Seek an Understanding.

FAITH:

It is a few days after Jesus' resurrection. Cleopas and another disappointed believer are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, talking "about all these things that had happened" in Jesus' trial, death, and resurrection (Luke 24:13-14). As they walk, a man they do not recognize joins them and asks what they are talking about. Cleopas says in amazement, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place?" (24:18) In other words, "Don't you know what's been going on? Everyone in town is talking about what has happened!"

Cleopas and the other believer then recount the events of the preceding days. As they walk, the stranger begins to explain to them passages about the Messiah from "Moses and all the prophets" -- from the beginning of the Hebrew Bible to its end. The three journey together until daylight begins to fade, and the travelers invite the stranger to join them for a meal. He agrees. But they still do not recognize that the stranger is Christ. Then, as Christ blesses and breaks bread, Cleopas and the other traveler suddenly have their spiritual eyes opened. In one remarkable instant, they see what is before them in a new way and understand that the risen Christ has been walking with them, that Christ has been part of their conversation.

This story shows us an important truth about the path to deeper faith: we are not meant to walk it alone. It is not meant to be a lonely or solitary journey. Like Cleopas and the other traveler, we have the opportunity to talk with other believers about the events of our life and consider their deeper meaning. The "conversation" takes many forms. Insight may come as we grapple with scripture in the company of other believers in a small group, as we simply talk together about our lives, as we work alongside others serving those in need.

The Emmaus travelers show us that understanding is not automatic. It is important to note that these two who had actually seen Jesus still needed help to understand what had been happening. We often seem to think that we should know all the answers about matters of faith, when even those who knew Jesus face-to-face had questions. As we try to find the meaning of "all the things that [have] happened" outside us and within us, as we struggle with confusion or doubt, fear or failure, we need one another. To have someone who will listen as we honestly examine ourselves and our faith is a gift of Christian community.

This story reflects another deep spiritual truth: Our honest conversations about our life and our faith are not just flawed people applying human wisdom and reason to their dilemmas and wounds. As Cleopas and his companion talk about the meaning of what they have experienced, Christ joins the conversation. Christ applies the words of scripture to their situation and to what they have seen and heard and are feeling. Any time we seek deeper insight into our faith, Christ joins us. Matthew tells us that wherever two or more gather in Christ's name, Christ is present (Matt. 18:20). In times of grief or doubt or pain or loss, Christ walks with us and other believers as we journey toward understanding and comfort.

Yet the story takes us one step further. The travelers knew the facts of what had happened that week and could recite them, as they did to the stranger. But knowing the facts, even knowing what scripture says about any particular subject, does not guarantee understanding. Like the two travelers, we need our spiritual eyes to be opened. Paul told the Ephesians that he was praying for "the eyes of [their] heart to be enlightened" (Eph. 1:18) so that they might know the hope to which they were called and the riches that were theirs in Christ. ("So that" is an important phrase in scripture; it opens the door for us to see the result God wants or the fruit we are meant to bear.) We pray and seek insight not for its own sake but so that we can move more deeply into the life God has for us. True spiritual friendship is having someone who will ask God to act in our lives, who will ask the Holy Spirit to help us.

This holy conversation continues today any time we talk with one another, seeking deeper understanding of our faith. One form of it is the magazine you are holding in your hands. In these pages, people we may never know personally can walk and talk with us and help us come to deeper understanding of our shared faith. We can trust that here as with the Emmaus travelers, the Holy Spirit works beyond and through the words we write, speak, or read.

FRIENDS:

Father, You have taught us in the way of wisdom; you have led us in right paths. When we walk our steps will not be hindered, and when we run we will not stumble. Help us to take firm hold of instruction, and not let go: to keep it for it is our life. In Jesus' name, Amen

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~JUNE~

17. Luke 5:17-26; Phil 2:1-11; Psalms 119:129-136; 2 Kings 8-9
18. Luke 5:27-32; Phil 2:12-18; Psalms 119: 137-144; 2 Kings 10-11

10 Things To Be Thankful For
1. Successful surgery
2. Having a cup of coffee in the park
3. Watching nature
4. Being at the cabin
5. Learning the art of compromise
6. How your heart melts when you hear a friends voice
7. That piece of furniture you bought fits without measuring beforehand
8. Dinner with people you care about
9. Finishing a To-Do list
10. People who volunteer

FOOD:

I have had a request for more casseroles since many are suffering hard times and less cash for groceries. This one is not only inexpensive but it's easy...

SLOW COOKER LASAGNA

INGREDIENTS:
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• 1lb. lean ground beef, (cooked & drained)
• 1 (32oz.) Jar spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 box no-boil lasagna noodles, (gently broken in half)
• 2 Cloves garlic, (minced)
• 1/4 tsp. Dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp. dried basil
• 1/2 c. onion, (finely minced)
• 2 c. Mozzarella cheese, (shredded)
• 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:
1. Grease inside of slow cooker with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Combine beef, sauce garlic, spices and onion in a medium-sized bowl and mix well.
3. Combine ricotta and mozzarella in a separate medium-sized bowl.
4. In the slow cooker, layer the beef, noodles and sauce mixture. (Create several layers.)
5. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
6. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Then serve.

FUN:

YOU'RE NOT OLD UNLESS YOU CAN REMEMBER...

...being sent to the drugstore to test vacuum tubes for the TV.

...when Kool-Aid was the only other drink for kids, other than milk and sodas.

...when there were two types of sneakers for boys: high tops and low tops.

...when boys couldn't wear anything but leather shoes to school. (And shirts tucked in, belts had to be worn, and skirts no higher than mid-knee.)

...when it took five minutes for the TV to warm up. (Remember watching test patterns, and that itty-bitty screen?)

...when nearly everyone's parents smoked and cigarettes were $3 a carton.

...when all your friends got their hair cut at the kitchen table.

...when nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there. (Usually with hot homemade cookies and milk.)

...when nobody owned a pure-bred dog.

...when a dime was a decent allowance, and a quarter a huge bonus. (And penny candy?)

...when you'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny.

...when girls neither dated nor kissed until late high school, if then.

...when all your teachers wore either neckties or had their hair done, every day.

...when you got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, for free, every time. (And gas was 19 cents a gallon?)

...when any parent could discipline any kid, or feed him, or use him to carry groceries, and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.

...when it was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a REAL restaurant with your parents.