Some Random Thoughts On The Passing Scene

It's Wednesday morning and tonight is when our "Building Bridges Conference" begins here in Huntington. Services start tonight at Highlawn Baptist Church at 6:30 PM and continue tomorrow night at First Baptist Church of Ceredo. Dr. Chuck Kelley has arrived in town last night and he will be preaching at both services, as well as speaking at a lunch gathering of WV, OH, and KY pastors on Thursday at Westmoreland Baptist Church. We have worked hard to reach out to our sister churches to build bridges of fellowship and cooperative ministry here in the Tri-State area. Those of us who have organized this event have done everything within our power to prayerfully plan and promote the conference. Will it be successful in our purposes? Only God knows. Now, as it has always been, it is up to our Heavenly Father. The most we can do is pray, and pray big. I hope you will join us in this prayer for God's hand to move upon us.

*****

Things have been plenty busy around the church this past month, taking my time and attention, and slowing any kind creative time I would like to spend in writing. One of the issues that has consumed my thoughts and time, I cannot discuss until next week. The other is quite open and I am happy to share with our readers right now. Our Upward Soccer spring league has completed three of it's four registration/evaluation sessions this week, and final registration and evaluation will be this Saturday morning from 9:00 till 10:30 AM. To date, 43 children, age four through 5th grade have signed up to play. We have had a group of FAITHFUL volunteers who have braved cold (Saturday), rain (Monday evening), and mud and wind (Tuesday evening) to be there for this important ministry to children and their families. I thank God for people who are willing to serve. I know that God will bless them richly as they serve in blessing these Children with the good news of Jesus, in a sports ministry setting.

*****

Remember the "Duct Tape Bandit" from Ashland, Kentucky? About the time you think it's safe to move on and forget such a character, he pops up in the news again. Today's copy of Ashland's "Daily Independent" reports that Boyd County Judge C. David Hagerman has ruled that Kasey Kazee is mentally capable of standing trial for first degree robbery and second degree persistent felony offender charges. Kazee, 24, drew national attention on August 10, 2007 when he attempted to rob the Shamrock Liquor Store on 13th Street in Ashland. He entered the store with his head completely wrapped in duct tape, with only room for his eyes and mouth exposed. He relieved the clerk of the money in the cash register, only to be tackled on leaving the store, by another store employee who was hosing down the parking lot.

Kazee was held down until the police arrived. Local television station, WSAZ, interviewed Kazee in the Boyd County Detention Center, and he gained lots of national attention as the interview was picked up by CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. In the rambling interview, Kazee asserted that the police had the wrong man as he asked the reporter, "Do I look like a duct tape bandit?" "Do the math", he said. "They got the wrong man." Never mind that the police videotaped his "unwrapping" after his arrest. Kazee continued to maintain his innocence.

The whole situation created lots of laughs locally and jokes on the late night talk shows, but Kazee faces some really serious jail time if convicted. The charges for the robbery count could earn him 10 - 20 years and the persistent felony offender rap could buy him 20 years to life! I know Dave Hagerman. He is a good judge and has a great sense of humor, but nobody will be laughing in his courtroom when Mr. Kazee comes before the bench. His trial is scheduled for May 12.

*****

Local boy, Brandon Webb got the win Monday as the starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks in their opening day game against our Reds at Great American Ballpark in the Queen City. Brandon, who owns a sinkerball described by the TV announcers as "The most wicked sinker in major league baseball" was masterful in his six inning performance. He won the Cy Young Award two years ago, and was runner up last year. Hard to believe that's the same little boy who played for my "Adkins Insurance Agency" little league team in 1984, or the one I watched play for the American Little League White Sox, Ashland Tomcats, and Ashland Athletics Connie Mack Team with my younger son, Benji. Brandon is a class act, from a great family. With all the garbage going on in major league baseball, he is a breath of fresh air, and someone the whole tri state area can be proud of.

*****

The Kentucky General Assembly has come down to it's last week, and it has really been a do nothing session thus far. New Governor Steve Beshear, who campaigned on a platform of allowing casino gambling in the Commonwealth, was unable to get enough votes to even get the proposal out of committee. Beshear had argued that expanded gaming was absolutely necessary to take care of the revenue shortfall Kentucky is facing. As the session came down to the last days there was still no budget. Finally, after a 21 hour marathon session, the House and Senate negotiating committee came up with a budget proposal. It contains no new taxes but adds about $150 million in additional revenue. It also assumes a savings of $85 million from the anticipated retirement fo 3,000 to 5,000 state employees. School teachers and state employees will receive a 1% pay increase.

The group began working to hammer out this agreement at 19:00 am on Monday, and worked overnight until 7:00 AM Tuesday, breaking only for meals. Why is it that legislatures, like pro football teams, don't seem to really get serious until the two minute warning?

*****

Just a few thoughts on a Wednesday morning...