Unlike yesterday, I’m not exhausted and started my morning with an abbreviated hike to the farmers’ market only as other places I normally go were closed, so an easy 4 miles. I had another “well duh” moment last week when I realized that behind the farmers’ market was a recycling drop off. So while it isn’t obvious, I now have empty glass bottles in my bag on the way there, and onions, blueberries, eggs, and stuff on the way back. Just the typical thing you would expect for that 63-year-old making his typically fast walk through the neighborhood.

Because there are relationships with the people at the market, many dialogs occur and it is my focus to encourage. Today a wonderful one occurred with a 66-year-old gentleman as we discussed the Lord Jesus Christ. He had a strong focus on knowing Christ and not the institution. He quoted things like 2Jn 1:7 “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh…”, 1Ti 6:3 “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ…”, and Mat 5:44 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”. It was clear that we seemed to be of a similar mindset. While in Matthew I did return a quote of 5:24 as you might be familiar with.

Two things stood out. One is that we could both say that we matured. We both agreed that our former understanding has undergone maturing by examining the Scripture. The second thing is that the way he stated things gave a hint that we may not have identical understandings of the Trinity or the sovereignty of God. But this was only a hint and it wasn’t the time to hit every point. Romans 14 came to mind and it was more important to encourage a brother than nitpick on doctrinal details at this stage.

His repeated focus was 2John and I would point to verse 5 “And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.” In our circumstances this cannot be lived out without a pursuit of reconciliation. One of us is. Others are welcome.

A side point in that I am hearing already fireworks. For the last many years I have grown disgusted with seeing fireworks as it is a reminder of the more powerful form known as bombs. I have done too much study of war and fireworks is not a reminder of freedom but of mayhem, most notably by the US Military Industrial Complex. It conflicts with the above mentioned Matt5:44, which the gentleman I spoke with today lingered on.

Dorothy-Jane, I think of you constantly, and fondly. I wonder, do you ever think of me? I love you!