The Doggie in the Window – Part 1
But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” [Luke 10:41-42]
Some of you may remember this popular song from way back in the day. No, it wasn’t before the Civil War! Actually it came out in 1952. I loved hearing it as a small fry. It is titled How Much is That Doggie in the Window. The chorus goes like this:
How much is that doggie in the window,
The one with the waggly tail?
How much is that doggie in the window?
I do hope that doggie’s for sale.
The scene is a pet shop with a picture window which faces the sidewalk. Some of the shop’s pets are on display at the window. As shopper’s walk by they see the cute little darlings and are enticed to go inside and make a purchase.
Things haven’t changed much, have they? The more things change, the more they stay the same. Today we have indoor shopping malls of massive proportions. No matter how bad the weather is outside, we can still shop all the stores in air conditioned comfort during the hot summers and central heating coziness during the cold winters. Come rain or snow or hurricanes, our craving to look at the world’s goodies never has to be put off.
Is it any wonder we cannot stop spending? Is it any wonder we have credit cards galore? Is it any wonder we haven’t time for family, unless it be to go shopping or play with our toys together? Is it any wonder our children are receiving a poor education and falling behind the kids of other countries? Between computer games and movies and texting and the social media, what time is left for study?
Today’s social landscape explains a lot, when it comes to the prevailing religious and spiritual climate in the good ol’ USA. When the shopping malls and restaurants are constantly packed; when we surf the web in search of more of the world’s toys to purchase; when even the tiny kids have their own cell phones with camera and texting and internet access and Facebook account—how is church supposed to compete?
Just look at the way church has evolved. At church we break the family down into age groups and separate the different ages into their own “churches” and Sunday School classes. And we don’t even blush when we pledge ourselves to “family values”! The older ages listen to the old hymns on piano in their “church”, while the younger ages listen to contemporary songs with guitar and bass and drums. Big screens carry the lyrics so everyone can sing along. A full band of innumerable parts is desirable, even a full orchestra! Big productions. Big programs. Elaborate decorations and outfits. All hail to Hollywood tactics in the church building!
We will pause here to give our attention to these things. Meditate on them and pray about it. Tomorrow we will assay how this affects the churches today. See you then.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5
of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
Some of you may remember this popular song from way back in the day. No, it wasn’t before the Civil War! Actually it came out in 1952. I loved hearing it as a small fry. It is titled How Much is That Doggie in the Window. The chorus goes like this:
How much is that doggie in the window,
The one with the waggly tail?
How much is that doggie in the window?
I do hope that doggie’s for sale.
The scene is a pet shop with a picture window which faces the sidewalk. Some of the shop’s pets are on display at the window. As shopper’s walk by they see the cute little darlings and are enticed to go inside and make a purchase.
Things haven’t changed much, have they? The more things change, the more they stay the same. Today we have indoor shopping malls of massive proportions. No matter how bad the weather is outside, we can still shop all the stores in air conditioned comfort during the hot summers and central heating coziness during the cold winters. Come rain or snow or hurricanes, our craving to look at the world’s goodies never has to be put off.
Is it any wonder we cannot stop spending? Is it any wonder we have credit cards galore? Is it any wonder we haven’t time for family, unless it be to go shopping or play with our toys together? Is it any wonder our children are receiving a poor education and falling behind the kids of other countries? Between computer games and movies and texting and the social media, what time is left for study?
Today’s social landscape explains a lot, when it comes to the prevailing religious and spiritual climate in the good ol’ USA. When the shopping malls and restaurants are constantly packed; when we surf the web in search of more of the world’s toys to purchase; when even the tiny kids have their own cell phones with camera and texting and internet access and Facebook account—how is church supposed to compete?
Just look at the way church has evolved. At church we break the family down into age groups and separate the different ages into their own “churches” and Sunday School classes. And we don’t even blush when we pledge ourselves to “family values”! The older ages listen to the old hymns on piano in their “church”, while the younger ages listen to contemporary songs with guitar and bass and drums. Big screens carry the lyrics so everyone can sing along. A full band of innumerable parts is desirable, even a full orchestra! Big productions. Big programs. Elaborate decorations and outfits. All hail to Hollywood tactics in the church building!
We will pause here to give our attention to these things. Meditate on them and pray about it. Tomorrow we will assay how this affects the churches today. See you then.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5
of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
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