Sunday, August 12, 2007

Ordination Week

This coming Sunday is going to be very exciting! We add 3 elders and 4 deacons to our Leadership Team. Sunday’s assembly will be different as we celebrate these additions. To help us think about the role and function of elders and deacons, please consider these passages.

Acts 20:28-31

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

1 Timothy 3:8-10

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

I know we have talked about all this quite a bit, so you may not have much more to say, which is fine.

Is there anything else you would like to talk about this week?

65 comments:

Anonymous said...

When Jesus says to Judas in Matthew 26:24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born. What exactly is Jesus saying to Judas?

Anonymous said...

I have to say something and it may seem harsh but it has always bothered me when I would hear preachers talk about the wrath we deserve but we do not recieve it thanks to grace. One, do you know what discipline God is handing out to people who are not doing what God's ask of them? If not then how do you know that God wrath has not falling on them? Has God even given you a hint of what his wrath is for you to say if someone deserve it or not? The way I see it, unless God personally said, hey, you deserve this for doing something I told you not to do then preachers or anyone else need to stop saying what people deserve because that is God call. not the church nor the preacher.

Allen said...

Gino I am not sure I understand your complaint/point. I think you misunderstood what I said. I think I am accurately reflecting what Paul said. In fact I quoted what Paul said. Here are the verses I used this morning.

Roman 5:9 - Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Ephesians 2:3 - All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

I may be wrong, but I think Paul is talking about eternity. We are saved from God’s wrath, which would result in our being in hell. We are saved by the grace of God which is demonstrated by the work of Jesus on cross. Right?

Clearly we are deserving of God’s wrath, at least everyone who has the ability to think and reason (children and people who have limited mental capacity are a couple of exceptions I can think of). Is God’s wrath seen/distributed in this life, which is a taste of hell? I think that could be the case. I am not sure how to distinguish between that and God’s loving disciple (Read Hebrews 12). It seems that problems and trials for the disobedient and unbeliever could be God’s wrath, and problems and trials for the believer are understood as discipline. What do you think? Also the “pruning” passage of John 15 might be helpful??

Here are some interesting “wrath” passages:

John 3:36 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

Roman 1:18 - The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. . .

Roman 2:5 - But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Romans 2:8 - But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

Romans 12:19 - Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Ephesians 5:6 - Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

1Thessalonians 1:10 - . . .and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

1Thessalonians 2:16 - . . .in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

1Thessalonians 5:9 - For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Allen said...

To answer your other question, Gino, I think Jesus is telling Judas that he has wasted an opportunity and has wasted his life. Most people think this is a reference to Judas going to hell. It is interesting what Peter says about Judas, as they are preparing to replace him.

Acts 1:25b - “Judas left to go where he belongs.”

Again, most think that Peter is making reference to hell.

Allen said...

The contrast between Peter and Judas is striking. Both of them committed terrible sins in the context of the cross. Judas betrays; Peter denies. Is one sin worse than the other? I don’t think so. The difference between Peter and Judas seems to be the ability to forgive themselves. Peter was able to do it, but Judas couldn’t, it seems. Judas ends his life with remorse (not repentance), a return of the silver, and then suicide (Matthew 27:1-5). Peter hangs on, of course, and runs to an empty tomb and later encounters a loving, forgiving Christ. Peter’s restoration in John 21 is amazingly moving.

Anonymous said...

first the definition of wrath means anger. God is angry with us. second the definition of grace means kind, forgiving or compassionate treatment of or disposition toward others. Three, hell was made for the devil and his followers, not for God's people so to say that we all deserve God wrath in that fashion is WRONG. First you can't take part of a verse without using the whole scripture and with Romans 5:9 Paul is talking directly with those who were once living for the world, not for the people of God. With Ephesian 2:3. If we say we are living for God but yet we allow are sinful nature to take over instead of doing what God expects of us, of course he is going to get angry with us. I would like to meet someone who God has not been angry with when they have done something wrong. Both the Just and the unjust. I would never tell a person who is trying to find God they deserve God wrath because if they are seeking after God, then what they deserve is God's love. Not his wrath.

Matthew 27:3 KJV
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Now I have read a few other bibles that shows that Judas did repent.

Allen said...

The following are not original with me. I am too tired to think/express all this, but I know this is right.

There are actually two Greek words in the New Testament that are both translated as "repent" in the KJV: "metamelomai" and "metaneo."

This first word means a feeling of care, concern, or regret. It expresses the emotional aspect, and it is the word used in Matthew 27:3-5 for saying that Judas "repented himself" (KJV) or "felt remorse" (NASB). To feel "remorse" denotes a deep and painful regret for wrongdoing; compunction.

The second Greek word translated as "repent" is used in such verses as Matthew 3:2, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"; and also Acts 2:38 and Luke 13:5. This word means more than just regretting or feeling sorry for wrong. It means to change or turn, to go in a new direction, to make "an about- face." It is a word of action.

So even though Judas felt sorry for his actions and could not keep the betrayal money, he did not fully repent in the Bible sense of the term because he did not turn back to God.

Remember, repentance is not merely feeling sorry for sin, nor is it merely feeling sorry for sin and turning from that sin; Bible repentance also involves a turning to the Lord, and this can only be done by obedience to the Gospel.

Allen said...

Now, I know I am tired, but, Gino, your post concerning wrath and grace confuses me. It seems contradictory.

We cannot understand nor appreciate the grace of God unless we understand the wrath of God.

You can argue with Paul about the wrath of God. I think it’s pretty clear. ALL, even the people of God, WERE objects of God’s wrath. The Good News is that we (Christians) no longer are, thanks to the grace of God.

Anonymous said...

I really liked what Mike Mathews said about Judas yesterday in class... He basically said that Judas was so stuck on the idea that the "king of the Jews" would come to over throw the Romans and rule on earth that Judas just brought the Romans to Jesus in a "here they are Jesus, now tell them whos boss" kind of way. Then Judas sat and watched his whole plan spiral out of control when Jesus died the on cross. (Of course all of this was orchestrated and would have happened anyway) but I personally think it was at that moment when Judas realized how wrong he was and he killed himself because of it.

I'm not quite sure that Judas is as "bad" as we all seem to make him, because Jesus would have died on the cross without Judas' help... In a way, Judas is just like all of us that try to fit Jesus in our little box. He was even like Peter who denied Christ because he wasn't fitting into his version of the box. Luckily for Peter he hung on and was blessed with Jesus's forgiveness and if we hang on long enough we too, will be blessed with the forgiveness of Christ when we try to put him in our little boxes.

All of this makes me wonder what would have happened to Judas if he had hung around. Would Jesus have forgave him, knowning that it was all in his fathers plan that Judas would betray him? Would Judas have been more in "fire for the Lord" because he Finally got what Christ was here to do?

For me, the lesson to be learned is to watch the box I try to fit christ into. What is it about my faith that makes me need/want this box and how do I allow myself to grow past the box?

EE

Anonymous said...

EE, I agree. I think we all pull a "Judas" from time to time. It is interesting to wonder if Jesus would have forgave him. Agree also, that it seems we are possibly too harsh on him because he was part of the plan. I never pictured utilitarianism tying into Christianity but in the case of Judas it really does.
Like Allen I am confused on the discussion of grace and wrath. To appreciate the grace of God you have to understand the wrath as well. Maybe I am too simple but it seems pretty simple if you read Rom 3:23
RR

Anonymous said...

Guys! Judas was BAD! Jesus called him the "son of perdition." I think that's kinda...you know...bad. And, just because Judas' betrayal was part of the plan doesn't mean he was right to do it. Only that God knew he would do it and figured it into his plan to save mankind. It doesn't absolve Judas at all.
Donna

Anonymous said...

Donna
So you believe in predestination then? Judas was predetermined to be the "son of damnation". Even though he was playing a part in God's plan, he had no choice but to be eternally damned to hell?
Do you really believe that?
RR

Anonymous said...

Hey I have a quiz to give and Allen is not allowed to answer because he already taken the quiz. How many days was Jesus tempted by the devil? A girl at my job got the right answer.

Anonymous said...

Ryan, I didn['t say anything about predestination (although I don't rule that out as a possibility)I simply said that even tho Judas' betrayal played a part in Jesus' death on the cross and our salvation, doesn't mean he's blameless. I'm convinced God knows everything we're going to do ahead of time. In fact, if I understand anything about the theory of middle knowledge, (not a foregone conclusion)it says that God preserves man's freedom of choice by working our actions into his plans. Predestination doesn't necessarily enter into it.
Donna

Anonymous said...

i don't like judas. i think he was greedy, and then sorry that he was greedy. i'm sure of it, i don't like him. tw

Allen said...

Was the sin of Judas any worse than Peter’s sin?

The cross becomes a stumbling block for both of them. It seems to me the difference between Peter and Judas is the ability to understand the possibility of forgiveness and grace. Peter hung around hoping; Judas did not. I guess he believed there was no hope, no future.

Are our sins different from the sins of Judas and Peter?

Anonymous said...

I've always been taught that all sins are "the same," but, in human terms anyway, I think Judas' sin was worse because it involved deception and betrayal of a friend.Also, it was premeditated. Peter was a coward, but he didn't sell Jesus out. It's easier to identify with Peter, I think, because we're all cowards at some point.
Donna

Allen said...

Here is an interesting passage from John (18:10,11):

“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

Did you catch that? “Greater sin.” I don’t think Jesus is talking about Judas, however. Yet, the idea that all sins are the same is contradicted by Jesus.

Allen said...

Finally! (Ha ha)

MANSFIELD — “Pull ‘em up or pay up.”

That’s Police Chief Don English’s interpretation of a new law that takes effect in Mansfield on Sept. 15

Anyone caught wearing sagging pants who exposes his or her underwear will be subject to a fine of up to $150 plus court costs, or face up to 15 days in jail.


IF you want read the rest of the story that comes from Louisiana, you can click here.

Anonymous said...

This is interesting:

Luke 22:3

Then SATAN entered Judas, called to iscariot, one of the twelve.

Context: Judas then met with the cheif priest for an opportunity to hand Jesus over.

You can hate the man, but it wasn't just the man!

Anonymous said...

Allen your last post was in reference to John 19 I think, and the one who sent Jesus or the one whom had the greater sin was (please correct me if i'm wrong) Caiaphas. Because he was the jewish leader or head fred at the time. He was the one originally who wanted to oust Jesus because all that good teaching and preaching and saving was cutting into Caiaphas's glory. So in the "greater sin" category he wanted or possibly thought he wanted the glory versus God/Jesus getting the glory (where it belonged). But back to Judas and Peter. I agree with whomever said it. Each of their sins were the same caliber of sins whether one seamed worldly worse or not. they are the same. But again whomever said that Peter chose to turn back to God and Judas chose the earthly way out of his sin.
Just the same as we are today, one little sin is just the same as one big sin (other than blasphemy) so each time one of US (me too) sins we are driving those nails deeper and deeper through the flesh and into that old cross.
Ya'll have definately sparked my curiosity this week. Very Good Blogging folks.. keep it up. and Thank You all for the brain stimulation.. Jon Goller

Anonymous said...

I always want to say sin is sin, although it seems at times all try to put it into categories and if nothing else this is a feable attempt to justify our actions or to make us feel better. Ha!
Donna, I am still going to argue with you on the Peter and Judas thing. Read, Matt 27:3-5. Judas was remorseful and admitted he had sinned. This doesnt make his "sin" not so bad or not wrong, but he acknowledged he had sinned and showed remorse, so it seems less than fair to make him out to be the ultimate "evil one". His initial acts were evil. He too was coward just like Peter. The difference I see in the cowardly part was that Judas took being a coward to a different level. He decided he could not live with what he had done and took the easy way out and hung himself. ( Is suicide the only unforgiveable sin?) Peter was a coward and he just took a different path and a different means to end it.
Again, though we all are cowards. Just like in Gary's class we have been talking about saying out loud "I do this in Jesus's name". We all struggle with this and joke on the words. Why? We are cowards!!! Why are we cowards? We are because we are afraid of what the reaction is going to be!
As Jon said, good blogging folks!
RR

Allen said...

Hey all,

Please continue to discuss Judas and sin, etc.; it's a good conversation. We'll study it/him in my class tomorrow evening as well.

I am looking forward to it.

Anonymous said...

RR, I agree with your theories on Judas and Peter, it's also my conclusions as well. I think the key point is the remorseful/repentent turning BACK towards God that saved Peter and Not Judas. Both were wrong. but one chose the right way to get back on the path. and personally I'm glad Peter did.

Your comment on suicide and being an un-forgivable sin isn't settleing with me as well. I'm sorry, I have to dissagree. the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit ((mathew 12:31,32 NIV)31And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.))

I can't find anywhere that says suicide is the un-forgivable sin. I do agree/think/feel (but can't prove it biblically) that suicide does send you to hell simply because when you do it your dead with no chance of repentance, well because your dead, game over, the end. Now the head scratching stuff and the sad result isn't whether it's unforgivable or not it's simply a sure ticket to the hot spot lake of fire.
In the words of Allen "this is good stuff" Thanks Dude, Jon Goller

Anonymous said...

Allen,
New Glasses?
Brent

Anonymous said...

Jon, yes, my point on suicide. Once you're dead you're dead so it seems to lead to the conclusion that once you committ the act you cant repent for it and the act is murder of one's self and murder is a sin thus you go take a dirt bath and end up in the eternal sauna.
Along with that though, I have always been rather puzzled by how people want to rate or grade out sin. You know, Sin #1 is 5 points, #23 is 1 point and if you get to 50 points oh no! I cant find that anywhere in my Bible. Sin is sin that is what we are to avoid.
It also seems to me that people leave out the state of mind and the condition of the heart. Very interesting to think about and quite the discussion.
Is being a coward a sin?
RR

Anonymous said...

Brent do you think Allen is going for the Harry Potter look?
RR

Anonymous said...

Ryan, I didn't say Judas was the ultimate evil one; that job pretty much belongs to Satan. I simply said that Judas was still guilty, even tho his sin indirectly resulted in helping to bring about God's will, and thus, our redemption. I think Judas did what he had it in his heart to do; I don't think God necessarily manipulated him into doing it and then damned him for it. I'm not sure what your point is, but you do seem testy today! :0)
Donna

Anonymous said...

Allen must have went out to talk to the racoons in his back yard after my last post since I haven't seen a response.

Referring to different levels of sin, I sometimes wonder about if there might be different levels of hell and heaven.
I don't know if it matters (you're either going to be in a lot of pain or happy beyond your wildest dreams) but I have always thought of certain individuals that deserved special recognition in heaven (little bigger mansion over the hilltop) and some who might deserve a little more punishment than others in hell.
I just can't get past the vision (portrayed by Lazarus and the rich man)of hell in my mind as a one-way mirror where the lost will be able to see heaven, but those in heaven won't be able to see hell or have any recollection of those in their lives who aren't in heaven.
But, the bottom line about sin in my mind is:
1.That all fall and come short of the glory of God.
2.That the wages of sin is death....eternal death.
3. The only way that we are saved is through the grace of God via Jesus' Blood.

Oh yeah, and as far as Judas goes, just think about all of the people that Judas touched as an apostle. There had to be some good there at some time. Unfortunately, I think God chose the guy who was probably weakest in the herd to allow the Devil to get to. Who's to say that all the apostles weren't tempted? Jesus was (for at least 40 days and nights (that's how long we know he fasted), Gino), why not them? Judas just failed. the test and chose to turn away permanently as opposed to Peter.

This weeks $0.02
Brent

Allen said...

Oh I am here; just “listening” and learning.

Here are some random responses to what has been said lately:

I would tread very carefully with the suicide issue. I do NOT believe it is necessarily/automatically a ticket to hell. You have to wonder about the state of mind of those who do it. God knows things we don’t, and he is the judge. It is so painful for family, so be careful.

I think degrees of punishment are suggested in the New Testament, but I don’t see any hints of degrees of enjoyment, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Some appreciate grace more than others. I don’t know if that translates into some enjoying heaven more than others?

In one sense all sins are the same; they all separate us from God. But in another sense certainly some sins are worse than others; some have deeper consequences than others. Running a red light in the middle of the night is a sin, right? But if you hit no one, then that is not as bad as running a red light and killing a family of 5.

I have said, much to the disagreement of some, that sexual sins seem to have a deeper impact than others, which I assert has to do with the fact that sexuality in marriage is a reflection of what God experiences in himself. Paul seems to say that sexual sins are, at least, different:

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Anonymous said...

Judas kills himself long before Christ death so he does not get to watch Christ die. Matthew 27:1-5 1. When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
2. And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
3. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4. Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that .
5. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

grace and wrath. If you found out that your child was living a homosexual life style, would that make you angry? Even though this lifestyle angers God he still has compassion and a forgiving heart toward those who practice homosexuality? When we the church knows that God expects something from us and we don't do it, what do you think, he is not going to be angry but just forgive us?

You all can talk bad about Judas but I have nothing but respect for Judas. The devil chose Judas because Judas was the weakess out of all the disciples. Judas messed up and did something foolish. I know people who allows the devil to enter into them and once the devil is gone, they still continue to do the same old mess again. Judas at least recognize that he did something wrong and took the money back. How many of you would have done that if you were Judas? At least Judas tried to do the right thing. Allen you said that Judas was just remorseful. I disagree for the fact is, look at the steps that Judas took that 99.9 percent of the people in church wouldnt have taken. He tried to return the money and when the money was not accepted back, he wouldnt keep it. Judas made every effort to try to make things right and he allowed his weakness to get the best of him. For anyone to put Judas down, they need to go look in a mirror and ask themself the question, how many times have I done something wrong toward Christ and made effort to try to make it right. Judas was weak.


RR and Jon thank you very much for what you wrote because in truth, mine would have gotten deleted. So thank you.

I would be happy to answer the coward being a sin? Yes, Yes, Yes. We cannot fully do the work of God if we are afraid to go out and spread the word of God to the lost, the weak and the unbelievers. It's impossible to do the full work of God if you coward up.

Anonymous said...

Okay, that monkey picture is just freaking me out. That's gotta go.
Brent, I've often thought there are levels to heaven and hell. (Dante thought so, too. Check out the "Inferno.") In fact, I suspect that in the worst section, you're jabbed with pointy things and made to listen to old Barry Manilow records. This is reserved for folks who're mean to animals, children and old people. The least bad section of hell is reserved for people who weren't all that evil in life. It just sorta smells bad.
On a serious note, tho, I'm not sure how much sexuality exists within the Trinity, since there's no part of God that's identified as female. I do think that sexual sin affects us more deeply because of the emotional aspect. But, I think we're commanded to control ourselves sexually for the same reason we're to control every aspect of our physical bodies. It's also sinful to eat too much and sleep too much.
Donna

Anonymous said...

Yes Allen your right that is Another tough and touchy subject, similar to most of the others we talk about on here, ha ha! however I pray I didn't offend anyone or hurt any feelings. It is a subject that's Very close to my own heart and life.

Hey has anyone heard or been to the Creation museum in Cincinnati?
A fella here at work went yesterday and said it was incredible. Check out the website (www.answersingenesis.org). It looks really cool.
Have a good day folks!!
Jon Goller

Allen said...

Regarding God and sexuality, I was making reference to this quote from Philip Yancey in Rumors of Another World, which by the way is a good book. I read it a few years ago. Here’s the quote (p. 92):

In one sense, we are never more Godlike than in the act of sex. We make ourselves vulnerable. We risk. We give and receive in a simultaneous act. We feel a primordial delight, entering into the other in communion. Quite literally we make one flesh out of two different persons, experiencing for a brief time a unity like no other. Two independent beings open their inmost selves and experience not a loss but a gain. In some way. . . this most human act reveals something of the nature of reality, God’s reality, in his relations with creation and perhaps within the Trinity itself.

If this is right, and it makes sense to me, then it gives us some insight into why God is so protective of sexuality and, perhaps, why sexual sins are somewhat different.

Allen said...

Hey! I like the monkey picture. It makes me laugh.

Allen said...

August 15

I used to live for this day. At the beginning of the year, I would take a calendar and number up from August 15th back to January 1. Then I would count down each day until this blessed day arrived. August 14th never provided any sleep for me. I was too excited about the dawning of August 15 to sleep. Why? Some of you know. Tell the class...

Allen said...

We had breakfast as a family at our house for the first time since school dismissed back in May. This summer was, as usual, unusual. Someone was always going somewhere. Now it is time to settle back in. I welcome that, I think. I really like summer, but I also like getting back into a predictable schedule.

This year is a fairly significant year for our three kids still at home. Luke is a senior; Rebecca starts high school. Ben begins junior high. No more kids in Burris school. This is the first time in 14 years, I guess.

I didn’t feel too emotional today; I usually do. I guess I’ve been through it enough that I know it’s going to be ok. I’ll never forget when we put Lester on the bus for the first day of his kindergarten experience. Little Lester, wearing a cowboy hat, climbed aboard a huge yellow bus as we fought back the tears until we could let them flow freely in private. It seems like yesterday. Really.

Anonymous said...

Does anybody else really miss their kids while they're at school? I miss Tyler terribly. He started third grade y'day, and I really dreaded sending him off to school. He never had any separation anxiety. I took him to preschool the first time when he was barely 3, expecting him to cling to me and beg me to stay. He took one look around the place, set his Blue's Clues backpack down, looked up at me and said, "Are you still here?!"
Where does the time go?
Allen, I'm familiar with the Yancey quote. Frankly, I don't see any scriptural support for it, and it just doesn't resonate with me. We're to be holy and disciplined in every aspect of our lives, including the bedroom, for obvious reasons. I may be immoderate in some other areas of my life w/o doing much harm to others. But, sleeping around creates chaos pretty quickly and hurts others. Also, I have a hard time accepting copulation as reflecting God's relationship with himself within the trinity, since animals mate, as well.
Donna

Anonymous said...

Allen, our grandaughter, Sarah, was born on Aug.15, 2000 (in a car). She would be happy to know her birthday means so much to you. I don't think I'll tell her though. She already thinks it's all about her.....Neva

Anonymous said...

Allen, your August 15th trivia question is easy I can't believe folks couldn't or wouldn't know this. It's always the opening day of Indiana's Squirrel season August 15th every year..

Jon Goller

Anonymous said...

Donna

Anonymous said...

Oops!
Donna, I too miss my girls terribly even though I am work even during the summer, I hate the idea of them being some where other than at home where I can call them any time. This year was especially difficult as one started high school and one started middle school. Not easy to handle. Not sure I am ready to close those chapters of life and start new ones. Last week our oldest got her first car! She and I took it to my parents because she wanted to show mamaw. my mom just cried! (totally off the subject of this week, but Lester it is your dad's fault!)
Jon love your response!
This has been an interesting blog week.
RR

Anonymous said...

Totally off topic, but I just wanted to let the Pathfinders parents know that we will attend the Pool Party tonight with Faithquest.
Dress accordingly...

Brent

Allen said...

On the August 15 thing...

[Ding ding ding]

We have a winner!

I used to love to hunt squirrels. Now, I guess I am too soft-hearted or something. I have lost my will to kill. Now I feed the stupid things.

All those young boys who hunt will be especially attracted to Sarah. How old is she? I remember the story fairly well but can’t recall how long ago.

Allen said...

OK, I see the date, as I reread Neva's post. Sarah is 7. See, I can do math; it just needs to be simple.

Anonymous said...

I try not to blog because sometimes it gets a little too emotional for my taste but you guys are cracking me up today!! First thing I see is the new picture of "Allen", then all you guys are so lively today with such fun responses. Thanks for the belly laughs..........I have been reading this stuff outloud to my co-workers and they thank you all too.
Diane

Allen said...

Diane sent me this, and since it is wacky week of hodge-podge I present it to you:

From 0 to 200 in under 6 seconds

Mike forgot his wedding anniversary and his wife was really ticked off at him.

She told him, "Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in under 6 seconds, AND IT BETTER BE THERE."

The next morning, Mike got up really early.

When his wife woke up a couple of hours later, she looked out the window, and sure enough, there was a small gift-wrapped box sitting in the middle of the driveway. Confused, the wife put on her robe, ran out to the driveway, and took the box into the house.

She opened it, and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Mike is not yet well enough to have visitors.

Anonymous said...

That is tooooo funny! If Mike were my husband, he wouldn't need a hospital so much as a headstone!
Speaking of that Creation Museum, I've read about it a bit. It's near Cincinnati, I think. I guess their opening day they were swamped. They were also picketed by Darwinists, which I thought was odd. No government funds were used to support the project, so why should they care? I'm still trying to get Todd to take me and see it.
Donna

Anonymous said...

Donna, the buddy of mine that went to the creation museum yesterday said it was awesome. He said it was packed too. they waited in line for almost an hour for tickets so order them on-line if you go. I've always been facinated by Noah and the Ark. He said there is alot of stuff about that as well as several pieces showing the size and potential construction and build of the Ark. He said he was there from about 10am till about 5-6pm and he could have stayed longer. He said it was a very spiritual eye opening day.

I'd say the darwanists were there to protest simply because it goes against the evolutionists theories. and they don't want to believe the Truth about Creation. (hence the name Creation Museum!).
Jon Goller

Anonymous said...

Allen did you acutally eat the squirrels? I just can't imagine eating a squirrel... let alone I NEVER even knew it was legal to hunt them and they had their very own hunting season. (city girl... moves to country... has lots to learn:O)

Anonymous said...

Erin, actually there is a season for almost everything in Indiana. Frogs, crows, possums (redneck spellin), etc. Yep your in Big Country now, High livin girl!! ha ha..

Jon Goller

Anonymous said...

Killing frogs is just WRONG!!!!!
Diane

Anonymous said...

We have established that killing frogs is Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!.

Eating frogs is Good! Good! Good!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Allen, you win the math prize for the day ! As for squirrels, my menfolk used to hunt the little rodents also. No more,thank goodness. Our boys used to bring them home, clean them and cook them on the grill. They were the only ones who would eat them, but they "claimed" they were quite tasty. This from boys who wouldn't dream of putting a green bean in their mouth. It's a special joy to be the mother of 3 boys. We had some experiences!

Anonymous said...

NO EATING FROGS IS BAD BAD BAD

Anonymous said...

My father-in-law used to eat squirrel brains. Always thought that was a bit weird but……..Frog legs, Mmmmmmm! Now there is some good eatin'.
Allen, you do realize that you're the one who got the topic going down this road don't ya? Of course everyone knew that today started squirrel season. -Tony

Anonymous said...

me and my father in law shot several squirrels over a two or three year period. we would always shoot them in the head so as to not ruin meat. one time he told me that we needed to kill some for his dad but we had to shoot them in the shoulder. i was sorry i asked why when he said that his dads fav part was the brains. i think sqirrels are much fun to shoot, even in the shoulder. tw

Anonymous said...

Please do not answer any of the questions until you read all the story.

Tonight class had me do a lot of thinking and for some reason, Michael Jackson came to mind. Don’t ask me where these ideas come from because I’m just going to give the credit to the Lord. Haha. Tonight as I listen to Allen and some of the people give their input as well as scripture into the class teaching, there was something there that was bothering me and I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Maybe it’s because I feel so sorry for Judas. There were things said about Judas that was and was not scripture by other people opinions and that is ok because we do not know step by step what took place back then. Now this is where the Michael Jackson theory comes in with me. For a long time Michael Jackson was looked at as a role model. Some people even saw him as a god. But when the allegation against Michael started, everyone forgot about the Michael Jackson who donated millions of dollars to different charities for sick children. Comedians make fun of him. I even heard a few kids call him a white woman cause they are repeating what they heard on the tv. Today Michael Jackson is no longer looked as a role model but a sex offender even though he was never found guilty of any thing, he is now looked at as a BAD person. The same way I see the people down Michael Jackson is the same way I’m seeing with the disciples. Why is that? Think about this. The disciples had no clue that Judas was the one who was going to betray Christ, why is that? If Judas was as bad as the disciples made him out to be, the time Jesus said that one of you are going to betray me, how is it that out of the 11 disciples, not one of them had a clue that Judas was going to be the one to betray Christ? If Judas was as bad as the disciples and Paul make him out to be how is it that Judas was able to do the things the other disciples were able to do as far as healing and doing miracles? Before the betrayal, you hear nothing negative about Judas, but after Judas hung himself, now Judas is a thief, he is this he is that. Not one scripture shows anything positive that Judas did. Why is that? Now for Judas to be so bad, tell me, how is it that when Paul comes around, the disciples want nothing to do with Paul because they know about Paul and his rep. If Judas was so bad, why question Christ when it came to Paul being around but never question Christ about Judas? How do the disciples come to find out that it was Judas who betrayed Christ? I believe what happens is this. The disciples found out that Judas betrayed Christ and in all fairness, was ticked off with Judas because he betrayed Christ. Why say anything nice toward someone who betrayed Christ? Would you? Like I said, not one thing positive is spoken about Judas in scripture, doesn’t that make you think, why? Today we see that in almost everything. When the Yankees would win ten straight games in baseball, they are the greatest team around. They lose one game, they are sorry. When a wife husband leaves her for another woman, he is the scum of the earth. When a man catches his wife with another man, she is the scum of the earth. I've heard women who would talk down about their kids daddy in front of the kids but never say one thing good about the dad. look at the Maury Pouvich show. the best examples on his show. The disciple are men who are capable of holding bitter toward Judas because of what he did and I believe this is what they are doing, because with bitterness you don’t find anything positive in what a person do and everything talked about Judas is negative. If I look at Judas as a man who was put on earth to betray Christ and then spend the rest of his life in hell, in truth, why would I want to serve a God who is going to set a person to fall and spend the rest of eternity in hell? Like I said, the disciples are mad at Judas cause of what he did. Now this is just my out look on the whole thing. I’m sorry, I’m not looking nor accepting a just negative side of what Judas did. Judas had a good side of him. The disciples just didn’t talk about it and that is what bothers me.

Allen said...

Here’s something that most of you don’t know and will probably trouble some: I can really relate to Charlie Daniel’s song, A Country Boy Can Survive. Back in the day I was the true outdoorsman. I was consumed with hunting, fishing, and trapping. Yes, trapping. I used to trap foxes, ’coons, ’possums, and even caught a weasel once. A red fox was worth $50; that was big money to teenage boy. Oh, you should know that I had a gun rack in the back of my F250 4x4. I used to impress the girls with my high powered groundhog gun. These were pre-Kedra days, by the way. In short, I was a country boy, redneck, hick, etc., etc. Those were pretty good days. I really have lost my desire to do those things, but I still appreciate them.

Kedra says that I am an “enigma of a man.” Actually, I say that, and she repeats it back to me.

Anonymous said...

Gino, I was kind of wondering the same things in class last night. I kept wondering if the apostles only wrote bad things about Judus because the scripture were written/published after Jesus died or if Judus was a down right "bad" person. I dont think we will ever know the condition of Judus' heart until we get to Heaven and ask God about it.

I think ultimately Judus was the one it had to be and maybe he wasn't as bad as we think he was but maybe he was worse. Part of me thinks he was just like any of us... tempted by his earthly soul and Satan took advantage of it in a HUGE way, then he realized his mistakes but didn't seek repentance. Maybe he was too ashamed of what he had done and didn't feel worthy of Grace. But maybe he was just an evil man with an evil heart and realized his evilness just cost an innocent man his life and was remoresful.

I really dont think we will ever know exactly what or why things happened and I'm ok with that.

EE

Allen said...

I THINK the issue with Judas is probably a heart that hardened. If I understand Scripture right, then I believe it teaches that the more you resist the Word of God the harder your hearts get. Isaiah 6:10 is often quoted in the New Testament. This makes sense to me. You can become calloused and desensitized. Judas experienced the Word in the flesh. But he must have resisted his teachings and way of life, even though he “played along.” So is Judas the perfect example of hypocrisy?

Personally, I don’t think the Gospel writers are being too hard on him. I think they are simply trying to explain what happened. They really don’t say that much about him. John is the only one that gives a little more information about Judas stealing.

The thing to take from the story of Judas, I think, is being very careful about secret sin and quiet rebellion against God. At some point it will bite you. The Hebrew writer says this:

Hebrews 3:12,13
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.


I really enjoyed having you in class last night, Erin. I am envious that Kedra gets to have you every week! Thanks for sharing thoughts from you heart; good thoughts, they are.

Anonymous said...

I have to really agree with Erin and I appreciate her saying she is ok with not really knowing what happened. That seems so simple but when you stop to think about it, very profound. Judas' heart condition, why, how, repented or not repented, the "devil in flesh" or not, etc. is not really the issue here or something I think God intended us to dwell on.
This seems really funny to say in a sense, but regardless of why or what Judas was thinking when he did the "act", I am glad he did and glad God's plan was fulfilled.
Please dont think I am trying to trivalize the issue, but simply put, I am glad he did what he did and as Allen pointed out, there really is not a lot written about Judas and the act and that probably is for a reason.
RR

Anonymous said...

A minister on a website I sometimes consult says, "The Bible contains everything we need to know in order to be saved, not everything we need to know to satisfy our curiosity." I suspect he's right (along w/Erin and Ryan).
Allen, I'll never look at you the same way,again. You seem like such a harmless little fuzzball. Who'd have guessed that deep inside beats the heart of a remorseless predator? :0)

Donna

Anonymous said...

I, like many of you, love wildlife.





Right next to the potatos and gravy.

Brent

Anonymous said...

Aahh, bring back the monkey. This one looks 'good ole boyish, tryin for some class'.