Modern Calves
Do you remember Aaron who buckled when pressure came,
And pleased man instead of the Lord, rightly deserving blame?
After all, he was a priest, one left in charge of the flock,
When Moses climbed Mount Sinai; and on returning, got a shock.
Dancing ’round a golden calf was the flock he’d left behind,
The last thing he expected that on returning he would find.
In fact, he was so angry he broke the tablets of stone,
For the Israelites conduct neither he nor God could condone.
I believe that golden calves can come in various forms,
And that they soon come about when to man’s way man conforms.
Hence why we see in worship certain things that should not be,
That disturb and upset those who follow God faithfully.
Therefore, what should we do then when confronted with such things,
That foolishness and daring into church and worship brings?
Do we join the revelers who more modern calves enjoy,
Or spiritual backbone and godly wisdom employ?
Should we remain there when revelers play, and calves display,
Or should we remove ourselves ’till such stops or goes away?
Is watching or remaining a form of acceptance too,
A compromise that’s most unwise, that others could misconstrue?
Should we return to our tents like those of old should have done,
Instead of dancing about, or perhaps watching the fun?
In other words, has God said that remaining is alright
Where golden calves in worship displease Him, but man excite?
Yes, where golden calves in worship can influence, whittle away,
That’s right, chip at our defenses, slowly benumb, lead astray.
Yes, where golden calves in worship give Satan glory too;
A worship God can’t accept, a blemished offering that’s taboo.
By Lance Landall
Action! Cameras!
And that about sums it up, given the activity
That so frequently occurs within the sanctuary.
What am I referring to? The photo taking antics
That have more in common with the cinema — theatrics.
Such paparazzi activity seems perverse to me,
Given worship’s holy nature and its territory.
After all, churches are dedicated to God (entirely),
Therefore — within them — Christians should act appropriately.
Instead, there’re those clicking, flashing cameras that one sees,
Those scanning video cameras — yes, all intrude, displease.
And even if such were okay in the sanctuary,
Haven’t folk heard of discretion, acting in harmony?
I just can’t imagine the disciples acting this way,
Even had cameras been available in their day.
Nor our Lord running about with a camera in church,
Or scanning the congregation via some tripod and perch.
Yes, it doesn't seem right to me, not in the sanctuary,
It all seems rather common -- yes, far too ordinary.
From a peep hole, or from the back with a zoom lens, maybe,
But not left, right and centre please, nor right in front of me.
Come weddings or baptisms, such activity increases,
Including things in general that respect decreases.
That is, respect for God’s house, for it’s still His sanctuary,
A place set aside for a jealous God — and one should be.
Yes, God deserves something that’s His alone — that’s set aside,
A special place where the secular and holy don’t collide.
A place that’s free of activities that mimic what’s worldly,
And where the members aren’t acting like the paparazzi.
By Lance Landall
Due Thought
When a pastor is preaching, conveying the sacred Word,
Nattering, and other irreverent sounds, shouldn’t be heard.
One should listen thoughtfully to what preachers have to say,
Otherwise, the God we worship will view such with dismay.
Yes, when pastors are preaching, too much goes on in the pews,
Things that aren’t acceptable, things that God cannot excuse.
In fact, it’s often shameful, proving a distraction too,
Not just to preachers, but members, who also such hear or view.
Such is neither the time or place for loving canoodling,
And even more so where a couple aren’t sporting a ring.
Thus, arms around another’s shoulder, heads on shoulders too,
Aren’t what a couple in the sanctuary should pursue.
Nor is it the time or place for those cell phones people own,
That disturb the sacred precincts with some secular ring tone.
And even worse if folk are texting a message or two,
Or responding to one, as so many are prone to do.
No, church is no place for doodling, daydreaming, fooling around,
For where there’s worship, such disinterest shouldn’t be found.
Nor such a casual air that’s not helped by dressing down,
For upon such behaviour a holy God could only frown.
Yes, due thought for preachers, others and God, is in order.
By Lance Landall
