Monday, November 14, 2005
Stone of Help
Thank you for the corrections...I think you all got the point though.
I am continuously struck with a certain thought. We worship too many false gods. It’s all around us. Everywhere we turn idol worship is happening. Before you think I am talking about pagan individuals, think again. We Christians are just as guilty if not more guilty because we should know better. No, these idols don’t come in the form of Baal or Ashtoreth as they do in 1 Samuel 7: 1-17, but they are just as prevalent. They come in the form of Jif peanut butter and Nissan. Every waking moment of everyday we are bombarded with images contrary to the image of God. We are bombarded with jingles and slogans telling us what will make us happy if we only choose to purchase them. (jingle: “Choosy Moms Choose Jif”, or “A Shift Has Been Made”) What kind of shift has been made? It’s been a subtle but powerful shift of modernity away from the one true God. A shift that was evident after the tragedy of 9/11 when the first words out of our fearless leaders mouth were, (paraphrase) “Keep spending your money! If not, our way of life will die.”
The Israelites and Samuel were faced with the same problems. Israel too had their false gods of Baal and Ashtoreth. They too were required to “rid” themselves of these false gods to be made free from the hands of the Philistines.
Here’s the rub, the Philistines didn’t like it, because they knew that in order to maintain control of the Israelites they must be subdued by their false gods. Their minds must be numbed by idolatrous worship and consumed with its comfortableness. As soon as Israel woke up the Philistines were in trouble. Samuel, with the Lord’s help, aroused the people from their slumber and they prevailed over the Philistines.
When will we wake up? Better yet, when will I wake up? Before I sat down to type this entry I was at Wal-Mart seeing how many units of Xbox 360’s they were going to be getting in on the 22nd at midnight. I needed to know this too see how early I need to arrive on the night of the 21st to assure my getting one. Why, because I am seduced with idea that Xbox will make me happy! I am fallible. I am human. When will I wake up?
Lord I need your help. Just as Samuel called upon your name to help the Israelites face the Philistines and their false god’s, I too am calling on you to help me over come the lies that our current culture continues to sell us. We must have the hippest clothes and most cutting edge technology. We must make money, spend money, make money, spend money…..Oh the hypocrite that I am. Lord, I so want to raise an Ebenezer. I so want to raise a Stone of Help that signifies you were here at this moment helping me in my unbelief.
Adam
I am continuously struck with a certain thought. We worship too many false gods. It’s all around us. Everywhere we turn idol worship is happening. Before you think I am talking about pagan individuals, think again. We Christians are just as guilty if not more guilty because we should know better. No, these idols don’t come in the form of Baal or Ashtoreth as they do in 1 Samuel 7: 1-17, but they are just as prevalent. They come in the form of Jif peanut butter and Nissan. Every waking moment of everyday we are bombarded with images contrary to the image of God. We are bombarded with jingles and slogans telling us what will make us happy if we only choose to purchase them. (jingle: “Choosy Moms Choose Jif”, or “A Shift Has Been Made”) What kind of shift has been made? It’s been a subtle but powerful shift of modernity away from the one true God. A shift that was evident after the tragedy of 9/11 when the first words out of our fearless leaders mouth were, (paraphrase) “Keep spending your money! If not, our way of life will die.”
The Israelites and Samuel were faced with the same problems. Israel too had their false gods of Baal and Ashtoreth. They too were required to “rid” themselves of these false gods to be made free from the hands of the Philistines.
Here’s the rub, the Philistines didn’t like it, because they knew that in order to maintain control of the Israelites they must be subdued by their false gods. Their minds must be numbed by idolatrous worship and consumed with its comfortableness. As soon as Israel woke up the Philistines were in trouble. Samuel, with the Lord’s help, aroused the people from their slumber and they prevailed over the Philistines.
When will we wake up? Better yet, when will I wake up? Before I sat down to type this entry I was at Wal-Mart seeing how many units of Xbox 360’s they were going to be getting in on the 22nd at midnight. I needed to know this too see how early I need to arrive on the night of the 21st to assure my getting one. Why, because I am seduced with idea that Xbox will make me happy! I am fallible. I am human. When will I wake up?
Lord I need your help. Just as Samuel called upon your name to help the Israelites face the Philistines and their false god’s, I too am calling on you to help me over come the lies that our current culture continues to sell us. We must have the hippest clothes and most cutting edge technology. We must make money, spend money, make money, spend money…..Oh the hypocrite that I am. Lord, I so want to raise an Ebenezer. I so want to raise a Stone of Help that signifies you were here at this moment helping me in my unbelief.
Adam
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It's actually "Choosy Mom's choose Jiff," but who's counting? If ALL moms bought Jif, well then there would be no reason for the commercial, now would there?
Now if you will excuse me, I have to go make myself a sandwich.
- Andy B.
Now if you will excuse me, I have to go make myself a sandwich.
- Andy B.
No, it's "Choosy moms choose Jif."
No apostrophe in "moms." It's plural, not possessive.
One "f" in "Jif."
My mom was choosy and we ate many jars of Jif. Still have it stocked in my pantry. Yum!
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No apostrophe in "moms." It's plural, not possessive.
One "f" in "Jif."
My mom was choosy and we ate many jars of Jif. Still have it stocked in my pantry. Yum!
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