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…..
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