Category Archives: Current Events

A review of Woody Allen’s latest movie “Midnight in Paris” (Woody Wednesday Part 4)

August 24, 2011 – 12:55 am
Not Dove Family Approved

Theatrical Release: 6/10/2011

Reviewer: Edwin L. Carpenter
Source: Theater
Writer: Woody Allen
Producer: Letty Aronson
Director: Woody Allen
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 100 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kurt Fuller, Kathy Bates

Synopsis:
Midnight in Paris is a romantic comedy that follows a family travelling to the city for business. The party includes a young engaged couple that has their lives transformed throughout the journey. The film celebrates a young man’s great love for Paris, and simultaneously explores the illusion people have that a life different from their own is better.

Dove Worldview:
This one has some funny moments for sure. You have to understand the plot to understand the humor though. In this one, Gil Pender is a romantic, a writer who dreams of living in Paris. In fact, he is there on business along with his fiance’, who spends more time with an old boyfriend named Paul then with Gil. She just can’t understand his desire to take walks in the rain and his dream of being a novelist instead of the successful screen writer that he is. She also can’t comprehend his daydreams of 1920s Paris. When he finds himself in a certain part of the city one night and the clock strikes twelve he soon is shocked to learn he has traveled back to his dream time, Paris in the 1920s. He meets Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Fitzgerald as well as Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, and a woman he could fall in love with.

He always winds up back in the present when morning breaks but on one occasion he and the woman he falls for winds up in another time frame, the 1890s. She longs to remain in that time frame but he points out that he might have to get dental work done, and they didn’t have proper pain medication back then!

Owen Wilson is likable in his role as Gil and the movie makes a point that no matter what time one lives in, there are always problems to deal with. Despite the nice themes including being true to one’s self, and the opening sequence which includes shots of the Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, the Seine River and nice cafes, sadly there is use of strong language and the sex rating hits a three in content, due to some frank sexual comments. It should be noted that there are a few political comments too which some viewers will not appreciate. We are unable to award this movie our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal.

Content Chart & Description

Content ScaleSexLanguageViolenceDrugs & AlcoholNudityOther
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
Rating Descriptions

Sex: Frank sexual comments and a few innuendos; kissing; a woman talks about having moved in with her boyfriend; an unmarried couple live together and the woman admits to having an affair while in Paris with her old boyfriend.
Language: Chr*st-1; JC-1; For Chr*st Sake-1; G/OMG-10; H-3; D-1
Violence: A few disagreements.
Drugs: A lot of drinking scenes including wine and champagne and comments about wine tasting; cigarette smoking; a character admits to being drunk; a few scenes of characters riding in cars including a taxi and drinking; a character takes medicine for panic attacks; a comment about “coke” spoons.
Nudity: Cleavage; some hookers raise up skirts; a nude drawing of a woman nude from the waist up.
Other: Political comments about former President Bush and right wingers who are “air-heads” and “demented” and “fascists”.

By Everette Hatcher III | Comments (0)

2nd most destructive hurricane in US History

August 23, 2011 – 6:49 pm

2nd most destructive hurricane in US History according to OurAmazingPlanet.com:

Damage from Hurricane Charley in 2004

Damage from Hurricane Charley in Arcadia, Fla., along Interstate 75 near Punta Gorda. Credit: USGS

2004: Hurricane Charley

Charley was one of a barrage of hurricanes that hit Florida in 2004.

Charley was headed toward the southwest coast of Florida as a Category 2 storm when it rapidly intensified to a Category 4 storm — winds jumped from 110 mph (175 kph) to 145 mph (235 kph) — in the six hours before it slammed into Florida. Unprepared coastal communities, expecting a mild hurricane, instead experienced widespread destruction.

Charley made landfall with maximum winds near 150 mph (240 kph) on the southwest coast of Florida just north of Captiva Island around 3:45 p.m. ET. An hour later, Charley’s eye passed over Punta Gorda. Both places were devastated by the storm’s ferocious winds. The hurricane then crossed central Florida, passing near Kissimmee and Orlando. Charley was still of hurricane intensity around midnight when its center cleared the northeast coast of Florida near Daytona Beach.

Charley killed 10 people in the United States and caused an estimated $14 billion in damages, making Charley the second costliest hurricane in U.S. history.

Before striking Florida, Charley had already hit Cuba as a Category 3 storm.

By Everette Hatcher III | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Most destructive hurricane in US History 2005

August 23, 2011 – 12:09 pm

Most destructive hurricane in US History according to OurAmazingPlanet.com:

Flooding in New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina

Views of inundated areas in New Orleans following breaking of the levees surrounding the city as the result of Hurricane Katrina. Credit: NWS/Lieut. Commander Mark Moran, NOAA Corps, NMAO/AOC

2005: Hurricane Katrina

On Aug. 29, 2005, after passing over the Caribbean and Florida, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale with winds of 125 mph (201 kph).

Though it was not as strong as some of the other destructive storms that have hit the coast when it struck, Katrina had been a Category 5 the day before it hit land. That previous strength and its large footprint in the Gulf of Mexico created large swells in the ocean waters, resulting in a huge, unrelenting storm surge when the hurricane finally did hit.

Storm surge flooding of 25 to 28 feet (7.6 to 8.5 m) above normal tide level occurred along portions of the Mississippi coast, with storm surge flooding of 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6.1 m) above normal tide levels along the southeastern Louisiana coast.

Ultimately, this storm surge was responsible for much of the damage as it flooded coastal communities, overwhelmed levees, and left at least 80 percent of New Orleans underwater.

By the time the hurricane subsided, Katrina had claimed more than 1,800 human lives and caused roughly $125 billion in damages. It was the deadliest hurricane to strike the United States since the Palm Beach-Lake Okeechobee hurricane of September 1928

By Everette Hatcher III | Comments (0)

Advice to Gene Simmons Part 7, (“Tip Tuesday Part C)jh17a

August 23, 2011 – 4:01 am

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Gene-Simmons-tvae-22.jpg

Gene Simmons Family Jewels

The series I have been doing on “Advice to Gene Simmons” that I am starting what I am calling “Tip Tuesday.” For the next few months we will be looking at the Simmons family.

In the July 19th episode  Nick said to his father “You were a great father but not a good spouse.” Sophie went even farther and said that Gene “was not a good dad.” Both of these clips were repeated in this week’s episode on July 26th.

The pain of finding out that her father had lied to her about being faithful to their mother really must have hurt Sophie  in a tremendous way.

In the message that Brandon Barnard brought to Fellowship Bible Church on July 24th he made a big point out of what the pathway of impurity is like. THE PATHWAY OF IMPURITY IS WOUNDING AND DISHONORING. Then Brandon read these verses:

Proverbs 6:32-33

English Standard Version (ESV)

32He who commits adultery lacks sense;
   he who does it destroys himself.
33He will get wounds and dishonor,
   and his disgrace will not be wiped away.

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Here above you see that Gene Simmons has been told to his face by his daughter that he was not a good dad. She was deeply hurt by her father’s unfaithfulness to her mother.

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Husbands, Take Care of Your Homes (John MacArthur)

Uploaded by on Sep 10, 2010

http://www.gty.org/Blog … Men, what if your employer described you in an annual review as “passive, indifferent, and irresponsible”? Without a radical change in attitude and behavior, you’d find yourself looking for another job. If you can’t get away with it at work, why would you think it’s okay to slough off at home? The sad reality is that many husbands—though willing to work hard and expend great energy in the workplace, at recreation, or even with hobbies and leisure—many act like indolent teenagers at home, shirking their responsibilities toward their wives and children.

In today’s selection, John takes a baseball bat to the world’s version of manhood, and shows from Ephesians 5 what real manliness looks like. Here’s a bottom line: True manhood starts and ends in the home. Husbands, listen to the whole clip (wives, make sure they do it!).

Gentlemen, now that you’ve heard this for yourselves, ask your wife to listen and then do a little exercise. Ask your wife to rate your performance in the workplace on a scale of 1-10 (1 is a low score, 10 is high). Then ask her to rate your performance in the home, as a husband and as a father. After that, if you dare, come back to the comment thread (http://www.gty.org/Blog/B100909) and let’s discuss what we’ve learned. It might be painful, but that’s okay—no pain, no gain, right?

http://www.gty.org/Blog/B100909

By Everette Hatcher III | Comments (0)

Part 1 of Tribute to and interview of Rev. Dr. John R. W. Stott (April 27, 1921 – July 27, 2011)

August 22, 2011 – 4:12 pm

Uploaded by  on Aug 6, 2011

Sermon preached in the memorial service celebrating the life of the late Rev. Dr. John R. W. Stott (April 27, 1921 – July 27, 2011) by Rev. Canon Dr. James I. Packer.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7-8
Duration: 33:25bb

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Back in the 1970’s I read the book “Basic Christianity” by John Stott. While in London in 1979 I had the opportunity to attend a Tuesday evening prayer meeting where there were about 40 people and I got to hear John Stott speak. I was so thrilled to get to hear him speak in person.

I have included several clips on him because I wanted to honor him after the wonderful godly 90 years he lived.

Uploaded by  on Aug 19, 2008

John Stott’s classic book has introduced generations to Christianity with wisdom and clarity. This video celebrates the 50th Anniversary Edition of this important book by one of the world’s most important Christian voices.

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[The

John Stott Funeral (edited version)

Uploaded by  on Aug 11, 2011

John Stott died on 27 July 2011 aged 90 years. This video contains highlights of his Funeral at All Souls Langham Place in London on Monday 8 August 2011. Produced and displayed with permission from John Stott’s family.
Music clips used by permission of All Souls musicians and Jubilate Hymns (www.jubilate.co.uk)

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Al Molher interviewed John Stott several years ago and here is a portion of that interview:

The funeral for John R. W. Stott, one of the most famous evangelical preachers of the last century, will be held today in London at All Souls Church, Langham Place, where he served with distinction for so many decades of ministry. In honor of John Stott, I here republish an interview I conducted with the great preacher in 1987. The interview was first published in Preaching magazine, for which I was then Associate Editor.]

John R. W. Stott has emerged in the last half of the twentieth century as one of the leading evangelical preachers in the world. His ministry has spanned decades and continents, combining his missionary zeal with the timeless message of the Gospel.

For many years the Rector of All Souls Church, Langham Place, in London, Stott is also the founder and director of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. His preaching ministry stands as a model of the effective communication of biblical truth to secular men and women

The author of several worthy books, Stott is perhaps best known in the United States through his involvement with the URBANA conferences. His voice and pen have been among the most determinative forces in the development of the contemporary evangelical movement in the Church of England and throughout the world.

Preaching Associate Editor R. Albert Mohler interviewed Stott during one of the British preacher’s frequent visits to the United States.

Mohler: You have staked your ministry on biblical preaching and have established a world-wide reputation for the effective communication of the gospel. How do you define ‘biblical preaching’?

Stott: I believe that to preach or to expound the scripture is to open up the inspired text with such faithfulness and sensitivity that God’s voice is heard and His people obey Him. I gave that definition at the Congress on Biblical Exposition and I stand by it, but let me expand a moment.

My definition deliberately includes several implications concerning the scripture. First, it is a uniquely inspired text. Second, the scripture must be opened up. It comes to us partially closed, with problems which must be opened up.

Beyond this, we must expound it with faithfulness and sensitivity. Faithfulness relates to the scripture itself. Sensitivity relates to the modern world. The preacher must give careful attention to both.

We must always be faithful to the text, and yet ever sensitive to the modern world and its concerns and needs. When this happens the preacher can come with two expectations. First, that God’s voice is heard because He speaks through what He has spoken. Second, that His people will obey Him — that they will respond to His Word as it is preached.

Mohler: You obviously have a very high regard for preaching. In Between Two Worlds you wrote extensively of the glory of preaching, even going so far as to suggest that “preaching is indispensable to Christianity.”

We are now coming out of an era in which preaching was thought less and less relevant to the church and its world. Even in those days you were outspoken in your affirmation of the preaching event and its centrality. Has your mind changed?

Stott: To the contrary! I still believe that preaching is the key to the renewal of the church. I am an impenitent believer in the power of preaching.

I know all the arguments against it: that the television age has rendered it useless; that we are a spectator generation; that people are bored with the spoken word, disenchanted with any communication by spoken words alone. All these things are said these days.

Nevertheless, when a man of God stands before the people of God with the Word of God in his hand and the Spirit of God in his heart, you have a unique opportunity for communication.

I fully agree with Martyn Lloyd-Jones that the decadent periods in the history of the church have always been those periods marked by preaching in decline. That is a negative statement. The positive counterpart is that churches grow to maturity when the Word of God is faithfully and sensitively expounded to them.

If it is true that a human being cannot live by bread only, but by every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God, then it also is true of churches. Churches live, grow, and thrive in response to the Word of God. I have seen congregations come alive by the faithful and systematic unfolding of the Word of God.

By Everette Hatcher III | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

The Tea Party is watching the votes of this Congress

August 22, 2011 – 6:46 am

Ernest Istook, US Congressman, Heritage Foundation, http://www.heritage.org, spoke at the Saint Paul Tea Party Rally 4/16/2011. Hosted by North Star Tea Party Patriots, and Sue Jeffers.

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Being in Boston this week and walking the Freedom Trail  was a great experience. Lots of the information the tour guides gave was about Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty that put together the Boston Tea Party. What would they think of this congress today?

File:J S Copley - Samuel Adams.jpg

Here is list of the notable members of the Sons of Liberty according to Wikipedia:

I got to hear Ernest Istook of the Heritage Foundation speak in Little Rock a while back and I wrote about it on this blog. Mr. Istook is a Tea Party favorite speaker and the Heritage Foundation website (www.Heritage.org) is one of my favorite website. I am so glad that Heritage Action is grading the members of Congress on their votes. See below this article that came out today:

Mike Needham

Sneak Peak: A Tough Conservative Scorecard

Mike Needham

With every vote cast in Congress, freedom either advances or recedes. From reckless spending and stifling regulations to Obamacare, Americans see their freedoms – and those of their children and grandchildren – slipping away. We went to the polls last November to turn the tide. And while conservatives are winning the day on the message, the policy is lagging.

Later this week, Heritage Action will release our first legislative scorecard, which will show which Members of Congress are saying the right things AND doing the right things. Conversely, those who say one thing and do another will no longer be able to hide. This will be a revealing barometer of a lawmaker’s willingness to fight for principled conservative policies in Congress.

Allow me to pull back the curtain just a bit.

No single Senator or Representative achieved a perfect score – something that is practically unheard of in the world of Congressional scorecards, but reflects the fact that there is no perfect politician in Washington. The average in the Democrat-controlled Senate was 39%. Liberal politicians in the House bring the average down to 42% in the GOP-controlled chamber.

While the House has done many big things right this year – the bold House budget, the Cut, Cap and Balance Act, and Obamacare repeal, for example – conservatives still had too many losses with moderate Republicans teaming up with Democrats to defeat good legislation. As a result, the GOP average in the House is only 67%. Senate Republicans did better with a 76% average, though they have not yet voted on the often revealing appropriations bills. In all, 13 Senators and 27 Representatives scored an 85% or higher.

Like I told the crowd at the RedState.com Gathering a couple weeks ago, we are tough graders and don’t apologize for it. After all, we are conservatives, not tenured university professors.

And if there is one thing conservatives need, especially in Washington, it is unapologetic champions. South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, one such champion, is “thrilled” about the scorecard. She said, “it is time now that we look at the spending habits of our legislators. It’s time that we look at what they’re doing with debt. It’s time that we look at how they’re spending taxpayer money.”

When the federal government engages in the sort of reckless spending that has come to define the previous decade, freedom recedes as the power and scope of the federal government expands. America’s future – and the economic freedom of our children and grandchildren – diminishes.

Heritage Action’s scorecard encompasses 30 votes and five co-sponsorship scores in the House and 19 votes and four co-sponsorship scores in the Senate. The votes cover the full spectrum of conservatism, and include legislative action on issues both large and small.

There is a tendency among some lawmakers to do the right thing on the big issues – repeal of Obamacare, for example – and then revert to “big government conservatism” on the small issues when they think no one is looking.

For example, 105 House Republicans joined every Democrat in voting against an amendment by Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) which would have cut $3 billion from Interior-Environment appropriations. In the Senate, 15 Republicans joined every Democrat in killing an amendment that would have repealed the non-essential Essential Air Services. These two votes are illustrative of the challenges conservatives face in Congress.

Our task is daunting, but not impossible. After a long hard fight, conservatives won the day on earmarks. Now, we must lead the fight against small bills that expand the size and scope of government. Legislation like the NAT GAS Act (HR1380) and extension of trade adjustment assistance’s welfare-style benefits must be made as politically toxic as earmarks.

Highlighting these small votes, as well as holding the line on contentious issues like the near-blank check debt ceiling increase, has ruffled some Establishment feathers. According to the Weekly Standard, Members of Congress are taking note:

[Heritage Action’s] newfound influence in politics—not just policy—has rankled a few Republicans otherwise in good conservative standing, especially since Heritage Action announced it would be scoring certain votes.

Heritage Action does not do electoral politics, but we certainly do policy politics. With all the economic indicators pointing towards anemic economic growth, if not another recession, Americans are looking for principled leadership that can steer our country off the path of slow decline and towards actual economic growth. The next 15 months are an opportunity to define the future of America – prosperity, or slow decline.

If we’re going to save the American dream for our children and grandchildren, we cannot pull punches or engage in partisan “rah-rah” type actions. Heritage Action’s scorecard will be revealing – and a tool for conservatives outside the beltway to hold their Members of Congress accountable and get America back on track.

Mike Needham

Mike Needham

Mike Needham is the Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Action for America, a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to advancing legislation that promotes freedom, opportunity and prosperity for all Americans
Related posts:

Ernest Istook of the Heritage Foundation speaks in Little Rock on 6-22-11 (Part 1)

The third monthly luncheon with featured speaker Ernest Istook was excellent. First, we got to hear from Dave Elswick of KARN   who came up with the idea of this luncheon, and then from Teresa Crossland of Americans for Prosperity. Below is a portion of Istook’s biography from the Heritage Foundation:   Ernest Istook Distinguished Fellow Government Studies Ernest […]

Ernest Istook: “it’s time to put away childish things” and tackle deficit, will Senator Mark Pryor do it?

U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor at the 2009 DPA J-J Dinner U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor at the 2009 Democratic Party Jefferson Jackson Dinner, Arkansas’s largest annual political event. (Did you notice that besides Mike Ross, EVERY OTHER DEMOCRAT THAT PRYOR MENTIONS DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB IN WASHINGTON IS NO LONGER IN OFFICE, SNYDER, LINCOLN, and BERRY)

By Everette Hatcher III | Also posted in spending out of control, Taxes | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Preview of Auburn and Miss St. in SEC West Football Division 2011 (SEC Preview Part 4) jh7

August 21, 2011 – 4:50 pm

Image Detail

I attend Fellowship Bible Church and I understand that Auburn Tiger running back Michael Dyer went there too. It did seem like a miracle when he stayed up and ran for a huge chuck of yards to put Auburn in position to beat Oregon and win the national championship. He was not the only Arkansan on that team. Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn was a key part of that win as well. Later I want to talk about Malzahn’s Christian testimony.

This year will be rough for the Tigers. They will be better later in the year as their young talented players improve with experience. Did you know that Auburn has recruited better than about anyone the last two years. They posted top 5 classes the last two years. However, that also means that most of their players are underclassmen now (Freshmen and Sophomores).

Mississippi State is very good and they deserved their 9-4 record. This year will be a little tougher for them. Ole Miss ate their lunch in recruiting and eventually that will come back and bite you. ALSO THEIR COWBELLS NEED TO BE BANNED. I predict if they get around to winning the SEC then they will banned immediately. IT JUST IS NOT FAIR. WHY NOT LET THE OTHER TEAMS USE NOISE MAKERS?

Below is a preview from Rivals:

Auburn

Returning Starters: 6

Strengths: In sophomore running back Michael Dyer, who rushed for perhaps the quietest 1,093 yards ever on a national champion, the Tigers’ offense has a nice building block. Another RB, Onterrio McCalebb, and WR Emory Blake are capable of making big plays. DB Neiko Thorpe will help anchor the defense after a junior year which saw him record 64 tackles and break up nine passes. Coach Gene Chizik has followed a national championship with an excellent recruiting year.

Weaknesses: A whopping 16 starters must be replaced, including Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and dominant DT Nick Fairley. For good measure, Auburn also lost both kickers, including clutch PK Wes Byrum. Whoever replaces Newton – and in late May, some reports suggested it could be former N.C. State QB Russell Wilson – must work behind four new O-line starters. The back seven defensively will be almost totally new. This will be somewhat of a rebuilding year, although a national championship should give Chizik wiggle room with a demanding fan base.

Mississippi State

Returning Starters: 15

Strengths: In his third year in Starkville, Urban Meyer disciple Dan Mullen welcomes back a team which could probably win the East Division, but will be challenged to finish higher than fourth in the West. QB Chris Relf improved his passing last season, hitting 59 percent of his attempts with a 13-6 TD-interception ratio, while RB Vick Ballard rushed for 986 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. The defense returns three starters in the line and all four starters in the secondary, led by SS Charles Mitchell (93 tackles).

Weaknesses: The Bulldogs must break in three new starters at linebacker, never a good idea in any conference but particularly not in the SEC. They must also groom a new placekicker and punter, which could impact them in the type of close games that are a part of SEC life. The schedule is also problematic; they play Auburn and LSU in a five-day stretch in the middle of September, then battle Alabama and Arkansas in consecutive weeks during mid-November.

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Mississippi State

Returning Starters: 15

Strengths: In his third year in Starkville, Urban Meyer disciple Dan Mullen welcomes back a team which could probably win the East Division, but will be challenged to finish higher than fourth in the West. QB Chris Relf improved his passing last season, hitting 59 percent of his attempts with a 13-6 TD-interception ratio, while RB Vick Ballard rushed for 986 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. The defense returns three starters in the line and all four starters in the secondary, led by SS Charles Mitchell (93 tackles).

Weaknesses: The Bulldogs must break in three new starters at linebacker, never a good idea in any conference but particularly not in the SEC. They must also groom a new placekicker and punter, which could impact them in the type of close games that are a part of SEC life. The schedule is also problematic; they play Auburn and LSU in a five-day stretch in the middle of September, then battle Alabama and Arkansas in consecutive weeks during mid-November.

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Gus Malzahn:7 Characteristics of a Champion, Part I

Set High Goals

On Tuesday, November 17th East Alabama Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) held the Third Annual Prayer Breakfast at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum on the Auburn University campus. It was a large turnout with close to 1500 students and supporters in attendance. The coliseum was full of notable Auburn Athletic Department employees showing their support for this great cause. Auburn University Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof was recognized from the podium, Athletic Director Jay Jacobs gave the Invocation, and Receiver Coach and Assistant Head Coach Trooper Taylor emceed the event in his normal, energetic, Trooper style. It was great seeing the support from Auburn for the former Auburn defensive linemanWayne Dickens. Dickens is currently the FCA Area Representative for East Alabama. Guests heard both student and coach testimonies of what FCA is doing in area schools, but the highlight of the event was definitely the keynote speaker, Gus Malzahn-first year Offensive Coordinator for Auburn University. His speech was short and to the point, but he challenged the entire room with the 7 (+1) characteristics of a champion. In this series, we will touch on these 7 (+1) characteristics that he discussed, and then spend a little time talking about each.

The first characteristic of a champion is to set high goals. In 14 years of coaching high school football, Malzahn led his team to seven state championships. His offenses at University of Tulsa set both conference and national records during his short tenure, and his first Auburn team sits at number 18 in the nation in total offense and 13 in the nation in scoring offense. None of this would be possible without setting high goals for himself. Coach Malzahn noted that most people pass away without living up to their full potential. The main cause of this is that they do not set high enough goals to challenge themselves to reach this potential which leads to never truly knowing they are capable of.

I completely agree with what Coach Malzahn was saying and have just a few things to add to it. These goals must have measurable results. One can set lofty goals, but without measurable results and a plan to achieve those goals, they are nothing but dreams. Don’t get me wrong, I love to dream, but these dreams will never become achievable goals without a plan that includes measurable short term and long term goals.

Finally, how do your goals line up with Christ? Do they intersect at all? The goal ofFCA is displayed in the Mission Statement, “to present to athletes and coaches and all whom they influence the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church”. Do you have goals? What are you doing to reach these goals? In these actions, how are you affecting others?

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I first knew that Gus Malzahn was a great coach when in 1998 he brought his Shiloh Christian Saints into Little Rock and beat my Arkansas Baptist Eagles at Eagle Field. In this clip below you will see that the Arkansas Baptist Eagles in the red uniforms had the much bigger team. In fact, many of the Arkansas Baptist players went on to play college ball.

By Everette Hatcher III | Comments (0)

Grady Fish Fry a big hit again for the 56th time

August 21, 2011 – 8:15 am

AR Sen. Mark Pryor praises Barack Obama (and Clinton arrives

I was sad to learn that the 56th Grady Fish Fry fell on the week I was gone to Boston. Last year I got to go and enjoyed meeting all the politicians like Pryor, Boozman, Lincoln, Darr and many others. This year Pryor was back again.He has been faithful to attend the Grady Fish Fry almost every year. However, in the clip above you will see that he was endorsing candidate Barrack Obama in 2008. Little did he know that Obama would not even get 40% in Arkansas then and because Obama has done so badly on the economy, he will be lucky to get 30% this time around. Below I have some links to previous posts I have made concerning Senator Pryor.

Rex Nelson just posted a fine piece on his experience this year and here ia portion of it.

Hot catfish at Grady

For the 56th time, they held the Grady Lions Club Fish Fry under the big trees of the Ned Hardin pecan grove.

It’s always held on the third Thursday in August. Always.

It was cooler than usual last night.

The crowd seemed bigger than it had been in recent years.

The fried catfish, fries, hushpuppies and sliced watermelon were as good as ever.

I checked my old calendars and was able to determine that this was the 15th time in the past 16 years that I’ve been to Grady on the third Thursday night in August. The only fish fry I missed during that stretch was in 2004. I was Gov. Mike Huckabee’s representative on the board of the Delta Regional Authority at the time, and we were interviewing candidates in a Memphis hotel that day for the DRA’s chief operating officer’s job.

I’ve written before that my favorite annual winter event is the Slovak Oyster Supper and my favorite annual summer event is the Grady Fish Fry. Both are rural Arkansas traditions.

Bubba Lloyd was behind the wheel last night. I figure that if you’re headed to a catfish supper in southeast Arkansas, you at least ought to have a Bubba driving.

First-time attendees Blake Eddins and Randy Ensminger joined us for the trip south.

More than one person remembered Blake from his days as a Razorback basketball player for Nolan Richardson.

Randy, meanwhile, is a member of the board of the Southern Food & Beverage Museum at New Orleans, and we found a fading sign that we’re hopeful the Hardins will donate to the museum. It advertises sorghum, sweet potatoes, pecans, cane syrup — all things Southern.

I have a feeling that Blake and Randy will be back at this event next August. They took it all in — the prisoners waiting tables, the prison band playing, the politicians making the rounds, the folks from all over southeast Arkansas visiting with each other and enjoying themselves.

As always, we visited at length with Sen. Mark Pryor, who also makes it a point not to miss this event.

It’s like something out of a movie. If you have any doubts that the South still lives, all you have to do is show up at the Hardin pecan grove on the third Thursday night in August and erase those doubts.

They start serving the fish each year at 4 p.m. They stop at 8 p.m. In between, hundreds of people make their way through the line and watch the amazing hushpuppy machine (constructed years ago from salvaged farm equipment) drop the batter (two hushpuppies at a time) into the hot grease.

My love for south and east Arkansas — areas of the state that are losing population and often are overlooked by the so-called opinion makers — is evident to those who read this blog. There are fine people and rich traditions in these areas of our state.

I attended the fish fry on a day that had started on a bright note. While having my first cup of coffee, I read in the newspaper that W.O. Prince is reopening his classic Riverfront Restaurant and Fish Market where U.S. Highway 70 crosses the Cache River at Biscoe.

For years, one of my regular stops on the old highway to Memphis was the place known to the locals simply as W.O.’s. You would turn down the gravel road to your right just before crossing the Cache River bridge when heading east. You would order your supper in the bait shop. You would then walk down to the boat that floated on the Cache. They would bring the food down the hill to you. The steaks were as good as the catfish.

They’ll serve lunch on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

They’ll serve dinner each Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

They’re supposed to open today. I’ll make a road trip soon.

In thinking about east Arkansas landmarks such as W.O.’s and the Hardin pecan grove, I go back to the points I made in a newspaper column earlier this week. I see nothing on the horizon that leads me to believe that the population shift in this state from the east and the south to the north and the west will slow anytime soon.

People go where the jobs are. It’s that simple.

Grady is in Lincoln County. Biscoe is at the edge of Prairie County (my mother’s home county) just before Monroe County begins on the other side of the Cache. Places such as Lincoln, Monroe and Prairie counties have been losing population since the end of World War II, when the mechanization of agriculture meant that thousands of sharecroppers and tenant farmers were no longer required. Monroe County, in fact, lost more population than any county in Arkansas during the previous decade — 20.5 percent.

The rural-to-urban trend, of course, is a nationwide trend. It’s hard to believe that rural America now accounts for just 16 percent of the nation’s population…

Even as the population of many east and south Arkansas counties declines, their value to the state’s overall economy remains strong. That’s a fact that shouldn’t be lost on this state’s growing percentage of urbanites.

For me, the Grady Fish Fry represents more than a chance to eat fried catfish.

It represents all that is right about rural Arkansas.

Dear Senator Pryor, why not pass the Balance Budget Amendment? (Part 3 Thirsty Thursday, Open letter to Senator Pryor)

Dear Senator Pryor, Why not pass the Balanced  Budget amendment? As you know that federal deficit is at all time high (1.6 trillion deficit with revenues of 2.2 trillion and spending at 3.8 trillion). On my blog http://www.HaltingArkansasLiberalswithTruth.com I took you at your word and sent you over 100 emails with specific spending cut ideas. However, […]

Time again for Grady Fish Fry on fourth Thursday in August!!!

I went to the Grady Fish Fry last year and got to visit with Rex Nelson, Senator Pryor and Boozman, Lt. Gov. Mark Darr and many others. Below is a story by Rex Nelson on last year’s fish fry: Back to Grady (and other Arkansas favorites) At the first of every year, I mark the […]

Senator Pryor asks for Spending Cut Suggestions! Here are a few!(Part 108)

Senator Mark Pryor wants our ideas on how to cut federal spending. Take a look at this video clip below: Senator Pryor has asked us to send our ideas to him at cutspending@pryor.senate.gov and I have done so in the past and will continue to do so in the future. On May 11, 2011,  I […]

Dear Senator Pryor, why not pass the Balanced Budget Amendment? (Part 2 Thirsty Thursday, Open letter to Senator Pryor)

Dear Senator Pryor, Why not pass the Balanced  Budget Amendment? As you know that federal deficit is at all time high (1.6 trillion deficit with revenues of 2.2 trillion and spending at 3.8 trillion). On my blog http://www.HaltingArkansasLiberalswithTruth.com I took you at your word and sent you over 100 emails with specific spending cut ideas. However, […]

Potential 2012 Headlines: Beebe beats Pryor, Hillary beats Obama

It is my view that if the economy keeps stinking that Republicans will have a field day  in November of 2012. However, the same principle holds true that challengers to Democrats will be  very successful in Democratic primaries. In Arkansas many have longed for another Clinton in the White House. Could it happen? It is my […]

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“Soccer Saturday” Best Soccer teams ever (Part 1)

August 20, 2011 – 9:01 pm

World Cup 2010 – Spain – All Goals

Wilson’s 10th pick for the greatest soccer team ever!

Every other player is a superstar!!!

Everette Hatcher says that Italy in 2006 had the 10th best team. By the way, the USA tied them!!

Italy – 2006 World Cup Highlights

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World Cup 1958 Final – Sweden 2:5 Brazil

Wilson’s 9th pick is the 1958 Brazil team!

The beginning of Pele’s great career!!!

Everette Hatcher says that Brazil in 94 had the 9th best team.

Brazil World Cup 1994 All Goals!

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Preview of Florida and Georgia in SEC East Football Division 2011 (SEC Preview Part 3) jh6

August 20, 2011 – 8:29 pm

There is a simple problem for Florida. They are putting in a new offensive system and it rarely works well the first year. Also I hate their schedule. They have a non-conference against the University of Oklahoma who most magazines are picking as the best team in the country. An early season loss may not help the confidence of the young players on the Gator team.

Georgia is ready to roll this year. I think they have a great coach in Mark Richt. Some say he will get fired if he does not win big this year. However, with a record of 96-34 how can you fire that guy? Don’t forget that this is the SEC we are talking about here. I think also some people in the Georgia administration know what fine character this man has. I have been an admirer of his for a long time because he gets that character from Christ. Coach Richt is not bashful about proclaiming that he is a born again Christian (just like another famous Georgian). Below I have put an article about Coach Richt.

I like what Harry King observed:

The Bulldogs have an important season opener against Boise State, and an even more critical SEC opener the following week against South Carolina. My pick to win the Eastern Division, Georgia plays the lesser lights from the other division.

Below is a preview from Rivals:

Georgia

Returning Starters: 12, kicker, punter

Strengths: As a redshirt freshman, quarterback Aaron Murray completed almost 60 percent of his passes with an impressive 24-to-8 touchdown-interception ratio. The Bulldogs’ offensive line is experienced with three senior starters back, although none was an All-SEC pick last year. Georgia’s defense should be tough against the pass as all four starters return in the secondary. All-SEC kicker Blair Walsh is back for his fourth season and second team All-SEC punter Drew Butler also returns, so the kicking game could make a difference in close games.

Weaknesses: With A.J. Green now waiting out the NFL lockout and Washaun Ealey having been dismissed from the program, the Bulldogs must find new playmakers or else Murray’s efficiency will suffer. Their top returning receiver (Tavarres King) caught just 27 passes a year ago. Georgia also returns just one linebacker, a potential worry in a 3-4 defense. There’s also a warm seat on the sideline as coach Mark Richt can’t afford another 6-7 campaign if he wants to return for a 12th season in 2012

Florida

Returning Starters: 11, kicker

Strengths: Every starting running back and wideout returns for the Gators, as does senior quarterback John Brantley. A poor fit for former coach Urban Meyer’s spread offense, the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Brantley should thrive under QB guru and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. Although there are seven starters to replace on defense, it’s hard to imagine new coach Will Muschamp presiding over a below-average stop unit. And because of Meyer’s excellent recruiting, the program enjoys good depth.

Weaknesses: Four starters must be identified in the offensive line, which could make protecting the slow-footed Brantley problematic. Three-fourths of an outstanding secondary also used up their eligibility, something which early-season opponents such as Tennessee and Kentucky might try to exploit. Also, can Muschamp prove to his team and Florida’s demanding supporters that he has the chops to win games against the likes of Nick Saban, Les Miles and Gene Chizik – all national championship coaches who the Gators meet in three consecutive October weeks?

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Georgia (UGA) Head Football Coach Mark Richt & His First Love, Jesus Christ

He Coached Under Bobby Bowden and Acted in the Movie, Facing the Giants

Mike White

Mike White, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Nov 6, 2007 “Contribute content like this. Start Here.”

He is one of the most successful college football coaches in the country. Mark Richt, head coach of the University of Georgia, is one of only nine college football coaches with 60 or more wins in his first six seasons. During his six seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs, his team has won two Southeastern Conference Football Championships and three SEC Eastern Division Titles. The team also finished among the top ten teams in the country four consecutive years from 2002-2005. Despite his success as a coach and love of football in general, and University of Georgia football in particular, head coach Mark Richt has a greater love than football-as a Christian his first love is Jesus Christ. It may be because of his faith in Christ as God’s Son Who died on the cross to save the world from sin that caused him to act in the heavily spiritual sports movie, Facing the Giants, as he played head coach, Grant Taylor.

March Richt has been a success wherever he has gone. In high school at Boca Raton High School in Boca Raton, Florida, he starred as a quarterback (Playing quarterback was always his dream. He never dreamed of coaching.) . At the University of Miami he was the backup for future Pro Football Hall of Fame star Jim Kelly. As the offensive coordinator under Bobby Bowden at Florida State he coached quarterbacks Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke, who both won the Heisman Trophy, and helped coach two national championship teams.

Bobby Bowden means more to Mark Richt than helping him coach football, which led to his becoming the head coach of Georgia. It was because of Bowden that Richt became a Christian.

After a Florida State player was shot and killed in 1986, Bowden pointed to the seat the deceased player would normally sit in, before the murder. He asked members of his team if they knew where they would spend eternity if he died. Mark Richt didn’t like the thought and the next morning talked with Bowden. The Florida State great took a Bible and led Richt to Christ.

“I prayed to receive Christ that morning in his office,” Richt recalls. “And it changed my life.”

He says that since that time he thinks more about others. He began to think about serving his new Lord. He now has the peace he remembers seeing in a Christian college roommate he once had.

Mark Richt hopes that others will be attract to his faith because of his success. He also believes, however, that he still makes many mistakes and needs God’s forgiveness.

Mark Richt, the successful head football coach of the University of Georgia, says Jesus means “salvation…everlasting life with God…peace and hope, instead of despair.”

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