Light and Salt

December 2011

2011-12-21T09:39:00.002-06:00

I keep thinking about trying to get back on this horse, but I just don't have the passion for it right now. Maybe that will change in 2012. This has been a great year, and while I am sad to see it go, I am excited to see what God is going to do this next year! He continues to amaze me!

For those of you living under a rock and haven't heard..........I AM A GRAND-DADDY!!!
Anderson was born on November 22nd in Little Rock. Baby and momma are doing great. He is already a tremendous blessing, and he hasn't uttered a word yet. I know I am going to be blessed by this new journey!

Yes, I am excited about the National Championship game! If Bama wins, the LSU fans are going to be bummed and declare they should have a share in the title. I won't disagree with that. If the shoe was turned the other way, I would feel the same way. We NEED a play-off system!!!!! DUH! Having said that....ROLL TIDE ROLL!

I still miss my dad. It gets a little easier as time passes, but it's still a hard journey. My mom is doing well. She has already been to Arkansas to see her great-grandson. She turned 80 this past August. I wish we lived closer to her.

Things at Harding are.........well, interesting. It should be worth the price of admission to watch the goings on for the next year or so. It won't be for the faint of heart! I know God is faithful, and Harding is going to continue to bless the lives of young people for many years to come. It is still a tremendous blessing to be a part of the Harding family!

I hope everybody has a WONDERFUL Christmas and a great start to 2012! I still read several blogs a week, but I don't comment much anymore. I still am blessed by each one I read!

God bless you and your families!

Still Crazy After All These Years

2011-05-27T12:49:00.002-05:00

I wanted to say "Still HERE After All These Years" but the Paul Simon lyrics kept ringing in my ear. Plus, those words are just as applicable! :) I ran across an old Harding friend's blog......Steve Hawley.......and it kinda gave me the urge to visit my old blog. It's been a YEAR since my last post, and I couldn't begin to tell you all the things that have happened in my life since last June. I guess the BIGGEST news is that I am going to be a grand-daddy in November. YEA!!!!! Luke and Juliana are expecting. We will find out in the next few weeks if it's a little boy or a little girl. It's not gonna matter, because I plan on spoiling it to death no matter which gender it is!! :)

My mom is doing really good. One of us 3 kids try and get there for a weekend as often as we can. Mom came to Searcy for a few days in April. It's always good to be with her.

I can't remember all the books that I have read since last summer. The ones that come to mind are "Christianity Rediscovered", "The Next Christians", "The Hole in Our Gospel", "He Loves Me!", "The Jesus Manifesto", and "Megan's Secrets". Obviously, those are all spiritual books. The best secular books I read were 3 books by Rick Bragg. That guy is one AWESOME author!! Check him out if you haven't already.

I found out this past year that I hate moles. They have taken over my yard. I will leave my whole estate to anybody who can run these suckers out of my yard....and out of my LIFE! I feel like Bill Murray in "Caddyshack". :)

Things are going well here at Harding. It's an interesting season to be here. It's gonna be fun seeing everything that transpires in the next few years from this catbird's seat. Please continue to pray for this wonderful University!

Can't wait for the college football season to get here. Matt has already told me that he is getting us in the Ole Miss vs Bama game in Oxford this coming October! Can't get here quick enough. I know it will be another fun season for everybody!

I still read Eye Guy, Patrick, Keith,and Mike weekly. Bobby, I do check yours from time to time also. I guess now I will be reading Steve's quite often also. Thanks to all of you for continuing to write. It's a HUGE blessing to the rest of us!

Have a wonderful summer everybody! DU

2010

2010-06-28T13:06:00.002-05:00

It's been a LONG time since my last post.....gracious. But a whole lot has happened this past 6 months. The biggest thing that has happened in my life is that I lost my dad in February. He had been in bed for several years, but we found out in December that he had pancreatic cancer. We feel blessed that he is with the Father, and that he didn't suffer for a great deal of time. I still miss him EVERY day.

Matt and Liz moved to Jackson, TN. Matt is now the head football coach at Jackson Christian. Luke and Juliana are still in Little Rock. Don't ask me about grandchildren! :) Matt and Liz DO have a new little puppy! Cotton is her name.

Jan's dad, Virgil Lawyer, is not in good health. We are concerned for him, so please keep him in your prayers. Jan's mom seems to be doing really well.

My good friend Craig Jones got married yesterday! He and Carol had been dating for several years now, and I am SO happy for the two of them. They both have been an inspiration to me because of their great faith. CONGRATS CRAIG AND CAROL!!

Things at Downtown are good, and I love my church family. Things at Harding are good also, and we are looking forward to another school year starting in a little over a month. Summer sure flies by, huh?

Oh yeah.......Alabama won another National Championship in January. I was so glad Dad lived long enough to see them win another one. I'm ready for the season to start again!

I still read Patrick, Mike and Keith Brenton every week. I tend to spend more time looking at Facebook than I do looking at blogs. Has the blogging era passed already?

Have a great summer! DU

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-15T11:41:00.002-06:00

Well, it's been awhile since I last posted anything. Seems like I do more communication these days on Facebook. For those of you who read "Same Kind Of Different As Me", you HAVE to read the sequel: "What Difference Do It Make". It's really really good!

I hope EVERYBODY has a wonderful Holiday Season......and a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I am looking forward to spending time with family, which is the BEST part of the Holidays to me.

God Bless,
David

P.S. No, I'm not saying ANYTHING yet about my Tide........don't want to jinx them! :)

Books

2009-09-23T12:40:00.002-05:00

Long time no post! It's good to be back......for one post anyway. :)

I just wanted to mention a few books I had read since the last time I posted. In fact, it's two books by the same author, Francis Chan. I had never heard of Chan until Jerry Morgan told me about him. Jerry had heard him speak in person and was really blown away by him. The two books are "Crazy Love" and "Forgotten God". Both are EXCELLENT books! "Forgotten God" deals with the Holy Spirit, and even though I felt very indicted, I also felt very encouraged at the same time. I know......sounds crazy. But read it and see if you don't feel similar.

Still reading Cope, Brenton, and Mead on their blogs. Just don't seem to have the time to blog myself. Those guys encourage me EVERY time I read them!

And yeah.....Bama has had another good start. Let's see if they can keep it going!

God bless!

Grandaddy's Birthday and Books

2009-07-17T15:54:00.002-05:00

Many of you had Virgil Lawyer as a teacher at Harding back in the day. He also was Dean of Students and had several other roles in the 60's. As you probably know, he is my father-in-law. Today is Grandaddy's birthday......he is 85 today. If you get a chance, send him a B-Day card to 35 Harding Drive, Searcy. 72143 I know he would appreciate it.

Ok......I do have one book to tell you about. Jerry Morgan turned me on to it. The title is "The Monkey and the Fish: Liguid Leadership for a Third-Culture Church" by Dave Gibbons. You can get it used off of Amazon. FANTASTIC book!! Pick it up and tell me what you think about it.

Kudos for Tom Watson, no matter how he ends up playing the next two days. To do what he is doing at his age is AMAZING!

Getting ready for football season!! Got me a flat screen and HD so that I can see my Tide even better this year!! I don't think we will run the table and win 12 in a row again, but I think we should hold our own. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!! :)

The 4th and Other Ramblings

2009-07-02T12:45:00.002-05:00

Not posting myself much these days......but still reading other blogs that encourage me daily. Cope, Brenton, Mead, and Garner are everyday stops for me. I am addicted to those blogs. Don't always agree with every word, but I love those Godly men!

Headed out in the morning to the Great Southwest! Southeastern Colorado, New Mexico, hill country of Texas, and back home. Looking forward to being with some wonderful Harding folks, and seeing God's beautiful nature. And yes, my girlfriend/wife Jan will be along for the journey!

Karl Malden.......now THERE is a celebrity to acknowledge! He was married in 1938 to Mona, and they were in the 71st year of marriage when he passed this week. When is the last time you heard of something like that coming out of Hollywood? He will be missed.

Got lots of books to tell you about, but I will wait till next time. Check back around Thanksgiving! :) God bless!

American Idol

2009-05-27T13:23:00.002-05:00

Hmm......just wondering why Fox or AT&T or SOMEBODY won't disclose how close the voting was between Kris and Adam.

Could it be Hollywood doesn't WANT us to know? :)

Conspiracy theories abound!

The Rine family and Pepperdine

2009-05-03T14:50:00.002-05:00

I leave in the morning for Malibu, but my heart will still be in Searcy with Dennis and Terri Rine. As most of you know, their daughter Micah was killed this past week in Memphis. I've just been numb since I heard the news on Friday. We had an amazing prayer service at Downtown last night, and there was another prayer service at Harding Academy where Micah was a student and Dennis currently is a teacher and coach. I know Micah is with Jesus and the Father, but we will miss her GREATLY!
I hope her smile is one of the first ones that I see when I get to Heaven.
We love you Denny, Terri, and Casey!

Patrick Was A Blessing

2009-04-21T14:44:00.002-05:00

This was taken Saturday morning while Patrick was bringing us the message : "Men of God In A World That Recognizes Neither". :) If you want to enlarge the picture, just click on it. Thanks for blessing us this past weekend Patrick! We hope you will come back soon!

Patrick Mead

2009-04-16T10:31:00.002-05:00

Since I blog so rarely these days, I am not sure if anybody will even see this or not. But I wanted to let those who might stop by know that Patrick Mead is going to be at Downtown this weekend. He will speak at a "Men's Breakfast" Saturday morning at 8:30 in our Family Life Center. Sunday he will be preaching twice.....once at 8:00 and then again at 10:45. If you get a chance to come hear him, I promise that you will be blessed by the message he brings. Or that the Father brings THRU him.

Feel free to holler at me with any questions that you might have!

A Huge Loss for Harding

2009-04-07T12:47:00.002-05:00

Dr. Jimmy Carr left us last week, and we will feel his loss from us for many many years. Men like him don't come along very often.

In the summer of 1974, Harding had begun a new program for incoming freshman......it was called "Early Orientation" back then. Dr. Carr had initiated this wonderful tool to help incoming Freshman get a step ahead in getting ready to come to college in a few months. If I am not mistaken, the one I attended in the early summer of 74was one of the first orientations that Harding had organized. There were close to 50 of us who had decided to take advantage of this visionary process of getting acclimated to Harding and college life. Guess who was our host for those 3 days or so together......yep, Dr. Jimmy Carr. Within MINUTES of being with us, we felt like we had known him our whole lives! I found out later that it wasn't just this arena that he made people feel that way, because he did it ALL the time. It's just who he was. Before we left campus, he had us all gather in the Administration Auditorium and answered any questions we had. He also encouraged us to be intentional about coming back in a few months and being ready to be a college student. The last thing we did was sing "Bless Be the Tie". When we left campus, we already felt like a family! If I am not mistaken, every single one of us ended up here a few months later for the beginning of school. I know there were a lot of factors in all us coming back to begin our freshman year, but Jimmy Carr was a HUGE factor. I knew I didn't want to let him down. I had sent my registration in to the Admissions Office at Harding earlier that Spring because my parents wanted me to, both of them being Alums. I had also sent my registration in to Lipscomb. A LOT of my friends from Florence were going to Lipscomb. After that orientation, there was no doubt where I was going to school.......Harding College, because Jimmy Carr was there. I found out later that there were a LOT of other wonderful people at Harding, too many to name here. But Dr. Carr was my introduction into the Harding Family, and I will forever be in his debt.

I've known a lot of giant men that really ended up to be small when I got to know them. Jimmy Carr was a small man that was a GIANT when you got to know him, and that didn't take long! :)

I loved him, and I will miss him.

Article by Dinesh D'Souza

2009-03-19T10:42:00.003-05:00

Check out this article from "Christianity Today"

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/article_print.html?id=77634

A Hardened Heart

2009-02-26T15:53:00.002-06:00

To me one of the saddest events in scripture is when someone hardens their heart. One example is in Exodus 8:19 when it says, "But Pharaoh's heart was hard and he would not listen". Sad to say, but Pharaoh was not the last person to have that problem. What drives that hardening of the heart? It may not be the same for everybody, but I feel like pride and arrogance are two of the leading culprits. Why would you want or need to listen to anybody else when you have all the answers?
I don't think you will find too many humble people who have a hard heart. I bet you can think of examples of both kinds of people right now! The scary thing is that Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10:14 to "shake the dust off your feet" when they encounterd those who would not listen. I take that to mean, "don't waste your time, they aren't going to change". In Ephesians 4 Paul starts the chapter talking about how to live as a disciple. Being humble and gentle are right at the top, and then he goes on to talk about how people live who have hardened their heart. He describes them as darkened in their understanding, ignorant, and separated from the the life of God.

Lord, I pray my heart never ever becomes hardened. Please send brothers and sisters my way to confront me if I ever start going down that path. It's happened to others, so I know it can happen to me also. I also pray for those who have let this terrible thing happen to them. If it is going to cost them their soul, I pray you do WHATEVER it takes to cause their heart to be softened to where they can hear your voice again......your sweet loving voice! Amen

It's Not An Economic Problem

2009-02-11T09:43:00.002-06:00

That was the premise of Ben Stein's talk last night on our campus. From his perspective, we don't have an economic crisis........we have a moral crisis. I agree. He laid out that foundational to our biggest problems is the lack of respect and regard for other human beings. Again, I think he is dead on. Did I agree with every word out of his mouth last night? No. But I'm glad I went to hear him, and I'd go hear him again in a heartbeat.

Before He Ever Worked for Clinton or Fox News

2009-01-30T15:00:00.003-06:00

In case you wondered what Dick Morris did before he worked for either Bill (Clinton or O'Reilly)...or was it Hillary....here he is in his first profession.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6uEjifqTaI&feature=related

Or wait, is that Cope?

What If Our Church Was Taken Away?

2009-01-21T11:21:00.002-06:00

In his latest book "Jesus Wants to Save Christians", Rob Bell asks the question:

"If our church was taken away- from our city, our neghborhood, our region- who would protest? Only the people who are members? Only those who are a part of it? Only those who attend services? Single mothers? Refugees? Atheists?"

Of course he is talking about your local congregation.

So, what answers did you come up with?

This is a really POWERFUL book, so go out and get it when you get the chance. It's an easy read, time wise. Application wise, it's not so easy.

Thanks Rob.......I needed your wake up call.

Joy

2009-01-19T11:11:00.003-06:00

In the movie "The Bucket List", Morgan Freeman tells Jack Nicholson that the ancient Egyptians believed that when you died and went to the next life, the gods there would require you to answer the two following questions before you could go enter the gates. Those two questions were:

A) Did you find joy in your earthly life?

B) Did you bring joy to others in your earthly life?

Being a Christian, I don't believe that is what happens in the next life.........but I do believe those are two pretty good questions to ask. Sadly, most surveys reveal that non-Christians perceive Christians as angry.......therefore not very joy-filled.
I don't believe that is true, but I can see where some people might get that impression. Within the last few weeks a friend of mine told me about a conversation he had recently with another believer. They were discussing different congregations in the town where they both live, and the believer told my friend something to the effect of "you don't need to visit that congregation.......they show a lot of joy there, and you know what happens when joy takes over". Yeah, sad but true. Joy is seen as a vice by some amongst us. Not good, huh?

So, in closing, I guess I will just challenge you to ask yourself the two questions the ancient Egyptians did. I hope you can answer YES to both of them!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-24T14:56:00.002-06:00

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

May the "Prince of Peace" fill your heart this Christmas!

Ode To a WONDERFUL Football Season

2008-12-09T12:25:00.003-06:00

Well, it's about over and I didn't want to jinx it..........but this has been a VERY FUN football season for me!!! The Harding Academy football team in Memphis where Matt coaches went all the way to the State Finals in Tennessee and lost by 2 points to Davidson Academy. Jan and I were there cheering them on, and as you might guess, it was a VERY exciting game. The Lions had a GREAT season, and should be very proud of what they accomplished. Be watching for one of their players, Marlon Brown, to be playing on Saturdays next fall. It was really fun to watch him these past 4 years. Congrats on a super season to Matt, the other coaches, and all the players!!

And my Tide........WOW! I knew they were going to be better than they were last year, but I never imagined that they would be THIS good!! What a TERRIFIC season!
I was able to go to Florence and watch 5 games with my dad, and that was really special. Matt even went with me this past weekend to watch the SEC Championship Game, and we had a blast even though we lost. I felt like I had turned back the clock to the 1970's!! Of course I wish that we had made it to the National Championship game, but I'm really proud of the year that they had and I am tickled to death that they are returning to the Sugar Bowl after a long dry spell. BAMA IS BACK!!! :) ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Searcy Harding Academy Wildcats had another great year, and lost in the second round of the State playoffs. Congrats to Coach Mote and his staff!

The Harding Bisons struggled this year, but we play a really tough schedule. Coach Huck and his staff are impacting the lives of young men, and I appreciate their efforts very much. This was Coach Huck's first full year, and they will improve next year. GO BISONS!

I hope all of your teams did well and you enjoyed watching them play as much as I enjoyed watching my teams. Isn't football season wonderful? Too bad it's about over, huh?!?

Spring football is just around the corner. :)

Keith Brenton

2008-11-24T10:33:00.004-06:00

My brother Keith just JACKED one out of the park with his latest post on his blog!

http://keithbrenton.blogspot.com/

I hope EVERYBODY has a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessed by This One

2008-10-20T10:38:00.001-05:00

I don't go to Brian Mashburn's blog enough! Jerry Morgan made sure I read his latest post, and I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me.

http://brianmashburn.blogspot.com/

The State of Our Economy

2008-10-08T12:09:00.003-05:00

As for the current trials and stress over our economy, can I quote some carpenter from Nazareth who supposedly knew a thing or two:

"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or---or even worse!----stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."

He also said something about the wise man building his house on the rock and not the sand.

Where is YOUR treasure, and where are you building your house?

Why the Hogs Don't Stand a Chance

2008-10-02T16:16:00.001-05:00

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gator_clause/2008/09/gainesville-chu.html

HU Lectures

2008-09-30T15:19:00.003-05:00

I was blessed to go hear Jim Woodroof deliver his keynote lesson this morning. The title of his talk was "How Do I Respond When God Doesn't Make Sense?" Jim did was he does best, and what he does most every time you hear him speak...........he talked about Jesus. Not church, religion, or "doctrine" as some would say. Just Jesus. An older gentleman said "I could listen to him all day". He must have read the bubble over my head! :) Yeah, for 34 years I have been wanting to listen to him all day, because I never get weary or tired of hearing him talk about Jesus. I don't know if I have ever heard anybody who's heart has been more captured by the Savior. And it's contagious. Hang around Jim very long, and your heart is captured also. If you don't believe me, just ask the thousands of students who came thru Harding when Jim was preaching at the College Church. Many of us had never heard preaching based on Jesus. It was so appealing, to the point it was addicting! Imagine that.....addicted to Jesus. Thank you Jim, for showing us Jesus!!!!

9-11-08

2008-09-11T15:55:00.003-05:00

When I think back on this date in 2001, I remember that I immediately wanted to know where my family was. Meaning Jan, Matt and Luke. Then I remember thinking about my brother Bryan in Washington and wondering if he was in danger. I didn't know how far he worked from the Pentagon......or if he might get sent to the Pentagon. I remember how blue the sky was that day, yet how dark everything felt. I remember being scared of what all might happen because of these terrible things that had transpired. I wondered where God was during all of this. 7 years later I'm not so sure I am any closer to figuring all that out than I was that day.

But I still believe in HIM.

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"Divine Nobodies" is one of the best books I have read in a while. The author is Jim Palmer, and no......he's not the baseball pitcher from Baltimore. If you get a chance, pick one up and let me know what you think about it. I put it in my top 10.
It reminds me of something that Donald Miller might write.

The next book I am going to read is "The House at Sugar Beach" by Helene Cooper. Helene is a Liberian, and was in the same class with my brother Bryan when he was in Monrovia. Her cousin, Dawn Cooper Barnes, was in my class and a good friend. This book is her account of the horrible coup that occured there in the early 80's and the emotional scars that she still bears from those events. Watch for this book to make every "Best Seller" list there is.

Random News and Thoughts

2008-08-27T10:13:00.002-05:00

Well, the students are back at Harding. Counting graduate students, we have around 6,500 folks........and included in that number are another record number of incoming freshman. Kudos to the HU Admissions Office! If you get a chance to see a replay of chapel today, by all means do so. Andrew Baker has a very heart-wrenching story, and then different people at Harding participate in "cardboard testimonies". It's a footwashing for sure. We did this at Downtown several weeks ago, and it was one of the most impactful services that I have ever been involved with. WELCOME BACK HARDING STUDENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I am presently reading "Divine Nobodies: Shedding Religion to Find God". I am not very far into it, but it is REALLY good. Pick it up if you get the chance. It's out in paperback.

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Here is a challenge.......scan through the Gospels and look for people coming to Jesus seeking SPIRITUAL help as opposed to PHYSICAL help. Kinda mind-boggling. Any thoughts you have would be appreciated.

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The last book I read was "Soul Cravings" by Erwin McManus. Jerry Morgan had suggested I read it, and I try to read anything McManus writes anyway after reading "The Barbarian Way". Here are a couple of excerpts:

"If those who are the religious elite are closest to God, why is it that they are so rarely closest to love? If God is love, those who know God best would love people most. Jesus said he came not to condemn the world, but to bring the world life. Why is it that so many who represent him are ever so quick to condemn?"

"Religion exists not because God loves too little, but because we need love so much. In the end all religions misrepresent God. They either dictate requirements for love or simply become a requiem for love. I think many of us have given up on God on this basis alone. We've been told that God is a reluctant lover and his standards must be met before there can be any talk of love. This is lunacy. Love exists because God is love. Our souls will never find satisfaction until our hearts have found this love that we so desperately yearn for."

"God is not passive, for love is never passive, but always passionate; and passion always leads to action."

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Seems like something important begins this weekend. Could it be time for COLLEGE FOOTBALL?!?!?!?! I might watch a game or two this weekend, if I can find one I'm interested in. Did somebody mention a game in the Georgia Dome?

Funny How This Happens

2008-08-19T17:04:00.002-05:00

Most days I have to walk across the street to get to the Heritage Building for work, and then back across again to the parking lot later to leave. Some days there is no traffic, so it's not a problem. Other days you wouldn't BELIEVE how much traffic there is in a little town like Searcy! I've noticed something, and no.....this hasn't been a scientific study or anything CLOSE to that. Just an observation. Most of the time, it's not the BMW or Mercedes or Lexus or fancy SUV that stops to let me and others go across. It's the 80's Plymouth K-car or beat up Dodge Caravan that usually stops. It may be TOTALLY coincidental. I don't think it would be very hard to make that argument at all. And maybe there are a lot more of those older vehicles than there are the nicer more expensive ones.

But what if it's not coincidence?

Superman

2008-08-12T09:52:00.002-05:00

Nothing like stating the obvious.............Michael Phelps is becoming one of the greatest Olympians of all time. I'm not a huge fan of swimming, but I find myself glued to the TV every time he races. He not only wins every event, he sets a new world record!

Ok, so the question of the day is this: Who is your all-time favorite Olympic competitor?

Fax of Life

2008-08-06T12:40:00.002-05:00

Rubel Shelley's "Fax of Life" email that comes out each week blesses me each time I get it, but I thought this week's message was both powerful and timely. Some of you may not get it (you should sign up.......it's free!) and I wanted to share it here. Thanks Rubel!!

Title: Faith and Politics
Date: For the Week of August 4, 2008

My title may be misleading. This essay isn't really about politics - although it is. It is about everything. It is about business, education, choosing (or rejecting) motherhood, and eating apple pie. It is about mowing grass, taking exams, balancing a checkbook, and changing oil. And, yes, it is about politics.
I confess to being bothered by things I am hearing already about "who a Christian will vote for in November." Some will vote for Obama, some for McCain, and others will either stay home or write in a vote for somebody whose name most of us will have never heard. Faith doesn't dictate a particular social order, and spiritual people are not all members of the same political party.
Part of the genius of faith is that it isn't American or French. It doesn't make you anti-democracy or anti-monarchy. And it doesn't require you to favor socialism or capitalism. In the case of Christian faith, it declares that one's true citizenship is in God's kingdom and that his or her life under whatever political system is to be lived for the sake of a divine calling.
On the one hand, faith is not divorced from one's social context. It should make one a better citizen in Africa, Europe, or America. A God-honoring way of life moves us to care for our neighbors and to seek the good of all people.
On the other, faith is not defined by one's social context. A woman can be a true and faithful child of God in Russia, Australia, or North Korea. Nothing about earthly governments trumps the value of a heavenly citizenship.
So what's with the title? Why raise the issue of "faith and politics" or "faith and business" or "faith and family"? Simply to make the point that good theology and authentic faith are always practical. They relate to life as it is being lived every day by ordinary men and women in our homes and workplaces.
Eugene Peterson says that a healthy pursuit of the spiritual life is "the development of awareness and discernments that are as alert and responsible in the workplace as in the sanctuary, as active while changing diapers in a nursery as while meditating in a grove of aspens, as necessary when reading a newspaper editorial as when exegeting a sentence written in Hebrew."
Faith is the orientation of a life to pursue God. Scripture is a compass to keep us from getting disoriented on our journey. Jesus is the defining personal example of what it is to live spiritually. If you believe all three of those statements - as I do - there is nothing about any one of them or all taken together that dictates your candidate for president, the career you must pursue, or the city where you must live. Yet all those decisions will be informed by your faith.
Faith is not your private opinion but your life-defining commitment by which everything in your public and relational life is decided.

Smith and Carlos Part Two

2008-07-27T15:44:00.003-05:00

I asked in my last post (to those who were old enough to remember) what they thought of the actions of Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.....then and now. For those who weren't alive or haven't heard about the controversy, Smith and Carlos each wore a black glove and raised their fists at the medal ceremonies for the 200 meters that summer. They also wore black socks with no shoes. This protest was to bring attention to the ongoing struggle for civil rights back in the USA. The Internationl Olympic Commitee told the USA representatives that the US track team would not be allowed to continue to compete unless Smith and Carlos were removed from the team, so both runners were kicked off the team and sent back to the States. As you might guess, these two athletes were not perceived as heroes coming home by a lot of the country. Most viewed it as unpatriotic and selfish at best, treasonous at worst. Both Smith and Carlos received death threats. I'm sure I am leaving out quite a bit of information, but I think this pretty much covers the basics.

As an impressionable 12 year old in the deep south, I didn't really understand what was going on. I just remember a lot of folks being upset. Seems like there was a LOT to be upset about in 1968. The assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King and the Vietnam War were three things that Americans were dealing with that year. There also were riots going on in major cities across the country, riots concerning the very thing Smith and Carlos were raising their fists about......civil rights. Remember, I am in Alabama where George Wallace had called for segregation for eternity. His wife, Lurleen, had taken his place as Governor of Alabama because he was ineligible to run again......and she had just died that May from cancer. To top it all off, there was a Presidential election coming in November.....and it was as crazy an election season as this one is. Controversy ruled the day. In that context, I am trying to figure out what these great track stars are doing, and why? I'm also trying to understand why most of the people I know are mad at them. I had just recently finished the 6th grade under the FIRST black teacher in the Sheffield City school system.......Mrs Feagin. She was a wonderful teacher, and I loved her very much. I was wondering how she felt about all of this protest stuff. I had never heard a racially motivated sentence come out of her mouth. She had us say a Bible verse first thing every morning (remember, this was PUBLIC school) and then she got on with the business of teaching us the three R's. Now knowing the context better of what all was going on in those days, I have even MORE respect for Mrs. Feagin than I did as a skinny 12 year old. She was one special woman! I'm pretty sure she is passed away by now, and I wish I had been intentional about telling her how much I appreciate what she did and the things she went thru that I'm sure none of us knew about.

But back to Smith and Carlos. Is there ANYTHING you perceive the same way after 40 years? Safe to say, not much huh? Maybe your sports loyalties or some religious beliefs. But events and happenings.......that's a different animal all together. Because of that fact, most people don't see the 68 protest by Smith and Carlos in the same light as they did back then. I sure don't. I don't know that I was necessarily mad at them, but at the time I for sure was not in favor of what they did. Today, I hope I understand a lot better why they did what they did, and appreciate the courage it took to stand up in front of the whole world and protest the fact that civil rights were being denied because of race. They paid a big cost for their actions, and probably are still paying 40 years later. If you get a chance, read the recent Sports Illustrated article about these two men and how the events of that summer night affected their lives. I respect those two men for standing against injustice in such a way to cause people to stop and think. And 40 years later, we're still working thru it.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos

2008-07-22T16:55:00.002-05:00

If you have to ask somebody who those guys are, no need to read any further. If you remember these two track stars and the Mexico City Olympics of 1968, I have a couple of questions for you. A) What did you think of their actions on the medal stand at the time?, and B) Has your perspective on that night or those athletes changed any?

I'll give you my take after I hear yours. What made me think of them? Two things.
One, they were on the ESPY's the other night. Two, "Sports Illustrated" did an article on them recently.

I still can't believe that it's been FORTY YEARS since I watched on our black and white TV those 68 Olympics sitting on my living floor in Sheffield, Alabama. The only race I really cared about was the 1,500 meters (mile run) and cheering for Jim Ryun. Yeah, that's another post for another day.

68.......never been another year like it.

This is Why I Love Bobby Garner

2008-07-16T15:04:00.002-05:00

Many of you know Bobby and Candice Garner, who are presently serving as missionaries to Jinja, Uganda. Bobby was at Harding with Matt and Luke, and they have been with us at Downtown up until they left this winter for Africa. For those of you who know them, it will come as no surprise to you to hear that they are blessing the lives of the Ugandan people TREMENDOUSLY!! I still miss them, and Lord willing, Matt and I are going to go over there next summer to visit for 10 days or so. Please keep them and their mission in your prayers.

I got this message from Bobby today. This helps me remember why I love him:

"Today I climbed a steep hill in Nakalongo after meeting with the community about some project ideas. On the way up the hill we met two families of baboons! It's pretty cool to be a few kilometers from the Nile River, hanging out with baboons, and realizing that I LIVE here! On the way back down, I met an old Ugandan farmer. I greeted him in Lusoga, and he responded in perfect british english, "Do you know Mark Moore from America?" The guy had seen Mark climb the mountain several other times and thought that he might be with me! I think I'm always going to be living it that guys' shadow!"

Bobby, that's not a bad shadow to follow. But my take is you are already casting your own shadow for the Lord in Uganda........and that shadow will only increase as you bless more and more people.

I love you and Candice VERY much!!!

Tim Curtis, Uplift, Bama

2008-07-11T10:07:00.003-05:00

I will be gone to Alabama this weekend, and I hate that I am missing the final sermon at Downtown by Tim Curtis. Tim is moving to Georgetown, Texas so that he can get back in the pulpit more. I am happy for him, but VERY sad for us! Tim and Belinda have been a TREMENDOUS blessing to DT ever since they got here a few years ago. Tim's ministry thru his Wednesday night "Nexus" class was off the charts. I still miss it. God's richest blessings to Tim and Belinda! I love you both very much!

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Uplift has come and gone for another year. WOW! Kudos to Andrew Baker and his staff for another excellent summer! It was great to see Terry Davis again, and I love to see him impacting young people thru his gift of music. We still miss you TD!
Donnie Mclaughlin is an establishment at Uplift, and everybody knows why. The guy connects with EVERY age-group, and especially this age. You can take an auditorium of 1,200 hyper kids, and within 30 seconds of him talking you can hear a pin drop. Thanks Don, for giving of your time and energy every year! I wish you were around here 24/7.

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As I said earlier, we are headed to Bama this weekend to see my folks. My mom hurt her knee a few weeks ago, so we are concerned for her. Hopefully she will be able to function without having to scope it. Please keep her and dad in your prayers.
I know many of you have similar concerns with your parents. Like many of you, I wish we lived closer to them.

Have a great weekend!

Free Speech

2008-07-07T15:27:00.002-05:00

Here are two quotes from J.N. Armstrong, the first president of Harding:

"There is a great need to stress the importance of maintaining
freedom of speech in the kingdom of God. Intolerance is
dangerous to the future growth of the church. Most of us
have an aversion to anything except what we ourselves believe
and teach, and as a consequence, we are intolerant of the
teaching of anything that antagonizes our doctrine. All
progress of truth - all truth - has always depended on free
speech and progressive teachers who were not afraid to teach
their honest convictions, even though it cost life....It takes
no courage to teach the things one's audience already believes."

"I am well aware of the fact that free speech has its dangers and that progressive and fearless teachers have given the world untold trouble. But are we ready to surrender free speech and to deny ourselves teachers who are not afraid? Even our deliverance from such a possibility must come through free speech and courageous teachers. If our great-great-grandchildren enjoy the truth we hold dear, it will be due to free speech and courageous teachers."

Happy 4th!

2008-07-03T11:00:00.002-05:00

The 4th of July is upon us! I hope all of you enjoy this wonderful holiday. I think the thing I like best about ALL holidays is the fact that it brings families together. Matt and Liz are coming this evening for a couple of days, and we hope to get to see Luke and Juliana also. Be safe with the bottle rockets!! :)

May God continue to bless our great nation, as he continues to bless many other nations also. I am proud to be an American. I hope those from other nations are proud to be citizens of their country also. Most of all, I am proud (in the right kind of way) to be a disciple and believer of Jesus the Christ.

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In his first novel, "A Time to Kill", John Grisham attacked racism by having an attorney ask a jury how they would respond to a little girl getting raped and beaten and left for dead...........if she were white instead of black. It was the turning point in the trial. Today, people are asking the same questions about a political situation in Africa.....except the other way around. What if Robert Mugabe were white? Read these two columns and give me your feedback.

http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/traps/2008/06/11/what-if-robert-mugabe-was-white/

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/opinion/29kristof.html?scp=9&sq=&st=nyt

Hit the Road, Jack

2008-06-20T16:08:00.005-05:00

I am hitting the road next week.........Edmond and Tulsa. As always, as I return home I will be reflecting on how blessed I was to get to spend time with these wonderful disciples that I see each trip! You folks in Edmond need to be watching the weather channel because it seems every time I come over there I run into ice, sleet, hail, thunderstorms, tornadoes, or flooding. If we get any of those first 3, start looking towards the Heavens and listening for some trumpet sounds! :) Anyway, I won't be posting for a week or so.

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I am so glad Mike plugged "same kind of different as me" on his blog! It was written by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. It's the BEST book I have read all year....and second place is still on the back stretch. GREAT BOOK! I got a used copy off of Amazon. I am an Amazon junkie. Anybody else relate?

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Joseph and Mary Katur from Kenya are going to be in Searcy this weekend and some of next week. Wanta talk about some giants in the faith! I was only with them for 3 days last November, and they impacted me greatly. Because of their efforts and a few others, hundreds of kids are able to receive a Christian education at the Marianne School in Kapsabet, Kenya. I LOVE MARY AND JOSEPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Quote

2008-06-17T08:53:00.002-05:00

Here is another powerful quote from the "End of Religion". This one comes from Doug Banister:

"Religion is the archrival of intimate spirituality. Religion , a tiresome system of manmade do's and don'ts, woulds and shoulds.......impotent to change human lives but tragically capable of devastating them......is what is left after true love for God has drained away. Religion is the shell that is left after the real thing has disappeared."

Chew on that one for a while?

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Was the U.S. Open not a blast? I suspect that like many of you, I have a new golfer to pull for.........Rocco Mediate. I have always pulled for Freddie Couples, Ernie Els, and Tiger. Gotta say, Rocco will probably be at the top of that list from now on. I love his graciousness and his ability to keep things in perspective. And his humor. And his charismatic personality. And his never give-up mentality. What's not to like? :) Where are you John Daly?

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I had a wonderful Father's Day weekend! I got to be with my dad Friday, attend a Wade family reunion on Saturday, and be with my two boys and their sweet wives for lunch on Sunday. I have a wonderful dad, and two great sons who will be wonderful dads someday. I am richly blessed!

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Josh Patrick is the best young preacher I have heard in a LONG LONG time. We got to hear him again this past weekend when we attended Grace Crossing in Memphis with Luke and Juliana. If you get a chance, go to their web site and listen to some of his sermons. The guy is off the charts! It's going to be exciting to see what God does with this talented young servant of His.

Soren Kierkegaard

2008-06-10T10:39:00.004-05:00

In his book "The End of Religion", Bruxy Cavey includes this quote by Kierkegaard:

"Act just once in such a manner that your action expresses that you fear God alone and man not at all..........you will immediately in some measure cause a scandal"

That may not be an absolute truth, but I think it happens that way more often than it doesn't. You can see it happen many many times in the Bible, especially with Jesus. Since that time it's happened over and over again, and it still happens in 2008.

I'd rather be scandalous than safe.

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A news item today is that archaeologist have found what they believe to be the first church building or meeting place of Christians. It was found under Saint Georgeous Church in Rihab, Jordan. The article says they found stone seats thought to be for the clergy, and they discovered an area they "thought to be the aspe". I keep waiting for them to find an "order of worship" that shows 3 songs, a prayer, a scripture reading, 2 more songs, the sermon, an invitation song, the Supper, another song, announcements, and a closing prayer. :)

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Monte and Beth Cox leave today for Tanzania with several young couples who are going to be a mission team to that country in another year or so. This is a survey trip to search for the optimum area of the country to use as a base for their effort to bring the Gospel to those who have never heard it. Their daughter Sarah and her husband Andrew are a part of this team. One of minsters from Downtown, Dave Mathews, is also joining them on this trip. This is his first experience in Africa! I can't wait to hear his stories when he gets back. Monte, Beth, and Dave are coming home in a couple of weeks while the team stays there for another couple of weeks. Please pray for their efforts.

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It's less than 3 months till football season! What are your predictions this year? I say a certain team that wears Crimson is going to have a better season this year than last. And I say Tank Daniels is going to be on the field MORE this year for the defending world champion New York Giants! GO TANK!

What Does the Lord Require of You?

2008-06-06T15:57:00.004-05:00

I am sure all of you recognize that question from the great trial in Micah chapter 6.
Israel was on trial, and the Lord had laid out all of it's transgressions and sins.
To make things right again and gain redemption, Israel wanted to know what sacrifice would wipe away it's wrongs...........it's many many wrongs. "With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God?" Israel asked. Would calves be enough? How about rams, thousands of them? Not good enough? Ok, how's this.........I will offer my first born, the "fruit of my body".

Truth was, no sacrifice was good enough, big enough, expensive enough, or personal enough. At least no sacrifice of ours.

With God's leading, Micah understood this. The prophet answers the people of Israel this way: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To ACT JUSTLY, and to LOVE MERCY, and to WALK HUMBLY with your God".

From where I am sitting, my take is that we STILL are having a hard time getting our arms around those 3 heart issues. I know I am. How you making out in those areas?
I have to figure the admonition to "Fix your eyes on Jesus" was a way to lead us to being these 3 things better than we are on our own.

Have you ever known or been around anybody that lived those 3 blessings better than HIM? Anybody love justice more, anybody more forgiving, or anybody even come close to being as humble?

It just keeps coming back to Jesus, doesn't it? Not to anything.........ANYTHING else. Jesus is enough.

Get Out the Black Balloons

2008-06-02T08:33:00.003-05:00

Many of you know my buddy Keith Riley. Well, the youngster joins the AARP crowd today.........it's his 50th birthday! Send him a line or an electronic birthday card to his email address: kriley@firstcommunity.net

I am sure he will appreciate it! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOO-PIGSOOIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even Gas Prices?

2008-05-28T10:46:00.004-05:00

I just got thru reading Matthew 6: 25-34........the "don't worry" section of the sermon on the mount. Reckon that includes worrying about how we are going to pay for a tank of gas? My guess is that, yes, even the cost of fuel is included in the things listed NOT to worry about. Easier said than done, huh?

Has the part that says "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" ever bothered you before? I gotta confess.......it bothers me because I see innocent children starving to death all over the world.

Just being transparent. I'm not saying it makes me lose my faith. I'm just saying it bothers me because I don't understand it.

And it bothers me that kids are dying because they don't have enough nutrition. And they die because of malaria. And AIDS.

All of a sudden gas prices aren't a big worry at all.

Bruxy Cavey

2008-05-22T15:40:00.002-05:00

No, I had never heard of him either............until Jerry Morgan turned me on to him. Cavey has written a book with the title "The End of Religion: Encountering the Subversive Spirituality of Jesus". Jerry was reading it while we were at the Pepperdine Bible lectures, and suggested that I check it out. I'm always going to pick up anything Jerry advocates, so I ordered it off of Amazon. And I am SO glad that I did! WOW! If you get a chance, go to Amazon or your favorite bookstore like Mardells and get you a copy. He verbalized some things that I have been feeling for several years now. Let me know what you think!

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I was in Tulsa all week, hence the no posting. I really love Tulsa, especially because of all the HU alums and friends of HU that we have up there. I was able to spend some time with Greg Taylor, and he told me some wonderful stories of how God is moving in their community and how the body of believers at Garnett is growing in the Lord. If you get a chance to check out their web page, please visit it. I love the way they are reaching out to the folks in their area of Tulsa......and beyond. Love you Greg and Jill!!!

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Ahhh........Memorial Day! What do you think of when you reflect on past Memorial Days? I think of chasing a greased pig out at Underwood ball field with Corky Berry and Robert Burch on that day in 1975. I think of cookouts, and baseball games. I remember family get-togethers. I see it as the start of summer, although it was already above 90 degrees one day this past week in Tulsa! YUCK! But most Memorial Days are nice because it HASN'T gotten so HOT yet. Finally, I think of my relatives who have served in the military. THANKS TO ALL OUR VETERANS!!!!!

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This is going to come across as bragging, but ask Jan.............I said 6 weeks or so ago that David Cook was going to win American Idol!!!! I didn't get to see all of last night's finale, but I really enjoyed what I did get to see. I think Cook will be a great ambassador for Idol, and I think Archuleta has a wonderful future in front of him. I loved most of the last 10 or so contestants, and I thought Michael Johns got let go too early. I would have had him in the top 3 or 4. I thought Simon was a stand-up guy last night for apologizing for being so hard on David Cook. That took some character. I'm already looking forward to January 2009!

Have a great Holiday Weekend!!

California Judges

2008-05-15T13:40:00.003-05:00

The ruling that came down today from the California Supreme Court probably is no shocker to anybody. Here was the opening lines of the AP article:

"In a monumental victory for the gay rights movement, the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday in a ruling that would allow same-sex couples in the nation's biggest state to tie the knot."

My prediction is that this ruling, which in essence has the judicial branch saying it will ignore the will of the people, will not help the cause of Senator Obama in his efforts to become the next president of the United States. It will be interesting to hear his take on these events.

I SELDOM post about political things, and will probably continue to stay away from such discussions, as they usually lead to the pig sty rather quickly........but this ruling motivated me to make a prediction.

Sportsmanship

2008-05-14T09:34:00.002-05:00

Since I am on a sports theme kick, please watch this VERY MOVING video. We need a little reminder from time to time that there still ARE folks like this in the world!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKUaLlK776s

Even on the playing field, it's ok to live out the golden rule!

We Need More Coaches Like This One

2008-05-09T13:31:00.003-05:00

Check out this powerful witness by a big-time college football coach:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1137883230?bctid=1435437082

Last Week

2008-05-07T09:02:00.004-05:00

Last week passed WAY too quickly! I always come back emotionally spent and physically worn out. This year was no exception. I have had several days now to rest and reflect on the blessings of attending the Pepperdine lectures again, and here are some of the hightlights:

The singing each time we gathered in the Firestone Fieldhouse for a key-note talk. I really believe it's the closest thing to what heaven is going to sound like that I have ever heard. I could stay there for HOURS singing with those brothers and sisters of mine.

Listening to the key-note lessons each day. Don McLaughlin started us out Tuesday night with a POWERFUL lesson, and it never slowed down. I know I am prejudice, but I thought the Harding guys delivered the best lessons, with Randy Harris leading the way. The guy never ceases to amaze me.

Mike Cope with Zoe every day in the Smothers Theatre. Every day a lot of people had to be turned away because there is just not enough seats to hold everybody that wants to be there! This year may have been the best classes I have ever heard Mike do......the topic being "Grace". Each time I hear him I am reminded of how MUCH he impacted my life the years he was here in Searcy......and THOUSANDS of other lives also. If you can only order CD's from one class, I would suggest you order this one.
Sheryl Thomas sang "Redeemer" for the first time in about 4 years, and just like the last time she did it, I don't think there was a dry eye in the place! UNBELIEVABLE!

Our reception went REALLY great, with LOTS of people coming out to reconnect with old friends and classmates from their time in Searcy. Jerry gives us the biggest room on campus, and we fill it up! If you come next year please plan on stopping by and saying hello to everybody. I want to thank the four Harding Board members who took the time to come and visit with everybody........Jerry Morgan, Jimmy Cone, Bill Chism, and Mark Wallis. From what they tell me, they plan on being there EVERY year!

Hearing the folks from Africa tell their stories. Ida Bazoonona from Uganda just about stole the show Wednesday night, and that is according to Randy Harris who had to try and follow her! Hearing her and her husband Richard, Sarah Ageno, and Chi Ekwenye made me feel like I was back home.......home in Africa. If I had to pick one highlight of the whole week to hold on to, it would be that Chi and I got to sing "Send the Light" together in Igbo. I had not sang that with another Nigerian since 1966. If you don't know about Chi and the orphanage she runs in Nigeria, please contact me so I can tell you more about it. She is an amazing servant for the Lord!

Reconnecting with people that I have loved a LONG LONG time and don't get to see very often.......folks like Tommy Drinnen, Lynn Anderson, Marty Farrar, Doug Foster, Steve Cloer, Bruce Morgan, Charles and Nanette Roberts, Ken and Ann Cope,
Gary Selby, James Wiser, Greg Brown, Tom Olbricht, Curt Sparks, Clayton Tuggle, Bud and Jamie Wilson, Mike Bucchi, and many others I know I am leaving out. I so much appreciate the common love and bond we have as Christians!

Thanks again to Jerry Rushford and his staff for the blessing you give us EVERY year!

Steve Forbes and Pepperdine

2008-04-25T14:56:00.002-05:00

Our final speaker this year involving our "American Studies Institute" program was Steve Forbes. My expectations weren't all that high, but I have to say I was very impressed with what he had to say. No, he's not the most charismatic speaker I have ever heard, but he's very easy to listen to. I am no economist, but I like it when people talk to you in a simple, personal, down to earth way. Forbes does that. I know he is a zillionaire........but he comes across as a guy you would have a conversation with in the barber shop. I like the guy. Some of you might find it shocking that he had some negative things to say about President Bush's policies, and he praised some of Bill Clinton's economic policies! He also had NOTHING positive to say about our present Internal Revenue Service or the current tax codes.
As you probably know, he's a "flat tax" guy......and he sold me on it in about 5 minutes last night. Kudos to the ASI folks for bringing in Forbes. Someday maybe I will be able to afford to subscribe to his magazine!

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It's that time of year again........Pepperdine Bible Lectures. It's been a blessing to me for several years now, and I am sure it will be again! Harding is well represented amongst the Key-note speakers, as Don McLaughlin, Randy Harris, and Gary Selby are all doing presentations. There are only 7 total key-notes, so I think that is pretty telling. Out of the 4 or 5 thousand people there, we will have several hundred there with Harding connections, and most of them will show up for our HU Reception on Thursday evening. If you are attending for the first time, join us in the Hahn Fireside room after Gary Selby's key-note! You'll love reconnecting with old friends and classmates, and the pie ain't too bad either.
See you there!

Book Review

2008-04-14T13:33:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to share with you some books that I have read within the last few months. Please share with me any that you might want to suggest for me to read. I like to keep 2 or 3 in the wings.

A) "The Shack" by William P Young: This book was all the rage when I got it a month or so back. I am not a big fan of fiction spiritual books, but enough people that I respect had told me about it that I decided to go ahead and read it. I'm glad that I did! I sure appreciate Young's perspective of God, Christ, and the Spirit. I won't give the book away, but it's for sure a tear jerker. If you are a fan of spiritual fiction books, then I for sure recommend this one. For what it's worth, it's not a long book to read.

B) "Jesus For President" by Shane Claiborne: I can't envision a more appropriate book (outside of the Bible of course) considering we are in the throws of a Presidential race. VERY VERY timely book. I appreciate Shane's heart SO SO very much. He's an inspiration to me, and I know many of you also. I very much consider him a modern day prophet. I already felt that way, but hearing him in person sealed the deal for me. I don't agree with all of his perspectives in this book, and that is ok. I for SURE agree with most of them. I question a few of the stats he gives concerning the war in Iraq, but those can be verified......and I plan to try and do that. Still, I think EVERY Christian should read "Jesus For President" during this election season.

C) "Pagan Christianity" by George Barna and Frank Viola: I had not read a Viola book before this, but Barna impacted me so much with "Revolution" that I will always try to read ANY book he is involved with. Ok, this book should be required reading for............EVERY Christian!! Instead, it will probably be banned by a lot of the institutional religious folks. This is one of those "I am going to have to read this a second time just to make sure I get what they are saying" kind of books. Most people don't like hearing facts that point out that a lot of their practices are closer tied to paganism than the Bible and early Christianity. Yeah....tough stuff to read, and even more to accept. One thing I like is that at the end of every chapter they answer some really pointed, specific, hard questions. Get this book!

Isn't reading great? Movies are wonderful, but they just can't do what books can.
I saw "the Kite Runner" this weekend, and it was a SUPER movie........but it just can't measure up to the book. That's my opinion, anyway.

God is seen very vividly this time of year on our campus! The Dogwoods and Azaleas are almost indescribable. What a blessing.

Thank you Father, for letting us see a small glimpse of your beauty!

American Idol Gives Back

2008-04-10T10:56:00.003-05:00

I am sure some other bloggers will post this in a more accessible form, but I am not enough of a tech person to do that.......sorry.

Anyway, I think it's WONDERFUL when the #1 rated show in America ends it's two and a half hour focus on helping others in this way. What a POWERFUL WITNESS to Jesus Christ!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2OZ6xp95Xg&feature=related

Praise God!

DU

Thank You To My Blogging Family

2008-04-05T20:16:00.003-05:00

I am here in Florence celebrating dad's 80th birthday, and you should see ALL the Birthday cards!!!!!!!!!!! UNBELEIVABLE!!! I won't single you out individually, but just know that I am very humbled by your Christ-like spirit to take the time to send dad a card. You made this birthday one that he will NEVER forget! Thanks SO MUCH to all of you! He must have over a 100 cards, and a BUNCH of those are from my blogging family........even some of you whom I have never met or spoken to in MY LIFE! I'm indebted to you all...........and I'm honored to call you my brothers and sisters. I love you all!

DU

Tulsa and Dad's Birthday

2008-03-29T10:32:00.002-05:00

I was blessed to get to attend the Tulsa Soul-Winning Workshop again this year. What a blessing! There were LOTS of Harding Alums that I got to spend time with, and that is always a joy. Terry Rush and the good brothers and sisters at Memorial sure do a wonderful job putting this event together. To all of you who are responsible for this and put so many hours in to making this a blessing for the thousands that attend, let me offer a heart-felt THANK YOU!!!

Please keep Patrick Mead in your prayers. He had to be admitted to the hospital there in Tulsa this week, but the last I heard he had been dismissed. Patrick and his son-in-law Josh did the Thursday night Key-note together, and they were fantastic!

Several of you who read my blog know my mom and dad. On April 4th, dad turns 80 years old. Even if you don't know dad, I would appreciate any of you who could to send him a birthday card. Dad is bed-ridden 24/7, so it would be hard for us to have a big party for him. So, reading cards is going to be his main party. He reads EVERY note and card he gets.........so don't think you are wasting your time.
He and all the family will appreciate you doing this VERY VERY much. Here is his address:

David Underwood
2004 Saxton Drive
Florence, Alabama 35630

Thanks again ahead of time. You will make his day!

Have a wonderful week!
DU

Worth Breaking My Sabbatical

2008-03-16T14:34:00.004-05:00

This is worth breaking my sabbatical:

http://www.wineskins.org/filter.asp?SID=2&fi_key=152&co_key=1535

A Quick Hello

2008-02-18T16:15:00.002-06:00

No, the sabbatical is not over! :) But I did want to share a few things with you.

A) I am presently reading Bruce Feiler's book: "Walking the Bible". He decides to trace in person the accounts of the first 5 books of the Bible. It's an amazing experience for him, and it is becoming an amazing experience for me also. This book is several years old, so many of you probably have already read it. Pick it up if you get the chance.

B) Gene Stallings just gets better with age! He was here in Searcy to help raise funds for a project at Harding Academy. Some of you folks looking for a preacher at your home congregation ought to consider trying to hire Coach Stallings. The guy can still bring it. Kudos to Paul Simmons, Mark Benton, Kellie Blickenstaff, and everybody else that worked SO hard to make this night a HUGE success!

C) In Luke 10 we have the story of the "Good Samaritan". As you well remember, at the end Jesus asks the expert in the law "which of these three do you think was a neighbor"? The expert in the law replies "the one who had mercy on him". Just wondering........did he answer that way because he was SO prejudice and full of hate that he couldn't even bring himself to say "the Samaritan"? Just asking.

"Don't Taze Me, Bro"

2008-01-03T15:27:00.000-06:00

I guess that was one of the most quoted lines of 2007, huh? The reason I had that on my mind is because I have decided that I need to take a sabbatical from posting for a season.........and I don't want all 3 of you who stop by here from time to time to "taze me" for making that decision. I heard James Taylor being interviewed the other day, and he was asked about writing songs. He said he doesn't feel he has any control over the songs coming to him..........sometimes they come in bunches, and then there are times of great drought. That's kinda the way I feel about posting on my blog. I have tried not to post JUST to be posting something, and I may have failed at that.....but that was my goal. Right now, as you may have noticed, the inspiration for having something to share has not hit me much lately.
So, I will step back for a season and see if the posting urge comes back at some point again. I will for sure still be reading all of your blogs, and therefore being encouraged each and every day by all of you. I don't comment on all of your posts, but I read them. Your blogs are a blessing to me, a really big blessing.
Thank you again for blessing me with your wonderful thoughts, challenges, insights, and encouragement.

In closing, I want to share one thought I had while reading "The Kite Runner" over the Holidays. By the way, if you haven't read it, go get it TODAY! I want to see the movie, but it's not showing at the Rialto yet. Or in Little Rock, for that matter. It's probably the best fictional book I have read in several years. I'm not an English major, nor a professional book reviewer, but I think everybody that has read the novel will agree with me when I say that there is ONE line in the book that the whole story hangs on.....and to me it's the theme of the whole book. That line is: "THERE IS A WAY TO BE GOOD AGAIN". I won't give the story away by telling you who is saying that and why, but I hope you will find out for yourself. Anyway, that line has stayed with me for a week or so now.........and I think it resonates so deep with me because it's a theme I recognize. Don't you? I too have longed to "be good again". What I realized at some point on this journey was that I can never reach that goal. I will never be that good or innocent or sinless again. But HE is, and all I have to do is be HIS disciple.....and put my trust and faith in Him instead of me. In other words, the Gospel.......yeah, it's good news........because thru Him we CAN "be good again".

Truer words may never have been spoken........"THERE IS A WAY TO BE GOOD AGAIN".

Have a great start to 2008 everybody!

DU

"Estimate Me"

2007-12-26T10:21:00.000-06:00

Last night I was up late watching a re-run of "The Office". Like so many shows, I think I have gotten hooked on this funny show by watching the re-runs. Anyway, in this episode last night Michael (Steve Carell) is having a conversation with his boss, Jan. She is complimenting him on a job well done, and says: "Michael, I may have underestimated you." Michael then replies: "Well next time............estimate me". :)

Have you ever felt that way? My guess is that we ALL have. Not a great feeling, huh? But instead of going there, having a pity party as to how we aren't appreciated enough, think about the times YOU were the one who underestimated someone. The times you were pessimistic when you should have been optimistic about somebody. Think back on the people who DID believe in you, and what a difference they made in your life. You have that same opportunity, probably daily. You can impact someone, maybe for a lifetime, by "estimating" them.........showing them you have confidence in them. I think this is crucial in parenting. Don't you?

Thanks crazy Steve for making me laugh..........and making me think.

Holiday Lights

2007-12-19T15:42:00.000-06:00

For those of you in town, I hope you have had a chance to come by the campus and see the wonderful Christmas lights! For those who are not far away, I hope you can come see it. Our campus is beautiful year around, but Christmas time is special around here. The Heritage lobby has decorated trees and a LOT of ornaments and greenery.
The front lawn has festive lights hanging from almost every tree. It is absolutely gorgeous. I sure appreciate everybody who makes this possible, from the administration to the maintenance crews. Thank you SO much for making our campus so lovely!

As far as my favorite Christmas song, I think I am going to have to go with "O Holy Night". But, I love them all.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas and Holiday season. We are ALL so blessed, aren't we? Blessed in every way........but especially spiritually. "God with us" became a reality a little over 2,000 years ago. The world has never been the same since that Holy night.

As the song asks, "How Great is our God?"

Merry Christmas to you and your families!

Christmas Music

2007-12-12T16:22:00.000-06:00

There are a lot of things about this time of the year that I love, and one of the things I love MOST is Christmas music. No, I don't really like hearing it the day after Halloween.......but from Thanksgiving to Christmas, I can't get enough of it.
When we were living in Africa, it was really hard being away from family during the Holidays, and the Christmas songs made that absence of loved ones much easier to handle. We knew our family members across the waves were listening to the same songs! The first place I heard Christmas songs this year was in a shopping center in Nairobi. That's something I will never forget, and it sped up my longing to get home for the Holidays.

But I do have a question, and the people who could probably answer this question don't waste their time reading this blog. If God views music that worships Him or His son with instruments as sinful, why is it ok for us to listen to and sing songs accompanied by musical instruments that are about the birth of Christ? Aren't many of the songs we sing this time of year "worship" songs? I sure think so. What kind of hoops do you have to jump thru to explain that? I may be missing something, and please point it out to me if I am.

So, what is your favorite Christmas song? I'll tell you mine later.
Meantime, play those Christmas CD's!!!!!!

Shane Claiborne in Searcy

2007-12-07T15:20:00.000-06:00

Yep, that's right! Little ole Searcy, Arkansas. He is speaking at the Riverview High School gym tomorrow evening around 7:00, and then again Sunday morning at "The Underground" at around 9:00. Kudos to Dirk Smith and Phil McKinney for making this happen.

Some may wonder why he's not speaking on campus, or any of the local churches. Shane is perceived by some as being a radical.

He is. As I recall, THE ONE Shane follows was perceived that way also.

Is there any other kind of discipleship?

Kenya and Tanzania

2007-12-03T14:04:00.000-06:00

I am still processing my 18 day trip to East Africa, and I probably will be for several weeks or months. First off, let me say it was a blessing.......a HUGE blessing, in lots of ways. You can't spend that much time with Monte Cox, Steve Smith, the Rackleys, Janice Bingham, and those wonderful Harding students and NOT be blessed! The students blew me away, with their loving spirits and willingness to do anything that needed to be done without complaining. They impacted the lives of EVERYBODY they came into contact with, I promise you that. Harding could not have been represented any better by any one person or group. Those kids will always be my family, and I love each and every one of them.

Two things jump out as I reflect on the trip: A) The unbelievable BEAUTY of East Africa, both the landscapes and animals. Both are breath-taking, and I hope to post some pictures that Steve took on some later posts. He only took 500 pics! :) The wildlife is every thing you have ever seen or heard, and I wish we would have had more time to take it all in. The Serengeti and Nogorongoro Crater are the two places in Tanzania where we saw all the animals. I guess the most incredible thing we witnessed was a baboon chasing a leopard. You'd think it would be the other way around, but we sat there and watched the whole event unfold. This was no baby leopard either. The tea plantations amongst the rolling green hills of Kenya are something you don't hear enough about. Marrianne school is located right in the middle of this area. We only saw the Rift Valley at night with the full moon shining down on it, so I want to see it in the day-light some time. Again, East Africa is beautiful.........from the people, to the animals, to the landscape.

B) The POVERTY. Until you go to a third world country (especially in Africa), you don't realize how rich we are, and how poor most of the world is. It's very humbling. This is the part that is going to have me laying awake at night looking at the ceiling. The poorest people in our neighborhoods in America would be rich in Africa. Running water and electricity are a LUXURY that VERY few people in Kenya or Tanzania have. And even if you do have running water, it's contaminated. So, the everyday things you and I take for granted, East Africans can only dream about. Remember that when you turn on your light switch tonight, or take a hot shower or bath. Both are a luxury. I haven't even touched on malaria, education, transportation, or many other aspects of the rampant poverty. It's very depressing to discuss it for any length of time. But I think you get the picture. Life is hard in third world countries.....extremely hard. Be thankful each day for the blessings we have.

I will close by saying that even with all the poverty, most of the people I met were happy and positive! Of course, most of the people I met were Christians. They know that this life is NOT what it's all about, and we could learn a thing or two from them in that regard. They for sure are not tempted to lay up treasures on Earth! They were a blessing to me, and I hated leaving them when it came time to leave. They love their brothers and sisters here in the States, and pray for you daily. Do you have a prayer for them?

I'm Back.............Kinda

2007-11-30T13:06:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm on American soil again! The trip was WONDERFUL, and I was blessed beyond words. But, I am completely worn out. So, no long post today. Just know that there are many many Christians in East Africa that cherish your prayers! And, they love you without ever having seen you.......a very deep love. Heaven is going to be SOME KIND of family reunion, isn't it?!?!?!

And yes, I found out that Alabama can't win a football game while I am out of the country. Goodness! Surely one of you could have taken up my slack. You will have switches in your Christmas stocking for not covering for me, that's a fact!

It was a great trip, but it's also great to be HOME!

Thanks for your prayers!

DU

Birthdays and Headed to Africa

2007-11-09T12:24:00.000-06:00

My sister-in-law, Andee Cone, has a birthday today........so any of you who know her please send her a b-day greeting. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE! Sorry I won't be here to celebrate with the family later this month. I bet ya'll make it somehow without me! :)

I'm headed to Africa in the morning! I still am pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. I would imagine I will have a story or two to tell when I get back.
Thanks to all of you who will be praying for us. It's wonderful to know you will be bringing us before the Father.

We will be there during Thanksgiving, so I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday with your families. I will be giving a LOT of thanks for my family as I am away from them........and giving thanks for all of you also.

Somebody PLEASE get my Tide a victory over Auburn. If you do, you will hear a yell coming across the ocean! :)

See ya in a few weeks!

A Question From Jesus

2007-11-08T13:37:00.000-06:00

Jesus asked the Pharisees one time "Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" As you know, he went on to point out to them how they were doing this and then declared "Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition". I'll come back to that.

Before writing "UNchristian", David Kinnaman and his team questioned thousands of Mosaics (born between 1984 and 2002) and Busters (born between 1965 and 1983). His research was from all parts of the USA, and it went on for several years. Here is what he says about the title of the book: "In fact, the title of this book reflects outsiders' most common reaction to the faith.......they think Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind, that Christianity in our society is not what it was meant to be".

One aspect of his research jumped out at me. Among young outsiders that he interviewed, right at 85% said they personally knew a committed Christian. Yet, only 15 percent thought the lifestyles of those Christ followers were significantly different from the norm. In blunt terms, they see Christians as hypocritical. And it's not just the lifestyles. Kinnaman went on to explain: "It's not just our lifestyles that have gotten us in trouble, it's THE VERY WAY IN WHICH WE CONVEY THE PRIORITIES OF BEING A CHRISTIAN. THE MOST COMMON MESSAGE PEOPLE HEAR FROM US IS THAT CHRISTIANITY IS A RELIGION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS. They think of us as hypocritical because they are measuring us by OUR OWN STANDARDS". Pretty incredible, huh. Should we wonder why the Mosaics and Busters stay away from us like the plague? Sounds a lot like what Isaiah observed in his time: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me". The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets". When the world sees Christians calling out individuals or other churches in PUBLIC without giving those individuals or groups of people an opportunity to defend themselves, they conclude we are hypocritical. That's not "doing unto others". And duh, they don't see us acting any different than the unbelieving world around them. Folks that call others out in public are a dime a dozen in our culture. Don't believe me? Turn on your tv. Pick up a newspaper. That's what THE WORLD does.

We are to be above that. Aren't we? I know we don't want to be seen as hypocritical, and we also don't want to lose our saltiness or the ability to shine our light in a dark place. If our light is not any brighter than those in the world around us, will it shine?

How does this relate to my first paragraph? We know what Jesus said about "do unto others", but many will turn their head and be ok with one who calls a brother out in public over a tradition. Or calls a church out over it. Therefore, I see that as breaking the command of God for the sake of a tradition.

That's not who we are. Christians are called to a higher standard than that. That is not discipleship.

May God forgive us.

Chickens

2007-11-07T16:32:00.000-06:00

I was talking to an old rancher/farmer today about relationships and choices we make and he related this to me: "David, you can have a barn yard full of chickens, and if one of those chickens is a little bit different, the others will peck it till they peck it to death. Yes sir, they'll kill it. Yet, you can put a guinea in there with the chickens, and they will totally leave it alone. Beats all I have ever seen!"

You folks are smart enough to make the application without me stating the obvious.

Chickens aren't exactly at the top of the intelligence ladder, so what does it say about us when we emulate them?

Happy 50th Jan!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-11-05T08:36:00.001-06:00

Jan doesn't read my blog, because she doesn't do the computer thingie. But, today is her 50th birthday, so if you get a chance call her or send her a card.
She made me promise on my life that I wouldn't plan any big shindig to celebrate, so we had a pretty quiet weekend celebration with some family. I wanted to honor her request.........and live.

Happy Birthday Sweet Jan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Homecoming went really well. The weather could NOT have been better, and we had a lot of folks visiting campus. On top of that, the Bisons won a defensive battle by scoring 60 something points to win by a touchdown! :) GO BISONS!!

Two people that I love and appreciate were honored this weekend by the respective colleges that they graduated from. Mark Wallis was the alum of the year for the College of Business Administration. We couldn't have picked a more deserving graduate! I consider Mark a great friend, and I love visiting with he and Susan everytime I go to Colorado. They are a blessing to Harding. Congrats Mark!!

Bill Chism has been impacting my life since the late 60's when I was at camp Wyldewood. I was a camper, and he was working as a counselor. I'm sure he doesn't remember me, but I sure remember him. We reconnected when his son Kevin and my Matt were both playing football for the Bisons a few years back. Bill was chosen as the alum of the year for the College of Sciences. Bill and Fran are also a blessing to Harding. Congrats Bill!

And thank you both for your BOLD leadership at Harding. I pray God sends us more men like the two of you.

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Congrats to LSU for the win in a great ballgame Saturday night. That was a tough pill to swallow. They have a great team, and the Tide must be pretty good to have stayed with them the whole game. We are still pretty young, and it makes me excited for what the future might hold. I sure wouldn't swap coaches with them.

I will be in Africa for their next 3 games.......yep, even the AUBURN game!!!!!!! So, you Bama fans pull them thru for me, and we will end up 9-3 and getting to go to a pretty good bowl game. Not bad for coach Saban's first year. ROLL TIDE!!!!

On A Much Lighter Note

2007-11-01T13:22:00.000-05:00

Well, not THAT much lighter! :) LSU comes to Alabama this weekend. I am scaring myself because I have felt pretty good about this game all week. I don't like feeling good about a big game......you have a longer fall to the bottom if you lose. Having said that, I like Bama's chances. A) I think we have a better coach
B) Miles is due a game where all his gambles blow up in his face C) We are due. The Tigers have beat us something like 4 or so in a row. So, the odds are with us. D) Home field advantage. It will be CRAZY in T-town! E) Sometimes the fans with the white hats need to win against the bad guys in black hats. That probably doesn't mean a THING to anybody 35 and under. But then again, I'm not sure I have anybody who reads this blog that is under 35.

I think everybody would agree that LSU is the more talented team. But, parity has been seen like never before in the world of college football this year. The more talented team has lost MANY times this year. So, I'm not too concerned about that.
With there being so much parity today, I think more than ever coaches have the biggest influence on the game. I'm thinking Saban will have his players ready.

Ain't college football great!?!?!?!?! Good luck to all your teams......except you LSU fans. I hope your team waits till next week to win.

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It's Homecoming here at Harding this weekend. The weather is supposed to be beautiful, and the leaves are turning orange and red. Campus is BEAUTIFUL! I hope as many alums as can will come visit us this weekend. We miss you when you don't come! GO BISONS!

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Have I mentioned that I leave for East Africa with Monte Cox a week from Saturday?I'm like a kid on Christmas eve!!! More about Africa next week.........stay tuned.

Speaking of staying tuned, I should be able next week to tell you about an upcoming event in Searcy. Looks like we will be having a VERY WELL KNOWN Christian author coming to town in December!! You won't be disappointed.

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You CAN Fall From Grace

2007-10-30T15:12:00.000-05:00

Isn't it amazing how verses can catch your attention even though you have been reading them for YEARS? My last post was about one such verse, and this one is about another. This verse popped out at me today in my daily reading. It's from Galatians: "You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace". YOU........YOU have FALLEN AWAY FROM GRACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, Paul establishes that you can fall away from grace. But the questions I want to know are, WHO is "you" and HOW did "you" get to this point? My guess is you want to know too.

First, I think it's very important to notice who he's NOT talking about. He's not talking about people who are struggling with sin. In fact, he's not even talking to unbelievers! Well, the sad truth is that he is talking to believers.......believers who BELIEVE they can save themselves. That brings us to the HOW part. They got to this point by trusting in one of Satan's oldest lies and tricks........that you can save yourself by your own righteousness. That's why they've fallen from grace, they don't think they NEED grace! When you feel the security of self-righteousness, you don't feel the need for ANYTHING else! God didn't take His grace from them...........they eliminated the need for it themselves. That's why Paul uses the phrase "have been alienated from Christ". YOU......who want to trust in being right, righteous by your own doing, and justified by law.....YOU have been alienated from Christ! Therefore, you have fallen away from grace.

I have been saying for years that "once saved always saved" is true.......if it were left to God. But it's not true because we are involved in this salvation thing.......we have to choose. God is NEVER going to pull His grace from us, but we have the ability or choice to NOT accept his grace. And what does that look like? The fact that we have struggles is not a sign we are turning our back on grace. Nor is being wrong about some doctrine, because that is a given. Surely not by wishing and striving for unity with other believers. Not by sinning daily. None of those things get in the way of you accepting His grace......quite the opposite in fact. Then WHAT or WHO does it look like? Simply put, it's the LEGALIST. And the sad thing is they didn't die out after Paul wrote this! They are alive and kicking. They are where you are, and they are where I am. At times I have seen one in my mirror when I was the only one in the room. Most of us have been a legalist at some point in our life.........some of us still are. Legalism kills.........grace brings life! So, let's do all we can to defeat legalism in our corner of the world. Don't ignore it, and don't sweep it under the rug. Shed light on it, because GRACE AND TRUTH can withstand the exposure of the light......legalism can't. Because it's not from God.

It's from us. Always has been, always will be.

I heard F.W. Mattox say one time something like this: "God spent 1,500 years chronicling the fact that you can't be saved by following the Law. It's what we call the Old Testament". :) I still miss brother Mattox!

If you are a sinner, God's grace is there for you in abundance. Bathe in it. Take all you need. Then share it.

If you are a legalist..........Paul says there is no grace for you. You decided you didn't need it.

"My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus's blood and righteousness".

"For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith.....and this not from yourselves, it is the GIFT of God....not by works, so that no one can boast."

Peter

2007-10-26T14:52:00.000-05:00

A phrase in I Peter caught my eye yesterday: "You were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you by your forefathers". Several parts of that caught my attention, but mostly it was the "empty way of life" part. Anybody else feel empty from time to time?

Have a wonderful weekend! I think FALL is FINALLY here!!!

Top Ten Soundtracks

2007-10-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

"Vanity Fair" has come out with their top 10 movie soundtracks of all time. Here they are:

1. Purple Rain
2. A Hard Day's Night
3. The Harder They Come
4. Pulp Fiction
5. The Graduate
6. Superfly
7. Trainspotting
8. Saturday Night Fever
9. American Graffiti
10. The Big Chill

Hmm........not what I was thinking. What say you? Give my your list, and I will follow up with mine later.

DU

It Don't Get Any Better Than This

2007-10-19T09:09:00.000-05:00

Nope........it don't! :) Matt and I are headed down to Tuscaloosa tomorrow morning bright and early to watch Alabama and Tennessee play their annual 3rd Saturday in October game. I haven't been to a Bama/Vols game since 1977.......30 years ago. The Tennessee game is the biggest game of the year for me. Bigger than the Auburn game? Yeah, for me it is. I grew up in an era when Auburn was not all that good, and the Tennessee game was always a dog-fight. The Vols were for sure our biggest rival! On the third Saturday in October in 1973, I went to take my ACT test. The person giving us the test told us we could leave when we finished the last test. It was the Science section, and I didn't need any encouragement to hurry up because science is like Chinese to me anyway. The other students must have thought I was the second coming of Einstein, because I finished that section in RECORD time and ran to my car. I was NOT going to miss any of the Bama game on TV.
Wilbur Jackson went for about 80 yards for a TD that day, and the Tide won another one. We also won the game I went to in 77. Tennessee didn't make a first down until the 3rd quarter, and even the Bama fans clapped for them when they finally did. Bear's boys didn't lose too many during that stretch. That 77 team is still my favorite team of all time, and they got ROBBED by Notre Dame for the National Championship........the Irish went from 5th to 1st in the last poll. If Bama had been awarded that Championship, it would have been the 1st of 3 in a row. Anyway, I can't think of a better 52 year birthday present!!

By the way, the 13 I scored on that Science section of the ACT probably made me who I am today!!!!!!!! :)

Grace Crossing

2007-10-14T18:07:00.000-05:00

Jan and I went to worship today at Grace Crossing with Luke and Juliana in Memphis.
It was WONDERFUL........lots of Harding alums there. Josh Patrick brought one of the most powerful messages about "Salvation" that I have EVER heard. E-V-E-R!!!

You can go and listen to it here:

http://www.gracecrossing.com/default.aspx?pid=90

Before the service began, there was a little girl about 3 years old standing at the back of the auditorium by herself. Just so happens she was standing by the bread used for communion. She looked around and thought the coast was clear, lifted up the cover, and got out a HUGE piece and began to chomp away. About that time, our eyes met........and she gave me a REALLY REALLY big smile. My legalist default button wanted to kick in and motivate me to go say "Honey, you shouldn't be doing that. This bread is just for those who have been baptized". That thought stayed with me for about two seconds, and then I smiled back at her.........and I hope she read my eyes cause they were saying "Honey, eat all that bread you want. I can't imagine the One who gave it to us being more honored than to have YOU.......of all the people in the world, a little one like you........eating that bread." I had a smile for the rest of the service.

"UNCHRISTIAN"

2007-10-12T11:01:00.001-05:00

That's the title of the new book Andrew Baker just gave me to read. The author is David Kinnaman, who works for George Barna. You all remember Barna don't you? He's the survey guy, and author himself.........his "Revolution" is still one of the best books I have read in the past few years. Anyway, I have just started it but this paragraph got my attention REAL quick!

"Christianity has become bloated with blind followers who would rather repeat slogans than actually feel true compassion and care. Christianity has become marketed and streamlined into a juggernaut of fearmongering that has lost its own heart."

Andrew, thanks buddy! I owe you one.

Keith Brenton

2007-10-08T10:02:00.000-05:00

This may be the best post I have read in a LONG time........about ANY topic! The title is "A Cappella And The Ancients".
Thanks Keith!

http://keithbrenton.blogspot.com/

Jan Jones

2007-10-04T10:12:00.000-05:00

I guess most of you know by now that we lost Jan Jones last week. I was in California when she passed, but was able to get back to Searcy in time to be able to attend the memorial service and the release of her ashes at Camp Tahkodah. The memorial service on Sunday was such a wonderful event, I don't even have the words to describe it. I have no doubt the Spirit guided what was said, and what we sang..........because I don't know HOW it could have been more moving. Jan was a special woman, a VERY special woman. In her quiet way, she impacted a LOT of lives. She will be missed tremendously. But, she lives on in Rees and Elaine. What a legacy!!!! We love you Craig, Rees, Shanna, and Elaine!

May God come quickly for us all.

Malibu in September

2007-09-25T14:42:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I'm here, and it's just as beautiful as it always is. I am here to see a few HU alums......James Wiser, Gary Selby, Mike Murrie, Don Shores Jr., Emily Smith to name a few. I know these folks aren't going to get the beautiful fall colors and change in weather that we will get at home in the upcoming weeks, but the trade off is not that terrible! It's about 75 degrees here today and not a cloud in the sky.
It makes me get excited to be here the first week of May in 08 for the PU Lectureship. The theme next year is the Sermon on the Mount, and we have 3 Harding Alums doing key-note talks.........Gary Selby, Donnie Mclaughlin, and Randy Harris.
It will be a great week, and I look forward to seeing all you HU alums here. We will have our annual reception again, and I hope all of you will attend as you have in the past. We have had over 100 folks at the reception the past 2 years.

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Well, up to now I haven't said anything about the Tide for a couple of weeks......out of respect for my Hog friends. We won that game in the last seconds, then lost in overtime to Georgia this past weekend. If they keep doing this to my heart, I will be in ICU this week after we play Florida State!!! :) This week should be fun, with all the hype that comes anytime you play Bobby Bowden.
Added to that you have the sub-plot centered around the reunion of Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban, pupil vs teacher. I'm thinking it will be another great college football game! Two great programs meeting for the first time in a LONG time. I think Coach Saban will have the boys in Crimson and White ready to play. Who does your team play this weekend?

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I got word while I was out here that Billy Ray Cox died. Please keep that family in your prayers. Many from my generation will remember attending Billy Ray's Sunday morning Bible class while we were at Harding.

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I didn't get to attend PraiseFest this past weekend in Searcy. I know it was a blessing to all of you who were able to go. Somebody who went please leave a comment and share your thoughts about how the event went. I hope I get to go with you next year.

Not Seeing Jesus

2007-09-19T10:32:00.000-05:00

At some point this past weekend I was in John 20 and came across the amazing verse that says: "At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus". The "she" in this verse is Mary Magdalene, someone quite familiar with what Jesus looked like. She was not the only person who experienced this phenomenon. In the next chapter, the same thing happens: "But the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus". We can't know for sure WHY these people who were very familiar with Jesus didn't recognize Him. Two explanations I have read have been A) He very well could have looked different after His resurrection or B) He intentionally prevented them from recognizing Him. I don't guess we will ever know. I guess what hit me was this.......how many times have I not recognized Jesus? I guess I am in some good company, but that still doesn't make me feel any better about it! I'm sure it has happened more times than I would like to know. Like these followers we read about in John, maybe I thought I knew what Jesus was SUPPOSED to look like......and He has shown up looking like someone entirely different. Even before His resurrection, there were many folks who didn't recognize Him for this same reason. They were expecting a great King, not a humble servant from Nazareth. Not such good company to be in this time, huh? There are a lot of applications we could all make, but I will just state the most obvious.....don't expect Jesus to meet your criteria as to what He is supposed to look like.

I love the way the incident with Mary ends! What happens to finally cause her to recognize Him? She has her back to Him, but hears His voice say ONE word.....her name, "Mary". That's all it took.........hearing without looking! See, she had already heard His voice, but that voice was skewed by the fact she was also looking at Him, and He didn't fit the bill for the Jesus she knew. It took hearing without seeing. Application? You might want to listen for Him instead of looking for Him. Didn't He tell us that the Sheep know the voice of their Master? If He said your name, would you know it was Him? Mary did. I'm convinced we can too.

The Gospel of God's Grace

2007-09-13T15:13:00.000-05:00

Paul talks about it in Acts 20:24. Paul was driven by the passion to preach the gospel of God's grace! Is it worth noticing and mentioning that we never read about "the gospel of God's law"? It's just not in there. There is no good news or joy related to law. I'm not talking about THE law.........I'm talking about a law mindset.

Because of a hurting family, I have GRACE on my heart today.

Many of you know Dirk Smith. Dirk works here in the Advancement Office with me at Harding. Dirk's brother Chuck is in prison in Pennsylvania. Dirk was there visiting Chuck last week for a couple of days. Dirk related a powerful insight Chuck gave him while he was visiting. Chuck said he had come to the realization that in the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, these words spoken by Jesus are NOT the highlight point of that wonderful story: "Lazarus, come out".
No, the pinnacle of the story is the next admonition Jesus gives: "Take off the grave clothes and let him go". LET HIM GO! Most of time when we encounter dead people who are trying to live again, we lack the faith to BELIEVE that God can actually raise someone from the dead, therefore we don't help them shed their grave clothes. Why would we? In our eyes they are still dead! And LOTS of times even if we do believe they have come back from the dead, we FOR SURE don't want to let them go. For some, there is a lot more gratification in keeping someone under the bondage of guilt than there is in witnessing the freedom that comes with grace.....the grace that comes with letting go of our past by the power of the Gospel of God's grace.

We have a dead family walking in our midst in the Harding community. Do we have the faith to believe God can take this family from the grave and make them live again? Are we going to help them take off the grave clothes by loving them in a lot of different ways so that they will feel "let go" into His grace........or are we going to be judgemental and legalistic with them? The choice is ours.

I love the gospel of God's grace, because I need it daily. I know Chuck feels like Lazarus. I do also. I pray this family does too!

30th Anniversary

2007-09-09T13:37:00.000-05:00

Yep, Jan and I got married THIRTY years ago today! And yes, I married WAY over my head and I am the luckiest guy in the world. If she's willing, I'm ready to try for another thirty. It sure flew by.........I guess time DOES fly by when you are having fun. How bout you all? What number are you on?

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I'm not sure I ever remember it raining this much in September. We need it I know, but goodness........surely the sun will shine sometime this month. My freshman year at Harding in the fall of 74 we had a DELUGE of rain that year also. The area behind Keller that you have to walk thru to get to Armstrong was like a lake.

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Ahh........football season sure makes my weekends interesting. I love keeping up with my HA Memphis Lions, my HA Searcy Wildcats, my HU Bisons, and some other team I hear referred to as the Crimson Tide. They all seem to be off to pretty good starts.
This upcoming week is always a tough one for me, in that this is the week the Hogs and Tide play. For some reason a lot of folks around here like to talk smack BEFORE the game instead of after it. I was learnt better than that. Bear Bryant demanded class from his players and the fans, and that is the era that influenced me. So, good luck HOGS! Talk to me after the game.

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I know we could fill blog posts for pages and pages talking about prayer request, and maybe we should. But I do have one request, mainly because so many of you know this family. Please continue to pray for Craig Jones's wife, Jan. Her cancer does not seem to be getting any better. Craig and the kids have an AWESOME attitude and spirit about this, and seem to be at peace. Please remember that family in your daily prayers.

Kickin it in Colorado

2007-08-28T16:49:00.000-05:00

Yeah, it's a tough job.........but somebody has to do it. Especially during our annual heat wave in Arkansas. The mountains refresh my soul, even when they don't have snow on them. My first trip for Harding in 98 was to Colorado, and it's held a special place in my heart ever since then. WONDERFUL folks out here, and they bless me tremendously.

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If Jerry Morgan suggests something to me, I do it.......no questions asked. He suggested a couple of weeks ago that I pick up "Metamorpha: Jesus As A Way of Life" by Kyle Strobel (Lee's son) and read it. I am about half way thru it now, and I want to encourage everybody out there to get it also. Thanks Jerry for the heads up!! I can't hardly put it down.

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As far as race relations in the USA, we have quite a ways to go. We've come a LONG way, but we have MANY miles to go before we can rest. When people want to convict Michael Vick simply because he is black, that is pathetic and wrong. It's equally as racist and pitiful when some want him to get away with his crime simply because he is black. Both perspectives are driven by racism, and that racism damages our country, and our world.

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"Field of Dreams" has to be in my top 10 movies of all time. We all, yes EVERYBODY, wants to be affirmed, validated, and acknowledged. That's why I think my favorite line in the movie is when Archie "Moonlight" Graham is about to walk back in the corn field and Shoeless Joe Jackson stops him by saying: "Hey Rookie, you were good". That scene always gives me chill-bumps, no matter how many times I watch it.

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Last but not least, college football begins this week. You didn't think I would let that go without a mention did ya? Good luck to all of your teams. My Tide takes the field Saturday night, and I will be in Florence watching it with my dad.
Ain't it fun?!?!?!??!?!?!? :)

10 Most Influential

2007-08-24T12:54:00.000-05:00

What 10 people influenced or impacted the world to the greatest degree during my lifetime so far? If you can do the math you have already figured out I am talking about the years 1955 to present. Here is my list, with those who made the honorable mention list following. IMPORTANT POINT: Both groups are in NO PARTICULAR ORDER. Here goes:

1. Mother Teresa
2. Muhammad Ali
3. Ronald Reagan
4. Bill Gates
5. Martin Luther King
6. Lech Walesa
7. Nelson Mandela
8. C.S. Lewis
9. Elvis Presley
10. Osama Bin Laden

Honorable Mention:

1. Margaret Thatcher
2. Richard Nixon
3. Pol Pot
4. Billy Graham
5. Mao Zedong
6. The Beatles
7. Steve Jobs
8. Saddam Hussein
9. Albert Schweitzer
10. Jonas Salk

FYI- Einstein died 6 months before I was born, so he barely missed making the list!
And yes, it was hard to leave Bear Bryant off! :)

Give me your list. There are no wrong answers.

Unscriptural Part II

2007-08-21T13:44:00.000-05:00

Thanks for all your comments about "unscriptural". Here is what I have observed over the years. MOST.....not all, but most.....of the time I have heard the word "unscriptural" being used, it was used in one of the following three ways:
A) to talk about something having to do with worship
B) to talk about something having to do with the church building itself
C) a divorce or marriage situation

I can see where there would be legitimate times to talk about A and C in that context. Mind you, not as OFTEN as our fellowship normally has, but still.....I can see how that discussion could evolve. Right now I can't think of a situation involving item B when that discussion would have been appropriate. Call me naive, but I am just not aware of a lot of scriptures addressing our church buildings.

But this is what I find interesting..........you almost NEVER hear the word "unscriptural" used when talking about everyday life and discipleship issues such as attitudes, anger, lack of love, exclusiveness, arrogance, being judgemental,
being un-Christ like, etc. Have you noticed that, or is it just me? Let me know what you think.

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This is from an op-ed piece from a daily newspaper in a large city in the USA. Granted, this guy writes about the most hatefilled and vile secular stuff you can find. It's evident to me he hates Christians. He is an extreme radical, and so you take what he says with that in mind. I wish I could ask him why he feels this way, and I just hope and pray that nothing in his answer would indicate that Christians have done ANYTHING to give him this perspective of us. This paragraph is taken out of a piece he wrote concerning the new "God-Tube" internet site, which has become popular and was modeled after the "You-Tube" site. Give me your take on what he has to say.

"Witness, in other words, the thing that modern Christianity seems to do best, and I don't mean help justify brutal unwinnable wars or slam gay people or bash women's rights or promote ignorance of stem cell research or science or music. Because oh h*## yes, that's there for you, in heaps and droves and mounds. I mean the other thing: to fracture. To splinter and divide and segregate. You know, to exclude."

Unscriptural

2007-08-15T13:29:00.000-05:00

I have been hearing that term ALL my life......."unscriptural". How about you?
If so, what do you perceive that it means? If you can think of some ways you have heard it used, please share them with everybody.

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I can tell you this.......the heat in Arkansas is for sure unscriptural! :)
GOODNESS! The other afternoon I got in my car and the temperature gauge said "115".
No foolin. I know that the parents who arrive in Searcy for the first time must feel like they are dropping their kids off in Hades. I hate for that to be their first impression of Harding. I'll never forget waking up the first morning I was here in 1974 and my sheets being wet from sweat.....and I am not even a heavy sweater. The best thing (best thing?) about this heat is that we for sure will appreciate even more the wonderful fall weather we will have in a few weeks. It can't get here soon enough for me. I think that must be another reason I love knowing football season is not far away.......I subconsciously associate football with autumn weather.
How many days till your team has it's first game? The Memphis Harding Academy Lions play a week from this Friday, which is August 24! Bama wins their first game Sept. 1. :)

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My Cardinals are making a comeback! Is there a better story in sports right now than the Rick Ankiel one? I don't think so. This has Hollywood written all over it.
WAY TO GO RICK!!!!!!!!

Don't Do It Again, John

2007-08-10T16:21:00.000-05:00

I am not a huge golf fan. Don't get me wrong............I'm for sure a fan. Just not a huge one. Having said that, I AM a HUGE fan of John Daly. I'm not for sure what the draw is, but my guess is that it's a couple of things. A) As Americans, we love stories of comebacks and underdogs becoming champions. He for sure fits that bill. B) I think if we are transparent, we all have to admit we see ourselves in John Daly to some degree. How? Well, how about the concept of having struggles?
Hmmmm, can you relate to that? I sure can.

So what happens lately is that John does really good for a round (or even for just a few holes) and I get all excited for him.......and me. Then the inevitable happens, and he implodes. "Tin Cup" type stuff. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. So I'm begging you John, stay within yourself this time! Make the cut, and just play Saturday and Sunday and let the chips fall........literally. :)

Speaking of sports, college football is just around the corner! It's just 22 days until my Tide takes the field for their first game under Coach Saban. It's a new day in Bama Nation!!!!!!! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!! Notice I didn't say anything about professional football. Except for golf, I am pretty much washing my hands of pro sports. Daly, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Spurs, and Tony Dungy are the only aspects of professional sports I care about anymore. Greed took over a long time ago, hence the hiring of thugs for players, referees gambling, steroids, etc. etc. They can have it. Give me college or high school sports ANY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Roll Tide
Go Bisons
Go HA Memphis Lions
Go HA Searcy Wildcats

Those are my 4 teams, good times or bad.

Who do you cheer on?

Who Would Have Thunk It?

2007-08-05T13:55:00.000-05:00

I was never a Michael Irvin fan. In fact, I've never really been a Dallas Cowboy fan. I have been a huge fan of certain players and coaches for the Cowboys(Coach Landry, Staubach, Cornell Green, Lilly, Leroy Jordan, Bob Hayes) but never the team itself. I guess it goes back to the 70's when they were winning so many games and getting so much hype.....America's Team stuff......and were playing in the NFC, which at that time was pretty much a patsy conference. While they were playing the mighty New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions (remember my temptation to default to sarcasm) my Raiders were playing the Steelers, Jets, Chiefs, and Dolphins.
Kinda like college teams today that get to play in the Pac-10 as opposed to the SEC.
I just perceived them as being WAY WAY overrated. In more recent years, I for sure didn't care for Jimmy Johnson and his Cowboys.....with Irvin being the main cowpoke.
I appreciated Emmit's work ethic, and Troy Aikman's class. Other than those two players, I could have cared less as to them winning or not.

Then came the inductions into the Pro Football Hall of Fame yesterday. Michael Irvin went last, and even before he got up to give his induction speech I found myself feeling sorry for him because he was having to follow some GREAT speeches by some of his fellow inductees.......Bruce Matthews and Charlie Sanders especially. I didn't think there was any way he could match the heart wrenching speeches they gave, especially Sanders. Then it was Michael's turn. He started with a prayer, a very moving prayer. His speech came from a man who had been broken, and this was not a private breaking.......his was one that millions had witnessed. Cocaine busts, hookers, etc. You name it, Michael Irvin's name was associated with it......that is if it were bad. But he told of coming out of that darkness into the light, the light of the Gospel. He mentioned T.D. Jakes, and if any of you have watched Pastor Jakes or read any of his books, you know why Michael was impacted. The old Michael Irvin is dead, and a new one is now alive because of the power of Jesus Christ and His saving grace. Irvin encouraged the crowd there and the millions watching on TV to do these things when they find themselves flat on their face: A) Look up to God B) Get Up C) Never Give up . He had tears streaming down his face as he spoke. He didn't have any notes.........this was coming straight from his broken heart. He was very passionate and transparent. And he influenced a lot of people for the Lord last night!

I remember Jim Woodroof talking about David in the Bible once. He said David had two distinguishing characteristics about him. David was a great sinner and David also was a great worshipper. He went on to comment that you don't HAVE to have BOTH characteristics to become a great worshipper, but you also can't discount how often the two go hand in hand. It's hard to appreciate God's wonderful loving grace if you don't feel like you've ever needed it. David had no doubt he did........Michael has no doubts either.

Michael Irvin has a new fan today. I think I may have interpreted passion for showboating when he was a Cowboy. I think he will forgive me, in that Jesus told us that those who have been forgiven much also love much.

You go Michael!

Christians, Anyway

2007-08-02T09:37:00.000-05:00

Rees and Patti Bryant go a long way back with my family. Rees and my dad were room-mates at Freed and then later at Harding. In the 60's our families served on the mission field together in Nigeria, along with the Farrar family. During their college years Patti's father, F.W. Mattox, had been a big influence on my dad when he was a student at Harding. This week I was blessed to get to read an article that Rees has written for the "Christian Standard" magazine, and I was so blown away by it that I asked if I could post it here on my blog. He graciously gave me permission to do so. This is the kind of fruit that is produced when you never quit searching, or ever feel like you have arrived. Thanks Rees for these powerful thoughts, and for having the heart of a searcher. You are one of my heroes!

Christians, Anyway . . .
by Rees Bryant

It is what Leonard Allen and Richard Hughes call an “illusion of innocence” to think or proclaim that any local church, group of churches, tradition, heritage, or fellowship can totally transcend its culture. For all churches have cultural baggage.
Let me elaborate. When I was young, I sincerely thought that the acapella Churches of Christ were the only Christians on the earth. Others might think they were Christians or call themselves Christians. Others might be willing to die for the Lord Jesus Christ. All of that made absolutely no difference. We, the acapella Churches of Christ, were the only Christians. Had our leaders not taught us the proper doctrine on conversion, worship, and church organization? Had they not proved that instrumental music in worship was wrong? Wherever any person or church disagreed with us, they were wrong and we were right. After all, we were the only Christians.
Later on I thought, “No, we are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only.” That was a much more irenic and inclusive view. I still think this is a good goal in a certain sense. We can say, “We seek to be Christians only,” in the same sense in which we say, “We seek to be humble, united, loving, sacrificial, obedient, and submissive Christians,” or “We seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). It is proper to say we seek after all of this.
But, if we say we have attained any of this, it is a very arrogant view. To say we are Christians only is tantamount to saying that we are Christians through and through. It is to say that there is nothing in us or about us that fails to be Christian. If we say we are Christians only—humble, united, loving, sacrificial, obedient, submissive Christians who have found the kingdom of God and submitted to it, then we are sadly mistaken. This is a false claim which can nauseate other Christians. Why? Because the truth is that we are not Christians only.
Instead, we are Christians and many other things. We are Christians and our hermeneutics. Our hermeneutics was not let down from heaven. One Bible scholar’s method of interpretation differs from another. We are Christians and our Stone-Campbell heritage; and, even well-versed scholars within the Stone-Campbell movement disagree on some issues. We are Christians and our Western worldviews. As Neil Gallagher has pointed out in his book, Don’t Go Overseas Until You’ve Read This Book, we are Christians and our cultural baggage of rugged individualism, romantic optimism, hatred of authority, and views of time, humor, activism, cleanliness, and food preparation. We often trip over these as we try to carry the gospel across cultures.
Well, if we are not the only Christians, and we are not Christians only, what are we? We are Christians anyway. We are Christians anyway! Just like the church in Jerusalem. If we could visit a gathering of old First Church in A.D. 33 to 37, the ways in which this church differs from a Jewish sect “might be hard to discern” (Mark Noll, Christianity Today, 3/3/97, p.44). They honored the seventh day. They met in the temple. They read from the Hebrew Bible. They circumcised their sons. They ate kosher foods. They still were zealous for the law. Earliest Christianity was Jewish Christianity. They were Christians anyway.
When the gospel spread to Syrian and Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Berea, Athens, Troas, and Rome, the church was becoming more Gentile than Jewish. But, they were Christians anyway. When the gospel spread to Germany, Ireland, Russia, India, Africa, North and South America, and to the islands of the sea, it crossed many cultural boundaries. But they were Christians anyway.
The church today differs over many peripheral issues as it responds to the gospel. Yet, God loves His imperfect, weak, blemished, frail, and fallible church. He loves us even with the cultural baggage we trip over. He loves us not because we are the only Christians or Christians only, for we are neither. He loves us because we are Christians, anyway. Praise be to His Holy Name!

Tony Snow

2007-07-30T13:07:00.000-05:00

My good friend Craig Jones sent me this article concerning Tony Snow. As many of you know, Craig's wife Jan is battling cancer.....as is Tony. This article came out of "Christianity Today".

Commentator and broadcaster Tony Snow announced that he had colon cancer in 2005. Following surgery and chemo-therapy, Snow joined the Bush administration in April 2006 as press secretary. Unfortunately, on March 23 Snow, 51, a husband and father of three, announced that the cancer had recurred, with tumors found in his abdomen—leading to surgery in April, followed by more chemotherapy. Snow went back to work in the White House Briefing Room on May 30. CT asked Snow what spiritual lessons he has been learning through the ordeal.

Blessings arrive in unexpected packages—in my case, cancer.

Those of us with potentially fatal diseases—and there are millions in America today—find ourselves in the odd position of coping with our mortality while trying to fathom God's will. Although it would be the height of presumption to declare with confidence What It All Means, Scripture provides powerful hints and consolations.

The first is that we shouldn't spend too much time trying to answer the why questions: Why me? Why must people suffer? Why can't someone else get sick? We can't answer such things, and the questions themselves often are designed more to express our anguish than to solicit an answer.

I don't know why I have cancer, and I don't much care. It is what it is—a plain and indisputable fact. Yet even while staring into a mirror darkly, great and stunning truths begin to take shape. Our maladies define a central feature of our existence: We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies give out.

But despite this—because of it—God offers the possibility of salvation and grace. We don't know how the narrative of our lives will end, but we get to choose how to use the interval between now and the moment we meet our Creator face-to-face.

Second, we need to get past the anxiety. The mere thought of dying can send adrenaline flooding through your system. A dizzy, unfocused panic seizes you. Your heart thumps; your head swims. You think of nothingness and swoon. You fear partings; you worry about the impact on family and friends. You fidget and get nowhere.

To regain footing, remember that we were born not into death, but into life—and that the journey continues after we have finished our days on this earth. We accept this on faith, but that faith is nourished by a conviction that stirs even within many nonbelieving hearts—an intuition that the gift of life, once given, cannot be taken away. Those who have been stricken enjoy the special privilege of being able to fight with their might, main, and faith to live—fully, richly, exuberantly—no matter how their days may be numbered.

Third, we can open our eyes and hearts. God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don't. By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise.

'You Have Been Called'

Picture yourself in a hospital bed. The fog of anesthesia has begun to wear away. A doctor stands at your feet; a loved one holds your hand at the side. "It's cancer," the healer announces.

The natural reaction is to turn to God and ask him to serve as a cosmic Santa. "Dear God, make it all go away. Make everything simpler." But another voice whispers: "You have been called." Your quandary has drawn you closer to God, closer to those you love, closer to the issues that matter—and has dragged into insignificance the banal concerns that occupy our "normal time."

There's another kind of response, although usually short-lived—an inexplicable shudder of excitement, as if a clarifying moment of calamity has swept away everything trivial and tinny, and placed before us the challenge of important questions.

The moment you enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death, things change. You discover that Christianity is not something doughy, passive, pious, and soft. Faith may be the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But it also draws you into a world shorn of fearful caution. The life of belief teems with thrills, boldness, danger, shocks, reversals, triumphs, and epiphanies. Think of Paul, traipsing though the known world and contemplating trips to what must have seemed the antipodes (Spain), shaking the dust from his sandals, worrying not about the morrow, but only about the moment.

There's nothing wilder than a life of humble virtue—for it is through selflessness and service that God wrings from our bodies and spirits the most we ever could give, the most we ever could offer, and the most we ever could do.

Finally, we can let love change everything. When Jesus was faced with the prospect of crucifixion, he grieved not for himself, but for us. He cried for Jerusalem before entering the holy city. From the Cross, he took on the cumulative burden of human sin and weakness, and begged for forgiveness on our behalf.

We get repeated chances to learn that life is not about us—that we acquire purpose and satisfaction by sharing in God's love for others. Sickness gets us partway there. It reminds us of our limitations and dependence. But it also gives us a chance to serve the healthy. A minister friend of mine observes that people suffering grave afflictions often acquire the faith of two people, while loved ones accept the burden of two people's worries and fears.

Learning How to Live

Most of us have watched friends as they drifted toward God's arms not with resignation, but with peace and hope. In so doing, they have taught us not how to die, but how to live. They have emulated Christ by transmitting the power and authority of love.

I sat by my best friend's bedside a few years ago as a wasting cancer took him away. He kept at his table a worn Bible and a 1928 edition of the Book of Common Prayer. A shattering grief disabled his family, many of his old friends, and at least one priest. Here was a humble and very good guy, someone who apologized when he winced with pain because he thought it made his guest uncomfortable. He retained his equanimity and good humor literally until his last conscious moment. "I'm going to try to beat [this cancer]," he told me several months before he died. "But if I don't, I'll see you on the other side."

His gift was to remind everyone around him that even though God doesn't promise us tomorrow, he does promise us eternity—filled with life and love we cannot comprehend—and that one can in the throes of sickness point the rest of us toward timeless truths that will help us weather future storms.

Through such trials, God bids us to choose: Do we believe, or do we not? Will we be bold enough to love, daring enough to serve, humble enough to submit, and strong enough to acknowledge our limitations? Can we surrender our concern in things that don't matter so that we might devote our remaining days to things that do?

When our faith flags, he throws reminders in our way. Think of the prayer warriors in our midst. They change things, and those of us who have been on the receiving end of their petitions and intercessions know it.

It is hard to describe, but there are times when suddenly the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and you feel a surge of the Spirit. Somehow you just know: Others have chosen, when talking to the Author of all creation, to lift us up—to speak of us!

This is love of a very special order. But so is the ability to sit back and appreciate the wonder of every created thing. The mere thought of death somehow makes every blessing vivid, every happiness more luminous and intense. We may not know how our contest with sickness will end, but we have felt the ineluctable touch of God.

What is man that Thou art mindful of him? We don't know much, but we know this: No matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects, each and every one of us, each and every day, lies in the same safe and impregnable place—in the hollow of God's hand.

Kevin James, You Tube, Sectarianism, etc

2007-07-25T12:54:00.000-05:00

Jan and I have a date every night.......yep, EVERY night! We have a date at 9:00 each evening to watch "King of Queens". As we have with so many other shows, we fell in love with it by watching the re-runs. Those of you who watch it and are used to the way Doug talks on the show, can't you just hear him saying "Syn-di-ca-she-on"! :) Yes, syndication has been the reason I got hooked on Mash, Cheers, Seinfeld, and now King of Queens. It's beyond me how this show was prime time for almost 10 years and never won any awards. The acting is off the charts, and the writers have to be up there with some of the best comedy writers in the business. We love Jerry Stiller, and can easily see where Ben got his talent. I have not seen the new Kevin James-Adam Sandler movie, but I hope it will be one of the few summer movies we choose to go to. Have any of you seen it? Are there any other K of Q fans out there? For those of you who don't like it, as Doug would say......"You shutie". :)

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How many of you saw the CNN-You Tube Presidential debate the other night? There were some stupid videos, but for the most part I liked the format. I thought there were some great questions asked. I thought it was interesting that not one candidate used the word "terrorist" the whole night. I look forward to the You-Tube debate amongst the Republicans also. Kudos to CNN for having the vision to pursue this.

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Insider language I don't use any more(meaning I did in the past but have repented), because I perceive it to be sectarian in nature:

"member of the church" meaning "member of the church of Christ".

"brotherhood" meaning "church of Christ".

"the Lord's church" when referring to churches that have "church of Christ" on their sign.

"the church" as in the sentence "He(or she)left the church" meaning he or she is not going to a "church of Christ" anymore.

Did we ever stop to think how arrogant and exclusive those phrases sounded? Jesus addressed that mind-set in Mark 9, yet we have ignored his admonition. I guess it didn't fall into the category of a command, example, or necessary inference. How convenient.

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We are having a very mild summer in this part of the country, and it's wonderful!
How is it where you are living? This is NOT the kind of weather we are used to in July.

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Are you as sick of professional sports as I am? The whole bunch of em just make me appreciate high school sports and athletes even more than I did before. I'll take high school and college teams ANY day over any NFL, NBA, or MLB team. Are there some good folks in professional sports? Absolutely. I'm wondering if they aren't in the minority though. I'm afraid there just aren't enough people like Payton Manning, Tony Dungy, David Robinson, or Cal Ripken anymore.........and that's the kind of folks it would take to win me back. I don't see it happening soon.

Dogs vs Unborn Babies

2007-07-20T16:54:00.000-05:00

For those of you who don't know me, you'll just have to take my word for it. Or, ask somebody who does know me. I AM CRAZY ABOUT DOGS!!!!!!!! I am a dog-aholic.
Did I just create a word? From the time I was born until I left home to go to college I never remember a time when we didn't have at least one dog.......many years we had 2 or 3. It's been 6 years this coming Oct. 7th since I gave up my last dog, and it's still so fresh I can hardly broach the topic. I never met a dog I didn't love. I'm saying all of that to say that I think what Michael Vick (and many other people who are sick like him) did to those dogs is unconscionable. If proven guilty, I hope they all get the maximum sentence....all of them. It's unspeakble, and I'm not even sure we have even heard the worst of it yet. What kind of people do this, somebody asks? Well, it's people who live in a culture that doesn't value life. They live all around you.

Know what is making my stomach turn even more? Watch and see if this doesn't happen.........some politicians who won't say a WORD about the millions of late-term abortions in our country will be on the front lines calling for justice to be done in regards to these dog-killers. It's nauseating......and it's the culture we live in. Dogs have more rights than unborn babies.

I don't do too many political posts. They get too ugly too quick. But I couldn't give this one a pass.

I love dogs more than you probably can fathom........I love unborn babies even more.

What's Up With That, John?

2007-07-17T11:24:00.000-05:00

Ok, I'll let you in on a discovery of mine while reading John. For those of you who discovered this when you were in grade school, please cut me some slack. Isn't it neat to see things you've never seen before in your reading of scripture? I love making new discoveries like this one.

A few reminders before I disclose the thing that really caught my attention. First, remember we are talking about truths revealed to us by the Apostle John.....the one who referred to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved". And we don't read where anybody refutes that. As further evidence of his close relationship with Jesus, John is the one Jesus gives his mother to while hanging on the cross. "Dear woman, here is your son" and to John he said "Here is your mother". Why is all of this important? I just want to remind everyone that we are reading the testimony of someone who may have been closer to Jesus than any other person on Earth. In light of that fact, what he says or doesn't say carries a tremendous amount of weight with me.

John and Matthew are the only people we have eye witness accounts from concerning the last night Jesus spent with his apostles before he was arrested in the garden. Mark and Luke write about that night also, but they are writing at best from second hand knowledge. Matthew's account of that evening starts in Matthew 26:17 and Jesus is arrested in verse 50. For what it's worth, he talks about the events and teachings of that evening for 33 verses....do the math. How does that compare with John? As you picked up in my last post, John starts telling about that evening in the first verse of chapter 13 of his letter, and continues to reveal the happenings and teachings of that fateful evening until chapter 18 verse 12. Hmmm. No, that's NOT my discovery........but that in itself is interesting. John spends FIVE chapters plus 12 verses of the next chapter that are totally dedicated to this one evening. That's more than the other 3 Gospel writers combined! John is the only writer that tells of Jesus washing the apostles feet that evening. John is the only one who gives us the beautiful prayer of Jesus in chapter 17. John is the only one who recounts the encouraging words of Jesus to his apostles in chapters 14 and 16 about "the Counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid". Get the picture? John goes into GREAT detail to tell us about this night! My conclusion is that all of this was very important to John, and evidently more important to him than the other Gospel writers. No, I can't prove that. But I don't think it's a stretch that one might come to that conclusion.

What was my discovery? With all of this detailed recounting of that last night together........being given to us by probably Jesus's closest friend........John was SO impressed by Jesus implementing what we call "the Lord's Supper", and it impacted him SO much........that he doesn't even mention it. No, this is not an April Fool's joke. See for yourself. John does tell about Jesus disclosing that Judas would betray him by saying "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish".......but other than that, NADA. NOTHING! I don't know why he didn't, and neither do you. All we can do is speculate. I don't want to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but I also don't want to gloss over it either. I think it's significant. Do you? Maybe I am the only one to think it's mind-boggling that John left THIS event out. An event that we generally think of as an "absolute" and a fellowship maker or breaker. Something we consider a COMMAND. So, I ask again.......what's up with that, John?

I look forward to hearing your take.

Reading John

2007-07-13T10:56:00.000-05:00

Jan and I have been in Kansas City this week. If you have never had the opportunity to drive down Ward Parkway and to visit Country Club Plaza in KC, I hope you can soon. The drive along Ward Parkway has to be one of the most beautiful drives in America. As always, I was blessed to get to visit with some of the wonderful Harding folks in that area. As you might guess, we saw LOTS of water on this trip! Because of the amount of rain the mid-west has received, everything was SO beautiful and green. It never gets old seeing God's work in nature.

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I am interested in hearing your take on something. I have been reading John lately, and I happen to notice something that I find noteworthy and interesting. I would like for you to read the same material, and give me your feedback on any interesting insights you might come up with. I will tell my discovery in my next post, which I promise will be in the next few days. Please read John chapter 13 thru at least verse 11 of Chapter 18. For those of you that I have already talked to on the phone, you can't participate! :) I look forward to hearing from the thousands of you that I have not talked to.

Thanks!

How the West Was Lost

2007-07-05T14:30:00.000-05:00

I usually don't read the editorial section of the Sunday Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, but a couple of Sunday's ago that title caught my eye. I'll come back to that in a minute.

A year or so ago, Bobby Garner handed me a book by the title "Life at the Bottom: the Worldview That Makes the Underclass" and told me to read it. It was by an author named Theodore Dalrymple. I respect Bobby enough that I am going to read anything he gives me. I don't have a whole lot of passion for the study of sociology, but this was a pretty interesting book. I later found out that Darlymple is a pen name for Dr. Anthony Daniels.......not that it matters. Dr. Daniels is a physician and psychiatrist from Britian that has traveled and worked all over the world. This book was the result of him working in a hospital in England that targets the lower socio-economic people who would not get medical help otherwise. Again, this discipline in not what I wake up in the morning thinking about, but it's a good read.

So, two weeks ago Sunday, the feature article in the editorial section of the Sunday Demo-Zette was by one Theodore Dalrymple. I don't know if it was his name or the title of the article that caught my eye. In the article, he actually does two things. First, he previews a book by Walter Laqueur by the title "The Last Days of Europe: Epitaph for an Old Continent". Secondly, he relates his and Laqueur's thoughts on the threats to Europe's future. From his perspective, there are three threats:

A) Demographic Decline- "Europeans are simply not reproducing, for reasons that are unclear. They seem to care more about the ozone layer and carbon emissions than they do about the continuation of their own societies. Or perhaps bringing up children interferes with what they conceive to be the real business of life: taking lengthy annual holidays in exotic locations and other such pleasures."

B) A Sizable and Growing Immigrant Population Which is Not Necessarily Interested in Integration- He asks why "Europeans have abjectly surrendered to the dishonest nostrums of multiculturalism. Why, for example, can a couple of Dutch children be told by their teacher to remove the Dutch flag from their school bags because it might offend children of Moroccan descent--who, it should be noted, are supposed to be Dutch citizens? Why do German courts rule that beating women is a religious right for Turks in Germany, just as terms such as 'illegitimate children' have been banned from official usage as being denigratory and stigmatizing?"

C) The Existence of the Welfare State and the Welfare-State Mentality- "A system of entitlements has been created that, however economically counterproductive, is politicially difficult to dismantle: once privileges are granted, they assume the metaphysical status of immemorial and fundamental rights. The right of French train drivers to retire on full pension at the age of 50 is probably more important to them than the right of free speech--especially that of those who think that retirement at such an age is preposterous. While Europe mortgages it's future to pay for such extravagances, other parts of the world forge an unbeatable combination of high-tech and cheap labor."

It's an interesting article, with much more depth and insight than I had time to copy or include here. If you are interested in it, you probably can get to it on-line thru the Democrat-Gazette web site.

So, how far off are we from having this written about the United States?

A Teenage Abolitionist

2007-06-26T12:00:00.000-05:00

Don McLaughlin has been on campus a couple of days, and last night as we were sitting in IHOP, he told me an AMAZING story about a 15 year-old young man by the name of Zach Hunter. Inspired by the movie "Amazing Grace", Zach has made it his goal to completely end slavery.........ALL OVER THE WORLD! If you Google his name, you will find a bunch of articles on Zach, but here is one that you can go to:

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/interview.zach.hunter.the.teenage.abolitionist/9640.htm

I hope you are as inspired as I am by reading about Zach.

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I received a wonderful email from Jim Woodroof telling me that he now has a web site where we can go to and hear lessons that Jim has taught over the years. If you want your life impacted TREMENDOUSLY, go and listen to these talks by Jim. Here is the link:

http://jimwoodroof.com

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Last night as Donnie was speaking to the UPLIFT crowd about the parable of the Prodigal Son (or is it "Reprodigal" as I used to sing in church?) he made an observation that I had heard before, but I needed to hear again. The younger brother got to the point where he "LONGED" for the pods the pigs were eating. Satan had been influential enough to get him THAT far from the truth......that far from the wonderful feast he could have been enjoying. What pig pod are you longing for now that is SO VERY FAR from the real blessing God intended for you to have? Satan hasn't changed his tactics.........he still lies to us in 2007 to convince us the pig pod is better than the steak. I remember Jim Woodroof saying "Jesus came to change our wants". Filter your wants thru Jesus, and the pig pod won't make it thru. Neither will a lot of other garbage.

Have a great week!

Father's Day and Hitting the Road

2007-06-20T13:39:00.000-05:00

I hope all you dad's out there had as good a "Father's Day" as I did! Luke and Juliana came over and spent the night with us.....as a married couple, which was weird.....and we had a great visit. Matt and Liz are coming next weekend, Lord willing. Jan and I got to have lunch with her mom and dad on Sunday, along with Jimmy and Andee. It was kinda retro.........like when Jimmy and I were dating the sisters many years ago. No comments on the "many" aspect of that sentence. The only downer was I didn't get to see my dad. Speaking of dad, please keep him in your prayers as he was admitted to the hospital yesterday. Nothing major, but anytime you are in the hospital, it's stressful. GET WELL and GET HOME, Dad! We LOVE you! I know "Father's Day" is not a good day for everybody, and I'm sorry.
But for me, it's for sure one of the best days of the year! I get to reflect on what a great dad I had, and I get to be reminded how lucky I am to be the father of two wonderful sons.

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I am posting this from the road..........Tulsa to be exact. Or should I say Seattle?
Tulsa has had more rain in the past month than any other month in recorded history, so I am told. It has rained off and on since I have been here, and everything is SO green. And muggy. YUCK! Summer is here for sure.

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I am presently reading John Ortberg's "If You Want to Walk on Water, You Gotta Get Out of the Boat". It's my first Ortberg book to read, but it won't be the last. If you haven't read it, pick it up! Matt gave me another McManus book for Father's Day, and I am excited to get into it next.

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Last night, I went to Steve Smith's house and watched 3 Nooma video's by Rob Bell.
Is that guy something else or what? The 3 we watched were titled "Luggage", "Dust", and "You". Some of the material was directly from "Velvet Elvis", but it was good to hear him tell it instead of reading it.
If you haven't ever seen any of Rob's videos, I urge you to order some.
I would love to hear him in person. Maybe we can get him at Harding. :)

Have a great rest of the week!

Heart Warming

2007-06-15T15:04:00.000-05:00

Take about 2 minutes and watch this heart warming video. If it turns out to be an urban legend, keep it to yourself! :) I have no doubt somebody somewhere has done this or something VERY similar.

http://www.stservicemovie.com

We Are All Witnesses

2007-06-12T10:43:00.001-05:00

I would guess you have seen the new Nike commercial centered around LeBron James, with the slogan "We Are All Witnesses". I have become a LeBron fan. I'm not pulling for the Cavs to win it as I have to stick with Robert Horry and my Spurs, but I have grown to appreciate the way LeBron plays the game of basketball. He's a team player first, and he respects the game. I think the baton will be safe with him as the future face of the NBA. No doubt he is the next MJ or Doctor J. Well, no.......there will NEVER be another Dr. J.

But I want to focus on the slogan about being "witnesses". The very first blog post I ever wrote had to do with a saying of Bear Bryant's that went something like this: "There are three kinds of people. Those that make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wondered what happened."
I suppose we all have been each of those three people at one time or another in our lives. In my journey, I find myself many times just being the one who ends up witnessing what some other person is doing in regards to good works. Do you ever feel that way? I want to do better, and I know I need to be intentional about it.

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Matt and Liz's wedding was really beautiful, and we are very happy for the two of them! I am truly a blessed man. If you hear about a gold Camry tearing up the road between Searcy and Memphis over the next few years, you'll know who it is. :)
I was saddened again by the fact that my dad wasn't up to coming and being a part of the celebration. I know he would have loved it too. We missed you dad!

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I told Jan that is seems like all we do on the weekends anymore is go to weddings or funerals. For those of you who were at HU about the same time I was, you probably remember Steve and David Tucker. Their mom, Mae Anne, died this past week. Some of you may have known her as Lott Tucker's wife. During our Harding days, she worked in the book store. Mrs. Tucker was someone I loved very much, and our community lost a wonderful Christian servant. I have no doubt that she has already sprouted some wings, and will be flying around Rhodes field house to watch Kinsey play her senior year for the Bisons.

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Last but not least, "Sgt. Pepper" was released 40 years ago the first of June. Can you believe it? It's not my favorite Beatles album, but it's a good one and I can remember very clear that summer of 67 when it came out, and what all was going on.
It's eerily similar in some ways to what's going on in the world right now. Just like back then, there are a lot of people calling for peace these days. There was a lot of racial unrest back then, as there is now with all the immigration discussions going on. There was an ugly election that took place in 68, and my guess is the one in 08 is going to be equally as ugly. Like I said, eerily similar. When John Lennon was asked about making this album, he said the following:
"We're fed up with making soft music for soft people."

Hmm........there has to be a spiritual analogy in that statement somewhere....right?

Wedding Bells................Again!!

2007-06-06T11:03:00.001-05:00

It's time for the second wedding and the second celebration! Matt and Liz Lee are getting married Saturday afternoon in Memphis. I can't believe how blessed I am to be able to welcome two new daughters into our family within a month! Matt and Liz have been dating for several years now, and we love her very much. I can't imagine having two daughters-in-law more precious than Liz and Juliana. I am looking forward to being with family and friends again as we celebrate this wedding and these sweet children. Matt and Liz will continue to live in Memphis, as she is in Pharmacy School and he loves coaching at Harding Academy. They will actually be living 2 1/2 miles from Luke and Juliana! I consider them being able to live so close to each other as another blessing........one of many.

So, keep the Lee family and the Underwood clan in your prayers this weekend! I will let you know how it went Monday when I get back.

CONGRATS MATT AND LIZ!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Faith Challenges, Abortion, and Casey Kasem

2007-05-30T10:47:00.000-05:00

Danny Campbell is good to give me CD's to listen to or books to read. Last week he came in my office and handed me a CD of a sermon by a minister speaking about Heaven.
Jan and I listened to it on the way to Tulsa this weekend, and I want to share a comment this preacher made during his lesson. This is not a direct quote, but pretty close.

"If your faith is not strong enough to cause you to be transformed into living discipleship, then it's probably also not strong enough to save you."

I don't know that I understand everything about that statement, or if I even agree with it.......but I can tell you one thing. I haven't gone too many minutes without thinking about what he said since I heard it. I will be anxious to hear your response to it.

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In my last post I made mention to abortion, and not one person commented in response to what I said......disagreeing or agreeing. Is it that taboo of a topic, or does apathy rule the day?

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On the way home from Tulsa we were listening to the radio and ran across a replay of an "American top 40" with Casey Kasem from May 22, 1976! :) Talk about fun! If somebody had told me that Elvis, Jimmy Dean, and Johnny Cash would have had current hits from that week in 76, I would have lost my house betting they were wrong. Granted, they were hits that may not have made it past the #30 position in the charts, but they did break the top 40. It would be interesting to check and see how high up those songs DID actually make it. But, it was really fun to hear some songs that we had forgotten about. It also made me think about what was on the horizon back then that we weren't aware of........and therefore led me to thinking about what is on the horizon NOW that I am not aware of. What were you doing in May of 1976? Some of you youngsters may not have even been born. Shut-up! :) If anybody can guess what the #1 song was that week in 76, I will send you a free copy of Keith Brenton's new study guide to "Pilgrim Heart" by Darryl Tippens. NO CHEATING! :)

Question Time

2007-05-24T14:57:00.000-05:00

"The Barbarian Way" really rocked my world, and I haven't really been able to escape some of my initial reactions to reading it. As you can probably tell from my lack of postings, it has numbed me somewhat. Even while I was reading the wonderful Dallas Willard book, I still had "Barbarian" on my mind. If any of the rest of you have read it, I would welcome you to comment about how it affected you. Hopefully you won't feel as indicted as I felt while reading it. Without any doubt, I am for the most part what he calls "a civilized Christian". I gave the book to each of my boys, and on the inside I wrote each of them an apology for raising them to be civilized Christians, and I hope and pray they won't put another link in that chain with their children. I'm counting on them not to. I am both excited and scared as I start the process of trying to become "uncivilized" in my discipleship. Excited because I know God is going to surprise me with a lot of challenges and blessings. Scared because I've been domesticated for so long, I know it's going to be an uphill battle. I won't be able to make it on my own. Yes, I know HE is faithful, and will be there every step of the way with me. I hope some of you will go along on this journey with me too! Oh what a journey!

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Here are some questions that I have been wondering about the last week or so.

1) Do we REALLY need to be in Sunday School class THIS MANY YEARS?!?!? Is there anything I could be doing that hour that might further the Kingdom better? I don't mean to sound critial.........I'm just brain storming with all of you. Does anybody else feel this way? Oh, and by the way, I am in the BEST Sunday school class I have EVER been in my WHOLE LIFE.......taught by Monte Cox. I LOVE IT!!!!!!
I can't imagine being in a better class anywhere. But, I still have that question in the back of my mind.

2) Do I really need to be watching a TV show with the word "Idol" in it? I know, it's a clean show, and probably has some redeeming qualities. People are using their God given talents, and their voices for the most part are a blessing to listen to. There is no violence, sex, or cursing on the show......which is pretty hard to come by these days. I just wish it had another name besides "IDOL" in the title of the show. Or maybe that's EXACTLY what it should be named? Your thoughts, please!

3.) Why can't we stop ALL abortions, except when the mother's life is in danger? When I was teaching history, it never failed that when we were studying the Holocaust a student would raise their hand and ask the following question: "Mr. Underwood, how did people let that happen?" I never had a really good answer. My fear is that WE will be the people the kids will be talking about in 30 or 40 years when they ask: "Why did people not save those babies........those MILLIONS of babies?" Heaven help that teacher to know what to say. At this point, I think prayer is the best answer. No doubt it's been the best answer all along.

4.) Besides a human baby, is there anything more beautiful that a new little foal? Each spring Jan and I get to go love on a new one just a few blocks away! I'm addicted. If my ship ever comes in, I'm getting a brood mare and having me a little filly or stud colt EVERY year! I think Heaven will have to have horses, don't you?

I'll end on that upper, cause the rest of the post was more a stone than a diamond. Just being transparent with ya!

Hey, I could have ended by asking you what a "change agent" is? I was kinder than that. :)

Accents

2007-05-17T14:55:00.000-05:00

Last night I happen to catch Christopher Hitchens talking on the TV. Here is my question........if he had the accent of Gomer Pyle, would people consider him to be the intellectual he is considered to be today? Seriously, if he spoke the EXACT same words but had the sound of Gomer, how would it come across? I believe we have some bias when it comes to accents. I get the impression that if someone speaks with a British accent, it's assumed they have a high I.Q. There is NO doubt Mr. Hitchens is very intelligent, and I find myself being impressed with his use of the English language. Would Jeff Foxworthy be as funny if his accent was British? I just can't help thinking he wouldn't be as funny........so I am accent prejudiced then aren't I? What if Snoop Dog spoke with the accent of Mr. French? What if Hillary could speak in ALL accents.........wait, she does already doesn't she?

Excuse my shallow post today, but I just wanted to see if I am the only person that thinks British folks get more respect JUST because of their accent.

Bonus question........can you hear the difference in the accents of people from England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa? Not I!!

The Weekend and Dallas Willard

2007-05-15T09:21:00.000-05:00

The wedding was one of those story-book weddings........at least in my eyes. Everything was just perfect! It doesn't get much better than Saturday night. I was surrounded by family (except for my dad who couldn't make the trip because of health issues) and friends in a beautiful church watching my son marry a lovely, sweet, Christian young woman.........with my favorite preacher doing the ceremony! The whole evening was just one big blessing. Thanks to all of you who were able to attend, and thanks to all the rest of you who were there in spirit. A special thanks to Steve and Kathy Stevens for making that evening possible! Luke will be blessed to have such special in-laws. And me............I GET A NEW DAUGHTER!!! YEA! :) I will go from having no daughters to having TWO within a month! Am I the luckiest guy in the world or what? Yeah, I get to do this whole thing over again in about 3 weeks! :) So, when you see me walking amongst the tree tops, just let me stay there.

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At present, I am reading Dallas Willard's "The Great Omission". Willard's constant theme in most of his books is discipleship. I consider him to be this generation's Dietrich Bonhoffer. Here is an excerpt:

"The overshadowing event of the past two centuries of Christian life has been the struggle between orthodoxy and modernism. In this struggle the primary issue has, as a matter of fact, NOT been discipleship to Christ as a transformation of soul that expresses itself in pervasive, routine obedience to his 'all that I have commanded you.' Instead, both sides of the controversy have focused almost entirely upon what is to be explicitly asserted or rejected as essential Christian doctrine. In the process of battles over views of Christ the Savior, CHRIST THE TEACHER WAS LOST ON ALL SIDES. Discipleship as an essential issue disappeared from the churches, and with it there also disappeared realistic plans and programs for the transformation of the inmost self into Christ-likeness. One could now be a Christian forever without actually changing in heart and life. Right PROFESSION, positive or negative, was all that was required. This has now produced generations of professing Christians who, as a whole, do not differ in character, but only in ritual, from their nonprofessing neighbors; in addition, a massive population has now arisen in America who believe in God, even self-identify as spiritual, but will have nothing to do with churches......often as a matter of pride. What has in other days been called 'NOMINAL' Christianity now has become 'NORMAL' Christianity, even among those whose tradition had prided itself in not being just nominal Christians. We are seeing that the church betrays itself and its world if it fails to make clear and accessible the path of thoroughgoing inner transformation through Christ."