Are YOU Getting in the Way of the Vision?

I am often asked advise about this subject. The person typically asking doesn't usually know how to ask the question, or they've asked using different terminology or words. It is usually a musician, actor or model, but quite often it is the leader of a floundering non-profit, or a small business owner. The unspoken or unrealized question is, "Am I getting in the way of my vision?"

Here's an example:

I have a wonderful friend with this amazing God-given vision to help people through their non-profit organization. They spend hours working on projects that appear to advance the God-given vision. These were usually people asking for serious help, the very kind of help that my friend offers through the non-profit.

People want to help you accomplish the vision, but you have to let them!
God had brought several individuals who shared the Vision. My friend accepted them warmly and they even began volunteering their time to help people. In fact, after a short time of training, a few of them could do most of what my friend could do. After a while these volunteers became frustrated and thought about leaving. Why? They were begging my friend to stop doing so much of the work and to LET THEM HELP!

"These are…also anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth." Zechariah 4:4

Unfortunately, my friend wasn't very good at listening. My friend wanted so much to help individuals that they lost sight of the bigger picture, GOD's VISION. My friend had an "I have to do this myself" mentality that they just couldn't seem to shake. My friend would sort-of give the volunteers something to do. What I mean by "sort-of" is that my friend would give two or more of the volunteers the exact same work to do, when it only took one person to do that work—or my friend would agree to pass off the work, but then do it themselves.

At one point some of the volunteers began coming to me hoping I could help my friend understand them. They really wanted to help my friend ease the work load, so that my friend could do the one thing EVERYONE ELSE KNEW NEEDED TO BE DONE: be the leader, not the worker; and build the business side of the non-profit.

Actually, they approached several people besides me, hoping all of us could try and get through, using the "strength in numbers" approach. After several months of trying, my friend still wasn't listening.

Then there was the other really big problem:
Every time an opportunity appeared that would allow my friend to Be The Leader and Build the Business Side of the Organization, something came up:
1) Someone else would come along with an immediate cry for help that my friend just couldn't pass onto one of the very well qualified volunteers
2) A family crisis' came along (something really horrible and troubling of course)
3) The water (electric, phone/internet), was going to be turned off
4) They became very sick and unable to work
5) The property manager was going to throw them out for lack of payment on the rent.

This kind of thing would happen every time, without exception.

EVERY TIME

As time went on my friend found themselves with less and less finances to continue, more and more weariness, and they were ill with successively more serious illness.

EVERY TIME!

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8

I think this Bible verse illustrates the problem pretty well. My friend was double minded. They couldn’t choose which they wanted to do more, follow the leading and call of God, or listen to fear. It was really fear that was keeping my friend from succeeding. Fear of what, you ask? Perhaps a number of things such as fear of success, fear of doing something they’d never done in the past, fear of people, or fear of letting other people down. One thing was certain; my friend was going two directions that were polar opposites. One would bring success, the other would bring failure. My friend was trying to go both directions at the same time. My friend was trying to follow a big God-given Vision, but was pulled down by day-to-day problems.

One day my friend came to me asking for prayer concerning both finances and illness. It seemed like I had the perfect opportunity. I had to tell them something they didn't want to hear. Have you ever been in that position? When it comes you have two choices, you can keep your mouth shut and watch a friend and the vision slowly fall apart, or you can risk loosing the friendship and speak up (again, and again and again, ad-infinitum).

What my friend needed was a good lesson about Distraction, and how there is an intentionality behind Distraction. It is a purposeful response to God’s opening of doors to bless us and advance the vision. Its purpose is to keep us from fulfilling our God-given vision in life (Read that again).

When you have a God-given vision to help people, enemies come along. They often appear as wonderful opportunities to help others. The Enemy (some call him Satan), will come at you with wonderful things that need to be done; people to help; serious projects to be completed, crisis' that must be dealt with—NOW!

There is an appropriate observation noted in the Bible that certainly applies to such Distractions found in 2 Corinthians 11:14 (New International Version), "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."

These things happen at exactly the moment when other God-given opportunities come along. The kind of "open doors" that often look small and insignificant, but when walked through will bring an organization, individual or band the visibility needed to really be what God intends.

The fruit of following Distraction are exactly what my friend experienced:
Illness
Lack of Finances
Exhaustion from helping other people with no real help coming to their organization in return

What was my friend NOT doing right?

1)      Praying. There is a right way to pray. My friend was very good at DOING, but didn't do a good job of simply stopping and praying for God to prosper what they were doing and leading them. My friend would ask for prayer for individuals that were being helped, or for financial problems, illness, etc., but when prayers for "open doors" to advance the organization were answered the friend would find some good reason not to follow through. This meant my friend needed to pray that they would be given the wisdom and strength to follow through, too.

2)      Distraction. When you make a decision to do something or say you are going to do it, You Must Do It. There were so many times when my friend made a commitment to speak to someone who wanted to do something that would give their organization media attention, or would bring in much needed income. Every time there was such an opportunity my friend went down under the weight of solving all the "crises" that came along. When it was time for the meeting, my friend sent an e-mail or made a brief call (or asked someone else to do it), asking to meet another time, or explaining that they were too ill (usually true), to meet.

3)      Listening to Good Counsel: My friend had SEVERAL people trying to help, but would only listen occasionally (that's being gracious). When it came to this issue, my friend had closed ears and refused to listen, and only asked for help to do the very things that my friend alone HAD TO DO in order to prosper the organization. In other words, my friend listened to either exhaustion or fear and wanted someone else to do the work for them, do the meeting for them, do the interview for them, make the phone call for them, write the letter for them,  do the television show for them. Those wanting the meeting WANTED MY FRIEND, not someone who advises or helps my friend.

If it is your organization, there is no one better equipped to share the vision. There is no one better at being the spokesperson than YOU.

When you are staring your own organization and there is very little help, you do need to do most of the work yourself. However, as organizations start to grow and you do begin to have help, you have to learn to let go of the one thing you love doing most—and SHARE it. You need to let other people share the burden.

Here's a little secret about God-given visions. Ready?

It isn't about you.
It is NOT your vision.
It is NOT your work.
It is NOT for you.

It is for GOD.
It is GOD's Vision, and God intends for other people to join you in accomplishing HIS VISION.

Maybe God wants to help Thousands of people at a time through the organization He has called you to build for Him. God wants to help more than the ONE person at a time that YOU are helping. By refusing to step up to the plate and LEAD, and let others do the grunt work, you are actually being selfish.

YOUR JOB is sharing the vision with others so that they will in turn accept the call to JOIN YOU in accomplishing GOD's Vision. If you selfishly refuse to walk through every open door God is giving you to prosper and bring visibility to what you are doing, then God will find someone else who is willing to take up the challenge and be the leader.

Which brings me back to where I started:

Are YOU Getting in the Way of the Vision?

 

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

This article may be reproduced for teaching purposes but not for commercial resale

The Invisible Ingredient by TOV Rose is feature of www.TOVRose.com

The Entertainment Industry Chaplains -

Box 211125, Saint Paul MN 55121-1125 USA

When writing about this article, refer to article 01004

www.TOVRose.com

www.EntertainmentChaplains.org

The Entertainment Chaplains never sells, rents, or shares your email address.

For more information, please contact chaplains@thechaplains.org

 

        

The Invisible Ingredient: My Christmas on Food Stamps

 

Here at the end of 2007, after nearly two years of focusing on ministering to people in the Entertainment Industry, it seemed appropriate to look back and consider how I got from there to here. I'd like to share some of my thoughts with you.

 

I can honestly say I have never been more fulfilled in my life. My wife and I are happier than we've ever been, apart from the financial uncertainty of the moment. We have two beautiful children. My three year old son is almost potty trained- Yea! He just has a few accidents now and then. Our precocious daughter is 20 months old, going on 12 years old! She already has a love for new clothes and pretty shoes! For the moment we do have a roof over our heads, although it is pretty frightening every first and fifteenth of the month when the mortgage payments come due. Not to mention the other bills related to being available to help people. I'll mention more about this later.

A while back I made deal with my God. I promised to tell people when He answered prayer and when He did not answer prayer. That way the responsibility is more His, since my doing this Chaplain work is all His idea. So, this is part of that process of telling.

If you had asked me seven years ago if I would be moderately successful in ministering to people in the Entertainment Industry in 12 countries while at the same time I would be on food stamps, I'd have laughed in your face. Still, that's where I have found myself today. There's no point in putting on a fake smile and pretending it isn't real. Sometimes life can be difficult. I know more than a few people in the Industry who are in the same boat. Some have a glorious history representing big name talent, or producing and directing movies and television programs. Many are actors, comedians and musicians. Some are writers on strike.

 

As a man, it isn't easy to humble yourself and take a long hard look at your life, but that's what I've spent the last four months doing. Making it public? Well, that's part of the telling I mentioned a couple paragraphs back.

 

"Food stamps for Christmas!" It isn't exactly the present you were expecting, but you do have to eat. It is pretty humbling filling out all the paperwork, sharing your entire financial life with a stranger in a government office, who keeps asking questions with the assumption of catching you in a lie. Humiliating is a good word for it. "Your organization only gives you one paycheck a month?" "This month it was $500?" "How are you going to pay a mortgage that is more than twice that amount?"

 

As a matter of fact, I spend my time helping other people take a long hard look at their life, so I guess I have to practice what I preach. I haven't done this alone, mind you. I've spend hours crying, praying and soul-searching with my wife, close friends, confidants, fellow ministers and entertainers, who themselves have been where I am right now. I can honestly say that there is no doubt that I'm doing the right thing in offering services to people in this Industry and doing something no one else is doing. All I can do is persevere, trust in God, and believe that He has a reason for this food stamp season. I know the one thing I cannot do is stop. Especially when I know there are some amazing things just around the corner.

 

Hope.

 

Hope is what keeps people going. Take a look at people you know who do not have hope and you will find addictions, broken relationships and shattered lives. The Bible says it pretty plainly, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick," according to Proverbs 13:12, "But when it comes, it is a tree of life."

I once heard story teller, Garrison Keillor, say something about actors that went something like this: Actors have more faith than most people. They really believe it when the Bible says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Acts 17:11, in case you wondered where to find it). They have more faith, he said, because as an actor you never know when or where you're going to find your next job, but you have faith that it is going to happen and that keeps you going forward.

 

I think there is some truth to this. As a person of faith, ministering to people in the Industry, I think it is important for me to have at least as much faith as most of the actors, musicians and models I speak with, don't you?

 

Another friend of mine always reminds me about Colonel Sanders, who had the recipe for fried chicken that became Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurants. He really did try to sell his recipe and his idea for chicken and was rejected over 1000 times before succeeding. How many times have you given up already? You know, if most people with a dream of being an entertainer would just give it that little extra effort and not give up, they would really succeed. I've come to the conclusion that I'm just living what I need to live in order to better understand the people God has called me to help.

 

If you want to see if God is going to provide for me and my family, just watch. I have no doubt. If you think I'm going to pack up my bags and close up shop, you're not reading what I'm saying. Still, there are some obstacles to overcome and doors that only other people can open. Maybe you're the one who can open them? Maybe you're the one whom God is touching right now to pray that the door will be opened. Praying for others is the most important form of "paying it forward." It will only come back to you in blessing.

 

I was speaking with someone a few weeks ago who simply assumed that people we help automatically give and support what we're doing. He truly believed I had a $100,000 a year salary. I couldn't have reasoned with him if I had tried. He's a great guy and looking at his life, you'd think he really has it all, and he probably does. To be honest, it is all too easy for envy and jealousy to creep in when you look at friends who regularly throw down $10,000 on weekend parties, while you're scraping pennies together to buy diapers for your kids, or walking into a food shelf to stock up on Campbell's soup, mac & cheese, and Hunt's Pasta Sauce.  It does often seem that those who give out of their own lives to help others frequently have some hard obstacles to overcome, while some others seem to have it so easy. It is a lie though, because everyone had hard things to get through. There's a great principle that, unfortunately, most people never truly come to understand except through hardship: The more you give, the bigger blessings you get in return.

 

I am often asked by people how our ministry is supported. Those who are wise want to know where money is coming from and how it is going to be spent. I understand skepticism and caution. Just ask my wife- I'm pretty cautious and don't make rash decisions.

 

A good friend of mine likes to say, "When you ask people for money, make sure you do it from a position of strength." He wants us to give examples like these and end with an appeal for your financial support:

 

We have chaplains ministering to people in 12 countries. We have calls from people talking about ending their lives and we talk them out of it and into a good rehab program. We have people calling us all the time asking how they can work with us, because they believe in what we're doing. We have bands who call us up to help work out interpersonal problems when they're on tour. We have crying actors who lost their house, because they overextended and didn't get insurance before the Southern California wild fires came. We have real, recognizable directors who call us asking advice on talking to their drug-addicted child. We have musicians on tour that can't go home for a sister's funeral asking us to call on the family. We have actors on location in the middle of nowhere; unable to get the drugs they've become dependant on and are begging for prayer to make it another day. We've had models crying on the phone over the latest rape they experienced and asking us for the emotional support and counseling they need.

 

These are all true. These are the real things we are doing, examples of the real lives that are being changed. These are reasons we should continue doing what we do and why you should give.

 

Having spent my life fund-raising as a "support raise minister" (someone who attempts to convincingly explain to people why they should support what you're doing and then prays in earnest they'll respond), I can tell you that times are harder now than at any other period in my 17 years in ministry. I suppose that's to be expected when you are pioneering something, and truly going where no one has gone before.

 

By the end of my first nine years of full-time ministry we had approximately $90,000 in donations coming in. The following years we began focusing more on reaching the Entertainment Industry.  Giving dropped significantly during this time. This past year there were about $16,000 in donations that came in, at a time when we are doing more to help people than ever before. Most of what came in was given through one of our ministry partners, and can't be directly used for our family's needs, but only for specific ministry-related expenses.

 

Now, some people might look at the numbers and say, "Well, that isn't being blessed," or, "This is a failure." Others look at the numbers and say, "Praise God! You're doing something that is pleasing God, and the proof is in the financial 'attack' you are experiencing!"

 

 

This last was exactly the reaction when I recently shared our financial story on a radio program. The host was quite excited about our financial difficulties, "I am so happy for you," he said after the show, "I kinda miss those exciting days when I was first starting out when you never knew when the financial blessing from God would come, but you knew it would certainly come because you were faithful."

 

Take a look at the comments left on my profile on MySpace. Those are just a few real examples of people showing their hearts in response to what we do. I wish I could share with you so many more words of encouragement from lives changed.

Recently, a pastor friend shared with me something that gave me insight into God's working.

Isaiah 9:6-7:

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father (The Author of Eternal Life), The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

 

Zeal is defined as: enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance.

 

What it spoke to me was this: God has more of an interest in seeing the Vision come to pass than we do. It is His Vision. It is His passion for people to know Him and trust Him. This passion or zeal for helping people in the Entertainment Industry isn't just ours'. He has put in our hearts.

Every time my wife or I see a tabloid splashed with the latest celebrity overdose, arrest or heartbreak, our hearts go out to those people who are hurting and often seem to be navigating their way through life without a compass. Many are in need of someone to come alongside them to help them find their way through the dark times and into the Light of God's love. I just wonder what a difference it would make if these people had someone trustworthy to confide in, pray with, and to seek spiritual counsel from. The need is overwhelming and God has chosen to place it in our hearts to reach out with His message of compassion and truth to those who are in the spotlight yet so often alone and without hope. 

There are many people who have told me they are sitting back and watching what God will do in our ministry. My question to them is, "Did God tell you to do this?"

 

Having people watch and pray for what we do is very important, and asking people to tell their friends and colleagues about what we do is important as well, but so is asking people to consider giving.

 

God does call people to give.

 

Did you catch that? It is a good thing to ask people to give!

 

I'm not afraid, nor ashamed to say this: I'm proud of the work we're doing. God is doing some wonderful things through us, and I think what He is doing through us is worth supporting.

 

So I am asking, would you seriously consider giving? If you believe, as we do, that people in the Entertainment Industry are in desperate need of God's love, encouragement and prayer, then please pray and ask God how He wants you to participate in this unique and crucial ministry.

One of my confidants suggested I share with you the following, when she said, "Tov, you should consider adding to this letter what your specific needs are so people can know exactly what you need and how they might be able to assist."

Here are specific answers to those questions:

1)      What amount do I need to support my family of four living in this very expensive part of the country where we are located until relocation for ministry occurs?

a.       $7,000 per month

 

2)      Property/living quarters:

a.       My family and I need a home-base in Los Angeles in order to be most available to the very people we help.

b.      We need a place in Manhattan we can regularly stay when in town

c.       We need a place in London for the same purpose

d.      We need property in Montana for our work: Cost: $50-100 Million.

       i.      We intend to have a hotel sized bed-and-breakfast for Entertainers to come when they are looking for time away from their busy lives. It will be a place for them to recover and refuel spiritually.

      ii.      We will offer recreational and spiritual activities in summer and winter for Entertainers of all kinds, including sports figures. We will also offer the same to their families and children.

      iii.      We will also build an Olympic Training Center, for those who want to include spiritual growth as part of their physical routine as they train for competition.

      iv.      We will build a training center for Chaplains.

 

3)      Travel expenses. We need to be able to travel at a moment's notice:

a.       airline tickets

b.      rental cars

c.       hotel/lodging

d.      out of pocket expenses

e.       a nanny

 

4)      Seed Money: People ask what this is. It is what investors call "Angel Investment." It is money that people do not expect a financial return on when they give it, but they do expect spiritual return.

a.       We need Seed Money in the initial amount of $200,000 for our work specifically for the hiring of additional staff, office rent and utilities, administrative costs and advertising.

b.      Followed in six months by an additional $800,000 for more of the same, as we expand our work into Los Angeles, and lay the foundation for expansion and physical presence in LACE>New York and London.

 

Finally, I would be more than happy to discuss these financial items with individuals, or make alternative arrangements for gifts. Most of all, thank you for your prayer and consideration as we continue our work and support of people in the Entertainment Industry.

 

GIFTS MAY BE SENT TO:

The Entertainment Industry Chaplains

PO Box 211125

Saint Paul, MN 55121

 

Gifts may also be given via www.PayPal.com using this email address: chaplains@thechaplains.org

 

May God's richest blessings be yours' in the coming year,

 

—TOV
Founder, The Entertainment Industry Chaplains
"Faith & The Entertainment Industry Working Together"

Contact Information:
Name: - TOV (Pronounced: like "stove" no "s" no "e")
The Entertainment Industry Chaplains
PO Box 211125
Saint Paul MN 55121
E-MAIL: Chaplains@TheChaplains.org
Los Angeles: 310-574-2895
Manhattan: 917-720-8128
Nashville: 615-673-4159
Saint Paul: 651-686-5600
Fax: 845-698-5600

CORPORATE WEBSITE:
www.EntertainmentChaplains.org/
BLOG: www.TOVRose.com/
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tov_rose

SOCIAL NETWORKING:
Official MySpace: profile.myspace.com/13422126
Linkedin.com: www.linkedin.com/in/chaplaintov

Other Involvements:
Board of Directors, Child Predator Busters: www.childpredatorbusters.org
Director, ProVIPS.com: www.ProVIPS.com
Featured on Page 1, The Wall Street Journal, August 21,2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 <br></p><br></p><br></p><br></p>

All rights reserved. Used by permission.<br>

This article may be reproduced for teaching purposes but not for commercial resale<br>

The Invisible Ingredient by TOV Rose is feature of www.TOVRose.com<br>

The Entertainment Industry Chaplains - PO Box 211125, Saint Paul MN OSTALCODE>ostalCode>55121-1125ostalCode>OSTALCODE> USA<br>

When writing about this article, refer to devotional 01001<br>

www.TOVRose.com<br>

www.EntertainmentChaplains.org<br>

The Entertainment Chaplains never sells, rents, or shares your email address.<br>

For more information, please contact chaplains@thechaplains.org<br>

 

        

DATE: December 7, 2007



TITLE: Security Expert Dr. Robert Ing, Technoligy Expert Steve Topletz Join Child Predator Busters




Child Predator Busters (www.ChildPredatorBusters.org), has partnered with Dr. Robert Ing (www.drroberting.com), one of the foremost experts on Technology Crime. Dr. Ing's reputation among law enforcement and his expertise is a welcome edition their work in protecting children. Founded by former race car driver, Sher LeFever, Child Predator Busters (CP

Spokesperson for the organization, TOV Rose, "Having people like Dr. Ing and Steve Topletz involved is such an asset. We're looking forward to better results in protecting children and families, and some great products and tools ...<< MORE >>

[Please Repost and Share]

People are always asking me how I ended up doing stuff with the Entertainment Industry. It's a long story, really, very long. Very very very long story. It started a couple hundred years ago to be exact, when relatives on my mother's side of the family lived in Eastern Europe and began working in music and performance. Some of whom worked and performed in the greatest venues in Europe. My mother's dad was even given a special commendation by the Queen of England in the 1920's for his work in Ballet.

Here's a sampling of my family today who are in the Industry. Really, just a few:



 Michelle, My Bride

     

Jen,  My Sister. Choreographer, Performer, Minister

      


Jason, My Brother
Singer, Songwriter & Educator

      

Derek Silverman, My Cousin & Corey Feldman's Keyboard Player (yeah, the child star).
This links to a page for one of  his current band projects

      

Ariana Sloan, My Cousin
Actor, Singer, Dancer

      

Randy Jones Photography, My Father-in-Law

      

Dave  Moore Studios, My Brother-in-Law

      


Jason Alley, My Brother-in-Law's Band, "Absolute Power": myspace.com/absolutepowerband

      

- TOV
The Entertainment Industry Chaplains
"Consulting & Care Programs for Entertainment Industry Professionals and Corporations"

Contact Information:
Name: - TOV (Pronounced: like "stove" no "s" no "e")
The Entertainment Industry Chaplain
PO Box 211125
Saint Paul MN 55121
E-MAIL: Chaplains@TheChaplains.org
Los Angeles: 310-574-2895
Manhattan: 917-720-8128
Nashville: 615-673-4159
Saint Paul: 651-686-5600
Fax: 845-698-5600

CORPORATE WEBSITE: www.EntertainmentChaplains.org
Blog: www.TOVRose.com
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tov_rose

SOCIAL NETWORKING:
MySpace: profile.myspace.com/13422126
Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=727515264
NextCat: www.nextcat.com/tov

Other Involvements:

Director, ProVIPS.com: www.ProVIPS.com. Featured on Page 1, The Wall Street Journal, August 21, 2006
Board of Directors: www.ChildPredatorBusters.org

        

The Invisible Ingredient, Acticle 01000
By TOV – The Entertainment Industry Chaplain

I was cleaning the kitchen this morning, after making an oatmeal breakfast for the family. Take note guys this really is the way to a woman's heart, especially when she and both your kids are sick. She was thumbing through a magazine when her eye fell upon a new Dodge Caravan advertisement.

No offence to Dodge, I'm sure they have many professionals working on their advertising for family-friendly vehicles, but maybe they should try talking to people "like us" more often. This two page glossy ad sure was pretty. Nice pictures.

The two largest of the six make sure you see a "mommy" with smiling face in the driver's seat, while the kids are watching Nickelodeon—live—thanks to a new partnership with Sirius Satellite Radio, called, "Sirius Backseat TV," (I have to throw a bone over to Sirius, some good people over there). I mean, this van is really nice! It has Halo/LED Lighting*! The "*" takes you to a note at the bottom that says, "Available" Wow! That almost sold me right there.

Then there was the picture below that with "Jordan", "Buried in another comic book!"

The Multi-Media system is something I might really be interested. No kidding.

Let me get back to the part about the two kids watching television. It really disturbed me. I'll be the first to admit, I've had the portable DVD playing going on long trips. It can often be a wonderful distraction, especially since children need attention and can get a little grumpy on long trips (any parents out there "feelin' me"?). The caption over the picture is what really bothered me though:

"6-hour trip to Grandma's and never heard a peep out of them!"

What exactly is being sold here? Kids with headphones in a picture, and happy smiling "mom" driving the car (their ain't no "dad" in the picture, yet another message from big business that dad's are worthless oafs who can't even be bothered to drive their kids to see Grandma, but hey don't worry your favorite nanny the television will keep them company).

What a sad, sad thing to sell people: Silence.

Wasn't it a few years ago people were still chastizing previous generations for holding to the philosopy that, "Children should be seen and not heard"? Seems we're back to it again in this generation. Is that hypocritical? Where's the conversation? Where's the interaction?

What I get out of this is a message that kids are better off watching television in silence while mom gets to play with her on-board computer (hopefully while watching the road). There's no need for interacting with my kids. Why bother? It doesn't matter that kids learn adult interaction by, ah—interacting—with adults—like their parents—on long trips to Grandma's house.

How about the slogan sound bit that is written next to the Dodge Emblem in BOLD letters announcing, "Grab Life," when the real message here is, "Keep your kids' brain cells melting away as you have your own private silence party and abdicate your responsibility, in yet another area of your life, to have a positive impact on your family."

Then there's the one picture with, "Grandma, Granddaughter…and Grand Caravan!" I tell you, the thought of that great silent partner taking care of my family really brings me a lot of comfort right now.

Simply Amazing. I'm sold. Let's go get one, my love. Oh, don't forget the headsets.

All rights reserved. Used by permission.
This article may be reproduced for teaching purposes but not for commercial resale The Invisible Ingredient by TOV Rose is feature of www.TOVRose.com
The Entertainment Industry Chaplains - PO Box 211125, Saint Paul MN 55121-1125 USA
When writing about this article, refer to devotional 01000
www.TOVRose.com www.EntertainmentChaplains.org

The Entertainment Chaplains never sells, rents, or shares your email address.
For more information, please contact chaplains@thechaplains.org

        

        

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