[NotforSale]

Notice these interesting comparisons dealing with what people are seeking from Churches, and how the mind of today has diverted to a diabolical concept of life, Faith, and reality. Out of sight, out of mind, has caused society to embrace complete fantasy, and the Church is not exempt.

Walking through the doors of McDonald’s, many things happen to us, and many concepts are developed in the brain without us being aware of this powerful sway. It’s just a fast food joint, right?? Wrong! It’s a Multi-Billion dollar industry, and what takes place in this “Marketing Giant” is manipulation beyond our wildest dreams.

First, the target of this business is, you may have guessed it, CHILDREN. Hook them while they are young, and you will have clients for life. This is a proven tactic of McDonald’s. So, how do they lure the little people into their culture? A Clown. I asked this question in Church a few weeks ago, addressing the young people sitting on the pews; Who was the 1st President of the United States? No Answer. Who is the Clown at McDonald’s? Kids shouted out, “Ronald”! Seems harmless, but is in fact McDonald’s ploy to never let you go.

Another “Hook” to get kids in the door; A HAPPY Meal, with a TOY. Kids will generally bypass the meal, digging for the toy. This toy makes the meal HAPPY. The toy becomes the reason. The toy becomes the focus. Without the toy, the meal is NOT happy, and the child will disconnect. This is not unproven. I’ve raised three children, who all went to McDonald’s as young children. I watched them respond exactly in this way. Also, the documentary, “Super Size Me” brings this out.

This gets better. As we grow, the Golden Arches loom in the distance, their colors drawing us into a food chain that is deadly, and creeping with fantasy. Inside, the restaurant is dripping with dark concepts that we wind up living by. We order our Big Mac, indulging in the slaughtered animal we would never kill. This “Out of sight, Out of Mind” pretty paper, perfect bun, and a Magical Clown draw us away from the bloodshed, tears, and shame of real life. We fill our gut with more than just processed food of the darkest kind. We fill our minds as well with this hideous dream, drifting into a fairytale about life, and ultimately, Faith.

I will never forget the first time I drew my knife, cutting the throat of a deer taking its last breath. It squirmed within my arms, its eyes looking at me in despair. I literally bowed my head, asking God to help me understand the pain and sacrifice of this animal. The hot blood flowed over my hands, and tears burned from my eyes. Reality was vivid. This animal would give provision and health to my family, but the cost was obvious to me. No Clowns, no colored paper, no golden arches, and no toy.

People walk through the doors of our Churches wanting a “TOY”. They want a Happy Meal! They want Clowns! They want color!! So, we give it to them. Noah and the Ark becomes a magnet on the fridge, and David and Goliath are in the comic book or the Sunday School lesson. We make things “CUTE”, non offensive, and we always look in the bag for the trinket. Murder is no longer murder, it’s just a clown. Nothing is real, and the church is full of FAKE concepts about life, and people become unwilling to face the lows of living. We need to be HAPPY, otherwise we’re looking for another church.

In the end, Marriage, our Jobs, where we live, and our life with God are all affected. When things get tough, and the toy is gone, SEE YA!!