You are the object of His concern. Cast all distracting, parting, disuniting, differing and soliciting care on Him. Cast out fear, with perfect love. Cast off the unfruitful works of darkness, put on the armor of light. Cast out the bondwoman. Cast down imaginations and high things for these exalt themselves against His person. Don’t cast away your confidence; …it has great recompense of reward. With patience the promise will come. A man must inventory his soul. He must shepherd his spirit. He must identify things such as emotions, fears, anxiety, and distractions, which carry him away captive. Then, bring it all back to Christ alone, “The Finisher of all works of peace — (liberty, unity, brotherly love and faith rest). But you say,”I can’t! What’s happening? I’ve lost my authority,” Cast those thoughts down! “It doesn’t seem to work.” — Cast that thought down! “I’m overwhelmed by…
Tag: <span>idols</span>
These things I learned this week: That, in the culture, individualism can be good, as long as I don’t make an idol of me. Again, culturally speaking, community is desired, but don’t make an idol of them. Who-a-person-is, subjectively, is discovered by them in receiving an objective identity, not by gazing within. The culture seeks to produce many identities from without the self. Next, diversity of attributes is to be celebrated; but to be realized only in the service of others, not to build a private reputation. Finally, an identity will reproduce itself. Webster’s from the year 1828 defines “culture” this way: The act of tilling and preparing the earth for crops; cultivation; the application of labor or other means of improvement. 2. … to improve good qualities in, or growth; as the culture of the mind; the culture of virtue. 3. … producing 4. Any labor or means employed…
Then the wood-carver measures a block of wood and draws a pattern on it. He works with chisel and plane and carves it into a human figure. He gives it human beauty and puts it in a little shrine. He cuts down cedars; he selects the cypress and the oak; he plants the pine in the forest to be nourished by the rain. Then he uses part of the wood to make a fire. With it he warms himself and bakes his bread. Then—yes, it’s true—he takes the rest of it and makes himself a god to worship! He makes an idol and bows down in front of it! He burns part of the tree to roast his meat and to keep himself warm. He says “Ah, that fire feels good.” Then he takes what’s left and makes his god: a carved idol! He falls down in front of it,…