The Forum this week is taken from a studyguide written by Ben Gomersall and entitled Why Jesus?The Forum is intended for us to express our thoughts on a subject that is presented. Nothing world-shattering will be presented, but if we concentrate on the study of the Word, led by the Holy Spirit, we can do no worse than grow in our faith. Now, let us have a bit of fun with our first topic. When you respond to the topic, I will use the website e-mail to post your comments. I will try to update the comments quickly. Please send all responses to ben@elpasoemmaus.org and we will get them posted.
As we begin our study in Genesis, we see that the Lord created all that we have come to know and understand and that he saw that it was good, including the creation of man.It has been said, by more than one author, that man is the weakest and yet strongest of God’s creation.Give some thought to how man is weak and you will discover that man is weak in spirit, mind, and stature.Man cannot be compared to any of God’s other creations in that we have the innate ability to think and reason.Unlike the other mammals, we can realize a situation, think of the ramifications of any action we might take, initiate the action that we deem necessary, and then wonder if what we have done is correct.
Man matures at such a slow rate that he has the ability to get himself into various types of trouble.As children, we are the cutest and most dumfounding of animals.We want our own way and express our displeasure when our desires are not rewarded by instant gratification.We do not like to share with our siblings or friends until we are taught by our parents that this is a requirement of being a human.We cannot have our own way, all of the time.From the time we are born, we struggle with the “me first” syndrome and it is often late in life that we realize that what we are struggling for is not the right thing to desire.As a matter of fact, the problems associated with marriage are often rooted in our inability to share and not have our way. One may look at any number of marriages and see good examples of not putting oneself second to the needs of our spouse. A relationship cannot be formed when only one person is important and his or her desires are what drive the marriage.
As young children, we always want some form of recognition.At the beginning we realize that the love of our parents is important to our development.We need to be reminded that we are loved, regardless of how we act.This love is an unconditional love awarded to us by caring and nurturing parents. It is sometimes difficult to understand why we cannot win all of the games and why it is important for other teams to be successful.It is hard for us to understand why I must give in and make sure that someone else is affirmed.
In our early years of establishing relationships with the opposite sex, we have to be taught that all is not good when only one person is satisfied with a relationship.We like to take possession of things that we do not own.Boys are very good at trying to take ownership of a girl and her affections.We hear boys often refer to the young girl as “my girl” or some other enduring phrase.This assumption of ownership destroys most relationships before they ever have the opportunity to grow.
We can see that this type of attitude impacts not only our relationship with other humans, but also with our God. Genesis 1:26 allows for our creation by God.On the sixth day, man came into being. Man and woman were created, in the first story of creation, to take dominion over all of God’s creation. In the first chapter of Genesis, we can determine that all was given over to the hands of man for whatever man needed.Genesis Two reminds us that God made man from the dust of the ground and woman from the flesh of the man.The first big question now confronts us.Are there two creation stories or just a variation of one?When Moses wrote the details of creation, did he get it right or is there something that we just do not understand?This question will be left for the reader to think about and realize an understanding.
Ben Gomersall
Rainbow Forum Editor
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Welcome to the Rainbow Fourth Day Group of El Paso, Texas, a member of the Borderlands Emmaus Community.
Please note that the slate presented by the Board has been certified and these wonderful people become our leadership for this year. When they ask you to do something, please respond with a hearty "yes".
Rainbow Board Meeting
February 26, 2010
Board Members Present: Susie Aikman, Bill Boyd, Nancy Calvin, Peggy Craig, Ben Gomersall, Evaline Gomersall, Janie Shockley, and Betty Smith.
Ben Gomersall, in the capacity of Lay Director of the Emmaus Borderlands Board, called the meeting to order.
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss where to go and what to do about the dwindling Rainbow Emmaus Fourth Day Group. Discussions proceeded concerning the dissolution or continuation of said group.
As the last meeting of this board was held in January 2008 and gatherings have been so poorly attended since then, the decision to dispense with Rainbow Emmaus Fourth Day Group gatherings was made. Borderlands has three community gatherings annually and this group can use that venue instead.
To have representation at the Borderland Board meetings, this group decided to continue the Rainbow Emmaus Fourth Day Group board, but with fewer positions. The positions to be eliminated are: Secretary, Send Offs, Gatherings, and possibly Team Selection. The decision concerning the Team Selection position will be made by the Borderland Board.
A slate of officers was proposed and approved. Ben Gomersall will email or snail mail the ballots to all the Rainbow Emmaus Fourth Day Group members on Monday, March 1, 2010 with a return deadline of March 14, 2010. Upon election, this board will meet as called. All positions have a three-year term, excepting Lay Director and Assistant Lay Director, which are one-year terms with annual elections, up to three terms.
