Culture

Music is a good representation of what the culture is. What does this say about today's America?

Watching the Olympics, I have felt so proud of America. Proud to be an American. But when I turn on the TV or the radio, I do not feel so proud of my country. Where is our culture going? A huge percentage of music is explicit or inappropriate.  Media encourages immorality and sin. Movies, music, and even books are full of it.

Sadly, other countries are noticing this and marketing what America wants.

The other day I heard a peppy song by a British singer. I was looking it up and found the "American" version. I was shocked and horrified to hear that the "American" version has curse words that the British version lacks.

I was watching a cute music video for a British singer and again noticed there was a separate "American" video. once again, I was horrified to see how sketchy and raunchy the "American" music video was. I didn't even finish watching it. These realizations made me feel ill.

Is it not sad that Britain has noticed this? And is basing their media to us off of that? I am sure that there are other examples of this, and it is certainly not the only case.

Blimeycow just posted a video about music these days. (warning: he does talk about the sketchy stuff in music... gets a little PG-13... so just a head's up! If you are a younger reader I would suggest a parent checking it out first- which is what blimeycow suggested :)

This was an eye-opening article from pluggedin (which i highly recommend checking out their site for media reviews!). "are your teens financing the darkness?"

As Christians, what are we supposed to do about this?

I suggest reading the above article, talking about financing immoral artists. The author quotes this verse:

Ephesians 5:8 and 11: "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. … Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."

What are your thoughts?

Deep Thoughts

In this day and age everything is about “how can I get everything faster.” How can I get to my destination faster (speeding, running red lights), how can I make my food faster (microwave, take out), how can I check my email faster (smart phones), etc. Am I saying this is bad? No, well, except for speeding and running red lights! :) Having progress and improvement in media and such comes with pros and cons. We are constantly rushing and on the go. I am reminded of this especially when out driving. A woman pulled out in front of someone (they weren’t super close) and the second person laid on her horn. Seriously?! It really bothers me when people can’t wait five seconds. People run red lights because they don’t have time to sit there for approximately 90 seconds. When someone is waiting to turn on a two lane road, people drive around them so they can get to their destination faster. We are spoiled and it bothers us when we are inconvenienced, even for the smallest amount of time. I confess I am oftentimes bothered by inconveniences!

I was looking in my baby book the other day and was pretty shocked to see a printed email! The email services were random, obscure services I have never even heard of. Today everyone has email!

I was recently having a conversation with someone about communication and how it has changed over the past decade. We were talking about how people used to just randomly drop by to hang out. Nowadays we don’t want our schedules interrupted or messed up. Instead of face-to-face communication we send a text, email, or message via Facebook. It’s faster and easier for us.

We are so often self absorbed in our own worlds. In elevators no one talks. So many people just want someone to talk to! The other week I paid our waitress a compliment and soon she had basically told us her life story. People want to share!

Having improved media and communication can be a good thing and a bad thing! Don’t lose communication with those around you! For school the other week we read the short story called “Bartleby the Scrivener.” Basically this guy loses communication and connection with people and then dies. He gives up on life from lack of relationships. We were made for relationships— with God and others!

Take some time to be patient when inconvenienced! Send a relative a note in the mail! Talk to the person behind you in the checkout line! When inconvenienced, thank the Lord for the blessings in your day!

Just some things to think on this evening… :)

Lily

(originally posted Monday on my Tumblr)