Friends,
I love you.
You know that.
Yet as our life and ministry
continue to expand in our family of faith on the corner of Lincoln and Main and
beyond, it's important to take the time to say it.
There is nowhere else that I'd
rather be in life and ministry.
I have not been tempted in any way
from my call to you in over a decade; and unless Rome decides to...
Just kidding.
I want you to know I remain
committed to you as undershepherd with enthusiasm and without equivocation.
Because of events back in October 2011 with Eugene and covenant brothers in
Montana, my energy and enthusiasm to grow with you in Him continue to deepen
and He is providing the Philippians 4:13 wherewithal for the next two decades;
unless, of course, I'm knocked off by an Islamofascistnutball or someone whose
got a Matthew 10:22 grudge against me or I get what I deserve for not wearing a
helmet.
Of course, I know I leave a lot to
be desired from someone in my position. I mess up. I don't always
come through for people as they'd prefer. I am stubbornly
Christocentric. I don't play footsies with apostates. I am not
afraid of anyone. I don't water down reality. My yes is yes and my
no is no. And if someone has the courage to ask a question, I will give
an answer; always ready to confess, repent, and beg forgiveness according to
our perfect Lord Jesus, Holy Scripture, and common sense. But, yeah, as
someone once said before leaving the church, I can be a jerk. I am only
scratching the surface of my relationship with Jesus and how to love Him by
loving like Him.
With that in mind, I praise the Lord
for Vicki Pooley, our Parish Nurse, and Jim Bellair, our assistant to the
pastor, who continue to expand our care in the family.
While my concentration must be in
the hospitals, pastoral crises, emergencies, and regular "transitional
moment" visits in nursing homes, and other stuff, Vicki coordinates our
Visitation Team to express our care for those in nursing homes and family who
are confined to the home. Jim has been especially helpful in extending
our evangelistic outreach, providing care and counseling to family and folks
referred to us by the family, teaching, and increasing opportunities to share
the gospel.
Annnnnnd always remember that anyone on our staff is available asap when
contacted directly.
It is our privilege to serve you as
Him and Him as you in a Matthew 25 kinda way.
Blessings and Love!
