Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

Blessed Easter season to you all.  This weekend we follow Jesus as he encounters the disciples on the road to Emmaus.  They are on a journey in so many ways.  They literally are walking along the road, but now because Jesus journeys with them, their eyes will be open to so much more.  Their journey now becomes one of faith.  Their journey now becomes one of following Jesus through his life, suffering, death, resurrection, and glory.  

St. Peter in his first letter shares with the saints,

 If you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake, 21who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; (1 Peter 1:17-23)

He reminds them that they are journeying.  This is their time of exile, or wilderness wandering.  While on this journey, he implores them to take confidence in God because he raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory.  

What does your journey look like right now?  Join me this Sunday as we talk about our journey, because some days our confidence in the Lord is all we have. 

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust