• Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, Arco, Idaho
• Bottolfsen Park
• Presenters – John Paul Moody “World Predator Calling Champion”, Chuck Buck – Buck Knives, Bryon L. Tabor – one of the country’s most skilled archers
• Custom knife makers, skilled fly casters, old-time mountain man tools and skills, falconers, etc.
• Christian and family value themes
• 9:30 – 4:30
• Contact info:  Jackie Harwood – jharwood@ida.net, Steve Cote – 208-527-3975, Chuck McKee – 527-2646

I received in the mail yesterday a hard copy of the new Credenda agenda (Spring/Summer 2011).

This is a salvation that brings us to the Father.  We are taught to pray to our Father, in Heaven.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, but we never forget He is the way to the Father.  We are ushered into a divine unity and fellowship on the basis of what Jesus has done for us.  The Father is our destination, Jesus is the road, and the Spirit carries us down that road.  Because we are forgiven, and only because we are forgiven, we can know that God is triune.  Because we are forgiven, we may partake of the divine life and nature.  But we belong to Him by grace, and not by any inherent natural power of ours.  We are united to Him in truth, and forever, but He is always the Creator, and we are always the creatures.  Grace stupefies.

– Douglas Wilson

Are you guys all headed to The Grace Agenda conference, September 16-17?

Yesterday, my son, Joshua, got to drive both of these classics.  A ’66.  And a ’59.

Ex-LDS are already starting to publish books about Mitt Romney. 

Should I as Baptist preacher publish a book about Mitt?  No, I think I will pass.  Wouldn’t writing a book about the Lord Jesus be far better for me and my LDS friends?

Mark Noll begins the discussion with that title for his essay.

So readers, after perusing my blog (for some of you – it’s been 5+ years), what kind of Baptist do you think I am? 🙂

In Southeastern Idaho, we talk about theosis.

In Blackfoot, Idaho, Dan Cravens takes a shot in our news for seeking to connect “theosis” and Joseph Smith with the early church fathers.  But I am not convinced.  Are you?  One defender of the Judea-Christian tradition shares with you some of his thoughts  on our discussion in S.E. Idaho.

Joel seeks to connect Mormonism with an altogether different tradition than that of the early church fathers.

There were two events yesterday that could easily bring tears to a grown man’s face: 

1. Listening to “Amazing Grace” played by the Idaho Falls Firefighters Pipes and Drums in the morning parade.
2. Listening to “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” just before the grand finale of the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration.  I was looking at the flag fluttering on top of Shilo Inn.  I was also watching the bombs bursting.  And I was listening to my wife singing with the loudspeakers,

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

“Get Jesus wrong and you lose everything that matters; get Him right and you gain everything that matters.”

– Rick Holland, Uneclipsing the Son, 2011

Today is the day of reckoning.

In just a little bit of time, I am running the half marathon with my sister, Susie Lacy.

I am doing an experiment.  I am eating a bowl of Bryers cookie dough ice cream before the race.

It is a fundraiser.  Melaleuca CEO Frank Vandersloot in Idaho Falls, serving as the national co-chairman for Romney’s campaign, organized the event among all the other campaign stops.  You can have lunch and a photo with Mitt at the new Snow Eagle Brewery downtown for $1000 a pop. 

Do you think that Mitt and Frank can pull America out of its economic slump?

(Meanwhile, the Huntsman Springs in Teton Valley, Idaho are gearing up for the big Celebrate America event on July 2.  It is free admission to the street carnival, live entertainment, classic car show, air show, and food vendors.  In the evening, you will catch live:  Glenn Beck, a BYU-I patriotic concert, and a fireworks extravaganza to supplement your coming on July 4 to Idaho Falls for the massive Melaleuca Freedom Celebration.  During your July 4 weekend, the most important event is visiting with us at Berean Baptist Church on Grace & Glory Sunday, July 3 at 10:45 am.  🙂  My friend and local politician, Fred Thompson, will be saying a few words.  And I will be preaching on the theme:  “Freedom in Christ”.)