Tag Archives: Christian

The Ads Between the Advertisements

Posted in Advertising, Christian values by

Many years ago, they stopped permitting cigarette commercials on TV.  Considering my beliefs on tobacco products, I was pleased with the decision, though it did bother me that those who benefited the most were the lawyers.

However, it begged the question, “Who or what will replace all the commercial revenue that tobacco provided for TV and radio.  Unless you were around in the day as I was, you likely don’t realize the large percentage of ads from that one industry.

However, it’s not my point here to write about the ads, but rather the ads between the ads.  On the TV, and movies as well, tobacco paid a bundle to shoe people smoking.  In some case, they even made sure to expose the logo to the camera.  It is all part of the subtle or disguised ads.

It is the Kellogg’s box or Folder’s exposed to the camera in hopes to increase the sales for the cereal or coffee.

It is the increase in tobacco sales as the result of characters in the show smoking.  It is the increase in drinking as a result in the characters in the show making it appear to be the norm for everyone.  I mean, why not drink.  Everyone does it.

The tobacco contribution did not stop with the outright ads though.  If you look at the old TV and radio shows, you will note that many of the characters smoked in their scenes.  Guess what?  Ads between the ads are still there.  In the old movies and show, the characters still smoke to this day.

Well, the cigarette suggestive ads are no longer on new TV or movies, but many other ads are now subtly placed between the advertisements, where most don’t pay a lot of attention.

Some might wonder, “Does it work?”

I don’t know.  They might.  If they don’t work, some really big corporations are futility spending fortunes.  Hence, I have to assume that all those outfits really believe it works.  I suspect they spent an enormous amount of change in the research alone.

Initially, the ads from the casinos replaced at least some of tobacco money.  When gambling was made legal in Tunica County, it was impossible to listen to ten minutes of Memphis radio or TV without hearing one of the ads.  It seemed that if we went to the Hollywood Casino, we could all become famous actors.  Little was mentioned of the fact that we might lose our shirts and perhaps a bit more.

It seemed once the old water barrier started to leak, it wasn’t long before gambling started all over the country.  A couple of casinos were built here.  A couple more were built there.  I would now guess that there are few people in this country much more than a hundred miles away from someone willing and waiting to take all our/your money from us.

I don’t know.  They just might have oversaturated.  I don’t hear so many ads these days.  On the other hand, they just might have more customers than they want.  (I don’t think you’ll believe that one.)

Nonetheless, have you ever seen a recent movie or TV show where gamblers lose?  The object of the subtle ad is to convince you that you can gamble and win.  Not only that, you’ll have oodles of fun while you’re breaking the casino.  NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.  Remember the movie “The Rain Man.”

Consider the alcohol industry.  Do you think they ignore the effects of the ads between the ads?  I suspect the advertising departments in those outfits are very busy getting alcohol to fit in everywhere they can make it fit.  This is true even though it amounts to putting the proverbial square in the round hole.  Even those, so-called family oriented channels and shows have characters drinking at every scene possible.  Some will actually buy the subterfuge, hook, line and sinker.  Maybe I live a sheltered life, but, as near as I can tell, people simply don’t drink that much.

I suspect that the alcohol industry has done far more damage to our society than the tobacco industry could imagine.  Smoking might damage the lungs but alcohol deprives the brain of oxygen.  It doesn’t do the liver any good either.  Yet, for some reason, we destroy the tobacco farmer while we encourage the little old wine makers.

Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t like tobacco.  My father and two of my brothers smoked.  I saw the damage it did to them.  I will not defend the cigarette.  However, not too many people killed other people as the result of smoking as drinking does.  How many people abused their wives and children while in an altered state from smoking; it doesn’t happen.  The abuse of alcohol is far worse than smoking and it always will be.

It’s not just me saying that.  The experts say that alcohol causes more damage to our society than any other drug.  Maybe we should at least stop the ads between the advertisements on TV.  Let’s not present it to our children as a good or normal way of life.

I also find it odd that clergy have become the guilty party in so many who-done-its these days.  I do not suggest that there aren’t bad men who claim to teach of good things, but Hollywood intentionally distorts it.  They clearly don’t like Christians or Christianity.

Moreover, it should not be a surprise to anyone who has read their Bible.  Jesus has warned us of such people.  He said to beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Some of those wolves find their way behind pulpits and teach error.  It’s horrible.  It’s terrible.  But let’s not imply that all preachers are bad.

On the other hand, they like to promote the concept that homosexuality is both common and normal.  I know this is going to draw a bunch of criticism.  Fine.  I can live with that.  However, it is more than coincidence that there are homosexual agents in both TV shows NCIS New Orleans and NCIS Hawaii.  It does make me suspect that CBS does have an agenda.  Cold Case also had its sprinkling of homosexual based plots.  They are all intentional ads in between the advertisements regardless of right or wrong.

If you do want to know if it is right or wrong, don’t consult the shows.  Don’t even ask me.  I did not make the rules and I can’t change them.  Neither can any of you.  You might want to ask the one Who did make the rules.  Then again, you might not want His reply.  You might choose to do as Adam did and run from Him.

By the way, on a lighter note, I wish I could get the free advertising for my books that Sean Hannity and all the others on FOX News receive whilst they are supposedly talking about news or comment.  I likely would still be a long way from a best seller, but I would at least have a chance.

That’s advertising between the advertisements too. Not only that, but I also bet they don’t pay a dime for it either.

Taxes, Churches and the US Government

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From my youth, I found nothing wrong with tax exempt status for churches. Indeed, I was among the majority thinking it was a good idea.

Over the years, I’ve gradually changed my mind. By providing tax exempt status, Uncle Sam can control the actions & activities of the churches. Right now, they claim they cannot maintain their tax exempt status and take part in politics.

There are at least three problems with this. First, the scope of the definition of politics keeps enlarging. Most certainly this will continue, eventually envading the very foundations of Christianity. Already, it has started and it will only get worse.

Secondly, in many cases, the IRS intentionally go after churches and church oriented organizations (such as Christian schools) they don’t like. All the while, they ignore organizations they do like. [Incidentally, this is blatantly unconstitutional. The government may not prosecute one organization and let another do the same thing. ]

Third, it is an indirect method of providing funding of a political group while blocking another. It’s not just illegal; it’s blatantly wrong…encouraging churches to sin in the sight of God.

To my way of thinking, a preacher in a church should not have any restrictions on what is said behind the pulpit. It is indeed fundamental to the First Amendment. The exempt status is simply an end around run at that Amendment and the Constitution, itself.

Likely, the best way around the exception is for the churches to simply don’t claim exempt status. This would make it difficult for them to complete with other churches. On the other hand, it would free the preachers to do that which they should do anyway. Perhaps, it will give Christians from other churches some much needed guidance as well.

Regardless, I wonder. Would the church that speaks out really lose that many members? Would the members they lose be that much of a loss.

Mostly, it is time we send a message. God is not subject to the dems. Those who subject themselves to God, serve the LORD rather than man. In my way of thinking, that would be a good thing…for the Christians, for the churches and for the USA. However, I think that the dems wouldn’t like it so much.

The Problem With Ignorance

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As I look around, I concluded that there are about 6 or 7 reasons that people never accept the gift of salvation. Pride has to be right up there. In truth, there are 2 or 3 ways that pride can figure into it.

Another frequent reason is the “I don’t wanna give up the wine, women and wild life,” idea. Of course, eventually, they all do. They have no choice.

Then there’s the useless idea. “God would never want someone so horrible as me.” The truth is that none of us is worthy. If God only accepted good people, heaven would be completely empty of people.

And then there are the procrastinators like me. There are many reasons to put off being saved. I know. I used many of them. By the way, I still put things off. I am inherently lazy and very good at inventing excuses.

Still, the biggest reason people don’t accept Jesus Christ as their savior is is ignorance. Indeed, in a way ignorance is behind all the reasons in some way.

Nonetheless, what I’d like to address here is the direct ignorance. Some have never heard about Jesus. Many have put there faith in false gods and false religions.

When I say this, many think I am just referring to those outside the USA. The truth is that there millions in this country who don’t know the plan of salvation.

Strange as it might seem, many go to a church regularly. Some never miss a Sunday and yet they will never see The Kingdom of God.

Now hold on folks. This might really surprise you. Many of clergy are ignorant of the plan of salvation. They might have a doctorate in theology. They might even know the Bible backwards and forward and still not be born into the Kingdom of God.

Worse yet, some of these people ignorantly spread lies. Oddly, this is sometimes because of of pride and ignorance.

Certainly, we should be careful of preachers full of themselves. But also we should verify clergy before following them. We should also verify what they teach. If it is in error, find another.

If he says you can go to heaven by being good, he is teaching error. If he says we can only earn God’s love by following The Ten Commandments, he is teaching error. If he says you must tithe to go to heaven, he is wrong. If he says you must belong to his church or you will spend eternity in hell, he is either lying or hasn’t a clue.

Salvation is a gift; gifts are not earned. Those who are ignorant think they can earn the greatest gift ever. Thinking you can earn your salvation is more than ignorant. It pure pride.

My Little Wish

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I have seen, perhaps dozens of movies based, shall I say loosely on the Bible. Some were by Hollywood producers, some by so-called Christian organizations.

The one thing I can honestly say about every one of them is that they are not accurate. It is so disappointing. It is so frustrating. I don’t know why but they never get it right.

Then, those who see the movies and don’t read the Bible believe the lies. Sometimes these lies stand in the way of salvation. Yet, those who make those movies pride themselves on what they and those who help them promote.

So it is that my one little wish is that someone, someday actually gets one of the movies right.

Until then, might I suggest you read the Bible. Until then, don’t put much faith on movies getting it right. Salvation is not something to trust to Hollywood. Indeed, the vast numbers of those in Hollywood pride themselves in their unbelief. Many of them mock the book on which the movies are based.

It Started With Love

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God made man on the sixth day, only after he built the perfect place for him to live. Then He gave it all to man as his dominion. Adam and Eve walked among all the animals totally without fear. To me, that was God’s first expression of love.

Even before God spoke it all into existance, He knew Adam would eat the fruit. Even more, he knew every sin that all men would ever commit. Then, even then God the Father decided to give his Son for us. Jesus the Son decided he would die on the cross for us. That, indeed was, as far as I know was his first act of love toward us. It was before the creation.

Then to, it was all inclusive. He did not carve out any exceptions. No one was excluded. No sin was excluded. He did not say he would exclude murderers, lawyers or even politicians. It means that salvation is available to the poorest and the richest, although the riches can make it difficult difficult to receive that salvation. It is available to the weak as well as the strong, though the pride of the strong might blind him to his need.

Though the salvation is just as available to geniuses as the mentally challenged, some of those geniuses are literally too smart for their own good.

Because of His love, He is merciful. Without the mercy, there would be no forgiveness. Without forgiveness, there would be no salvation. All of us would get exactly what we have coming to us. It’s called justice.

God absolutely requires justice. That means, for every sin, large or miniscule, someone must pay the price.

That is the reason for the cross. Jesus, because of his love, paid the price for all sin. By the way, he had no help. There is simply no way we could have helped, no matter our effort, no matter any power or fortune we might have.

To succeed, Jesus and Jesus alone has that power, that ability.

Finally, it’s His power, His authority. If we don’t believe that, then we lack faith. When anyone claims that he is providing his own salvation in part or in full, he is attempting displaying a lack of faith in Jesus.

It is the only condition of salvation: complete faith in Jesus. It is more than fair. He is the one who paid the price for our sins. It is certainly right that He and he alone receive all the credit and all the glory without exception. We ought not be allowed to steal any of it.

When we do accept His salvation, why shouldn’t we know we are saved. Why should we doubt his promise or his ability? If we are saved why can’t we declare it. It is not our ability we brag on but rather the salvation that Jesus has provided.

And, to be sure, He has provided that salvation because of his love and mercy toward us, toward me and nothing else. His salvation was paid for me. I know that because when he said whosoever in John 3:16, He did not make me an exception.

I think, actually I know, if you cannot say you’re saved, you just might want to place yourself in the hands of Jesus as your only savior. That way you’ll be included in the whosoever of John 3:16.

Caution! WARNING!

Posted in Abuse of Power, Christian values, Communism, Crazy Nuts, Lawyers and Representation, Our Legal Systems by

The question of the day is, “Will the one person in this world who reads all those cautions and warnings that come with those wonderful products raise his or her hand.” My reasoning tells me there can’t be more than one in this world. OK. Maybe two.

I can’t remember exactly when. Seems like it was in the early 80s when I heard a news story about two men who sued Sears and won. It seems Sears did not caution against using a lawn mower to trim hedges. Now I don’t know about you but I would hope most people, the human type, would actually realize the Hazzards of such a thing. Besides, I would think it’s a little awkward.

Nonetheless, I’m sure the Sears corporation started adding the proper caution. Even more, their lawyers likely met in some big room and started dreaming up dozens of other cautions and warnings to keep their company out of the courtrooms.

I also suspect that many other outfits, large & small, took note. And now the trees are falling so that thousands of companies can have paper to print millions of pages of warnings and cautions, which never-ever get read.

Indeed, it has defeated the very purpose of them. And so it is that people suffer because of too much caution ⚠️.

It is, however, nice to know that the big corporations will suffer no loss. The info is there. If we don’t read it, it’s our fault, not theirs.

Sometimes, I wonder if our lawyers, law makers and those looking to get rich quick in the courtrooms will be the downfall of this country.

Regardless, we know the lawyers and those who write the laws will do really well, until we the folks that put up with them get tired of it all.

It’s about time we do away with this absurdity, that is, before it does away with us.

Now, let’s see. Do you suppose a lawnmower could be safely modified to trim hedges. Maybe those 2 men had a brilliant idea after all.

A Fascinating Question

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The other day I heard a comedian tell a joke that prompted a question that I found fascinating, though I must admit most would not.

Suppose the house next to you just became vacant and you just found out that God was going to move into it. Of course, the question is ludicrous. Yet, the question still intrigues me. It launched me into hours of thought.

The comedian suggested that most would be horrified at the idea. To be sure, He would be close enough to observe everything that is done and overhear all arguments. How embarrassing that would be.

The thing that actually makes the question so ludicrous is that God does not need to be standing next to us to know our every thought. Actually, he’d not be surprised by anything we say or do. He knew them before the earth was.

I would like to think that I would be thrilled, though I can’t say that with any surety. I mean, wouldn’t it be nice to visit my neighbor once or twice a day and converse with the person who made everything.

Then again, we really can do that anyway. He is everywhere and He can carry on a conversation with any of us any time He wants. To some, I suppose it’s comforting. To others, maybe frightening.

It’s what makes the question fascinating.

What Scares Me About Last Election

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I could go on tirades about all the lies told by the dems. I could go on and on about the foolishness of open borders and giveaway programs. I might even remind everybody about the stupidity of putting mentally challenged people into office.

The thing is, it’s all pointless. I can shout it from the highest hilltops; distribute it throughout the valleys.

It simply won’t do any good while the vast majority prefer the lies after they hear the truth. It serves no purpose to throw a life preserver to people who prefer to drown.

What scares me is when the people are tossed flashlights, they prefer to live in the dark. No amount of truth will help those who actively prefer to believe the lies.

It is no wonder the dems lie. It is no wonder the great darkness is closing in. It is no wonder that life is leaving when the masses prefer the death.

To be sure, John, in the first chapter of John, tells us that about people preferring the dark. I understood what he said. I believed what he said. I just never before realized just to what degree.

The Inevitable Result of the Pipeline

Posted in Abortions, Abuse of Power, Biden, Christian values, Crime, Deceit, FOC, gun control, Kamala Harris, law enforcement, Lawyers and Representation, Liberals, News media, Our Legal Systems, Planned Parenthood, Politally Correct, Religion, Respect, Schools, Supreme Court by

It is one of those old laws so to speak of the pipeline. If what you put in is bad, most likely what you get out the other end will be bad. So let’s take a quick look at the pipeline and what we are putting in and just what is coming out.

We put in children from broken Godless homes. We send them through schools where no one can say anyting about God, or even speak the truth about good and evil without someone losing his job. We teach that mankind has no greater importance than a whale, porpoise or ape, and the kids come out believing all things they are taught.

If a person is no more than an animal, but more intelligent and with apposing thumbs: if all man is doing is destroying plants, animals and the climate, then why not believe he has improved the world by destroying some of the horrible human inhabitants?

Don’t all animals go around killing others, even of their own type? Why shouldn’t men kill other men? We are only soulless animals as all the others.

Indeed, as a society, we kill even the youngest and most innocent. Joe speaks as if it is our duty kill babies before they have a chance to breathe the air we breath, to be sure, before they are protected by law.

If there are any statistics, I suspect they would prove at least 8 out of 10 killers come from broken homes where the Bible was never read.

And so it would seem that I’m blaming broken homes for all the shootings. Nothing could be farther from the truth. God tells us we each are responsible for our own actions.

After all, Eve blamed the snake. Adam blamed Eve and even implied God was guilty because He made Eve for him.

Mankind always looks for excuses, a way out. Yet, when we do we always make things worse. So, Joe tries to blame the weapon instead of the shooter. That makes about as much sense as Cain blaming the rock for his killing Able. You notice even Cain was not that dumb.

I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it till the day I die. The time to pray is before the disasters. Afterwards is too late. But then, the government won’t let us pray beforehand, only after.

So, the pipeline made up of broken homes and atheist schools keeps turning out kids who know not the difference between good and evil. To that degree, society is guilty. How can they know right from wrong when no one is permitted to teach them.