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Spiritual Sundays ~ Idols

"Never have any other god.
Never make your own carved idols or statues that represent any creature in the sky, on the earth, or in the water. Never worship them or serve them, because I, the LORD your God, am a God who does not tolerate rivals. I punish children for their parents' sins to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. Exodus 20: 3,4,5

This past week was a memorable one. The idol came down where I live. A 39 ft. tall statue that represents Mago (“soul of the earth” in Korean) was displayed on a 10 ft. pedestal by the TAO Fellowship on Highway 89A which stretches from Sedona to the Verde Valley towns.


This was the press release from the New Age TAO followers:
“The Mago Earth Park and the Mago Statue will be a statement to the world that the state of Arizona and the people of the Verde Valley are world leaders in their commitment to peace and to living in harmony with the earth and all people.”

However, the opposite of harmony resulted. Our townspeople took the TAO Fellowship to task. Town meetings were held. TAO folks had to get a lawyer. When Christian opposition mounted, my pastor encouraged our congregation to pray first and then attend the meetings and he admonished us to "be nice."

Town meetings went on throughout the months and finally a decision was made. This enormous statue was ordered to come down due to a zoning technicality.


What has changed throughout time? I thought about Acts 17, where Paul stood up in the meeting in Greece and addressed the religious men of Athens noting their shrines to various gods. That's what came to my mind the first time I drove to the Mago Retreat Park and viewed this gigantic statue. I sat in my car and prayed. The gospel of Jesus Christ prevailed then in Acts 17 and it prevails now. It’s not about Mother Earth. It’s about Father God.

Last Tuesday was Mago's last stand. Today I drove on that highway from Sedona to the Verde Valley, and I looked and saw an empty spot where the statue stood. If you didn't live here, you would never have known Mago existed.

To view what other writers have on their minds this Sunday, visit Spiritual Sundays, hosted by Ginger and Charlotte.

Comments

  1. Praise God, this is awesome. So glad they took it down.

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  2. Glad the statue is down - wish we could display our faith and love of Jesus Christ but that would also be torn down.... We live in a world where everything is suppose to be Politically correct as not to offend anyone.... I just keep wondering how can our savior be offensive to anyone? He is the reason we are here....

    Love to you
    Kelly

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  3. Praising God that He is still in control and remains on the throne. Nothing passes through His hands without His knowledge.

    I am sure you are not the only one who has more peace about it not being there any longer.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  4. Wow. The power of prayer and God working in the details...Amen.

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  5. I am so glad that I don't have to see that statue when I'm in your area this Spring. Thank you, Jesus!

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  6. Glory to God! This is gonna' be a long comment. Sorry...Last night, it was about letting go of idols that was being preached in the Christian radio station I listened to. And repent! she said.

    TAO...Chinese word meaning "truth"...Is it? Not until we commit ourselves 100% to the only living God, we will never know He is the only Truth!

    Close to where I live, there was a "spa retreat" place but used for worship of mother earth, a spiritual cult. Christians prayed about it. It was a nice compound. The Lord won the battle of course!!!Praise Him! A Bible-believing Christian college now stands there...Glory to God!

    Happy Sunday sis and I will visit once in a while :) Be strong in the Lord's mighty power! Love to you sister Mary and keeping you in my prayers. Thanks for yours. :)

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  7. I haven't taken a drive up to Sedona lately so I hadn't realized all that was going on. Glad you shared this info. Isn't it interesting? Praise God that the idol came down.

    I've not been online much lately as we're still moving. Hope to catch up really soon.

    Love you,
    Debbie

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  8. I'm glad they took that statue down. I'm in agreement with Kelly L. It would be nice if we could display our faith and love in our Savior, but it would all be torn down. It's not PC. *blows raspberries*

    Nevertheless, the idol is torn down, so praise God above!

    Thank you for sharing this with us! God bless you!!

    Georgia

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  9. Ohhhh... I just read your comment you left on my blog and I was wondering if you could give me the tile of the book you're reading, if you don't mind. I would love to read it.

    Thank you,
    Georgia

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  10. Praise God; He is still on the throne! So glad that idol was removed; prayer changes things! Thank you for sharing this story and have a wonderful week, Mary.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  11. Oh praise God...in this world we live in today it is soo wonderful when you see God prevail and show is forever and always on the throne. Have a wonderful Sunday. Blessings, Debbie

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  12. Praise God! Wonderful news!

    It's amazing to me the things we carve out of the stone that God created and proclaim the work of our hands as God.

    Blessings.

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  13. I can't help but think of the statue of Dagon that fell when it came in contact with The Most High God.

    I certainly don't begrudge the rights of others to worship who/what they wish; but my gall rises when The God of Creation is mocked & marginalized; when crosses & prayers are deemed "unconstitutional" in the public arena.

    Bless the Lord!

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  14. wow. I love this. the power of Christians taking a stand in prayer. Sarah

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  15. Praise God! He is still in control. I'm so glad you (and others don't have to look at that eyesore.

    As rcubes said, the only truth is God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  16. What a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of prayer! The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ! Amen!

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  17. OMG! Thank God this was removed!!! It would have been unnerving for me to drive it all the time. Yikes! How cool that God's people stood up and said no.

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  18. I love your pastor's advice to "pray first" and "be nice." Isn't there untold power in prayer and choosing to take the High Road?
    Mission accomplished!

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  19. I'm glad it was not there the last time we were on that highway. I'm so glad it came down. You're so right. It should be father God, not mother earth. This reminded me of all the shrines and idols we saw in India. They were everywhere. So sad.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  20. I agree with what Charlotte just said so I will just say "Amen" and let you know I"m glad you posted this.

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  21. Wow that was a big statue. I have never seen it but I'm glad it is gone.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

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  22. That is really something. Thanks for that story. And thank God for answering prayers! And I'm glad the people stood up for what is right!
    Blessings ~

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  23. This reminds me of a verse shared last Thursday: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” (Jonah 2:8)
    Praise God that idol was removed!
    Please click here for mine.

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  24. Hey Mary!

    Glory Hallelujah, Our God Reigns!!!

    Praying for you and yours!

    He is Faithful!!

    Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

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  25. Praise God! I am so glad that it came down!

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  26. Ha. I'm glad that silly statue is down. I know you are too.

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  27. Just the picture of that statue gave me the creeps. I'm glad it's gone. :-)

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