CHURCH SIGNS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (YOU CAN PLAY THE THEME TO SET THE MOOD).

Southminster Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN

 Whenever Becky and I drive on the I-74 from Indy headed toward Cincinnati (or returning), we make sure that we're paying attention to the right side of the road after going under Thompson Road (again, just before the Thompson Rd. Overpass on the left when returning). Because just past the bridge is the above sign, reminding us that Jesus Never Fails.

Another Indianapolis church also blesses us when we drive by it. We've seen churches with the words "Jesus saves" posted. But the Bible Study Chapel has on their building "Jesus saves and keeps." The two extra words are inspiring (let alone important and Biblical). It takes looking for; it's best seen when turning from Emerson Ave. Northbound onto the I-70 Eastbound. (It's easier seeing the church than finding where it's at.

Christians United Church, also in Indy (on Mithoffer between 10th Street and Washington) has great signs as well. They have a marquee which they change, and sometimes they have different thoughts that play off each other. My favorite was when we saw it say in one direction, "Lord, forgive them: they don't know what they're doing," and in the other, "Lord, forgive me: I don't know what I'm doing."

 

Our former Church, Arlington Avenue Baptist Church (on the corner of Shelbyville Rd. and Arlington Ave., Indianapolis) also had a marquee. When we had more children, we would have on the sign "We're praying for you,..." and then mention one of the schools that our members are attending.

I keep telling my friend, Pastor Richard Walton, that we ought to post "We're praying for you, School of Hard Knox." He never took me up on it. 

I've mentioned some signs that excite us, and I'm putting pictures of others as well. However, there are some that make us cringe. 

We've seen signs with deep spiritual messages like "Less hate, more pancakes," or "Go Fish." True, sometimes it seems like half of the thought is on one side of the marquee and it's completed on the other. When it had the cliche "You can change the world" on one side, the other added, "For love's sake." That makes more sense, but with the church's location on a winding road, it isn't logical to think that some people will pass it going one direction will remember the first half and put it together with the second.

Church signs, bumper stickers, refrigerator magnets, memes, etc. can be used to point people to God. But do we sometimes try to get a laugh or present worldly wisdom instead of using this as an opportunity to glorify God and draw others to the truth of God's Word?

Note - the last two signs are from Eastwood Baptist Church and Faith Family Church, both in Cookeville, TN.

SUNDAY HYMNS, PART 3 OF 22: GIVE ME THE BIBLE

Photo by Jeff Reynolds

 

Give me the Bible, star of gladness gleaming,

To cheer the wand'rer lone and tempest-tossed;

No storm can hide that radiance peaceful beaming,

Since Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

 

Give me the Bible when my heart is broken, 

When sin and grief have filled my soul with fear;

Give me the precious words by Jesus spoken,

Hold up faith's lamp to show my Savior near.

 

Give me the Bible, all my steps enlighten, 

Teach me the danger of these realms below;

That lamp of safety o'er the gloom shall brighten,

That light alone the path of peace can show.

 

Give me the Bible, lamp of life immortal,

Hold up that splendor by the open grave;

Show me the light from heaven's shining portal,

Show me the glory gilding Jordan's wave.

Give me the Bible, hearing You each morning;

Cause me to bow before Your throne each day;

Open the truth of Scripture to my learning;

Revive my heart to trust You and obey.

Give me the Bible, living out the Gospel:

Your will is that I witness as my part,

Passing the hope to ev'ry tribe and languange,

Your Word a treasure, capturing my heart.

Give me the Bible, Holy message shining; 

Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way;

Precept and promise, law and love combining,

Till night shall vanish in eternal day.

NOTES ON THIS HYMN

• The final stanza is the chorus. It's written with an 11,10,11,10 meter.
  
• Most of this hymn's words were written by Priscilla Owens. She also wrote the words to "We Have Heard The Joyful Sound (aka Jesus Saves)" and "We Have An Anchor." However, I've only seen this hymn in Church of Christ hymnals. 😕
• I said most of the words. The fifth and sixth stanzas were written by Becky.