Almost 100 years ago when William Randolph Hearst was building Hearst
Castle, he had a group going out around the world and buying art objects to fill
it. Pillaging may be a better word, as many of the places he bought them from
were in depression, needed fast cash, and were not nearly as valuable then as
they would be someday. One particular painting escaped his collecting, and he
wanted it badly, even threatening to fire the entire group if they couldn’t
locate it. Which they finally located after an exhaustive search. It was
stored in one of his warehouses, he owned it and didn’t know it. So desirable,
and lusted after, he didn’t even know it was his. And today it resides in his
collection, that was so priceless at his death, he had to give it all to the
state of California upon his death, so his estate could cover the inheritance
taxes. And so today many follow in his footsteps, the lustful ones, hoping that
in Uncle Miserable’s attic a valuable artifact is found and they inherit it.
But the sad part about Heart and his collection was the raping and pillaging of
Europe’s legacy for his own collection. Robbing countries of their heritage,
things that should have been part of a national archive now are his in a foreign
land. And it still goes on today, to a lesser, or maybe to a greater
extent....
Three thoroughly American iconic items are now no longer American owned.
Brands you know, but that have become part of a larger world empire, based in
other countries. 30 years ago the Japanese bought up much of Hawaii, that was
only a foretaste. Today The Hotel Del Coronado, the second largest wood
building in the US of A, and an icon in itself is owned by the Chinese. Money
talks, how many Chinese yuan did it take to sell out? And was it all worth it?
Each time I visit the Hotel Del it somehow looks different to me, maybe it is
how I look at it. Born in the USA....owned by the Chinese.
Anheiser-Busch, whose roots in American culture go back into the 1800’s,
and who produce Michelob and Budweiser, the most wide spread, best known
American beer. Owned by a European conglomerate, somehow taking the edge of of
Brewed In America. That made in America recipe now part of a portfolio of a
conglomerate who could care less about its heritage, but only it profitability.
As far as beer goes Bud is as American as it gets, but now you must go to Europe
to talk to the brew master. It may be an American beer, but now is brewed by a
non-American company. Somehow it doesn’t seem right...
And then there is the Jeep. You don’t get more American than that, born
and bred in the USA during WWII, it is the ultimate iconic four wheel drive
vehicle. From basic to luxury, it is the one others emulate when they design a
4WD, yet after being sold by Willys, as in “what you talkin’ about Willis?” to
Kaiser, another American icon, then becoming part of American Motors, then
purchased by Chrysler, another American icon, weathering the pillaging by
Daimler Benz, who wanted their trucks, it was given away for pennies on the
dollar by the worst president in our history to the Italians. Who change
governments like we change cell phones, maybe more. And today Jeep is part of
FCA, FIAT, Chrysler America. Yes, that FIAT, Fix It Again Tony. What a let
down, what a depressing thought. Imagine buying a Jeep thinking you are buying
American, when all the money goes from dollar to lira, to Italy. The vehicle
that helped us, the US of A win WWII from the Italians, now is owned by them.
What next, Harleys made in India, Triumphs made in Thailand, Hondas made in the
US of A? Yes...but still owned by the parent company based in the country where
they were born. Maybe you can’t get sushi at Mickey D’s yet, but it’s
coming....are you ready? All sold to the highest bidder.
So who you pledge your allegiance to with your hard earned dollar, yes US
dollars is important. And who you pledge allegiance to with your heart and soul
is too. As Christians we have passed from death to life in Jesus, by faith.
The same faith that Abraham had, that Job had, that Paul had, and the same as
all who call Jesus Lord. A faith that makes us a friend with him, and gives us
a justification that we are to be declared as acceptable to God, by God. A
relationship based on God, promoted by God, and one you cannot earn or promote.
It is a gift, based on who Jesus is, not who your are. On what he did, not on
what you do. You are at peace with God, the spirit lives within you, and heaven
awaits. And this peace he gives goes way beyond an emotion or a situation, it
begins in the heart and is reflected outwards. It is spirit driven, and we live
a life forgiven. Under grace. But yet we fall, sometimes many times daily, and
need to renew, to remind us of that justification that Jesus provided for us.
That although we will fall, and sin again, something we all vow to never do at
the moment of being born again, God knows better, and we still have the faith he
gave us to return to him. Being born again is just the beginning, not the end.
But we beat ourselves up, some going as far as to think they have lost their
salvation, yet my salvation doesn’t depend on what I do or have done, it isn’t
all about me. The essence of my faith is based on Jesus, and what he did, and
he will keep me. For when I confess my sin I am doing it based on trust, and
like Abraham who trusted God and was found righteous, so am I, and so are you.
No mater what you drink, what you drive, and where you spend the night.
Companies may change owners, once you are Christ’s he never lets you go.
He sought you and bought you with a price that couldn’t be negotiated. Who owns
you now, because the price of heavenly inheritance could never be paid by us,
and rather than be donated to the state or auctioned off, he owns us. We are
his. But still with a will of our own. Yet we trip over marketing and global
boundaries in our quest to find that which we have lost. I laugh at those who
pay userous prices for the Mexican Coca Cola, “it is a different formula, the
old Coke,” and they are wrong. Carbonation makes the difference, it is flatter
than the US version, yet many pay 10 times for the flatter tasting soda.
Fortunately Coke is still based in Atlanta....
So what does your life say about your origin in Christ? And your final
destination? Are you living a life based on who you are, or who Jesus is? Are
you driving an American icon to church, when all the profits go back to Italia?
We may sell our American heritage, but never give up your heavenly heritage, who
you are in Christ. The earth will pass away, our bodies wear out, and we will
need new ones and a place to stay for eternity. God’s offer is still valid
today, confess your sin, renew your faith in who you trust and don’t look back.
For the Jeep with Firestone tires, owned by the Japanese, the Big Gulp in the
cup holder, also Japanese owned, the Holiday Inn you stay at, English owned, the
Shell gas owned by the Netherlands, and the hand washing you do with Dial soap-
now German owned are all companies that sold out to the highest bidder. Still
buying American? Unlike the release form on the internet, Jesus will never sell
you or your name, trade you or put you on a mailing list. You are his and his
alone, he calls you friend. Made in and Born in are two different
things....made in America, born again into heaven.
Think I’ll go to the movies to relax, no wait, AMC owned by the English,
Ben and Jerry’s by who? The Dutch? Whose book is your name written in makes
all the difference. Ask yourself, what have you gained in the world that is
worth your soul? Sold to the highest bidder....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com