Tag Archives: Television

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Amos 6

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infomercial
Image by Marilyn M via Flickr

Woe to those addicted to feeling good—life without pain! those obsessed with looking good—life without wrinkles! They could not care less about their country going to ruin. Amos 6:6 (MSG)

Flipping through the channel guide on television this morning, here are the titles I saw:

  • Step & Lose weight
  • Get Luscious Hair!
  • Carve Abs in Bed!
  • Look Younger
  • Anti-Aging Secrets
  • Easy Hair Removal!
  • Weight Loss Breakthrough!
  • Millionaire’s Secrets
  • Sexy Swimsuit Body
  • Summer Sexy Abs
  • Microwave Grilling!
  • eBay Riches!
  • Get Sexier in 90 Days!
  • Look Younger in 14 Days!
  • Body Gospel
  • Look Younger Instantly
  • Food Lovers Fat Loss
  • Overcoming Anxiety

Was Amos talking to Israel, or to us?

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Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Kings 6

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Keeping up appearances. The word of God came to Solomon saying, "About this Temple you are building—what's important is that you live the way I've set out for you and do what I tell you, following my instructions carefully and obediently. Then I'll complete in you the promise I made to David your father." 1 Kings 6:11-12 (MSG)

We are obsessed with appearances. Take a spin through the television channels in the middle of the night and look at what is being hawked by men with loud voices and beautiful celebrities. Make-up, pimple cream, exercise equipment, diet pills and flab gadgets. We want to look better. We want to keep up appearances.

It's really no different with our spiritual lives. Appearance is key. We want to look good for others so our spirtuality isn't questioned. Play the game. Say the right things. Show up in the right places. Look the part. But, you don't want to look too spiritual and attract unwanted attention. It's tricky. You've got to maintain balance. Fit in. We don't want to appear too crazy, too wierd, too over-the-top.

Solomon built a gorgeous edifice. Solomon's temple would attract considerable attention. But, in today's chapter God made it clear that he placed far more importance on the unseen condition of Solomon's heart than the public display of his temple.

When it comes to matters of faith, what is hidden is far more important than what is seen.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and bbaltimore

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Micah 2

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The search of the Magi.  If someone showed up with a good smile and glib tongue and told lies from morning to night—
'I'll preach sermons that will tell you how you can get anything you want from God:More money, the best wines…you name it'— you'd hire him on the spot as your preacher! Micah 2:11 (MSG)

I was on a business trip this week and spent a few late evenings flipping through the television channels. Channel surfing drives my wife crazy, so when I'm on the road I like to overindulge myself in an all out surf fest. I found it interesting the divergent slants the different news channels had on the same events. It didn't shock me. It was just another reminder that we all like to listen to people who agree with our point-of-view.

The more things change the more they stay the same. The prophet Micah was complaining about the same thing about 2700 years ago. We want to be told what we want to hear and will often go out of our way to make sure we hear it.

In this Advent season, I'm thinking about the Magi who sought out the Christ-child. Perhaps what made them "wise men" was not their position but their desire to ask, to seek, to knock. I pray that I may continually search for that which is True rather than that which is merely comfortable.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Sacred Destinations