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As I have been on marathon read through the scripture I have become impressed with the thought of how God ALWAYS delivers his chosen people. Sin has consequences, choices have effects; but nevertheless, regardless of the extent of the rebellion, God WILL deliver his elect from their enemies and give them victory!
That is comforting!
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Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Intoxicated by Culture
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What are the things you love about being American? Think about those things. Also think about the things you particularly appreciate about your own town. Sure there are things about the USA, and even your local town, that aren’t according to your own specific preference but don’t think about those things right now; spend time thinking about the positive things. America has a unique, free culture. Along with freedom, America offers cultural things like baseball and hot dogs. Whether you like these things or not these things make America what it is. A country without baseball and hot dogs is no less a legitimate country, but it’s not home. We like home.
Now consider that your child tells you he is leaving the country; moving out without looking back. Not only is he moving away from America, but he is also renouncing, relinquishing his American citizenship. Not only will he not enjoy the small-town benefits of America but he will no longer enjoy the benefits of American citizenship either.
Now suppose that your child moves to Denmark; marries a Danish wife; becomes completely entrenched in Danish culture (even to the extent of mocking fundamental American qualities). Your grandchildren are raised in a somewhat similar, yet quite different, culture than you live. They not only have no appreciation for American culture they also have no affinity for American symbols such as the American flag; or icons such as Ronald Reagan.
None of these things enhance life, but they’re all things associated with the culture we know and love. Each of these things speak to our heart of home.
How many of us have been on a trip and noticed across a parking lot a vehicle with the same state on its license plate as ours? Upon closer investigation you find that they’re also from the same county as you also. Instantaneously you’re friends with the individuals. Why? Because they’re from home! Perhaps if you saw that same person in Wal-Mart last week you would have been fuming at them for taking the last (particular item) off the shelf, or because they were rude by pushing into line ahead of you when you were in a hurry; but suddenly your feeling neighborly toward one another because of your connection to home.
A few weeks ago I posted a post titled Slow Fade. Through comments (public and private) I realized that not everyone understands the permeation of the religious culture I have been raised in. Well meaning, good intentioned friends have made unintentionally unkind statements because of their ‘own pathetic lack of empathy’ (to quote one of them). I have written this post in order to hopefully expose that each of us are permeated, immersed culturally, some of us have just been ‘fortunate’ enough to be equally consumed by a religious sub-culture at the same time. While I understand that these religious things may not necessarily represent Christianity or the kingdom of God, they DO represent a familiar culture which is not easy to shed.
If I would have one request it would be this, be gracious and merciful with us (whomever ‘us’ may be) as we slowly emerge from the cultural influence we’ve been intoxicated by.
__________________________________________________
What are the things you love about being American? Think about those things. Also think about the things you particularly appreciate about your own town. Sure there are things about the USA, and even your local town, that aren’t according to your own specific preference but don’t think about those things right now; spend time thinking about the positive things. America has a unique, free culture. Along with freedom, America offers cultural things like baseball and hot dogs. Whether you like these things or not these things make America what it is. A country without baseball and hot dogs is no less a legitimate country, but it’s not home. We like home.
Now consider that your child tells you he is leaving the country; moving out without looking back. Not only is he moving away from America, but he is also renouncing, relinquishing his American citizenship. Not only will he not enjoy the small-town benefits of America but he will no longer enjoy the benefits of American citizenship either.
Now suppose that your child moves to Denmark; marries a Danish wife; becomes completely entrenched in Danish culture (even to the extent of mocking fundamental American qualities). Your grandchildren are raised in a somewhat similar, yet quite different, culture than you live. They not only have no appreciation for American culture they also have no affinity for American symbols such as the American flag; or icons such as Ronald Reagan.
None of these things enhance life, but they’re all things associated with the culture we know and love. Each of these things speak to our heart of home.
How many of us have been on a trip and noticed across a parking lot a vehicle with the same state on its license plate as ours? Upon closer investigation you find that they’re also from the same county as you also. Instantaneously you’re friends with the individuals. Why? Because they’re from home! Perhaps if you saw that same person in Wal-Mart last week you would have been fuming at them for taking the last (particular item) off the shelf, or because they were rude by pushing into line ahead of you when you were in a hurry; but suddenly your feeling neighborly toward one another because of your connection to home.
A few weeks ago I posted a post titled Slow Fade. Through comments (public and private) I realized that not everyone understands the permeation of the religious culture I have been raised in. Well meaning, good intentioned friends have made unintentionally unkind statements because of their ‘own pathetic lack of empathy’ (to quote one of them). I have written this post in order to hopefully expose that each of us are permeated, immersed culturally, some of us have just been ‘fortunate’ enough to be equally consumed by a religious sub-culture at the same time. While I understand that these religious things may not necessarily represent Christianity or the kingdom of God, they DO represent a familiar culture which is not easy to shed.
If I would have one request it would be this, be gracious and merciful with us (whomever ‘us’ may be) as we slowly emerge from the cultural influence we’ve been intoxicated by.
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