansas River. On the way back one of the men shared how his spiritual life had been enhanced since he began with a daily prayer list. I decided to try it, and since the early 90’s I’ve rarely missed having my daily quiet times. I just don’t want to go two weeks without praying for some of the people and ministries on my prayer list. And, I no longer have to struggle with the guilt of not praying and not seeking the Lord on my own behalf and on behalf of others.

I set my prayer list up this way:

Sunday		My preacher friends and their families
Monday		My job responsibilities
Tuesday		My immediate and extended family
Wednesday		Our church staff and ministries (including Emmaus)
Thursday		Our shut-in/at-home members
Friday		Public officials
Saturday		Missionaries our church supports

I encourage you to try putting together your own prayer list. Update the list periodically. Tell people what day you are praying for them. It will bless them and you.

De Colores,
Dan Patman
CrossPoint Walk to Emmaus #1
Table of Mark

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My Contact
While your visiting, make plans to attend the next gathering on Feb 14th at the Gene Autry UMC.

Now is the time to start on your Table Agape. The walks will be here soon and we want to bless the pilgrims with lots of Table Agape.

Remember how much fun it was to sit at the table and see all the goodies? Lets give that feeling to others! What was your favorite? The nose pencil sharpener that said "Pick Jesus". . . the hats . . . a bookmark. . .pens . . . or a nail cross necklace? Remember how the gifts steadily increase at each meal? Let's overwhelm our pilgrims with many loving gifts of Table Agape again! Reunion groups remember that your local craft store or an online "trading" store has tons to offer. Be sure you have at least 65 pieces per walk. That is 130 total.

And thanks again to each one for your dedication and gifts in the past.

Karin Nuner
Table Agape

Dear Community,

Team selection continues. Denny and Laura could still use your hands and feet. It's not too late to help behind the scenes. Volunteer apps are available on the website.

While you're there, check out the daily devotion, make note of the pilgrim application deadline and the link if you are in need of a reunion group.

February's gathering is at the United Methodist Church in Gene Autry. This will be the first time they've hosted a gathering. Please show them your support. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend. I'll be in Mexico City for a mission.

Thank you for the opportunity to once again serve as your community lay director.

De Colores,
Vicki Swigert

Kingston FBC will be hosting Seventh Day Slumber live in Concert on Thursday, February 12th at 7:00pm. This will be a free event and donations will be accepted at the door. Seventh Day Slumber is a well-known Christian Rock Band and if you haven't heard any of their music, check them out at the website.

More than anything, check out the video "Joseph's Story" under the video section on the web page. Joseph has an awesome testimony which he shares at every concert. Please tell everyone in the area about this FREE concert, we are going to pack the house. If you need more information, just email me (christianboy15@yahoo.com) and I will get back to you.

Thanks,
Scott Uhlenhake

Seventh Day Slumber

Have you heard the story about the farmer whose mule fell into a deep gully and seemed to be lost? The farmer and his neighbors tried everything that they could imagine to free the mule. It finally became apparent that no amount of prying, coaxing, or combination of ropes and levers would work. The poor animal seemed to be lost in a hopeless situation. Not wanting to let the mule suffer, the farmers began to shovel dirt into the ravine. But when the mule felt dirt land on his back, he would simply shake it off. Once a few inches of dirt had accumulated around the mule’s hooves, he was able to take a small step up. As the farmers continued shoveling dirt, the mule would just shake it off and step up. This went on and on until finally the mule was able to step out of the hole and be free again. Hallelujah!
So, when you find yourself in a rut: Be the Mule.

Rev. Dan Patman		Community Spiritual Director
Vicki Swigert		Community Lay Director
Paula Pfau		Assist. Community Lay Director
Rev. Kay Buchanan		Gatherings
Rev. Les Bussell		Fourth Day
Rev. Roger Wood		Candlelight | Sponsors Hour
Barbara Wood		Letter Agape
Toni Hignight		Literature
Mike Carnahan		Secretary
Dewayne Gipson		Treasurer
Karin Nuner		Table Agape
Jeff Hiller		Music
Ben Owens		Setup | Tear Down
Julie Altom		Registrar
Joe Sherbert		Newsletter
Kelly Shannon		Kitchen | Snack Agape