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