Scripture: Luke 14:28-30 (NIV) "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.'"

It's January. Ash Wednesday is still weeks away. So why are we talking about preparation already?

Because Jesus asks a question we often forget: Have you counted the cost?