“America is becoming increasingly defined as a land of collective silliness.” –Jeff Lyle
I searched all morning for a quote to help me launch into what I wanted to say and couldn’t find one. So I spoke to myself and then quoted myself in order to get on with things. This little rant will be shorter than yesterday’s and probably not as edifying but my chest has no more room for what I want to say and I need to get it off of me.
For some absurd reason American actor, Charlie Sheen, has been the focal point of our nation for the last two weeks. A 45 year old, multi-millionaire who has a penchant for pills, powder and prostitutes has captured the shrinking intellect of the American public. While our economy looms before us with disastrous foreboding, while wars and rumors of wars continue to appear on our Middle East radar, while natural disasters, moral atrophy, and political disillusionment are all smacking us in the face…the biggest story concerns what idiotic stream will flow from the unhinged mouth of Charlie. This is your 21st Century American Dream.
People have occasionally wondered why I don’t deal with more of the current affairs of our nation in this blog. Why don’t I talk more of politics and Hollywood and professional athletes and modern trending in music…blah, blah, blah. Jeff, does it always need to be Bible related?
Nearly always, YES.
Here’s my simple reason why; please forgive me if it comes across as being arrogant: I’m on a life-quest for gold and have no inclination to frolic with others in the manure pile.
Spending the years of 1984-1994 fully engrossed in all the pleasures that can be afforded a young man I eventually discovered that there is nothing for me there. Fame is fleeting. Beauty fades. Sensual faucets have to be left constantly running for them to satisfy and they must gush with more force than the day before. Hollywood is fiction (just a reminder) and the vast majority caught in the trappings of the American Entertainment industry have nothing to offer us for eternity. The extreme personalities in professional athletes are nothing more than gods to be worshiped by empty-souled folks who lack a life of their own. The bible word for all of this is VANITY, a chasing of the wind. Go outside and harness a fistful of wind, put in your pocket with all your effort and then take a peek inside to see what you got. You got the same thing you get when you leave the quest for God’s gold and dance around man’s pile of massive manure: Nothing…in the company of others who have nothing.
Charlie Sheen breaks my heart. He’s a troubled man who I recognize because I once lived and acted like he.
What is more troubling is that our nation cannot seem to take their eyes off his train-wrecking life as the pile-up continues day after day. We call it entertainment in America. We blush at the thought that someone as revered as Charlie could spiral so amazingly out of control. This alone shows how silly we have become here in America…we actually expected this public figure to add something to our lives and we live in a blend of horror and secret delight as each new day reveals yet another instance of him smelling like the manure he cherishes. C’mon…what’d ya expect?
My rant is over. I feel better now that I said something. If nothing else, I hope you will take a step back and recognize what a stupid group of people the American populace is becoming. Nationally, is there much that is admirable left among us? Don’t get me wrong, there is some goodness among the gleanings but please remember what the gleanings signify: the end of the Harvest is upon us.
Amen & Amen!!!
Jeff, you and Deborah summed it well…I can almost taste the bile when TMZ and other shows – even the conventional, mainstream “news” – that puts forth this rubbish comes on. Have to change the channel or leave the room. Keep ’em coming, pastor
And another thing, there are heroes in remote parts of this globe that we have never heard of telling dying people that Jesus loves them and died for them. There is no “red carpet” treatment, no one gushing over their designer immodest gowns, and listening to their arrogant acceptance speeches. BUT there will be a “Well done thou good and faithful servant” announcement one day from the King of kings and the Lord of lords! That’s what counts. Maybe I am through now. 🙂
AMEN, Jeff. It seems that Americans would realize the futility of placing these Hollywood “people” on pedestals. If we complain that they think they are better than the rest of us, they do so because we have “revered” them. Granted, they have a talent for acting. So did my kids when they were little! The real heroes are in Afghanistan and those who will show up at my house today in this ever increasing violent nation and stand between me and the bullet and make a whole lot less than $2 mil. a show. Well, there’s my rant along with you. Love you, MaMa