Category: United States of America

Mayor Jamie Clary declares Day of Prayer in Hendersonville

On By Aaron AllisonIn Hendersonville, Tennessee, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

I am so glad that Christ Is Love Church joins other Hendersonville churches for the Hendersonville National Day of Prayer event. 

On Tuesday, April 23, Mayor Jamie Clary proclaimed that the City of Hendersonville would join the federal government in declaring Thursday, May 2, 2024, a day of prayer. Pastor Jacob Bell and I were honored to join other local pastors at the Hendersonville Board of Alderman and Mayor (BOMA) meeting for the public reading of this declaration. 

Since 1952, the US Congress has declared the first Thursday of May the National Day of Prayer. This act follows a tradition that began at the roots of America. I am so happy our church, city, and nation take time to pray.

Please join us on Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 am at First Baptist Hendersonville, in Wilson Hall, for a citywide prayer event. 

Thoughtfully Standing with Israel

On By Aaron AllisonIn Current Events, Israel, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

It’s been over six months since Hamas made a cowardly attack on civilians because they wanted to start a war. Hamas set the predictable trap – creating an impossible situation through hostages and the embedment of Hamas militants in Gazan populations.

The Israeli army is not perfect and has taken responsibility for their grave mistakes. But, they have been honest. 

While the images of death and suffering in Gaza are unbearable and display the sin of war, the heaviness of these images will not sway my alignment with the Jewish people.

I stand with the Jews thoughtfully, not mindlessly. The Jews are a gift to the world, yet the anti-semitic spirit lives on in each generation.

Israel was provoked to respond. Though the gravity of the response may be debatable, the justification of a response is not. Israel must eradicate Hamas. I pray that as many innocent lives as possible will be spared as the evil of Hamas is dealt an irrecoverable defeat. 

Daylight Savings Continues

On By Aaron AllisonIn Current Events, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

I have talked a lot about Daylight Savings with friends over the last couple of years as Congress debates on changes that would stop all the back-and-forth from the spring to the fall. Most people agree we need to pick a time and stick with it, but there is not as much agreement on whether it should remain Standard Time or if Daylight Savings should be permanent. Well, the discussion continues, and we find ourselves another year of losing an hour of sleep.

Maybe someday we will not have to lose an hour each year.

As I settle for the night, I am singing the new hymn that most of us know and that reminds us…

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

How great is our God!

Red River Meeting House and the Second Great Awakening

On By Aaron AllisonIn Charismatic / Spirit-Filled, Church History, History, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

I finally visited the Red River Meeting House in Kentucky, the location of one of the origins of the Second Great Awakening in 1800. It’s a place of simplicity, ruggedness, and beauty. It felt like sacred ground for me, though my theology prevents me from emphasizing it to a level of enshrinement. I look forward to future visits. I felt God’s peace.

(Note: the actual meeting house is a replica, built in 1994)

Love this sign!
Meeting House (1994)
Inside of Meeting House
Beautiful land for 19th century campers
Marker for the original meeting house

Two years since Ukraine was invaded

On By Aaron AllisonIn Current Events, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

Today is the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

I still cannot believe a world that mostly cooperated to survive a pandemic reverted to an unjust war so quickly. While we may not all agree on America’s role in this conflict, we can all cry for detracted humanity.

May Russians, Ukrainians, and Americans seek peace in the cities.
May the lands rest from war.

The wisdom of George Washington

On By Aaron AllisonIn Leadership, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

On what we call Presidents Day, our country celebrates George Washington, the father of our country. His wisdom guided the American experiment to a new world of individual liberties, in which billions have benefited.

“In Europe, all Americans knew, people bowed to kings. On his journey, Washington continually bowed to people as his way of acknowledging tributes and cheers. It endeared him to them.” — The Return of George Washington: Uniting the States, 1783-1789 by Edward J. Larson

JFK’s assassination and the sin of murder

On By Aaron AllisonIn History, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

Today is the 60th anniversary of one of the saddest days in our country’s history when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. The depth of this loss was so traumatic America has not been able to accept it, hence the many conspiracy theories. Though there may be validity to certain discrepancies surrounding this loss, the fact is this: a trigger was pulled, and promise was lost.

It was the sin of murder, which resulted in chaos, sorrow, and fear—Satan’s specialty. Murder happens on this planet literally all the time. Sin is lurking, ready to take advantage of hate, deception, and fear. On this day in 1963, the entire world recognized the devastation of murder in one moment, and the heaviness was collective.

In the coming Kingdom, there will be no murders, no assassinations, and no funeral processions. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

The anti-abortion movement will continue, despite recent setbacks

On By Aaron AllisonIn Abortion, Culture, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

As an anti-abortion advocate, I am sad to acknowledge a trend since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) ruling when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (1973). The AP reports, “Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had protected abortion rights nationally, voters in all seven states that held a statewide vote have backed access.”

Since I have spent a lot of time in Kansas and Kentucky, I was surprised that these two are among the states in 2022 that voted with a pro-choice outcome. Ohio is the latest to vote for a favorable pro-choice position on November 7, 2023.

The anti-abortion movement will never stop, but we must adapt new strategies if individual states keep strengthening abortion access. We must win one mind and heart at a time. If people are open to the truth and follow their instinct to protect children, I believe abortions will fade in time, and a culture of life will be our future. This is my hope on a difficult week for the anti-abortion cause. 

My Failure at giving up College Football

On By Aaron AllisonIn Education, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

I have prepared to give up college football because it is such a misappropriation of priorities for higher education institutes. Simply put, universities should not promote a multi-billion commercial sports enterprise.

But, I caved. I have been watching college football this year and enjoying the pageantry and competition. I cannot seem to shake this emotional attachment to uniforms and fight songs. Sports writer John Bacon wrote this insightful statement that gives me comfort and solidarity for why these games matter:

“College football makes you wait an entire year and come back with a new team to get a chance at revenge, and the wins and the losses go in columns that have been kept by six generations.”

Reflections on Pat Robertson (1930-2022)

On By Aaron AllisonIn Charismatic / Spirit-Filled, Church History, Culture, Current Events, In Memory, Israel, Leadership, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

Pat Robertson, an iconic evangelical leader, passed away at age 93 last week. He had a profound impact on American Christianity. CT summarized him well in 1996: “Robertson has shaped three major religious developments: the charismatic renewal, Christian TV, and evangelical politics.”

In my estimation, from 1960-2000, Robertson was one of the most innovative and impactful leaders in American Christianity. Around September 11, 2001, it became apparent that Pat did not understand the new generations, and the new generations did not get him. He pressed on with controversial statements in the last part of his ministry that were often poorly timed or executed.

Despite the awkward end to his ministry in the public eye, Pat Robertson was a giant. His life made an unbelievably positive impact on multiple sectors. The Christian Broadcast Network (CBN) is a reputable and helpful Christian network that was way ahead of its time. His love for Israel was critical to the current evangelical connection to Zionism. His academic vision led to the highly touted Regent University, including its well-respected law school. I have seen the humanitarian ministry Operation Blessing function effectively where there has been a natural disaster.. The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is an influential legal group that defends family values, religious liberty, and pro-life causes. In the 1990s and 2000s, the Christian Coalition was a dominant force in American politics.

Pat Robertson started all of these!

I can’t defend all of Pat Robertson’s statements, especially the controversial ones when he was over the age of 75, but I can point to his fruitfulness. Pat Robertson accomplished incredible things and should be remembered fondly by the Christian community as an innovator, brilliant businessman, cultural architect, and impactful Christian leader.