So how was your Sunday evening? Mine (ours) didn't go as planned. Mandy had planned to go to a movie after church with a couple of gals from church. Trae, Tori and I were going to hang around the house and play.

Boy how things changed!

After church, in the midst of one of her many windsprints through the church building, Tori threw up everything she'd eaten for lunch. And that was just the beginning. Until she finally fell asleep, she threw up every 15 minutes last night.

Ahh, the blessings of parenthood.

I was reminded last night just how painful it is, as a parent, to comfort your child when she is violently sick. It is like a punch in the gut to stand by your child in the midst of their agony.

I think last night provided a real reminder of what God must have felt as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. As Jesus was nailed to a cross.

This morning, through the living illustration of Tori's sickness, I am reminded that my Heavenly Father knows and understands.

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I'm still processing in my mind and heart many of the good truths shared at last week's Ministry Renewal Conference at LCU. One of the insights came by way of Dr. Ric Oster who said "what we need is less confrontation and more conversation" in our efforts to reach the unchurched.

Historically, heritages within religious groups have been labeled and those labels have notoriously stuck. And you know what the notoriously stuck label of those of us from a Church of Christ heritage has been, don't you? "You folks think you are the only ones going to heaven."

Perhaps we came by that label honestly. Perhaps our evangelistic zeal of the past and our methods at presenting the good news left a sour taste in the mouths of many. Rather than engaging in conversation regarding the good news, we launched out on crusades of confrontation against our religious friends.

Oster's point is well-served. I never want to acquiesce truth for the sake of popular culture but I do recognize in the ever-changing dynamics of life in the United States that confrontation as a means of evangelism is a relic of the past. Like the dinosaurs, confrontation as a means of witness must give way to a more kinder, gentler approach. An approach that speaks truth in a gracious way. An approach that doesn't build fences with the first word. An approach based more on conversation and less on confrontation.

Once of the best courses I took during my Harding days was a one night per week, three-hour course in Restoration History. The class was taught by Dr. Paul Haynie and was a fascinating, roundtable type class with only about 15 students. Dr. Haynie's engaging approach to teaching made the three hours move very swiftly!

The course final was a paper summarizing the key movements in Restoration History and how those key movements contributed to the contemporary state of Churches of Christ in the United States.

I remember so vividly writing on my belief that the Churches of Christ (in 1993 and now) were not at a crossroads of history -- as so many were proposing in 1993 -- but in the midst of a serious identity crisis. It seemed to me that the tenets of the movement, so long loyal to the teachings of Thomas and Alexander Campbell, were moving toward a more sympathetic view of Barton W. Stone's teaching. As the chief movers-and-shakers of Restoration History in America, Campbell and Stone could not have been more polar opposite in the way they envisioned church. Campbell took a more orderly, logical approach to interpreting Scripture; Stone was more charasmatic and given to emotion with a high view of the personal implications of faith.

On the flight home from El Paso Wednesday, I was finishing up an excellent book by Richard Hughes titled Reviving the Ancient Faith: The Story of Churches of Christ in America. In the book, Hughes concludes with the same position I took in my paper for Dr. Haynie's class.

"Thus, Rubel Shelly, Philip Morrison and Mike Cope (through their message in Wineskins magazine) championed many of the ideals held by Barton Stone, David Lipscomb and R.H. Boll, but they pointedly backed away from the highly rational orthodoxy that had descended from the Campbell side of the movement and that had dominated Churches of Christ since World War I...The change taking place among Churches of Christ was no mere reform, no mere evolutionary development within the bounds of traditional nineteenth-century assumptions, Rather, it was fundamentally a paradigm shift -- a shift from a patternistic version of Christian primitivism filtered through Lockean empericism and Scottish Common Sense rationalism to an emphasis on the subjective dimensions of the Christian religion -- faith, hope and love realized in the lives of believers through the power and grace of God" (372-3).

I suggest the change(s) taking place within the Churches of Christ are not simply a concerted effort to replace twenty centuries of truth but a move toward a branch of our heritage that has often been muted and ignored.

It's great to be back in my office this morning after a successful, blessed trip to West Texas. I spent Monday and Tuesday in Lubbock, attending the Ministry Renewal Conference and visiting with candidates for the Youth Ministry position at Marble Falls. Also, spending time with my great friend and mentor, Dale Mannon, preaching minister for the Greenlawn church in Lubbock, was a true joy. Everytime I'm with Dale, I leave the encounter a better man and a better minister.

Yesterday brought an early flight (before sunrise, in fact) to El Paso to visit with another Youth Minister candidate before flying back to Austin.

As for the Ministry Renewal Conference, Dr. Lee Camp from David Lipscomb University spoke on "A Grace that Transforms." Camp's purpose was to show how a proper view of grace debunks a dualistic mentality, i.e. that the sole purpose of God in salvation is the freedom of the soul from the body. Camp's position is that the redemption of God is not just eternal but it is the restoration of God's original creation intent. God created Adam and Eve for relationship and therefore, redemption is God's desire to reconnect, to commune with humanity. "The gospel's concern is not me and God," Camp concluded, "but the creation and God."

Dr. Richard Oster, professor at Harding Grad School in Memphis spoke on some overarching themes in 1 Corinthians. Oster's thesis was a call to take a more theocentric (God-centered) approach to the text of the New Testament rather than a strictly Christocentric (Jesus-centered) approach. Oster showed several examples of how Paul reaches back to Old Testament theology as the basis for his theology with the Corinthians. Oster also presented an insightful view of grace, based on 1 Corinthians 6.9-11. His conclusion was that a person who has received grace (justification) must live grace (sanctification). Behavior, according to Oster, is simply the means whereby God examines a person to see if he/she has received grace. A person cannot receive grace and then live in a way that betrays the covenant with God.

I appreciate Oster's insight because, without saying it so boldly, our heritage has often taught grace as something that it is earned. If one's behavior is adequate, then grace comes at the tail-end of life to make up for the works/behavior deficiencies in our life. But the determining factor, our heritage has often taught, is the effect of works/behavior upon the reception of grace.

As Oster points out, grace is not something a life is lived to achieve; grace is a gift given at the moment of justification. Works/behavior then evidence whether or not grace has been received.

The third speaker was Wes Crawford, newbie prof at LCU and newly appointed preaching minister at the Broadway church in Lubbock. Crawford, a church history guru, focused his presentations on the modern/postmodern tension. Of course, if you have attended a conference, seminar, lectureship, etc. of any shade within churches of Chirst in the last two years, you've probably heard your fill on the modern/postmodern cultural tension. As Dale put it in our discussion, "Why can't we just call it what it is? Satan's deceptions." Why can't we? Well, to simply call it "Satan's deceptions" would neuter all these good 60-minute theoretical seminar presentations.

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My uncle, George, was in Austin last weekend for the "Ride for the Roses" with Lance Armstrong. George is a biking enthusiast, as you may remember from his 14-day ride around the state of Arkansas this past summer raising money for the Arkansas Childrens Hospital. He writes here on his impressions of Austin and the ride with Lance under the blog entry entitled "I want to be a TEXAN." It's a good read.

What a beautiful, crisp autumn morning in central Texas. Today, I'm off to west Texas for a couple of days for two reasons. The first is to visit with four candidates for the Youth Ministry at Marble Falls. Through my good friend, mentor and LCU professor, Dale Mannon, I have contacted four highly recommended guys. Please keep these visits in your prayers -- that God will make very clear to myself, the candidates, and the people at Marble Falls His choice for the youth ministry staff position.

The second reason I'm heading to Lubbock is to attend the Ministry Renewal Conference hosted by Lubbock Christian University. I am excited about seeing a new Christians campus and being exposed to some wonderful, encouraging insights that will renew my ministry.

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Okay, my Astros prediction is looking a little shaky. But who would have thought Roger Clemens and Brad Lidge would both implode in the first two games of the series. If Brandon Backe doesn't come up big in game four, the Astros are finished (they may be finished already if Lidge can't get over the hump -- he still seems to be afflicted by the moonshot Albert Pujols hit off of him in game five of the LCS).

Seventeen pallets of sod and an aching back later, I'm back in the saddle. It is unbelievable how therapeutic blogging is. Here's hoping you gain as many benefits from reading as I do writing.

It's World Series prediction time. Bill White, mayor of Houston, has encouraged all Houstonians to forego the wearing of "Sox" for the week. But if a person must wear socks, he's encouraging all Houstonians to avoid wearing "White Sox." Clever.

It's a pitching match-up for the ages. The difference could rest in the fact that the White Sox do have four solid starters, while the Astros have three. Clemens and Pettitte are battle-tested from their Yankee days. Roy Oswalt is a machine. And if Brandon Backe pitches as well in his one start against the White Sox as he did against the Cardinals, no one can sell the Astros short.

Most of the national pundits I've read and heard on talk radio are siding with the Sox, given their homefield advantage and week-long break. I'm not buying it. The White Sox team is loaded with questionable characters (A.J. Pierzynski, Carl Everett, Ozzie Guillen, even team owner Jerry Reinsdorf). On the other hand, who didn't shed a slight tear the other night when Craig Biggio broke down talking about how he couldn't wait to get home to share the joy of going to the World Series with his wife and sons?

I'm taking the Astros in six.

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One of the real beefs I have with the dominant teaching paradigm propogated at various "Schools of Preaching" is the heavy emphasis on doctrine as the only basis for unity. Now don't get me wrong -- I'm not saying doctrine is unimportant. I've just never believed doctrine saves. Jesus saves. And because Jesus saves -- and we are called to have the attitude of Jesus -- there is more to unity in local congregations that just doctrinal agreement.

For example, Paul spoke to the Ephesian church in Ephesians 4.3-6 about the doctrinal foundation for unity. Those seven ones (one Lord, one faith, one baptism, etc.) comprise the doctrinal foundation of unity. Too often in our quest to get to the doctrinal foundation, we overlook the first two verses of Ephesians 4 that speak to an equally essential aspect for unity which is attitude.

"In light of all of this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get our there and walk -- better yet, run! -- on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline -- not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences."

What would happen in our churches if, rather than haggling over doctrinal minutae, we would be quick to live humbly by loving even those with whom we differ? What would happen if, rather than seeking to be right, we would seek to be in relationship with one another for the sake of Jesus? What would happen if, instead of being fence contractors who separate, we would be bridge builders who foster unity?

Short blog today. Today is sod laying day at the new Gardner home. Where would we be today (and during our move) without the able-bodied help of Kenny, Kelly and Robert? Those guys have been absolutely phenomenal. See you tomorrow morning. In the meantime, who wins tonight's big game six: Cardinals? Astros?

After last night, I'm hedging my bets. Couldn't you just feel the game -- if not the entire series -- turn with David Eckstein's gritty 2-out, 2-strike single to left. An Edmonds walk was followed by "The Great Pujols" hitting a moon shot to secure a dramatic come-from-behind win for the Cardinals.

Dave Karaff, a good friend from Hot Springs Village and a retired scout with the St. Louis Cardinals, once told me he'd never seen a hitter with quicker hands than Pujols. He showed again last night just how true that statement is.

I wouldn't at all be surprised to see the Cardinals overcome the depths of a 3 games to 1 hole and win the NLCS. The momentum of last night's win, coupled with the crippling way it slipped away from the Astros, is the kind of thing that can change an entire series.

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Tonight, I have the blessing of speaking at the Highland Lakes Fall Lectureship, hosted by the church in Kingsland. The theme for the week is centered on 1 Thessalonians 5.14-15: "And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."

Each of the "urged" traits generates the nightly focus. It just so happens that tonight, my night to speak, the trait is "be patient with everyone." I'm not sure a guy has been less qualified to speak on the virtue of patience in the history of Christian ministry than me. As a fruit of the Spirit, patience is something with which I have my struggles. As a turkey hunter, as a parent, as a coach, as a husband, and even as a minister, patience is a virtue of which I could use an extra measure.

So, maybe today you can help me. If you were sharing tonight about ways to be "patient with everyone," what would you say? What are your strategies to be proactive (patient) rather than reactive?

Believe it or not, there is a real sense of autumn weather in the air in Central Texas. Cool evenings and warm afternoons make for the kind of days that turn leaves different colors. Not sure if the leaves will even bother to turn here, but the change of pace weather is welcome.

My LCS predictions look like a sure split. I whiffed on the Angels -- they never recovered from Doug Eddings' best impression of Don Denkinger in Game Two. Would the series have been different had the Angels gone up 2-0? Perhaps, but the Angels, upon returning home, did look like a road weary team. That three-game, three time zone stretch might have done them in more than Doug Eddings. Either way, Ozzie Guillen still amazes me with crazy managerial moves. Does he realize the bullpen is actually there for a purpose? Should the White Sox win it all -- the poor longsuffering Chicago sports fans are probably more in need of a baseball champion than any city -- it will be a classic case of a team overcoming their manager.

The NLCS is now comfortably in the hands of the Astros. With a 3-1 lead, the Cardinals are now faced with winning three consecutive games with the Astros trotting to the mound Pettitte, Oswalt and Clemens.

Not a chance for the Cardinals. The Tony LaRussa led Cardinals are doing their level best to equate themselves with Bobby Cox's Braves. Two dramatically underachieving playoff teams, as has been the case with LaRussa's teams throughout his managerial career.

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My calendar today reminds me that "nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm" (Edward Bulwer-Lytton). I am enthusiastic today about Rick and Gail Northen and the beginning of their journey to Cambodia. I am enthusiastic today about how God's past blessings are a harbinger of God's future blessings. I am enthusiastic about my wife and my girls. And I am enthusiastic about speaking tomorrow night at the Fall Lectureship in Kingsland.

I hope you have a great, enthusiastic day! Take a moment and pause to consider what you have to be enthusiastic about today? Once captured, that enthusiasm will rub off on the people around you, making our world a better, more joy-filled place.

Tomorrow Mandy, Trae and I will take in the sights and sounds of Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium as the 2nd ranked Texas Longhorns do battle with the 24th ranked University of Colorado Buffaloes. Trae is pumped. She is about to come unglued if she doesn't see BEVO soon. Hard to believe, given my Arkansas roots, that my little girls are growing up thinking of Longhorns the way I thought of Razorbacks.

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Last night as I was getting the trash out to the street curb, a beautiful 8-point buck gave me the stare down from about 30 yards away. I cease to be amazed at the number of deer and their relative tame-ness in our neighborhood. It is so cool to see 20-25 different deer each day in our yard. I'm thinking real soon, Mandy and the girls are going to have them all named.

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Yesterday, I was reflecting again on that very obscure prayer of a guy named Agur found in Proverbs 30.7-9.

Two things I ask of you, O LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

What draws my attention again and again to Agur's prayer is the stark contrast between his plea and the plea of Jabez. You remember the prayer of Jabez, don't you? Bruce Wilkinson turned Jabez's prayer into a best-seller. Jabez's prayer was, essentially, an appeal for tangible blessing from God. Wilkinson, using Jabez's prayer as a model, developed it into a "success formula" for spiritual and material blessing.

How remarkably different is Agur's appeal. He asks for the blessings of God, but not too much because he realizes the adverse effects brought on by too many material possessions. Agur realized that it is very possible for a person's possessions to possess them and he wanted no part of that.

Can I ask you this morning to reflect on your prayer life and ask yourself: is my prayer life more like Jabez's or Agur's? To me, it is a telling statement on the culture of religion in America that Jabez's prayer turned into a best-selling book and Agur's prayer is still relegated to the obscurity bin of Scripture.

This morning, Doug Eddings is to the Angels as Don Denkinger is to the Cardinals.

What an impressive three days of baseball for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Orange County of Disneyland, etc. In three days, the Angels have won three games in three different time zones. An impressive display. My original thought was the Angels would get out of the gate slow against the ChiSox but the Angels have surged out to a 1-0 in the series with last night's 3-2 win.

When I coached high school baseball at Jessieville, there were a couple of teams we played in which we know going in the opposing coach would give us a couple of outs because of illogical and poorly timed aggression. Ozzie Guillen did just that, as I predicted, last night. In the seventh inning, with one out and down by one run, Guillen ordered a hit-and-run with A.J. Pierzynski on base. A.J. Pierzynski? The man at the plate missed the pitch and Pierzynski, representing the tying run, was thrown out by several feet. A classic example of illogical, poorly timed aggression.

Even without Bartolo Colon -- whom the Angels left off their playoff roster for the ChiSox series -- the edge has to go the Angels, primarily because Ozzie Guillen will run his team out of the playoffs.

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The Astros/Cardinals series begins tonight. This morning on A.M. 1300 The Zone in Austin, the guys were talking up Pettitte, Clemens and Oswalt as the best statistical trio in the history of baseball. 50 wins, 29 losses and a combined ERA of 2.39. With those guys starting six of the possible seven games, give the edge to the Astros.

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I hope you will find some quiet time today to lift up Jimmy Mitchell in prayer. Jimmy is my former colleague at the Village Church of Christ in Arkansas and he is suffering through some health struggles at this time. The following was posted on his blog on Monday.

Forgive me if you have not seen a blog from me for a while but I am suffering from what my doctor calls trigeminal neuralgia (basically the feeling of getting stabbed in the head with an icepick every 15-20 seconds). Doctor Hollis has prescribed Carbamazepine and Hydrocodone. So, needless to say, I am sort of out of it. I am sorry that this blog will be on hold until I am back out of left field. Please be patient with me as I recover.

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"In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; in all things, love." That motto has been a moving force in the American Restoration Movement, of which the Churches of Christ descend.

But could that very motto be the impetus for creating conflict at times in our churches? What I mean is this: if everyone is entitled to their opinion, and free to voice their opinion, could the flood of opinions work as a wedge against the cultivation of deeper faith?

My prayer today is that I would be a person of deeper faith and fewer opinions. At the very least, maybe some opinions could just be kept to myself because, in voicing them, I would in no way be contributing toward a productive end for the entire community of faith.

The LDS is over and the LCS begins tonight. Is there anything more satisfying in baseball than an LCS sans the Yankees and Braves? The Yankees went whining into Orange County claiming they'd have home-field advantage were it not for Buck Showalter pulling the trio of Michael Young, Hank Blalock and Mark Teixeira in the 3rd inning of the Rangers season finale against the Angels.

Well, Yankees -- especially ARod, he of the .133 batting average in the 5-game series -- you just didn't take care of business. And all of the middle and lower class teams in MLB couldn't be happier.

Seriously though (and some of my anti-ARod bias is going to show through on this one) is there a more underchieving guy in baseball than ARod? Not talking about his personal stats, but for a guy who played with Griffey, Jr. and Randy Johnson during the Seattle heyday and now is surrounded by $150 Million in support, the guy just can never get over the hump.

Let's see, ARod leaves the Rangers and they dramatically improve. ARod arrives in pinstripes and they haven't returned to the World Series since. Hmmmmmm....

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My pre-LDS predictions were 2-for-2. I got the Astros and the Angels. Lost out on the Red Sox and my longshot pick -- which was really just a shameless attempt to incite my brother-in-law -- the Padres.

Now for the LCS predictions. The poor Angels had to hop a plane immediately following last night's victory for a flight to Chicago to begin the series tonight. The lack of rest gives the White Sox, who haven't played since last Friday, a decided advantage early. BUT, Ozzie Guillen is not a good manager and this collection of White Sox are entering uncharted waters. I realize some in the media are trying to make this year's White Sox equate to last year's Red Sox feel good story (the White Sox's series win over the Red Sox was their first post-season series win since 1917) but it ain't happening. Too much inexperience combined with a loose cannon for a manager. The White Sox jump out to an early series lead, only to see it vanish late. The Angels win in 7.

As for the National League. The baseball fan in me cannot wait for another post-season series between the Astros and Cardinals. The seven-gamer they played last year was an incredible, riveting series of games.

Expect more of the same this year.

The Astros are set to throw Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens in six of the would-be seven games of the series. And with Brad Lidge in the back, the Astros only have to win the first seven innings with Lidge slamming the door.

The Cardinals have had a remarkable run. But there is something about Tony LaRussa's teams that resemble Bobby Cox and the modern-day Braves. How many good teams has LaRussa had only to win one World Series title?

The snake that bit the Braves on Sunday bites the Cardinals in this series. The Astros win another classic series in 7.

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What irony from Sunday's great Astros/Braves finale. Did you hear that both Lance Berkman's 8th inning grand slam and Chris Burke's game-winning, 18th inning homer were caught by the same fan?

Shaun Dean, a 25-year old Astros fan sitting in the Crawford boxes in leftfield, caught both home run balls.

What are the chances of that?

For 9 days now, it has just been Trae and me. Mandy and Tori have been back in Arkansas but today they come home...and I (we) can't wait! Prayers for safe travel today for two of my favorite girls in the world as they come home.

Today, I will be blessed to speak to a group of Preachers at a luncheon in Early, Texas. My good friend, Kerry Williams, preaches for the "Early church" (get it?) and has invited me to share on any subject that would bless the ministers from his area. So, what do you say to a bunch of guys who supposedly already have all the answers?

Because of Sunday evening worship, I didn't get to see the finale of the Astros/Braves series. What a marathon. Roger Clemens getting the win in relief. The Astros win sets up a redux between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Astros for the NL pennant. The AL is still up-in-the-air: the White Sox are in and tonight in Disneyland, the Angels and Yankees play game five.

Since Mandy and I have been married, our journeys have taken us to some wonderful settings for college football. During our stay in West Virginia, we got to experience the hype surrounding the "Backyard Brawl" between West Virginia and Pittsburgh. In Florida, it was Georgia/Florida and Florida State/Florida. In Arkansas, it was the renewal of the Arkansas/Texas rivalry.

But nothing matches the hype and emotion that I've witnessed this week in advance of the 100th game between Texas and Oklahoma. They hype and build-up leading up to this game is unbelievable, in part, I think, because the Sooners have schooled the Longhorns for five straight years. Perhaps it is just Texas's confidence that this is their year, but the coverage leading up to this game has been unlike anything I've ever witnessed.

The Horns should dominate but I wouldn't sell Bob Stoops and the Sooners short.

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My former colleague in Arkansas, Jimmy Mitchell, uses his blog a couple of times each week to post a "Quote of the Day." Today, I'm going to stay a page from Jimmy's playbook. My daily flip calendar today contains a wonderful thought from a Japenese proverb:

Vision without action is a daydream.
Action without vision is a nightmare.

As a leader, it is paramount that the energy of action is channeled productively. Productive action can only be accomplished by a clear picture of the future.

I'm taking some time today to reasses my personal vision. Where do I want to be five years from now? What do I want my character and my family to look like five years from now?

Having a clear picture of the future (vision) channels the energy I expend today(action) in productive ways.

Sometimes, life and the providence of God brings you to a place where eternal friendships bring a touch of heaven into life. For the past seven years, Rick and Gail Northen have been that and more for Mandy and me. As parents, community leaders, church leaders and friends, Rick and Gail's influence in our lives has left an indellible impression.

On October 17th, Rick and Gail will embark on a great adventure in their lives. Walking away from a lucrative dental practice in Hot Springs Village, they will devote their full-time energy in mission. Rick and Gail are moving to Cambodia to oversee a "floating" medical mission up and down the Mekong River.

Realizing Rick and Gail's faith and their commitment to the way and mission of Jesus has eternally impacted my faith and commitment. I do hope you will commit Rick and Gail to your daily prayers -- that they will transition through the necessary uneasiness that comes will cultural change and minister in a powerful way in Cambodia.

The man to the left is the new general manager of my beloved Texas Rangers. Jon Daniels, who at the ripe old age of 28, has landed one of only 30 coveted jobs in professional baseball -- general manager. Daniels, with his Ivy League pedigree, becomes the next in a new breed of general manager -- young, intelligent, saavy, and completely out of the old school loop.

The real question is: Will Jon Daniels be his own man or will he simply be a puppet on a string for de facto general manager, Buck Showalter?

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This coming Sunday, my thoughts will center around the theme of grace. Reflecting on grace this week has reminded me of the words of a hymn written all the way back in 1776 by A.M. Toplady. In a day and age when old hymns are relics, these words of this old hymn speak powerfully to imputed righteousness by God's grace.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill the law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone,
Thou must save and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring:
Simply to thy cross I cling;Naked, come to thee for dress;
Helpless, look to thee for grace;
Vile I to the fountain fly:
Wash me Savior or I die.

The Major League playoffs begin today and I'm pumped. The Padres sneak into the playoffs and travel to St. Louis. With the way Chris Carpenter ended the season on the schnide (sp?), if the Padres can eeke out a game in St. Louis, the curse in St. Louis will continue. The Cardinals aren't built to perform in a park like Petco. I say the Padres pull a colossal upset.

My playoff predictions: Astros versus Padres; Red Sox versus Angels. World Series: Astros versus Red Sox. And the Red Sox make it back-to-back, breaking the heart of the Rocket, Roger Clemens.

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Aren't some days just made for oversleeping? For not just hitting the snooze button, but turning the alarm completely off in favor of more shut-eye?!

This was one of those mornings for me (and Trae).

Our regularly scheduled elders meeting was cancelled this morning and, not feeling the pull of an early morning meeting but feeling the strain of having moved twice in 45 days, I shut the alarm off and went back to sleep.

Now I can hear the echoes of my dad who used to admonish during my teen years: "Get up! Your wasting the day away." But sometimes, sleep is the best medicine for a weary body.

Not only that, sleep is smiled upon in Scripture. Listen to this in one of Solomon's Psalms: "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat -- for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Psalm 127.2). One version renders that last phrase: "he blesses those he loves even when they sleep."

Regardless of whether sleep is the blessing or other blessings are poured out as we sleep, rest gets God's inspired approval.

Is your pace too hectic? Are you too stressed? Are you weary, even in doing good? Then take a personal Sabbath. Take a break. Get some rest.

An underachieving Ranger season came to a merciful end yesterday. The Rangers finished a disappointing 79-83, four games below .500. It's ironic that this year's edition of the Rangers dropped just under .500. My hope going into 2004 was a .500 season with a breakout season in 2005. In reality, 2004 was a breakout season while 2005 was two-steps-back from the one-step-forward of 2004.

Michael Young finished the season hitting .331 and winning the American League batting title. Mark Teixeira finished the season with 43 homers and 144 RBI's. Here's hoping Tom Hicks breaks the bank to sign Teixeira long-term. Young, Tex and Hank Blalock are the heart and soul of a young team with huge upside, provided the youthful pitching down on the farm matures.

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The tentative schedule for 2006 is up on the Rangers website and the Boston Red Sox will come to the Palace for the season opener. For the first time in eons, the Rangers will not open the season with an extended West Coast road trip.

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Since moving to Marble Falls, one of the daily blessings of my life is the e-mail I receive early each morning from George Offutt. George and his wife, Linda, have become dear to Mandy and me in a short time.

This morning, George forwarded to me a daily e-mail devotional thought from Landon Saunders. I love the focus of Landon's thoughts and share it with you today.

My mother, as she was growing up and into early adulthood, suffered some
very hard things...without ever becoming hard. When I asked her how she had
done it, she thought for a moment, then said one of the dearest things:
"Landon, you don't have to win; you only have to love."

Dear Soul,

I give love, but I don't feel that I am loved enough in return.

Dear Life,

Approaching love with a shopkeeper's mentality - I gave so much and got so
much in return - is a sure way to go out of the love business. Love's true
nature is to give, expecting nothing in return.

Today, I'll look through the eyes of love at all the people and
circumstances of my day...and I'll leave it to love to look after me