Allen Hunt's Blog

Very interesting. Joe Eszterhas has experienced a complete turnaround in his life.
Wrote dozens of works, including Basic Instinct, exploring the seamier side of life. Made a fortune.
Diagnosed with throat cancer and forced to give up drinking and smoking. Almost drove him crazy, literally.
Cried out to God in desperation. Did not even consider himself a believer. And things changed. Dramatically.
Even returned to the Catholic Church of all things.
Check it out here.
Very moving. We'll try to get him on the show to learn more.

A friend paid to have my book on Forgiveness translated into Russian last year. Trying to help equip churches and Christians in Russia as the faith emerges anew after the long Communist slumber.
Remarkably, it is selling well.
She sent me this note yesterday

I just got a call ...from Anna in Mioscow and she said the Book on Forgiveness is selling better than any book that we ever had translated. I am glad you wrote it and that I had it translated. The money that is received from sales are used to print more. Forgiveness is needed if you want any kind of peace!!

We are dealing with publishers right now regarding our new book on cultivating faith in your children and how to do that. Kind of fun to see that project emerging.
If you would like a copy of the book on Forgiveness, check it out here.

Something happened in the Salwen family. Might even call it the Holy Spirit.
15 year old Hannah made the connection that how much her family consumes versus how much it gives actually makes a difference in other people's lives.
So now the family is selling their $MM 6500SF house and down-sizing. They plan to give half of the proceeds of the sale (appx. $800K) to the Hunger Project. In particular, they will help 30 villages in Ghana.
Check it out here.
Best part of the story are two things:
1) Hannah's dad is on the board of the local Habitat for Humanity so it is great to see his own daughter teaching him to live a little more generously and a little less conspicuously
and
2) Her quote to her dad that triggered the change. She saw a Mercedes parked next to a homeless man sitting on the curb, and said "If that guy didn't have such a nice car, then that guy could have a nice meal."

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.

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

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

Don called me today. Our paths have not crossed in several years. It was good to hear from him. His call began my day well. What Don shared reminded me of the mysterious nature of God's immense grace.

Don was at his church not long ago when a fellow named Peter shared his faith journey with the folks gathered there. Peter had been in and out of jail and was living in his car in a Wal-Mart parking lot, listening to, of all things, the Allen Hunt Show. Peter called in to the show where we were discussing the cities ranked as those meanest to the homeless. Peter shared on air his experience of what it is actually like to have no place. No place to retire to at the end of the day. No place to keep one's cherished possessions. No place to depend on for water and shelter. No place at all.

We tried to help Peter, and had no clue what happened after our conversation. We linked him with some folks who could help and prayed that Peter would take the steps to receive that help. Turns out, he did.

Peter had recently gotten out of jail, had a severe substance abuse problem, and was living in his car. Through our connecting him, Peter landed with a ministry that provides housing and job placement assistance as well as detox and counseling, aimed directly at men and women getting out of jail or prison. Peter accepted the help of Good Samaritan ministries.

Now, 9 or 12 months later, Peter has accepted Jesus Christ into his life. Peter is working. Peter is clean and sober. And, best of all, Peter has a place.

And through an odd coincidence of God's grace, Peter was a guest speaker in a church I have never been to, and shared his faith journey with a group of men that included my friend, Don, with whom I have not spoken in several years. Peter mentioned that the journey began in that car, listening to our show. Don simply had to call and share that marvelous news of God's grace.

God is good. One of the old Hebrew ways of naming God seems most appropriate here: He is the Place.

Making the transition from being a Methodist to being a Catholic has produced lots of interesting experiences in my life.

And Mary has been in the center of that. To be honest, for most of my adult life, I never "got" the whole "Mary thing" that Catholics seem to appreciate. Not that I rejected it or embraced it, I just did not get it at all. It made no sense to me. Did not comprehend.

In fact, it was the respect for Mary that served as one of the primary hurdles that prevented me from becoming Catholic for a long time. But then, somehow, over time God just transformed that in me.

Not that I fully "get it" now. Not that I am an expert on Mary.

But the last two days helped move me along still further. We closed the show last night with Brooke White's rendition of "Let It Be" from her performance on American Idol a week ago. She was brilliant. Her performance fulfilled a lifelong dream of hers to perform that song before a large audience. She was moved to tears. And I was too as I listened and watched her play the piano and sing.

What I did not expect was to hear the words of "Let It Be" in a whole new way. Frankly, I am not a big Beatles fan. I just don't enjoy their stuff very much. I know - that makes me a bad person.

But as she sang the words,

"When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be."

I found myself hearing these words about "Mother Mary" in a whole new way than I had before. Heard the song hundreds of times but not like this, and Brooke White's performance reached me at a whole new level.

Because I have grown in my appreciation for Mary. I see things differently now than I did before. My faith has changed in a fresh way. I can see Mother Mary coming to me in times of trouble, standing right in front of me in my hour of darkness. What a long and winding road it has been to this new point in my faith (OK, a little too much Beatles there, I know).

To cap it, then I go to mass this morning, and turns out it is the "Feast of the Annunciation," commemorating when the angel Gabriel revealed to Mary her role as the mother of Jesus.

You remember the words of Gabriel to Mary:
"The Lord is with you."
"Do not be afraid, Mary."
"You have found favor with God."
"The power of the Most High will overshadow you."

Of course, Mary is terrified.

And the angel reminds her
"Nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1.37)

Mary then gives her consent to God.

Indeed, nothing is impossible with God. Now in a new way, Mary reminds me of that. I give thanks.

I briefly mentioned this story on the show Sunday night, but it really needs more conversation.

Lorraine Allard, a mother of 3 in the U.K., found out that she was in the advanced stages of liver cancer when she was already 4 months pregnant with her 4th child. The doctors encouraged her to abort the pregnancy so they could begin aggressive chemotherapy. Not to do so would endanger Lorraine's own life.

Lorraine chose to continue the pregnancy, giving birth to her 4th child, Liam. She then began treatment for her own cancer but died 2 months later.

Her widowed husband, Martyn, said "The doctors said they couldn't do anything because she was pregnant. She told them straight away they were not going to get rid of it. She'd have lost the will to fight."

"Lorraine was positive all the way through. She had strength for both of us. I can't begin to describe how brave she was. Towards the end we knew things weren't going well, but she was overjoyed that she had given life to Liam."

I just think this is a remarkable story. A selfless, heroic act. In an age where abortion is so common and casual, Lorraine's selflessness is an inspiration.

Moreover, Martyn's courage is extraordinary. Here is a man/husband/father now facing the prospect of raising 4 children on his own, and he knows they did the right thing.

Greater honor has no man than this - that he lay down his life for another.

For more info - see http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,325458,00.html

Each Sunday evening, my producer, Andy, and I drive together to the WSB studio to do the show. We take the same route each time.

At one of the final traffic lights before entering the studio garage, 9 times out of 10, we see Robert. Robert is homeless and normally sits on the sidewalk at that intersection with a small sign asking for money.

For well over a year now, Andy and I have gotten to know Robert. We spend a minute or two chatting with him and I share what is in my wallet with him. Robert is articulate and kind. He has gentle eyes for a man who also lives on the street.

Last Sunday, we pulled up to the intersection, and as usual, Robert was there. He ran over to my truck, and we greeted one another. I asked him how he was doing, cold weather, misty rain and all. He said he was fine and showed me a new coat he had received earlier in the day as a gift from a passer-by. It was a nice coat. Real leather. He then showed me a second coat that the same man had given him and asked me if I needed a coat. Robert noted that my jacket looked too flimsy to be wearing in such dreary weather. I told him I was fine, but he insisted. "This is a nice coat. Look at it. Must have cost $400. Please use it." He was right; the second coat was even nicer than the one Robert had put on. It was a remarkable gesture.

Andy and I politely declined Robert's generous offer. It really was a nice coat. As I drove off, I distinctly heard in the back of my ear, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." I bet Robert knows that Scripture better than I do. He certainly lives it better than I.

Every few weeks God reminds me or shows me just how wonderful our listeners are.

With folks coming out to our Chick-Fil-A events (the third and final one is next Monday), it has been heartwarming to hear how the show helps listeners in their real lives.

With callers like the ones we experience every week, it is easy to see why the show is gaining popularity. Just this week we had one of the most powerful calls ever - a father dreaming of hearing his own autistic son speak for the first time.

And then there are our bloggers - atheists, pornographers, followers of Christ, and everything in between.

All in all, just a simple blog to say thank you to each listener. We are having fun and the best is yet to come.

We will begin distributing our show via satellite in November, which will allow us to reach additional markets.

Keep on listening - and tell your friends!

TIME magazine makes the shocking announcement: Mother Teresa's spiritual life was filled with doubts and darkness.

The atheists and agnostics rejoice. They are right - there is no God. Even Mother Teresa, the holiest of those living in the 20th century, did not really know God, they say.

Teresa's private letters and journals will be available to the public within the next week or two in book form. Letters and journals that she asked to have destroyed instead will be read by millions.

Her life was characterized by extraordinary achievement, bold faith, and perseverance. And also by doubt, fear, and distance from God.

What's the point? Very simple. All of us can say our lives were filled with the latter three (doubt, fear and distance). That is not news. Few can lay claim to the first three (achievement, bold faith and perseverance).

We all have doubts. Let's be honest. We all experience darkness. We just do.

Faith is not entirely reasonable. Faith is not entirely rational. Faith requires a leap. A leap into the arms of a loving God waiting to receive us. But sometimes we simply do not "feel" or "experience" the presence and grace of God. And those times are hard.

Teresa was holy. In fact, the closer she got to God, the more distance she felt. Being human is hard. Being holy is even harder.

But her faith has inspired me. This coming Sunday's show will focus on how her journals may give the greatest teaching moment in our lifetimes about faith. Doubts, testing, darkness, grace. All the substance for a show to remember.

Felix Roberts.

Not a household name. But one that should be remembered.

On Sunday, Felix responded to an emergency call at our church, Mount Pisgah, when a man experienced chest pains in the balcony during worship. Felix was a fireman.

Not long afterward, FElix gave his life. Responding to another call for help in our community, in a house fire. He became the first fireman killed in the line of duty in Fulton County in over 30 years. Trying to save a life of a man he did not know.

Sacrifice. It's a great word but a more beautiful action. Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15.11-12).

May God bless and receive Felix Roberts. A man of sacrifice.

My aunt and uncle visited recently, and our dinner conversation started around one of those "Tabletop Questions" card games. The one where you draw a card and everyone at the table has to answer.

The question: If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

We had provocative answers. One person wanted to know why we can't cure cancer. Another wanted to ask God how He created all things. And the conversation went on.

My question: WHY did you create the heavens, the earth, and us humans?

Then my uncle responded with his own answer to my question for God: God created us because God is love. And love, by its nature, expands. Love must expand its boundaries.

I have to admit, I like that answer. God made us because He loves us. God is love. It helps me to remember that.