Thursday, May 23, 2013

the NEW Coke-I was there!







I am finding life to be like the old dog food story lately. Remember the one where the dog food company comes out with their latest and greatest new dog food. They are at the convention to introduce it, and the excitement is everywhere. They have shown the pictures of the new labels, the new graphics have drawn applause from the sales force, and the promises of huge commissions are dancing in their heads. Many are already spending them, or have spent them, and after seeing the videos of the commercials, the place erupts in applause, and chanting the new catch line for the ads. The place is electric, Super bowl crazy, and when it calms down, and the company president moves to the mic, it gets silent, they are waiting for his guiding words. Then he takes questions from the floor, before sending them to sell the new dog food, but one question silences the room. “What do the dogs think of it?” he asks. And a stunned president is left speechless, for no one has asked the dogs if they like it. They were so overwhelmed with the new product and profits, they forgot to ask the dogs, to test it on them. Now dogs don’t actually do the shopping, but if they are like some dogs, and many consumers, they can be pretty finicky. What if they don’t like it? I already spent my commissions. If only they had asked the dogs, now it’s up to Madison Avenue whether it sells or not, but still up to the dog for it to be a success.
While with Coca Cola in the 80’s, I saw the introductions of many new soft drinks, among them diet Coke, not the small d in diet, and the New Coke. Which a whole generation has never tasted or never known about since. The Coca Cola Company in their field tests, and sell downs found that Pepsi was gaining ground, and thought a more modern, sweeter Coke was what the next generation wanted. They forgot about those of us who drank it then, and those who had for generations, and sales dropped-dramatically. Despite the great ads, graphics, sales, and all our energy, the public rebelled. Little old ladies ran their shopping carts into us, we were called names, considered un-American, and even though in taste tests the new was preferred, on the shelf it was a different story. People hoarded the old, and soon, Coca Cola brought back the original, now called Classic Coke, and amid the greatest free media blitz the world has known, it grew even faster, leaving P cola wondering what had happened. And I always wondered if that wasn’t their plan to start with. They had toyed with an American institution, dodged the bullet, and had risen from the ashes victorious. Perhaps backing into the marketing move of the century...proving their tag line-Coke was it, “COKE IS IT!”, and Coke still is it.
Much of the Bible is warnings to stay away from new Gods, from false Jesuses, and new revelations. God has said all that needs to be said in His word, but yet sometimes we feel we need more God, or more precisely more of what He has to offer me. Looking for physical or emotional satisfaction, some go the route of leaving what is tried and true, and based on what they have heard, try this “New Religion” for a while. Some get burned out on this charade, some turn back, but some never come back, blaming God for their choices, the same God that offers them the choice to start with. God has never forced Himself on anyone, yet we want to force Him, or our beliefs on others. In an interesting survey taken, the majority or those asked about God had no problem with Him,whether they were saved or not. But when asked about us-His church, they were fanatical. The disdain and outrage against Christians was unbelievable-and sadly many thought God was the church, confusing the two. Very few have ever not had a bad time at church, but those seeking God will find Him. So beware of false claims from kids on bikes, talking about their version of the Bible. Avoid those who assault you at home with Watchtower, and their other scandalous publications. These are not Christians, and do not represent the God of the Bible, of Jacob, Issac, and the patriarchs, and they don’t represent Jesus Christ. In fact they deny His deity! But it sounds good, and like the new Coke may have tasted good-everyone just had to have a taste of the new, until they were led astray and wanted the “Real thing” back. They are like the dog food promotion until someone confronts them with the truth, then the dream, or in reality nightmare is exposed. No other person in the history of the world, since the beginning, is who He says He is, the Son of God, and God incarnate-all at once. He is who He says He is, and the only way to the Father. Sorry LDS, it is not too late to seek the real Jesus. JW’s your warped and blasphemous lies abut Jesus are not the truth. He is. And to those who follow philosophy, talk with Jesus, you might find peace in His philosophy, you won’t anywhere else. And it is your decision, just like it is your friend’s or spouse’s to trust Jesus. It is personal in a way only He can make it. You can either die in the crowd, or make it with Jesus.
And if you have fallen away, turn back to Jesus. He never left you. And unlike the Coke drinkers who threatened to sue Coca Cola, or never drink it again, He doesn’t change His formula, and His message is still the same. He won’t desert you over a survey, but remember the survey of church and God. For we are God’s advertisement on earth, not my choice, but His, and we cannot be effective without Jesus. On your own, you fail, and and take others with you. With Jesus we all win, and take people with us.
Jesus Christ is the best deal of all time. More than an institution, more than a philosophy, and more than a brand-HE IS THE REAL THING! Learn from Coca Cola’s example, don’t mess with success. Don’t mess with the real thing. I was there for the new Coke, I am there with Jesus! I took the challenge and I chose Jesus! What do you think? It is still your decision to be that success.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com