Treasures Old and New
Today my friend Brian stopped by, and we spoke about what is meant when the prophet Amos foretold that there would be a “famine of the Word”.
It means that people in our generation are hungry for the truth, but most people don’t see the truth when it’s right in front of their eyes. How many millions of books have been written? How many millions of people have left a rich legacy of experience and what they have learnt from it? The distilled truth of the ages is free for the asking, by simply selectively picking up a book and reading it.
I noticed a sign on a bookstore window in Mt Eden:
“There is only one crime worse than burning books – and that is not reading them”
How very true. How tragic.
People who are starving for truth are settling for junk food. It’s so easy to turn on the Boob Tube when you arrive at home and absorb the infantile drivel that’s dished up. “Oh, I just watch the news!” Exactly. No wonder you’re an idiot, following the slanted garbage that passes for journalism on TV. How can you ever form your own opinion when you are led by the nose down whatever path the media wish to lead you?
And what has this got to do with being a loving, nurturing spouse, parent and friend? It means that when you fill your mind with positive, upbuilding thoughts;
“whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
.. you will leave a legacy of wisdom, and will empower those you love with a love of truth, a love of good literature, and the power to recognise toxic nonsense whenever they encounter it.
Empower your children! Give them the gift of reading – what greater gift can you give to a child?
