With the advent of email, internet chat-rooms and bulletin [...]]]> Time was when people could hold to some basic principles or live by personal convictions — decisions that may or may not be or may not’ve been popular — and yet they could sort of remain unspoken or undeclared.  Publicly, anyway.  Time was when people could hold to convictions and only a small circle of community would’ve been aware of the person’s or couple’s personal convictions.  Now… not so.

With the advent of email, internet chat-rooms and bulletin boards in the 90′s… e-groups list mail and then the explosion of “social media” such “personal convictions” become public declarations.  Write an article about it or write a book about it and, well, there’s the personal conviction in black and white for the whole world to read.  And comment on.

Not lost on me is the fact that our personal convictions can, in many ways, be seen and read of all men.  So, whether we say it or write it,  whether social media publicizes it or not, others can view what we believe or see what our personal convictions are by the decisions we make or the lives we live (this is especially true when our walk doesn’t match our talk).

The influence of our decisions or personal convictions isn’t limited to our circle of “friends” bcz our sphere of influence is much greater than our sphere of acquaintance. It’s amazing how reputation (good! or bad!) spreads.

Awareness or visibility of a personal conviction doesn’t assure accuracy though… other people’s opinions of us or their evaluation of what they think we think or what they think we believe is usually skewed by their personal experience or their convictions.

Their assessment may be further skewed because sometimes our children don’t hold to the same convictions as they mature  — thus, our convictions or beliefs are more critically scrutinized.

I read an article yesterday — didn’t have time to tweet about it, link it on FB or write something here — actually,  it’s probably a good thing, too.

The article is a NYT article written about a couple who once held to (and wrote a book about)  a particular belief  they’ve since abandoned –   conviction(s) they once embraced — they now denounce.

My mind immediately jumped to several conclusions: maybe they never really believed what they said they believed.  Maybe they got all caught up in the literary experience — I mean, we’re all so eloquent, so much cooler online.  Maybe they were following “a man” and not the Spirit of the Lord.  Maybe they were deceived on purpose (a few will catch that one).  Maybe they gave up too soon.  Maybe  they allowed little foxes to spoil the vine.  Maybe they…

I could easily get caught up in all that… maybe it was this, maybe it was that…

And then I stop and think that my concern for this couple is more for another decision they abandoned: the decision to abandon their vows.

Their children will pay a steep price for it.

All over the world there are great surges of sensational events  — and they truly are worldwide; the world is in chaos.  And the catastrophes  are piling up!  The multifaceted cataclysmic tragedy in Japan seems to [...]]]> Can you believe we’re living in these days?  That in the history of the world — His-story — we’re alive in these days!  Remarkable!  Truly remarkable!  These thoughts and more came to me while reading in 2 Thessalonians 2 and elsewhere today.

All over the world there are great surges of sensational events  — and they truly are worldwide; the world is in chaos.  And the catastrophes  are piling up!  The multifaceted cataclysmic tragedy in Japan seems to me to be a great picture of these days — especially within the church.

And a subtle, but similar rumbling is afoot in the church today –  the  resulting conclusion will be the same: mass decimation.  Great spiritual death is occurring as the church succumbs more and more to great delusions (this example is but one).  People are seeking answers  for the  troubling questions they face and all too often are grasping and believing the most detrimental teachings to come along in the church.

The church — not separated from the world, believes worldly answers — easy answers given by the smooth teachers (especially when these teachers are well known and “popular” in bookstores and other Christian circles.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Matthew 16.26

Thus, mainstream preachers teach lies to appease the masses by teaching easy stuff, entertaining the flocks, tickling ears with provocative messages.   Then, selling millions of books, deceiving great multitudes… giving in to the great lies of pride and humanistic thought they lead millions to believe great deceptions.

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
2 Thessalonians 2.10

The church is but one example, though,  because, in reality,  it’s seeming as though the whole world’s going completely mad.  Consider the great moral decline, the lack of sanctity of marriage, motherhood and human life.   Add to all that, the duping of America by those elected to lawfully govern — the empty promises, the great fallacy of budgeting by redistributing ill-gotten  funds, the preposterous demands, the assumption of entitlement and the fighting over non-existent  funds. Upside-down…

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” Romans 1.28

Relationships are out of balance –  if you’ve not experienced tension, misunderstandings, disappointment in relationships lately, don’t be surprised if/when you do so.   That cataclysmic tragedy in Japan yesterday is on a greater scale what’s happening in marriages, families, friendships and churches.

More 2 Thessalonians 2.1-5

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3   Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

You can continue reading your own Bible…  as you look at things from a spiritual perspective, you’ll believe you’re reading the front page of the daily newspaper.

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”
Luke 21. 25-26

And now, one of my favourite words in the Bible — beside the word “but” –  is the word, “therefore.”

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”   2 Thess 2.15-17

I pray as I write this that I would be — that we would be — recommitted to “retaining the truth” and that we would increase, cultivate and reaffirm our “love for the Truth” and that the Lord God would be merciful with us all as we rededicate ourselves to the  great calling on our lives, to seek to serve Him more faithfully, to love the brethren and to proclaim His salvation to those who are perishing.

The Marketing of Evil by David Kupelian. A [...]]]> This book is an invaluable resource:

The Marketing of Evil by David Kupelian.
A powerful book.

BO: “Our most urgent task upon taking office, was to shore up the same banks that caused this crisis [Wow.]. It was not. easy. to. do. And if there’s one thing that’s unified Democrats and Republicans and everybody in between – is that we all hated the bank bailout! I hated [...]]]> In light of yesterday’s post regarding the real state of the union… here you go: The State of the Union Address – part one. Listen. if. you. can.

BO: “Our most urgent task upon taking office, was to shore up the same banks that caused this crisis [Wow.]. It was not. easy. to. do. And if there’s one thing that’s unified Democrats and Republicans and everybody in between – is that we all hated the bank bailout! I hated it. (applause) I hated it (chuckle – applause). I hated it (more applause). You hated it. It was about as popular as a root canal.”

O wow. Think how many…

Do you s’pose this just might be a boon to the company — a marvelous marketing campaign that just might bolster sagging retail sales?

I appreciate the seeming change of heart at LS & Co — or the affirmation that men — hard working men — not social causes, have built their company. That, or someone in their [...]]]> Of some sort of trend or controversy or something… These are just some things I’ve been mulling over since seeing a Levi’s ad.

Do you s’pose this just might be a boon to the company — a marvelous marketing campaign that just might bolster sagging retail sales?

I appreciate the seeming change of heart at LS & Co — or the affirmation that men — hard working men — not social causes, have built their company. That, or someone in their ad department had a brilliant idea to market pants to — da ta da dahhhhhh — Men!

I remember fifteen years, or so, ago that Levi Strauss was on my personal “do-not-buy-retail” product list. That was for its stand on marriage and benefits to other than traditional marriage and later its stand on the Boy Scouts, et al. Well… I feel fairly certain that their overall corporate position on roles and gender blending/blundering and moral ambiguity, etc., etc., has not changed. And, for that matter, the company has more than likely attempted to keep a step ahead of metropolitan trends.

Not that Levi Strauss is, in the grand scheme of things, the end all be all, but as marketing goes, there will be others who join in the affirmation of God ordained uniqueness just as there will be those who mock the company relentlessly. Though you won’t hear about God or God’s marvelous design. You’ll hear something else — a message of the importance of being strong, perhaps of men who are dashing and debonair, mannerly and in style. Or something along that line. I think just like this country is bound to break under the strain of economic chaos, so also, men can’t stay on this feminized or, figuratively speaking, emasculated role to which domineering women have relegated them. Men were not created to be what many women are demanding them to be.

So, do you think men might finally take a stand against the lies that have been foisted on them and begin to see their incredible worth, their design and God given roles and responsibilities — as defenders, leaders, protectors, providers, endowed by the Lord to be heads of their homes and responsible for their families to be respectful and to guard women and children, etc., etc.?

Or will that happen when women embrace their unique and precious design and calling… and eagerly live it?