“If we are faithless, He remains faithful” (2 Tim 2:13). Currently on home service in Tulsa, OK. Last Saturday I accompanied our son to the weekly farmers’ market. Jeremiah runs a very successful knife-sharpening business (Same Day Sharpening) and is one of the many vendors. At one point I strolled around the various booths, stopping to chat with one vendor whom I have seen at that market for about a decade. “You’re still going strong with your health product.” “Yeah, I’ve been here for over 11 years now…” I stuck out my hand and said, “My name is Chris. I’m the dad of Jeremiah, the knife-sharpening guy.” “Oh, I know him,” he replied. “He’s really popular around here,” he observed. “We used to live in Tulsa but deployed to Germany three years ago. I’m a Lutheran pastor and have been sent there as a missionary…” “Lutheran. That’s funny… I’m a reforming Roman Catholic.” “Reform-ING?” I asked. “Yeah, I grew up Catholic, but I have a lot of issues with the Vatican,” he said with a grin. “I quit going to church, but I do read my Bible pretty much every day.” “It’s wonderful that you’re in the Word. Jesus tells us that we do not live by bread alone [Mt 4:4]. But as a Roman Catholic, you can appreciate the power of the Eucharist. You’re literally leaving some of His best “vitamins” on the table if you never take Holy Communion. Receiving Christ’s true body and blood is how our Lord strengthens our faith in Him. You already believe in Jesus…then why not take all of the gifts He wants you to have?” “Hmm, I never thought of it that way,” he mused. After some chit-chat, I said, “Well, I’ve got to get back to Jeremiah. But continued blessings on your business and, just in case I don’t run into you at a future farmers’ market, see you in heaven!” “Yup, see you there,” he replied with a wink.
The Tiews in Germany 