The Blue Ridge Emmaus
Community Newsletter

Volume 14, Issue 2, April 2007

Those are provocative words to say the least.  How many times have you wanted to say those words before?  If you’re like me you’ve wanted to (or have) quite a few.  “I quit” is a very liberating phrase.  It’s only 5 little letters but if speaks volumes.  It instantly removes a lot of the pressure that you have been feeling but it doesn’t always fix the problem.

You may have wanted to say “I quit” to your boss, to your friends, to your marriage or 100 other things not listed here.  You may have even wanted to say it to your church or your reunion group.  Here are some things to think about when you want to quit.  What’s your reason wanting to quit?  Is it a momentary  build up of pressure that’s worn you so thin that you feel you can’t cope anymore?  Is it simply out of convenience because you don’t want to shoulder the additional responsibility?  Is it out of some fear that you can’t do what’s being asked so it’s better to quit than to fail?        

It isn’t always a bad thing to say “I quit” though.  You could say “I quit smoking”.  “I quit overeating.”  I quit that abusive behavior or marriage.  There’s certainly some times that quitting is beneficial.  Like quitting bad habits to improve your health or quitting bad relationships that are physically, mentally or spiritually abusive. So how does this relate to Blue Ridge Walk to Emmaus?  Have you quit spiritually?  Have you decided that it’s just too much effort to come to the prayer chapel?  Is it just too hard to find new pilgrims to sponsor?  Have you quit your reunion group and watched it evaporate through inactivity?  Have you quit wanting to celebrate your walk or wanting to share it with others?  Have you quit wanting to serve because of someone else who will (or won’t) be there on the weekend?    

I truly believe that you must examine any desire to quit through prayer.  Pray for God’s guidance in your situation.  Make sure that your heart is set upon Him and His will before making any rash decision.  Make sure your decision is a spiritual one and not one based on physical limitations.  Most people wouldn’t finish a marathon if they quit when they first got 'tired'.  There have are plenty of times in the Bible that people wanted to quit but God never quit on them.  Here is one place the Bible talks about quitting. 
 

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls.       - Hebrews 12:1-3, The Message.

I truly believe that God doesn’t quit on us.  Be one that perseveres. Be one that goes the extra mile for God. 

SUMMER GATHERING!!

Mark your calendars now for the Blue Ridge Emmaus / Mountain Ridge Chrysalis Summer Gathering to be held at Camp Tekoa in Hendersonville, June 23rd from 2 pm. until-?

From the Emmaus Prayer Chapel:

Come join us in the Prayer Chapel.
We had a great time on the last Walk singing,
reading scripture and praying.
What a treat it is to see the Holy Spirit at work!
It is an experience you won't forget.

Virginia and Lee Wilkinson,
Prayer Chapel Chairpersons

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Information from the Registrar
Jami Davis is the registrar for the Blue Ridge Emmaus. 
Please be sure to turn in your balances as soon as possible. 
If you have any questions, you can either e-mail me at
jami.c.davis@smithbarney.com or call me at 828-250-8736
or 828-654-8231. Thank you!!!!!
Blue Ridge Emmaus, PO Box 8256, Asheville, NC 28814.

How Much Agape?
•    When you are making agape for a walk, please be sure to include enough for everyone (pilgrims and team) plus 1-2 extra in case of breakage or spills. It is helpful to count your agape and label the bag/box with that number.
•    A good rule of thumb – Table/Dining Room agape: 60 items; Pillow agape: 40 items.
•    PERSONAL AGAPE: If you wish to give your pilgrim any personal agape, please do so on the ride home AFTER leaving Christmount.
        We strive to show ALL pilgrims God’s love through agape and when some pilgrims receive things that others don’t, feelings are hurt.
•    Reminder: Table agape is an expression of unconditional love; therefore personal names are not attached, although Reunion Group or church names are welcomed.
•    As you pray for the pilgrims on the upcoming walk, please pray for the Emmaus walks all over the US and the world.
•    Empty ALTOID tins needed ASAP to be transformed into Chrysalis agape. Please contact Julie Bagamary @ 628-1746 or gods6bags@lwol.com. Thank you very much.

The group provides opportunities to study the ways of the Lord and how to use the Word practically in everyday life. So join or create with others a reunion group.  You will forever be grateful for taking this step.  When you form your new group, please let the Chairperson of the community know the name, meeting time, meeting place and who the members a The most important next step after your walk is to join or form a reunion group. Reunion groups serve to keep you accountable for living your life to the Glory of God.  They also serve as all important sources of strength when you your life to the Glory of God.  They also serve as all important sources of strength when you need support.

View List of ReUnion Groups!