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Find or Refer a Contractor in Tyler

Church Arsonists Sentenced in East Texas

January 10th, 2011

Tyland Baptist ChurchUnless you’re living in a hole in the ground, you’ve probably already heard that church arsonists Jason Bourque, and Daniel McAllister, were sentenced by Judge Christi Kennedy of the 114th court.

Baroque was sentenced to five life sentences for his successful church burnings and another three, twenty year sentences for attempted arson. McAllister received two life sentences for successfully burning two churches, and two twenty year sentences for two counts of trying unsuccessfully to burn two other churches.

Several of the pastors whose churches were attacked by the pair were present at the sentencing to offer their forgiveness and prayers. I’ve been reading the posts by individuals angry at the sentences and the Judge who brought them! Some claimed they were far too harsh. Others that the church should forgive the young men and be glad no one was hurt.

To that I would respond that it was just a matter of time before someone was in fact killed due to the young men’s actions. And while I agree that the church collectively should and has forgiven the assailants, it’s the civil authorities who must protect the public.

Tyler Texas Church Arsonists SentencedAnd in actuality, many people were in fact hurt by the perps’ actions! Like it or not, church is a big part of the lives of many East Texans. We are baptized and confirmed in them. Married in them, and raise children in them. That’s a lot of memories, and a big part of our identity that cannot be completely restored once it’s taken away.

Clearly these are very troubled young men, but the facts of their ages, and their motivation doesn’t really matter, except in proving guilt or innocence. I’m not really interested in why they burned those churches. I’m only interested in preventing them from burning any more, particularly mine!

There is certainly a place and a need for forgiveness, but contrition shouldn’t remove the consequences. I hope Bourque and McAllister get the help they need.

And I hope that they will encounter a chaplain who can help open their minds and help to make them receptive to the faith they persecuted. But it must be in the context of facing the consequences of their actions.

Burger House

October 12th, 2010
Burger House Tyler Texas

Burger House Tyler Texas

Burger House has brought a great pride to East Texas. The fun “every one knows your name” atmosphere makes your experience of eating at Burger House more enjoyable. Between the giant chalk board and the few video games, my kids have fun when they eat here. The restaurant has a great monument painted on the walls resembling all the greatest treasures in Tyler.

Besides the paintings on the walls and the small video games, Burger House offers great food. They have a great selection of burgers that are made just to your liking. Before eating there I really had not heard very many reports about Burger House. I think that the new burger restaurant Smash Burger has over shadowed Burger House. Burger House has other food than just burgers; they also have chicken sandwiches and hotdogs. The restaurant has chili cheese fries, if you can get over the guilt of the 10 pounds you are putting on from the deep fried potatoes, thick chili, and melted cheese, you will realize how great the food is here.

Not only is the food comparable to the popular Smash Burger, the prices are comparable to. You can eat somewhat cheap here and the servings are large enough to share. They have perfect portions for your small children. Your children can choose their favorite meal from the selections of burger, corn dog, or hotdog. Burger House has two rooms with televisions; usually play the popular sports game or Fox News. Burger house is a fun place to hang out and the food is pretty great too!

Papa Murphy’s in Tyler…Again

July 21st, 2010

            I realize that someone has probably already posted something on this site about Papa Murphy’s Pizza in Tyler. When several of us were newly hired to write for Tyler TX Directory, there was a mad rush to write about the Pizza places in town since there are so many of them. As someone once said, “a writer must write of what he knows.” Now I have previously stated that Bruno’s in Tyler is hands down the best in town, and I am still of that opinion. But I consider that to be dinning out pizza. Double Dave’s is also delicious, but that too, is eat out food. When it comes to carry out Papa Murphy’s has to be my first choice (and even by that standard it’s only marginally behind Dave’s). Now when I was a younger better fit man (ok that was a while ago), I ate pretty much whatever I wanted and worried not wit about the consequences, but now that I’m approaching middle age I find that I’m more concerned about my diet. Eating most take out in Tyler tends to leave me feeling… guilty and ashamed. Even the take- out pizza I like, seldom leaves me with a sense of well being. I really don’t need to dip my pizza in creamy garlic butter, or stuff the crust of my pizza with thick runny cheese! As good as cheap pizza may taste at the moment; there may be a physical price to pay in the long run. As my priest warns, sin is often pleasurable for a time.

            Papa Murphy’s food is not like other low quality greasy spoons in town. The ingredients are generally more wholesome and at least potentially healthy (depending on your choices of course). Now I am not going to claim that the Chicago Style stuffed pizzas are exactly good for you but they are delicious and for those of us who are conscious of what we eat; PM offers a great “deLite” menu that will leave the calorie counting customer both satisfied, and largely guilt free.  (I realize that’s a pretty tough call for fitness Nazis and other weight- loss gurus). Be that as it may, Papa Murphy’s seems to me to be the best tasting, and generally the healthiest take- out pizza in town. And I say that as a customer who is even now enjoying a slice. For more information on Papa Murphy’s see their website at www.papamurphys.com. To see a menu, go to http://www.papamurphys.com/pdf/PapaMurphysMenu.pdf. For more on Tyler’s various pizza parlors and or buffets look for the following titles or articles on this site: A Pizza a Beer and a Ball Game, The Best of the Buffets, The Worst of the Buffets and Bruno’s, the Best Pizza in Town.

Tyler Christian Preschool

April 14th, 2010

714 Shelley Drive
Tyler, TX 75701-9440
Phone: (903) 534-9987

Well it is now after midnight, and I’m only now sitting down to do something I’ve intended to do for some time.  It’s been about four months since I last published anything on the directory, but in that time it has been my intention to write about a tremendous local business that is having a lasting positive influence on area families.

As a single dad I know the guilt that many parents feel about dropping off their children at daycare before going to work. As the only bread winner in my house however, child care is for me, a necessary evil. After making the tough decision to place my son in someone else’s care during the day, my dilemma became one of determining the most suitable people with whom to leave him. Of course I wanted a safe secure location, with room out doors to play, and a caring and patient staff, who were well trained and accustomed to dealing all kinds of children, (in our case, a very active and energetic two year old boy). Perhaps most important to me was that he be in place where the teachers cultivate my son’s developing faith. In Tyler Christian Preschool, I found a daycare / preschool that offers all of these things.

After an admittedly shaky start due to facility and personnel issues, TCP has grown into an excellent Tyler institution. Its purpose is to provide a Christian environment where children from the ages of six weeks to five years can grow and develop. The building has undergone a series of updates and repairs and now offers a great space where the kids can play, learn and rest.

TCP’s curriculum is “Christian based.” It incorporates Bible stories, songs and gospel lessons. The teachers are terrific and do their very best to add to the children’s sense of safety, security and familiarity. Perhaps most important is the fact that the teachers genuinely care about their students and have the children’s best interest at heart.

Tyler Christian Preschool offers fulltime care for children ranging in ages from six weeks to six years. Part time after school care is available for students six to thirteen years old. During the summer months, full time care is also available for students six to thirteen years old. This includes activities and field trips.

While starting a new school can be a difficult transition in a child’s life, (and a parent’s for that matter); it doesn’t have to be traumatic. After a short period of transition (about a week or so), my son has come to love his school. Anytime we happen to pass Tyler Christian Preschool, he proudly shouts “that’s MY school!” to anyone in earshot.

I heartily recommend checking out Tyler Christian Preschool. They are located at 714 Shelley Dr. in Tyler, and can be reached via telephone at (903) 534 9987. Also see their website at www.tylercp.com.