March 12 *Early Post)

I'll be away from my desk tomorrow morning, so I'm posting tomorrow's thoughts today:

March 12

Read the disclaimers by Bill Wilson

America has become a drug dependent nation. Some two billion dollars a year is spent on advertising various drugs on television. You can rarely view a television show without being introduced to the latest drug whether to improve the sexual experience, birth control, thicken eyelashes, prevent going to the bathroom, growing hair, getting rid of unwanted hair, and the list goes on and on.

About half of the time in these commercials is spent with some fast talking person disclaiming everything that the drug does. For example, there is a drug that gives you longer, fuller eyelashes so you no longer suffer from "hypotrichosis."

Hypotrichosis is "another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes." Of course, every young woman wants to have thicker, fuller eyelashes. And, as the commercial depicts, every woman should want such eyelashes. And the first warning is that women should locate a doctor who "may be more likely to know about this FDA-approved treatment.

Your doctor will evaluate your medical history to determine if you're a good candidate" for this drug. "If you have an eye infection, broken or irritated upper eyelid skin, or if you are using products for elevated intraocular pressure, talk to your doctor."

These drugs always gain legitimacy by getting the approval of  a doctor who is selling--prescribing--the drug.

And then the viewer is hit with the common side effects, which include itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness; eye irritation, dryness of the eyes, redness of the eyelids, and skin darkening or hyperpigmentation--which is reversible after discontinuation of the product.

In addition, the disclaimer says, "patients should be advised about the potential for increased brown iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent."

These are just some of the disclaimers on television for only one product. Other products disclaim a whole lot more, including "sudden death." But people ignore the warnings and rush to buy the products because the government and their doctor say they're safe.

These commercials are indicative of heart condition. In their hearts, people want the result of these drugs so bad that they will ignore or risk the consequences of the warnings for the temporal physical relief.

Matthew 4:8, 9 says, "Again, the devil took Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And said unto Him, All these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me."

Jesus replied, "Get thee behind Me, satan: for it is written, worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve."

But unlike Jesus, many people ignore the disclaimers of hell for the temporal rewards.