Once upon a time, Americans traveled the highways searching
for the latest word of God. But not anymore! Those same
roadside messages, plus a batch of new ones, can now be
viewed anytime at home on your own personal computer.
Do you remember the original billboards? Someone in Florida
started the ball rolling with eighteen messages in white
type on black billboards all "signed" by God.
South Florida motorists spotted such disarming "quotes" as:
* Let's meet at my house before the game. -God
* C'mon over and bring the kids. -God
Others messages spoke in a friendly but more serious tone:
* What part of "Thou Shall Not . . ." didn't you understand?
-God
* That "Love Thy Neighbor" thing . . . I meant it.
-God
Fast forward six years and we find that God, like the rest
of us, now prefers sending his messages through cyberspace.
If you want to see the latest trend, here's where to go:
Click onto God Speaks.com (http://www.godspeaks.org). Their
graphics will grab you. Also, you'll find all eighteen of
the original sayings as well as nine brand new ones at the
same web site.
Like the originals, these new "quotes" vary from witty to
thought-provoking. For instance:
* All I know . . . is everything. -God
* If you must curse, use your own name. -God
* The real Supreme Court meets up here. -God
If you are looking for quantity of "Godspeak" messages,
Inspirational Message - God's Billboard (http://skywriting.
net/inspirational/messages/gods_billboard.html) wins that
category with 141. And they actually invite you to send your
own entry. Care to create God "quote" No. 142?
On the lighter side, and most of their messages are on the
lighter side:
* I told Noah to swat one of those two mosquitoes. -God
* Don't be afraid . . . I'll keep a light on for you. -God
Others carry more of a message:
* To all the unborn, I love you . . . I love you . . . I
love you. -God
* No matter how you nurse a grudge it won't get better.
-God
And their site even serves up a few puns:
* Pray up in advance.
* In the dark? Follow the Son.
If those witticisms aren't your cup of tea, click over to
Victoria Station.us (http://victoriastation.us/God's%20Bill
boards.htm.) Many of these fifty-two anonymous "God speaks"
come straight from the scriptures. Is it effective? See for
yourself.
Simple white print on black background warns us:
* Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to
destruction. Don't follow the crowd. -God
Or asks us:
* When I was hungry, did you give me something to eat? -God
Others directly challenge skeptics:
* Make up your mind; is Jesus a lunatic, a liar, or my only
begotten Son? -God
* Would you give up your life to perpetuate a hoax? Neither
would Stephen, James, Peter, or Paul. -God
Still others attack the prevailing wisdom of our times:
* Evolution is the mythology of fools. -God
* If I didn't exist, neither would atheists. -God
Say, do you think people really ought to be signing God's
name to their own words? One "quote" seems to answer that
very question:
* My word is sufficient. Beware of those who add to it or
subtract from it. -God
Entertainment or inspiration, whatever the attraction, the
internet "Godspeaks" continue to grow in popularity. You may
smile at some, chuckle at others, and possibly wince at a
few. But if you enjoyed the originals, you just might find
some golden nuggets among the newer generation too.
Check them out. One thing they are not, and that's boring!
Mr. Boone is a sailor, author, webmaster, and cartoonist. His works include THE SAFETY LINE - EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN, an apologetic study published 1998, and Victoria Station.us a popular joke, quote, cartoon web site. He is also a contributor to "Christian Living in the Mature Years" magazine.