CREATOR PRECEDES CREATION!

HALLALUIAH! 

Yesterday's temps allowed for a bit of time enjoying sitting outside! Along with the lower temps and bit of a breeze, I "took in" the beauty of the gooseneck and the Tiger Swallowtail by my weathered fence.

It was a much needed time of being still. But God allowed it to become more than that. More than "beholding" creation, my heart began to "behold the Creator." "Beholding we become," as author Jackie Perry writes. 

If our hearts are beholding Christ, Christ will be mirrored and manifested on our hearts. (holier than thou, p. 149)

Think reflection. Our lives reflect what we behold. We live it out.

John Piper's book title, Seeing and Savoring, says much.....not just about the beauty I was beholding from God's creation but the Scripture I was led to which reminded me that I need to enjoy the Creator above all else, even his creation/creatures! (Romans 1:25, NLT)

Yesterday I was able to enjoy both in the correct order.

Idola-TEA-ry

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 
(Romans 1:25, KJV)

Current gods are more subtle than ancient ones. (Jesus Calling, 7/11) The subtlety of sin and idols has darkened our foolish hearts (Romans 1:21)

Idol Indicator Gauge: (Jan Carrier's gOds of the Culture notes)

• Anything that substitutes for God in my life
• Anything that is the center of my attention
• Anything that takes the place of God becoming essential to my fulfillment in life
• Anything that replaces what only God can give me(i.e. self-worth)
• Anything or anyone that gets from me what God alone deserves  (i.e. attention & worship) 

Those personal pronouns, me and my, are obvious in the list. 

Read the underlines of the list.  If they, become the end in itself, then self begins to replace God or delete God from the equation. The idol of self is the remainder.

I don't know which generation was dubbed the "ME" generation but they must be procreating. If you don't believe it, just check out the number of "selfies" on-line. (I"m beginning to sound like my grandmother.) 

May I choose NOT to drink from this cuppa "idola-TEA-ry."

When God is no longer the central factor in his life, one needs to ask, "Who is sitting on the throne of "my" heart? Savior or SELF?