Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Charlotte, and all the ships at sea. Let's go to press…
Word from the Show-me State is Tammy Faye Messner's dream home is on the market – for $1.5 mil. Roe Messner, church-building hubby of the late PTL televangelist, has put it up for sale by owner, sez the Kansas City Star. He built the 5,900-square-foot lakefront property in a gated community near K.C. two years ago. It was foreclosed on, but Messner bought it at auction.
Tammy moved from Matthews to Missouri last year to be near Messner's grown kids. She died of cancer in July 2007. …
SRO crowd of 4,500 showed up last weekend at Hickory Grove Baptist for the National Conference on Christian Apologetics.
Headliner: Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family. He told the crowd there's a values “civil war” going on between his brand of conservative Christianity and pop culture.
“The culture will take your kids to hell,” he said, warning parents in the sanctuary to make time for their children and for their religious education. “If you don't have time for your children, they may not have time for your theology.”
Liberal evangelicals have lambasted Dobson for a “What if?” letter his group released before the Nov. 4 election, forecasting a left-wing Supreme Court in “Obama's America” that would OK same-sex marriage and abortion, ban gun ownership and give the green light to stag films on prime-time TV.
I tried to get face-time with Dobson, but was told: Sorry, he's busy. …
It's already Christmastime at Billy Graham Library. Decorations are up and the holiday tree in the lobby tops out at 20 feet.
In case you hadn't heard: The Charlotte-born evangelist turned 90 Nov. 7. Celebs made videos wishing him Happy B'day, including Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy and Christian crooners Ricky Skaggs, Kirk Franklin, Bill Gaither, Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith. To watch: www.billygraham.org/birthday_video.asp.
Scroll down and you'll also spy a video gem featuring George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows – musical stars of the old Billy Graham Crusades – singing him “Happy Birthday.”…
Calling all dogs: St. Luke Lutheran wants to invite you and your owners to the new “Barking Lot Café.”
Every first Saturday the church at 3200 Park Road will host a few free hours of “fun, fellowship and food” for every interested Spot and Fido.
Next up: A Christmas costume contest – yes, for dogs – 9-11 a.m. Dec. 6.
After a winter hiatus, the doggie days will continue in '09, with “Spring Bling Fling” and “Rubber Duckie Race” (April 4); Free Dog wishes (May 2); and Swimsuit Competition and Beauty Pageant (June 6).
If you think I'm pulling your leg – or twisting your tail – check for yourself: 704-523-7981. Ask for Pastor Cameron Keyser, who came up with the idea. … This is Tim Funk, signing off, with apologies to Walter Winchell…. (Never heard of him? Look it up.)
Tim Funk: 704-358-5703; tfunk@charlotteobserver.com
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