Archives
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DOWN HOME: A lesson learned while pulling weeds
Posted: 4/25/08
DOWN HOME:
A lesson learned while pulling weedsEvery once in awhile, I stare face-to-face into the reality I have become someone very different than the little boy I used to be.
Of course, I’m still me. Yet the line of continuity between the boy I was and the man I am somehow unraveled along the way. I think it happened out in the yard.
When I was a kid, if you’d given me the option between pulling weeds or getting spanked by Daddy every day for a week, I would’ve bent over and grabbed my ankles.
Back then, Baptists believed in spanking. Unfortunately, I got my share, probably because I was the oldest child. Oh, yeah, and probably because I had ’em coming. (However, I developed a theory that corporal punishment related proportionally to birth order. Maybe parents became more permissive with each new child. Or maybe their arms just wore out.)
04/24/2008 - By John Rutledge
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EDITORIAL: Reversal builds case for moratorium
Posted: 4/25/08
EDITORIAL:
Reversal builds case for moratoriumIronically, Thomas Clifford McGowan Jr. became a free man the same day the U.S. Supreme Court freed states to resume executions.
McGowan’s case illustrates why Texas and other states should maintain a moratorium on capital punishment.
McGowan was a 26-year-old day laborer in 1985, when a 19-year-old rape victim picked his picture out of a police lineup. Tentative at first, when pressed for a decision by a police officer, the young woman said McGowan was the man who raped her.
So, McGowan went to prison for more than 22 years—almost half his life. This spring, DNA tests proved McGowan did not commit the crime. Judge Susan Hawk recommended McGowan go free, and he’s out of jail while the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals considers Hawk’s decision. He became the 16th Dallas County inmate to be exonorated by DNA tests during the past seven years.
04/24/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Faith Digest: Bible tops America’s bookshelf
Posted: 4/25/08
Faith Digest:
Bible tops America’s bookshelfThe Bible is the favorite book of all time for American adults, regardless of demographic group, according to a new 2008 Harris Interactive Poll. Researchers said it’s rare to find such consensus among Americans, regardless of gender, education level, geographic location, race, ethnicity or age. Yet, more than 2,500 Americans who responded to an online poll agreed the Bible is their No. 1 favorite book. The poll also found political affiliation did not affect reading preference. Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike agreed on the Bible and Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind as their top two favorite books. Other top five choices were Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and The Stand by Stephen King. Rounding out the top ten were The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Angels and Demons by Dan Brown, Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
Former bishop elected Paraguay president. A former Roman Catholic bishop was elected president of Paraguay after being criticized by his church for running for the office. Fernando Lugo, 56, defeated the Colorado Party, which had reigned in the country 62 years. The Vatican opposes clergy members holding political office and had demanded that Lugo halt his political pursuits. Lugo said he resigned from the church and no longer must follow its laws. His five-year term begins Aug. 15.
04/24/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Scholars cast critical eye on Graham’s legacy
Posted: 4/25/08
Scholars cast critical eye on Graham’s legacy
By Cecile S. Holmes
Religion News Service
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Ecumenist, prophet, peacemaker. Friend of presidents and queens. Evangelical powerbroker who was sometimes too closely tied to politicians. Each description applies to Billy Graham.
An official 1991 biography by William Martin called America’s foremost evangelist a Prophet With Honor. The editors of a new book largely agree, but not without casting a more critical eye on Graham’s remarkable career.
“He has maintained for six decades the same message, the same seemingly untroubled convictions, the same unblemished ethical record. In an age of anxiety, he calms the national soul.”
–Thomas G. Long,
Professor at Emory’s Candler School of Theology04/24/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Mission Lubbock fights hunger, delivers hope
Posted: 4/25/08
Mission Lubbock fights
hunger, delivers hopeBy Kaitlin Chapman
Texas Baptist Communications
UBBOCK—When people think of Lubbock, they think of unending cotton fields, hearty dust storms, flat plains and Texas Tech football. Few think of people like Cheryl Tannery.
Tannery, who raised three boys as a single mom, is just one of thousands of people in the Lubbock area who have been stricken by poverty and experienced hunger firsthand. But Mission Lubbock has stepped in to help rebuild the lives of people in need by providing food, clothing and furniture and showing hope that only can come from Christ.
Cheryl Tannery checks a list as she makes a food box for a family seeking assistance at Mission Lubbock. Tannery, who has received assistance from Mission Lubbock herself, chose to give back to the mission by volunteering two days a week since last October. (Photo/Kaitlin Chapman) 04/24/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Texas WMU celebrates Jesus during annual meeting
Posted: 4/25/08
Newly elected officers of Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas are (front row) First Vice President Suzy Wall (left) of Frio Baptist Church in Hereford and President Paula Jeser of First Baptist Church in El Paso, (back row, left to right) Recording Secretary Anna Zimmer of Kingwood Baptist Church in Kingwood, Second Vice President Jo Lee of First Baptist Church in San Antonio and Third Vice President Margery Flowers of Fellowship Baptist Church in Marble Falls. Texas WMU celebrates
Jesus during annual meetingBy John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
WACO—Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas gathered to “Celebrate Jesus” during its annual meeting April 18-19.
In a meeting that featured seminars encouraging people to share their faith and be involved in mission work, testimonies from missionaries and sessions on prayer, leaders encouraged Texas Baptist women to celebrate Christ’s work around the globe.
04/24/2008 - By John Rutledge
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