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I Bought This Anti-wrinkle Cream and All I Got is This Rash . . . .
Humph! It seems to me that the world of advertizing is becoming increasingly devious. Since the subject is 'labels', I thought it would be a good idea to actually read some of them and see what the ingredients were. Maybe that process would somehow jump-start the writing process.
I was wrong. I couldn't see to read the ingredients except by a most complex process of focusing, squinting, and finding the brightest light in the house. I know the reason for this, though. The way I perceive it is that the advertizing world knows that I am getting older, and therefore smarter. So they write smaller so I won't be able to figure out what it is that is that they actually put in what I am eating.
But assuming we can read them, labels give us a lot of helpful information. It's good to be able to distinguish between the canned peaches and Fido's favorite lunch. It's also helpful to know whether it is the polish or the remover that we will use. The same goes for determining whether the bottle we hold in our hands contains vegetable oil or shampoo.
However, labels can be deceiving. How often we have been lured by dazzling promises: "Quicker. Cleaner. New and improved. Zestier taste, longer lasting, or amazing results in just three short weeks. Etc." The professions are endless.
While many products do live up to our expectations, there are far too many that simply don't. Some highly promoted products not only fail, but they are dangerous as well.
People also wear labels even though it's not printed in eye-catching graphics on their chest . . . (not counting tee shirts here.) We classify them as artistic, athletic, or intelligent. We classify according to professional status, according to race, and to community standing. In fact, each person carries multiple labels.
Of the labels I carry, there is one on which all of the others depend. and that is 'Christian'. "Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Christ" is how my dictionary defines it. I wear this label with pride, but do I always meet the expectations? No.
"Lord, we who are called 'Christian' need Your help to bring forth the fruit of Your Spirit and bring honor to Your Name. Amen"
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