Super Bowl week in Houston is an economic wind-fall for Houstonians, as well as an opportunity to showcase Houston’s great quality of life to the world community. Without a doubt, the citizens of Houston are helpful, polite to friends and guests, gracious, hospitable, and courteous individuals who will conduct themselves with the utmost politeness and human dignity. But, most of all, Houston has a professional police department lead by a Chief of Police that is fair-minded, of impeccable intellectual integrity, and of moral character. Policing and security authorities are present for everyone’s protection; therefore, if you see or hear anything of a suspicious nature, by all means, please report it to the police authorities. Let’s make this a joyous and safe occasion for everyone in attendance.
Most assuredly, Houston has “the” smartest mayor (Harvard Law School Graduate) in the history of this great city. The mayor has done a stellar job of improving the financial integrity of the city budget, as well as preparing for the massive crowds in attendance at the Super Bowl festivities. In addition, The Houston Forward Times Newspaper would like to extend an open invitation and a heartfelt welcome to all visitors to our great city with a sincere wish for peace and good will towards everyone. Moreover, the Forward Times Newspaper is asking that all Houstonians remember to: “Walk in wisdom to them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4: 5-6). Houstonians, let’s enjoy the festivities of “Super Bowl 51”, but let’s not forget who the real “Super-Star” is: Jesus Christ the Righteous One. For after all, “Thou art worthy, O Lord to receive the glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11).
All Houstonians who work in Houston’s magnificent office buildings and worship in our glorious church edifices know in their hearts and minds by faith that: “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.” (Hebrews 3: 4). Houston presently has and has had in the past many outstanding pastoral leaders: Pastor E. Stanley Branch (Fourth Missionary Baptist Church), Pastor J. J. Roberson (Mt. Hebron Baptist Church), Pastor A. Louis Patterson (Mt. Corinth Baptist Church), Pastor Charles L. Jackson (Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church), and Pastor John Osteen (Lakewood Church). Presently, we have Dr. Robert E. Childress (Covenant Glen UMC), Pastor Terry K. Anderson (Lily Grove Baptist Church), Pastor Ralph D. West (The Church Without Walls), Pastor Kirby John Caldwell (Windsor Village UMC), Dr. Ed Young (Second Baptist Church), Dr. John Morgan (Sagemont Baptist Church), Pastor Steve Riggle (Grace Community Church), Pastor Allen Patterson (Mt. Corinth Baptist Church), Bishop I.V. Hilliard (New Light Church), Pastor Floyd Williams (Friendship Baptist Church), Bishop L. J. Woodward (Christian Fellowship Church), Pastor Sheldon Jackson (Pleasant Grove Baptist Church), Pastor Raymond L. Farley (Greater New Sanctuary Baptist Church), and Pastor Michael A. Pender ( Fall Brook Church). There are many, many more; in fact, the list is too long to name all who are deserving of inclusion.
Additionally, we have two stellar pastoral “presidential” leaders of ministerial alliances: Dr. Max Miller (The Houston Baptist Minister’s Association) and Dr. Roland Robinson (The North-side Ministerial Alliance). The Houston Forward Times, on behalf of the religious community, extends a cordial invitation to our guests to visit any worship place of their choice, simply because Houston has a great religious environment.
Moreover, The Houston Forward Times is Houston’s leading community newspaper information resource. The visiting public is cordially invited to visit our facility located a 4411 Almeda Road, Houston, Texas 77004. Ms. Karen Carter Richards, owner-publisher and Jeffrey L. Boney, Associate Editor will be delighted to receive all visitors.
Houston has a number of top-notch engineering and construction firms that have assisted in improving Houston’s infrastructure and skyline: Tony L. Council (TLC Engineering), Julian Boddy (Total Construction Inspections or TCI), and Samuel Eaton (JNE- Environmental Green Team). And, Houston has an active Local NAACP Chapter with a Business Development Subcommittee under the leadership of Allan J. Provost that is a strong advocate for minority business ownership inclusion.
A sports reporter asked the New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady this question when observing Brady wearing a Donald Trump for President “Baseball Cap”: Why are you supporting Donald J. Trump? Mr. Brady answered that he has known Donald J. Trump for a number of years and that they are good friends! Of course, we all know from President Trump’s own mouth, as well as perceiving the essence of his own heart and mind, just who he really is. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” (Proverbs 23:7). Of course, the next question that the sports reporter should have asked is: “Mr. Brady, why did you refuse to participate in the White House Ceremony Honoring the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl “49” win? I sincerely pray that during the festivities of Super Bowl “51” that a spiritual minded sports writer/reporter will have the fortitude to ask quarterback Tom Brady this proposed most “spiritual of spiritual” questions. And, of course, The Forward Times Newspaper’s “Subscribers/Readers” really want to know the answer to this question. God is a Spirit and we must worship Him in Spirit and Truth. For after all, in our Christian-Walk, we all understand that: “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Moreover, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14: 40).
Lastly, The Forward Times Newspaper has no particular favorite team in this “contest”. But, we are sincerely praying that no player on either team is physically or mentally injured. May the “best” team win. Selah!