Skip to main content

Aaron Hernandez murder trial: what it says about us


League.  The New England Patriots recently signed him to a $40 million contract extension and his future seemed assured.  Then he was charged with murder last week in the shooting death of his friend, Odin Lloyd.  He is also being investigated in connection with a double homicide in 2012.  He has been released by the Patriots and is being held without bail.

Meanwhile, the murder trial of George Zimmerman is making news again.  Zimmerman is accused of killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012.  The racial overtones of the tragedy and trial have sparked public outrage.

A third court case generating headlines involves Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bombing suspect.  Last week, a grand jury returned a 30-count indictment against the Chechen.  He also faces charges of using a weapon of mass destruction.

More than 14,000 murders are committed annually in the U.S.; in some years, the number exceeds 24,000.  A total of six people died in the three court proceedings making news this morning, constituting 0.04 percent of murder cases this year.  Yet they have gripped our attention as few others in recent years.  Our 24-hour news cycle and social media engines thrive on sensationalism.  "If it bleeds, it leads" is the media maxim of our day.  To get the culture's attention, we need to be strategic.


Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia will remove
Chick-fil-A from its campus food court. The intense
campaign waged by gay and lesbian students is
being credited for the decision...Read moreFor example, the book The Homosexual Agenda describes the plan followed by same-sex activists.  One: normalize gays and lesbians on TV and in the media (see Will & Grace and Modern Family).  Two: portray gays as victims and defenders of traditional values as prejudiced homophobes.  Three: frame their agenda as a just cause (see "marriage equality").  Four: use finances to fight for gay rights (see Chick-fil-A and the Boy Scouts).  How well would you say their strategy has worked?

Jesus wants us to be "as wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16).  He called leading businessmen and cultural influencers to lead his movement.  Paul spent two years in Ephesus, the leading city of Asia, with the result that "all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord" (Acts 19:10).

We can impact our culture for the Kingdom just as powerfully as those who advocate unbiblical values, but we must be as strategic as they are.  How have you seen Christians influence our culture for good?  Please share your thoughts in our comments section.

God has entrusted you with influence this morning.  Who will consider your opinions?  Who will follow your example?  Have you asked God to use your influence for his glory today?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

COMMIT TO

In the face of widespread insecurity, fear, and hopelessness, our nation desperately needs your prayers. Join us in praying for our nation, that God will heal our land.
Post a Comment
Read more

El quebrantamiento de Pedro

If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view .     Leer | Lucas 22.54-62 11 de noviembre de 2014 El orgullo de Pedro era un obstáculo para los propósitos de Dios. Cristo buscaba a un siervo-líder para que guiara a los creyentes una vez que Él regresara al cielo. El antiguo pescador era un impulsivo sabelotodo, pero el Señor vio su potencial a pesar de su arrogancia. Por eso, el gran Artesano utilizó una filosa herramienta —la humillación— para quebrantarlo. Cuando las palabras del Señor estuvieron en conflicto con la opinión de Pedro, el discípulo reprendió temerariamente a Jesús. El Salvador respondió con una virulenta reprimenda, tanto para silenciar como para enseñar ( Mt 16.21-23 ; Jn 13.5-8 ). Inclusive, Pedro incumplió su promesa de morir por el Señor cuando lo negó tres veces ...
Post a Comment
Read more

In His Eyes

July 23, 2012 Mary Southerland Today's Truth I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be ( Psalm 139:14-15 , NIV). Friend to Friend It was my first day of teaching second grade. While standing at the classroom door, greeting parents and children, I felt a tug on my skirt. I looked down into the beautiful blue eyes of Sammy, one of my new students.  His mother, who was standing beside Sammy, looked at me and said, "I guess you've heard about Sammy.  Good luck!" As she walked away, Sammy said, "She's right. I'm dumb and mean and can't read or write."  Lisa was a tall, blonde and beautiful young woman with zero self-confidence. Lisa was...
Post a Comment
Read more