You are part of the narrative!

Mark 1:1-8

In this gentle beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we meet one of the most amazing characters in this narrative.  John the Baptist burst on the scene with his acetic garments and bits of locust in his teeth, preparing us for what is to come.  He plays such an important role in the narrative.  Granted, he is imprisoned and beheaded soon after and his character disappears from the storyline before Jesus’ ministry takes off.

So often this is the case in scripture.  An important character is introduced to compel the narrative forward, spreading the gospel message, and then disappears as quickly as they were introduced.  Take for instance Simon of Cyrene being pulled from the crowd to carry the cross of Christ. His small part in the narrative moves us closer to the sacrifice of Christ and the salvation within. 

You and I are called to continue the act of carrying the narrative forward.  Our names may not appear in any fancy book, but our Christ like actions become new chapters in this Gospel message of salvation.  Where will the story take you this day?   

Blessings on your journey,

Pastor Steve    

4 out of 5 dentists agree

“Were not ten made clean?”  Jesus replies to the one who actually returned.  From our Gospel lesson (Thanksgiving text) this coming Sunday, we hear our Lord speak to a healed Leper who returns to give thanks to Jesus for curing his disease.  1 out of 10 returned.  Wow!  Those odds are somewhat staggering.  Dentists have higher odds on toothpaste agreement.

Only one returned to give his praise for what had just happened. How often are we like those other nine?  How often have we been so blessed with a talent, a gift, or a blessing, that we run off and show others with a sense of pride and accomplishment?   I know I have patted my own back a few times in my life.  I pray that I can have the faith like the Samaritan Leper who returns to give praise for his life…for his very breathe.  I pray that we can beat those odds and fall down at the feet of Jesus and thank him for the blessings He has bestowed on us.

Luke 17:11-19

Blessing to you this day

Praying for Larry

Gracious God watch over Larry Keene. And watch over those nurses too will ya.

And so it begins...again

I am sitting in my new office at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in San Antonio.  I am one of two pastors to serve this fine community of faith and haven't a clue as to what I am really doing yet.  HA.  I left a congregation in the country to come to the big city and I have never been so tired.  This is my second call and I am now focused on Stewardship, Evangelism and Worship.  Pastor Dawn Silvius is my team pastor and she is such a blessing to be around.  We have begun a wonderful relationship and I appreciate her wisdom and years of experience.  I am looking forward to the future and what might become.  My family is adjusting, Elisia is in school and Sam has begun a day care program on Tuesday and Thursday.  This is week one for me.  We shall see.  Blessings on all who find this blog.  Please feel free to follow