Allen's Blog

  A Perspective on Death How are we to live within our culture?   Should I seek to maintain the peace or boldly proclaim the truth as I see it at the risk of alienating some?   It is always my hope that as I see life through the lens of the gospel that my views and perspectives will be seen as an attempt at honestly seeking and desiring what is best. This past week I was hit by the news of three deaths: 1) Cecil the lion, 2) Aborted children through Planned Parenthood and 3) A friend’s miscarriage.   Based on the amount of news coverage allotted, it appears that the death of a lion has caused much more outrage than the alleged dealings with Planned Parenthood.   I agree that all life is precious and that wildlife, especially endangered species, ought to be protected.   But the way that certain segments of society have gone about it has shocked me.   People have been so angry that the Dentist who hunted the lion has received death...

This blog was published in the Richmond Times Dispatch on April 28, 2015 Will It Have a Happy Ending? My wife, Tracy, and I moved to Richmond in January trusting that God would provide for our needs. Five years ago, we left the safety and security of a job and benefits to take our family to Cameroon in West Africa. I am a pastor and Tracy is a counselor and at the time, our children were 14,15 and 16. It was a crazy time to take our kids out of a relatively safe environment, but we felt compelled to follow God's leading and give our children the experience of a lifetime. I accepted a job with Rain Forest International School (RFIS) in the capital city of Yaounde to be a Bible Teacher, youth leader and coach. Unlike teaching jobs here, we were not paid a salary, but we had to raise our own support. This journey began in 2009, which all should remember, was not a highpoint in the U.S. economy, so everything we did was a step of faith. While still at my church, ...

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...