Allen's Blog

At the Risk of Being Nice "Be Kind" was the slogan of the elementary school where my boys attended. What does that mean? I think it was an attempt to address bullying, but I wonder about it's effectiveness. At the other extreme are schools that have "No Tolerance" as their motto. They are fed up with drugs and weapons and will do anything and everything to eradicate bad behavior. I'm not sure I have ever seen "Love" used as the expression to which we should call everyone. The english word for 'love' is so misunderstood that it would be twisted and torqued to convey whatever we want it to. But that is the highest calling to which we can attain if we understand it in its correct context. When asked the greatest commandment, Jesus stated, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like it in that we should love our neighbors as ourselves. All the law ...

What If She's Right? The other half of "What If I'm Wrong?" To admit that I am wrong is a good thing. But it's only half the battle. Repentance is at least a two part process: 1) Admitting I am wrong, 2) admitting the other person may be right, and 3) changing my behavior based on new information....okay, 3 parts. You may want to refer back to my original blog, "What if I'm wrong?" and see that this was a significant conversion on my part. I get so stuck in my black and white thinking that I am not able to perceive any other points of view. Therefore, it was extremely significant to realize that despite my convictions, there was a 'slim' possibility that I may indeed be wrong. Thus, opening the door to a more gracious manner of approaching someone in an argument or discussion. Yesterday, Tracy were having a...discussion about packing material. Yes, that's right, a life and death conversation ab...

I Saw an Angel and His Name was Tom Friday began as every day begins, with time in God's Word as I sat sleepily on my couch gazing out at the darkness of a Michigan morning. It's easy in my present circumstance to be drawn to passages that represent my feelings. On this day, I read from Psalm 119 where the Psalmist was crying out for God's mercy: Verse 25 "I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life...." and verse 39 "Take away the disgrace I dread...." and verse 58 "be gracious to me according to your promises. I am called by God to be a pastor, but currently I am employed as a handyman which means I will attempt just about any household project. Most often I am successful but that success is tainted with the anxiety I feel going into it. Today I would be replacing someone's front door. I've done doors. Actually, I've gotten pretty good at doors thanks to my friend Marty who showed me the Jedi secr...