"Why do people choose the substitute over God himself? Probably the most important reason is that it obviates accountability to God. We can meet idols on our own terms because they are our own creations. They are safe, predictable, and controllable; they are, in Jeremiah's colorful language, the 'scarecrows in a cornfield' (10:5). They are portable and completely under the user's control. They offer nothing like the threat of a God who thunders from Sinai and whose providence in this world so often appears to us to be incomprehensible and dangerous . . . [People] need face only themselves. That is the appeal of idolatry."
- David F. Wells
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
We're thanking God that our two college kids are back home after successful semesters. They are growing up so quick!
And we're also thanking God for providing in such miraculous ways. We've got four kids, which equates to (under normal circumstances) sixteen years of college. Well, we've made it through the equivalent of three years of college - one of ours just finished his sophomore year, the other her freshman year - with neither ourselves nor our kids having to go into any debt thus far.
God is good! My first left for college this year - saddest day of my life/ happiest day of my life for her - and she, too, has no debt and neither do we. She's a smartie and an athlete. She got a full academic ride for tuition and an athletic scholarship pays for almost all her room and board.
Now, if only my second and third will work that hard . . . that remains to be seen. My second would more likely get the full ride for sports - not academics. Boys!
I love being able to show my kids that if you work hard you don't have to pile up debt and God will bless your hard work. Not in a health and wealth kind of way, but in a God is faithful kind of way :)