Joyce Kilmer wrote a poem of praise called "Trees":
I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
"I do believe things such as dream catchers and buddha statues are clearly religious objects of worship used today--aka false gods and we need to not be involved in those things"
I hope I didn't convey to anyone that I think these things are harmless - I absolutely agree with what you say here Vic. It is just that, in my work, I go to many homes and frequently encounter people who call themselves Christians, yet have such items as decorations in their homes; or use Feng Shui methods of decorating. These things have no power over me, but I am saddened for my clients who have them, for 2 reasons: they will be a stumbling block for new or "weaker" Christians and they will, at the very least make the next backsliding step for my clients that much easier.
Of course, the clients themselves may be only nominal or weak Christians in the first place.
The Christmas hymns are beautiful, and this year I purchased some cds with Christmas music compilations for my young son. They included the hymns Vic has quoted, sung beautifully and clearly by either Frank Sinatra or Nat King Cole. It was a blessing to be able to listen to them, my husband uncomplainingly included, as we went on a few longish road trips at times from mid December to late
January.
You didn't convey them as harmless at all Mary. Just thought people might want to consider that religious symbols, talismans and objects from other belief systems need to be evaluated for what they are.