Vacation in the smokies

We were in the Smoky Mountains from Sunday, Sept 18 through Friday, Sept 23.  My parent rented a cabin that was awesome.  3 bedrooms, game room with pool table and hot tube.  Very wonderful and refreshing time.  I'm planning to post pictures from the trip soon.

Sunday - we arrived in the Smokies around 9:00 pm and stayed at the Clarian Inn, a very nice South Bell style hotel.  The girls swam in their indoor pool on Monday morning.

Monday - Started the trip by shopping at the Tanger Outlet mall.  We didn't buy much but did a lot of shopping... went to the Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Reebok and Fossil stores among others.  Later that afternoon we met my parents at the cabin.  That evening we went to the Titanic museum exhibit.  It was both interesting and unique.  

Tuesday - Back to the Tanger Outlet mall.  I bought 2 nice pairs of Adidas shoes for cheap (less than $60).  After shopping we met my mom and dad at Bennetts BBQ and it was outstanding.  I got the sample platter of pulled pork, BBQ ribs and quarter chicken, mmmm mmmmmm good!  We then we back to the cabin and rested.  That evening I fixed steaks for everyone on a charcoal grill.  Later Hillary and I went out to the Gatlinburg strip while mom and dad watched the girls.  We had a wonderful relaxing evening walking and taking in the sites.  The only thing we bought was some fudge at one of the shops.

Wednesday -  We went to Dollywood.  The girls enjoyed the kiddie rides.  I couldn't get Allie to ride the bigger coasters, but maybe in a another year or two.  The girls love the shooting star ride.  Allie rode the Barn Stormer with mom.  I had to ride it by myself.  It's a giant swing that extends 81 feet in the air.  Allie rode the Dizzy Disk with me, but couldn't get her to ride it a second time as she said it made her feel sick.  

Thursday - We slept in and then went on a hike in the park to a Grotto Falls.  

The girls loved the hike even though it was raining for much of it.  We were able to walk behind the falls and reach out and feel the falling water - very cool.  I carried Anna for part of the way but she walked for the majority of the hike which was about 1.4 miles each way.  After the hike we headed back to the cabin and had a spaghetti dinner.  

Friday -  Back to Dollywood (we got a 2 day pass for the price of a 1 day).  We let the girls ride more of the kiddie rides.  Anna rode the Sky Rider with daddy (it was down on Wednesday), she was the only one of the girls that was brave enough to do it!  Anna is our little adventurous dare devil!  All 3 of the girls rode Dare Devil Falls with me.  Abbie was the only one that didn't like it.  The other two rode it again.  We left Dollywood around 1:00 pm and went to the Nike Outlet where Hillary bought a pair of running shoes.  Then, back to the Tanger outlet mall again (3rd time) where the girls spent their $10 each that mamaw gave them at the Disney store .  After Tanger we headed to a large knife store, I bought a titanium plated Colt pocket knife that I'm going to give as a gift and a very small keychain knife to carry.  We then headed back around 5:00 pm.  We arrived home around midnight.  Ahhhh, back in my own bed.  How nice.  God blessed us with a wonderful and safe trip.  

Personal Accountability Groups

There is something special about personal accountability among believers.  Often, we find ourselves slipping into personal private sin.  Although there is no full-proof way to combat this there are checks that can be put in place to help us in our journey. 


Here is an excellent article I found regarding accountability.


If you'd like to see the article on it's original site click here.

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Cathy Grossman and USAToday writes about christian accountability groups. You can read the whole article here.

It begins with:

Does the Capitol Hill house on C Street -- home to several congressmen although it eludes property taxes by being listed as a church -- give prayer "accountability" groups a bad name? Should elected officials seek God in secrecy while hiding sins from public scrutiny?

The fact that such a group exists in Washington, D.C., combined with recent news about participants, makes it national news.

She explains what these groups are all about:

But millions of men and women belong to small prayer and accountability groups where they read and discuss Scripture together and hold each other to truthful living in God's name. Remember Promise Keepers, the men's group that hit a popularity peak in the 90's? It stressed accountability groups heavily and even if PK no longer packs stadiums for rallies, many of those small groups continue to enriching lives.

The question that Cathy address deals with secrecy in such groups and the honesty required. I explained, "Accountability groups are only as good as the truthfulness of their participants."

Cathy linked to my blog on accountability groups and questions. That blog is here. The USAToday story is here.

Here is the text of the blog to which the story refers:

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These lists are from Cultivating a Life for God (Church Smart Resources 1999 pp.125-131).

Typically, these questions are asked in groups of 2-3, are specific to men or women, meets regularly, and hold each other accountable.

John Wesley's Small Group Questions:

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

3. Do I confidentially pass onto another what was told me in confidence?

4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work , or habits?

5. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

6. Did the Bible live in me today?

7. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?

8. Am I enjoying prayer?

9. When did I last speak to someone about my faith?

10. Do I pray about the money I spend?

11. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

12. Do I disobey God in anything?

13. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?

15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?

16. How do I spend my spare time?

17. Am I proud?

18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisee who despised the publican?

19. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I going to do about it?

20. Do I grumble and complain constantly?

21. Is Christ real to me?

Wesley's Band Meeting Questions:

1. What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?

2. What temptations have you met with?

3. How were you delivered?

4. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?

5. Have you nothing you desire to keep secret?

Reference: John Wesley's Class Meetings: a Model for Making Disciples, by D. Michael Henderson, Evangel Publishing House, 1997, pp. 118-9

Chuck Swindoll's Pastoral Accountability Questions:

In his book, The Body, Chuck Colson lists the questions used by Chuck Swindoll.

1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?

2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?

3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?

4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?

5. Have you given priority time to your family?

6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?

7. Have you just lied to me?

Neil Cole:

1. What is the condition of your soul?

2. What sin do you need to confess?

3. What have you held back from God that you need to surrender?

4. Is there anything that has dampened your zeal for Christ?

5. Who have you talked with about Christ this week?

HT: Journey

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The questions I use are from these cards from Church Multiplication Associates. I keep one in my Bible.

The ten questions are as follows:

1. Have you been a testimony this week to the greatness of Jesus Christ with both your words and actions?

2. Have you been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed your mind to entertain inappropriate thoughts about someone who is not your spouse this week?

3. Have you lacked any integrity in your financial dealings this week, or coveted something that does not belong to you?

4. Have you been honoring, understanding and generous in your important relationships this past week?

5. Have you damaged another person by your words, either behind their back or face-to-face?

6. Have you given in to an addictive behavior this week? Explain.

7. Have you continued to remain angry toward another?

8. Have you secretly wished for another's misfortune so that you might excel?

9. Did you finish your reading this week and hear from the Lord? What are you going to do about it?

10. Have you been completely honest with me?