Everything That's On My Mind

Monday, May 29, 2006

Well, my last post was probably a bit controversial, so I suppose another one can’t hurt. Only three people read my blog anyway.

Well, it’s Memorial Day and I’m thinking about monuments. Keith spoke Sunday and mentioned the monuments of the Old Testament. Jacob, Joshua, Samuel and others erected monuments of one kind or another to remind themselves and their ancestors of an event where God intervened in their lives. These monuments were permanent reminders of what God had done for them. Today, nations build monuments to commemorate events or people, but how do individuals erect monuments to God’s goodness? We live in such a mobile culture that we can’t really erect our own monuments. People generally don’t stay in the same place long enough for a monument to be a lifelong reminder.

My grandfather had a “monument” of sorts. It was on the wall of his home near the front door where he would pass it every day. It was a simple frame containing the name “Jesus,” the name spelled out using all sorts of pills he took for various health problems before he accepted the forgiveness of Christ. God healed him of those health problems and the “monument” was a continual reminder of what God had done.

How do modern people create permanent monuments to remind them of God’s goodness, no matter where they go? Pastor Chuckk (yes, he spells it with two k’s) Gerwig has created a web site called Sacred Ink that is a great example of how some people answer that question. I love his site. Traditionally evangelical Christians have had a very negative attitude toward tattoos, for a number of reasons. I don't. In fact, I have my own permanent monument to God’s grace and mercy. Some people use tattoos as an act of rebellion, but the same can be said for clothes, hair styles, motorcycles, etc. Pastor Chuckk’s site shows that others, like me, use them as permanent reminders of God’s love.

Tattoos clearly aren’t for everyone, but monuments are. Each follower of Christ needs to find ways to be constantly reminded of God’s goodness, mercy and grace. We are prone to forgetting, and forgetting what God has done is the first step toward ingratitude, bitterness, and eventually apostasy. The Hebrews of the Old Testament used rocks and tassels on their garments. What will you use?

Culture

Monday, May 29, 2006 - 09:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Comments [1]

Tuesday, May 30, 2006 8:19:26 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Hey now - more than 3 people read your blog - I just don't always comment on it!

I enjoyed reading this entry and also the one before about the power of language. You always make me think about my own stance on things, and why I think what I do, and more importantly, can I back it up with the Word of God as it is, not as I think it should be?

Corinne Smelker

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