Freak of the Week!
03/27/07 10:40 AM
Wow - this "Freak of the Week" segment really went
over big last week (my mom got 6 comments). If
you've not followed my blog, then let me update
you. The "Freak of the Week" designation goes to
someone of my choosing who is serving here at
Coastal. It's a chance to give props to our
volunteers, to highlight someone who knocks it out
of the park!
This week's "Freak of the Week" goes to Prisca
Denton. Now let's be honest - there are many
reasons for me or anyone who knows Prisca for that
matter, to give her that title. No Goofballs - you
thought I was being a little tongue in cheek.
Because to those of us who know Prisca (and to know
her is to love her), we know she is a "Freak" when
it comes to serving, when it comes to Jesus! I can
not begin to count all of the ways and all of the
ministries that she has faithfully served over the
years at Coastal. Right now she serves in the
Praise & Worship Team, Promiseland, and the
Prayer Team. All three ministries require lots of
time and effort on her part - and she gives it
willingly! She does it with excellence because she
knows Who she does it for!
Well, yesterday Prisca had her gall bladder removed. I went down to the hospital to pray with her before surgery and hang out with Jeff. You think Prisca is little "high energy" in church - picture her in one of those hospital gowns showing me a note taped to her stomach for her doctor (and that's just the PG version of her little pre-op experience that morning - I'll let her share)! But what stood out to me was that before surgery Prisca is asking me about my Oakland Prayer Group that morning and the prayer requests.
The surgery went great! Of course there was some pain and a little nausea and she spent the night in the hospital, but God is good and Prometheus (the name she gave her gall stone) is gone! When they rolled her to the room she was on some pain medication. You want to see a trip? It's Prisca Denton on drugs! She wouldn't stop talking. And Jeff just held her hand, smiled, and agreed to everything she said - kind of like everyday life (just kidding Jeff). In fact, when I got home Lydia asked how Prisca was doing and I told her that she was doing good but a little loopy from the medication. Lydia's eyes got real big and said, "Miss Prisca loopy? Whoa!"
But again, what stood out to me was that even under medication Prisca was asking about others, concerned about others. Do you ever wonder what you might say or do in a similar situation? When they give you anesthesia what will come out of your mouth? Will you swear or curse or just go on and on about nonsense? Or like Prisca will you talk about Jesus and ask about others? Matthew 15:18, "But the things that come out of the mouth, come from the heart." Prisca Denton has a heart for Jesus and a heart for people.
This morning I stopped by the hospital to see her before she went home. The nurse was doing her thing and Prisca was inviting her to church! Prisca gets it! Life, Ministry, and Church - it's not about us! It's about serving God and bringing glory to Him. It's about loving and serving people. It's about being salt and light in the world and sharing Jesus with those who don't know Him. It's about inviting people to come to a church where they will hear about Jesus. We don't just GO to church! We ARE the church and we are on a MISSION - to see as many people come to Christ before He comes again or calls us home!
I've enjoyed seeing this whole gall bladder thing unfold in Prisca's life - mainly because even in her weakness God's all sufficient grace was glorified (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Here are some pictures of Prometheus! This thing was HUGE!
Well, yesterday Prisca had her gall bladder removed. I went down to the hospital to pray with her before surgery and hang out with Jeff. You think Prisca is little "high energy" in church - picture her in one of those hospital gowns showing me a note taped to her stomach for her doctor (and that's just the PG version of her little pre-op experience that morning - I'll let her share)! But what stood out to me was that before surgery Prisca is asking me about my Oakland Prayer Group that morning and the prayer requests.
The surgery went great! Of course there was some pain and a little nausea and she spent the night in the hospital, but God is good and Prometheus (the name she gave her gall stone) is gone! When they rolled her to the room she was on some pain medication. You want to see a trip? It's Prisca Denton on drugs! She wouldn't stop talking. And Jeff just held her hand, smiled, and agreed to everything she said - kind of like everyday life (just kidding Jeff). In fact, when I got home Lydia asked how Prisca was doing and I told her that she was doing good but a little loopy from the medication. Lydia's eyes got real big and said, "Miss Prisca loopy? Whoa!"
But again, what stood out to me was that even under medication Prisca was asking about others, concerned about others. Do you ever wonder what you might say or do in a similar situation? When they give you anesthesia what will come out of your mouth? Will you swear or curse or just go on and on about nonsense? Or like Prisca will you talk about Jesus and ask about others? Matthew 15:18, "But the things that come out of the mouth, come from the heart." Prisca Denton has a heart for Jesus and a heart for people.
This morning I stopped by the hospital to see her before she went home. The nurse was doing her thing and Prisca was inviting her to church! Prisca gets it! Life, Ministry, and Church - it's not about us! It's about serving God and bringing glory to Him. It's about loving and serving people. It's about being salt and light in the world and sharing Jesus with those who don't know Him. It's about inviting people to come to a church where they will hear about Jesus. We don't just GO to church! We ARE the church and we are on a MISSION - to see as many people come to Christ before He comes again or calls us home!
I've enjoyed seeing this whole gall bladder thing unfold in Prisca's life - mainly because even in her weakness God's all sufficient grace was glorified (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Here are some pictures of Prometheus! This thing was HUGE!
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