Look at the following article:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-03-01-american-tv_x.htm?csp=24
No wonder people from these countries despise Americans. Their only view of our day-to-day lives is what they see on these vile TV shows! I knew that they watched American TV, but I didn't realize it was such a huge industry over there. If I thought that an entire country was like the people on Desperate Housewives or Friends, I would not like that country, either!
We need to realize that their view of us is warped because of what they are basing it on.
So what can we do about it?
First of all and most importantly, we need to be praying about what is going on in the world. Surely the Lord would bless the efforts of our military more if His people were on their knees, consistently praying about it. Have we forgotten prayer in this issue? I am among solid Christians all the time, and yet I almost never hear anyone praying about our country's foreign relations. We pray for the safety of the troops, which is great, but there is more to it than just that.
Also, perhaps we can try doing something about giving them a good opinion of Americans. After all, the average American is not nearly as bad as the people on these shows. To start, we need to make sure that we are not supporting these shows ourselves! How can we stand watching something that goes so directly against the Word of God and makes a mockery of His perfect plan? If these shows were not popular right here in America, they would not have been able to achieve such popularity overseas.
We should strive to be a good example ourselves. Okay, so I'm not really sure what I can do myself to directly be a good example to the Iraqis, but they do watch our country. If they see evidence of Christians living righteously, the Lord can use that. If we are working to influence our own country for the cause of Christ, it will have an effect. Remember the principle of sowing and reaping: you do reap more than you sow. Let's sow seeds of righteous whenever we get the chance.
It grieves me to see my testimony as an American being demeaned because I am associated with these programs. These people do not need to watch examples of sin: they need the light of God's Word. It is our job to get it to them. Let's not assume that someone else will take care of it. Find a way to be a light to that area of the world, and go for it! Jesus is Victor!
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Saturday, March 3
Thursday, March 1
What is an American?
The following is an excerpt from Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur's Letters from an American Farmer. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur came to America from France right around the time when our country was emerging. This selection is where we get the idea of America being a melting pot. Right before this selection, he is pointing out that Americans do not have an ethnic bond like other countries have. He explains what does constitute a true American, and he celebrates the American dream that immigrants were able to enjoy when they came here. I think that this will warm your heart about what America is all about:
What then is the American, this new man? . . . He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holds. He becomes an American by being received in the broad lap of our great Alma Mater.
Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world. . . . The Americans were once scattered all over Europe; here they are incorporated into one of the finest systems of population which has ever appeared, and which will hereafter become distinct by the power of the different climates they inhabit.
The American ought therefore to love this country much better than that wherein either he or his forefathers were born. Here the rewards of his industry follow with equal steps the progress of his labour; his labour is founded on the basis of nature. Self-interest: can it want a stronger allurement? Wives and children, who before in vain demanded of him a morsel of bread, now, fat and frolicsome, gladly help their father to clear those fields whence exuberant crops are to arise to feed and to clothe them all; without any part being claimed, either by a despotic prince, a rich abbot, or a mighty lord. Here religion demands but little of him; a small voluntary salary to the minister, and gratitude to God; can he refuse these?
The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas, and form new opinions. From involuntary idleness, servile dependence, penury, and useless labour, he has passed to toils of a very different nature, rewarded by ample subsistence.--This is an American.
What then is the American, this new man? . . . He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holds. He becomes an American by being received in the broad lap of our great Alma Mater.
Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world. . . . The Americans were once scattered all over Europe; here they are incorporated into one of the finest systems of population which has ever appeared, and which will hereafter become distinct by the power of the different climates they inhabit.
The American ought therefore to love this country much better than that wherein either he or his forefathers were born. Here the rewards of his industry follow with equal steps the progress of his labour; his labour is founded on the basis of nature. Self-interest: can it want a stronger allurement? Wives and children, who before in vain demanded of him a morsel of bread, now, fat and frolicsome, gladly help their father to clear those fields whence exuberant crops are to arise to feed and to clothe them all; without any part being claimed, either by a despotic prince, a rich abbot, or a mighty lord. Here religion demands but little of him; a small voluntary salary to the minister, and gratitude to God; can he refuse these?
The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas, and form new opinions. From involuntary idleness, servile dependence, penury, and useless labour, he has passed to toils of a very different nature, rewarded by ample subsistence.--This is an American.
Wednesday, January 24
Scary article about Pelosi
Read this article about what Nancy Pelosi wants to do in our churches. This is not what our founding fathers would have intended!! She must not be permitted to do this!
