THE FAILURE OF TRUTH

From My Perspective - - -

More than half a century ago, Dr, Francis Schaeffer wrote a brief treatise entitled, “Escape From Reason.” A description of this book states: “Truth used to be based on reason. No more. What we feel is now the truest source of reality. Despite our obsession with the emotive and the experiential, we still face anxiety, despair, and purposelessness.” Schaeffer contended: “It is an important principle to remember, in the contemporary interest in communication and in language study, that the Biblical presentation is that though we do not have exhaustive truth, we have from the Bible what I term ‘true truth.’ In this way, we know truth about God, truth about man, and something truly about nature. Thus on the basis of the Scriptures, while we do not have exhaustive knowledge, we have true and unified knowledge.” He added this additional thought: “People today are trying to hang on to the dignity of man, but they do not know how to, because they have lost the truth that man is made in the image of God. Adam was an un-programmed man, a significant man in a significant history, and he could change history.” The sad reality is that man chose to sacrifice his significance by his looking and turning away from truth and succumbing to a lie.

The progression of such a choice is seen in the unfolding history of man with his journey and struggle through life. Part of his struggle is the search for True Truth in a world that has chosen the least common cultural denominator for life. In our current human history, we are witness to the power of persuasive speech. No one is pausing to measure the truth or error of what is being said and heard. A great divide has been promoted that separates those who have from those who don’t; separation of those who are gainfully employed from those who have gained an entitlement consciousness and desire. In a day of unemployment, bankruptcy, foreclosure and repossession – few seem concerned about a National Debt or what it means for all of the citizenry. For instance, in fiscal year 2012, the debt of the US Government climbed by a total of $1.3 trillion according to the Treasure Department. That translates to approximately $3.8 billion a day; or $145.8 million per hour; $2.5 million per minute; and $40.5 thousand per second. This is a truth and reality check that should generate both concern for the present and a discipline to curb the propensity to spend and the insatiable desire to receive entitlements.

There is a practical statement about a people who have chosen to ignore truth and reality in Isaiah 59:1-15 (Selected – NKJV). Note some of what the Prophet is representing in the name of The Lord: “…your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear…Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity. No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies…Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace. Therefore justice is far from us, Nor does righteousness overtake us; we look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness…Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey…”

Note Isaiah’s definitive description, “…righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. So truth fails…” The misdirection of our nation today is because of the choices made that are similar to those stated in Isaiah 59. Is there a way out of this dilemma and morass? Can we get ourselves turned around and committed to a right way and a new direction? The answer is – YES! It will begin at and require one to embrace the True Truth of John 14:6, Jesus said, I AM the Way, I AM the Truth, I AM the Life; no one comes to the Father except by/through Me. You can avoid the cultural roadblock by receiving and believing this Truth. Make the wise and best choice now – come to The Truth - Jesus Christ!  Consider these things with me!

CONVOLUTED CAPITAL

From My Perspective - - -

A tradition in the United States is the annual State of the Union Address by the President. Of late, it has been followed by the Minority Party response to that address. With all of what is stated in both addresses, on area that is absent from comment is the prevailing moral proclivity within the nation. Rather than the typical talking points about gun control, immigration focus, climate control, job creation, etc., the greater focus might be on the moral erosion and loss of integrity within the nation. One might say that within the Capital, there is a convoluted mindset about such matters. Convoluted is that which is twisted and entangled, turned or twisted; a confused matter or condition.

A year ago (March 2011), the Huffington Post reported: “There’s something about government towns and extramarital affairs. A new study by…a dating website for people who want to cheat on their significant others -- found that Ottawa leads Canada in the number of people looking for a little something on the side. And according to the website’s research -- which is based on its subscription rates - the same is true in the United States where Washington, DC leads the pack." Today, the Wall Street Journal Radio Report referenced the follow-up story reported in the Huffington Post yesterday: “Washington D.C. isn't only our nation's capital. For the second year in a row, it's also the capital of infidelity. According to a press release…D.C. was recently named ‘America's Least Faithful City’ for the second year in a row. The title was based on data collected by the infidelity website, which found that D.C. had the highest number of sign-ups per capita in 2012, boasting 34,157 new members. Two Texas cities -- Austin and Houston -- came in at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively…” The founder of the website stated: "With enormous public attention paid to political cheating scandals this year, including the Gen. Petraeus affair, there was no doubt that Washington residents would be influenced," he said in a press release. "Living in D.C., it's crucial to keep up appearances and therefore adultery has become a way of life for many of the city's most powerful residents."

Pause for a moment and reflect on that observation and statement – “adultery has become a way of life for many of the city’s most powerful residents.” If true, that is a tragic indictment of those who are “leaders” for the nation and world. Sadly, the owner of the website goes on to state: “This week is a big one…as the site claims that the day after Valentine's Day is one of their busiest days every year. In 2012, the site saw a 439 percent increase in membership signs-ups on February 15 (as compared to the typical number of daily sign-ups), with married women largely driving the spike…” Pause again and observe “a 439 percent increase” and “married women largely driving the spike…”

Our nation loves to sing “God Bless America” – but – can we expect God to bless this nation? Do we expect that God will condone that which he condemns? Does Genesis 6:5 have any validity for our day? When Jesus referenced that passage in Matthew 24:37-39 about His coming again when times and conditions are similar to those in the days of Noah, did He envision our day as such a day and condition? When Paul gave his scathing analysis and proclamation in Romans 1:18-32 about the convoluted perversions of mankind – sexual impurity of every description, would he allow that the United States should be excused from similar judgments by Almighty God? If possible, would the judged souls of Sodom and Gomorrah have a basis to suggest that great injustice occurred toward them if the behavioral trends and moral choices within the United States should be unnoticed and unpunished? Within this nation, the “Church” (so-called) and the Nation should understand that we are at the cusp – the point or appointed end – and in His righteousness and holiness – He will return and judged the earth. People were not paying attention to the warnings in the days of Noah, nor are they today. The “church” has become too accommodating to the alternate lifestyles and ignored God’s Standards and been too silent about holiness and righteousness. The end is rapidly approaching. Are you ready? Consider these things with me.

SIGNATURE MOMENTS

From My Perspective - - -

In a Blog by Rick Harris, “Why Signature Moments Are Not Enough”, he writes: “Since 1984 when Jan Carlzon, then CEO of Scandinavian airline SAS coined the term ‘moments of truth’, businesses have been seeking out an X factor for their customer experience. The logic runs that you first identify the critical points in the customer journey – perhaps a moment when customers expect a possible problem or delay, or a first impression that lives in the memory. Then the business creates a ‘signature’ or ‘WOW’ moment at that point, aiming to surpass customer expectation, and encourage positive word of mouth and future loyalty. An often-quoted example of a ‘signature moment’ is from the Westin Hotel chain, notably their Heavenly Bed, built to be so comfortable, it exemplifies the brand goal of an experience that leaves guests feeling better than when they arrived. The problem with this approach is that: (1) It assumes that customers stay ‘wowed’ each time they repeat the experience. (2) It assumes that competitors can’t copy the signature moment. (3) It assumes that the market stays static, and is not impacted by new trends, economic conditions or legal requirements. The reality is that these assumptions are optimistic at best, and naive at worst...”

In current times, “Signature Moments” are becoming fewer and Empty Rhetoric dominates the ebb and flow of opinion and public debate. In January 2013, Peggy Noonan wrote about the place of “thinking” as one contemplates what to write or say. She quoted: “David McCullough, who once noted that people tend of ask him how long it took to research a work of history and how long to write. They rarely ask him about the thinking, which is what really takes time. To write is to think, he said. Good writing is good thinking.” She goes on to observe: “If you try to write “good lines” you'll likely wind up with strings of dumb, unconnected applause lines. The audience will probably applaud—crowds of supporters are dutiful that way, and people want to be polite—but they'll know they're applauding an applause line, not a thought, and they'll know they're enacting enthusiasm, not feeling it. This accounts for some of the tininess of much modern political experience.” She adds: “You must be serious when you're doing serious work. So don't “try to write a sound-bite” when you write a speech. Don't try to come up with a great line. Try to write well. Which means try to think well. Try to put clearly the position you're advancing of the thought you're explaining. Try to explain why your policy is the best one, your attitude the right one, your program the more just one. Lose yourself in the work and the words will come.”

One other observation by Peggy Noonan pertains to the size of one’s signature. Other than a John Hancock deliberately large signature, most notable people are modest in the way they sign a document. However, she gives certain current examples of overly large signatures and observes: “Almost always when people come into my office and look at the commissions they notice the signatures and note the change in size from one era to another. To me it’s a metaphor for the growth in the power and size of the federal government the past quarter century and, frankly, the more flamboyant egos—or, a nicer way to say it would be the bigger personalities—that populate it today.”

There are many “signature moments” in the Bible. The most outstanding is Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created…” The words about Jesus Christ in Philippians 2:5-8, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ – He made Himself nothing…taking the very nature of a servant…He humbled Himself…He became obedient to death – death on a cross.” That attitude should be evidenced in one’s life. In the words of II Corinthians 5:15, “He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him, Who died for them and rose again.” Jesus also instructed His followers in terms of focus and priority, and how they need to emulate Him. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said: “…take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls…” This is the signature moment one should seek after and strive for, namely, to be like Jesus. Consider these things with me.