December 7 2005 Amos 8:11-13
December 7, 2005 Amos 8:1-14
Click here for today’s podcast!
Amos 8:11-13 “The time is surely coming, says the Lord God, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it. In that day the beautiful young women and the young men shall faint for thirst.”
A number of years back there was a rock song titled “Charlie Brown’s Parents.” It took a semi-playful look at the fact that for most teens, their parents sound just like Charlie Brown’s when they talk, unintelligible. As parents, we hope our children will grow out of it and eventually come to understand what we were trying to tell them. I wonder does God view us that way, as children who just can’t understand what He says to us?
Think about if for a moment, consider all the different books and fads that focus on self-improvement and discovering one’s self. Folks become devotees to all different forms of spirituality and introspective practices to get in contact with a ‘higher power’ or ‘inner peace.’
Some follow Zen, others Transcendental Meditation, some ancient Jewish spirituality practices, and still others New Age philosophies. Many people wander from one fad to another and still cannot find that for which they search.
In each case, they are searching for the very thing Christians have had for centuries, access to God and God’s Word. And the sad fact is, most people have had the access but just refused to hear the “words of the Lord.” I guess they thought God sounded too much like Charlie Brown’s parents.
As we prepare again to celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, maybe we too need to pause and consider all that his birth means. Recall the love of God that sends his only begotten Son to die for your sins and mine. Recall all that God does in your life, and hear the words of the Lord.
Loving God, grant us ears to hear your words this day. Grant us eyes to see new vistas to serve you, and dear Lord; grant us hearts of love to carry out your will. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Contributed by Rev. Andy O’Dowd
Click here for today’s podcast!
Amos 8:11-13 “The time is surely coming, says the Lord God, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it. In that day the beautiful young women and the young men shall faint for thirst.”
A number of years back there was a rock song titled “Charlie Brown’s Parents.” It took a semi-playful look at the fact that for most teens, their parents sound just like Charlie Brown’s when they talk, unintelligible. As parents, we hope our children will grow out of it and eventually come to understand what we were trying to tell them. I wonder does God view us that way, as children who just can’t understand what He says to us?
Think about if for a moment, consider all the different books and fads that focus on self-improvement and discovering one’s self. Folks become devotees to all different forms of spirituality and introspective practices to get in contact with a ‘higher power’ or ‘inner peace.’
Some follow Zen, others Transcendental Meditation, some ancient Jewish spirituality practices, and still others New Age philosophies. Many people wander from one fad to another and still cannot find that for which they search.
In each case, they are searching for the very thing Christians have had for centuries, access to God and God’s Word. And the sad fact is, most people have had the access but just refused to hear the “words of the Lord.” I guess they thought God sounded too much like Charlie Brown’s parents.
As we prepare again to celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, maybe we too need to pause and consider all that his birth means. Recall the love of God that sends his only begotten Son to die for your sins and mine. Recall all that God does in your life, and hear the words of the Lord.
Loving God, grant us ears to hear your words this day. Grant us eyes to see new vistas to serve you, and dear Lord; grant us hearts of love to carry out your will. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Contributed by Rev. Andy O’Dowd
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home