Mike_mcgoughTom called yesterday while I was trying to find the hour of sleep I lost earlier in the morning. He let me know the new Dean of the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service at Oklahoma Baptist University would the guest at our associational pastor’s conference this morning. I made the short drive over and enjoyed seeing a few fellow pastors I had not in a while.

Mike told us his story. I found a common thread. Not only did he assert God continues to speak by his Spirit through the Scriptures, but the voices of those who helped him learn what it means to follow Jesus rang the same note. He recalled telling his mother at the age of 10 that he had become a Christian. She responded by saying, "I hope you know what you are doing." Some may have heard this as a swipe at a young boy who trusted in Jesus by a disinterested parent. I heard Mike retelling the story as a mother who unknowingly said the same thing Jesus said about those who would follow him. Before building a tower or going to war the cost must be measured – "I hope you know what you are doing." "Better know what you are doing."

Some years later Mike recalled hearing the same message from a Seminary professor, "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me." "Better know what you are doing." I trust with a Dean who "gets" this preeminent message of Jesus, students will be helped in their course of following Jesus wherever he leads.

About the Author
Husband to Patty. Daddy to Kimberly and Tommie. Grandpa Doc to Cohen, Max, Fox, and Marlee. Pastor to Snow Hill Baptist Church. Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reading. Photography. Golf. Colorado. Jeeping. Friend. The views and opinions expressed here are my own and should not be construed as representing the corporate views of the church I pastor.

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