My Least Favorite Commercials

Over the years there have been a number of commercials that...well…bug me. Some bother me because they insult the viewer’s intelligence. Others are bothersome because of an annoying jingle or claims that have nothing to do with why anyone would buy the product. Then there are those commercials that I think are just dumb or unrealistic. The worst commercials are those that seem to be trying to make a statement about society as opposed to selling a product. These types of commercials often portray men in a way that is unrealistic or in a way that is just an outright putdown. My two least favorite commercials airing on tv this year fall into that last category.

The first commercial (actually a series of commercials) is for a certain brand of personal grooming products. These commercials tell us that the products work so well the women in your life will steal them from you. That’s not hard to understand. What bothers me is the fact that the women in the commercial seem…well…tougher than the man. Now, I don’t understand why a woman would want to smell like her husband (if there is a good reason I don’t want to know). I definitely don’t know why a mother would want to smell like her son in law. And as a man, my biggest complaint wouldn’t be that I want to keep the products to myself. I wouldn’t want my wife to smell like a man. I’m guessing if the man in the commercials explained that, he would never have to worry about his wife stealing his personal care products ever again.

I wish that was my biggest gripe about this series of commercials but it’s not. My biggest problem with them comes during one specific commercial where, instead of just stating his case, the man involved in these commercials sits there and cries about his wife using his products. I’m all for men being in touch with their feelings but crying because your wife used your shampoo or skin cleanser or whatever other product? That to me is where I cry foul. Truth is, apart from not wanting my wife smelling like me, I wouldn’t care and I suspect most men wouldn’t. (I wonder if most men would notice but that’s a different issue.) There really is no need to cry about it. Seems as if this product turns a man into a wimp or at least that’s what this commercial seems to imply. (Sorry if I’m being insensitive or if I’m not being politically correct.)

My second least favorite commercial is for a fast food company. During the commercial the dad realizes that he forgot to buy dinner. Just in the nick of time, his wife comes in with food as she seemed to assume he would forget to get it. Here’s my question. How many men would forget dinner? Granted, a dad might put together some really odd combination for dinner but forgetting it all together? I doubt it. This fits into the category of unrealistic characterization.

Now before you tell me to get a sense of humor, let me point out that this is written somewhat tongue in cheek. To be honest, I ignore most commercials. In fact, I often channel surf during the breaks. But every now and then I do watch a commercial and often come away thinking that the creators didn’t think that one through. There are some clever commercials out there but a small few just kind of rub me the wrong way. So be honest. Which commercials are your least favorite?

What took more faith? Facing A Bear, A Lion or Goliath?

I’m guessing most of you have heard the story of David and Goliath, where a young farm boy takes down a giant veteran soldier armed only with a slingshot (1 Samuel 17). Imagine facing Goliath whose height was well above average for their time (somewhere between 6’9” and 11’ depending on which “expert” you choose to listen to). His coat of mail weighed 125lbs and the total weight of all of his armor and weapons is around 200lbs. He was battle tested and we know he was scary as none of the soldiers of Israel wanted to face him. Goliath was a big bad dude and I imagine it took quite a bit of faith in God for David to face him. But did it take as much faith as it did for David to face a lion or a bear?

Think about it. Goliath was third in line as by that point David had already faced at least one lion and at least one bear. Would you be willing to walk up to a lion or a bear and tell it to give back your lamb? David snatched the lamb from the predators’ mouths. In both cases the animals responded by rising up to attack. At that point I would have given the lamb back and gone home to change my pants. David grabbed the animals by their chins and killed them. The Bible does not tell us what David used to kill the bear or the lion, but I’m guessing it wasn’t a spear. He struck the animals with something one would use at close range. That’s what I call faith.

Is your faith in God at a level where you can face a lion or a bear or Goliath? Is your faith in God at a level where you can deal with whatever giant and fierce problem you're facing right now? Keep in mind, David did not say God made the bear or the lion or Goliath disappear. He had to face his problems and he did so trusting that God would give him what he needed to win. David testifies that as he was able to face the lion and the bear, he knew God would deliver the Philistine into his hands. Trust in the Lord and know that He will do the same with whatever stands in your way.

Going to Church But is Something (Someone) Missing?

A few years ago I listened to an interview with the pastor of an atheist church. This pastor described a service that sounded very familiar to me, just without references to God and without the use of the name of Jesus. On some level these services met a need and the pastor was proud of how her congregation joined weekly in heart warming fellowship. While I was listening to the interview I had a tough time wrapping my mind around the concept of an atheist church and church services where something…rather someone is missing. But of late I find myself wondering if there are times when I go to church and forget to bring along the One who makes the difference between meaningful worship versus just doing church.

Zechariah 7:1-7 “Should we continue…?”

In Zechariah 7:1-7 we find the people of Israel sending a delegation of men to the house of God to pray and to ask if they should fast. I checked several commentaries and they seem to agree that this took place around the halfway point during the rebuilding of the temple. Things were going well and I guess the people of Israel could see the light at the end of the tunnel that was their 70 year period of exile. With so much going right they were wondering if a time of fasting and mourning was still necessary.

The remnant had developed the habit of fasting and mourning during the fifth and seventh months of the Jewish calendar, marking the anniversaries of the beginning and end of the siege when Nebachadnezzer’s armies showed up at Jerusalem’s doorway. With things looking up, the people sent a delegation to the house of God to find out if they should continue this custom that was more related to the struggles of being in exile as opposed to the success they were finding in rebuilding Jerusalem. In response to their question, God spoke to Zecheriah, giving him a message to deliver to the people of Israel. In short, God chastises the people, saying that when they fasted and prayed they had not been doing so for God. They were doing the right thing but for the wrong reasons and God called them out about this misstep.

Recently, while reading this passage I found myself examining my own heart. I go to church most weeks and often take part in church events during the week. I’ve become good at doing church but am I doing church for the right reasons? Am I doing and saying things just to fit in (or to prove something) or am I responding to the love of God? Is my participation in church activities a result of being God centered or a result of being church centered?

I’ve become good at doing church. But is being good at doing church all that important? After all, what I really need is Christ…period. Yes, church is an important part of my relationship with God and the Bible tells me not to forsake the gathering of the saints. This isn’t about not doing those things as it’s important that God’s children gather to encourage each other, to laugh with each other and at times to cry with each other. The list of reasons for going to church is long but there is a difference between simply doing church and being the church that God has established on earth. That difference is my relationship with Jesus Christ and the presence of His Holy Spirit in my life.

Ultimately, what’s more important? Am I getting good at doing church or am I truly growing in Christ? Which one is most important to you?