The Blessing of Morning Prayer
"From the unity it has attained the whole day takes its order and discipline. This unity must be sought and found in morning prayer and will prove itself in work. Prayer in the early morning is crucial for the whole day. Wasted time of which we are ashamed, temptations to which we succumb, feebleness and lethargy at work, disorder and indiscipline in our thoughts and in our intercourse with other people - these more often than not have their cause in the neglect of morning prayer.
The ordering and arrangement of our time will be more positive when it is the outcome of prayer. Temptations which the working day brings with it will be conquered if there has been a real encounter with God. Decisions demanded by our work will come more easily and readily when they are made not in the fear of men but simply before the face of God. “And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23). Even mechanical tasks will be carried out with greater patience, when they are recognised as tasks laid on us by God. Increased energy for work will be ours when we have asked God to give us today the strength our work requires."
--Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Friday, July 04, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Our Friend Ralph Anderson Turns Back Three!
Incumbent Senator Ralph Anderson (D-Greenville), the deciding vote to kill the ill-fated Catawba Indian Casino two years ago, has been re-nominated and is expected to win against token Republican opposition in November.
Congratulations Senator on defeating three challengers!
Congratulations Senator on defeating three challengers!
Rose Defeats Scott who defeated...
The DUI charge against Senator Randy Scott (R-Dorchester) clearly hurt his re-election chances.
This Senate seat continues to be a revolving door as Mike Rose defeats Randy Scott who defeated Bill Branton who defeated Mike Rose.
Mike Rose 52%
Randy Scott (i) 48%
This Senate seat continues to be a revolving door as Mike Rose defeats Randy Scott who defeated Bill Branton who defeated Mike Rose.
Mike Rose 52%
Randy Scott (i) 48%
Conservative vs. Liberal GOP in Chester
Mark Bennett, the Republican nominee for SC Senate District 17 (Chester et al.) may not have a chance against Creighton Coleman in the General Election, that it yet to be determined.
But it is good in any event to see a conservative Republican defeat a liberal one.
Mark Bennett / 631 votes / 59% [C]
Joanie Winters / 444 votes / 41% [L]
But it is good in any event to see a conservative Republican defeat a liberal one.
Mark Bennett / 631 votes / 59% [C]
Joanie Winters / 444 votes / 41% [L]
I Believe...that McGill is Re-Elected
It is good to see that the author of the "I Believe" Licence Tag bill has been re-elected.
Senator Yancy McGill 53% to Ted Brown's 40%.
Senator Yancy McGill 53% to Ted Brown's 40%.
Katrina Shealy is in the Driver's Seat
With all precincts in...Shealy appears to be in the driver's seat.
Jake Knotts (i)
4,858
45%
Katrina Shealy
4,395
41%
Michael Sturkie
1,521
14%
Jake Knotts (i)
4,858
45%
Katrina Shealy
4,395
41%
Michael Sturkie
1,521
14%
Spartanburg, Bloody Spartanburg
Rep. Ralph Davenport has been a solid pro-family representative for Spartanburg County. His tenure in the SC House comes to an end tonight. Republican Steve Parker will face Democrat Eric Hayler in the fall. Thanks for your service, Ralph.
Still very close is Rep. Bob Walker and newcomer Joey Millwood.
Millwood leads by 19 votes.
Still very close is Rep. Bob Walker and newcomer Joey Millwood.
Millwood leads by 19 votes.
Rep. Keith Kelly has survived against Roger Nutt (55%-45%).
Mike Forrester has defeated Ken Roach (56%-44%) for an open seat.
Derham Cole has defeated Christina Jeffrey in a surprisingly close race for an open seat.
Bob Leach Defeated in Bad Incumbent Night in G'ville
Representative Bob Leach, Chaplain of the South Carolina House Republican Caucus has been defeated by Bill Wylie.
Bob had a perfect 100% score on the Palmetto Family Alliance Legislative Scorecard and has been a good friend of faith, family and freedom for many years.
Bill Wylie has been involved with Goodwill Industries in Greenville and will make a fine House member, but Bob will be sorely missed by all of us.
Bob had a perfect 100% score on the Palmetto Family Alliance Legislative Scorecard and has been a good friend of faith, family and freedom for many years.
Bill Wylie has been involved with Goodwill Industries in Greenville and will make a fine House member, but Bob will be sorely missed by all of us.
Greenville Report: Stringer, Nanney Win
Blue Ridge actuary Tommy Stringer has defeated Greer optometrist Pete Smith in Greenville County's District 18. Stringer was an endorsee of Palmetto Family PAC and was actively supported by former Palmetto Family Council Board Chairman J.D. Martin.
Wendy Nanney has defeated incumbent Rep. Gloria Haskins in District 22. Haskins was one of the votes in favor of Judge Don Beatty for the SC Supreme Court last year.
Nanney is the daughter of Bob Jones University Dean Bob Taylor, a county councilman, who defeated Haskins' son Brian tonight as well.
Wendy Nanney has defeated incumbent Rep. Gloria Haskins in District 22. Haskins was one of the votes in favor of Judge Don Beatty for the SC Supreme Court last year.
Nanney is the daughter of Bob Jones University Dean Bob Taylor, a county councilman, who defeated Haskins' son Brian tonight as well.
Watson Endorses Bright in Spartanburg
L.B. Watson has just endorsed Lee Bright in Senate District 12.
Bright will face Scott Talley in two weeks.
Bright will face Scott Talley in two weeks.
Ryberg is the man...
Palmetto Family PAC endorsee and fiscal champion Senator Greg Ryberg has defeated Jason Whinghter in Aiken County. Ryberg has no general election opposition.
The state is fortunate that Greg has agreed to invest more time in setting our financial house in order. Now if his colleagues will only listen.
The state is fortunate that Greg has agreed to invest more time in setting our financial house in order. Now if his colleagues will only listen.
The Ugly Senate 12
It appears that Lee Bright and Scott Talley will go at it for another two weeks. YouTube will have to increase its bandwidth.
Talley is coming in at around 44% and Bright at 38%. L.B. Watson is a distant third at 18%. Watson would likely favor Bright if he chooses to endorse one of his former rivals.
Note: In the interest of full disclosure, Lee Bright is a member of the Board of Directors of Palmetto Family Council. Scott Talley serves on Palmetto Family Alliance's Legislative Steering Committee.
Talley is coming in at around 44% and Bright at 38%. L.B. Watson is a distant third at 18%. Watson would likely favor Bright if he chooses to endorse one of his former rivals.
Note: In the interest of full disclosure, Lee Bright is a member of the Board of Directors of Palmetto Family Council. Scott Talley serves on Palmetto Family Alliance's Legislative Steering Committee.
Skelton Back
Rep. Billy Ray Skelton (not to be confused with his brother Bobby Joe) has defeated Trey Whitehurst in Clemson by less than 250 votes. Ugh.
Palmetto Family PAC had endorsed the much more conservative Whitehurst.
Palmetto Family PAC had endorsed the much more conservative Whitehurst.
Jakie and Katrina Slug It Out
With 91% of the vote counted, incumbent Senator Jakie Knotts and former Lexington GOP Chairm Katrina Shealy are in a dead heat.
With 35 of 37 precints in, it is 45% to 41%. Because of the presence of Mike Sturkie, this one will go into a runoff in two weeks. Sturkie will surely endorse Shealy.
There is some question as to which precints are still out. If they are along US378, Katrina could tie it up. If it is Edmund, Jakie may pick up a point.
There is no question that it will be an incredible two weeks...but what possibly could have been held back for a runoff contest?
With 35 of 37 precints in, it is 45% to 41%. Because of the presence of Mike Sturkie, this one will go into a runoff in two weeks. Sturkie will surely endorse Shealy.
There is some question as to which precints are still out. If they are along US378, Katrina could tie it up. If it is Edmund, Jakie may pick up a point.
There is no question that it will be an incredible two weeks...but what possibly could have been held back for a runoff contest?
Scott and the Other Ford
Only about 100 votes separate Rep. John Scott and Richland 1 School Board member Vince Ford in the Senate District 19 Democratic Primary in Richland County. Scott has the extra hundred.
Ford and Jackson
Senator Robert Ford and Senator Darrell Jackson, who oppose Palmetto Family Alliance on nearly every legislative issue, have won their respective Senate primaries. Ford has token opposition from the GOP in the General. Jackson will be back for sure as there is no Republican running in the fall in District 21.
Marion County Senate
Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion), a speaker at our annual dinner in 2005 and a good friend in the Senate on family issues has been re-elected handily with over 3/4 of the votes cast.
Democratic Leaders Coming Back
Two leaders of the Democratic Party in the House, Doug Jennings (Marlboro) and Gilda Cobb-Hunter (Orangeburg) have won renomination and re-election handily.
Jennings has advocated a Civil Unborn Victims of Violence Act for years and we will need his help in 2009.
Jennings has advocated a Civil Unborn Victims of Violence Act for years and we will need his help in 2009.
Palmetto Family Founder Headed to House!
It appears that one of the founders of Palmetto Family Council, Tim Scott, will defeat both Wheeler Tillman and Bill Crosby in the GOP Primary for House Seat 117.
South Carolina just became a better place to live and raise a family. Tim Scott is the real deal. The best news of the night so far.
South Carolina just became a better place to live and raise a family. Tim Scott is the real deal. The best news of the night so far.
Laurens House
Mark Willis has defeated Jason Culbertson. Willis was a PF PAC endorsee. Congratulations to Mark. He will face Democrat Mike Turner in the fall.
Shock in Beaufort...
Can it be? Has Tom Davis, Governor Sanford's former Chief of Staff defeated incumbent Senator Catherine Ceips? Just a few more precincts to come in. This could be huge.
The Word from Indian Land, SC
Deborah Long (Lancaster County) who had one of the highest scores on the Palmetto Family Candidate Questionnaire, and was endorsed by the PAC, is cruising at nearly 75% of the vote with most of the ballots counted. She will be the GOP nominee for the seat being vacated by Mick Mulvaney, who is running for the Senate.
Greenwood Senate
It may a bit early to call, but it appears that Dee Compton and Chip Stockman are headed for a GOP runoff for the seat being vacated by Senator John Drummond (D).
Both of these gentlemen were off the chart on the Candidate Questionnaire, which prevented our endorsing one of them. Compton is hovering in the high forties. He will need 50% plus one vote to avoid the runoff in two weeks. Their Questionnaires are here.
Both of these gentlemen were off the chart on the Candidate Questionnaire, which prevented our endorsing one of them. Compton is hovering in the high forties. He will need 50% plus one vote to avoid the runoff in two weeks. Their Questionnaires are here.
Early Returns
It appears in early returns that Rep. Bill Sandifer will keep his House seat in Oconee County. Bill was the driving force in the House behind the bill to require cable tv companies to block channels that a subscriber has not paid for...and we know what kind of channels those can be.
Senator Larry Martin also looks strong. Martin led the fight to get a vote on Common Law Marriage, Historical Documents Displays and the SC Public Prayer Act. (We won the latter two.)
Senator Larry Martin also looks strong. Martin led the fight to get a vote on Common Law Marriage, Historical Documents Displays and the SC Public Prayer Act. (We won the latter two.)
Watch Election Night
Watch this space after 8:30 p.m. tonight for Election Night analysis of the 2008 Democratic and Republican Primaries.
Monday, February 12, 2007
GreenvilleOnline: Prayer Battle Not Over
GreenvilleOnline.com -Local News-ACLU prayer battle not over - (2/12/2007)
ACLU continues to put pressure on municipal and county councils.
ACLU continues to put pressure on municipal and county councils.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Oconee Strikes Out
It was a snowball right over the plate. It could have been on a tee it was so easy to hit.
But the Oconee County Council lost its nerve and struck out without a swing.
The bottom line was the bottom line, we are told. Even though the county Ministerial Association had agreed to pay the ACLU's legal fees if the county lost, and even though Alliance Defense Fund had offerred to defend the county for free, the ACLU's financial threats frightened the Oconee County Council into scrapping its traditional invocation and adopting a new "moment of silence" policy. The watertight but simple sign-up sheet for prayer policy ADF devised was left on the cutting room floor.
We have work to do.
Stay tuned.
But the Oconee County Council lost its nerve and struck out without a swing.
The bottom line was the bottom line, we are told. Even though the county Ministerial Association had agreed to pay the ACLU's legal fees if the county lost, and even though Alliance Defense Fund had offerred to defend the county for free, the ACLU's financial threats frightened the Oconee County Council into scrapping its traditional invocation and adopting a new "moment of silence" policy. The watertight but simple sign-up sheet for prayer policy ADF devised was left on the cutting room floor.
We have work to do.
Stay tuned.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Community Defense Act of 2005
Community Defense Act of 2005
The Community Defense Act, passed last year in Ohio, is a solid model for addressing Sexually Oriented Businesses on a statewide, rather than a local basis. Palmetto Family Council is working with legislators now to file South Carolina legislation.
The Community Defense Act, passed last year in Ohio, is a solid model for addressing Sexually Oriented Businesses on a statewide, rather than a local basis. Palmetto Family Council is working with legislators now to file South Carolina legislation.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Great Legislative Day
Marriage Counseling Tax Credit
Passed House Judiciary unamended
Bill has already passed Senate
Unborn Victims of Violence
Passed House Judiciary unamended
Bill has already passed Senate
Bible Education Credit
Passed House Education unamended
Bill has already passed Senate
Sen Knotts agreed today to "take his name off" the Common Law Marriage bill which should allow a vote on it. The bill has already passed the House.
Cockfighting / Gambling bill is under consideration now.
What a day!!! Were you praying? Someone was!
OPS
Oran P. Smith, PhD
President
Palmetto Family Council
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