I appreciate the contemporary emphasis on Spiritual Formation as the aim of sound Biblical teaching. Perhaps there was a day when Bible teaching centered around Lockean principles that allowed a person to refute all arguments with their religious friends.

Sure we must have an answer, but the answer Peter speaks to regards the "hope within you." It is that within element -- that spiritual formation of the character and attitude of Jesus -- which is at the heart of spiritual formation.

With the renewed interest in spiritual formation has also come a renewed interest in disciplines that assist in the formation of Christlikeness. Disciplines like fasting, meditation, accountability, etc. have become more valued.

It's interesting to see in the context of Matthew 6.1-18 Jesus speak of three disciplines of Christian faith: giving, praying and fasting. No one argues the necessity of the first two; giving and praying are integral components of every Lord's Day assembly of God's people. So why do we traditionally had such a hangup regarding the value of fasting?

"Where are the people today who will respond to the call of Christ? Have we become so accustomed to 'cheap grace' that we instinctively shy away from more demanding calls to obedience? 'Cheap grace is grace without discipleship; grace without the cross.' Why has the giving of money, for example, been unquestionably recognized as an element in Christian devotion and fasting so disputed? Certainly we have as much, if not more, evidence from the Bible for fasting as we have for giving. Perhaps in our affluent society, fasting involves a far larger sacrifice than the giving of money" (Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, p.54).

Whenever I've taught a class or preached a sermon on fasting, invariably one of the first questions asked is, "Does fasting mean that I must forsake food?" The thought of going a meal or a day without food seems to be too much. "Can I fast from television? From a recreational hobby?" often seems like a much more legitimate option.

I guess a person could fast from television or recreation, but those pursuits are not the central features at the heart of the Biblical directive to fast. When Jesus said in Matthew 6.16,18 that there would be times in the lives of his disciples when they would fast, he was speaking to the need to forsake physical nourishment.

Is television a necessity? Trae might think so. Is playing golf or turkey hunting a need? As much enjoyment as those hobbies bring, we do not "need" them. On the other hand, our bodies need food to survive. Our physical existence is dependent upon our bodies being nourished with food.

The Biblical insight on fasting means we forsake a physical need, i.e. nourishment through food, for the sake of a spiritual need, i.e. seeking the will and ways of God through prayer, meditation and allowing God to speak to us through His Word.

That reminds me that even though I might lose a pound or two during my times of fasting, the physical benefits are ancillary to the primary benefit: a greater awareness and appreciation of the blessing of relationship with Almighty God.

What a blessing to be back in the saddle and routine. We had a great time back in Arkansas and the autumn scenery couldn't have been more beautiful but it has been nice this morning to be back in my office.

Prayers and blessings this morning to all my friends and family back in the Village. Apparently, the western end of the Village was in the eye of the storm last evening. I read late last night about a friend in the Village whose four sun windows in the roof of his home were shattered by golf-ball sized hail. He scurried up to place plastic over the damage but not before his living room carpet was saturated with water.

Also this morning, that inevitable moment in the life of every child happened in our home. Since the first day of kindergarten, Trae has been the kind of kid who woke up anxious to get to school. But not today! This morning, Trae cried at breakfast, begging Mom and Dad to let her stay home.

We're not used to that. In fact, it has never happened before. I knew it would happen one day, but it took Mandy and I aback this morning when it did.

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Growing up isn't easy, be it physically or spiritually. There are always hurdles and challenges that mark the road to maturity. But just as our physical bodies and minds must develop toward maturity, so also our souls must be nurtured along the path of growth toward maturity.

What are you doing today to exercise your soul toward maturity? Let me give you a suggestion. Have you ever tried fasting? In the aftermath of Thanksgiving, a good fast just might do your body some good. But the purpose of fasting doesn't find its benefit in the physical rewards of lost weight but in the spiritual rewards of a deeper relationship with God.

It is clear from Scripture (see Matthew 6.16,18) that Jesus assumed there would be times in the lives of his disciples when fasting would be a necessary spiritual discipline.

This week, I want to blog some on the elements and spiritual benefits of fasting. It is far too often an under-utilized spiritual discipline that reaps enormous blessings.

Why not today forego the time you would spend preparing and consuming a meal of physical food to feast in the presence of God. If milk does a body good, today fasting will do your soul good.

What a weird feeling to wake up the day after Thanksgiving excited and anxious to watch, not the Arkansas/LSU game, but the Texas/Texas A&M game. I guess that means I have genuinely converted to my new digs.

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It's great to be back in Northwest Arkansas. We enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast with my parents, my sister and her husband yesterday. Mandy and I finally realized what Northwest Arkansas reminds us of as we were driving in. If you've ever been to the rolling hill Amish country in southern Pennsylvania, Northwest Arkansas could pass for its topographical twin.

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There have been so many blessings to count this Thanksgiving season. I am grateful for grace and the gift God gave to us by His grace that provides for us what we could never earn ourselves. I am thankful for Jesus Christ and His work at Calvary that provides redemption. I am grateful to be a part of the family at Marble Falls and for the incredible future God has in store for His people there. I am thankful for Mandy who loves me unconditionally. I am thankful for my two precious gifts from God, Trae and Tori. I never thought I could love three girls so passionately...but I do. I am thankful for the reunion this week with so many great friends in the family at the Village. I am thankful for mentors like Rick and Gail who have put their faith on the frontline in reaching the lost in Cambodia.

I am thankful for challenges, obstacles, struggles, doubts, depression, success, accomplishment and victory because they all remind me that God is at work. He didn't take a Sabbatical at creation. Didn't take a hiatus after the resurrection. Didn't take an extended vacation after the advent of the kingdom. No! God is still at work today and our duty is to discover where He is at work and join ourselves to Him.

Since beginning my blog back in February, I have tried to make a daily routine of writing my blog first thing every morning when I arrive at the office. Thanks for your patience, those of you who faithfully read my blog, during our vacation time. I promise next Monday morning to be back on track with a fresh insight for you every morning.

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I was blessed today to read Rick's words about the sermon he preached on Sunday in Cambodia. We use so many metaphors to describe faith. We speak of it as a "marathon" rather than a "sprint." We think of the quest of faith as a "race" as illustrated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 9.

But all of those frequently used metaphors lack the sense of intimacy. A marathon, sprint, or race are mass gatherings of participants. A "walk," on the other hand, speaks of intimacy. A relaxed setting. A quiet, comfortable time of reflection.

Thanks Rick for reminding us that the most powerful Being in the Universe -- Creator of Heaven and Earth -- thinks walking with us in an intimate relationship is pretty neat!

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Vacation time is so "un"routine that the routine things, like keeping up with news and current events, gets shoved aside. I have been in a information vacuum, save one significant event that did *not* occur.

On Sunday morning before church, it looked as if my beloved Rangers were on the verge of trading away Hank Blalock and John Danks to the Florida Marlins for Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett.

The deal would have been a major coup for the Rangers, landing them the critical #1 starter the team always seems to lack. Beckett would have been the bell-cow of the pitching staff. Lowell would have adequately replaced the Hammer's offensive production.

Yet, as I read today, it seems as though the Marlins were only using the Rangers as a bargaining chip to get the Red Sox to up-the-ante and include a top-flight, up-and-coming shortstop from their farm system.

There has been a veritable plethora of memorable experiences during our four days back in Arkansas. Here's a sample: Seeing the looks on my girls faces Thursday night when they saw their Grammy and Papa. Hearing Michelle Bearden's mother (East Gate attendant at the Village) share with me on Friday morning how the Village church has been such a blessing to her. Bumping into Dan in the Village Super Center on Friday while shopping for tailgate supplies. A Shackburger with Cheese and Onion Rings. Cutting up Vidalia Onions while prep'ing for the tailgate party. Visiting (read: shivering) during the tailgate. Saying the invocation at the game on Friday night. Being back in the Lion locker room at halftime. Seeing the joy on the faces of Trae, Mary and Avery when they were reunited on Saturday. Worship with my family at the Village. Lunch with all our dear friends. Grandmaw D's coconut creme pie.

There's still more to do: Mitch's Hill Country BarBQ. A drive around the Howard Mountain Hunting Lease. Trae returning to her old school on Tuesday to see all her friends. Time with Meme and Ryan on Wednesday through Friday.

God is good and this Thanksgiving season, I am reminded just how truly blessed I am.

Last night was anything but balmy! In fact, I froze until Jamie Saveall lent me his hunting jacket and gloves.

Like the weather, the Jessieville defense froze up in the fourth quarter. The Lions ended their fourth consecutive 10-win season last night at 10-2 with a 34-21 loss to perennial AA power, Junction City. A undermanned Lion team fought valiantly but came up short.

In Northwest Arkansas last night, the Springdale Bulldog semi-pro/high school team (ranked as the #3 high school football team in the nation) defeated Benton 49-0.

I'm anxious to check the West Viriginia Gazette momentarily to see how the Hurricane Redskins did last night in their quarterfinal game with Cabell-Midland.

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Another sports note: Orel Hershiser is leaving the Rangers dugout -- not for the Los Angeles Dodgers as has been presumed -- but for the Rangers front office, working in a Vice-President role to team president, Jeff Cogan. That'll be an interesting development to watch as to how Hershiser will influence the future make-up of the club.

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"God, I'm not trying to rule the roost,
I don't want to be king of the mountain.
I haven't meddled where I have no business
or fantasized grandiose plans.

I've kept my feet on the ground,
I've cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother's arms,
my soul is a baby content.

Wait...for God. Wait with hope.
Hope now; hope always!" (Psalm 131)

Several years ago, I preached a sermon entitled "A Long Overdue Tribute." It was a sermon geared toward encouraging and recognizing single parents in our church in the Village. I know that I, for one, am tempted to overlook singles and single parents in a quest to build relationships with people of like life experiences.

That's why Mike Cope's blog entry this morning intrigued me...

What's it like to be a single adult in church? So much of what we do is family-centered: family retreats, family encampments, family devotionals, etc. Are we doing a good job of communicating that after baptism the first family is the body of Christ? Is it the best idea to have singles classes or would it be better to integrate people so that relationships are formed?

"There is a trend in churches today to segregate people into demographic groups. Single twenties and thirties in one Sunday-school class, families with small children in another, empty-nesters in a third, sernior citizens down the hall, and so forth. Indeed, many churches have 'dealt with singleness' by starting singles' groups or singles' Bible studies, and hiring associate ministers who are charged with the task of ministering to single Christians.

"I see the appeal of such groups, but I am cautious about them. Perhaps the most robust expression of Christian community comes when we connect people of all demographics, people who might not meet each other if left to their own devices--toddlers and senior citizens and married couples and single professionals and empty nesters. This may cut against the grain of the organizational flowcharts that have become de rigueur in so many churches, separating parishioners into market groups (though the intentional fostering of relationships across demographic lines does not necessarily preclude a thriving Bible study for single parishioners, or a young mothers' prayer group). I have never joined a church with a singles' group, not because I think they are horrible or suffocating, but because church has always been one of the very few places where I can meet and know people who are not superficially like myself--it is only in church that I get to know kindergartners, and elderly people, and young families. . . .

"One of the best ways Christian communities can support chastity is to ensure that married people and single folks are in relationship with one another. Fostering relationships between married and single means not assuming that 'couple' is the basic unity of Christian identity. It means asking the single person not only who are you dating? but how is God calling you to be faithful now as you are? It means making sure you have an odd number of chairs at your dinner parties" (Lauren Winner).

It's Wednesday...but Friday's coming...and I can't wait!

Friday, my family and I will be back in Arkansas to begin a Thanksgiving holiday vacation with our family and friends back in Arkansas. I've always been one of those guys throughout our ministry moves who might leave Arkansas but Arkansas never leaves me. Arkansas is home.

Friday though brings another opportunity for one of my favorite community/church functions. Jimmy has scheduled a tailgate party in advance of the Jessieville/Junction City playoff game at Lions Stadium. I can't wait to visit with all our good friends in the church family. I can't wait to visit with my ole bunny, Dan ("naw, you?). Jimmy and I are going to spend Friday buying the groceries and preparing the food (I think I'll let Jimmy cut the onions -- they always bring him to tears). I've already promised Jimmy I'd man one of the grills.

The Lions head into the game 1 point favorites according to Hooten's Arkansas Football. A win this Friday over Junction City will likely force a rematch the day after Thanksgiving with perennial power Harding Academy. Last year, in one of the most exciting football games I've ever seen, Jessieville knocked off Harding 58-52 to advance to the Class AA semifinals. The tables are set (football-wise) for a repeat of last year. Here's hoping the Lions have what it takes to make 2005 a copy of 2004!

I'm brain dead this morning after a long day of office work yesterday. Getting everything ready for the Sunday after Thanksgiving has been grueling. So, with the plethora of meat out there, I will not bore you today with my brain dead drivel. The following is from the blogsite of Larry Chouinard whose blog I found off a link from my good friend, Jeff Garrett.

George Barna's recent book (Revolution), identifies what can only be described as a religious movement(in his estimation, well over 20 million strong) sweeping throughout Christendom in North America. The movement cuts across generational gaps (a fact seemingly lost on some cultural observers), and institutional boundaries, and reflects a restless spirit challenging traditional forms that stifle spiritual growth and all artificial barriers hindering real cultural engagement. The shape and ethos of this movement is not driven by a market-place pragmatism, but by a serious attempt to recover and practice a way of life defined and fleshed out in Jesus. When Jesus is the primary model and incentive for mission, the programs and agendas of a consumer based church suddenly seem so artificial and culturally irrelevant. After all, few potlucks and church functions led to a heightening of God's concern for the nobodies and lepers of our age. Like the priorities of the dominant culture, church has become a place where it's all about my needs being met.

In the recent Generous Orthodox Conference in Seattle selfless stories were heard about life in the frontlines of cultural engagement. Rather than the church being driven by buildings, budgets, and butts, more emphasis was given to conversations, connections, and collaborations. How does the faith community really want to be perceived by a watching world? Suppose our mission was, as one speaker put it "to make goodness fashionable"? Suppose that evangelism became a visible lifestyle proposal fleshed out in meaningful relationships and conversations, and not a pushy monologue or frontal assault, resulting in what Jim Henderson has called "terrorist evangelism"? As an educator I appreciated Brian McLaren's observation that "one could get an A in orthodoxy and an F in orthopraxy and still pass because orthopraxy is an elective"! We desperately need to rethink how we define the core or what we consider to be the fundamentals of the faith. How did love, peacekeeping, gentleness, compassion, and care for the poor get pushed to the fringe of faithfulness, while doctrinal correctness is given center stage? There is a spirit of revolution in the air because God is already at work in preparing hearts and minds to generate ideas and creative energy to mediate his liberating message. We need more tribal meetings like Generous Orthodox Conferences to generate the friendships and organic networks necessary to reinforce our shared values and goals.

A hilarious moment from our ride back from Early, Texas last night. Trae and I were talking about what she wanted to be when she was big. Her answer? "Daddy, I want to be a girl preacher." We talked a bit about that and I asked her, "Honey, have you ever seen a girl preacher?" She said, "Yeah, Daddy. Mrs. Marla (Carter) is a girl preacher!"

What Trae meant was she wanted to be a VBS Coordinator and talk to the puppets and participate in the skits before VBS. It was a great moment!

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Last night, I was blessed to speak at the Early church (now that looks good on the resume -- being able to say I preached for the "Early church"). Those one-shot opportunities are always difficult. What do you speak on? What do you share in a one-shot speaking opportunity?

Last night, I walked through the tragic story of Ahithophel. Ahithophel was the trusted advisor of King David; a man whose advice was "like that of one who inquires of God" (2 Samuel 16.23).

But when Absalom, in a coup attempt, rebelled against his father's throne and David was driven from Jerusalem, Ahithophel turned on David and hitched his wagon to the rebellious Absalom (see the story in 2 Samuel 17). Ahtithophel advises Absalom on two fronts: (1) Absalom must publicly humiliate David, which he did; (2) Absalom must allow Ahithophel to personally deal with David, which he didn't. When Ahithophel's counsel was rejected -- and realizing the amazing "bounce-back" history of his former boss, King David -- he went out and hanged himself.

But why? Why did Ahithophel turn on David? And why did Ahithophel want to take such dramatic action against David?

For this reason: Ahithophel was the father of a man named Eliam who was the father of a woman named Bathsheba. Ahithophel was Bathsheba's grandfather. And some eleven years after David's sin with Bathsheba, Ahithophel is very bitter and sees in Absalom's coup an ideal opportunity to get even.

Ahithophel's tragedy reminds me of the boomerang effect of bitterness. The person who harbors bitterness and holds on to grudges ultimately destroys not his enemy but himself. Someone has said, "Bitterness is the cause of our headaches, our backaches, our stomachaches and our heartaches."

The solution? "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4.31-32).

The battle between church and culture has existed in every generation and the real question is: who is winning the battle? Is church influencing culture or is culture influencing church?

As you think about that, look back with me this morning at a key document in the history of our heritage in the churches of Christ. It is the Declaration and Address, written in 1809 by Thomas Campbell, spelling out the objectives of the Christian Association of Washington, Pennsylvania. This document and the objectives stated became a critical component that led to the birth of what has become known as the churches of Christ in America.

Declaration and Address

1. "The Church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one; consisting of all those in every place that profess their faith in Christ and obedience to Him in all things according to the Scriptures, and that manifest the same by their tempers and conduct, and of none else; as none else can be truly and properly called Christians."

2. The One Body manifests its life in numerous separate congregations. These ought all to acknowledge one another in the spirit of Christ and, avoiding schism, show a united front to the world.

3. Nothing should be considered binding upon Christians or be made a condition of church membership that is not "expressly taught and enjoined in the Word of God." Nothing is essential to the life of the Church which has not the authority of Christ or His apostles in express terms or by approved precedent.

4. Old and New Testaments together make the perfect revelation of the Divine Will and in this respect cannot be separated. But it is the New Testament that indicates the worship, discipline and government of the Christian Church and the duties of its members.

5. When the Scriptures give no clear guidance, no man should bind his views on others. "Nothing ought to be received into the faith or worship of the Church, or be made a term of communion among Christians, that is not as old as the New Testament."

6. Similarly, deductions from and interpretations of Scripture, while helpful as such, must not be made essential or become tests of loyalty.

7. Creeds are useful in summarising {sic} truth and excluding error, but should never be made terms of Christian communion.

8. Complete knowledge of Christian truth is not required of those becoming Church members. What is needed is knowledge of our need, of the sufficiency of Christ, and a disposition to obey Him in all things as these become known to us through His Word.

9. All Christians should recognise {sic} one another as such and manifest love as brethren. All are equally "children of the same family and Father, temples of the same Spirit, members of the same body . . . objects of the same Divine love. 'Whom God hath thus joined together no man should dare to put asunder.'"

10. Division among Christians is antichristian. "It destroys the visible unity of the body of Christ, as if he were divided against himself, excluding and excommunicating a part of himself." It is anti-scriptural, a direct violation of Christ's command. It is anti-natural engendering hate and opposition amongst those who should love one another as Christ has loved them.

11. Division is, caused, in some instances, by partial neglect of the Will of God. In other cases it results from exalting human opinions into Christian essentials.

12. All that is necessary to the perfection and purity of the Church is that it be composed only of those who have professed faith in Christ and obedience to Him in all things according to the Scriptures and who express this allegiance by their lives; that ministers, duly and Scripturally qualified, teach only the articles of faith and holiness expressly revealed in the Word of God and in all their ministrations keep close to the Divine commands, without any additions of human opinion.

13. Where the Scriptures do not state the method of obeying Divine commands there should be freedom in introducing and changing the human expedients necessary for such obedience.

This morning, I want to share with you some insights from Danny Sims. Danny is the Preaching Minister for the Altamesa church in Fort Worth and his thoughts back on October 26th are ringing with relevance to me. Hope you are enriched by his thoughts today.

Some people see the church in relationship to other churches. They often compare what one church does, what it believes, and how it behaves to other churches. I left that line of thinking years ago.

I see the church in relationship with God and the world. Who is God calling us to be? Who does the world need us to be? Those are far more significant questions in my mind than "What does the church down the road think of us?"

Like the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do (I Chronicles 12:32) the church needs to decide which kind of church we think is best.

I mentioned these five yesterday. Forgive me as I paint with a pretty broad stroke here. I know loving, well meaning people in churches that look like these I describe...

The church that is absorbed by the world. Both liberals and conservatives can make this mistake. Liberals can become consumed by our present culture and conservatives can be consumeded by a past culture.

The church that ignores the world. While we might love it if this technique was effective in reaching the world for Jesus, it just isn't. Most of the people in these kind of churches that I have known have been highly interested in what other churches think of them. These churches often become this next group...

The church that is irrelevant to the world. These churches tend to speak a vocabulary unique to them. They are concerned with issues mostly known only to them. Their issues are not engaged in the world but are intramural. They are also keen on being seen among churches but don't seem to care if they are seen in their community.

The church that battles the world. These churches see their role as soldiers in a culture war. They are almost always active in issues. Let me ask, "Is political persuasion the best method of changing the world for Christ?" Really?

Here is an example: In our church bulletin these past two weeks we've run an article about voting in the November 8th election here in Texas to support the The Marriage Amendment. This amendment defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Sunday I asked, "Isn't there a way to support marriage without so offending homosexuals that we could not have a positive relationship with them?" So much of the dialogue among Christians is about homosexuals, not to and with homosexuals.

As I see it, we must remain positive and loving as we engage the issues, even the issue of homosexuality. As I see it Jesus would treat and communicate with homosexuals a bit differently than many in "battling churches" do.

The church that influences the world. This is when God so profoundly changes us that the character of our involvement in the world is also changed. It is not either give over to the culture or build up walls, it is be relevant to the culture and be loyal to Christ. We can be both! Acts 2:47 says the early church was, "Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord was adding daily those who were being saved."

That's the church I want to be.

Apparently, yesterday's Proposition 2 vote (among eight other amendment votes) sparked a record turnout in Texas. Three out of four Texans voted FOR Proposition 2 which defines a legal marriage as a union of a man and woman.

This morning, I'm grateful to live in a state where the overwhelming majority cast a vote based on the time-honored boundaries of God. It was God who created marriage and God who defined the boundaries of marriage in the beginning of time.

I wasn't altogether surprised, though, at the number of "religious leaders" who spoke out against Proposition Two, labeling it as an intolerant amendment. I don't doubt the sincerity of those people for a moment -- they were basing their argument on a spirit of tolerance and acceptance. But, when God's Word has plainly spoken, defining the boundaries of marriage, can tolerance and acceptance be extended to any and all who want to live outside the boundaries God has established?

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The issue of sincerity in religion has become a dominant theme. There is a popular paradigm in religion that says, "Belief is unimportant as long as a person is sincere." Can that be true?

Let's say you are traveling by jet aircraft to a certain vacation destination. As you board the aircraft, the stewardess announces over the intercom: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the pilots are sick this morning. We were afraid we'd have to cancel your flight. But we have found a teenager who plays flight simulator games on his X-Box at home. He's really good and has never crashed a plane playing his flight simulator. He sincerely thinks he can fly this plane and get us to our destination."

Would you stay on the plane or get off?

We understand that in the real world, sincerity is not the most critical matter. We wouldn't dare fly on a plane piloted by a person who hasn't been trained and acquired the skill necessary to insure a safe flight.

Why, when everyone realizes sincerity is not the most important facet of life in the real world, do some make sincerity the most important facet of our eternal destiny?

I'm not knocking sincerity. I'm just recovering the claim that sincerity finds its real meaning within the boundaries of God's defined truth.

One of the most difficult texts of the New Testament to apply in our contemporary setting is Mark 9.38-41:

"John spoke up, 'Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn't in our group.' Jesus wasn't pleased. 'Don't stop him. No one can use my name to do something good and powerful, and in the next breath cut me down. If he's not an enemy, he's an ally. Why, anyone by just giving a cup of water in my name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice.'"

It's not verse 41 and the giving of a cup of cold water that gives us pause, it's the words of Jesus's rebuke of John. John wanted to silence another who wasn't in the inner circle of Jesus and Jesus rebuked John for his presumptuous spirit. It is apparent that when Jesus rebuked his disciples in the prior verses for their competitive spirit (see Mark 9.30-37) they didn't get the message. Their pride wasn't dead.

I take Jesus's statement to John as a warning against criticizing acts of service done in the name of Jesus by those who are not of my inner circle of fellowship, keeping in mind that the real enemy in this cosmic spiritual struggle is Satan, not other church groups or religious institutions. The competitive pride that champions "my truth" is deadly -- the assumption that there can be no truth outside of the truth I know.

I am proud to be a descendant of our Restoration Heritage, rooted in the wisdom and insight of greats like Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone and Walter Scott. Perhaps some of the greats of the past had a better grasp on the intentions of our Restoration leaders than we do today. For example, N.B. Hardeman in a message delivered at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee in 1928 captured well the intentions of our Restoration Heritage.

"I have never been so egotistic as to say that my brethren with whom I commune on the first day of the week are the only Christians on this earth. I never said that in my life. I do make the claim that we are Christians only."

Christians only or the only Christians? There is a vast difference is those two expressions -- a vast difference Jesus himself addressed. It would do us well to remember that judging the sacrifice of a person's life is God's task; living as sacrifices is our task.

Quick hitter today as a couple of commitments are lined up and I'm pressed for time.

I'm more convinced than ever that the work of redemption was completed at Calvary. Our response to the gospel is not work, it is faith (and I define faith as simple, trusting obedience in Jesus). I think we've taught far too long a confusing amalgam of faith/works that has muddied the water and clouded the understanding of people.

When Jesus said on the cross,"It is finished," he was declaring victory over Satan. Jesus was firmly declaring that the work of redemption was complete.

Now what more is there for us to work for? Jesus did the work so we wouldn't have to. Now that doesn't absolve us from living missional lives -- from living out the mission of Jesus in this world. But it does absolve us from living in the tyranny of fear that somehow I must do enough to warrant my redemption.

To balance out the vicious virus that afflicted Mandy and Tori (knock on wood but Trae and I have avoided it) God has blessed the Hill Country with a week of spectacular weather. Cool evenings...warm days. Reminds me of mid-October weather in the Ouachitas. I had wondered if the leaves here would turn but now the Hill Country is beginning to be splashed with red, yellow and orange.

I've always said October was my favorite month of the year. While we are here, I guess I'll have to back it up one month.

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Amazing turn of events in Arkansas High School football. Benton knocked off Watson Chapel last night to earn a share of the 5-A South Conference Title. If Texarkana beats Sheridan tonight, as it should, then Benton will go into the playoffs as the #2 seed from the 5-A South and play the #3 Seed from the 5-A Central.

Guess who the #3 Seed is from the 5-A Central? None other than the Bryant Hornets. Benton versus Bryant in a state playoff game will vastly outdraw the record crowd that couldn't even fit into C.W. Lewis Stadium in 1999. I'm guessing at least 20,000 will try to fit into C.W. Lewis next Friday.

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Congratulations to Don Phillips and the Jessieville Lions. The Lions finished off a 9-1 regular season and undisputed 5-AA Conference Title with a 34-14 win at Magazine last night. The Lions have home-field throughout the playoffs until the state championship game in Little Rock.

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One more thought this morning from Steve Farrar. He writes in the "Braveheart" chapter I shared with you yesterday that people don't follow titles; they follow courage.

Do we pursue titles thinking that by those titles we've inherited some degree power and authority? Even in church circles, do people pursue a title to earn some measure of influence?

"Are you the kind of leader whose life has a positive effect on those around you? Take off the leadership garb for a moment and ask yourself: who am I impacting for Christ from my life, not my position? If it were not my job to reach people for Christ, would I try? Is there any evidence outside of my professional efforts to prove it? Am I leading others by the example of my life?" (Bill Hull)

Stever Farrar is one of the preeminent writers of spiritually challening books geared toward men, husbands, fathers. In my mind, his best work is Anchor Man which speaks to the necessity of dads to live lives of faith that lead subsequent generations to lives of faithfulness.

Last night in our men's class, we were discussing Farrar's "Braveheart" chapter (chapter 8) in Anchor Man. Farrar holds nothing back when he unequivocally declares, "Father who do not develop brave hearts break hearts" (166).

Courage as a man, a dad, a husband and a leader can come in so many ways. Here's one, and it is so subtle it might be the most challenging hurdle to courage us men face: the courage to say "No" to good things in order to say "Yes" to the best things. What I mean by that is this: it is good to have recreation, hobbies, community involvement, etc. But what about when the priority of those good pursuits come at the expense of a better pursuit, i.e. spending time with my wife and kids?

Our identity as men should never come from where we work, what we drive, what we hunt, what boards we serve on or how our straight our tee shots have gotten. Our identity must come from living courageously as men of God committed to anchoring the generations that follow us.

What a vicious virus spreading through the Texas Hill Country...and the Gardner home. Tori is back to her usual spunky self, but now Mandy has it. Here's hoping it's not too late to ask all my blogging friends to pray that Trae and I miss out. This virus has been a doozie!

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I was welcomed to my office this morning with a couple of e-mails from Rick and Gail. Gail relayed in her e-mail how impacting their recent trip to Vietnam was. She mentioned the passion of the saints in Vietnam who, despite the threat of arrest and imprisonment, worship their Savior unashamedly.

Today, I'm praying that God will give us the passion to be unashamed witnesses for Jesus.

What a great Halloween last night. Dent & Kelly Offutt and their three girls hosted a trick-or-treating extravaganza at their home and neighborhood. There must have been 60 people walking down the street together. Kids in costumes. Parents with flashlights. And you should have seen the looks on the faces of the homeowners when they opened their door to see about 35 kids waiting for treats. What a blast.

Before joining all our friends at the Offutt's, we did a little trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. Trae and Tori joined up with our neighbors, Derek and Tyler, and the four of them visited all the neighbors homes.

This year, Trae's costume was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, complete with the bright red shoes and the basket with a stuffed Toto. Tori was supposed to be the Cowardly Lion, wearing the little Lion costume that Trae made famous at Jessieville football games. Only one problem, though, Tori was too cowardly to even put on the costume (perhaps it was the lingering effects of her sickness on Sunday night). At any rate, Mandy made do by outfitting Tori as a member of the Dora Fan Club.

My girls were cute. Trick-or-treating was great fun. Eating all their candy is gonna be even more fun. And now, we have one more great memory to go with so many more great memories of our girls!

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A quick meterological note: for the first time since our move to Texas, we experienced a significant rainfall yesterday. I was beginning to wonder if we had moved to Arizona instead of Texas.

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Last night, it hit me how soon the innocence of childhood is going to give way to the demands of youth for all those children.

Last week, as I stayed with Dale and Lauri Mannon, I had the opportunity to go with them to their oldest son's pre-season basketball team dinner. Jedidiah plays all sports at Wolfforth Frenship High School, just outside of Lubbock. The facilities at Frenship are out-of-sight (their basketball gym is better than any gym I've ever seen in Arkansas).

During the coach's speech to the parents, he told them how "necessary" it was that their boys commit to playing summer basketball. He noted that to compete in high school basketball these days requires 100%, year-round preparation. High school basketball has become a 12-month commitment.

What impressed (and even saddened) me was how unashamed the coach was in calling for total commitment from the boys and their parents to the basketball program.

Why is that kind-of commitment honored in athletics but frowned upon in church? I mean, think how you would react next Sunday if your preacher or elders called on you to give that kind-of commitment to your church "program"? What would you think about parents who demanded total commitment of their children to the youth group at church?

Could it be that, in contemporary America, we've got our priorities a little misplaced?