I Was Just Thinking About - - -
The National Association of
Convenience Stores has a webpage that endeavors to define the varying strategies
for marketing that will increase sales of goods and services. These businesses
offer a variety of items to satisfy one’s appetite or as a place to pick up
some necessary item such as milk or bread for use in a home. Another aspect of
Convenience Store strategy is to entice the the store visitor to yield to impulse
buying such as snacks, beverages, etc. The idea is to make it convenient for a
person to return to that convenient location and store in the future.
Obviously, the Convenience Store serves the purpose of making items available
that one has forgotten. Such items usually are priced with a premium added. If
such a store offers what one is seeking, there is the possibility of that
person returning there again in the future. That’s part of the genius of
Convenience Store marketing.
It seems as though that the
convenience store mentality of “it’s there if I need it” bridges over into
other areas of life. The philanderer allows himself to think this way. The
prodigal child desiring his/her freedom from the sanctity of the home decides
on the basis of their personal lifestyle orientation. People in government tend
to forget they were elected to serve and represent the people rather than their
own personal vested interests and they do so seemingly with impunity. Overall,
homes are impacted by the philanderer’s orientations; individual lives of the
prodigal become involved with least common-denominator pleasure-seeking groups
and influences; and government begins to neglect the purpose of the nation’s
existence and the guiding principles upon which it was founded.
It also appears that the Convenient
Store orientation has bridged over into Christianity and the Church. The
shallowness to this approach is seldom considered. It begins to become a
potpourri of thoughts and practices that can be disconnected from Biblical
reality and foundational principles, core values and moral standards. As a
result, an increasing number of people are determining that Church attendance is
no longer a necessity and is no longer addressing the felt needs of the people.
The Huffington Post, November 17, 2014, posted an article with the Headline: “NONES!
are Now DONES - Is the Church Dying?” The body of the article states: “Given the
widespread departure from the Church in all its varied expressions, it is a
legitimate question. Add to this the reality that the Millennial generation has
not only left the Church but does not seem to be returning and you have a
recipe for disaster. The ‘Nones’ are those persons who no longer identify with any particular religion. They are the religiously unaffiliated.
A few of them identify as agnostics or even atheists. And even that number is
rapidly growing…Further, among those adults under 30, commonly referred to as
the Millennials, the numbers of those departing the Church are even higher.
Steadily growing as well. One in three Millennials, for example, has left the
church. And, while historically many young adults raised in the Church leave
for a period of time and then return, Millennials today are not returning.”
There needs to be a return to the
Lord and Biblical Values. Part of the cultural chaos is due to the fact that
God is no longer revered or central in the life of the nation and people. The
basic requirement of the Creator God is stated in Deuteronomy 6:13-14 (NIV), “Fear
the Lord your God, serve him only…Do not
follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.” These same words are
restated by Jesus Christ when Satan is tempting Him in the wilderness. Jesus
responds to him, Luke 4:8, “It is written: Worship the Lord
your God and serve him only.” For the philanderer, prodigal, ‘nones’ or ‘dones’,
consideration needs to be given to the dangers of Convenience Store lifestyles.
Proverbs 14:12 states, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end
it leads to death.” When there are no Biblical values or principles present, it
will be difficult to respond to
Isaiah 30:21, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear
a voice behind you, saying: This is the way; walk in it.” Rather than embracing
a Convenience Store orientation toward things religious, common sense must
return and a serious approach to matters of the soul.
The problem is obvious
that every organized church claims to be “The True Church” and to represent “The
Truth” about God. One needs to remember that God created us all with a brain. It
is there to enable one to think rationally and to conduct disciplined study of
God’s Word. Then, one should seek out a Church that best represents Biblical
Truth. When that occurs, one should be able to identify with Psalm 122:1 (ESV),
“I was glad when they said
to me: Let us go to the house of the LORD!” At that point, one will be enabled to
return and Worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. Consider these things with
me!
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