I have recently been bitten by the "TMI" bug, and the cause of this malady has made my blog suffer for it. To my faithful reader (note the singularity), I apologize. But I have what I see as a reason for my absence.
For those of you who "Tweet" (a subject for a future post), or regularly use social network sites like Facebook, the acronym "TMI" should be recognizable. But for those who aren't up-to-date on what I deem to be mere laziness (abbreviating) or an unhealthy obsession with technology (another subject for a future post), "TMI" simply means "too much information."
To give one example: we all know people who have no qualms about relating something to us and describing every boring or lurid detail, in living color. The account could have been summed up in one simple sentence, leaving us to fill in the blanks - that is, if we really wanted to know. In other words, when we are filled to the brim with too much information, what we end up with is a mind full of vivid, ugly, or disturbing pictures that stick like glue. Our focus oftentimes then becomes fixed on unhealthy, non-productive, or worrisome thoughts that spill over onto our lives and draw our attention away from what should matter most.
I used to be a faithful watcher of the news. Whether it was on or off, my television was always tuned to FoxNews during the day, and nothing escaped my notice (as Todd Friel of Wretched often quips with a wink, "Christians watch FoxNews"). If I missed something on TV, I'd catch it on Facebook. If I missed it there, a relative or friend would fill me in. But a few months ago, I suddenly realized what was happening: I was being consumed by all the escalating bad news, and it was making me a nervous wreck, or worse, angry.
Granted, an abundance of information on current events should fuel my imagination for frequent posts, but the effect has been quite the opposite. There could have been posts about the rise of Islam (note I didn't use the term "radical" that is being shoved down our throats) and the atrocities Muslims like ISIS, Boko Haram, Hamas, Hezbollah are committing (I chose this specific Israeli Defense Force website for Hamas and Hezbollah because I don't trust others, like the United Nations or the liberal media, to give the truth), and a host of other Islamic groups recognized by the world as terrorist groups who have risen from the ashes of barbarianism and world domination. The comprehensive list on this last link (you really should take a look at this!) is daunting and should be evidence enough that, as long as political correctness, tolerance, complacency, and apathy continue to rule over the foolish minds of the world's citizenry, Islam and its influence will continue to spread like a cancer.
I could have written about the isolated terrorism in Canada where a lone Muslim shot to death a defenseless guard, Nathan Cirillo, (it's common practice for the guards not to have a loaded weapon) at their Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, then proceeded to the Parliament building where he was shot dead by a brave Sargent At Arms, Kevin Vickers. Vickers is a hero in my book. I also might add that, within hours of the attack, Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, called it what it was: terrorism. No "work place violence," or "mentally ill individual," or what really fries my bacon, "Islamic extremist." He gave it the label it should have been given. Harper should be applauded for not borrowing from Obama's politically correct (or politically inept) playbook.
The recent hatchet-wielding Muslim in New York City, who severely wounded two police officers, could have become a topic here on this blog. But, according to the liberal media and the Obama administration, he was just a "mentally ill" man (see above).
I could have addressed the Ebola threat that has been, in my humble opinion, idiotically allowed to enter the United States, and the Obama Administration's apparent ignorance (or worse) in mishandling the situation (no travel ban established, no border security, no forced quarantine of incoming travelers, and Obama's latest brilliant idea, bringing into the U.S. foreigners who have contracted the disease...is he completely clueless???) Or I could have ranted about the new "Ebola Czar," the liberal political hack Ron Klain, that Obama appointed (unconstitutionally, by the way) to oversee the institution of the Center For Disease Control's (CDC's) ever-changing protocols (because they really have never completely understood this dangerous virus and how its transmitted) on the loose suggestions made by Obama in-between tee times.
Or what I see to be the piece de resistance: sending 4,000 of our troops to West Africa to help "combat" the Ebola virus (Obama originally said 3,000 but, you know, he changes his mind at his whim). Our soldiers are trained specifically for battle and defense. So the question remains: can you shoot a virus?? (utter lunacy) It's more likely that they will end up contracting the virus and their ashes coming home to their families and loved ones in an urn.
I could add to this list of growing troubles and woes that are occurring around the world, but then I would just fall into the trap of giving you too much information. Besides, things are happening at such a rapid rate with no seeming end, this post would never get published. Most of it you've already heard and fretted over because you, also, have been made a victim of "TMI."
The problem on the flip side is that we are only spoon fed what the "powers that be" want us to know, not providing us with enough accurate information to truly educate us. We go from one tragedy or terror act or skirmish on the other side of the world to another and quickly forget about the previous news stories, making us complacent and having an attitude that nothing surprises us, anymore. FoxNews "News Alerts" used to make us sit up and take notice, but are becoming mundane from over-use. It seems everything, now days, is considered an "alert," even if it isn't. And when you consider that Obama's press secretaries are nothing more than hired liars who divert, deflect, and deceive, what can we believe?
And so we fall into slumber.
My hope is that you will do what I have done: turn your focus back on Jesus Christ and what He desired for us while we tarry here and await His return, giving His Gospel to a dying world and making disciples of men; including, but not limited to, the unbelieving, rabid Muslims who are causing so much terror and grief around this world.
The only information we truly need is found in the Word of God. There is nothing happening now that wasn't written about long ago as a warning of Christ's imminent return and God's wrath to come. It's reliable and trustworthy, for God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19). And if you are a true believer in the LORD Jesus Christ, you understand that these things must take place before our eyes behold our Savior:
"...And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once." Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences [plagues, viruses]. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven [raging, unpredictable weather]. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for My name's sake [Christian persecution]. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for My name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives." ~ Luke 21:9-19
I went on a news hiatus for a few months. That's not to say I am completely unaware of what's happening at such break-neck speed, both in our nation and around the world. It just means that I stopped watching the news so often. I purposefully refocused my mind back onto my Savior Jesus Christ and the cross. When I did, my blood pressure dropped, my anger subsided, my fascination with worldly things decreased, and I was able to know the peace Christ Jesus faithfully pours out upon His children in times like this by returning to His Word and, more importantly, believing and trusting it:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:4-7We need to remain informed, to be faithful "watchmen on the wall" (Isaiah 62:6-12), so that we can sound the clarion call and proclaim our King of kings and LORD of Lords to this unbelieving generation. But if we allow the world to inundate us with too much information, we allow the enemy to divert our attention away from our responsibility as Christians.
"JICBS" - Jesus is coming back soon. I think He's coming back very soon. That's the only information we need and that matters, because the rest falls into perfect unity with it. It's not a dangerous acronym, unless you remain in unbelief (John 3:36). It's the truth, and the truth is the information this world desperately needs to hear.
Give the Gospel to the lost and faithfully preserve God's Word (2Tim. 4:2). Keep your eyes fixed heavenward. Keep watch for the signs and remain diligent and ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within you (1Peter 3:14). Guard your hearts and minds by remaining in God's Word (Prov. 4:23). And keep looking up in excited anticipation of the LORD's return - the Rapture of Christ's church (Matthew 24:30-36; Matthew 24:40-41; Luke 21:28; John 14:1-3; 1Cor. 15:51-52; 1Thes. 4:16-17). It's going to be glorious! And if you need more information, just ask someone who knows and they'll fill in the rest.
All these things will bring peace of mind and comfort knowing that God is in absolute control, regardless what happens next.
I hope this is a TMI you can relate to.
