Cross 

 Point

MONTHLY GATHERING				WALKS
(Board Meeting at 5:00 PM)				Men’s Walk #77		Apr 15 - Apr 18
Feb 13th		Durant - Western Meadows Baptist Highway 70 West		Women’s Walk #78		Apr 22 - Apr 25

I remember reading the Bible when I was a child. I remember the stories—Joseph and his coat of many colors, David and Goliath, Noah and the flood, Jonah and the great fish, Moses and the Ten Commandments.

I remember the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus said that you’re supposed to love your enemies, pray for those who despitefully use you. And if someone slaps your cheek, you’re to turn the other also. I remember it, but I couldn’t remember WHY we were supposed to do those things.

I even taught Bible lessons at my youth group. But somehow they didn’t make any sense. Then, after I became a Christian, something happened! All of a sudden the Bible made sense. I could understand it.

Later I came to understand that the Bible is to be understood spiritually. In other words, the truths of the Bible are spiritually discerned. The Holy Spirit, living in me, helped me to understand. And, whatever measure we understand the Bible is due to the help or enlightening of the Holy Spirit.

The scripture says clearly in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

On every Emmaus weekend I encounter pilgrims who are blind to spiritual truth. They’ve never had a personal, life-giving relationship with Christ. They even express timidity about sharing because they are biblically illiterate. Some seem to know Jesus, but their relationship is lukewarm. They’ve never done anything about their relationship with Christ. They’ve never gotten into the Bible.

What happens next is truly amazing! They experience Emmaus! They experience Jesus! They hear the “Grow Through Study” talk. They get motivated! And, when they go home, they not only “tell their friends what great things the Lord has done for them.” They also get into a Bible study and sponge it up. In a brief amount of time they become biblically literate. And they exhibit a wisdom in their walk with God that only persons who’ve been walking with the Lord for awhile seem to know about.

Won’t you encourage someone to go on the next Walk to Emmaus! The spiritual impetus of the weekend may just motivate them to get into the Word. And, by reading and understanding the Word, they may be led, to go out and make a Christian difference in the world.

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

Your Emmaus community pays Cross Point camp an insurance fee for each person for each day. Insurance is included in the weekend fees for pilgrims and team volunteers. But, there is a separate fee ($2 per day or $5 for the weekend) for all others who attend Send-Off, Candlelight, Closing, etc. Please remember to sign-in and log your insurance payment as you enter the dinning hall so we can maintain an accurate count. Thank you!

Dewayne Gipson

As the new registrar, I'm ready to receive new pilgrim applications and I'm excited about this new position on the Cross Point Emmaus Board. Please remember to pray about potential pilgrims for the upcoming Spring walks. Our deadline for applications is April 1, 2010, but it's not too soon to turn them in now. I trust the Lord's guidance when drawing pilgrims to the Walks and look forward to seeing His plans fulfilled this spring!

Kelly Shannon

It's time to start thinking about all the snacks you would like to sign up to bring to the upcoming Spring Walks. Remember how neat it was to walk out every hour or so and see that beautiful snack table set up with all the goodies on it? We want that for these pilgrims also. So, I will have the sign up sheet at the February and March Gatherings. Or you can give a cash donation and I will do the shopping. Thank you in advance for all the snacks and donations.

Toni Hignight

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT2007)

The heart is essential; it is the pump that circulates life giving blood throughout our bodies. Daily we make decisions concerning diet and exercise that affect the heart physically. We must also guard who we let into our heart; we need to be certain that the people we let in are worthy of a place in our heart because of who already resides there, Jesus Christ.

Situations brought about by the people in our heart can keep it in shape or break it. I have had both kinds of people in my life. I have been blessed with more people that made my heart better than I have had those that have broken it. Life itself can bring about real "heartache".

I had heard the term "heartache" but did not really understand what it was until my husband was killed in a motorcycle accident. After I came out of the "fog" somewhat, I experienced real, true "heartache"; my heart literally physically hurt, it ached. It felt like someone had reached into my chest and was squeezing my heart while ripping it out of my body. The "heartache" was there because of love in my heart for my husband. This is part of life; people that we love die and that causes us to experience "heartache", life and death is something we have no control over.

We must be ever aware and guard who we allow to take up residence in our heart. Are they worthy of being roommates with Jesus Christ? That is not to say we should not love all, we are commanded to do just that, but just who do we allow to take up a permanent place of residence and influence in our heart? God does not want us to suffer through bad relationships; we are precious in His sight (Isaiah 43:4), He has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11), we are His children (I John 3:1-2), He gives us joy (I Peter 1:8). Christian friends can help keep us in the Bible, accountable, and centered in Jesus Christ.

The people I have met through Emmaus and the walk I went on are special to me and have helped to put joy back into my heart with encouragement and listening. I am looking forward to working the women’s walk this April, I know it will bring joy to others as those working the walk I went on brought joy to me. My hope is that I have made a difference for the better for someone and will continue to do so.

Cathey Chaney
Cross Point Walk to Emmaus #76
Table of Esther

Feb 13th	Western Meadows Baptist	Durant	7:00 PM
Mar 27	Asbury UMC	Ardmore	7:00 PM
Apr 17	Men’s Candlelight	Cross Point	8:00 PM
Apr 24	Women’s Candlelight	Cross Point	8:00 PM

Dear Emmaus Community,

My wife, Sue Newman, had already been diagnosed with cancer when we went on our walks (65 and 66). It was very emotional for me as I had not shed a tear since getting her call. You know, I thought I was being strong like men are supposed to be. Well, I will tell you, when the tears came at dying moments I thought I would pass out. What a great experience that weekend was for me and very much needed!!

After my walk, at the Fourth Day meeting, we threw our group together not expecting anything or knowing what we were doing. We call ourselves The DOC and it’s a pleasure to host the meeting. What I did NOT expect was for these guys to have healing prayer meetings with Sue and for her. To constantly check on me, Sue and my two girls ages 13 and 11. They were there anytime 24-7.

Sue lost her battle with cancer on January 8, 2009. They were there at the hospital, and they stayed with me that weekend. Helped clean the house, took care of everyone that visited, brought food, picked out music for the service and so much more.

I included them as Honorary pall bearers. We had put a wooden hand cross in our group that someone would ask to have for the week or we would give to them if we felt it was needed. Before Sue’s funeral service we went into a small chapel in First Church, they prayed over me and when I went into the service I held that wooden cross for peace. My discipleship was to not break down in the service so everyone would KNOW that I KNEW Sue was out of pain and in perfect form in Heaven. We had very uplifting music that day and my group, of course, helped me every step of the way.

I have one blood brother, but I can share that everyone in my Emmaus DOC group is thought of equally. I know anytime I can call them for anything and they also know they can call me for anything anytime.

I hope all groups are like that, I feel they are. I just wanted to share how important the fourth day weekly groups are, or certainly could or should be for each of us. Because, you never know when, YOU, may get the call that completely changes your life.

De Colores,
Mark Newman
Walk #65
Table of Matthew

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