Fallen Idols

It has been a while since I have written anything but today I especially feel the need to do so. I realize on some of the forums I post this some will disregard, delete, and even ignore this I just hope some will read and the Lord will somehow move and help you . I am nothing of my own just a sinner saved by grace. I started this out by using this just as a newsletter for the local church I pastor now. I post this on Face book, Ablazenet.com, and still to the local church.
I spoke along the lines lately of the aftermath of fallen Idols. I will post the scripture so you will know what I am referencing
1Sa 5:1
After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
1Sa 5:2
Then they carried the ark into Dagon's temple and set it beside Dagon.
1Sa 5:3
When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place.
1Sa 5:4
But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained.

The story goes like this, the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant which was a symbol of God's favor and continuing promise of his chosen people. They stored the arc in the house of Dagon which was the Philistine aquatic god and when they had stored the ark in the same room as Dagon they found him bowed down to the God of Israel. Dagon was probably a mermaid like creature except he was male. This didn't sit well with the Philistines at all however they ''sit Dagon back in his place. I begin to ponder this thought and I believe the Lord challenged me is some areas of my life.
I recently attended a memororial service of a dear friend of mine who left this earthy realm leaving behind a son and a daughter along with the wife. I remembered my friend and the pain of his departure was felt as well as the happiness of him making heaven his home. I was carefully watching the nine year old son as he was watching a video of his dad sharing wonderful moments with him and his sister and mother. I would see him cry, then see him smile, I would also see a look of ''what am I going to do?'' His best friend and father was gone way too soon in my opinion.
I began to think and I believe the Lord was speaking to me and saying those looks that son was giving and expressing is the same emotions people feel when something they have held onto for years is taken away from them. We as Christians sometimes will get into habits that we feel we just can't live without. I have seen people allow things to manipulate their time, money and passion. The Lord sometimes will chastise us and we will momentarily change. Then if we are not careful we will put Dagon back into his place.
Money, video games and computers are not wrong they have no moral value however when they take time away from the Lord then they become something more important than they should. I realize this application can be made with more than these few examples however if we are not careful we will allow the most innocent things take our personal time with the Lord. If we are not careful it will take our church attendance time. Priorities will take our prayer time, and our study time.
In a Christian's life we can make anything to be our god except the entity that should be our object of worship, Jehovah God. Dr. Judson Cornwall said this in his book ''The Philosophy of Worship'' '' Worship of Money, possessions, sports, sports figures, education, sex, lust, houses, or lands is idolatry. Equally, the worship of music, feelings, Christian personalities, or even the worship of praise and worship is idolatry. All Idolatrous worship, whether metal or mental ones, is love poured out to something beneath God-the only one worthy of our worship.''
What happens though when we lose that object that we have made to worship. There is the feeling of bewilderment and loss, Even for the Christian. We if we are not careful can get caught up in things in the Kingdom and so much neglect out personal relationship with the Lord. I have caught myself as a pastor with moments of thinking when I have met my ministerial obligations for the week, Nursing homes, hospitals, in home visiting, and then there are emergencies, and conflict resolutions. I will catch myself of saying what do I do. Then at those times I feel the tug at the heart strings, and God begins to speak to me. ''Eddie you could love me for a while with your undivided attention.'' You could talk to me and then Listen to me talk to you.
The young man and his families expression during the memorial service was as natural as could be. The reaction to the Christian when something is taken from them shouldn't be of loss or being afraid could it not be that the Lord is saying I want more of your time. I want more of what I have given to you. I don't need to give God begrudgingly of my time, resources, or my talent. I don't need to put Dagon back in his place I need to put God back there.