ICONS. I recently had a discussion about them with my dad, who grew up in the Roman Catholic Church during a period of time that most seem to want to forget. He, like many during the 50's-60's, left the Church with a rotten taste in his mouth. While we were talking about icons, I brought up the point that protestant evangelicals don't seem to have any problem with putting a fridge magnet of George Bush up or a calendar of the most influential people in American history, or the like. I hope they don't worship them, and doubt they do, so why do they have them? To emulate, be inspired, reminded of sacrifice or leadership, to pray for those in similar sitations, etc... No wrong there. But, put a halo above their heads and usually the stones are picked up, the torches lit.
In my conversation I was pleasantly surprised, though, that there was some reception to the idea of putting Holy Christian men and women on our walls. Perhaps the reaction period is starting to dwindle, or we are trying to get back some of the baby we threw out with the bathwater - I don't know, but I'm excited.
Why do I have a picture of Mother Teresa's hands? Her hands represent the call of her soul, the charity of her heart, and the joy of her countenance. She was called to the poor and needy, a call that I share in. Looking at her hands reminds me to live out that calling, to make ready my hands to do the work of the Lord at all times. There are many other saints of old time that have taught my mind, soul, and body - and I find it very helpful to be reminded of those lessons, of their lives, of their sacrifices.
So how about it?
5 comments:
I can only speak for my self in this matter. I know that God is jealous for my attention which could be a warning. On the other hand if I seek him first then all my needs (not necessarily wants) will be met. (A terrific benefit!)I could see how someone might consider Mother Theresa's hands the Lord's hands in some instances but She would probably caution me on this. I don't know if I could trust myself to think of the Lord first at all times when seeing the image of the hands because (confesson time) I have been known to place work, play, committments, etc, first some times and for me this is not good. I hope this makes sense. You just happened to spark a topic I could relate to. Keep it up and prayers for you and yours in you journey. 4str_phil
Here is the rest of the story. I chuckle at myself sometimes because concerning Icons, I think I have one leaning up in the corner of my garage in the form of an old homemade pry bar. Lately I have been wrestling with placing some rhino 5/4 decking in the ground for some edging in my landscaping project. My hired help is away to school so there is just me here and that stuff is limber but heavy and it doesn't go in the ground easily. In looking for a solution I saw this 8 foot homemade pry bar in the afformentioned corner and said to my self, You paid to have this moved up here maybe it would help. Well it didn't take long to see how well the rhino decking yealded to this tool. My immediate thought was "Thank you Dad"! For my father ,who had passed away just after I had finnished college, had black smithed this tool with his own hands and for the rest of the afternoon I had a grateful conversation of thoughts working with my dad on this project. The work went so easy that afternoon!! Thank you Lord! The gratitude overflowed at the dinner table and both my wife and son got another dose of what my father was like. They never new him. So thank you for your discussion on Icons, Nicole. This has been some quality time spent in His name. 4str_phil
Here is the rest of the story. I chuckle at myself sometimes because concerning Icons, I think I have one leaning up in the corner of my garage in the form of an old homemade pry bar. Lately I have been wrestling with placing some rhino 5/4 decking in the ground for some edging in my landscaping project. My hired help is away to school so there is just me here and that stuff is limber but heavy and it doesn't go in the ground easily. In looking for a solution I saw this 8 foot homemade pry bar in the afformentioned corner and said to my self, You paid to have this moved up here maybe it would help. Well it didn't take long to see how well the rhino decking yealded to this tool. My immediate thought was "Thank you Dad"! For my father ,who had passed away just after I had finnished college, had black smithed this tool with his own hands and for the rest of the afternoon I had a grateful conversation of thoughts working with my dad on this project. The work went so easy that afternoon!! Thank you Lord! The gratitude overflowed at the dinner table and both my wife and son got another dose of what my father was like. They never new him. So thank you for your discussion on Icons, Nicole. This has been some quality time spent in His name. 4str_phil
Here is the rest of the story. I chuckle at myself sometimes because concerning Icons, I think I have one leaning up in the corner of my garage in the form of an old homemade pry bar. Lately I have been wrestling with placing some rhino 5/4 decking in the ground for some edging in my landscaping project. My hired help is away to school so there is just me here and that stuff is limber but heavy and it doesn't go in the ground easily. In looking for a solution I saw this 8 foot homemade pry bar in the afformentioned corner and said to my self, You paid to have this moved up here maybe it would help. Well it didn't take long to see how well the rhino decking yealded to this tool. My immediate thought was "Thank you Dad"! For my father ,who had passed away just after I had finnished college, had black smithed this tool with his own hands and for the rest of the afternoon I had a grateful conversation of thoughts working with my dad on this project. The work went so easy that afternoon!! Thank you Lord! The gratitude overflowed at the dinner table and both my wife and son got another dose of what my father was like. They never new him. So thank you for your discussion on Icons, Nicole. This has been some quality time spent in His name. 4str_phil
Dear Phil,
Thank you for your comments. Because we are people it seems we always want to make an idol of something in our lives that will take glory away from God. But I wonder if we can separate in our minds the words idols and icons, abhorring the first and being edified by the second.
Please keep commenting, it is good to hear from you! Take care.
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