The Georgian Gazette

Today we could look back over the year just passed to see all that has happened. Many years ago, an elderly friend encouraged me to take a few days at the end of the year to think back over the events of the year that was passing. He urged that only a little amount of time should to be set aside for the exercise of looking back. He then said, “Once you have reflected upon that year, let it go.” Over the years since receiving that advice, I have taken time at the end of each year to think back over the year. Following that reflection, he suggested that I should set before me the blank calendar of the New Year. As that was done, then he suggested setting goals to determine the direction I wanted to see my life go in the New Year. I was a young man when that advice was given. I have followed each year since taking the time to look back quickly and then to look ahead toward the New Year. This New Year gives great promise of change that will take place in our county, state and nation. In th...

With all the hurried preparations for Christmas that is in a couple of days, there is always that last minute gift for a special person on our list. Christmas is a great time for family. It is also a time of great stress for many people because they fear they will give the wrong gift or have uncertainty as to the right gift to give to a friend, family member, or co-worker. There is also added stress with the office Christmas party and what might or might not happen when the boss appears for what should be a very festive event. With various issues to deal with regarding Christmas today, I want to think with you for a few minutes about that first Christmas. Has there ever been a greater gift for mankind than the fact that God gave us His best when He allowed His only Son to come to earth to live among us? I try to imagine what it must have been like for the angels when they got word in Heaven that Jesus was leaving Heaven and going to earth. I can only imagine the conversation among the ...

December, 2006, following my 62nd birthday in September, I was told that the biopsy showed I had cancer. As a pastor I had stood with many people in hospitals when the news was revealed that they or a beloved family member had cancer. I had watched as cancer had taken my Dad at age 62. The decision was easy to make as to the treatments that I would undergo to rid my body of cancer. These last five years have been challenging, to say the least. The great news that through all of the treatments and rehab that was necessary, today I am cancer free. One of my doctors had said that we would know within five years if the treatments were successful. I am sharing this personal journey with you today because Thursday night of last week, one of the most infamous, pugnacious, and proud atheist in modern times, Christopher Hitchens, died at age 62 of cancer. Many have written about and reacted to the death of the world renowned intellectual since the announcement of his death. As an ethicist, a...

In less than a month our General Assembly will be back in session for another term. As the gavel signals the beginning of this session it will be the beginning of my ninth year under the Gold Dome as an advocate for moral issues. The former eight years have been interesting, allowing me to learn much about the way our government functions. I have gotten to know many people who have more years in service than I do. It is interesting to watch groups of lobbyists as they gather outside the chambers and walk up and down in the corridors of the Capitol. A conversation with friends can come to an abrupt end as an elected official walks nearby and one in the group leaves to talk with the lawmaker. News media folks can be the most interesting to watch as they want to be sure to not miss a quote, or find that a story they are working on for a deadline has faded like mist in the wind. When one is trying not to listen to other conversations, the sounds have a way of traveling in the echoing hard ...