Allen R. Hunt's Blog, page 11

Well said

Best analysis of the Islamic week - A Muslim world that can take to the streets in protest against a vulgar film depiction of the Prophet Muhammad—yet barely call up a crowd on behalf of a Syrian population that has endured unspeakable hell at the hands of the dictator Bashar al-Assad—is in need of self-criticism and repair (Fouad   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Islamic Fun Continues

A Coptic Christian in Egypt sentenced to 6 years in prison for posting Facebook cartoons of Mohammed. So glad we helped install the Muslim Brotherhood there. They are so peaceful and tolerant as they enjoy our tax dollars. Meanwhile, Egyptian Christians live in perpetual fear for their   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Redistribution of Wealth

I've spent this week on the road visiting with some of the most generous people I know. What a blessing.

And it seems more than a bit ironic that while I am doing that, the presidential politics have turned their attention to Obama and Romney's comments about redistributing wealth as a government function.

You can debate the role of government. After all, taxation is not giving. However, I do know thatChristians, at their best, are all about giving. In fact, following Jesus could be described as being entirely about generosity - sharing your life, your love, and your money with the people around you. Show me a stingy Christian, and I'll show you someone who barely knows God at all. Christians are generous.

That's true because we are all made in the image of God, the supreme Giver. The giver of life. The giver of His Son, Jesus. The giver of grace. The giver of forgiveness. The giver of   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

My New Book

Pre-orders are now available on my new book through Amazon. Should be stocked and ready to ship no later than Sept. 30.

"Everybody Needs to Forgive Somebody" builds on my earlier work in "Forgiveness: Where Real Life and Faith Come Together." This new book expands that former book by more than 50% and shares eleven real life stories of people whose lives were changed by the underrated power of forgiveness.

Each chapter includes real life ways to apply that lesson to your own life as well as discussion questions for small groups who use this work as a resource.

I pray it will be a blessing in your own   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Islam and Terry Jones

So a pastor with 40 in his flock posts a video and sends the entire Islamic world into apoplexy? And the federal government actually asks the pastor to cease and desist? Wow.

Perhaps the feds should take a course in understanding Islam and its inability to deal with free speech and freedom of religion. Conversion by sword and conversion does not mesh well with liberty. Terry Jones is not the problem; 1100+ years of Mohammed is.

New American motto: Give us You Tube or Give us Death! May be more true than we   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

DeSales in St. Louis

Best de Sales quote I have come across as I prepare to speak at a gathering in St. Louis in November specifically focused on St. Francis de Sales.

"Look up to heaven, And do not forfeit it for earth"

Pretty well sums it   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Same as It Ever Was

9/11 redux

Islamists attack American embassy in Libya and kill our Ambassador and 3 others.

Islamists invade our Egyptian embassy.

Meanwhile, American politicians point fingers at each other. Obama has no time to meet with Israel's president or apparently attend most of his own intelligence briefings. He does have time to appear on Letterman and campaign. Romney has little of substance to add other than criticism of the president. We have no leaders with understanding or vision of what we are dealing with here.

No one has the nerve to point out that we are the ones funding these crazies. Through our addiction to oil and through our continued "governmental aid" packages to these folks who we hope to buy friendship with.

There was no such thing as Arab spring. Just more of the "same as it ever was." Islam is antithetical to freedom. Historically and theologically, it is incapable of recognizing   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

9/11

September 11 arrived again on your calendar this week. What word came to mind?

For me, the word is gratitude. Over time, in an odd way, 9/11 has become a mini-Thanksgiving day for me. I now set aside a good portion of the day to give thanks to God for my life. My days on earth will be temporary and short. While I am here, I need to consistently remind myself to appreciate what makes my life meaningful rather than focus on what I do not have or that my life will end one day. 

I am grateful for:

My wife, Anita - what a gift she is as a soulmate. The best.

My girls - they are the treasure of our lives. Intelligent, beautiful, and witty they each are.

Meaningful work - I have the privilege of investing my time in things that matter and actually making enough money to live indoors and enjoy clean water

Friends - my cup runneth over with good people. I am a rich man.

September   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Innocent Man

Fresca, my call screener, recommended a book to me. What a gem it turned out to be.

The Innocent Man by John Grisham. I am not a huge Grisham fan in general. His novels tend not to captivate me for some reason, but his two out-of-the-ordinary genre books have both been great reads.

The first was The Painted House,, which I will review some other time. Great novel about rural Southern life and poverty.

The Fresca recommendation was The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town. Grisham uses his story-telling gifts to bring to life the tragic story of the murders of two young women in Ada, Oklahoma, and how in at least one of those cases, two men were framed by pressured prosecutors, and convicted for a murder they did not commit. 

Frankly, the story shocks you because it confirms your worst fears about the weaknesses of human justice systems. Prosecutors seeking to assuage public fears   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Power of Habit

Just finished reading The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg. 

Excellent book on the science and study of habits. Great for personal growth, for strengthening your leadership and organization, or just for curious learners. Duhigg looks at the study of human habits in individuals and in groups. Fascinating stuff on how we learn, how we develoo habits, how entrenched those habits become in our brains, and how to change habits. 

Duhigg runs the gamut from Rosa Parks and the civil rights movements to Rick Warren and Saddleback Church, from Target's research on buying habits to Starbucks work to train employee habits, and so forth. Really rich stuff. I recommend it.

AHS Grade:   >>>>>   Read Entire Post