Sin and the Giant Peach

7-31-13

Ran across something today that I never knew existed: The Big Peach in Bruceville. Out on HWY 150 and Pierce Road at the Big Peach Market, stands a 20 foot tall peach with a miniature Washington Monument next to it. I was told this market has been in business for 50 years but now the owners are retiring and selling the place.

This got me to thinking about the children’s book James and the Giant Peach. Did you realize that book is number 56 on the American Library Association's top 100 list of most frequently challenged books? All because of “…occasional macabre and potentially frightening content.” The book was written in 1961 and when I first heard this I thought “Yeah back then there was still some censorship going on.” But after a little research I found this piece of information…

From http://www.deletecensorship.org/james_giant_peach.html

“James and the Giant Peach by Ronald Dahl was challenged at the Deep Creek Elementary School in Charlotte Harbor, Florida (1991) because it is "not appropriate reading material for young children." It was challenged at the Pederson Elementary School in Altoona, Wisconsin (1991) and at the Morton Elementary school library in Brooksville, Florida (1992) because the book contains the word "ass" and "promotes" the use of drugs and whiskey. Dahl's book was also removed from classrooms in Stafford County, Virginia schools (1995) and placed in restricted access in the library because the story contains "crude language" and "encourages children to disobey their parents and other adults."”

So as late as 1995 this book was still thought to be a bad influence on children. What strikes me as funny is that in our society today we continue to sin against our children by doing things that put them at Jeopardy; we don’t monitor their television, we elect corrupt politicians, we allow them to run the streets, surf the internet, we allow leaders in the community that should be tarred and feathered. And yet this children’s book is often banned? Come on. It makes thing that it is easier to pick on a book than it is to confront the sins and sinners in our lives.

So in closing my redneck picture of the day just has to include peaches! Nothing like a warm peach cobbler, Hey?

Have You Got That Ole Time Religion

7-30-13

Ran across this interesting tidbit while surfing the internet (http://www.city-data.com/city/Bicknell-Indiana.html), in Knox county in 2000 49.61% of the people living here claimed a religion. This broke up as follows:

• Catholic 29.2%
• United Methodist 12.1%
• American Baptist 10.1%
• United Church of Christ 7.8%
• Christian Churches / Church of Christ 7.2%
• Sothern Baptist 4.7%
• Christian Church / Disciples of Christ 4.1%
• Lutheran Church 4.1%
• Church of God 3.2%
• Other 17.5%

Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center

Now this concerns me cause half of this county don’t even admit to have a religious affiliation. But even worse is what the bunch of religious people are doing (Or not doing)? We are to take the Gospel to the world, but it is obvious that half our neighbors need some help who is helping them? Reaching out to them?

Now if you look at the list there are some heavy fundamental types in there, the ones that believe in the true old time Gospel. So where is the Good News?

I wonder about the story of Achan’s sin found in Joshua 7:1-13:

Joshua 7:1-13

New International Version (NIV)

Achan’s Sin

But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things[a]; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri,[b] the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.

Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.

When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.” 4 So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.

Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! 8 Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?”

The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

“Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.

See Israel could not win the battle as long as sin was evident in their lives. Maybe we should clean up what we do and allow then step out to make a difference.

On a funny side check out the Redneck Mansion Trailer Park that was found near by…..

OK I have traveled the world and now have found myself back in the corner I started in (Bicknell, Indiana). Never thought I would return, but here I am. Hated this place back then and not so sure I’m happy with it today.

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