Just What We Need

What to buy for the youth pastor who has everything? Here are a few options.

#1
#2
#3

Seriously, enough with the Jesus Junk. I am tired of seeing people drop the name of the Lord on some garbage and sell it to the sheep. I'm not sure who I'm more disappointed in, the makers or the goofy people who buy the junk.

Why do we do it? Are people seriously trying to connect with God through this stuff? Does the fish on the back of your car mean that you're the real deal when it comes to following Jesus? Talk about good intentions gone astray. Have you seen this bumper sticker:

I just don't know...
There are real ways to connect with God, to feel that life-giving coneection throughout the day, to stay close to the God who loves you. I just don't think that Testamints are the ticket.

But that Buddy Christ bobblehead, now that would look great on my desk...

HT to marko.

from my brother's house

Wow, a month with no posts. From the lack of public outcry, I can only draw the conclusion that no one's reading this...

So, maybe just for me, I'll start posting again.

I've been reading 5 Psalms a day, sort of an effort to discipline myself, grow spiritually, connect with God...Today I ran across a bunch of good stuff in Psalms 111-115. Psalm 115 has a few lines about idols and those who bow to worship the man-made hunks o' junk.

Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They cannot talk, though they have mouths, or see, though they have eyes! They cannot hear with their ears, or smell with their noses,or feel with their or walk with their feet, or utter sounds with their and those who make them are just like them,as are all who trust in them.

I've seen it in my own life--this "you become what you worship" phenomenon. We put our idols on pedestals, then we begin to think and talk and act like them. Athletes, Hollywood-types, video games, rock stars...they all get copied.

I guess that's why the writer of Hebrews instructs us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

I am trying to make sure that my eyes are on Jesus, that my heart is looking firmly at him, so that my life reflects him. Yeah, that's my goal--reflecting the glory of Jesus!