We want you to know that we think about you often. We truly enjoyed your
wonderful hospitality when we visited Crosbyton in early 2007. We still
remember the tumbleweed as large as our car! We had a delightful time and
learned so many things, especially when we toured the museum. Thank you for
making yourself available and helping accommodate our then 4 month old daughter
when we visited your house.
After touring your museum, your expertise was readily apparent. Please know
that while you may not be able to speak the truth, we will continue to tell the
world the whole truth regarding the Allosaur. I also know you have many
supporters from New York to Texas and even elsewhere in the world.
Let us hope and pray that those who have done evil will repent and turn to our
Lord Jesus Christ. No matter the outcome, I believe the Lord will be glorified
and His will will be done.
We have never met but I have been following your ordeal for a while now. It is one thing to be treated so by the ‘world’ but quite another to be treated as such by professing Christians. It hurts because we tend to trust those that profess our Lord. Matthew 7: 13-23 is better understood in such situations. Our only hope is in the Lord walking in the light with Him.
I have drawn much comfort from Psalms 139.
I, too, pray for repentence for those who have done evil and profess Christ. Oh how it would Glorify God for them to drop this and stretch out a brotherly hand in the Name of the Lord.
I’ve been reading all about this for months and the whole thing makes me sick. I can’t believe that no one else will step forward and take legal action, knowing that it will help you. I read on that raising the truth site that Answers in Genesis could very well expose much of this in a court of law and could Tom DeRosa. This is all about greed, and you’re getting offered up as some kind of chump.
Hang on baby. It aint over till the fat lady sings.
Joe, words cannot describe the disgust I feel for the “Christian fellowship” you have received at the hands of “those who cannot be named”.
It galls me to also know that other “Christian” leaders, old and new, have reason to know about how you have been lied to and about and choose to remain silent.
It seems obvious they can have no better reason than fear of losing more money by doing the right thing by you than can be made by allowing “those who cannot be named” to continue to treat you as no true “Christian brother” would, haul you into court, and hound you as if their very purpose has become to silence you, and to ruin you and all those who work for and with you.
Shame on them!
Even a black-hearted sinner like myself says, “SHAME on them!!!”
And let me add this, Joe: Some might correctly disqualify my post just above as bitter and spiritually “negative”. Maybe I agree.
It’s at least as important to say good things about you as it is to roast the evildoers who have done you wrong.
I have many times described you as “one of the finest men I’ve ever known”. Your life, your “adopted” children for whom you have been for many years the “Dad” in their lives, all speak well of you.
Your many friends who choose to work with you, in spite of and all thru this horrible financial debacle speaks volumes in approval of you.
Your relatives who have supported you with cash, legal assistance, prayers and occasional humor patiently hoping that your enemies get a conscience speak volumes as to your good heart, your strength of character.
There are countless people who have, through your whole life, found you to be inspiring. Because of that they have added you to their personal list of who “they’d like to be more like”.
You’re a long way from perfect, and you’re the first to admit that, but you’re a fine man, a good example to your brothers, and beloved by (almost?) everyone who’s ever had a chance to get to know you.
Joe, My heart is so heavy. You were my dad’s best friend! He respected you and your integrity. He was there with you digging this dino up. And this whole thing trouble him so deeply.
I love you and we’re praying for God to pre-vail and for the truth to be known. Stay strong and couragous! Draw close to the Lord! “Vengence is mine sayeth the Lord!”
Joe,
We consider it an honor to know you. Our entire family loves you! We all have heavy hearts about the latest actions that have been taken against you. I will always cherish the memory of sitting around the campfire that night 3 and a half years ago when Jack was inspired to compose the song, Big, Bad Dinosaur. Maybe I can coax him to put it up on Utube.
What has happened to you will affect the Church and the Creation movement for years to come.
We will always be thankful for meeting you and we are proud to call you “Friend.”
We love you!
Randy, Mary, Jack, Cari, Josh, Jenn, Kallie and Linsey Gavin
──────────── Psalms 71:1 ────────────
1 ¶ In thee, O LORD, do I put my
trust: let me never be put to
confusion.
2 Deliver me in thy righteousness,
and cause me to escape: incline thine
ear unto me, and save me.
3 Be thou my strong habitation,
whereunto I may continually resort:
thou hast given commandment to save
me; for thou [art] my rock and my
fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the
hand of the wicked, out of the hand
of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For thou [art] my hope, O Lord
GOD: [thou art] my trust from my
youth.
Joe, I know that sometimes it seems like it will never stop. The abuse and the attacks just continue and continue. I am proud to say that I know you and to call you a friend. We have walked very similar paths, although the details are different. It was because of you that I gained the courage to go public.
Never give up, Joe. We can’t see it now, but God has promised never to give us more than we can bear and we both trust in His absolute Sovereignty. It will work out for good in the end, even though we can’t understand God’s ways now.
Keep on loving your Lord and count it all joy. Persevere in what God has called you to do, and do it well. We are praying for you and look forward to see you again!
You raised your children to trust in the Lord and I do. I trust that God’s will is going to be done in this situation.
It is completely incomprehensible to me how anyone, who knows you, could attack you this way. You are the best friend, father, grandfather…PERSON…I, and many, have ever known and probably will ever know.
Joe –
I am keeping you in my prayers daily that God will deliver you from these trials. I have only known you for about 6 years now, but I am thankful every day that I did meet you. Your love for your family and for the Lord has been and continues to be an inspiration to me. I have learned so much in the time that I have known you about how to be a father to my children and how to be a Godly man. You have taught me how to have patience. I have witnessed your devotion to, faith in, and love of God on a scale that I could only hope to emulate.
Whatever the outcome of all of this, know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers and that we love you.
Dear Joe,
May God indeed deliver you safely from this great trial. I’m including here the words to a favorite hymn as you are indeed in stormy seas.
God’s blessings be with you!
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked’st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe’er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
Joe,We don’t know each other,I live in Chicago,it seems to me that you are getting the short end of the stick! Hang in there Brother! Praying for you,Andy.
I’m not a Christian, and I am an Evolutionist. I’ve never liked the idea of your museum, but its your right in this country to have it.
The fine is overly excessive and just plain harsh. These mega churches don’t always make Christians look favorable, and this really doesn’t seem like a Christian thing to do. Like I said before, I’m not a christian, but I would never make a man go broke because of a few questionable words (I’m from a family of lawyers too).
Best of luck to you, and I hope that in the end it works out and you’re able to keep your museum. You worked really hard on it, and though I don’t agree with you, I respect that this is important to you and shouldn’t be taken away.
This CNN article indicates that Joe Taylor has about $141,000 in the restoring of the fossil (http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/17/mastodon.skull.ap/index.html). Where is the rest of the money going to come from? Is Mr. Taylor going to be okay?
Joe,
Matthew 5 promises great rewards for such as you.
May the Word and the Holy Spirit continue to encorage and comfort you and give you wisdom.
I hope the sale of the Mastodon skull was a substantial help.
I pray that the skull will be used well and will bring further glory to its Creator.
I know we are supposed to “count it all joy” when we suffer trials, but we are also supposed to mourn with those who mourn and sympathize with such. I truly am sad with you about the slander to God’s Name and work.
I’ve asked others to pray.
MaryAnn
Brother Joe,
Keep up the great work! I know God loves the work you are doing.
I am praying that your work will make the evolutionists see how wrong they are, and that the world will come to the Truth.
Kiyomi
Dear Joe,
I knew nothing about you until this morning. I quite stumbled upon the Allosaurus story and wound up here. Ever since I was a child I have wanted to be a paleontologist, and while that now is not the case, it is still a dream of mine. So I was very exited to read about the Christian paleontologist, Joe Taylor. As I researched I have been cut to the heart by the injustice laid at your feet by, not unbelievers, but Christian brothers.
You and your family will be in my prayers. God, who is truth and who does not delight in injustice is the God we worship. He is sovereign and we can lean on Him and trust in Him, even when everything seems to be going wrong.
I sold you your printer today and really enjoyed our conversation. I later called my brother to tell him about the dinosaurs walking with men. I then found this site and further believe in you and what your doing. I don’t have the money to support your situation or the time to visit, but I lift up prayers to our father that you will have peace of mind soon. God bless you friend.
Dear Joe,
You have literally changed my life. You gave me a vision to use fossil evidence for creation and the flood to reach the lost. I am now a creation evangelist full-time and alot has to do with your inspiration in my life. I appreciate you and your desire to serve the Lord. Thanks for doing the godly thing even when it was tough. I am praying for you. Thanks - Paul Veit
January 6th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Dear Joe,
We want you to know that we think about you often. We truly enjoyed your
wonderful hospitality when we visited Crosbyton in early 2007. We still
remember the tumbleweed as large as our car! We had a delightful time and
learned so many things, especially when we toured the museum. Thank you for
making yourself available and helping accommodate our then 4 month old daughter
when we visited your house.
After touring your museum, your expertise was readily apparent. Please know
that while you may not be able to speak the truth, we will continue to tell the
world the whole truth regarding the Allosaur. I also know you have many
supporters from New York to Texas and even elsewhere in the world.
Let us hope and pray that those who have done evil will repent and turn to our
Lord Jesus Christ. No matter the outcome, I believe the Lord will be glorified
and His will will be done.
In Christ,
Brandon and Elizabeth Giromini
January 7th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Joe,
We have never met but I have been following your ordeal for a while now. It is one thing to be treated so by the ‘world’ but quite another to be treated as such by professing Christians. It hurts because we tend to trust those that profess our Lord. Matthew 7: 13-23 is better understood in such situations. Our only hope is in the Lord walking in the light with Him.
I have drawn much comfort from Psalms 139.
I, too, pray for repentence for those who have done evil and profess Christ. Oh how it would Glorify God for them to drop this and stretch out a brotherly hand in the Name of the Lord.
Maranatha!
Lin
January 7th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Dear Joe,
I’ve been reading all about this for months and the whole thing makes me sick. I can’t believe that no one else will step forward and take legal action, knowing that it will help you. I read on that raising the truth site that Answers in Genesis could very well expose much of this in a court of law and could Tom DeRosa. This is all about greed, and you’re getting offered up as some kind of chump.
Hang on baby. It aint over till the fat lady sings.
Little Phyl
January 7th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Joe, words cannot describe the disgust I feel for the “Christian fellowship” you have received at the hands of “those who cannot be named”.
It galls me to also know that other “Christian” leaders, old and new, have reason to know about how you have been lied to and about and choose to remain silent.
It seems obvious they can have no better reason than fear of losing more money by doing the right thing by you than can be made by allowing “those who cannot be named” to continue to treat you as no true “Christian brother” would, haul you into court, and hound you as if their very purpose has become to silence you, and to ruin you and all those who work for and with you.
Shame on them!
Even a black-hearted sinner like myself says, “SHAME on them!!!”
January 8th, 2008 at 7:34 am
And let me add this, Joe: Some might correctly disqualify my post just above as bitter and spiritually “negative”. Maybe I agree.
It’s at least as important to say good things about you as it is to roast the evildoers who have done you wrong.
I have many times described you as “one of the finest men I’ve ever known”. Your life, your “adopted” children for whom you have been for many years the “Dad” in their lives, all speak well of you.
Your many friends who choose to work with you, in spite of and all thru this horrible financial debacle speaks volumes in approval of you.
Your relatives who have supported you with cash, legal assistance, prayers and occasional humor patiently hoping that your enemies get a conscience speak volumes as to your good heart, your strength of character.
There are countless people who have, through your whole life, found you to be inspiring. Because of that they have added you to their personal list of who “they’d like to be more like”.
You’re a long way from perfect, and you’re the first to admit that, but you’re a fine man, a good example to your brothers, and beloved by (almost?) everyone who’s ever had a chance to get to know you.
Thanks.
Your oldest brother in the flesh, John
January 8th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Joe, My heart is so heavy. You were my dad’s best friend! He respected you and your integrity. He was there with you digging this dino up. And this whole thing trouble him so deeply.
I love you and we’re praying for God to pre-vail and for the truth to be known. Stay strong and couragous! Draw close to the Lord! “Vengence is mine sayeth the Lord!”
We love you,
Karen, Robert, Ben, Rachel, and Nate
January 8th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Joe,
We consider it an honor to know you. Our entire family loves you! We all have heavy hearts about the latest actions that have been taken against you. I will always cherish the memory of sitting around the campfire that night 3 and a half years ago when Jack was inspired to compose the song, Big, Bad Dinosaur. Maybe I can coax him to put it up on Utube.
What has happened to you will affect the Church and the Creation movement for years to come.
We will always be thankful for meeting you and we are proud to call you “Friend.”
We love you!
Randy, Mary, Jack, Cari, Josh, Jenn, Kallie and Linsey Gavin
January 9th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Joe,
The Lord’s Word for you:
──────────── Psalms 71:1 ────────────
1 ¶ In thee, O LORD, do I put my
trust: let me never be put to
confusion.
2 Deliver me in thy righteousness,
and cause me to escape: incline thine
ear unto me, and save me.
3 Be thou my strong habitation,
whereunto I may continually resort:
thou hast given commandment to save
me; for thou [art] my rock and my
fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the
hand of the wicked, out of the hand
of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For thou [art] my hope, O Lord
GOD: [thou art] my trust from my
youth.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Joe, I’m praying for you. God bless you and yours….tom
January 10th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Joe, I know that sometimes it seems like it will never stop. The abuse and the attacks just continue and continue. I am proud to say that I know you and to call you a friend. We have walked very similar paths, although the details are different. It was because of you that I gained the courage to go public.
Never give up, Joe. We can’t see it now, but God has promised never to give us more than we can bear and we both trust in His absolute Sovereignty. It will work out for good in the end, even though we can’t understand God’s ways now.
Keep on loving your Lord and count it all joy. Persevere in what God has called you to do, and do it well. We are praying for you and look forward to see you again!
January 11th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
You raised your children to trust in the Lord and I do. I trust that God’s will is going to be done in this situation.
It is completely incomprehensible to me how anyone, who knows you, could attack you this way. You are the best friend, father, grandfather…PERSON…I, and many, have ever known and probably will ever know.
I love you,
Dianna
January 14th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Joe –
I am keeping you in my prayers daily that God will deliver you from these trials. I have only known you for about 6 years now, but I am thankful every day that I did meet you. Your love for your family and for the Lord has been and continues to be an inspiration to me. I have learned so much in the time that I have known you about how to be a father to my children and how to be a Godly man. You have taught me how to have patience. I have witnessed your devotion to, faith in, and love of God on a scale that I could only hope to emulate.
Whatever the outcome of all of this, know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers and that we love you.
Rusty
January 14th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Dear Joe,
May God indeed deliver you safely from this great trial. I’m including here the words to a favorite hymn as you are indeed in stormy seas.
God’s blessings be with you!
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked’st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe’er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
January 15th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Joe,We don’t know each other,I live in Chicago,it seems to me that you are getting the short end of the stick! Hang in there Brother! Praying for you,Andy.
January 17th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Joe,
I’m not a Christian, and I am an Evolutionist. I’ve never liked the idea of your museum, but its your right in this country to have it.
The fine is overly excessive and just plain harsh. These mega churches don’t always make Christians look favorable, and this really doesn’t seem like a Christian thing to do. Like I said before, I’m not a christian, but I would never make a man go broke because of a few questionable words (I’m from a family of lawyers too).
Best of luck to you, and I hope that in the end it works out and you’re able to keep your museum. You worked really hard on it, and though I don’t agree with you, I respect that this is important to you and shouldn’t be taken away.
January 20th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Trusting God on your behalf for many good reports. God always causes us to triumph in Jesus. The Lord will prevail. God will not be mocked.
May God hold you in the righteousness of His right hand where He’s had you this whole time. He is faithful and will show Himself faithful to you.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Hi,
I’m curious about a couple of things. Several of the news organizations are reporting a sale of over $190,000 (ie. http://blogs.abcnews.com/scienceandsociety/2008/01/mastodon-for-sa.html) while this blog reports $160,000.
This CNN article indicates that Joe Taylor has about $141,000 in the restoring of the fossil (http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/17/mastodon.skull.ap/index.html). Where is the rest of the money going to come from? Is Mr. Taylor going to be okay?
Best of luck,
Fred
January 29th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Joe,
Matthew 5 promises great rewards for such as you.
May the Word and the Holy Spirit continue to encorage and comfort you and give you wisdom.
I hope the sale of the Mastodon skull was a substantial help.
I pray that the skull will be used well and will bring further glory to its Creator.
I know we are supposed to “count it all joy” when we suffer trials, but we are also supposed to mourn with those who mourn and sympathize with such. I truly am sad with you about the slander to God’s Name and work.
I’ve asked others to pray.
MaryAnn
February 5th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
someone asked: I’m curious about a couple of things. Several of the news organizations are reporting a sale of over $190,000 (ie. http://blogs.abcnews.com/scienceandsociety/2008/01/mastodon-for-sa.html) while this blog reports $160,000.
Doesn’t the auction house take a portion of the sale?
February 13th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Brother Joe,
Keep up the great work! I know God loves the work you are doing.
I am praying that your work will make the evolutionists see how wrong they are, and that the world will come to the Truth.
Kiyomi
March 4th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Dear Joe,
I knew nothing about you until this morning. I quite stumbled upon the Allosaurus story and wound up here. Ever since I was a child I have wanted to be a paleontologist, and while that now is not the case, it is still a dream of mine. So I was very exited to read about the Christian paleontologist, Joe Taylor. As I researched I have been cut to the heart by the injustice laid at your feet by, not unbelievers, but Christian brothers.
You and your family will be in my prayers. God, who is truth and who does not delight in injustice is the God we worship. He is sovereign and we can lean on Him and trust in Him, even when everything seems to be going wrong.
Thank you for keeping my childhood spirit alive!
Your fellow brother in Christ,
Richard Tuttle
June 9th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Dear Joe,
I sold you your printer today and really enjoyed our conversation. I later called my brother to tell him about the dinosaurs walking with men. I then found this site and further believe in you and what your doing. I don’t have the money to support your situation or the time to visit, but I lift up prayers to our father that you will have peace of mind soon. God bless you friend.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Dear Joe,
You have literally changed my life. You gave me a vision to use fossil evidence for creation and the flood to reach the lost. I am now a creation evangelist full-time and alot has to do with your inspiration in my life. I appreciate you and your desire to serve the Lord. Thanks for doing the godly thing even when it was tough. I am praying for you. Thanks - Paul Veit