Musings from Maytown

2009 Birmingham Barons Could Be a Team of Destiny

2009-09-06T07:52:00.001-07:00

The regular Southern League season is coming to a close and playoff should begin this coming Thursday night. Musings from Maytown sincerely believes that the 2009 edition of the Birmingham Barons may be a team of which history is written. In spite of numerous call-ups by the Chicago White Soc (Baron's parent club), the Barons have the best won-loss record in the entire Southern League. Consider some facts:
1) With two games to go, the Barons have won 91 games, tying the record for the most wins in a season in the modern era of the Barons (post-1964).
2) The Barons have already clinched the highest percentage of games won in the history of the Barons' organization.
3) The Barons won the first half championship of the South Division in the Southern League, thus clinching a playoff spot.
4) With two games to go, the Barons still play with the possibility of winning the second half championship.
5) The 2009 Barons have already elevated teammates to the Chicago White Sox and to the AAA Charlotte team in the International League.
6) Barons manager Evan Magallanes was named 2009 Southern League Manager of the Year and several players were named to the Southern League All-Stars.
This Thursday, September 10, the Barons host the Jacksonville Suns in the first game of the Southern League playoffs. Fans are urged to wear black, as the theme is to black out the Suns. Lord willing, Musings from Maytown will be present to cover this historic team as they trek toward a Southern League pennant for 2009.

Tide Rolls in Season Opener

2009-09-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

The Alabama Crimson Tide made their first step toward National Championship # 13 last night with a Kickoff Classic victory over #7 ranked Virginia Tech in a 34-24 victory. Musings from Maytown makes no claim to be a premier sports commentator, nor are we the source for a recap of the game. But we do offer some observations that may shed light on the 2009 prospects for the Crimson Tide.
1) Alabama's defense is stout, with possibilities to shut down more powerful offenses. Even a strong passing and running game on part of Virginia Tech was hobbled by a quick and tough Alabama defense.
2) Ingram leads a tough stable of running backs. Alabama has abundant talent at running back, with Ingram the lead horse in the stable.
3) McElroy will be an outstanding quarterback. McElroy has a powerful arm and can run quickly in the pocket, avoiding many sacks. McElroy's first-half problems were due to a lack of protection.
4) Alabama's offensive line will have learn to work together. This one weakness became less of a weakness as the game progressed.
5) The Tide demonstrated a great attitude to come back after halftime. Coach Saban obviously used well the halftime break.
6) Coach Saban will need to temper the outbursts by certain players, some of which cost penalties.
Frankly, I see the Tide maturing through the next few games. Saban's warriors will be at peak performance by the time they fact Ole Miss at Oxford. Musings from Maytown will be surprised if the Tide is not in the SEC Championship in Atlanta in December.

The US Economy a Ticking Bomb

2009-08-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

Every American citizen should be aware of the US Debt Clock that records the obscene national debt. Millions of dollars are added to our national debt on a daily basis. Truly, our generation is passing on a debt to following generations. Sadly, most of the spending at the Federal level is appropriated without any concern as to the Constitutional authority for these appropriations.
The Center for Fiscal Accountability and the Americans for Tax Reform have calculated that the American worker slaves an average of 224 days to fund government at all levels. Those in Sarah Palin's Alaska work for the government only 192 days (lowest in the nation) while those in Gov. Corzine's New Jersey work 249 days for the government each year. You can review this report at the Fiscal Accountability website.Of the average 224 days, 111 days are spent working to pay for federal spending, 49 days for state spending, and 65 days for regulations at all levels.
The TARP bailout plan added 18 days yearly to the calculation.
Government spending is out-of-control. Americans must rally to stop additional levels of government, such as the Obama Health Care Plan and the foolish Cap and Trade legislation. Unless we act quickly and decisively, we will soon resemble the socialist democracies of Eastern Europe.

Cherryholmes Countdown! One Week!

2009-08-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

One week from tonight, the premier Bluegrass Group in America, Cherryholmes, will be in concert at the Maytown Baptist Fellowship Hall. Cherryholmes is a family band that was named Bluegrass Group of the Year in 2005, has received numerous Grammy nominations, and performs regularly at the Grand Ol' Opry. This concert is sponsored as a fund raiser for the Maytown Fire Department. Tickets may be obtained online at the website of the Maytown Fire Department. The video presented here is the official video of Cherryholmes' latest song Good Bye, featuring their youngest daughter Molly Kate.

Cherryholmes Coming to Maytown!

2009-07-31T18:31:00.000-07:00

Bluegrass Music's most dynamic group Cherryholmes will be in concert Monday, August 17 at 7:30 PM at the Fellowship Hall at Maytown Baptist Church (Mapquest Location). The concert will benefit the Maytown Fire Department and tickets may be purchased online at their website.
Cherryholmes is a family group, profiled several times on Musings from Maytown. This family group was rated as Bluegrass Group of the Year in 2005 by the International Bluegrass Music Association, has received multiple Grammy nominations, and appears regularly on the Grand Ol' Opry.
Below you will hear Sumatra, which received a Grammy nomination for Country Instrumental Song of the Year.

Musings from Maytown on Birmingham Area Radio

2009-07-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

As Editor of Musings from Maytown, this writer was interviewed today by Cheryl Ringette Ciamarra for Focus on Life Radio, a weekly broadcast each Sunday afternoon at 2:30 PM on WXJC 850 AM. Ms. Ciamarra and I discussed the current Health Care Package proposed by the Obama Administration.
Readers of Musings from Maytown would do well to check out the work of Focus on Life ministries. This effort is a public policy group, focusing on pro-life activities. The interviewees of this broadcast sound like an all-star list of pro-life activists.

Farewell, Gene Amondson... See You Again!

2009-07-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

This past week, Gene Amondson, a dear friend and regular reader of Musings from Maytown, passed into eternity. Gene Amondson was, as Reader's Digest would say, my most unforgettable character..
Gene Amondson was raised and made his life on Vashon Island near Seattle, Washington. Born into a family filled with ministers, Gene attended Warner Pacific College and then Asbury Theological Seminary in preparation for his life as a Church of God (Anderson, IN) minister.
But Gene's primary ministry was fighting alcohol. An admirer of the well-known Evangelist Billy Sunday, Gene Amondson traveled the country reenacting the famous Billy Sunday sermon on Booze. On two occasions, I arranged for Gene to tour Alabama giving the Billy Sunday sermon on Booze.
Amondson caught the attention of the Prohibition Party, the third oldest political party in America, who asked Gene to run for President on the Prohibition ticket. Not normally interested in politics, Gene used the Prohibition candidacy as a platform to fight alcohol. As a result, Gene Amondson was interviewed on network television, nationwide radio, and even international venues-- all involving his opposition to alcohol. Television interviewers would often compare Gene's appearance to that of Vice President Dick Cheney.
Gene Amondson was also known for his water-color paintings, his unique wood carvings, his children's stories, his ministry with singles groups, and his pie making. In fact, Gene Amondson authored a book of pie recipes that may be downloaded from his website.
Gene Amondson spread a lot of love around this world. Gene could disagree with you and laugh with you about the disagreement. Gene truly cared about people who had a need and would make friends whenever he could. In June, Gene had me speak to a gathering of the Prohibition Party and we had wonderful fellowship together.
This week, with his four children at his bed side, Gene Amondson bid farewell to this world of cares. His four children include an actress daughter and a movie producing son. All four are successful in their respective fields.
This Saturday afternoon, July 25, Gene's funeral was held in Vashon Island, Washington. I regret that I could not attend, but not to worry. One day, I expect to see my friend Gene Amondson in Heaven where we will enjoy good times again.
I hope you will check out the Gene Amondson website and also the Gene Amondson Videos on YouTube.

Common Sense and Common Ground

2009-07-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

This week, a conservative ally was verbally challenged for supporting a candidate who had support from some less-than-conservative sources. The challenger could not understand the alliance with a candidate who had support from someone other than a sound thinking conservative. In particular, the individual candidate was criticized for receiving an award from an environmental group.
Let's stop there for a moment. Former Baldwin County District Attorney David Whetstone was a solid conservative and one of the most effective prosecutors in Alabama history. When a local industry was pouring pollution into local waters, Whetstone worked to bring the industry into compliance and clean the local waters. However, when Whetstone considered a statewide run, conservatives attacked Whetstone and compared him to the globalist environmentalist movement, attempting to link Whetstone to efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency to control the rights of landowners, all because Whetstone made a local company stop pouring waste into public waters.
Kim Rafferty is a local neighborhood activist who worked to deal with neighborhood issues involving the Birmingham Airport. Rafferty, focused on neighborhood issues, received an award from the Sierra Club, the best known among environmentalist groups. Now that Rafferty is a candidate for Birmingham City Council and has received some conservative criticism, linking her efforts to the New World Order agenda of certain environmentalists. Support for global socialism is far from the thinking of Kim Rafferty, who just cared about her neighborhood's quality of life.
Musings from Maytown would plead with fellow conservatives to learn two principles:
First, let's use common sense. Local concerns are often different from national concern. Someone who supports public funding of a local fire department is not the same as one who supports national health care. As Libertarian thinker Steve Gordon pointed out, someone who volunteers to clean up a local river is not the same as someone who supports the EPA's land grab efforts.
Secondly, learn the lesson of common ground.. Sometimes, we disagree with an individual on one issue, but agree on others. Take the pro-life issue as an example. This writer is uncompromisingly pro-life. This week, a group of pro-life Democrats wrote US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging that she withdraw abortion coverage from the proposed health care legislation. While I might disagree on economic policy with these pro-life Democrats, I can stand with them on the pro-life issues.
Conservatives will never accomplish anything if we don't build coalitions on issues. If we insist on one-hundred percent agreement on every issue, we will never win on any of these issues. I will work hard with my Libertarian friends to fight higher taxes and big government, but may not stand with them on certain social issues. I can cheer on a pro-life Democrat, but oppose their support for big government.
Conservatives will be successful in the political arena when we learn the principles of common sense and common ground.

A Romantic Walk through Avondale Park

2009-07-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

Recently, my wife and I had business in Avondale, a community just Southeast of downtown Birmingham. After our visit, we stopped at Avondale Park and enjoyed a nice walk through that historic park. Avondale Park is a long-standing Birmingham landmark.
Prior to the establishment of Birmingham, the Avondale community was known as King's Spring as residents clustered around the spring which ran from a cave in the area now known as Avondale Park. Likely the only blood shed in Jefferson County, during the War Between the States took place at the site of Kings Spring. Union soldiers were watering their horses at the spring, and Confederate troops fired upon them and drove them away. The wife of Jefferson County Sheriff Abner Killough was shot in the breast by a stray bullet as she watched the skirmish from her front porch.
The Birmingham Zoo was once located at Avondale Park. in the 1960s and 70s, Avondale Park became the closest experience Birmingham had to the hippie culture as rock concerts were held and Avondale Park became the center of the hip culture in the Birmingham area as young people would make weekend treks to hang out at Avondale Park. Ampng the concerts was a 1969 concert by the Allman Brothers.
Today, a beautiful lake remains as the center of Avondale Park. Behind the park is a large amphitheater, still a place for concerts, including the annual Birmingham Folk Festival, held each Fall. Also, the Avondale Park Arts Alliance conducts an annual Art in Avondale Park festival, to be held this year on Saturday, October 31.
But on a daily basis, you find romantically inclined couples strolling through the park, ducks alternating between the lake and the sidewalks, and laid-back citizens fishing in the lake. Adjoining ball fields are regularly used, including regular soccer games in the large field. A late afternoon walk through Avondale Park with the sun reflecting off the lake, is as peaceful and serene as any scene this writer has experienced in any urban setting.

Musings from Maytown Readers Divided on Sarah Palin's Future

2009-07-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

Will Sarah Palin run for President in 2012? Readers of Musings from Maytown are divided on this issue. Forty-one (54%) say that Gov. Palin will run for President in 2012 while thirty-four (46%) do not believe that Palin will run for President.
Frankly, Musings from Maytown has observed constant attacks from the mainstream media on Governor Palin. In my lifetime, I have seen the mainstream media unleash unmerciful attacks on three national candidates-- Gov. George C. Wallace ('64, '68,'72, & '76), Pat Buchanan ('92, '96, and '00) and then Gov. Sarah Palin in the 2008 election and the time since that election. Gov. Palin told the truth that her administration in Alaska has been paralyzed by lawsuits and media attacks.
Frankly, this writer does not expect to see Gov. Palin run for national office. The next few years will find Sarah Palin campaigning for conservative candidates, speaking on network news, and raising her children back home in Alaska.
Sarah Palin connected with the common voter, was a true believing conservative, and was a threat to the establishment. This country and our political scene are worse off for losing Gov. Palin as a national figure.

Happy 500th Birthday John Calvin!

2009-07-09T20:21:00.000-07:00

John Calvin was born on July 10, 1509 in Noyan, France. At the age of twelve, Calvin started training for the priesthood. Eventually, Calvin finished his theological training and eventually earned a law degree as well. Calvin's legal training served him well in his application of the principles of logic to theology.
In 1533, Calvin befriended Nicholas Cop, Rector of the College Royal in Paris. Later, Cop was branded as a heretic by the Roman Church for calling for reform within the Church. Cop fled France for Basel and, after anonymous attacks appeared on the Mass, Calvin joined Cop in Basel. The result of the brewing controversy led toward Calvin writing the Institutes of Christian Religion.
Calvin's influence still stands like a tall redwood in the forest, a tower of biblical fidelity, a solid rock on the doctrine of justification by faith. Calvin's legacy remains with us in several areas:
1) Calvin's theological legacy remains with us in his emphasis on the sovereignty of God, salvation by grace alone, and reliance only upon on Scripture for our teaching. One must realize that evangelical Christians today lean much on the emphases that came from the Reformation. Even those who resist any tie to Calvin's legacy must realize that without men like Calvin, we would not be familiar with the carefully formulated theology of salvation by faith. The Reformation was a mighty move of God.
2) Calvin's legacy in government was a break from the tyrannical governments that dominated the middle ages. Men like John Knox, the Puritans, the Pilgrims, all had strong influence from Calvin's Institutes. While Calvin did not move on to a Constitutional Republic, one must see that Calvin's influence did move toward allowing a stronger voice of the people and the importance of law as the foundation of liberty.Calvin wrote on economics, politics, the relation of government to Church, and made positive contributions in the gradual adoption of the principles of constitutional government in the Western world.
3) Calvin's emphasis on missions and evangelism served to spread the message of the Reformation. Calvin had a key role in training the Moravians, one of the greatest missionary movements in history. Hundreds of men were sent forth from Calvin's Geneva as bearers of the Gospel. Literally thousands of churches were founded from the mission work and evangelism that came forth from Calvin's influence. For a survey of Calvin's missionary influence, you can read more in this article by Ray Van Neste.
Granted, as a Baptist, this writer would not agree with every detail of Calvin's theology. But only a fool would scoff at the positive influence that has come to the Church of the Lord Jesus through the influence and ministry of John Calvin. Further information may be found at: 1. Calvin 2009
2. Calvin 500 Blog
3. Calvin 500 Resources
So, Happy Birthday, John Calvin!

Report on July 4 Tea Party in Birmingham

2009-07-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

Musings from Maytown editor John Killian had the privilege of speaking to 3,000 at the Verizon Wireless Center at Oak Mountain for the July 4 Tea Party. The Birmingham Rally was emceed by radio talk show hosts Matt Murphy and Lee Davis. While named after the Boston Tea Party in 1773, where American patriots protested an unjust tea tax, the 2009 Tea Party movement uses TEA for the acronym Taxed Enough Already.
Millions gathered in Tea Party rallies across these United States on Tax Day April 15. This writer had the grand opportunity to speak to the April 15 rally in Montgomery to a grand audience of 2,500.
The Tea Party movement has given hope to this writer that the grassroots citizens are waking up and rising against the wave of socialism .
The founders of this country began with the intent of the states governing themselves on most matters. The federal government was not established with the intention of being the dominant force in our economy. Thomas Jefferson stated that a government large enough to provide what you want is also large enough to take away what you have. Working Americans are now paying an inordinate amount of paychecks to fund an oversized and out-of-control government.
Join with the Tea Party movement and demand that government cut back to the size as prescribed and limited by the US Constitution.

Musings from Maytown Readers Say NO to Cap and Trade

2009-07-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

By a margin of 61-6 (91%), the well-informed readers of Musings from Maytown are now on record opposing President Obama's Cap and Trade legislation which could add tremendously to energy costs here in these United States. The Tax Foundation report claims that Cap and Trade legislation will add $1,145 in costs per family per year or 6.2% of the average income of the typical working family. Consider Phyllis Schaffly's article on Cap and Trade. Also, check out the Alabama Eagle Forum information on Cap and Trade.Cap and Trade legislation deals with carbon emissions as a cause of global warming. Musings from Maytown has opined that the entire theory on global warming is the greatest fraud foisted upon this generation.
Also, check out this five minute video by Congressman Ron Paul on the issue of the current Cap and Trade legislation. This bill passed the US House. Readers of Musings from Maytown should contact their respective US Senators to urge opposition to this great leap toward socialism.

Come to the Tea Party!!

2009-07-03T20:17:00.001-07:00

In April of this year, millions of Americans gathered in Tea Party rallies to address the issue of a growing government with increased burdens on American taxpayers. This writer was privileged to speak to 2,500 Alabamians at the Montgomery Tea Party at the State Capitol. Frankly, these rallies have encouraged me to believe that the citizens of this country, with a heritage of defending liberty, will rise up and defeat the horrendous move toward socialism.
Tomorrow, July 4, Musings from Maytown will be represented as this writer speaks to the Birmingham Tea Party rally at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Oak Mountain in Pelham. Please come to this rally and, as Governor Wallace used to say, let's shake the eyeteeth of the liberals. Here is the schedule for the Alabama Tea Parties:
Florence . Saturday, July 4, 6 p.m., Veteran's Park, Shelter #2
Huntsville . Saturday, July 4, 7 p.m., Jaycee Fairgrounds on Airport Rd.
Priceville/Decatur . Saturday, July 4, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Celebration Arena, Highway 67
Boaz . The Marshall county Tea Party will be held on July 4th between 2-4 at the Boaz fairgrounds located on Hwy 431. Stan Stinson 256 572 9868
Birmingham . Saturday, July 4, The Verizon Music Center, Pelham, Al 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM Speakers begin at 7:30 PM
DeKalb Ft. Payne City Park July 4 Noon
Speakers: James, Jay Holland and Ken Busby
Patriotic Music: Payto n Sells, Jill Burt and Hunter Wright
Montgomery . Saturday, July 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.at Overlook Park on Bell Street
Priceville/Decatur . Saturday, July 4, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Celebration Arena, Highway 67
Wetumpka . Saturday, September 5, time to be announced, Gold Star Park, Shelby Street, downtown

Report on Alabama GOP Dinner

2009-07-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, the Alabama Republican Party held it's semi-annual State dinner at the Sheraton Civic Center in Birmingham. My daughter and I were the guests of Jefferson County's outstanding female legislator, Pat Moore of District 15. Musings from Maytown certainly hopes to see this consistent conservative re-elected. An enthusiastic crowd greeted syndicated columnist Cal Thomas who held Republicans responsible for reneging on the Reagan agenda that made the GOP the majority party. Cal Thomas challenged the Alabama Republicans to hold to a limited-government agenda, to continue espousing pro-family values, and to be true to a strong national defense. This writer appreciated Thomas' holding of Reagan as the model for Republican success, a theme often advocated at Musings from Maytown. Several tidbits of information to report are:
* Tim James worked the crowd to a positive response. Among other gubernatorial candidates, Dr. Robert Bentley was pressing the flesh, Bradley Byrne was welcoming guests, Judge Roy Moore was absent, and Kay Ivey appeared to be ignored by the guests of the evening. However, this biased writer believes that Tim James received the warmest welcome among the party activists.
* Other statewide candidates present were: US Senator Richard Shelby, pictured here with conservative student Sarah Killian; Senator Hank Erwin, candidate for Lt. Govenor; millionaire lobbyist Luther Strange, candidate for Attorney General; Supreme Court Justices Tom Parker and Mike Bolin, both up for re-election; Judge Tommy Bryan, the outstanding member of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals; well-respected Appeals Court Judge Kelli Wise, also a candidate for Alabama Supreme Court:newly-appointed Criminal Appeals Court Judge Jim Main; John McMillian and Dorman Grace, both candidates for Commissioner of Agriculture. While others may have been present, these were observed personally by Musings from Maytown.
* The enthusiasm is high, on part of Republican activists. Party leadership has been successful in raising funds, in anticipation of taking the Alabama legislature in 2010,
* The consensus seems to be that Republicans will win as the explicitly conservative party. By trying to out-promise the Democrats, Republicans will look stupid and continue their downward slide.
This writer has been calling himself a former Republican, but a few more speeches like we heard from Cal Thomas, and I might be willing to wear the tag again.

Gov. Sarah Palin Steps Down as Alaska Governor

2009-07-03T15:55:00.000-07:00

Today, Governor Sarah Palin stepped down as Governor of Alaska. Already, pundits are speculating on her motives for the resignation. On FOX News, Bill Kristol has described this move as a politically savvy move. However, NBC's Andrea Mitchell cites sources, close to the Palin family, that Sarah Palin and her family are weary of politics and will not run for any office, ever again!
Frankly, after listening to Gov. Palin's resignation speech, I agree with Andrea Mitchell. This fine lady has lived with her family in the spotlight, with her family ridiculed, with her honesty questioned. I would not blame Sarah Palin if she told the entire mainstream media to immediately depart to the realm of the damned. Watch this interview and vote in the accompanying poll.
The news media operates like a pack of bloodhounds, just waiting to pounce on every small move that might attract controversy. We see individuals tried and convicted in the media. We find personal matters turned over and brought out for public ridicule.
America is the worse if Sarah Palin is off the scene.
This writer believes that the McCain campaign saw Sarah Palin as a winner, then panicked when they found that she was a true Reagan Conservative. While I believe we have seen the last of this grand lady, I would seriously consider supporting Sarah Palin if she ever does run for President.

Bachus Honored for Opposition to Internet Gambling

2009-07-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

My favorite patriots are my libertarian friends. Conservatives must remember, as Ronald Reagan stated, that libertarianism is the heart of conservatism. When asked, I often state that I am 90-95% libertarian. But occasionally, an issue comes along that accentuates my differences with some of my libertarian friends. I say some, because some would agree on this issue. The great free-marketer Adam Smith felt that a free society could not tolerate gambling. Gambling is the antithesis to free enterprise, since the entire motive behind gambling is to abuse another by taking advantage of the weakness of a gambler. The free enterprise system is built on initiative, investment, and labor. Gambling exploits one's greed in an ill-determined manner.
In recent years, college campuses have experienced an epidemic of young students who jeopardize their future to cover gambling debts acquired through internet gambling. Gambling through the internet is easily accessible and tends to capture the mind. Remember, Romans 13 defines the government's role as that of keeping a sinful heart from blossoming into sinful actions that harm others. Hence, I support efforts to cripple internet gambling. While I respect the rights of states to determine their own gambling laws, I would believe that federal legislation has a right to deal with internet gambling, since the internet cannot be regulated within a state.
Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus has been instrumental in legislation passed, under a Republican Congress and signed by President George W. Bush, that has severely crippled internet gambling, reducing this scourge by three-fourths. Legislation to repeal the Bachus-supported legislation failed by one vote in the House Committee. Congressman Bachus is to be commended for his work on this effort.
On Monday, June 29, a group of Alabama Baptists and other concerned conservatives met at Samford University to honor Congressman Bachus for his work on legislation on internet gambling. Barrett Duke of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission spoke of Bachus' leadership on the important issue of internet gambling. Musings from Maytown was privileged to be one of two media outlets invited to cover this event. We are pleased to express support for Congressman Bachus in his efforts to end the blight of internet gambling. This writer is pictured here with Congressman Bachus.

Southern Baptists and the Conservative Resurgence

2009-06-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

In the 1970s, Paige Patterson was a doctoral student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and he was contacted by Judge Paul Pressler, a Texas Appeals Court Judge and active Baptist layman. Both of these gentlemen were concerned about the scourge of theological liberalism in Baptist seminaries and in the Baptist Sunday School Board.
Judge Pressler understood the by-laws of the Southern Baptist Convention and Dr. Patterson understood the theological debates involved. In time, these two brothers traveled the country, rousing Baptists and urging them to come to the convention to elect conservative Convention Presidents who would, in time, appoint conservatives to the Committee on Committees who would in turn nominate members to the Committee on Nominations who would nominate conservative trustees to the seminaries and boards. Beginning with the election of Adrian Rogers in 1979, Southern Baptists have elected Presidents with a commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture. Today, all six seminaries are staffed with professors who hold to the fundamentals of Christian faith. While other denominations have moved toward theological liberalism, the Southern Baptist Convention has returned to the roots of faith and fidelity to the Bible.
The Southern Baptist Conservative Resurgence is unparalleled in modern American history. Was this movement merely political maneuvering? No, the effort of the Conservative Resurgence was a movement not unlike the Reformation. This writer is pictured with the two men who engineered this mighty effort-- Dr. Paige Patterson, now President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Judge Paul Pressler, now retired, but faithfully speaking for Christ around the globe.

SBC 2009: Wrap-Up

2009-06-28T22:10:00.000-07:00

The 2009 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention is history. Just prior to the convention, I predicted that we would see no fireworks, and my prediction proved true. We had some good news to report:.
* More young people attended the convention. Younger ministers are connecting with Baptist life and seizing opportunities to serve and be involved in missions.
* The spirit of the Pastors Conference was high with powerful preaching and singing.
* Former Arkansas Governor and one-time Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee spoke to the Pastors Conference and correctly stated that a moral America would be able to deal with our problems as a country.
* The SBC again elected a conservative slate of officers: Johnny Hunt won re-election as President, with no opposition; John Mark Toby of Kentucky won First Vice President by a margin of almost 2-1 (and my personal vote); Stephen Rammage of Florida was elected Second Vice President without opposition.
* Meeting old friends at the Convention is a wonderful experience. I enjoyed talking with Dr.Jerry Vines, retired Pastor of First Baptist Church. This man is absolutely my favorite living preacher. The photo above is this writer with Dr. Vines. I always enjoy seeing Tom Mooty, known as the Medicare Minister from East Tennessee. Tom is an old college classmate who operates the press room each year at the convention.
* The Kingfish Restaurant on the Indiana side of Louisville (Jeffersonville,to be exact) is THE PLACE to eat in the Louisville area--excellent seafood,the absolute best hushpuppies anywhere, and a view overlooking the Ohio River We enjoyed supper one night with Mike and Marlene Jones from Patriot, Indiana, an old classmate of mine who is now a County Councilman in Switzerland County, Indiana and is Pastor of a local Baptist Church. This couple is so delightful and happy that they made our evening joyful.
* The Louisville Bats, AAA baseball team, have a tremendous stadium. Attending a Bats game is exciting. One interesting sight was a woman from Uganda who sold treats from a basket that she carried on her head, African-style. The Bats are currently leading their division in the International League. The Bats are the AAA team in the Cincinnati Reds organization. While the Bats will never equal the Birmingham Barons in my mind, I will be cheering on the Bats as they seek to win the International League pennant this year. Bats pitcher Homer Bailey is certainly a major league prospect worth watching in the Reds organization.

SBC 2009: Great Commission Resurgence

2009-06-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

For the past two months, leading up to the 2009 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, observers have heard great discussion on the proposed Great Commission Resurgence proposed by SBC President Johnny Hunt and authored by Southeastern Seminary President Danny Akin. Some had expressed reservations about the centralizing of Baptist life and others had expressed reservations about the suppositions about state conventions. Dr. Morris Chapman, Executive Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention has expressed reservations about the overhaul that some suppose would come from the proposals included in the Great Commission Resurgence.

Dr. Albert Mohler of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary proposed that the SBC President Johnny Hunt be empowered to appoint a committee to come back to the 2010 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention with a proposal on the Great Commission Resurgence.
While many good individuals are on the committee, I am concerned for several reasons:
1) The GCR Committee seems weighted with mega-church pastors, with little input by small and medium-size church members and pastors.
2) Half of the committee hail from either North Carolina or Florida, with no members from Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana. Consider that Alabama has been the leader in Cooperative Program gifts for 2009.
3) With the great emphasis in church planting and evangelism among minorities, I am surprised that no black members were named to the committee.
I would have been glad to see Alabama Baptist Convention President Jimmy Jackson named to this committee. Dr. Jackson has served as First Vice President of the SBC, was on the SBC Executive Committee, is a trustee of Southwestern Seminary, pastors the great Whitesburg Baptist Church that leads Alabama in giving through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions as well as the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions. Dr. Jackson has served as Parliamentarian for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention on numerous occasions.
Another positive selection would be Birmingham Baptist Associational Missionary Mike McLemore, who has served as President of the Alabama Baptist Convention and has served in many areas of denominational life. Mike is a loving man with strong conservative convictions. Dr. McLemore has the pulse of inner-city missions and has pulse of pastors and laypeople.
Another selection, which would have represented Alabama and would have added a black member, would be Dr John King, Associate Missionary with the Birmingham Baptist Association. Dr. King is a powerful preacher, a strong leader, and a loving man with influence and experience in inner-city work. With the great need for ministry in urban areas, Dr. John King would have served as a great addition to the Great Commission Resurgence Committee.
However, I do love and respect our Convention President Johnny Hunt--one of the great pastors and preachers of our generation. His heart beats for evangelism and his desire is to see our Convention move more effectively.

SBC 2009: The Obama Resolution

2009-06-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

In the days prior to the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention, Musings from Maytown expressed concern about a proposed resolution from Dr. Dwight McKissic, well-loved Texas Pastor who introduced a resolution concerning the election of President Barak Obama. On the evening before resolutions were to be considered, Dr. McKissic called me and asked if I would discuss the motion. Dr. McKissic had seen the comments on Musings from Maytown concerning our opposition to this motion and this brother approached me from a Matthew 19 vantage point. I found Dr. McKissic kind and respectful. This brother had no liberal agenda, desiring only to express appreciation that racial prejudice had not prevented the election of President Obama. As I talked with Brother McKissic, I found a common thread. This writer expressed to Dr. McKissic that I was happy that when a black American looks into his son's eyes and tells him in America, you can go as far as your abilities and desire will carry you, that now he can know this is true, for our country has elected a black man as leader of the free world.
At the same time, I expressed to Brother McKissic my strong opposition to Obama's policies. Surprisingly, I found that Dr. McKissic agreed! This brother has voted Republican since 1984, and remains a big fan of Gov. Sarah Palin!
Below, you will find the text of the resolution on Obama. This resolution did not praise many of Obama's policies, nor did it express that electing Obama was the correct action. An honest person must see that the resolution is strong, balanced, and focused. Nonetheless, the media has already tried to make this resolution appear to be an endorsement of Obama's election. Also, note the photo of Dr. Dwight McKissic with the Editor of Musings from Maytown.
RESOLUTION NO. 1
ON PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

WHEREAS, Our country has struggled with personal and institutional racism for centuries, even to the point of shedding blood on our own soil in war and in peace; and

WHEREAS, The family, anchored by the loving commitment between a husband and a wife, is the most important social unit for the foundation of any nation (Genesis 2:18-24); and

WHEREAS, A nation cannot prosper if it is too weak or compromised to defend itself from both foreign and domestic enemies; and

WHEREAS, The defense and protection of the most vulnerable humans among us is a value that defines the character and soul of any people (Proverbs 24:10-12); and

WHEREAS, Pro-life convictions are born out of deeply held beliefs in the sanctity of human life (Psalm 139:13-16); and

WHEREAS, God is concerned about the kind of judges nations choose, requiring that they “judge rightly” and “not show partiality” (Deuteronomy 1:16-17) and warning against the issuance of “oppressive laws” (Isaiah 10:1); and

WHEREAS, Our nation has declared its dependence on and trust in God; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, June 23-24, 2009, share our nation’s pride in our continuing progress toward racial reconciliation signaled by the election of Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend President Obama for his evident love for his family, displayed so clearly by his commitment to our First Lady Michelle Obama and his determination to spend meaningful time with their two daughters, Malia and Sasha; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend President Obama for his decisions to retain many foreign policies that continue to keep our nation safe from further terrorist attacks; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge President Obama to keep intact our strong military and national security defense measures in order to assure the ongoing security of America and our allies; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we deplore the President’s decision to expand federal funding for destructive human embryo research; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we decry the President’s decision to increase funding for pro-abortion groups and to reduce funding for abstinence education; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we oppose the President’s determination to strip pro-life healthcare professionals of their conscience protections, punishing them for refusing to participate in or facilitate abortions and other activities that violate their pro-life convictions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we strongly urge the President to nominate strict constructionist judges who seek to make decisions based on the original intent of the United States Constitution and, therefore, faithfully interpret rather than make law or impose their political views on the nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we strongly protest any effort by the President or his administration to eradicate the symbols of our nation’s historic Judeo-Christian faith from public or private venues; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we express our strong opposition to the President’s declaration concerning his decision to declare June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we earnestly pray for the President (1 Timothy 2:1-2) that he will use the constitutional authority assigned to his office to promote liberty and justice for all people, including the unborn; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That we will join hands with President Obama and his administration to advance causes of justice insofar as those efforts are consistent with biblical principles.

Happy 150th Birthday Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

2009-06-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

In 1859, nine students met in Greenville, SC for the inaugural class at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Among those nine was J. William Jones, who later was to be among the first appointees in Southern Baptist international mission work. Thousands of Southern Seminary graduates have gone to the mission field, to serve as church pastors, and to a wide range of ministries across the globe. Only eternity will reveal the impact for God that has come from Southern Seminary.
Located in Louisville, KY, my wife and I attended the 150th birthday celebration on the campus of Southern Seminary-- our first visit to this campus. We were warmly welcomed by faculty and staff as we ate dinner, were led on a tour of the campus by Stev and Jennifer Parsons (Stev is a past Trustee and current member of the Foundation Board of the Seminary), and then proceeded on to the 150th Birthday Celebration in the Chapel of the Seminary. President Albert Mohler spoke on the heritage of the seminary, the choir presented powerful music, we enjoyed thunderous congregational singing, and various presentations.
My affection for Southern Seminary is two-fold: first,no individual comments on the culture from a biblical worldview as well as Southern Seminary President Albert Mohler. Dr. Mohler possesses a grasp of the world scene and assimilates the issues of the day into his theological understanding. Secondly, Southern Seminary is a school where every professor holds to a high view of Scripture, the fundamentals of Christian faith, and the distinctives which make one a Baptist. These attributes were not always true at Southern Seminary, but this school has been fully restored to strong stand on the historic Christian faith. In the photo, you will see this writer standing before a portrait of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the great British Baptist. This portrait hangs in the office of Seminary President Albert Mohler. .

Musings from Maytown Readers Express Little Confidence in Print Media

2009-06-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

In our weekly poll, Musings from Maytown readers declared that, by a large margin, their news comes from Internet-based news and blogs and from television network news. Consider the results on the question of one's #1 source for news:
Daily Newspapers 5 (7%)

Internet-Based News and Blogs 32 (49%)

News Magazines 0 (0%)

Radio Talk Shows 7 (10%)

Special Issue Organizations 0 (0%)

Television Network News 21 (32%)
Why do readers take time to sort through internet news and to watch network news, to the exclusion of the print media? Consider that one can find a variety of writers on the world wide web. Even broadcast media has somewhat of a balance. Fox News serves to balance the big three networks, but even CNN and MSNBC know that they must include some conservative spokesmen to garner viewers.
But only five readers selected newspapers and no one selected news magazines. Daily newspapers are going out of business on a monthly basis. One need look no farther than the Birmingham News to find a terrible bias accompanied by a malicious approach toward those who express opinions from the status quo. Letters to the Editor are often sorted to preclude too many opposing perspectives.
These United States have been well-served by print media, but this writers believes that we are observing the demise of the daily newspaper as a source of news for middle America.

Musings from Maytown say Letterman Owed Palin an Apology

2009-06-20T20:47:00.001-07:00

Readers of Musings from Maytown voted by an almost 11-1 margin (97-9) that David Letterman actually owed an apology to Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska for snide and insulting remarks made concerning her family. Letterman must have been watching this poll, for on Wednesday, Letterman issued an apology to Palin and her family.
This week's Musings from Maytown poll simply asks your source of news. Is your major source of news the print media, broadcast media, or the internet? With newspapers closing monthly, do people trust the media anymore?

Southern Baptist Convention 2009

2009-06-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

This coming week is scheduled for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, KY. Thousands of messengers are expected to attend this meeting of the largest non-Roman Catholic denomination in these United States. The Southern Baptist Convention is composed of approximately forty thousand self-governing Baptist Churches. Baptists have no hierarchy and the Southern Baptist Convention has no authority over the local churches.
However, through voluntary support, the SBC ministries operate six seminaries, send thousands of missionaries around the world, and work to provide guidance on moral issues of the day. What should happen this week at the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention?
1) Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville will celebrate their 150th anniversary. Southern is now a solidly conservative school under the leadership of their President, Dr. Albert Mohler.
2) Discussions should be held on the proposed Great Commission Resurgence (GCR). Some have wisely expressed concern that the proposal trends toward connectionalism, with the SBC declaring that which state conventions are to do. While any Baptist should support a re-emphasis on the Great Commission, one must never compromise on the distinctives of Baptist Autonomy. Does the Great Commission Resurgence proposal compromise Baptist autonomy? This messenger to the Convention is waiting to hear the debate before signing on.
While many Pastors signed on to support of the GCR, this writer has decided to wait until his reservations are settled.
3) Some expect a motion to withdraw fellowship from Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, a church that some say has endorsed homosexual behavior. If, indeed, this church does support legitimizing homosexual practice, I expect this church to be disfellowshipped.
4) Dwight McKissic is offering a resolution celebrating the election of Barack Obama as the first black President. The interesting matter is that SBC President Johnny Hunt has endorsed the motion.Frankly, this writer believes that these United States need to repent in sackcloth and ashes for electing a pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, pro-socialism leader like Barack Obama. I care not what his race may be. Should we celebrate the election of a black President? Somehow, I thought the dream of Dr. King was a color-blind society. Dr. King's most famous speech declared I have a dream when men will be judged, not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Somehow, praising the election of a President of a certain race would seem to conflict with the King dream.
My ideology is contrary to that of Obama, hence, I am not happy with the election of President Obama. Seriously, I doubt that few Southern Baptists would be happy if this convention supports such a resolution applauding Obama's election. This Baptist will be present to vote against such a resolution.