August 8 , 2008

The initial conversation went like this.

“Where is your home county?”

“The Ukraine.”

“How long have you been in the United States?”

“About five years.”

A little later the conversation continued.

“So what will you grow in your indoor garden? Flowers or tomatoes?”

“I’ve mainly thought of house plants. Maybe marijuana or something.”

And a little later . . .

“I’ve heard there’s a large Ukrainian community in Sacramento. Is that true?”

“Over 100,000 I think. Most of them are Protestant. In San Francisco they are Jews. In Chicago they are Orthodox. I lived in Chicago for 2 years.”

“I’m a Protestant pastor.”

“Really? What church?”

“Seventh-day Adventist.”

“Wow! Me too. We’re brothers!”

And a little later, suddenly remembering the previous conversation.

“Could you not tell my members what I’m growing?”

“No problem.”

I suppose one good reason to watch what comes out of the mouth is that you never know who’s listening.

“Listen, O heavens, and I will speak! Hear, O earth, the words that I say! My teaching will fall on you like rain; my speech will settle like dew. My words will fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his work is perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” Deuteronomy 32:1-4

With full commitment,
Pastor Steve