Welcome to the Lexington Emmaus Community!

Next Gathering

Date: Friday, July 12

DUE TO LACK OF AC IN FELLOWSHIP HALL, WE WILL NOT HAVE OUR POT LUCK BUT WILL STILL HAVE

6:30 FELLOWSHIP

7:15 Worship

place: TRINITY HILL Methodist Church SANCTUARY

3600 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, KY 40517

From the Lay Director:Wally Briggs

For the newest members of the community, I was an air traffic controller at Blue Grass airport for 30+ years. One coworker described air traffic control as 55 minutes of boredom and peace followed by 5 minutes of chaos and excitement. My career was rewarding and fulfilling. A secret that most of the community knows is that I have never flown on a plane. That means that I drive wherever I need to go. My oldest daughter attended college in Atlanta and my youngest attended Auburn. Well, you have to drive thru Atlanta to get to Auburn.

Chaos is defined as: complete disorder and confusion. My drive out of Lexington south on I-75 starts on roads I know. Knoxville is a little more exciting with 6 lanes or so. Chattanooga is not bad but I know what is coming. ATLANTA !!!! Atlanta = CHAOS !!!! Eight to ten lanes wide with heavy traffic motoring well above the posted speed limit. When I need to change lanes what scares me the most is the vehicle 5 lanes over weaving thru traffic like Dale Earnhardt Jr. Get me thru Atlanta so I can get back to traffic more my speed.

When God created everything, he did it by starting with a formless void (chaos) and then shaping it with his Word. He did that to show that, in the same way, our lives are a formless void until God’s Word comes in to bring life and peace, beauty and order.

My spiritual journey can be related to my driving. When chaos is all around (Atlanta) I seem to be more aware, more focused. I pray more and rely on God and the people God has surrounded me with to get thru it. I read my bible to seek answers. That vehicle (sin) five lanes over and behind me is taken care of by God. Then I get out of chaos and relax. I only have to worry about 2 or 4 lanes. I still have God with me but I am a little more self reliant.

The Word of God creates. Sin de-creates. Every time. Without exception. And the same is true in our lives. Sin unravels our families, puts darkness into our hearts, and places us in bondage to addictions.

Then I hit those two lanes roads. I only have to focus on what is ahead and on occasion what is coming up behind me. Way less chaos and way less traffic. All alone on the road. It's like I am in that 55 minute description of air traffic. I got this. No chaos, just me and the road. Then there it is, standing on the roadside with nobody near. Sin (pornography for me) lurks. Remember “I got this”? Just me and sin. I pull over and let it in. It didn't sneak up from five lanes over. Does the chaos keep me spiritually focused? Does my sense of order disconnect me from God ?

Thankfully, Jesus,the Word, would come to re-enter a dark, sin-filled, chaotic world. And that Word would bring life and light once more.

We see Jesus do this all throughout his ministry, undoing the chaos and darkness left by sin. He heals diseases. He opens the eyes of the blind. He makes the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead come to life. He walks on water and tells hurricanes to “sit down and shut up” – and they listen. He forgives adulterers, murderers, and thieves, drawing them in for intimate fellowship—transforming the impure and the shameful into pillars of character and virtue. You see, wherever sin had left a dark void in the world, Jesus comes with a thundering word: let there be light. And there is.

But then, at the end of Jesus’ life, the strangest thing happens. He is put into darkness and chaos. When he died, the earth shook and a pitch-black darkness fell on the earth. The Spirit of God, who had hovered over him for all of his life, flitted away. When Jesus cried out, “God, where are you?” the answer was a stunning and horrifying silence.

Jesus, the architect of creation, the Word of life itself, was put into the darkness and void of sin. He chose to walk that road so that we, who had rejected the Word, could have light and life again. Jesus allowed himself to be de-created on the cross so that we could be re-created in the resurrection.

We are a world that needs peace. Our world is in turmoil. We are a world that needs Jesus and the peace that comes along with knowing and trusting Him. There’s so much chaos in the world right now. People are dying, nations are invading other nations, sickness seems to have overtaken us, poverty and pain overwhelm many; yet, would you believe me when I say, despite all of this, peace can be found - peace can be experienced?

Whatever you are going through, I’m here to tell you, there is a God who loves you (always has, always will) and desires for you to experience His peace. “Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” - Author Unknown

De Colores / Fly With Christ - Wally

From the Agape Chair:

We need the community 's help for the upcoming walks. If you are asked to be on the Agape or Kitchen team, please say yes. I know they are hard jobs, but remember the more help you have the less work it is. I hope to see you on the next team.

DeColores.