LIVING WATER
OPEN DOOR EMMAUS COMMUNITY
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LIVING WATER |
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OPEN DOOR EMMAUS COMMUNITY |
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A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR |
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Luelda Robichaux |
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Greetings in the name
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! |
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“The Serenity Prayer”, as it has come to be called, was always my mother’s favorite prayer. But she, like most everyone else, quoted only the beginning lines. The rest of the prayer is very beautiful too, but we hardly ever see it. When I came across it the other day, I knew that I wanted to share it with all of you this month. Reinhold Niebuhr is the author. |
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God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot
change; Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it, Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen. |
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| Amen and amen! | |||||
| De Colores Luelda |
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CLERGY CORNER |
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Rev. Gene Gurley |
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... but you shall be
called priests of the Lord, |
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| Secret Identity | |||||
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When Ryan was 3 years old, his mother would pin a towel to the back of his T-shirt and instantly, he transformed into Superman. Everyday was a new adventure of saving the world and daring escapes. For two years, he was faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive. He was Superman – a fact made clear when he and his mom went to enroll in kindergarten. During the course of the interview, the teacher asked Ryan his name. "Superman," he answered politely. The teacher was amused as she asked again, "Your real name, please." Again, Ryan answered, "Superman." The teacher tried to hide her amusement as she assumed a position of authority and in a voice quite stern she said, "Who are you, really?” Ryan knew he was caught. He hunched closer to her and answered in a voice hushed with conspiracy: "Clark Kent." I grew up in the 60’s reading DC Comics and the Adventures of Superman. It never ceased to amaze me how Lois Lane could never make the Clark Kent/Superman connection. |
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Jesus had a secret identity too. Many thought of him as the rabbi, who taught with great authority. The priests of the temple knew him as the thorn in their side. When Jesus asked his disciples who they thought he was, they replied that some thought he was the reincarnation of John the Baptist, Elijah or Jeremiah. When Peter exclaimed, “You are the Messiah!”, Jesus told him ‘not to tell anybody,’ of his secret identity – at least for a while. But it was hard to keep such an identity a secret. His words and actions betrayed him. |
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How about you? Do your actions betray your secret identity? By day, a mild mannered insurance salesman or soccer mom (or both) until you step into the phone booth and emerge as Super Christian. My hope for you is that your faith is so strong that you can’t hide your identity as a Christian; that your words and actions betray your secret and you are known by your love for others. “[F]or no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world." Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.” John 7:4,6 Amen. |
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Rev. Gene Gurley |
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FROM THE LAY DIRECTOR |
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Mary Percifield |
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... for you will be
his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard. |
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HIS WONDERFUL WORKS |
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Assembled from various sources by the newsletter staff |
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"O give thanks to
the Lord, call on His name, make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of His wonderful works." |
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I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn to humbly obey. I asked God for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. |
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I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. |
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I got nothing I asked for but everything I had hoped for… Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men most richly blessed. -Unknown Confederate Soldier |
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