Greetings!
I hope your week is finishing well. If you have been reading my DHDs for a while, thank you for your faithfulness. It’s hard to believe I have been doing Doyle’s Half Dozen every week since Dec. 1. I am very blessed to be able to share my weekly “ramblings” with you. Let’s get to this week’s topics!
- Republican Presidential Debate – Winners
The second debate of the enormous field of GOP presidential candidates happened this week at the Reagan Presidential Library with a former Air Force One used as a backdrop. I suppose showing the famous presidential plane was to inspire the candidates.
Here’s who I thought was successful in Round 2:
- Carly Fiorina – Everybody claims her to be victorious. She was set up to do so. If for no other reason, she moved off the “kiddie table” debate where she appeared in the first round. She made powerful statements against Hilary Clinton and Planned Parenthood, but her biggest slam came against Donald Trump, striking him about his remarks about her face immediately after Trump got on to Jeb Bush about his take-back comment on women’s health. That was best moment of the night.
- Marco Rubio – I’m convinced that whoever you liked before the debate you pretty much find likeable or successful in this debate. Sen. Rubio is a personal favorite, but I believe he once again appeared to be the most presidential with his remarks, especially on foreign affairs and environmental issues.
- Mike Huckabee – Again, he’s a favorite, but practically everything he said in the debate made sense to me, especially on his philosophy on ending income tax, which people don’t seem to support. He was excellent in his stern remarks on the Iran deal. I got excited when he said he wanted abortion to follow the same path as slavery, to make it no longer a practice. Do I think he will improve his chances? No, but I’ll still enjoy watching him debate while he lasts.
- Ted Cruz – I loved his response to not change the $10 bill, showing his respect to Alexander Hamilton, but instead proposed to changing the $20 bill. I’m surprised that didn’t resonate more, especially with civil rights supporters. Perhaps they don’t recall what happened during Andrew Jackson’s presidency.
- Jeb Bush – He had the second best moment of the debate when he defended his brother against Trump stating, “There’s one thing I know for sure. He kept us safe.” The audience roared with applause.
- Chris Christie – I give the New Jersey governor the “most improved” award. Christie was better this round than he was in the first debate. He tried to be memorable when he wanted the cameras to be off him and on the audience during his opening remarks. It was a little weak, but I will give him an A for effort. He definitely didn’t bomb.
- Republican Presidential Debate – Losers
- CNN – the news network was the biggest loser of the night. The format was horrible, as it was too long and not structured well for candidates to respond. The network tried too hard to make the GOP field of candidates turn on each other. Practically every question to a candidate was phrased with another candidate’s previous remarks or view on an issue. The moderator was weak and did not do his job controlling the flow of the debate. Nobody stunk more that night than CNN.
- Rand Paul – He was the most disagreeable among the candidates. If CNN was smarter in their strategy to pit candidates against each other, the network should have incorporated Paul more because he was playing up the ploy. His comments on marijuana and foreign policy will not win over the GOP base.
- Scott Walker – I confess, I liked Walker at the beginning. Now, he has become the most irrelevant candidate of the top tier. None of his remarks in the debate stood out. Once a leader in the polls, he now has fallen way behind.
- Ben Carson – The good doctor doesn’t do well in debates. He is much better giving speeches and doing one-on-one interviews. However, I did not agree with his remarks on minimum wage, or on his view on President Bush attacking Afghanistan. There is a lot to like about Dr. Carson, but he does not shine well sparring against other candidates.
- John Kasich – I would like to like the Ohio governor. Having him on the ticket would be huge for the Republicans in the main election, since a GOP candidate has never won the presidency without winning Ohio. But I did not like how he kept interrupting the flow of the debate, and I disagree with him on the Iran nuclear deal. He may be the best candidate when discussing fiscal issues, so I will give him some credit there. He was better this round than in the first, but I was still disappointed with him.
- Donald Trump – The poll leader was entertaining as expected, but he seemed to have fizzled once Carly smacked him good. I know I am in the minority, but Trump is not who we need as president. He is tickling a lot of ears, but I still believe he will not remain in the lead. There is still a lot of time between now and January for the first primary elections. Let’s see how long his Teflon can work.
- Rise up, Elk City!
Earlier this week, a major disaster happened in Western Oklahoma. A fire at the construction site of the new Baptist Village in Elk City burned the entire structure to the ground. It was a total loss, and the senior community was near completion and planning to open in approximately six months.
It sadden me to watch the videos and see the photos of the aftermath. Before I started working at the BGCO, I was a development specialist for Baptist Village Communities, and one of my main duties was to raise community support in Elk City and surrounding areas of the western region. So allow me to provide some encouragement and motivation to those who need it, regarding this great opportunity.
Friends of Elk City and in Western Oklahoma, you have the chance to make a major impact on your fellow “Western Okies.” Baptist Village suffered a setback this week, but today is one day closer to getting back on track and bringing one of the best experiences of serving your elder family members and friends.
I can assure you, there is nothing like Baptist Village in Western Oklahoma. Yes, there are some efficient senior communities, but they do not provide the same level of service and philosophy of living life.
“Service” is a significant term Baptist Village Communities use. Their theme is “Serving God, Serving You, Serving Together.” Serving is empowering. Those who work at a Baptist Village (or Friends Team members) serve Baptist Village residents, but in turn, the residents also have the opportunity to serve Friends Team members and their families. It won’t be in a similar capacity, but BVC residents can and do serve, and it’s an awesome experience to witness.
If you have not been involved yet with this project, now is the perfect time to begin. Support what is happening through financial giving, words of encouragement and prayer. This is not just for Elk City residents, but those who live in Sayre, Clinton, Cheyenne, Leedey, Sentinel, Sweetwater and Erick and throughout the I-40 West corridor. You and your family members need Baptist Village and its significant ministry. As Southern Baptists, you have the chance to provide a visible presence in this part of the state, as there is no such structure of our denomination, in that area, that can work alongside the many great churches.
So let’s help Baptist Village to literally rise up from the ashes and get this needed community back on track to providing the best service to seniors who made an impact on the towns in Western Oklahoma.
- A Sunday Morning Servant
This week, I received a photo and a brief letter from a gentleman in Bartlesville. The photo featured him and a young lady posing at their church. The man suffers from Parkinson’s disease, and the young lady, who is 11, meets him every Sunday morning in the church parking lot. She helps carry his Bible and quarterly and escorts him from his car to his Sunday School class and has been doing this faithfully every Sunday for almost a year.
Even now I get emotional thinking about that photo and remembering the sweet words the gentleman said about this precious girl and how he cherishes their friendship. The photo will appear in the Sept. 27 Baptist Messenger on page 10. Consider this a “sneak preview” for subscribers to having your heart stirred.
- Bernie Sanders at LU
I’ve gone way long in this week’s DHD, so I will be brief in my final two topics. Check out Andrew Walker’s piece in the National Review about Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders visiting my alma mater, Liberty University.
This is not the first time a public official who holds viewpoints that oppose Liberty’s conservative philosophy. Ted Kennedy and Jessie Jackson are two liberal leaders who have spoken at LU. But Walker’s point of Liberty’s approach to welcoming such political personalities in a gracious manner could be an education for other institutions of higher learning.
- Friday Night 5th Quarters
Here’s another preview for next week’s Messenger. I did an article on how churches are using a great outreach opportunity this time of year. If you are not familiar with 5th Quarters, postgame church activities for high school students, these have been great experiences for church leaders connecting with students. I interviewed youth pastors from Guthrie and Lawton and how they have seen the impact their church’s “5th Quarters” have had during high school football season.
If you haven’t been to one and are in a town that is hosting a high school football game, take in the game and then find out what church may be hosting a 5th Quarter, and you will see how the church is remaining relevant today.