"Almost all the cities that we visited, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, had idols along the street of nearly every city block. 

The most common (smallest) were about the size of the "virgin Mary" statues that we so often see in our neighborhood yards. They would be set in a small stone or brick enclosure usually 3' to 4' high by 3' wide and 2' deep. Most were protected with a small steel gate and padlocked. That way the "god" couldn't be stolen. I guess it never comes to mind that the "god" they honor daily seeking blessings and protection isn't able to protect itself! 

It also was not uncommon to find small buildings alongside the roads from 8' x 8' x10' to 30' x 30' x 20'. The statues inside these temple-like structures were 6'  to 15' tall. 

But the one that blew me away was right on the main corner of a busy intersection next to a stop light. The location reminded me of our old "town squares". We were stopped in a cab waiting for the light to turn green. I looked to my left and saw a newsstand with newspapers and magazine, when I noticed what looked like colorful toenails decorating the roofs fascia board. When I moved closer to the window, seeking a fuller view,  I found myself staring straight up at a 30 to 35 foot tall elephant headed, ten armed, bead-draped, psychedelic painted idol. The cab driver told us this deity was the god of protection for the over the road truck drivers. 

It is also common for some temples to broadcast live and pre-recorded chants, dirges, and drones all through the day from primitive speakers placed on the temples' roof. There are two within earshot of the orphanage. The temple almost directly across from the orphanage, on the other side of the canal, started it's demonic sounding madness promptly at 5:00 am every morning we were there. I asked Sagar what the words meant but he said, "...you don't want to know..."!  He acted like he wanted to spare us of that information, so I didn't push it. Whatever it was, was played over and over, again and again, all day until about 5:00 pm.  It was a combination of worship, proclamations of the deities power, and prayers. "

Keith was describing some of the sights and sounds he experienced while he was in India.  He was visiting Christians who run the Hebron Orphanage and depend on donations and sponsorships from other Christians.

They can not get away from the idol worship. It is the culture.

Sound familiar? It should.

How often are you bombarded with the idols of this culture? The signs of advertising luring you to believe you must have this car, cigarette, article of clothing, ... this product, to make you desirable, powerful or fulfilled. 

There are often sounds of music, television or conversations around us about illicit sex, drug use, etc. And you do not have a choice to hear it. It could be co-workers, radio or piped in music at work or at the grocery store, as you wait on hold on the telephone or a television in the store or perhaps even in your own home.

Idols are all around us everyday, enticing us to come worship. They are not our idols; or are they?

Read this month's issue, "Sapphira: Keep Yourselves From Idols", and see if you have any idols in your life.