Dear friends,
I was asked to include the list of modern cultural idols from the June 3rd, Trinity Sunday sermon. That is so cool, 'cuz then I don't have to write a newsletter article!
Directly from the sermon:
"On this day when we celebrate the One God, maybe we ought to take a little time to get rid of all the other things, and people that we seem to worship. Like the early church we too are fighting polytheism. While it is not Aphrodite and Zeus that we are refuting, we are still confronted with idolatry - the idolatry of our culture. So let's name a few of our idols and try to remove them.
Let us remove the god of efficiency! No more may we be characterized by the need to do everything faster and more effectively! Instead let us waste time with God and for each other.
Let us remove the god of the almighty dollar! No more may the market economy dictate our habits, desires and fears. Instead let us be about genuine and truthful and giving lives. Lives that are lived in response to love.
Let us remove the god of traditionalism. No more may we say, "but we've always done it this way!" Instead let us dance to a new melody and engage new ideas!
Let us remove the god of vicarious performance. No more may we revel in the famous and newsworthy personalities. Instead let us recognize our own values and our own daily experiences that make us Godly people.
Let us remove the god of competition and success. No more may we measure our successes. No more may we need to be better before others. Instead let us be genuine disciples attracted to a life of deep spirituality.
Let us remove the god of power. No more may we seek personal agendas, demanding rights no matter how heretical they may be. Instead let us love one another seeking joy and grace. Let us know the only real power is the power of God.
Let us remove all the false gods that lead us into idolatry and seek the one true God. It is in right relationship with God and one another that we come to recognize the true personas of the Holy Trinity. Martin Luther said, "To try to deny the Trinity endangers your salvation, to try to comprehend the Trinity endangers your sanity."
The doctrine of the Trinity - the belief in the One true God is indeed a mystery. Maybe we will always be trying to figure out the mystery, but this much I know for sure. God has come to me as creator, savior and spirit of truth. This I must confess."
Pastor Lynnae
