June, unfortunately, has the distinction of being proclaimed as LGBTQ Pride Month. I guess this really implies that if you are living a healthy biblical approach to your sexuality you should be celebrated at least 11 months out of the year. Aw, shucks…just go ahead and celebrate June as well. Be GLAD (with one A) you’ve not caved to a distorted cultural mindset.
Keeping one on the Godly path regarding human sexuality gets no media support. This year we are likely to see the television stations and newspapers eagerly jumping on the bandwagon to endorse (and even participate) in the so-called “Pride Parades.” I guess they believe this draws admiration from most of the public. I doubt it does.
Then you have the increasing number of “gay” relationships or characters appearing even in network programs. They don’t warn you that "content may not be suitable for young children” because the network execs believe it is perfectly suitable. And their TV characters would never suggest there’s a hint of sin involved.
It’s also surprising to see how many people are willing to throw caution to the wind on programs like The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. Here people are put in the most tempting situations with attractive mates and millions of viewers cheering them on. God help the pure among them who hold out.
The other notable change in our viewing habits is the lack of resistance we show toward repulsive language. Even in seemingly “family friendly” movies or those not rated R. For example, the new Top Gun: Maverick movie with Tom Cruise. It’s rated P-G 13 for "sequences of intense action and some strong language."
Notice how we soft-pedal words that many find offensive. We call it “strong language.” So is communication without these words “weak language?” Here’s the summary of those words from the Top Gun: Maverick movie and their frequency (no doubt you can fill in the letters where you see the dashes): s--t (17), GD (1), b-lls (1), a-- (2), h-ll (9), d--n (4), SOB (2), misuse of “Jesus” (2), d--k (1), OMG (2), f-word (1). The more the kids hear these things, the more they repeat them.
Little Orphan Annie must still believe OMG means “Oh my goodness!”, but she is out of touch. The casual tossing out of God’s name found in “Oh My God!” is a profanity commonly found on school playgrounds and in most every workplace conversation, sporting event and, well, you name it.
I find some good news on the small screen. While I often do not care for the judges, there are some remarkably gifted people who show up on programs like America’s Got Talent (the new summer season is just underway).
[There is an international version of The Voice, another talent seeking program called The Voice Global. This season they had a young music talent who possibly, maybe, okay-we’re-not-really-sure, MIGHT be the grandson of Elvis Presley. It’s worth watching the YouTube performance of this young man. (link below) True talent usually finds its way to surface.]
I’m old enough and saturated enough in life to know that we who consider ourselves “Christ followers” often follow the wrong stuff in media. We get hooked like the culture. We tolerate in our houses and on the big screen what would totally make us blush if our Living Savior were sitting next to us. I don’t know, He might even say something like, “Why do you watch this junk?” Although I think Jesus might well appreciate the way some people use their God-given talents on certain programs.
People of faith in God likely skip over verses like, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
Or…” I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it..” Psalm 101:3 (NIV)
Gay Pride Month? Pride parades? Nothing to be GLAAD about in this. Take care what enters your eyes and ears.
That’s Forward Thinking.
You can find a number of YouTube episodes and podcasts of Mark’s program, Moving People Forward at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosyuBzdSh1mXIas_kGY2Aw?
For more information on the Elfstrand Group, please visit www.elfstrandgroup.com
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