beauty and the kingdom

Is the war of advertising and television not on the mind? Are we not
defiled now as everything we see becomes an idol?

“I made the world by the power of my word. As a man I died for the
sin of the world, and by my word the world will be destroyed by fire.
But it is not to late to turn away and do what is right. You have the
ability to do so. One path will lead you to death, but one will lead
you to life.”

Romans 1:21 and on says:
If we do not fear, honor, give thanks to God, we become fools, with
dark hearts. We then become fools moreover, claiming that we are
wise, and trade the glory of God for the image of mortal man… So
God gives us up to the lusts of our hearts to impurity, dishonorable
passions, and we become filled with all unrighteousness. And
therefore one who has these desires and practices them cannot inherit
the kingdom of God (1 Cor.6:9-10).

“Outside I make beauty nonstop. Yet it is easier for you to be drawn
to the TV’s pop-delicacies. I have made every shape, color, size, and
mood of cloud, and I am the one who began diversity. Who are you to
become judges of beauty? I myself will make all things beautiful in
their time.”

“One kind of beauty is beautiful to you when it remains elusive. It
offers itself to you in intangible ways, and excites your mind. You
sin when you follow it with your body. It plays on definitions made
by man, rules and prejudices. It manipulates you for money, for your
worship, for your affections.

The other kind of beauty never fades, only grows into eternal bloom
and unfolding. Its latter glory outshines its former. It will be
praised. Set your heart on wisdom and understanding (even when it
seems tasteless–even the best quality food is bland after a cornsyrup
softdrink) and do not go after, in mind, in glance, or in body, the
woman or man who is prostitute and fool.”

[I so look forward to the kingdom of heaven, where all the beauty of
all things wild and old and new will all grow together, cared for by
the full-of-love heart of the people who grow there. No longer will
there be any beautiful things, abandoned and lifeless, but the spirit
of Jesus will bring us to completeness of love. There will be no
neglect in the kingdom.]