Blue Ridge Christian News
By Pastor Matthew Mills
Senior Pastor, Grassy Creek Baptist Church, Spruce Pine, NC

The most dangerous drug in America is alcohol. It is dangerous because of its availability, because of its acceptance, and because of its affect on those who drink it and those who are affected by those who drink it.

Here in Spruce Pine a referendum committee called “Partners for Progress” recently secured enough signatures to bring the matter to a vote within the city limits. According to their literature, alcohol will keep jobs here, create jobs here, end unfair competition, and encourage redevelopment. The real question is, will it? Read the rest of this entry »

Opponents are determined to keep this dry city wholesome and family-friendly
By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League of North Carolina

ASHEBORO – Home of the N.C. Zoo and collegiate baseball’s Copperheads, this Randolph County city also bears another distinction – largest Tar Heel municipality without alcohol sales – a unique honor that many church leaders, health advocates and other liquor opponents hope to maintain well past July 29.

That’s the date that registered voters – 11,693 of them as of this week – can go to the polls to decide if Asheboro will open the door to the sale of malt beverages, the sale of fortified wine, the operation of ABC stores and the sale of mixed beverages.

To say the issue is contentious is a bit of an understatement. Voters said no, by an average of about 400 votes, to all four issues in May 1994; but last summer, some members of the Asheboro City Council tried unsuccessfully to get state legislation that would allow liquor by the drink there without a referendum. Then, on May 27, the Council voted 4-3 to ask the Board of Elections for the July 29 vote. Read the rest of this entry »

Rev. Mark H. Creech, Executive Director
Raleigh News and Observer

Some may have heard the story about the political convention that came to one town, where a small boy was selling puppies. When one of the crowd approached the youngster and asked whether his pups were Republican or Democrat, he said: “Neither, these pups ain’t like politicians – they’ve got their eyes open.”

Only a couple of weeks ago, Governor Mike Easley made a modest proposal to increase cigarette and alcohol taxes in North Carolina. Yet most legislators oppose the Governor’s proposal out of a knee-jerk reaction to all taxes or an unfounded fear the increase might offend during an election year. Such is blind reasoning at best. Read the rest of this entry »

Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

Harold Chandler ain’t half the preacher he once was.

Last year, at 349 pounds, he was two cheeseburgers short of 350. Today he is 186 pounds, well on his way to his goal of 170. He has already lost 163 pounds. When he reaches his goal, he’ll be almost exactly half the preacher he used to be.

Chandler, 58, pastor of Shepherd Hill Church of Pine Bluff, had not seen 200 pounds or less since he was 16 years old.

No, he was not a contestant on “The Biggest Loser” TV show. So what motivated him to lose all that weight? Several factors. Want to know more about how to get your temple in shape?

Read the related testimonial by CAL Executive Director: Obesity and Me