When Much Is At Stake!

First of all I am stoked!  I heard from my son last night.  He called from Gardez, Afghanistan.  It was so good to talk with him.  He is safe!  The first of August he was hit with an IED (Improvised Explosive Device).  He survived!  This was his first mission since then.  We knew he was going into some of the most dangerous places in Afghanistan and we were on edge.  More people than I know, or can name, were sitting on edge with us.  I can't tell you how many people have been praying over the past few weeks. 

When he called I could tell he was especially upbeat about the large number of e-mails he had received on his myspace.com account.  He told me he had read each one and had tried to respond to as many as he could. 

I was reminded of how the people of God do respond when much is at stake.  I want to personally say thanks, and encourage those who read this blog to keep praying.  He will be coming home for 18 days, leaving Afghanistan on October 18th...you talk about a lost party...we are going to have a celebration.  He will be going back after those 18 days to finish his tour some time in April or early May, 2008. 

He told me after that he is getting him a Harley and going cruising.  At the end of the day this kid who is one of the bravest men I've ever known, is still a kid.  He loves to play XBox, ride his skateboard, play his guitar, and dream about riding a new Harley. 

I'm getting one too...and I'm going cruising with him...so if you see two rather mean dudes on bikes don't worry it just the two of us...

The bottom line is there is much at stake.  When you are laying it on the line in church planting, there is much at stake...As we often say...we only get ONE SHOT when it comes to the lost.  They often make there way into our weekend worship or even into our lives and we only get one shot to make a difference in their life.  One opportunity to launch...one opportunity to preach that specific sermon...one opportunity to touch that person for the first time. 

Here is what I've noticed, when God's people realize that there is much at stake...they rally.  Like with my son, they prayed and they send e-mails...they pull for you...throw their resources at you...pray for you...think about you...show up at your parties...pull along side of you...

As a church planter it is our responsibility to get the word out...to cast the vision...to tell the stories...to create a sense of urgency...to help people know what is at stake!

Comments

[Rindy]

Great to hear about your son!!