Keep Your Brain Intact!
Last week as I was driving around town doing errands, I found myself fascinated with bumper stickers. Bumper stickers tell a lot about a person. Bumper sticker people are “expressives.†They have a story to tell and want the world to listen.
Well on this particular day, I was following a nondescript car. Although I don’t remember the car or the driver I do remember the bumper sticker. It was fantastic:
Don’t be too open-minded, your brains may fall out!
I felt like applauding.
I have been in conversations when someone tosses this phrase directly at me. I have to hold myself back to keep from laughing.
When I was younger, however, I was easily intimidated when someone would say, “Lynn, have an open mind.†I didn’t recognize a full-court press, manipulation in progress..
This statement abounds when discussions of faith arise. Our society frowns upon you if you are close-minded. You are made to feel immature, stupid or (I love this one) intolerant if you don’t keep an open mind.
Today, when I hear this phrase, I immediately recognize the subtle maneuver and politely respond with a firm, “I have really made up my mind on this one.†Then I smile broadly. It may be a flip response but it makes a profound statement about my position.
Don’t buy into the lie. Choose to have a closed mind about matters of faith. Your brain will thank you.
I have examined the evidence. I know the Maker. I have confidence in my God. I have assurance of my eternity.
I am Lynn Donovan and I am closed-minded! Praise God!
Mark 12:14
They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Lord, help us to become women who are not swayed by the pressure and manipulation of the world. Give us the courage to reply back to the world, “I believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ.” Never let us sway. Amen.
Thanks for this, it made my heart smile.
Word!
Blessings on you!
great post! I love to read bumper stickers while I’m driving…probably not a good habit to pass onto my kids!
Lynn, This is a fantastic post and really got me thinking! I already composed a response to it, which I think I’ll post on my blog Sunday evening. My perspective is a bit different from yours, but I still love yours! I absolutely love your polite but firm, “I have already made up my mind on that one.” It is so wonderful to have a solid foundation in the Lord and be able to rely on Him for wisdom and discernment. I think many people’s idea of “open mindedness” means we need to consider anything and everything as possible truth… which obviously flies in the face of what we know of the TRUTH. Thanks for a wonderful post.
I love it!! Great bumper stickers, Lynn. Wish I had that first one on my car. It’s all dinged up but it’s paid for….lol….
I tried to share the Lord with a friend a few years ago but was promptly stopped with this retort: Listen, there’s no use in us talking about God or spirituality…you’ve already made your mind up!
No kidding, but oh, how i tire of hearing that sometimes. If they only knew the truth is settled!
Wonderful post. Hope all is well.
love,
Vicki
I did have fun with this one, Lynn. Not a lot of bumper stickers in our area for some reason–unlesds it has to do with the kids–however we have plenty of fish and lots of driveby church signs.
I was a “tolerance” person for years. Then I realized that God is not tolerant of any sin and gave that up. Now I am a forgiveness person. 🙂
Hi Lynn,
I love the bumper stickers. I think my favorite is the “In case of rapture…” because it brings such a funny visual to my mind. It’s actually a sad visual, though because there will be lots of crashes, I’m afraid. I also saw a bumper sticker that I loved that said something like “the world needs more fruit of the spirit and less religious nuts”. I love how that points away from legalism and to the New Covenant. Blessings.
This was awesome….. Remember the bumper sticker that said God is my CO-PILOT… I wanted to say, then baby move over.. but someone caught on and now there is one that says GOD is my PILOT…
My bumper sticker just says KNOW HIM.. of course, I have to be very accountable don’t I…. NO road rage….but that is ok….
I love this sticker,, I saw it about being open minded your brains might fall out… because I find myself becoming much more close minded… if it ain’t in the Bible,, ,it ain’t so….
Blessings…
Amen! Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no”! 🙂 I’m Janna and I’m closed-minded too. This post reminded me about an article I read online today about how Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani spoke out of both sides of his mouth on the abortion issue this week. We just need to know what we believe and why we believe it and stick to our positions if we know we are right.
LOL. You got me on a soap box! 😉
Have a great day!
My name is Terri and I’m close-minded too. 🙂 Your post made me laugh and it’s so true about being open-minded–your brains really can fall out.
You made me grin from ear-to-ear. I too am close-minded when it comes to the faith issue. There is only One way to heaven–that is not from my mouth, but from the mouth of my Lord and Savior Himself.
Thank you for sharing those wonderful bumper-stickers with us.
Blessings to your weekend and always.
Dear Lynn, thank you for so wonderful post.
Not be swayed by pressure and manipulation of the world.
Your words just tell to my heart and comfort me. Last night I experienced my low spirit, I could not feel the Lord’s accompany even I pray, then I felt that I had not strength to overcome my depressed spirit. Then a sister called me and prayed with me on phone, then I came back to read Psalm121. It comforts me and calm me.
This morning, I read your post, it also remind me that I should not sway, looking up on Jesus is the only way for me to out……..