Religion practice or relationship

I'm reading a number of books these days. Two of those books are The Signature of Jesus by Brennan Manning, and the book of Amos in the Bible.  This morning I read through chapters 3 & 4 of Amos, then I read a little of chapter 5 in The Signature of Jesus.  Here are a couple of quotes that got me thinking.

"Come to Bethel, and transgress;
    to Gilgal, and multiply transgression;
bring your sacrifices every morning,
    your tithes every three days;
offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened,
    and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them;
    for so you love to do, O people of Israel!”
declares the Lord God."  Amos 4:4-5

 "We need reminders, symbols, stories, exhortations, living models, time-outs for reflection and celebration.  These things are indispensable supports.  The error is to think these things are the Christian life... When they become an escape from the more difficult demands of Christian living, they are the corruption of discipleship."  Brennan Manning, The Signature of Jesus, pg. 92

What I'm thinking is that I don't want my walk with God to get to the point where I'm practicing religious things - good, religious practices - out of rote or discipline, and I not only miss hearing God, but I miss obeying His voice in some way.  Maybe this thought pops up because I'm reading everything in context, but it's something that made me think, which is good.  So, I spent time praying, listening, and asking God to speak and help me hear and obey today.