Comments regarding a national shopping list

By: Chris Johnson

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:
https://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

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