Tennessean Editoral Board: Why Megan Barry Must Resign As Mayor of Nashville

THE TENNESSEAN, A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT NEWSPAPER IN NASHVILLE, and my former employer, is calling for Megan Barry to resign as mayor of Nashville. David Plazas of the USA Today Network in Tennessee explains why. Good work, gentlemen.

 It's no longer possible for Barry to remain in office. Her political career is over. It's not a matter of if she resigns, but when. Clearly, she has very poor judgment and even poorer integrity. She has to go, and for Nashville's sake, it needs to be sooner rather than later. Read the full Tennessean editorial published Wednesday afternoon.

Pastor Mike Atkins At River Crossing On Staying True

THIS IS ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVORITES.

Without Further Ado, Defiant Nashville Mayor Megan Barry Should Resign

AT THIS POINT, there's absolutely no way Megan Barry can survive politically as mayor of Nashville. Nude photos and deleted texts on cell phones are not the worst of it. It's carrying on her affair on taxpayers time and money is sinking her .

What was she thinking? Megan Barry may have looked the part of a mayor, but she was never ready for prime time in Nashville or anywhere else. She should do herself and all of us a favor and resign now before it gets even more humiliating.  Her personal and public lives have become  a soap opera and monumental distraction.

If Barry has a modicum of judgment left,  she should be realistic and show she sincerely cares for Nashville by stepping down.

One more thing:  our mayor and all the families touched by this tragedy need our prayers.  I am deeply, deeply sadden by this terrible mess.

Christian Evangelist Billy Graham Preaches Timeless Truth---Jesus Christ Our Sin Bearer

@TGC: HOW 'HAMILTON' REVEALS C.S. LEWIS'S INNER RING AND BURR'S INSATIABLE QUEST FOR IT HAPPINESS AND PEACE ARE NOT FOUND WHERE THE WORLD THINKS.

Nashville Taxville Under Madame Mayor and Lover of Big Spending Megan Barry

THIS BARRY TRANSPORTATION PLAN IS A MASSIVE BOONDOGGLE. We're committed to defeating it! MORE @ No Tax 4 Tracks

Psalm 37

He Will Not Forsake His Saints

^[a] Of David.

37 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
    be not envious of wrongdoers!
² For they will soon fade like the grass
    and wither like the green herb.

³ Trust in the Lord, and do good;
    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.^[b]
4 Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.
⁶ He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
    and your justice as the noonday.

⁷ Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
    over the man who carries out evil devices!

⁸ Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
    Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
⁹ For the evildoers shall be cut off,
    but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

¹⁰ In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
    though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
¹¹ But the meek shall inherit the land
    and delight themselves in abundant peace.

COMMENTARY FOR DELIGHT

A Few Words About Black Panther

CALL BLACK PANTHER WHAT YOU WILL,  I certainly would not call it the best film ever made by a long shot. Against all odds, I would also not call it a predominately black film, although it most certainly takes place in a mythological country in Africa and is cast mainly with beautiful black actors in superhero costumes with a supernatural metal, on stunning sets.

It's Everyman's story.  It's every leader and king's struggle to stand for the good of his country by ethical means or to rule in greed and self-interest (think Hillary).

After seeing this highly acclaimed movie yesterday at a matinee during a rainy downpour, I was heartened by its prevailing sweetness and goodness as its age-old classic plot of good verses evil unfolds. A struggle of wielding good power in right ways to encourage human dignity, flourishing and ethnic identity versus wielding evil power with violence to subjugate, subdue and mete out revenge for all the hurts of the distance past (think Ferguson, if you dare). It's shockingly chock full of traditional values and nationalistic, though not necessarily totally isolationist, themes. This is not a Christian film though the young king is a Christ-like figure who 'dies' and seemingly 'rises' again from near death to save the world in an epic battle. It might be easy to miss in the midst of all the loud noise, blood and guts, fiery gun battles and high-tech special effects.

Best of all it is delightful to watch a film with just enough romantic tension yet no inappropriate sex as strong men and strong women take stands in this battle of good and evil that they are willing to live and die for.

In the end, good wins, and many wrongs of the past are righted one humble step at a time. This is a movie that kids of all races and both sexes can find role models to emulate.

Do go see this movie. I'm certainly glad I have.

Rogers L. Simon Asks Where Are the Adults?

 MY EASY ANSWER,  THEY'RE GONE INTO THE ABYSS OF SOCIETAL REGRESSION...

Frankly, things may have to get much worse before they start getting better. Guns are the easy scapegoat in all these shootings, but honestly, the problems in our society go much deeper and wider.

ALSO, AS IF THE METRO NASHVILLE POLICE DEPT. doesn't have enough problems with its former officer bodyguard having an affair with Mayor Megan Barry,  it now has a great First Amendment lawsuit against it which I predict could go all the way to the Supreme Court  I'm predicting the fired (outstanding) police officer will win.  Will be back to write more about this fascinating case in the days ahead.

FINALLY, did you know Peter Thiel is fed up and parting ways with the increasingly left leaning Silicon Valley?  He's moving his life to LA from SF.

GOP Kevin Nicholson Running For U.S. Senate In Wisconsin, Raised In Liberal Dem Family

KEVIN NICHOLSON is seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin. Oddly enough, Nicholson's parents donated $2,700 each -- the maximum allowed under the law -- to the incumbent, Democrat Tammy Baldwin.

From The Week:

Nicholson, a former president of College Democrats of America, told CNN he's not taking it personally. "My parents have a different worldview than I do, and it is not surprising that they would support a candidate like Tammy Baldwin, who shares their perspective," he said. Nicholson said he became a conservative in 2007 after serving with the Marines in Iraq, and "regardless of who may disagree with my life decisions, I would not trade these experiences for anything, and they will always guide my views as Wisconsin's next U.S. senator."

Image: Youtube campaign advertisement for Kevin Nicholson

Sunday: Call It Lent Or A 40-Day Opportunity to Maximize Your Easter Gladness, Season Begins This Week On Ash Wednesday

JOE CARTER:  9 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE WINTER OLYMPICS

PLEASE NOTE:  I have been away from the computer much more than I intended this week, taking care of personal business, family business,  rental property and car electrical problems that no mechanic has yet been able to diagnose and fix.  Hope to do better here this week.  Thanks for coming by!

By Scott Hubbard @ Desiring God

THE PROTESTANT CHURCH has a checkered history with Lent.

On the one hand, many of the earliest Protestants revolted against the forty-weekday stretch from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The Catholic Church had turned the pre-Easter season into a mandatory fast, promising spiritual merit to everyone who skipped some meals and avoided certain foods, including meat on Fridays. In response to such man-made religion, the Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli began one weekend with a sausage dinner. Since then, a host of Protestants have followed Zwingli and ditched the Lenten fast.

On the other hand, many modern Protestants have sought to reclaim the ancient practice of Lent by grounding it in the gospel. Recognizing that every church follows some calendar or set of seasonal rhythms, these Christians take advantage of the late winter to till the soil of their hearts. Like Advent, Lent becomes an opportunity to prepare room for Jesus in the overcrowded quarters of our souls.

Tremors of His Rising

Whichever side you land on, consider the coming weeks as an opportunity to maximize your Easter gladness. You don’t need to call it “Lent.” You don’t even need to fast over and above your normal practice. You just need to devote yourself to a forty-day soul feast.

If we want to make the most of this annual opportunity, we’ll do more than just give something up. We’ll silence ourselves before the Sovereign who became a servant. We’ll fasten our eyes upon him as he teaches and heals and smiles and weeps — the only upright man in a world of cracked and curved impostors. We’ll stand in awe as we hear him plead in Gethsemane. We’ll marvel as he moves from the garden to the cross, silent as a sheep going to the slaughter. We’ll adore him as he lets the nails pierce his sinless skin until it is finished.

And then, we’ll put our ears to the ground and listen for the tremors of his rising.

If we do, we might just find ourselves erupting with a deeper joy as we join the universal shout: “He is risen!”

Forty Days of Reasons

If you’d like to join us this year as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, consider reading Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die between now and Easter Sunday. In fifty short chapters, John Piper asks the simple question, Why? Why did Jesus come to die? The Bible gives more than one answer. Piper ransacks the Scriptures and finds fifty. To move through the whole book, read one chapter a day beginning on Ash Wednesday (February 14), and then two chapters a day on Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. You can download a copy of the book free of charge.

The Inspiration, Humility and Many Failures of Eagles' Nick Foles

   
EVERY NOW AND THEN---all too rarely---a highly noteworthy human being comes along, showing the world excellence, character, integrity and the Glory of God.  Nick Foles is such a man.  He stands tall among giants both on the football field and off.  

This weekend,  Nick's stellar Super Bowl performance shone brightly, yet, he's remained humble and self-effacing in the face of one of life's most difficult challenges:  mega-success, fame and worldy adulation.  He wisely knows  that success, fame and fortune, wonderful as they are, are fleeting.

Faith in Jesus Christ and family always take priority.

I read this piece today linked today on Drudge and written by Reuben Frank of NBC Sports and wanted to put it up for my late Sunday post:  Foles admits his many flaws and numerous failures on the road to stardom.  If you haven't read it,  I hope you will find it inspirational,  as I do:

BY REUBEN FRANK,  NBC SPORTS,  BLOOMINGTON, Minn.

It speaks volumes about Nick Foles that 11 hours after putting on one of the greatest performances in Philadelphia sports history, Nick Foles stood at a podium, accepted the Super Bowl MVP trophy and spoke about his shortcomings.

This is Nick Foles.

This is why he's special.

Foles continued his torrid postseason Sunday, throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns and catching a touchdown pass in the Eagles' 41-33 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium.

It was a remarkable performance for Foles and continued his wild ride from Eagles Pro Bowler to Rams castoff to Chiefs backup to Eagles backup to Super Bowl champion.

Monday morning, Foles was back at the Mall of America, the Super Bowl headquarters all last week, to accept the MVP trophy.

I asked him what he wants people to take from his journey, from the way he's handled himself, from his ability to shake off some incredible disappointments and even contemplate retirement, from being unwanted by three teams to standing there with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell posing for pictures with the Super Bowl MVP trophy.

Foles' response was incredibly revealing and quite powerful.

"I think the big thing is don't be afraid to fail," Foles said. "I think in our society today, Instagram, Twitter, it's a highlight reel. It's all the good things. And then when you look at it, when you think like, wow, when you have a rough day, 'My life's not as good as that,' (you think) you're failing.

"Failure is a part of life. It's a part of building character and growing. Without failure, who would you be? I wouldn't be up here if I hadn't fallen thousands of times. Made mistakes.
"We all are human, we all have weaknesses, and I think throughout this, (it's been important) to be able to share that and be transparent. I know when I listen to people speak and they share their weaknesses, I'm listening. Because (it) resonates.

"So I'm not perfect. I'm not Superman. I might be in the NFL, I might have just won a Super Bowl, but, hey, we still have daily struggles, I still have daily struggles. And that's where my faith comes in, that's where my family comes in.

"I think when you look at a struggle in your life, just know that's just an opportunity for your character to grow. And that's just been the message. Simple. If something's going on in your life and you're struggling? Embrace it. Because you're growing."

Foles' postseason was one of the greatest in NFL history. He completed 72.6 percent of his passes (second-highest ever), averaged 324 passing yards per game and threw more touchdowns (6) than he threw in the regular season (1).

His 113.2 career passer rating is highest in NFL postseason history.
The Eagles haven't lost a game that Foles started and finished since 2014.
And he did what Jaws couldn't do, what Randall couldn't do, what Donovan couldn't do.
He delivered a championship to Philadelphia.

Doug Pederson, a backup himself for most of his Eagles career, doubted every step of the way as a coach, can certainly relate to Foles' journey.

"Nick has been the same guy that I can remember who we drafted," he said Monday morning while accepting the Lombardi Trophy from Goodell.

"He doesn't change. He doesn't change at all. The things he did back then when we had him in Philadelphia to today? He's just a better quarterback today, he's a smarter quarterback today, he's a veteran quarterback today.

"But Nick is Nick. He's who he is. You just saw here how genuine he is. I have a lot of guys on that roster that are just like Nick. Very unselfish. Call them role players if you want, call them whatever you want. Call them backups.

"These guys helped us win this championship. My hat's off to Nick for what he's gone through, what he's had to deal (with), what he's had to block out these last two months."

Megan Barry: Mayor and 'Moral Compass' of the New Tabloid Sodom of the South, Nashville, Tennessee

MAKE NO MISTAKE,  MEGAN BARRY IS THE DARLING OF THE NEW, TRENDY, BIG-SPENDING  NASHVILLE.  With the revelation yesterday of her year-long affair with her policeman security  'body-guard,' Robert Forrest,  her popularity with her liberal left fan base will only increase.  Forgiveness, thy name is political correctness and notoriety which she has in spades.  TMZ and the Daily Mail --are all over this drama.

She's everything the once fiscally and morally constrained, conservative city today wants in its mayor:  She's a woman and a feminist.  She's a liberal big spender who wants to use other people's money for grandiose  schemes. She's married to Bruce, a super-liberal ACLU activist who also teaches at Vanderbilt Owen School.  They had an only son Max who was rumored gay and after  graduating from Evergreen State moved to the lethal gay drug scene in Denver where he tragically died of a drug overdose last summer. My heart goes out to them for their terrible, heartbreaking loss.


(You remember, Denver's infamous gay drug scene was where Matthew Shephard got started dealing drugs back home in Laramie, Wyoming and having gay sex with the likes of Aaron McKinney, a bi-sexual man who would  later murder Shepherd in a fit of rage during a meth deal gone horrendously wrong.  The national media went totally beserk, hijacked the narrative and made it into the Fake News Story of the Century:  that Matthew Shephard was the victim of a horrendous hate crime.  The rest is history and a huge gay rights grievance industry..  But I digress...)

Anyway,  the once conservative, religious Nashville has been hijacked by Music City Myth making into a hip, trendy, progressive, big spending city that everybody seems to want to chain migrate to, even as crime, drugs, sex, traffic and the insatiable need to be popular increase exponentially.

The Megan Barry drama will continue to unfold in the days to come,  as her poor moonbat husband Bruce vows to stand by her, her policeman body guard retires and faces the ire of his wife of 30 years and the city falls all over itself to declare her righteous and forgiven.  Let's move on to bigger things and more popularity.

David Fox where are you when we need you?

But what can't be forgiven is Megan's greatest lack of fiscal restraint:  Her new gazillion dollar transportation proposal to 'solve Nashville's traffic from Hell'  problems.  She's even going to churches to sell it.  The increasingly liberal Metro Counsel is voting to put it on the ballot this spring.  And it is a complete boondoggle that needs to be defeated.

Stay tuned to As the World Turns with Mayor Megan Barry and her free-wheeling city of Sodom.

Meanwhile, we're having too much fun kayaking,  hiking and hanging out around Mrs. Saint and My Bad Influence's RV in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.