March 3, 2009
Dear Bill,
Is there a company today we can support? Maybe we need to come up with a good
will list and really praise them and ask people to send encouraging letters
to them. I am getting a bit overwhelmed with the negative news and am beginning
to lose heart and hope.
The evil forces are certainly set upon destroying our country. Maybe love
is the secret weapon. Maybe we need to trust in Jesus. Lets start finding
people we can reward. What do you think?
J.D.
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Comments regarding a national shopping list.
One example: "... I would like to ask if you could do us a favor.
Is there anyway you can put out companies that hold to our standards, Christian
standards. It would be nice to be able to 'reward' these companies with our
business and let them know we appreciate the standards they uphold. It would
be a breath of fresh air to deal with companies than only advertise in environments
that are really family oriented. This would be a great service if you could
do it. ..."
We have no national shopping list nor does any organization that
we are aware of. We believe that it is next to impossible to develop such
a list.
Fast food restaurants? Burger King? Pizza Hut? McDonalds? Wendys? Taco
Bell? Subway?
Sorry. They all sponsor trash.
Prescriptions?
Gasoline?
Groceries?
Automobile?
Department store?
Where to shop for items where we can be assured that our monies aren't going
to empower pornography, indecency, obscenity, abortion, gambling, etc.?
Monitoring shows and providing advertiser lists of companies sponsoring
trash.
It isn't that we take delight in listing companies that sponsor trash. Through
this mechanism, however, you can see who some of the regular purveyors of
trash.
But, we do believe it's possible for you to develop your own list - a list
of businesses in your area that only those in your area might be aware of.
Below represents a few of my thoughts regarding a small list of companies
- mostly positive --
Russ' Restaurant - it's a small restaurant chain in West
Michigan that is Christian-based and doesn't do business on Sundays and even
clearly advertises their policy on exit signs off the expressways [Not open
on Sunday]. My wife and I go to one of these locations on a fairly regular
basis.
Chick-fil-A - this is a fairly broadbased company doing
business in a variety of regions across America. It is Christian-based and
doesn't do business on Sundays. It is a privately held company.
We have no Chick-fil-A in our area but when we are traveling we will go out
of our way to give them our business.
Bob Evans - They seldom advertise on concerning television
programs and when they have been contacted they have a strong tendency to
avoid that program in the future.
Ukrops - this is a grocery store chain in Virginia. I was
referred to it while on break. It says on its webpage, as part of its leadership
qualities, - "Respect for Diversity". What does that mean? Just
another example of how difficult it can be.
A friend of this ministry stated "Generally when we see 'respect for
diversity' we ignore it, because the language is totally without definition.
I think the public perception of diversity is leaning towards acceptance of
the homosexual community, but as we look at company reports, the definition
is more universally used to include race, color, creed, etc, and probably
more so than homosexuality.
We certainly don't cast stones at companies for hiring homosexuals because
all of God's creation has a right to make a living. If, however, diversity
is defined by a company in its publication as a policy that officially acknowledges
or supports (time, facility, money) the homosexual agenda, then we respond
accordingly and place the company on our do-not-buy list.
Meijer - this is a very popular grocery store in the midwest.
It is based in Grand Rapids. However, though there is much that is commendable
about Meijer, they do display certain magazines of the Cosmopolitan variety
without shields at the checkout counter though they have made an effort to
shield Cosmopolitan. [However, that effort is spotty at best at certain locations.]
We make our concerns known quite regularly and will be doing so again very
soon.
Hobby Lobby - They do not do business on Sundays. Here are
a few phrases from their purpose statement:
" Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner
consistent with Biblical principles.
Offering our customers an exceptional selection and value. Serving our employees
and their families by establishing a work environment and company policies
that build character, strengthen individuals, and nurture families.
Providing a return on the owners' investment, sharing the Lord's blessings
with our employees, and investing in our community. We believe that it is
by God's grace and provision that Hobby Lobby has endured. He has been faithful
in the past, we trust Him for our future."
Ace Hardware - a very infrequent advertiser on television.
Why do we care? It doesn't tell us specifically in the Bible anywhere
where we are to shop or not shop. Yet, we believe that it is part of being
a good steward. "And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
[Colossians 3:17]
A number of Bible verses come to mind.
"Test all things. Hold fast what is good. Abstain from all forms of
evil. [I Thessalonians 5:21-22]
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done
by them in secret. [Ephesians 5:11]
".. but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." [I Peter 1:15,16]
What about you? What guides your decision making? What Bible verses? What
places do you have confidence in your area shopping? Help encourage others
by providing me your thoughts. Thanks.
Lastly, remember this.
Indeed, we are strangers in a foreign land. That's what the Bible says. [Hebrews
11:13]
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To donate online:
http://americandecency.org/folder.php?f=donate
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American Decency Association
Bill Johnson, President
P.O. Box 202
Fremont, MI 49412
ph: 231-924-4050
www.americandecency.org
