Count Yourself Twice

The first month of this Sabbatical is focused on family and this week provided several vivid reminders of this. Ami and Tim both needed some support as they prepared to embark on the mission trip with the other youth from the church, so I didn't go to Oklahoma City as originally planned. So, on Sunday morning (very early), I found myself at a very familiar place at a familiar time - at the church. I thought I could wear my Sabbatical invisibility cloak and merely be a parent seeing my teenagers off on the mission trip. Alas, Donna Falk, our associate minister, asked me to give a prayer and blessing for our missionaries. An intereting thing happened right before I was asked to pray. Austin Lanzone, when counting the group to see if everyone was present, commented when he gave his total, "I may have counted myself twice." What a wonderful thought for those who are now representing us in Tennessee. Count yourselves twice, once for the person you are and the family you represent and once for Christian you are and the recongition that you represent Christ to all you help and all you meet. "Count yourselves twice" is a great reminder for us all of our lives as disciples of Christ.

After the early morning sendoff, I took the advice of my coach, Eddie Hammett, and visited Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano. I thought I was prepared for big and loud, but those expectations were far-surpassed. This church, with many similarities to a moderate-sized shopping mall, was like no place of worship I had ever seen. They quadruple the size of our typical worship attendance in their musicians and singers alone with their 500-member choir, orchestra, rock back, and songleaders. The message was based on Romans 8, why bad things happen, and centered around the pastor's year-long battle with prostate cancer.

Speaking of cancer, I am now in Bryan, Texas with my mother. The chemo she is taking for her colon cancer has put her in the hospital with low-white blood cell counts and severe gastrointestinal issues. Your prayers have been encouraging and will continue to be.