From My Perspective - - -

People love to coin phrases that don’t always hold up under scrutiny. It is common-place to hear the expression: “Perception Is Reality”!  Wikipedia indicates: “In psychology and the cognitive sciences, perception is the process of attaining awareness or understanding of sensory information.” Objects and Ideas can mean different things to different people. A test that is often employed is the use of objects or ink blots (The Rohrschach Test). The person taking the test has to give interpretation and/or definition to what is being observed. Such interpretation or definition does not mean that is the reality.

This week we observed the Democratic National Convention. The final night of the convention was held in Invesco Field. At the 50 yard line a large stage Facade had been erected. Some thought it had the idea of the White House Portico, whereas others felt it represented an Athenian Temple. The point is that it was a prefab Facade that very quickly was disassembled for the next big event to be held in the stadium. What needs to be remembered is that a “Façade” is merely “a superficial appearance or illusion of something…an artificial or deceptive front…”

When this concept is applied to political rhetoric by any party or candidate, if a list was kept of everything that was stated would be provided by “my administration”, one would find that hopes would quickly fade behind a mountain shadow of impossibility. It is one thing to “Think Big” and that is a worthy motivational tool. However, too much of the rhetoric fades in one’s memory and the realities of life are still there – dreams not realized and hopes dashed. Perhaps that is a reason why in the latest Real-Clear-Politics Poll the Congressional approval rating is at 17.4 % and the Presidential Approval rating is at 30%. We seem to be paralyzed in and by the political rhetoric that speaks what people want to hear, but the reality of it (thankfully) is Facade.

The greater concern is in regard to the lives we live regardless of the political dialogue or the ambitions of the one elected to office. The Perception regarding a Life – is it Reality or is it Façade (appearing to be something grand when it is only a prefab representation that is as quickly disassembled as it was assembled)! For instance, there are some Marks of the Basic Christian Life that demonstrate “Reality” versus “Facade”! Colossians 2:6 through 8, the beginning point states: “as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.  See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

The Reality Factor takes us a step further to Colossians 3:5 through 15, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness…In these you too once walked, when you were living in them…Now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator…as God's chosen ones… Model By Your Life compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you…above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… These are the minimum Marks and Reality.

Consider these things with me - - - Walk In Reality and Remove All that is Facade!

From My Perspective - - -

Reality and Integrity are two worthy aspirations. Most people are weary of the façade approach to life and the inability to be straightforward in responses. If one asks a politician a “Yes” or “No” type question, it seldom is the response. There is usually several sentences shared and the point of the question is obscured by intentional vague rhetoric.

It is interesting to note in an editorial comment by Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal Online for August 08, 2008 – Political Cycles – where she states: “…Mr. Obama got tagged the past month as something new, not the candidate from Men's Vogue but arrogant, aloof and somehow ethereal. There is no there there…The daring and exciting European trip was probably a wash, and possibly a mistake in the bridge-too-far sense…Mr. Obama consistently shows that he doesn't know what he doesn't know. It's a theme with his talented, confident staff. They don't know what they don't know either. Because they're young and they've never been in power and it takes time to know what you don't know. The presidential-type seal with OBAMA on it, the sometimes over-the-top rhetoric about healing the earth and parting the seas. They pick the biggest, showiest venue for the Berlin speech, the Brandenburg Gate, just like a president, not realizing people would think: Ya gotta earn that one, kid. Going to Europe was fine, but they should have gone in modestly, with a modest venue…”

Peggy Noonan is allowing that people are hungry for Reality and Integrity – not Public Relations success stories, or showy events, or rhetorical performances. While Ms. Noonan has been employed by Republicans over the years, her analysis seems balanced. Her summary statement would apply to all evenly, when she notes: “Does he have real greatness in him? Or is he, say, a product of the self-esteem campaign, that movement within the schools and homes of our country the past 25 years that says the way to get a winner is to tell the kid he's a winner every day? You can get some true people of achievement that way, because some people need a lot of reinforcement to rise. But you can also get, not to put too fine a point of it, empty suits that take on a normal shape only because they're so puffed up with ego.”   

The statement – “empty suits that take on a normal shape only because they're so puffed up with ego” – is an apt summary for all too many. If in the midst of personal ambition, we could get across a basic premise for life – DON’T FAKE IT! – it would bring refreshment to many because the road of Reality and Integrity would be viable once again. The impression that people have regarding a cross-section of professions in this country is negative. It was interesting to read on the Christian Post Website yesterday about the Jury Selection for the trial of Victoria Osteen, where a potential Juror echoed the thoughts of others when she said, “I don’t trust preachers – they all lie!” One must ask: Why do people feel this way? What has happened to cause their disillusionment and negativity? Who/What has proven to be their defining moment? Did they observe a “preacher(s)” more focused on self-adulation rather than focusing people upon Jesus Who they should love with all their heart, soul, strength and mind?

It is obvious that one’s life must be lived with a particular commitment that reflects the great benefit for one to implement Hebrews 12:1-3 (NLT), “since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith (Hebrews 11), let us strip off every weight that slows us down - the sin that so easily hinders our progress….We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish…We should be more disciplined in terms of how our lives are lived so we do not become a stumbling-block to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Our lives must direct the attention of all to Jesus Christ Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He IS the reality – He IS the Integrity for which people seek.

Consider these things with me – and let us walk Humbly and Modestly with the Lord God!