Overflowing Hope 180 with Dr. James D. Allen

18/07/2024

The Unintended Consequences of Betrayal.

18/07/2024

This is a classic and a great book to increase your faith.

"Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis is a timeless exploration of the essence of Christian belief. In this influential work, Lewis presents a compelling case for the core tenets of Christianity, addressing topics such as morality, theology, and the nature of God. With clarity and intellectual depth,...

15/07/2024

14/07/2024

FREE on Amazon, Kindle Edition.
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A Classic on Prayer by E. M. Bounds
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The Essentials of Prayer [Annotated, Updated Edition]: How Christians Ought to Pray

13/07/2024

FREE DEVOTIONAL ON KINDLE
Link to my Kindle Devotional--FREE TODAY
July 13, 14, 15
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Encouragement! Hope! Peace! Challenge! All of these are part of devotional reading. For nearly 50 years, I have been a pastor and a counselor. My prayer is that these pages will be used by the Spirit to encourage you and lift you up. I also hope that it will get you in the habit of doing some dev...

12/07/2024

Are you looking for a scholarly yet inspirational commentary on the Book of Acts? I had Dr. Stanley Horton in Bible College and at the graduate level. One of the kindest and smartest men I have ever met. He poured out his heart in his writings and has left us so much.
I highly recommend his commentary on the Book of Acts.

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Clearly covers the Book of Acts verse by verse. Unrivaled scholarship, precision language, extensive footnotes, and provocative chapter-end study questions all make this commentary a welcome study resource.

07/07/2024

My early morning mind!

07/07/2024

If I Was 21 Again–Top Ten
By Dr. James D Allen / July 7, 2024

I have frequent and vivid dreams. I’m unsure what that says about me psychologically, but I could write some good stories from them. For example, did you know that if you run fast at ten years old, bend your knees, and lift your legs, you can fly? It is true in my dreams; it was not true when I tried running and jumping off an elevated concrete slab. I still have the scar to prove it and a vivid memory of the 7Up bottle I landed on.

Most of the dreams involve me rescuing others or others rescuing me. Last night, my dream involved making a list of things I would do if I were young again. I am not sure what the list was in my dream, but this is what it was at 4:30 this morning. Interestingly, my list places God first and family second and has zero to do with finances. If finances had been the deal, I would have bought Microsoft, Walmart, and Apple stock very early. I will be a year older this month, so I wonder what I would change if I could be 50 again? That is for another post! Take time to read my list and give some thought to your list, not to list regrets but to challenge ourselves to put first things first in the rest of the time God grants us upon this earth.

If you are 21, I advise choosing Jesus as your Savior and marrying wisely. Who you marry is the second most important decision of your life.

10. I would have bought some of the farmland in West Virginia, where my dad was raised, not for investment but for sentimental reasons.

9. After four years of active duty and three years in the reserves, I would have stayed in the active Air Force reserves while studying and serving as a pastor.

8. I would have spoken up louder when I saw church leadership making a huge mistake.

7. I would have ignored some denominational leaders and their legalism that trapped me for years.

6. If it had been possible, I would have tried harder to be present with the family when our daughter was killed at 35.

5. I would have spent even more time with my children.

4. I would have built my son a tree house.

3. I would have never missed one birthday of my children because of pastoral ministry.

2. I married Debbie when I was 19 and would do it a hundred times again.

1. By this time, I had made the most important decision: to accept Jesus as my Savior. I would have made the decision sooner.

Have a day overflowing with hope!

Dr. James D. Allen

07/07/2024

If I Was 21 Again--Top Ten

I have frequent and vivid dreams. I’m unsure what that says about me psychologically, but I could write some good stories from them. For example, did you know that if you run fast at ten years old, bend your knees, and lift your legs, you can fly?

06/07/2024

Love the Sinner, hate the Sin. REALLY?

A common cliché among Christians is Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin, or Love the Person, hate the sin. Yes, I have used that phrase in the past. Is this a Biblical statement? Is it possible? Is it probable? Is it right? Love the sinner/person; hate the sin. The sinner here would be defined as a person who has not come to faith in Christ.

Let's think about this for a moment. Do we have the ability to separate sin from the person? How can we hate a person's character and love the person? Can we genuinely love the person with an asterisk? What sins are we to hate in the other person? Sins we don't commit or all sins? Sins shouted from the rooftop or sins secretly held in the heart? Love the Person--Hate the Sin--Really?

I understand the dilemma being addressed: How can we love people and not appear to condone their sins? This seems to me to be an awkward and unnecessary question. I believe the phase also leads to a self-righteous attitude and a condemning attitude with only a wink of love toward the person. Rarely have I seen this phrase lived out as a wink at the sin and an embrace of acceptance for the person. It usually goes like this: Well, you know he is a ________________, and she does __________. Yes, but we must love the sinner and hate the sin. How is that lived out?

Appearances are deceptive, and our judgment is marred because we don't have the facts. Two children are on a public bus, screaming and running around the bus. The dad sits there! Doesn't he see the issue? Doesn't he know the rules? He and his brat kids should be thrown off the bus. Come on; we can't take it anymore. Ok, I will say something if no one else will: Sir, your kids are really causing a disturbance by running around and screaming, can't you control them! The dad responded: I am very sorry, we just left the hospital, my wife, their mom, just died; I guess I didn't even notice.
Now, what is the attitude? What has changed? Insight!

Check out the ministry of Jesus, and you will find that people changed in an atmosphere of acceptance. The woman by the well, the woman caught in adultery, the tax collector up a tree, the apostle who denied Jesus three times, etc. Jesus never condoned sin, but He loved unconditionally. He accepted them. He ate with them. He was mocked as being a Friend of Sinners! It is not a compliment from the people making the accusation, but it is a hope for us! He is our Friend. Jesus' harshest words were for the religious (those with knowledge), not the sinners (without knowledge).

We are not capable of hating sin unless we are fully capable of living holy. We are not capable of separating a person from the sin. We don't have all the facts, nor do we need them. God has not called us to ensure the sinner knows that we hate his way of living and actions, but we love him. When you get rid of the sins, we can accept you. I am glad that is not the Lord's way. We can't choose who to love. Christ calls us to love our enemies and to love others. He sums up the law by saying Love God and Love your neighbor.

I am not called to straighten people out. We are not called to itemize a person's sins and determine when we can begin to accept the person. We accept the person, sins, and all! We don't have to make it clear to the person that we love them but hate their character. Acceptance of people is our calling—friendship with sinners. We are called to be fishers of men, but we are not called to clean them. Only the Holy Spirit can bring cleansing and conviction.

A true story. I was golfing with friends and a guest whom I didn’t know. He had a horrible shot and began to cuss as though it was his second language. (I was a SGT in the AIR FORCE.) My ears have heard a lot. But this guy could melt asphalt with his tongue. My friend whispered to him: He is a pastor. The man became very apologetic. He felt horrible. I put my hand on his shoulder and said: Don’t worry. I am not allowed to cuss at bad shots. Sometimes, I hire a person like you to cuss for me. He laughed and became comfortable again. If I had made it a big deal, he would have left with a very different opinion of my faith and pastors.

Once we have accepted a person and developed a friendship or become an acquaintance, let the person bring up issues. Remember your past. Remember your sense of being lost. Remember those who were kind to you. Remember those who shunned you and felt you should not be a part of their group!

So what do we do? We love people. We hate our own sins. We accept people where they are and influence them toward faith in Christ. We follow what Jesus says: Love God and Love others. This is a big enough job for me just to love God, and God help me to love others.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, Romans 15:13, NIV.

Jim

Dr. James D. Allen

06/07/2024

https://wp.me/p4K7tU-p

Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin? Really??

A common cliché among Christians is Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin, or Love the Person, hate the sin. Yes, I have used that phrase in the past. Is this a Biblical statement? Is it possible? Is it probable? Is it right? Love the sinner/person; hate the sin. The sinner here would be defined as a perso...

06/07/2024

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Inspirational Book Recommendation
I have collected books about Jesus' parables for years. My favorite one is rather unusual. Lloyd Ogilvie turns the parables around and attempts to view them as an insight into God's nature. It is a warm, inspirational, and challenging read. The hardcover and paperback are pricey, but the Kindle version is affordable.

What is God like? In a world confused about God's essential character, where can seekers turn to discover his identity? The parables of Jesus reveal aspects of God's nature, according to Lloyd Ogilvie, renowned former chaplain of the U.S. Senate. In taking to heart these "earthly stories with a h...

05/07/2024

Are you a People-Pleaser? This is for you.

You can't be happy as a People Pleaser!

05/07/2024

Book Recommendation:

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A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders

04/07/2024

Sometimes, I am assigned to wash my hair in the garage utility sink. This extender has made it so much easier.

Just FYI for other husbands. :)

Universal 1080°Swivel Faucet Aerator Extension, Sink Water Faucet Extender in Brass, Swivel Robotic Arm Bathroom Faucet Extender, Kitchen Rotating Extension Filter with 2 Mode Splash

04/07/2024

04/07/2024

Hey Dad. Go to your daughter's wedding. Don't let anger cause you lifelong regret.
Pastor Allen

03/07/2024

This was flagged as inappropriate content on Twitter.

GOD’S TRUTH IS GREATER THAN SATAN’S DECEPTION DR. JAMES D. ALLEN

02/07/2024

How long will the media/athletic directors/coaches/parents/fans allow this foolishness to ruin Women's Sports???????

Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as transgender non-binary, qualifies for US Olympic team after winning race
Hiltz set a meet record in the 1,500-meter race

02/07/2024

When Ego Surpasses Talent and Character: Of Politicians and Pastors

Dr. James D. Allen
July 2, 2024

Of Politicians

Whether in church, politics, business, education, or most other organizations, a leader’s ego can often surpass their talent. This usually occurs with well-liked individuals or charismatic personalities who exemplify success in our society. It also happens with tenure and nepotism. The Peter Principle states that an employee can be promoted beyond their level of competence. The person usually has very little self-awareness, believes they can rise to the occasion, or has so much self-love he would scuttle the mission to avoid bruising his own ego. This person will never admit that they aren’t up to the job. It is why politicians of all stripes continue to believe age only offers wisdom and see no diminishing aspects of age.

That is why we urgently need term limits. I used to argue against them, but today, I see the pressing need. When parties ignore what is unacceptable to the American people and instead embrace the familiar, regardless of the consequences, it shouts term limits. It reveals their desire to hold power, get revenge, or alienate the nation is of no concern when maintaining power is the goal. The need for term limits is not just a suggestion; it is a pressing necessity if we are to return this nation to what it is intended to be: a government of and by the people.

Of Pastors

The Peter Principle should also apply to character, not just competence. I have seen churches blindly ignore a pastor’s character because of his charismatic personality and competence. In ministry, this is always a grave mistake, and the church will suffer when the board’s self-imposed ignorance is revealed along with the pastor’s character. The church needs to take a closer look at character versus competence. Let me say that most pastors I know and have met are sincere persons who love the Lord and minister out of a heart of compassion; however, I have met some, what Papa would call, Scallywags.

Diotrephes

Diotrephes was most likely a Gentile since his name was referenced to being nurtured by Jupiter (Zeus). Jupiter was the number one god and held the power of the thunderbolt. Diotrephes certainly sounds like Jupiter from John’s description in 3 John:

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. (NIV)

Consider how John describes Diotrephes:

He must be first among them all. (Very Jupiter-like.)

He will not acknowledge apostolic authority. (He considers everyone below him, or in the modern vernacular—he would say to leaders—we are all even/equal before God.

He spreads nonsensical rumors about John. I am reminded of a pastor accused of planning to put an expensive modern floor in the gym. The problem? They had no gym. Nonsensical.

He also refuses to welcome other believers who disagree with him.

If you disagree with him, he will excommunicate you.

This person is a problem in any church, political party, or organization; however, fair-minded people know he is totally wrong, and his leadership will eventually fail. Let him fail under his weight and leadership while warning others of his lack of character and ego surplus.

The nation's greatest hope is not in politics but in the local church. The churches can’t continue to lambast just politicians without also allowing a deep cleaning by the Holy Spirit of our hearts. Regardless of what society says to us today, our history reveals a nation built on the understanding that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, Hebrews 11:6. We need to seek the Lord to search our hearts, to search the heart of our church, and to search the heart of our nation. As in every age and every time, we need the Lord to reveal his mercy and lead us into the next generation.

Let God Arise!

Dr. James D. Allen

02/07/2024

https://wp.me/p4K7tU-RH

The Peter Principle states that an employee can be promoted beyond their level of competence. Their ego refuses to acknowledge it.

01/07/2024

Send a message to learn more

01/07/2024

https://wp.me/p4K7tU-Ru

As I watched column after column pivot on column right march, I began to think of all these men filling the dark hole of loss in Vietnam.

29/06/2024

President Biden Debate

By Dr. James D Allen / June 29, 2024

There are none so blind as those who will not see.

There are none so blind as those who will not see, John Heywood, 1546. No one was surprised by the debate except for the loyal partisans who refused to see what the country had seen for many months. It is incredible how we can ignore reality when it does not fit our plans. A court ruled that saying there are two sexes is unconstitutional. Athletic directors can say it is fair for men to compete in women’s sports if they say they are female. A carpenter wants to make a 6 ft board fit a 7 ft gap as though he has a board stretcher. A mom can say, but he is such a good boy, of a convicted serial killer. An entire party may refuse to see a person’s frailty, or the other party may refuse to acknowledge any wrongdoing by their candidate.

The politicians and media personalities who kept saying President Biden was sharper than ever, had a full grasp of details, and was older but wiser are now calling for him to step down. Reality sunk in when 51 million Americans watched the trainwreck live on TV. All of this is sad for the Biden family and for the nation. Delusional thinking makes a fool of all of us.

The spiritually blind see a sunrise or a sunset and don’t know who to thank. They see the incredible creation, fail to see the creator, and instead worship creation. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse, Romans 1:18 (NIV). God has not hidden himself but has demonstrated and revealed His greatness in creation. As people open themselves to the light given, their spirit is opened; however, most choose not to see the obvious but to believe that the intricate creation had no designer. Delusional thinking becomes the choice rather than becoming accountable to a creator.

Jesus had much to say about spiritual blindness, which is far worse than political blindness. The religious communities of our Lord’s day claimed to know the truth, to know the Law of Moses, and to understand what it was to be spiritual. Jesus had some extremely harsh words for them in what we call the Seven Woes, given to the Pharisees, in Matthew 23:13-29. Jesus was harsh because they had the Law, the Truth, and the Light, yet chose to remain blind. The inference is that they decided to remain blind to stay in control and power. People choose not to believe for many reasons; however, the most significant reason seems to be the desire not to be accountable to anyone, including God.

We may hide today, from the world, who we are and even deceive ourselves into thinking far more of ourselves than we should; however, one day, we will all stand before God, not on a debate stage but before a Judge, and there will be no debate. This moment is inevitable, and there will be no place to hide from the penetrating stare of God. If our excuse is that we were good people or we tried our best, we will be lost. Our only defense will be that Jesus is my Savior; I stand in Him. I was blind, but now I see.

Open my eyes, Lord, that I may see.

Dr. James D. Allen

29/06/2024

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24/06/2024

Condemnation—The Dogs are Still Barking

Throughout my years of counseling and ministry, I've noticed a common emotional struggle many of us face—Condemnation. There's a lack of understanding about the vastness of God's grace and forgiveness. As Paul states in Romans 8:1: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. . . NO Condemnation. If you're a Christian and have confessed your sins, they are forgiven, gone, never to be brought up again by God. Yes, our poor decisions may have consequences, but not condemnation. This truth should bring you relief and freedom, knowing that you are not condemned but forgiven.

So, if the condemnation is not coming from God, where does it originate? Satan is the accuser of God’s people. He is the instigator. He is our enemy. Either he is bringing it up, or you are bringing it up because of your lack of forgiving self. God convicts us to move us to confession and repentance with a solution—forgiveness. Condemnation moves us to despair, hopelessness, a dead-end alley with no way out. See the stark contrast? We often quote John 3:16 of the great love of God for us, but we need to include John 3:17, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." God’s plan is not condemnation but salvation.

It is Satan or self-talk in the darkness of the night that says: If you only would have, if you would have tried harder, if you had not made that decision, if you would have tried again, etc. It is Satan or Self that insists on playing the record repeatedly. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." You must trust God’s word that your sins are forgiven and you are free of them. This trust in God's word will strengthen your faith and belief in His forgiveness. It can begin to squelch the self-condemnation that torments you.

Imagine a dad walking with his little girl on the sidewalk in their neighborhood. It's a beautiful summer day, and the dad and daughter walk hand in hand. It's an idyllic scene, with the girl skipping and laughing in the soft glow of the sun. Suddenly, a large dog runs toward them and barks viciously. The dog is behind a fence, but it comes close to the girl. She screams, and the idyllic moment becomes a frightening time for the girl. Dad picks her up and carries her in his arms the rest of the way home. When they get home, Dad says, Honey, you are still shaking. You are safe now, we are home. The little girl says: Daddy, the dog is still barking on the inside.

This is the struggle with self-condemnation. The past sins and choices may still haunt you, but you are safe in the arms of God's forgiveness. For many of you, the old life, the past forgiven sins, and the choices are still barking on the inside. You must reckon them dead, hidden, forgiven, cleansed by the blood of Christ. You must stop the barking dogs inside your heart and invite in the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Don’t walk in condemnation; walk in the joy of sins forgiven. Walk in the confidence that God doesn’t lie and that you are forgiven. We have enough beasts in life to watch out for; we don’t need to listen to dead dogs barking.

Have a great week.

Dr. James D. Allen
Overflowinghope180.com
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24/06/2024

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CS61FSBZ

A Pastor's Guide to Life's Journey: Decisions, Depression, Forgiveness, Marriage, Prayer, and Wisdom

24/06/2024

Thank you for the warm reception yesterday at Journey Church in Fremont, Ohio. You have a great church. Thank you, Pastor Ken, for the invitation. Blessings.