A Prayer for Pilgrims

This is a prayer from a book we are reading in preparation for our trip. The book is called "The Road to Emmaus: Pilgrimage as a Way of LIFE" by Jim Forest.

As we prepare for this trip, we have been encouraged to meditate on this prayer. I want to invite you to do the same. When you do (once, twice, or more) come back here and share what you think, or maybe even some God is revealing to you through the prayer.


Lord Jesus, you traveled with the two disciples to Emmaus after the resurrection and set their hearts of fire with your grace. Travel also with me and gladden my heart with your presence.

I know, Lord, that I am a pilgrim on earth, seeking citizenship in heaven.

During my journey surround me with your holy angels and keep me safe from seen and unseen dangers.

Grant that I may carry out my plans and fulfill my expectations according to your will.

Help me to see the beauty of creation and to comprehend the wonder of your truth in all things.

For you are the way, the truth, and the life, and to you I give thanks, praise, and glory forever.

Amen.

Graduation

I know this is dedicated to letting you guys know about our trip to Italy, but this past weekend was graduation. We are semi-graduates... semi, because we all still have this trip in front of us.

The good news is... every one of our team members has his/her sights clearly set on this trip. We are committed fully to the preparation of ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually.

We are 3 weeks away, and we are needing your prayer support to be in full swing if you haven't already begun to do so.



This is a picture of our cohort a graduation. (minus Joe, he was out the door!)

Welcome!

Wow, within the past week, a number of people have been invited to visit this website to find out more about the "Pilgrimage to Italy" adventure.

For those of you who might be new to the website, let me say thank you for coming and I hope you enjoy reading and commenting on this page as our cohort prepares and travels to italy in just about 1 month.

Hopefully, you will also be seeing some more frequent posting, as well as an updated sidebar, including some fellow team members names and prayer requests.

Praying for Italians.

As I am sure many of you know, Italy has been hit hard this week with an earthquake.

In the words of our trip coordinator... "I invite you to consider a prayer of safety, mercy and grace as the country and the region near L'Acquila faces a long road to recovery." As we pray for the Italians, I want to invite you to do the same.

As I am sure you have noticed, I often use the BBC as an international news source. I will try to keep you updated on what is happening in Italy as this event continues to play out... but if you want to find information yourself, check http://www.bbc.co.uk/topics/italy.

Halfway!

I just got word from our trip coordinator that financially, we are halfway to our class goal for our trip.

Exciting Times!

Fighting for Freedom

I was reading an article this past week from the BBC, I was reading it for one reason... because it concerns Italy, and I am trying to keep up on current events in that area while preparing for this trip. But I found myself intrigued by the article for another reason... because in it, there are people fighting for freedom.

Freedom has been the cry of the church since the beginning. Freedom is at the core of who we are as Christians. In Galatians 5, Paul speaks of freedom in very unique ways, but in the end he says that we have been set free so that we can live in step with the spirit, and as such we will produce a life that there is no law against... a life marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control.

The Italians are right now involved in a fight for freedom. I am wondering what the role of Christians looks like in this very unique fight.

Check out this article and let me know if you have any thoughts of how the Church, being Christ's representative on earth should engage in this specific fight for freedom.

Italians Versus Mafia

Praising God

We are sitting in class tonight talking about this experience for a few minutes.

The GREAT news is that we as a class has raised One-Third of the finances that we need to go on this trip at this point. (Personally, I am on par with the overall class as well).

I know that the financial scene of many people, our country as a whole, and from the sounds of it... the world, is not pretty. And I cannot say thank you enough to the many of you who have made sacrifices to invest in me and my Cohort team.

I am praising God and thanking you all at the same time.