On the Run

Tomorrow is two weeks for us here in Clarksville. It sounds strange, but I feel like I am on the run. There is never an end to what we need to work at or on - and then I am reminded of the importance of prayer, worship, and rest. We could not leave our life in Greenville entirely behind, so every day we have some communication or activity to "sustain" it.

Yesterday - Helen Reed and her two children Lorenzo and Jessie; Kristyn Miller. Today - Rich Lawson.

Pastor Miller is a faithful friend. Last night after a great time of prayer (CBC Prayer Meeting) at his house he gave me an assessment of my message this past Sunday on Colossians 1:1-12. Humbling - which never hurts any man. Every preacher knows he has room for improvement. The art of preaching God's Word is a life long pursuit. When you have only preached maybe thirty times you haven't been up to bat very often. There is no substitute for the opportunity to open the Word and get better at proclaiming it by proclaiming it. John helped point out some correctable deficiencies in a concrete manner. It is a great privilege to work with and learn from a faithful pastor here in Clarksville, TN, even if it is for just a few short months.

I have shingles. Am I too stressed? I began a one week course of an anti-viral pill yesterday, so I should take my last pill the night prior to our trip to Beijing, China. Right now I am itching like crazy, but I will make it. Not painful, mainly just incessantly itchy. We thought Cheryl had shingles as well, but a nurse practitioner didn't agree.

Life at a distance. My sweet sister Ellen held the phone today while I talked with our father back home in Greenville. For two weeks every phone conversation I have had has been on a cell phone - no land lines. A great conversation with a man we all love dearly. He wants to read the blog so I promised to keep it up as a dutiful son...:). We'll call Mom on Sunday, as it is her 78th birthday on St. Patricks Day.

We miss our kids. Nothing extraordinary, just the ordinary stuff which composes life with family. Alicia is home with Kristen for her final Anderson University spring break. She and Kristen have had that "sister time" that only sisters have. Philip comes home from Clemson tomorrow; James(also at Clemson) is off to Orlando, Florida with CRU (Campus Crusade) for his week.

We are grateful for those who have reached out to our children (kids!) while we are away. You have ministered to us with such efforts. Thank you so very much. :)

Prayer: "Lord, make us faithful moment by moment to your call on our lives. Help us to trust you while we wait for visas, endure the itching of shingles, babysit pastor's kids, hear the honest critique of a sermon, find a friend in a Nigerian mom at a public library, prepare the next sermon, consider how we can practice true Christian hospitality, and wonder if not being there for your kids' spring break is a mistake..."