Benefactor

Quite some time ago, my siblings and I received a letter from an attorney advising us of the passing of a distant relative. Included in each letter was a check for a small amount. Needless to say we were ALL surprised and VERY curious! After speaking to my older sister we decided to investigate. Much to our dismay our initial investigation discovered that there was substantial funds that had been illegally retained by the executor of the will! Unfortunately, further attempts to discover more about these funds was met with stiff legalities and a final dead end. Try as we did, there was nothing we could do. We were thankful for receiving the monetary gifts we had been given and very sorry that we knew very little about our benefactor.

We are told in the book The Desire of Ages that the two ​disciples on their walk to Emmaus, "had no prominent place in Christ's work." (pg. 795) It's safe to say that these two were complete unknowns. They were living their everyday lives and Christ chose to use them to reiterate the glad tidings of His gift to the world! 

The surprise letter and contents my siblings and I received expressed sincere forethought, planning and love. Although the relative was not well known, they wished to provide a gift. As we dug a bit deeper we discovered there was more to the story. 


If we all wish to receive the greater gifts Jesus Christ has provided for us, we need to 'dig a little deeper'. Our efforts to learn more will be encouraged, guided and rewarded. Jesus Christ is our distant relative that has a gift much more valuable than ANY monetary gain! As the two disciples realized the gift that stood before them and the gifts they could share, love welled in their hearts, "they seemed to be in a new world." (pg. 801) 


As a person reads and studies the story of The Road to Emmaus, remember the journey does not end on this earth! We have a Heavenly Benefactor that wants to surprise you with a love letter offering eternal life! You can take THAT promise to the 'bank' where moths and rust DO NOT corrupt! ~PRAY!

Stefan Burnham

Maine Event!

Maine is the first place in the United States to receive sunshine! The sunny event is shared by three places: Acadia National Park's Cadillac Mountain, Lubec and Mars Hill. ALL are in Maine! The variance in location is caused by the slight tilt of the earth and Maine's mountainous northern terrain. I have been fortunate to see the sun rise in all three places. Each offers its own benefits but the perks of the Acadia Park makes it especially pleasant!

Whenever I see a sunrise, I can't help but get excited about new horizons, opportunities and new beginnings. Conversely, when I see a sunset I pause and consider the accomplishments of the day. It's then that I thank God for a day well spent and for His favor!   

Here's a Bible text that helps me remember that God has our best interest in mind: "The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning" (Lamentations 3:22-23). 

Life's challenges and surprise stresses can throw worries and anxieties in our path. A brief pause and a chat with God will remind you that He wants to shine in your life. He created the sun that rises and sets everyday. He says, "Hey, (your name here), I did that for YOU."

We all experience cloudy days and overcast moments. I've heard some people jokingly blame the barametric pressure or the pull of the moon! All too often we are quick to blame or choose a reason. We need to remember that above all the clouds is a sun waiting to shine on us. Also, Jesus Christ the Son, is waiting to make a bright event appear on the horizon of our lives! 

The Biblical King David did some abhorrent things and caused some egregious overcast days BUT in Psalm 5:3 he asks God: "Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."  It AMAZES me that although David's disposition wasn't always sunny, he was a man after God's own heart. He kept returning to God. The Lord did wonderful things in his life. 

You might not be the first person to see the sun rise in Maine or for that matter, see it rise anywhere. What you can do is ALWAYS choose to pray to Christ the Son. Ask for a sunny disposition or even a change in an event in your life. After all, David with his many faults found the sun/Son in especially dark times. Wherever you begin your day, no matter how arduous or mountainous your terrain, or how tilted your world appears, the Son is waiting to shine His light in each of our lives! Find a spot to talk to the Son and pour out your heart! Make it a 'main' event!  ~Pray /\