hallmark got it wrong
while their valentine's saying made me want to gag ("valentine's isn't about saying 'i love you,' it's about saying 'i love us'"), their mother's day one made me indignant: "mother's day isn't about moms, it's about what our moms have done for us." wow. that is so selfish and devalues mothers completely. what a perfect reflection of our culture - we have to make everything about us. not, "mother's day is about how great your mom is," no, "mother's day is about what you can get from her."
and it makes me think of how we do this to GOD. we claim we're praising HIM when we thank HIM. thanking HIM is not wrong. HE loves and deserves it. but we can't call that praise. praise is telling HIM how awesome HE is in HIS own right. we don't do enough of that.
it makes me think of the chorus that chris tomlin put to 'joy to the world.' something about joy welling up inside my soul and whatnot. way to take the focus off the fact that the song is really about how amazing HE is and the reverence HE deserves.
we don't do enough praising in our society at large, but also, more specifically, inside the church. which is sad, because we, of all people have Reason to praise.
and it makes me think of how we do this to GOD. we claim we're praising HIM when we thank HIM. thanking HIM is not wrong. HE loves and deserves it. but we can't call that praise. praise is telling HIM how awesome HE is in HIS own right. we don't do enough of that.
it makes me think of the chorus that chris tomlin put to 'joy to the world.' something about joy welling up inside my soul and whatnot. way to take the focus off the fact that the song is really about how amazing HE is and the reverence HE deserves.
we don't do enough praising in our society at large, but also, more specifically, inside the church. which is sad, because we, of all people have Reason to praise.
posted by melilotnfosco | 2:38 PM
8 Comments:
i think i'd write to hallmark on that one.
and you're right on the other count, too. yes, of course we should thank Him for all He has done for us. but don't forget to praise Him for Him. even if He had done nothing for us at all, He would be worthy of praise.
Excellent points. I remember thinking that about that commercial too. Well, not all that. But how dumb it was that they were saying it's about what mom gives you. But then I wondered if I was just being cynical as usual, especially since I haven't seen a lot of commercials for a while.
Saw this video in my women's Bible study a couple of months ago. Totally spoke to my heart on the subject of worship.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Op88eS6qU
I have similar thoughts whenever I'm asked to sing special music at church. It is easy to find songs that I like that sing about how great God is to us and has done so much for us, but when I'm singing in worship service, I want the songs to be entirely about Him, TO Him. He is the Creator of all things and worthy of all praise.
i wrote to hallmark.
they replied, "we are sorry you have issues with our advertising. thank you for your feedback."
Really? That's a pretty funny response. :)
who would've thought that someone would think we have issues?
Yes, I totally agree about the praise thing- however I think some "me" songs are appropriate for church. It can help someone put into words what they are going through and perhaps see God's work in their life. Back at Bible School our worship coordinator had thought extensively about the choosing of songs- and I still go back to her wisdom when picking music. It's so very complicated! I've actually started making other people on our team make the final choices- it's very liberating! :)
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