We Had Hoped But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel… besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened…some women of our company amazed us…they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. (Luke 24:21-23) Wednesday, Second Week of Easter Father in heaven, I ask You to take from me now all the burdens of anxiety and grief caused by the cares of this life. I thank you for the stillness of this time of prayer where I can lay my burdens down, and hand over to you all my worries and anxieties. At this moment I open my heart to receive your blessings, knowing that in your presence the furrows are being smoothed from my brow, the lines from my face, the loads from my heart, the doubts from my mind, the fears from my soul, that I am in peace. And now I thank You, Gracious Father, for the quietness within knowing that you are God, and You are with me always through Your Son, Jesus Christ, and by your Holy Spirit. Amen Dear friends, Two disciples, Cleopas and one unnamed, were walking on the dusty road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. A stranger sidles up to them and asks what they were discussing along the way. They quickly realize that this “stranger” doesn’t seem to have a clue about the events that have recently happened to Jesus the Messiah. They quickly fill him in on the details, but as they do so, they reveal their own state of mind. They say, “We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel…” Their hope was shattered. What about yours? In this strange new reality that we are living in, many hopes and dreams have been paused or changed. You may have had thoughts about doing this or that, or made long range goals like saving up for a new purchase, having a family reunion, seeing loved ones, or working(?!), all of which have been shelved until further notice. Some dreams have flown out the window to Never Never Land. Others may eventually come back online at a later date. The two disciples were mourning that their expectations of Jesus had been shattered by his crucifixion. Now they were returning home. But to do what? Would they ever have a reason to walk the dusty seven mile road back to Jerusalem again? How ironic that they could not see Jesus walking with them at that moment. It is the same with us. Our natural eyes are unable to see Jesus walking with us now. That’s why we need new eyes, eyes of faith. When we walk by faith, not by sight, we understand Jesus’ eternal promise to us: “I will never leave you, or forsake you.” The good news is that the Hope of the World is walking with you on this journey!! How awesome is that! Walking with you on the road,
Pastor Langdon Reinke P.S. Hope you and your family are healthy and safe. We are in this together. We have help available if there are needs. Please let us know. | 
