‘Overnight Christmas’ reminds of the reason for the season at Thomas Road Baptist

Photo from Thomas Road Baptist Church Facebook page.

By Lynn R. Mitchell

In the past I have attended the West End Assembly of God’s Christmas productions in Richmond but today was the first time experiencing Thomas Road Baptist Church’s Christmas spectacular celebrating the birth of Jesus. With more than forty years of productions under its belt, TRBC pulled out all the stops once again for an entertaining, music-packed, two-hour production with an underlying message of faith while pastor Jonathan Falwell bumpered the event with inspirational remarks and prayer.

My husband and I were invited by long-time friend Kurt Michael, who is managing editor of this blog and an assistant dean at Liberty University, and his wife Pam, to attend the production. We were not disappointed. For some the show has become a holiday tradition; for others, it was a first-time experience.

The entertainment included plenty of toe-tapping, hum-along music, dancers, jokes, soloists, and talent galore. Props and costumes were outstanding, and the 37-foot living Christmas tree filled the air with the voices of a 100-member chorus that was accompanied by a 30-member orchestra and 60 members of the children’s choir.

Jeb’s remarks at Liberty University’s commencement

By Lynn R. Mitchell

On May 9, Governor Jeb Bush addressed the graduates at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. On Facebook, he wrote, “What an amazing day at Liberty. Here are some highlights. Congrats to all the graduates and their families.”

He added, “To the graduates of 2015, in the words of Isaiah, may you “Go out with joy and be led forth with peace … whatever the need, the affliction, or the injustice, there is no more powerful or liberating influence on this earth than the Christian conscience in action.”

Here are his remarks in full:

“Thank you very much, President Falwell. Trustees, faculty and staff, distinguished guests, parents and friends: I appreciate your kind hospitality. And to all the graduates: Thank you for letting me share in this wonderful day, as you become proud alumni of Liberty University.

Today: Jeb Bush is Liberty graduation keynote speaker

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, a likely top contender for the Republican presidential nomination, will speak at Liberty University’s graduation ceremony this morning. He’s not the first Bush to be on campus — his father, then-President George H.W. Bush, addressed students at commencement twenty-five years ago in May of 1990. Jeb has said that his dad is “the greatest man I’ve ever met or will meet.”

Jeb showed he was serious about his job as governor when, in 2006, he was privately approached to become commissioner of the National Football League. Jeb passed, responding, “I’m flattered but I’m Governor of the state of Florida and I intend to be Governor until I leave—which is January 2007. And I’m not going to consider any other options other than being Governor until I finish.”

In 2008, Jeb announced he was considering running for an open U.S. Senate seat. However, in 2009 he stepped aside and threw his support behind Marco Rubio, his mentee, who is now running against his mentor for the position of U.S. President.

Why Virginia and not Texas?

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Ted Cruz represents Texas. He is going to announce his run for U.S. President today in Virginia. Why isn’t he in his own state making such an important announcement?

I posted that questions to Facebook friends. One, who lives in Northern Virginia, commented:

He’s marking his territory for the Libertarian and college vote. He wants to grab that stage at Liberty before Rand Paul does. Plus, he needs to cement himself here in VA by appealing to that crowd so he can correct the damage he’s done to himself in VA.

Another who lives in Texas and is not a Cruz supporter noted:

Oliver North speaks to Liberty University students

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Lt. Col. Oliver North, USMC (Ret), addressed Wednesday’s Convocation gathering of students and faculty at the Vines Center on the campus of Liberty University. The combat-decorated veteran is a best selling author, Fox News political commentator, small business owner, and inventor with three patents.

Cross-posted

Sad closure: Hannah has been found

By Lynn R. Mitchell

We all suspected the ending would be this way when human remains were found last Saturday at a remote house in Albemarle County which prompted police to call off all future searches and notify eighteen-year-old Hannah Graham’s parents. What, we wondered, had there been that made them so sure their hunt for the missing University of Virginia student was over?

Today officials escorted Hannah’s parents to the Old Lynchburg Road crime site in the morning, and then released the information that Hannah had, indeed, been found. Her parents have closure as opposed to wondering where she is, but what a sad way for this six-week journey to end (see Hannah Graham’s parents visit Old Lynchburg Road crime scene and Medical examiner confirms Hannah Graham’s remains found in Albemarle).

Ed Gillespie takes message of religious freedom to Liberty University

By Lynn Mitchell

Virginia’s GOP U.S. Senate candidate Ed Gillespie addressed the Liberty University Convocation on Wednesday, October 1, 2014, defending religious freedom and advocating limited government. Below are the video and his remarks to the student body and faculty:

Former Gov. Bob McDonnell joins Liberty University teaching staff

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell was invited by Liberty University to join its teaching staff as a distinguished visiting professor in government. His term as governor ended in January,

Monday’s Liberty University News announced Governor McDonnell has been part of the university for the past semester:

Dr. Kurt Michael appointed to Augusta County Library Board of Trustees

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Dr. Kurt Michael was appointed by Supervisor David Karaffa Wednesday night as a trustee to the Augusta County Library Board, a move that was unanimously approved by the board of supervisors. His term begins immediately.

Dr. Michael is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Liberty University. Before joining Liberty in 2012, he taught applied statistics and research method for ten years to gifted and talented high school students at the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School. His experience includes more than a decade of teaching in the public schools plus several years at the college level.