March 5, 2004
Welcome,

Yes, I did skip last week. But my kitchen is pretty well finished. :)

I had a friend pray for me earlier this week. He’s another pastor here in town and he was concerned that I might be overwhelmed with everything that’s going on in my life. He’s up to date on both my church assignments and he knows I tore my kitchen apart. He initiated prayer for me.

He noticed. He remembered. He lifted me before God. I was blessed and encouraged. I’m used to remembering other people. I forget to let other brothers and sisters remember me.
Later this week I was talking with a colleague here in town about a community seminar we’re working on together. She happens to be a Buddhist. We’d just finished listening to a presentation that sounded like the presenter believed everyone in the room was Christian. I confessed to this woman that it’s much too easy to make assumptions about people. I was sorry she had been overlooked.

I wanted her to know that I appreciated her gracious accommodation of our group. She thanked me for acknowledging her. She said she was used to it. I don’t want people to have to be used to my oblivion to their beliefs and convictions.

My wife and I have been asked to sing at a community memorial hosted at another church in town. We were asked to not be too religious. I’m not sure what that means. You see, while I don’t want to be oblivious to differences, neither do I want to have to hide my Christianity. That’s who I am.

I pray that your contacts within the community have been rewarding and a blessing. Continue to pray for one another.

Under His Wings,
Pastor Steve