Allen Hunt's Blog

Astonishing! Barack Obama has embraced President Bush's idea of the faith-based initiative. Astonishing! See this article for typical responses.
Bush considers these initiatives his greatest legacy.
Obama says the government needs help in solving the nation's problems and these partnerships help accomplish that.
Bush and Obama are both wrong.
There is no such thing as a government-funded faith based initiative. To receive funding, the recipients must pledge not to "proselytize" the persons they serve and agree not to "discriminate" against non-believers or people from other religions in their hiring of workers to administer the funds and programs.
What this means is a faith-based initiative is gutted of its faith. Faith is the reason why these people and programs are serving people in shelters, AIDS clinics, and after-school programs. The workers are motivated by their faith. Faith is WHY they are there.
Their faith gives them the compassion they are sharing. To tell them they cannot share their faith or allow faith to play an overt part in the program turns the initiative into social work.
Nothing wrong with social work, but social work does not cure the soul.
What you get when you take the faith out of a faith-based initiative is just another government program.
So it makes sense when Obama says he only wants funds given to those ministries (without the faith) who are getting the job done. Just like all those other government programs that get the job done, huh?
Obama and Bush are both wrong.
Let the Church be the Church. Let the Church offer compassion, hope and faith. And leave the government out of it.

Here it is. The 5th and final cell phone video from our visit to Italy.

This one comes from St. Peter's Square, where every Wednesday when he is in town, Pope Benedict addresses pilgrims and anyone else who gathers there. I have no idea how many people can fit in the square - tens of thousands at a minimum.

We got there early in the morning and sat adjacent to the platform where the Pope gave his address. It was breathtaking and moving to watch throughout the morning as pilgrims and believers arrived in the square. They sang, they chanted, they carried banners written in various languages. It was remarkable to witness the universality and global flavor of the Church all in one place. As a new Catholic, this was very special to me.

The Pope spoke in Italian about Gregory the Great, not a subject I know much about. Various translators got up afterward and shared portions of his address in other languages. They also shared his greetings and recognized various groups who were present that day.

Really great stuff. Enjoy the video!

Good stuff happening on the web site starting today. Our team is always looking for ways to help you live out your faith. We especially want to help parents.
So, beginning today, 2 new features to the Allen Hunt Show web site.
1) Rich Maring's See No Evil blog. Rich is the founder of See No Evil software, which helps parents monitor and guide their kids online. Great help in protecting your kids from the dangers of online porn and predators. We have entered into an agreement where Rich will blog a few times a week on topics to help parents protect their kids.

2) Rich and I will do a podcast about every 10 days or so to help parents as well. Real life topics facing real parents. And it is all free to you. Check out the first one here.

Face it: most of the news is not good

Consumer confidence at 16 year low

Gas = $4 a gallon

Home prices falling

Debt levels astronomical

Polar bears endangered

War drags on – 4000+ dead

Americans are the most pessimistic they have been in decades. An AP/Ipsos poll reached its 5 year nadir. Check it out

I drive a 10 year old truck – so I am certainly not enjoying gas prices. At all.

But I feel more positive now than I ever have in my life.

2 Reasons:

a) Because the media dwells on the negative – sells papers


We have it better than anyone ever before in history

You and I have clean water to drink – 40% of world does not.

Infant mortality Life expectancy – are both the best they have ever been across the globe.


b) My faith teaches me that our lives belongs to God

Our lives have a purpose and a destiny

Regardless of temporary economic circumstances – life is good.

As Reagan once said, "Enjoy life; it's ungrateful not to."

What a weird week.

George Carlin died. One of my top 3 comedians ever (after Seinfeld and Larry the Cable Guy but just before Jim Gaffigan).

And a Pew study showed that most Americans, and most Christians, believe that believers of all religions will be in heaven.

Really? Wow.

Ok - so here's the question. Is George Carlin in heaven now?

Carlin was an outspoken critic of religion, and Christianity in general. Called it all B.S. Mocked the Church and the very notion of faith.

So is the funny, sarcastic one in heaven?

I hope so, but I doubt it.

PS - My favorite bit by Carlin is "Stuff." Great commentary on us Americans and our love for our stuff. Second place would be his self-referential piece on being an alpha male on beta blockers, an overachiever and a non-believer.

I know, I know. You hate this stuff.

I hated looking at other people's vacation slides when I was a kid. But I can't help myself. So I have been posting a new video each week this month from our trip to Italy to look at early Christian and ancient Roman sites.

While we were in Pompeii, on vacation, we also got some footage of what would have been a multi-million dollar home in the first century. On the outskirts of town, on a cliff, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and poshly decorated and artistically furnished.

Sadly, it and its residents got covered with 10' of volcanic ash when Mt. Vesuvius blew its top.

But the home was preserved under the ash.

In it were exquisite mosaics (on display now in the Naples Museum).

And beautiful painted walls and frescoes. Again, Pompeii gives us a snapshot of life in the first century Roman Empire. The time when Jesus lived.

Here is our footage with my short explanation of the Villa of the Mysteries.

Our Good Samaritan show really sparked a lot of response. Another great email deserves sharing. Check it out:

Allen

Let me first say that I listen to your show almost every Sunday (since the first show) and that I enjoy it very much. It amazes me that faith plays such a huge role in so many of our lives and that we have such limited forums to discuss it. I believe that nothing could come close to being as important as our walk with God and that it should be all of our goal to learn how to apply what we know to be true to the real world. There seams to be too much of a disconnect between what people believe to be true and how they live their lives. I am encouraged that there is, in your show, a forum to discuss many of the issues of the day. Most importantly, we are able to analyze our responses to these issues. Lets face it, our response to these issues is the moral glue that holds this society together. It sure looks like we a need to be concerned with how well that glue is holding.

The show about Samaritans really got me wound up. I felt that I just had to talk to you. I had never called a radio show before. I actually got through on my third try. I am glad I got to tell my story because I wanted to point out the modern day risk of AIDS and the host of other diseases that we are potentially exposing ourselves up to anytime we come in contact with a stranger (especially one that is bleeding). I think I also made the point that often our moment to be a hero does not play out like it does in Hollywood. The damsel in distress could turn out to be an ungrateful druggy that was just let out of jail.

The point I would like to make is that I believe that it is much more important how we live our lives rather than worry about self preservation. My perspective is that God is in control of how long I will be on this earth. He has given us all abilities and puts us in situations where we can use them. The question becomes "what will I do when given the opportunity?" I think we all have defining moments in our lives and that, when viewed from the perspective of eternity, our only option is that we should give our best. I regularly pray that I will be ready and will recognize the opportunity to make a difference in one of those defining moments. I don't want to know what it is like for those who watched an injured man lay in the street and do nothing. Could they look in a mirror after?

Thanks for the good work, keep it up!

Jason

I rarely get angry, but it often happens in the car. Not sure why, but traffic brings out the worst in me.
And the problem is not traffic. The problem is in me. Most of the time, self-control helps me overcome anger and prevents me from lashing out at others or doing things I will later regret.
Last night, I filled in for Herman Cain on his show. Our focus: road rage. Why do we get angry while in the car? One study says it is because of bumper stickers. Check it out - http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080613/full/news.2008.889.html

This guy says that those of us who personalize our cars with decals and bumper stickers feel more territorial when we are in our cars. This is "my space." So when someone cuts us off, we are more likely to respond with anger, honking, and even aggressive behavior.
What is the cure for anger? Self-control. It is a fruit of God's Spirit. The more we live in God's Spirit, the more we will have self-control in our lives. "But the fruit of the Spirit is this: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and SELF-CONTROL." (Galatians 5.22-3).
In other words, self-control comes from ABOVE not from WITHIN.
Happy Driving!

I posted earlier today the footage from our visit to Pompeii while we were in Italy. You can view it at the home page (www.allenhuntshow.com)

Pompeii fascinates me. The first century town was buried under 10 feet of volcanic ash when Mt. Vesuvius blew its top. The huge layer of ash preserved much of what life was like in the first century Roman world. Bodies were of humans and animals were found centuries later. Walking the streets of Pompeii, which is still today not entirely excavated, generates an eerie sensation. Almost like you walked into the first century but sense that something is horribly wrong. The looming size of Mt. Vesuvius in front of you reminds you just HOW wrong! Wow!

We walked through first century shops, homes, and cafes. We toured the Forum where much of the official town business and politics occurred. And we saw the stunning amphitheater. A truly special experience.

Powerful stories of Good Samaritans on the show Sunday night. Followed by lots of good emails.

Here is my favorite - from "Rick"

Hi Allen, I wanted to relate this event to you - and yes I know you wont believe it - neither does anyone else that Ive told - but its truth and it saved my life... so as long as I'm breathing I AM going to let people know. I lived in Atlanta (well Decatur actually) for almost 25 years. One evening on my return home from work I was going through the intersection at Clairmont Rd. and Buford Hwy. I heard a siren nearby and looked - a DeKalb County Police car was coming down Clairmont fast. I stopped just past the turn lane on Buford and was waiting for him to pass. What I didnt know was that he was chasing someone. The next thing I knew I had been hit and hit HARD. My car was a hulk of rubble and I couldnt get the seatbelt unlocked. The glass had shattered on both of my passenger side windows and sliced me up - evidently badly. I was conscious but stunned or in shock or dazed, but nonetheless a young boy - or teen - came to the drivers window, pried open the door, cut my seatbelt, helped me out of the car, and used some towels from my trunk to help control the bleeding. He said to sit still and kept talking to me until I either blacked out or lost consciousness. I was sitting with my back against the drivers' side and the next thing I remember was a DKPD officer asking me if I was ok and saying EMS was on the way. Then he asked me where my son was...well I was alone in the car and I dont have a son. But the officer said that two witnesses to the accident saw a young man get out of MY car and come around to the drivers' side to help. I know, I know - I was delirious, in shock, or maybe just knocked crazy; but when EMS arrived the major cuts on my head, right arm and leg had all been bandaged with the towels from my trunk and one was put behind my head to rest on. Think what you like - believe it or not - but someone was REALLY being a Good Samaritan that Day. Its been almost 19 years since that happened but it is as crystal clear in my mind now as if it had just happened. No Im not a loon or a religious nut - but something VERY wonderful happened that evening. Best wishes and jeep broadcasting.
Rick
Jacksonville FL WOKV 690

My listeners are great. Some agree, some disagree, and some make us all better.

Mitch sent me an email during the show on Sunday about the world's largest Confederate flag being unveiled in Tampa this past week at the busiest intersection in the city. The issue is not the freedom to fly or use that flag; the issue is what is the most loving thing to do. Christians should first and foremost act from a motive of love. Mitch's email took us to another level - here it is

Hi Allen;

Enjoy the show and have my own flag story.

While serving as vehicle dispatcher in Viet Nam with the 19th Combat Engineer Battalion, I was involved in an incident which could have become ugly but was instead resolved peacefully and graciously.

A Southern white boy received a Confederate Flag from home and immediately put it on the wall over his bed. Several black members of his platoon came to me and complained, so I wandered down to their bunker to check it out.

The offending soldier was a genuinely nice guy, liked and trusted by all his comrades in arms, but there he stood, beaming with pride next to this symbol of his heritage.

I admired it with him for a moment and then asked him what his black friends thought about it? He thought for a second and then this horrified look came over his face and he asked me if they were angry. I said no, but not real happy because that particular flag meant something entirely different to them than it did to him.

He immediately pulled it down and put it away. Backwards as he was, he instinctively understood what a slap in the face the flag was to some he slept, ate, worked and fought along side of.

I thought he showed manners and good sense, and unlike some rear area units over there, our's never had any race problems. We were too busy doing our job.

Slight criticism now - you were making a point about 3/5th's of a person? That was a compromise slipped into the constitution by Northerners to prevent the South from holding a permanent majority in Congress, electing Representatives based on counting ALL noses, and effectively making slavery a permanent institution. Also, blacks in Colonial Times didn't have 3/5th's of any rights - they had zero, none, nada.

A brief, concise explanation of the whole 3/5th's deal is in Bill Bennett's excellent book, America, The Last Best Hope, Vol 1. The way you used that issue on your show today is typical of the rabblerousers who twist and contort History and facts, and I'm certain that wasn't your aim.

Sorry, one of my pet peeves. I'm on a one man crusade to correct incorrect quotes of History.

Over the weekend, I shared a simple faith inventory I developed to help you evaluate the quality and strength of your faith life.

1) The Fruit Test - Galatians 5.22-23 shows us that our spiritual lives should bear at least 9 fruit.
Love, joy, peace
Patience, kindness, goodness
Faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
Do you see more of these fruit in your life than you did a year ago? If so, your faith life is getting stronger. If not, there is a problem.
Which of these fruit are most plentiful in your spirit? Take an inventory.

2) The Prayer Test - Do you have a regular prayer life? A regular way of connecting with God and being in His presence? That is the lifeline for any faith life. Without that, your faith life will continually struggle. Describe and evaluate your prayer life. Doing so will help you rate the quality of your faith life right now.

3) The Generosity Test - Do you give generously? To causes and ministries that are important to you. To people in need. Generosity grows your faith life. Giving causes you to depend more on God and trust Him for your life. Giving generously also helps you experience the grace of God in becoming less self-centered and more focused on the lives of others. A great way to test yourself - look at your tax returns and see if you gave away more of your income this year than last year. Did you? If so, your faith life is probably growing forward. If not, take steps to grow in generosity.

During our visit to Italy, we were able to get invited to the weekly papal audience. Each Wednesday, when the Pope is in Rome, he addresses a gathering of believers in St. Peter's Square. For the past few months, each address has focused on an early Church figure or leader with some application from that person's life to our own modern lifes.

Because of some close friends, we sat near the Pope's platform. It was excruciatingly hot in the direct sun for several hours as the crowd of perhaps 20,000 gathered in the square. One of the odd surprise discoveries during that time was a groom of about 10 newly married couples seated right next to us. The Pope blesses newlyweds each week, so a number of couples arrive early in their wedding gowns and suits in order to be near the papal platform. Most of these couples were Italian but a few were from other countries. And we found one couple from America - from the Washington, DC area.

Of course, we took the opportunity to get out the cellphone video camera and interview them. Check it out here - www.allenhuntshow.com

Ok. The first video is up on the home page. I think this may be the coolest place ever - San Clemente, a church not far from the Roman Colosseum.

I first visited this site about 15 years ago, and it has gotten even better. Here is the deal:
A 12th century church still in use today. The remains of St. Clement, one of the earliest leaders of the Christian movement, lie beneath the altar.
Built on top of a 4th century church (where Saints
Cyril and Methodius are buried)
Built on top of a first century home where a
pagan cult was celebrated - the remnants of the
Mithraic painting of a bull on the walls are
still visible.

Now, beyond that, a few years ago, almost by accident, what may well be the earliest baptismal pool still in existence was discovered. Amazing place! I have a huge photo of the basilica on a wall in my home.

Watch the video from the baptismal pool here - www.allenhuntshow.com

Check out San Clemente here - complete with virtual tours and everything - a great web site http://www.basilicasanclemente.com/

Many thanks to Fr. John Cunningham who gave us a tour. He is the lead priest at San Clemente.

As I mentioned on the show this weekend, we had a great family time to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. We spent a week, primarily in Rome, with some of our closest friends and saw some remarkable things.

I will post a few cell phone videos from a few of the places in the next few days. But first wanted to share a place that we stumbled upon purely by happenstance. Arezzo - a Tuscan village about an hour or two from Rome by train. Beautiful town. Had never heard of it before.

Wow was it gorgeous. And best of all was the Basilica of St. Francis, one of the first Franciscan churches. The interior is magnficent with a fresco cycle Legends of the True Cross by Piero della Francesca. He vividly portrays the wood from the Garden of Eden becoming the wood of the Cross itself.

Really cool stuff.

A couple of places to check it out on line

http://www.toscanaviva.com/Arezzo/cappellamaggiore.jpg

http://www.ilpozzeto.it/piero_della_francesca/immagini_pdf/cappella.jpg