When a billboard almost makes you stop in your tracks.........

I really needed to read and re-read this post above from the Passion Translation after seeing a large billboard while I was running some errands the other day.  I actually took a picture of the billboard so that I could share it on this blog.  But I really didn't want that sign to be the "advertisement" for my blog post.  So in contemplating what message needed to cover over the entire post about the sign, I decided that this message from John 1:1 was just perfect.   Here is the billboard I saw....

I could not believe the message of this sign.  This is not MY God!  Yes, I worship the God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus.....but it ends there!  My God - Yahweh- is not the god of Muhammad.  And the idea that there will be any way to "gain peace" when you acknowledge this LIE that the god of Islam is Yahweh, is just crazy.   I was most offended by the placement of the name JESUS on this billboard.  I know that this is just an attempt to confuse and blind the eyes of people who don't understand how false this is.  It is just using Jesus to gain acceptance.  And it is so wrong.  I was reminded of this while I was "ranting" about the billboard.......

And when you KNOW Jesus, you don't add anything to that.  There is no "newer revelation" - no Muhammad, no Buddha, no special angel, no other thing.  Jesus is ALL that we need.  Not only for peace but for hope and joy and love and life.  Yes, I made the right decision in choosing the quote that began this blog.  Jesus - the Living Expression - was with God!  

Okay,  I believe that I am through with my rant for the day.  Please join me in praying that the Holy Spirit will speak TRUTH into everyone who sees and considers that billboard.  Pray for all those who follow Mohammad to have an encounter with Jesus that changes their life.  And if you are reading this blog, and you don't know the truth about Jesus, I encourage you to ask Jesus to show you who he is.  Your life will never be the same and I can guarantee that you WILL know peace - the peace that passes all understanding!  

Jesus, thank you for reminding me that you reign over this world and that includes that billboard.  You are the way, the truth and the life and your truth will be revealed!  Thank you for peace, even during rants!  Amen

Roadside billboards

While traveling home from vacation, I saw some amazing things!  Of course all you have to do is look around as you travel and you WILL see things that sometimes, you don't even want to see!  There were lots of RV's, campers, jammed full vans.  There were trucks pulling trailers, buses and even a few regular cars.  And there were billboards.  We love to see the Ron Jon signs.  This means we are close to the ocean (and most likely, one of our destinations).  There are all kinds of signs and billboards along the road these days.  I saw two billboards that stuck with me while I was driving and Ken was sleeping. 

The first was a large white board divided down the middle with a black line.  On the left was a large yellow sad face.  On the right was a large yellow happy face.   On the sad face side it said "American does not need a face lift".  On the other side it said "America needs a faith lift". 

This was very interesting to me.   Just that morning I was looking at my face in the mirror and thinking how OLD I suddenly look. After this billboard, I realized that I should be much more concerned about my FAITH than my FACE.  And I do need a FAITH lift.  Isn't it true that we would all be so much better off if we were concerned about our Spiritual life rather than our Physical appearance. So I am going to be praying this for everyone.  Because this is not just true for me or you.  It's not just true for America.  It is true for everyone. 

Then the second billboard I saw said in big black letters - ALL YOU NEED.  And underneath that it said B.asic I.nstructions B.efore L.eaving E.arth.  BIBLE!  Okay this got my attention.  What an interesting way to look at the Bible.  Yes, it is an instruction book that leads and guides us.  It is what we need everyday to walk out our destiny.  I think some would say it is anything but basic.  But when you approach the Bible after asking the Holy Spirit to show you what you need to see in what you are reading, passages seem to make sense.  I am SOOOOO thankful for the written word.  Everyday when I open my favorite Bible (and then notice the many different Bible translations on my shelf), I think of the many people around the world who do NOT have the written word available to them.  I have been so blessed to know a few people who have fulfilled their destiny to bring the written word to people around the world. If you ask to see my key chain, you will see see a worn, leather fob.  You can no longer read the words on it, or see the picture.  But I know what it says!  Remember the Korumba.  When I met this missionary family to Burkino Faso, Africa, the Korumba people did not even have a written language.  Now, thanks to these faithful people, the Korumba people  have parts of the Bible to read in their own language.  Isn't Yahweh just amazing???  He is getting His word out  through the hands of regular people like you and me. I have been blessed to be a part of this by praying for their work, everytime I pick up my keys!   

Thank you Yahweh for your written word - the Bible.  It is so amazing to me that you have preserved and brought your written word to 2013.  And I am in awe of your great plan to bring your Word to the nations.  Thank you for Chris and Sue Ladish who are walking out their destiny for the Korumba people of Burkino Faso, Africa.  Yahweh, bless all those who are serving you around the world.  Give them a faith lift!   Amen