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Biblical Forecast

Churchgoers Survive Potluck Nightmare (thanks to the Sacred Sandwich)

Tragedy struck Langley Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon when every covered dish at the church’s monthly potluck was a green bean casserole. Stunned onlookers watched in horror as family after family arrived with the same popular side dish in tow. By the time grace was said over the meal, there were over twenty-five green bean casseroles lining the buffet table with no meat dish in sight.
Marilyn Perkins, supervisor of the Langley Baptist potluck, recalls the terror of witnessing the casseroles flooding in. “I’ve heard scary stories from other churches about excess hominy or okra, but you never think it’s going to happen to your church,” she said in tears. “All I could think at the time was, Why us, Lord… why us?”
Repercussions from the church disaster were felt throughout the community as area grocers reported a shortage of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup and French’s French fried onions.
A few brave church members weathered the green bean avalanche by using large amounts of sweet tea to wash it down, while others, dazed and hungry, fled to their homes. A small faction of survivors, led by Jim Fairbanks, found shelter at a nearby McDonald’s restaurant. “Deacon Fairbanks was quick-thinking and showed amazing courage under pressure,” said Anita West. “Just when I was about to go down, he threw a Happy Meal to me. He saved my life.”
Deacon Fairbanks, however, shrugged off Mrs. West’s praise. “The real hero was Frank Woodburn, who tripped while helping other members cross the parking lot to the golden arches. I’ll never forget him lying there on the concrete, refusing my help and screaming, Save yourself! Now that’s a true hero. Frank will be missed.”
Despite the initial panic, church officials were able to restore order and send people home without further incident. Reports of one member being detained for trying to sneak extra wafers out of the church’s communion tray could not be confirmed.
In the aftermath of the ill-fated potluck, theories abounded as to why this catastrophe took place. Speculation on the cause ran the gamut from the 25 cent sale on Libby’s green beans at McGonigle’s Market to a sign of the Apocalypse. The main theological issue under debate, however, was whether it was part of God’s sovereign decree or the tragic outcome of man’s free will exercising the right to bring a lame side dish to church.
Church member Claude Anderson believes it was God’s judgment. “I’ve told them for twenty years they shouldn’t be calling it pot-luck,“ explained Anderson. “That’s an affront to an Almighty God Who doesn’t deal in luck. I just hope this egregious sin against God doesn’t ruin my chances to win the lottery. I’m feeling pretty good about my numbers this week. Cross my fingers.”
Seven year old Kenny Myers, son of members Todd and Carrie Myers, tried to put things in the proper perspective. “I’m just glad they weren’t brussel sprouts. Seriously, I woulda puked.”
Dale Morton, pastor at Langley Baptist, planned to hold a special service next Sunday to help his congregation deal with the emotional effects of the disaster. “This is a hard time for my flock,” explained Morton, “and I’m not sure the Bible has all the answers for a tragedy like this. So I think it’s important to let the people have a time to grieve and cry out to God. I mean, come on! That’s a lot of green bean casserole, even for Baptists.”
When asked if the story of the Israelites complaining about the provision of God’s manna would have any significance for his congregation at this time, Pastor Morton grimaced. “Shoot… I didn’t even think about that. Now I’m going to have to trash the analogy to Stephen’s martyrdom and rewrite my whole sermon.”

U.S. now only 2 states away from rewriting Constitution

Critic: 'This is a horrible time to try such a crazy scheme'

Posted: December 12, 200812:25 am Eastern
By Bob Unruh© 2008 WorldNetDaily

A public policy organization has issued an urgent alert stating affirmative votes are needed from only two more states before a Constitutional Convention could be assembled in which "today's corrupt politicians and judges" could formally change the U.S. Constitution's "'problematic' provisions to reflect the philosophical and social mores of our contemporary society."
"Don't for one second doubt that delegates to a Con Con wouldn't revise the First Amendment into a government-controlled privilege, replace the 2nd Amendment with a 'collective' right to self-defense, and abolish the 4th, 5th, and 10th Amendments, and the rest of the Bill of Rights," said the warning from the American Policy Institute.
"Additions could include the non-existent separation of church and state, the 'right' to abortion and euthanasia, and much, much more," the group said.
The warning comes at a time when Barack Obama, who is to be voted the next president by the Electoral College Monday, has expressed his belief the U.S. Constitution needs to be interpreted through the lens of current events.
Tom DeWeese, who runs the center and its education and grassroots work, told WND the possibilities stunned him when he discovered lawmakers in Ohio are considering a call for a Constitutional Convention. He explained that 32 other states already have taken that vote, and only one more would be needed to require Congress to name convention delegates who then would have more power than Congress itself.
"The U.S. Constitution places no restriction on the purposes for which the states can call for a convention," the alert said. "If Ohio votes to call a Con Con, for whatever purpose, the United States will be only one state away from total destruction. And it's a safe bet that those who hate this nation, and all She stands for, are waiting to pounce upon this opportunity to re-write our Constitution."
DeWeese told WND that a handful of quickly responding citizens appeared at the Ohio Legislature yesterday for the meeting at which the convention resolution was supposed to be handled.
State officials suddenly decided to delay action, he said, giving those concerned by the possibilities of such a convention a little time to breathe.
According to a Fox News report, Obama has stated repeatedly his desire for empathetic judges who "understand" the plight of minorities.
The final vote from the 1787 Constitutional Convention
In a 2007 speech to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, he said, "We need somebody who's got the heart, the empathy, to recognize what it's like to be a young teenage mom. The empathy to understand what it's like to be poor, or African-American, or gay, or disabled, or old. And that's the criteria by which I'm going to be selecting my judges."
Obama also committed himself to respecting the Constitution but said the founding document must be interpreted in the context of current affairs and events.
Read how today's America already has rejected the Constitution, and what you can do about it.
Melody Barnes, a senior domestic policy adviser to the Obama campaign, said in the Fox News report, "His view is that our society isn't static and the law isn't static as well. That the Constitution is a living and breathing document and that the law and the justices who interpret it have to understand that."
Obama has criticized Justice Clarence Thomas, regarded as a conservative member of the court, as not a strong jurist or legal thinker. And Obama voted against both Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, two appointees of President Bush who vote with Thomas on many issues.
Further, WND also reported Obama believes the Constitution is flawed, because it fails to address wealth redistribution, and he says the Supreme Court should have intervened years ago to accomplish that.
Obama said in a 2001 radio interview the Constitution is flawed in that it does not mandate or allow for redistribution of wealth.
Obama told Chicago's public station WBEZ-FM that "redistributive change" is needed, pointing to what he regarded as a failure of the U.S. Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren in its rulings on civil rights issues in the 1960s.
The Warren court, he said, failed to "break free from the essential constraints" in the U.S. Constitution and launch a major redistribution of wealth. But Obama, then an Illinois state lawmaker, said the legislative branch of government, rather than the courts, probably was the ideal avenue for accomplishing that goal.
In the 2001 interview, Obama said:
If you look at the victories and failures of the civil rights movement and its litigation strategy in the court, I think where it succeeded was to invest formal rights in previously dispossessed people, so that now I would have the right to vote. I would now be able to sit at the lunch counter and order and as long as I could pay for it I’d be OK
But, the Supreme Court never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth, and of more basic issues such as political and economic justice in society. To that extent, as radical as I think people try to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn't that radical. It didn't break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution, at least as it's been interpreted, and the Warren Court interpreted in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties. Says what the states can't do to you. Says what the federal government can't do to you, but doesn't say what the federal government or state government must do on your behalf.
And that hasn't shifted and one of the, I think, tragedies of the civil rights movement was because the civil rights movement became so court-focused I think there was a tendency to lose track of the political and community organizing and activities on the ground that are able to put together the actual coalition of powers through which you bring about redistributive change. In some ways we still suffer from that.
The video is available here:
DeWeese said the Constitutional Convention effort was begun in the 1980s by those who wanted to rein in government with an amendment requiring a balanced budget for the federal agencies.
"Certainly all loyal Americans want government constrained by a balanced budget," the alert said. "But calling a Con Con risks a revolutionary change in our form of government. The ultimate outcome will likely be a new constitution, one that would possibly eliminate the Article 1 restriction to the coinage of real money or even eliminate gun or property rights."
He noted that when the last Constitutional Convention met in 1787, the original goal was to amend the Articles of Confederation. Instead, delegates simply threw them out and wrote a new Constitution.
"We were blessed in 1787; the Con Con delegates were the leaders of a freedom movement that had just cleansed this land of tyranny," the warning said. "Today's corrupt politicians and judges would like nothing better than the ability to legally ignore the Constitution - to modify its "problematic" provisions to reflect the philosophical and socials mores of our contemporary society."
DeWeese then listed some of the states whose legislatures already have issued a call: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.
"You may have heard that some of those 32 states have voted to rescind their calls. This is true," the warning continued. "However, under Article V of the Constitution, Congress must call a Constitutional Convention whenever two-thirds (or 34) of the states apply. The Constitution makes no provision for rescission."
The warning also suggested that the belief that a Constitution Convention could be directed in its purpose is misplaced.
"In truth no restrictive language from any state can legally limit the scope or outcome of a Convention! Once a Convention is called, Congress determines how the delegates to the Convention are chosen. Once chosen, those Convention delegates possess more power than the U.S. Congress itself," the warning said.
"We have not had a Constitutional Convention since 1787. That Convention was called to make small changes in the Articles of Confederation. As a point of fact, several states first passed resolutions requiring their delegates discuss amendments to the Articles ONLY, forbidding even discussion of foundational changes. However, following the delegates' first agreement that their meetings be in secret, their second act was to agree to debate those state restrictions and to declare the Articles of Confederation NULL AND VOID! They also changed the ratification process, reducing the required states' approval from 100 percent to 75 percent. There is no reason to believe a contemporary Con Con wouldn't further 'modify' Article V restrictions to suit its purpose," the center warning said.
The website Principled Policy opined it is true that any new document would have to be submitted to a ratification process.
"However fighting a new Constitution would be a long, hard, ugly and expensive battle which is guaranteed to leave the nation split along ideological lines. It is not difficult to envision civil unrest, riots or even civil war as a result of any re-writing of the current Constitution," the site said.
American Policy cited a statement from former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger that said, "There is no effective way to limit or muzzle the actions of a Constitutional Convention. The convention could make its own rules and set its own agenda."
"This is a horrible time to try such a crazy scheme," the policy center said. "The majority of U.S. voters just elected a dedicated leftist as president. … Our uniquely and purely American concept of individual rights, endowed by our Creator, would be quickly set aside as an anachronistic relic of a bygone era; replaced by new 'collective' rights, awarded and enforced by government for the 'common good.'
"And state No. 34 is likely sitting silently in the wings, ready to act with lightning speed, sealing the fate of our once great nation before we can prevent it," the center said.
A Constitutional Convention would be, DeWeese told WND, "our worst nightmare in an age when you've got people who believe the Constitution is an antiquated document, we need to have everything from controls on guns … all of these U.N. treaties … and controls on how we raise our children."
"When you take the document that is in their way, put it on the table and say how would you like to change it," he said.
American Policy Center suggested several courses of action for people who are concerned, including the suggestion that Ohio lawmakers be contacted.
WND also has reported an associate at a Chicago law firm whose partner served on a finance committee for Obama has advocated simply abandoning the U.S. Constitution's requirement that a president be a "natural-born" citizen.
The paper was written in 2006 by Sarah Herlihy, just two years after Obama had won a landslide election in Illinois to the U.S. Senate. Herlihy is listed as an associate at the Chicago firm of Kirkland & Ellis. A partner in the same firm, Bruce I. Ettelson, cites his membership on the finance committees for both Obama and Sen. Richard Durbin on the corporate website.
The article by Herlihy is available online under law review articles from Kent University.
The issue of Obama's own eligibility is the subject of nearly two dozen court cases in recent weeks, including at least two that have gone to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Herlihy's published paper reveals that the requirement likely was considered in a negative light by organizations linked to Obama in the months before he announced in 2007 his candidacy for the presidency.
"The natural born citizen requirement in Article II of the United States Constitution has been called the 'stupidest provision' in the Constitution, 'undecidedly un-American,' 'blatantly discriminatory,' and the 'Constitution's worst provision,'" Herlihy begins in her introduction to the paper titled, "Amending the Natural Born Citizen Requirement: Globalization as the Impetus and the Obstacle."

Las Vegas Churches Accept Gambling Chips!!!

This may come as a surprise to those of you not living in Las Vegas, but there are more Catholic Churches than Casinos. Not surprisingly, some worshipers at Sunday Services will give casino chips rather than cash when the basket is passed. Since they get chips from many different casinos, the churches have devised a method to coleect the offerings. The churches send all their collected chips to a nearby Franciscan Monastery for sorting and then the chips are taken to the casinos of origin and cashed in. This is done by the Chip Monks!

Bowl Game Hopes

No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 2 Florida: Do I root for the team that t.u. beat so they can say they should be the national championship or do I root for the Florida team that I don't like either?

No. 5 USC vs. No. 8 Penn State: Go Penn State!

No. 12 Cincinnati vs. No. 19 Virginia Tech: Ummm...don't know if I really care.

No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 6 Utah: Roll Tide Roll!!!

No. 3 t.u. (texas university) vs. No. 10 Ohio State: Go Buckeyes!

One thing though, where's Texas Tech? They're ranked seventh and not in a "big" bowl game. Now that's sad.

Just For Fun...

A restaurant owner in Rutino, Italy (near Salerno), told police in November that as he was negotiating over the building's lease with his landlords, one hit him in the head with a chair and two others kicked him repeatedly in the stomach. The landlords were not from La Cosa Nostra but were a priest and two nuns from the local Catholic order that owns the building. [Daily Telegraph (London), 11-3-08]

Facing a state budget crisis in July, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger fired about 10,000 temporary and part-time workers and ordered the 200,000 permanent employees to be paid only the minimum wage of $6.55 an hour until the legislature passed a crisis-solving budget. However, a week later the State Controller John Chiang pointed out that state payroll records could not be changed to accommodate the cut because they were written in the antiquated COBOL computer language, and virtually the only state employees who knew the code were some of the part-timers Schwarzenegger had just fired. [Sacramento Bee, 8-5-08]

Black Friday

Yes, I did attend the early morning sale at Wal-Mart this past Friday. It was interesting to watch everyone go crazy over "stuff." Basically, it was a mad rush of people so enamoured with items that were on sale that they would do anything to get that item including the following:

(From Daily News Wire Services)

Wal-Mart Shoppers Trample NY Worker - A man was trampled to death as people burst through the doors at a suburban store and knocked him down.

(From Daily News Wire Services)

Fatal Shooting Follows Brawl At Toy Store - The shooting occurred in a crowded toy store, but the authorities say it wasn't related to the bargain hunting frenzy. Instead, the two men pulled guns and killed each other after the women with them erupted into a bloody brawl.

(From ABC News at 11:00 am on Monday, December 1)

Shots have been fired at a mall in the North. Information is not clear why, but it was enough of a story to make the news.

Well, I guess we can see how people are celebrating Christmas this year. I sure hope we are different. I hope we "save" money by shopping the sales, but more than that, I hope we remember why we celebrate Christmas. May Christ be honored in our Christmas this year! After all, He is the reason for the season!

A Conundrum Of Perplexing Possibilities

Well, now that Texas Tech lost to Oklahoma, you have Tech, OU, and t.u. with one loss each sitting atop the Big 12 South. The problem is accentuated by the lack of playoffs, etc. because only one of those three teams can represent the Big 12 South in the Big 12 Championship game. Now that wouldn't be so bad if the BCS did not exist. However, who should go? Should Tech go even though they were embarrassed by OU? Yet, they did beat t.u. Should OU go to the Big 12 Championship game even though Texas beat them? They did embarrass Tech. Should Texas go to the big game even though Tech, which was embarrassed by OU which was beaten by t.u., beat t.u.? Frustrating isn't it? That is why I say we develop a playoff system in conjunction with the bowl games. You select 32 teams (1/4 of the NCAA football teams) to enter into the playoff system (you would operate the selection process just like the basketball system). You could use the small bowl games for the first games and work up the ladder and have the big bowl games for the final playoff games. You still have all the money and bowl games everyone worries about, yet still have a playoff system. Furthermore, all three of the Big 12 South teams would have the opportunity to reach the big, BIG game against maybe a Florida, Alabama, etc.

Well, who do you think should go to the Big 12 South Championship game as it stands now. (Of course, after t.u. loses to A&M, it will be a much easier choice!!!) Whoop!

MBA of Texas – Part 6

2008 Annual Meeting – Wednesday Evening
The Evening Session was opened by the Calvary Baptist Church choir at 7:00 pm. After some wonderful, God-honoring singing, Bro. Paul Clark introduced the Missionary Speaker, Bro. Lawrence Thompson. Bro. Lawrence Thompson spoke concerning real missionary work in a church.

The Texas Baptist Institute-Seminary Report was given by Bro. Kuykendall and Bro. Brooks. The report was adopted.

The Mexican Baptist Institute Report was given by Bro. Al Valladares and Bro. Ashlock. The report was adopted.

The Heritage Baptist Institute Report was given by Bro. Carl Fitzgerald. The report was adopted.

The Central Baptist Institute Report was given by Bro. Mike Evans. The report was adopted.

The West Texas Baptist Institute Report was given by Bro. Bill Simpson. The report was adopted.

The Moderator opened the floor for miscellaneous business and then recognized the officers for the next meeting.

The 2008 MBA of Texas Messenger Meeting was closed in prayer along with a hope, unless the Lord returns, of seeing each other at the 2009 MBA of Texas Messenger Meeting in Denison, TX.

MBA of Texas – Part 5

2008 Annual Meeting – Wednesday Afternoon
The afternoon session was opened by the Calvary Baptist Church Keenage Choir.

The Texas Mission Development report was given by Director Jim Slocumb. He presented a check for over $27,000 to the mission work in Grand Prairie, TX. Due to health reasons, Bro. Ricky Knight was unable to attend the meeting. The report was adopted.

The Texas Mission Builders report was given by Supervisor Leroy Smith. Bro. Leroy Smith announced his future resignation (effective January 2009) and presented Bro. Pearson who will take his place. The report was adopted. A standing vote of appreciation was given to Bro. Leroy Smith for his many years of service.

The Youth Report was given by Bro. John Pino. Several individuals spoke to the report. The report was adopted.

The Publications Report was given by Bro. Lynn Hitt. The report was spoken to by several individuals. The report was adopted.

The Benevolence Report was given by Bro. Billy Daniels. Texarkana Baptist Orphanage Home Supervisor, Mike Watkins, and several individuals spoke to the report. The report was adopted.

The Ladies’ Auxiliary President was not present. Sis. Janie Clark gave an oral report. The oral report was adopted.

The Men’s Work Report was given by Bro. Mike Rice. The report was adopted.

The ABA Credit Union Report was given by Bro. Joe Bozarth. The report was adopted.

The Memorial of Preachers Report was given by Bro. Kevin Clinton. After reading the names of those who passed away in the last year, a moment of silence was observed followed by prayer. The report was adopted.

The Cyberspace & Media Report was given by Bro. John Bryant. Bro. Jerry Smith spoke to the report. The report was adopted.

The MBSF Report was given by Bro. Sluggo Norris. Several individuals spoke to the report. The report was adopted.

The Enrollment & Finance Committee Report was given by Bro. Michael Thompson. Several individuals spoke to the report. The report was adopted.

The Resolutions Report was given by Bro. Larry Fondren. A standing vote of appreciation was given to Bro. Kuykendall, Calvary Baptist Church, the city of Henderson, and other organizations for their hospitality.

Miscellaneous Business was brought forth, and then the afternoon session was closed.

MBA of Texas – Part 4

2008 Annual Meeting – Wednesday Morning
Opened with song, prayer, and a devotional. Out-of-state guests and new Pastors were recognized.

The following were elected to the offices for 2009:
Moderator for 2009 – Calvin Gould
Asst. Moderator for 2009 – Carol Jones (Nominations: Carol Jones, Steve Butler, & Matt Gholson)
Recording Clerks – Bobby Sparks & Paul Clark
Secretary-Treasurer of Missions – Marion Reed
Asst. Secretary-Treasurer of Missions – Bobby Sparks
Publicity Director – David Humber
2010 Meeting Place – Nevills Chapel in Mount Pleasant
2009 Annual Sermon – Jim Slocumb
2009 Annual Sermon Alternate – B. A. Morris

A special was dedicated to Bro. Ray Brooks and sung by the Mattingly Family. Bro. Marion Reed addressed the Secretary-Treasurer’s Report and a motion was made for the report to be approved with the option of individually voting on each individual Missionary and Sponsoring Pastor. All Texas Missionaries came forward and were addressed one by one.

The following men were approved:
Bro. Larry Chalker – ½ Salary ($1,911)
Bro. Jose Estrada – ½ Salary ($1,911)
Bro. Mario Gamez – ½ Salary ($1,911)
Bro. Marvin Gardner – ½ Salary ($1,911)
Bro. Rickey Payne – ½ Salary ($1,911)
Bro. Leland Acker – ½ Salary ($1,911)
Bro. Robert Boone – ½ Salary ($1,911)
Bro. Ricky O’Neal – Full Support ($3,822)
Bro. Jim Slocumb – ½ Salary ($1,911)
Bro. Marlin Freeman – Designated Funds

The salary for the next fiscal year is set at: $3,822 per month (plus insurance and housing supplied by the sponsoring church). This is a 5% increase over the previous year.

A Proposed Statement of Mission Policy was given to the messengers to take back to the churches for discussion next year. A motion was passed to establish a committee to investigate the feasibility of using surplus mission money for loans to churches and missions. Bro. James Williams was elected chairman and will recruit four committeemen. The Secretary-Treasurer of Missions Report was adopted.

The History & Archives report was given by David Proctor. The following committeemen were elected to continue in their respective positions: David Proctor, Billy Daniels, Don Britton, Leonard Milford, and Kenneth Griffith. All churches over 100 years old are asked to send their information to this committee for a compilation to be developed later. The report was adopted.

The Interstate & Foreign Mission Report was given by Lawrence Thompson. Dr. Randy Cloud spoke to the report and showed a video concerning mission work. The report was adopted.

The music report was given by John Culley and was adopted.

Before closing, it was announced that Rocky Springs Baptist Church in Dialville, TX will host the Pre-Association Meeting on Tuesday October 6, 2009. The session was closed in prayer.

MBA of Texas – Part 3

2008 Annual Meeting – Tuesday Evening
The meeting opened with “Brethren We Have Met To Worship” at 7:00 pm followed by the opening prayer led by Bro. C. E. Patton. Afterwards, Bro. Al Valladares brought the opening devotional. Bro. Steve Butler asked the congregation to stand for the presentation of the colors (U.S. Flag). The Star Spangled Banner was sung followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A special celebratory video was shown while the men of their respective units of the Armed Forces stood when asked.

Bro. Kuykendall welcomed the MBA of Texas and asked Mayor Buzz Fullen to give a welcome from the city of Henderson. Moderator Bro. Don Britton officially convened the 2008 messenger meeting. Bro. Langston gave the response to the welcome.

Asst. Moderator, Bro. Calvin Gould, introduced the Moderator, Bro. Don Britton, for the Moderator’s Address. Bro. Britton spoke concerning “Where We Have Been, Where We Are, and Where We Are Going.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

The Proposed Agenda for 2008 was adopted. The following committees were appointed: State Missions, Texas Mission Development, Texas Mission Builders, Texas Baptist Institute – Seminary, Mexican Baptist Institute, West Texas Baptist Institute, Central Baptist Institute, Heritage Baptist Institute, Interstate & Foreign Missions, Youth Work, Publications, Benevolence, Women’s, ABA Credit Union, Enrollment & Finance, Memorial to Preachers, History & Archives, Music Ministry, Cyberspace & Media, MBSF, and Resolutions.

Bro. Ray Williams introduced the speaker for the annual sermon. Bro. Ray Brooks brought the annual sermon entitled “Continue In The Things You Have Learned.”

Nominations for the Missionary Sermon, to be brought on Wednesday night, were brought forth. Bro. Lawrence Thompson was elected.Miscellaneous business was handled. Out-of-state guests and new Pastors were recognized. The evening session was closed, set to reconvene at 9:30 am on Wednesday.

MBA Of Texas - Part 2

Pastor & Laymen's Council
The morning session dismissed at 11:35. The afternoon session convened at 1:30 pm with Missionaries sharing the work to which God has called them. The end of the session is flexible because it will dismiss when the last Missionary gives his report.

Workshop - Ministering In Today's Culture
After the afternoon session ends, a workshop dealing with modern ministry will be held from 3:30-5:00 pm. The speakers, Bros. Bill Kuykendall, Robert Wallace, and Tommy Estes, will address the audience with tangible ministry ideas for Pastors and churches. There will be a question/answer time during the workshop as well.

MBA Of Texas State Meeting - Part 1

TBI Alumni Banquet
The TBI Alumni Banquet was held last night at 7:00 pm and was a great celebration of TBI's 60th anniversary. Many former and current students were present, along with their spouses, for a total of 193 attendees. Bro. Kuykendall served as Program Committee with Bro. Matt Gholson as the Moderator and Lawrence Thompson as Asst. Moderator.
A big thank you to Calvary Baptist Church for fixing such a wonderful meal and hosting the banquet. A huge thanks goes to all churches and people who have supported TBI throughout the years.

Officers for 2009 Alumni Banquet:
Moderator - Lawrence Thompson
Asst. Moderator - Doyle Clifton
Clerk - Matt Gholson
Asst. Clerk - Kyle Clinton

Pastor & Laymen's Council
The meeting opened at 10 am with Bro. Ed Davis, Moderator, and Bro. Mike Rice, Asst. Moderator, presiding over the meeting along with the clerks. Elections were held for officers for next year. Bro. Matt Gholson and Bro. John Culley were nominated for speaker for next year's session. Bro. Matt Gholson was elected as speaker with Bro. John Culley serving as alternate.

Bro. Jason Hebert brought the morning message and did a wonderful job. He challenged all of us, especially us pastors, to be like Jesus and not the disciples. Thank you Jason!
Following the message, Missionaries spoke concerning the Lord's work in their respective areas. The meeting will close at 11:30 and resume in the afternoon.

Who's Proud Tonight?

I guess Michelle Obama is finally proud of her nation. Sad to say...I'm not.

A 44th President

Unfortunately, Barack Hussein Obama has been naively elected president of the United States. Now, I guess I can look forward to him sharing the money. Oh wait, if that was true, then he wouldn't be worried about spending millions upon millions of dollars for his coronation...er, acceptance speech and party. He could instead help families like mine who often struggle by spreading some of that money our way. I mean, let's at least be consistent.

Finally, here is the main reason for the election of Barack Hussein Obama:

- The ignorance of the masses.

Now, having ranted and raved (I guess you could say that this is my "rioting" online), we are instructed to pray for the powers that be. So let's pray and pray hard!

America's Just Reward

I'm afraid that America will be like Israel when it wanted Saul as its King. We may get what we now have asked for.

It's Iowa's Fault

Iowa is given credit for starting Barack Hussein Obama's presidential campaign. So, the question is, do we disown them now or later?

Here, Here!!!

As I've said before, the secession of Texas would probably be a good thing. Besides, we already have Schlitterbahn and Six Flags, so we're set!