The Gatlinburg Lodge at SmokyMountainViews.com

The Wears Valley Chalet at SmokyMountainViews.com, a private 1-bedroom cabin in the area of .

Views of The Smokies from the deck of The Gatlinburg Lodge at SmokyMountainViews.com.

Last-minute CABIN:
http://smokymountainviews.com/Wears_Valley_Amenities.html
CONTACT US:
http://smokymountainviews.com/Contact_Us.html

http://smokymountainviews.com/Views_of_Smoky_Mountains.php

SMOKY MOUNTAIN TOWNS HAVE WELCOME MAT OUT

"The mountains are calling, says Gatlinburg’s newly-minted ad campaign tagline. Officials want everyone to know that Smoky Mountain hospitality is alive and well and eager to welcome tour groups back to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and , .

Nearly two months following devastating wildfires that claimed 14 lives, thousands of acres and countless structures – both residential and business – recovery efforts have been in overdrive....

With all the attractions, restaurants, hotels and tourist venues wide open, the town is gearing up to welcome fellow tour and travel professionals to town....

Also on the spring schedule is the 23rd annual Mountain Quiltfest March 21-25....

Highlighting Pigeon Forge’s spring festivities is ’s annual Homecoming Parade on May 5. Typically drawing more than 50,000 Dolly and fans alike, the free event brings together local entertainers, colorful floats, military veterans and marching bands with Dolly herself acting as grand marshal.

Likewise, Gatlinburg is looking ahead to popular spring events such as Smoky Mountain , Wildflower Pilgrimage, Winefest, Spring Art Experience and Easter Arts & Crafts Show....

The town’s iconic Parkway (Main Street) shows no trace of damage to the businesses so well known to visitors to this tourist mecca. Officials report that the church and youth groups who traditionally descend on the town for Smoky Mountain and ski season during January and February are coming as previously planned....

“People ask how can they help? Come for a visit! Gatlinburg is open for business. All the attractions, dining, shopping, eateries, candy kitchens and pancake houses that you have grown to know and love are still here,”...

Among those new developments is the highly-anticipated Resort on the Parkway, under construction on the site formerly occupied by Best Western Twin Islands. Just down the street, a Landshark Restaurant is scheduled to open later this spring in the former Hard Rock Cafe location.

Other new lodging properties under construction on Historic Nature Trail (aka Airport Road) in the heart of downtown include a brand new, six-story Hampton Inn as well as a new Fairfield by Marriott, joining a brand new Courtyard by Marriott and a Holiday Inn Express, both which opened in 2016.

New attractions coming this spring include Rowdy Bear Mountain on the Parkway, which brings the world’s first-ever Mountain Glider to the heart of Gatlinburg...

Later this summer, , billing itself as a “magical treehouse-themed attraction” opens in downtown, across the street from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies....

Group favorites like the Sweet F***y Adams Theater... Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler and the Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Community are all open and going strong.

“Gatlinburg loves groups!.... is ready to welcome groups with our time-honored traditions of fun, food and friendly people....""

http://leisuregrouptravel.com/smoky-mountain-towns-welcome-mat/

The Gatlinburg Lodge at SmokyMountainViews.com's cover photo

R.C. Sproul, Jr., Who Advocated ‘Drinking Well,’ Arrested for Felony DUI

"Prominent Reformed theologian, author, speaker and former Presbyterian elder Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr... has resigned from his positions at his father’s Ligonier Ministries and Reformation Bible College a week after being arrested on felony DUI charges....

Sproul was was arrested in Indiana on Nov. 29 and charged with four DUI accounts, including felony charges for being under the influence with a minor in the vehicle, and at twice the legal limit.

The case summary of “State of Indiana v. Robert C Sproul” in Allen Superior Court outlines that Sproul has been charged with “operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a passenger under 18,” and placing a “dependent in a situation that endangers the dependent,” as well as “operating a vehicle while intoxicated” and “operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .15 or more.”

He posted $5,000 bond and is free via a “monitored conditional release.”...

Sproul had written about his beliefs regarding alcohol on a number of occasions, including in 2003, when he wrote the forward to the book “Drinking With Calvin and Luther: A History of Alcohol in the Church,” stating, “[I]t’s not enough that we should drink, but that we ought to drink well.”

In 2005, he also stated in a blog post, “Would you please, so as not to cause me to stumble, stop suggesting that it is wrong to drink alcohol in moderation, or that drinking alcohol in moderation somehow is a failure to love my brothers?”....

In recent times, Sproul had been a repeated guest on the Reformed Pubcast, a broadcast that focuses on Reformed theology and beer. The podcast, which invites listeners to “[g]rab a brew and pull up a stool,” has been controversial to some over its flaunting of a perceived Christian liberty, such as Adam Powers wrote on his blog “The Publicans.”

“The Pubcast’s emphasis on is too much for my liking. I don’t think it takes the consequences of alcohol seriously, or the struggle certain people have with it. It borders on sin, and has crossed the line at times by celebrating/flaunting our Christian liberty before God and others,” he wrote....

While there has been much discussion over the subject of Christianity and throughout Church history, Scripture admonishes in 1 Corinthians 6:9 that unrepentant “drunkards … shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Proverbs 20:1 also teaches, “ is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

Sproul has a hearing scheduled in February and faces possible fines or jail time."

http://christiannews.net/2016/12/18/bad-beer-or-no-beer-r-c-sproul-jr-who-advocated-drinking-well-arrested-for-felony-dui/

The Gatlinburg Lodge at SmokyMountainViews.com, and inThe .

LETTER FROM MICHAEL REED (WHO RECENTLY LOST HIS WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS IN THE WILDFIRES) TO THE TWO TEENAGERS WHO APPARENTLY STARTED THAT FIRE:

"People stop me on the streets everyday and ask me the same question: "What can we do for you?"

My answer has been the same every time: "Love those closest to you a little stronger. Hold them a little tighter. Don't take a single moment for granted."

As I learned of your arrests last week I sat in silence for a very long time. You may be too young to understand this, but even through this tragedy I can feel God with me and my son....

As humans, it is sometimes hard to show grace. We hold grudges. We stay angry. We point the finger and feel we have to lay the blame somewhere. It's human nature and completely understandable. But I did not raise my children to live with hate. I did not teach my girls or my son to point the finger at others.

John 8:7 says "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone."

Forgiveness isn't for you. It is for me. It is for my son. It is for Constance, Chloe, and Lily....

I, as well as countless others, have been changed forever because of your actions. It is up to you to seek God's . I hope someday you can seek it and be at peace.

I forgive you. My son forgives you. My wife and beautiful girls forgive you. We know you didn't mean for this to happen. We know you would take it all back if you could.

We will pray for you. Every day. We will pray for your parents and your family members. Every day. We will pray for your peace. We will show you . Why? Because that's what Jesus would do.

Faith...Hope...Love...

The greatest of these is Love."

https://www.facebook.com/gatlinburgfire2016/
https://www.wbir.com/

["The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."" John 8:3-11]

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATIONS ARE A GO IN GATLINBURG

"The Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau confirmed... the city is planning on hosting its annual ball drop and fireworks show on Dec. 31, 2016. The family friendly event brings more than 50,000 to the Space Needle in downtown ....

Plans for the New Year's celebration were in question last week as city officials dealt with the aftermath of wildfires that swept through Gatlinburg, Sevier County and ...."

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/12/gatlinburg_wildfire_latest_upd.html

"Gatlinburg will welcome the arrival of 2017 at its 29th Annual Ball Drop and Fireworks Show. Fast rising country singer, Beau Braswell... will headline the event....

Nearly 50,000 people will gather around the intersection of Parkway and Historic Nature Trail at the base of the Space Needle late Saturday night, December 31 to ring in the . At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2017, fireworks will blast off the rooftop of the 400-foot tall Space Needle with special music choreographed for the fireworks show.... The has added rhythmic LED lights to the tower, making for a spectacular display."

http://www.gatlinburg.com/events/details.aspx?id=117

VOLUNTEERS HELP GATLINBURG NATIVE FIND FAMILY TOOLS IN ASH:

"As Ernest Ogle walks around what's left of his family home on Ellis Ogle Drive in Gatlinburg, he holds a few treasures tight in his left hand....

Ogle used the hammers to build his home nestled next to his father's and sibling's homes on a plot of land they purchased back in the day for just $300.

The recent fires destroyed his home and the rest of the homes on his road. Many memories were wiped away in just a matter of hours.

"Without the help of the Lord, I would have never gotten through this," Ogle added.

When Ogle went back to his home to see what he could find, he had his heart set on finding the few hammers that mean most to him....

Ogle couldn't do the search alone even though he insisted on finding them so a few with a recovery organization called Samaritan's Purse stepped in.

"They found both of them. I told them where to look," he said. "If it was possible, I would have found the hammers but thank the lord they found them for me."...

Ogle plans on using his hammers to rebuild his new home on the same property....

"I've had them so long I don't want to get rid of them," Ogle said with a smile.

For more information on and the work they continue to do in , click here [ https://www.samaritanspurse.org ]."

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/wildfire/volunteers-help-gatlinburg-native-find-family-tools-in-ash/370831369