Comments on: Grace Community Church and the Giant Crosses on I-45 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/ Houston, Texas real estate development, home buying, landscape, and design Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:12:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: REV. RAYMOND E.MBIDU http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-60123 REV. RAYMOND E.MBIDU Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:22:07 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-60123 Greeting in the name of Jesus Christ, Praise the Lord. We all okay by the grace of God we hope you also will be okay by the Grace of God. Dear. I feel Pleased to state these few words to get my self introduced at this time. For Your Kind information I am Raymond E. Mbidu a resident of Tanzania, I live in the city of Dar Es salaam, just 5km. from the city centre at a place Yombo Vituka, close to the Dar Es salaam International Airport, ministering the Gospel service in our Area along the sea coast Have been regularly going on Gospel outreach service in most un reached rural villages we are able to find extraordinary results through our efforts. At present we wish to get more strengthened by your encouragements through your ministry to invite you & your Team in Christ in Dar Es salaam, Tanzania for the Jesus Glory. We want to arrange a big gathering of people, 5 days Healing Crusade & 3 days Pastors Leadership Conference So in this way we give you invitation for the Crusade & Pastors leadership Conference in Dar Es salaam, Tanzania. So dear most beloved Please give us time for the Jesus glory in Tanzania in 2010 we hope and Trust on God that you will respond positively in giving us Time in 2010. We are praying for your coming to Tanzania. We also want to affiliation & work with you in future here Tanzania. We do request your positive & quick reply as soon as possible for Jesus Christ. God is good all the Time. God bless you and your Family and Church. Pastor Mbidu. For Souls sake We are anxious waiting for your kind response. Greeting in the name of Jesus Christ, Praise the Lord.

We all okay by the grace of God we hope you also will be okay by the Grace of God. Dear. I feel Pleased to state these few words to get my self introduced at this time. For Your Kind information I am Raymond E. Mbidu a resident of Tanzania, I live in the city of Dar Es salaam, just 5km. from the city centre at a place Yombo Vituka, close to the Dar Es salaam International Airport, ministering the Gospel service in our Area along the sea coast Have been regularly going on Gospel outreach service in most un reached rural villages we are able to find extraordinary results through our efforts.

At present we wish to get more strengthened by your encouragements through your ministry to invite you & your Team in Christ in Dar Es salaam, Tanzania for the Jesus Glory. We want to arrange a big gathering of people, 5 days Healing Crusade & 3 days Pastors Leadership Conference So in this way we give you invitation for the Crusade & Pastors leadership Conference in Dar Es salaam, Tanzania. So dear most beloved Please give us time for the Jesus glory in Tanzania in 2010 we hope and Trust on God that you will respond positively in giving us Time in 2010. We are praying for your coming to Tanzania. We also want to affiliation & work with you in future here Tanzania. We do request your positive & quick reply as soon as possible for Jesus Christ. God is good all the Time. God bless you and your Family and Church.

Pastor Mbidu.
For Souls sake
We are anxious waiting for your kind response.

]]> By: Maegan Hernandez http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-45420 Maegan Hernandez Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:48:24 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-45420 I can't believe you guys. You don't know ANYTHING about this man, the leaders of the church or what they do for the city. Our pastor has been poor, been through horrible things, taken hostage, attacked, survived. Our church is very blessed now. Many of our members are blessed and able to help out the needy. The church is involved in soo many different outreaches and charities, I can't even name them all. One in works now is the "Grace Village" http://www.makeyourmarkhouston.tv/grace_village.htm I can't believe a cross would offend anyone, I think you're all wound a lil tight. ;) Loosen up, I am a big girl, I can handle looking at other religous symbols, without crying and wanting to hide. Don't assume we'd get offended and try to stop other trying to do this with other symbols. I wouldn't mind, because I don't believe in them so what harm can it cause me? If this symbol means nothing to you, then why do you care if it's there? Maybe because you're feeling something, you can't explain? I don't know, except that you shouldn't care at ALL if you don't believe! "perfect prayer-filled lives" NO, that will never happen for ANYONE because God always reminds that we're sinners too. You don't know anything about how we really feel, and live and what the church does. Nobody remembers Ike, how the members left their own damaged homes and families to come and SERVE complete strangers, not asking if you're a member, not asking if you're a christian. Or if you do remember, is that also an example of our pride? I doubt no matter what the church does or did, we will get called the same things because you don't know the facts. So suck it up, I know it's hard. If I can go on about looking at things I don't like, so can you. Avert your eyes if you want, I don't care. Learn the facts before you talk umm, type. Don't assume things about christians, churchs until you talk to them, get to know them. Just like you don't want us judging you, can we get the same please? Whenever you need us we're here, no questions asked. Not just at Christmas either. If you're ever hard on your luck on the streets, we'll be there, It doesn't matter what you said, with a smile, wanting to help you. Hope to see you at a place called Grace. <3 ;) I can’t believe you guys. You don’t know ANYTHING about this man, the leaders of the church or what they do for the city. Our pastor has been poor, been through horrible things, taken hostage, attacked, survived. Our church is very blessed now. Many of our members are blessed and able to help out the needy. The church is involved in soo many different outreaches and charities, I can’t even name them all. One in works now is the “Grace Village” http://www.makeyourmarkhouston.....illage.htm

I can’t believe a cross would offend anyone, I think you’re all wound a lil tight. ;) Loosen up, I am a big girl, I can handle looking at other religous symbols, without crying and wanting to hide. Don’t assume we’d get offended and try to stop other trying to do this with other symbols. I wouldn’t mind, because I don’t believe in them so what harm can it cause me? If this symbol means nothing to you, then why do you care if it’s there?

Maybe because you’re feeling something, you can’t explain? I don’t know, except that you shouldn’t care at ALL if you don’t believe!

“perfect prayer-filled lives” NO, that will never happen for ANYONE because God always reminds that we’re sinners too. You don’t know anything about how we really feel, and live and what the church does.

Nobody remembers Ike, how the members left their own damaged homes and families to come and SERVE complete strangers, not asking if you’re a member, not asking if you’re a christian. Or if you do remember, is that also an example of our pride? I doubt no matter what the church does or did, we will get called the same things because you don’t know the facts.

So suck it up, I know it’s hard. If I can go on about looking at things I don’t like, so can you. Avert your eyes if you want, I don’t care. Learn the facts before you talk umm, type. Don’t assume things about christians, churchs until you talk to them, get to know them. Just like you don’t want us judging you, can we get the same please? Whenever you need us we’re here, no questions asked. Not just at Christmas either. If you’re ever hard on your luck on the streets, we’ll be there, It doesn’t matter what you said, with a smile, wanting to help you. Hope to see you at a place called Grace. <3 ;)

]]> By: Tracey http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-44192 Tracey Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:19:05 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-44192 We just got back from a vacation to the Houston area. I personally think the existing monster cross is ugly at the least. "Marking" the city of Houston with ugly giant crosses makes me think of a dog marking a fire hydrant, only the dog is less offensive. It's only doing what nature dictates it to do. The giant crosses are symbols of many things, none of them being nice. I can't help but wonder, if Jesus had been hanged instead of crucified, would the people want to erect giant gallows? We just got back from a vacation to the Houston area. I personally think the existing monster cross is ugly at the least. “Marking” the city of Houston with ugly giant crosses makes me think of a dog marking a fire hydrant, only the dog is less offensive. It’s only doing what nature dictates it to do. The giant crosses are symbols of many things, none of them being nice. I can’t help but wonder, if Jesus had been hanged instead of crucified, would the people want to erect giant gallows?

]]> By: Bart http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-44101 Bart Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:31:41 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-44101 Rhonda...so lets see if we have this right.. the choices are porn ads or a giant execution devise that to 24% of the poplation is either a meaningles symbol, offensive symbol, or symbol of intolerance and ignorance? Thats the choice? I wonder how acepting good Christians like you would be if someone errected a 200 foot tall crescent of Islam, or Star of David, or Wiccan totem, or statue of Buddha. I'm guessing you'd probably not go quietly into accepting THAT alternative to "porn ads". Oh no...that wouldn't do at all, would it Rhonda? Hypocrite...thy name is Christian. Rhonda…so lets see if we have this right.. the choices are porn ads or a giant execution devise that to 24% of the poplation is either a meaningles symbol, offensive symbol, or symbol of intolerance and ignorance?

Thats the choice?

I wonder how acepting good Christians like you would be if someone errected a 200 foot tall crescent of Islam, or Star of David, or Wiccan totem, or statue of Buddha.

I’m guessing you’d probably not go quietly into accepting THAT alternative to “porn ads”. Oh no…that wouldn’t do at all, would it Rhonda?

Hypocrite…thy name is Christian.

]]> By: EMME http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-19292 EMME Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:26:25 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-19292 As comedian Bill Hicks said, I don't know that Jesus would be so excited to see all the crosses. That was the vehicle of his execution comparable to the electric chair. As comedian Bill Hicks said, I don’t know that Jesus would be so excited to see all the crosses. That was the vehicle of his execution comparable to the electric chair.

]]> By: Jose http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-19281 Jose Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:37:54 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-19281 I can't think that Jesus, such a humble man, would ever approve of something that obnoxious. On top of being an eyesore, everyone is right that the money wasted on that cross could have been better spent on something else. And stop talking about the billboards for the adult shops, you are just deflecting the point about the cross being enorumus and out of place. I can’t think that Jesus, such a humble man, would ever approve of something that obnoxious. On top of being an eyesore, everyone is right that the money wasted on that cross could have been better spent on something else. And stop talking about the billboards for the adult shops, you are just deflecting the point about the cross being enorumus and out of place.

]]> By: Johndoe http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-19075 Johndoe Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:13:54 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-19075 This guy fell for the sin of PRIDE. also, he dares to ask non members to donate... omg.. This guy fell for the sin of PRIDE.
also, he dares to ask non members to donate… omg..

]]> By: NLB http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-17493 NLB Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:20:47 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-17493 I drive by this billboard twice a day. I am very offended by the fact that I will have to look at this monstrosity. I am offended by the fact that a group of people think that the best way to 'glorify' what they think is the creator of the universe with tacky crosses. I am offended that some responders think a symbol of a religious group is somehow 'morally upright' or that ones needs to believe in the religion behind that symbol to be moral. I am offended that this church would spend money on this rather than do what they claim is their true mission. I drive by this billboard twice a day. I am very offended by the fact that I will have to look at this monstrosity. I am offended by the fact that a group of people think that the best way to ‘glorify’ what they think is the creator of the universe with tacky crosses. I am offended that some responders think a symbol of a religious group is somehow ‘morally upright’ or that ones needs to believe in the religion behind that symbol to be moral.

I am offended that this church would spend money on this rather than do what they claim is their true mission.

]]> By: Pat http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-15900 Pat Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:52:16 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-15900 For all of you against this mega cross, let me ask you one thing...who do you call on when things go bad. Its an awesome idea. Can't wait. We need one built from all 4 directions. Thank you Grace Community for taking such a bold step. God Bless You For all of you against this mega cross, let me ask you one thing…who do you call on when things go bad. Its an awesome idea. Can’t wait. We need one built from all 4 directions.
Thank you Grace Community for taking such a bold step.
God Bless You

]]> By: Daustu http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-13809 Daustu Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:40:43 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-13809 That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Biggest waste of money. That’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Biggest waste of money.

]]> By: A Houstonian http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-13808 A Houstonian Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:06:28 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-13808 This is the most absurd thing I have EVER seen! Why should the non-christian part of houston have to look at this huge symbol that has a negative connotation to them everyday on their way to work? This is a catastrophic waste of money too. If the church wants to help people, then they should do just that. A 150ft or 200ft cross isn't going to spread god's love or enlighten all the sinners into leading perfect prayer-filled lives. If other religions take their faiths as seriously as this pastor does... Actually. I wouldn't be surprised at all if something violent or outrageous happened after this is built in protest. Maybe the pastor's already got that covered in his prayers. This is the most absurd thing I have EVER seen! Why should the non-christian part of houston have to look at this huge symbol that has a negative connotation to them everyday on their way to work?

This is a catastrophic waste of money too. If the church wants to help people, then they should do just that. A 150ft or 200ft cross isn’t going to spread god’s love or enlighten all the sinners into leading perfect prayer-filled lives.

If other religions take their faiths as seriously as this pastor does…

Actually. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if something violent or outrageous happened after this is built in protest.

Maybe the pastor’s already got that covered in his prayers.

]]> By: janice http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-9539 janice Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:24:57 +0000 http://swamplot.com/grace-community-church-and-the-giant-crosses-on-i-45/2008-07-10/#comment-9539 So many of these comments really sadden me. And amazes me. I drove down I 45 this morning and saw the cross sign - tho barely as the bill board with a scantily clad lingerie ad was a short distance past it. But it appears that ads such as these are acceptable to many. My 10 yr old granddaughter didn't think so. At least not at this point in her life. Have we become so comfortable and accepting of the existing images cluttering our freeways and city that we don't care or think about the affect it leaves with our youth? Or is it the fear of viewing a cross that would make us stop and think of what that cross represents. Would that cross really make you more uncomfortable than the liquor or sex ads? If so, then it's even more reason why there needs to be changes made to what our youth is also viewing sitting quietly in the back seat. This city is full of crime, drugs, poverty and instead of feeding into it why not try something to help it? That help is not going to come from the governmental agencies obviously. Many here made assumptions of the persons involved in a church wanting to take a stand and have themselves represented on the side of the road. Do you know anything about the church or persons attending? What kind of church is it? Catholic, Baptist, etc.. What services do they offer to this city....do you know? I googled it and snooped around some. This "selfish and self glorifying church" sponsors an enormous amount of homeless shelters, clothing centers, outreach ministries, battered women shelters, food pantries, senior assited living programs, on and on. Wow, what self serving jackyls they are. If your child was lieing in a hospital bed with a dismal chance of survival....what would you do? Pray? If you don't believe then how can you expect that prayer to be heard? Would you be ashamed of praying? Or as your child sat up in bed, smiling...would you say "Praise God" So many of these comments really sadden me. And amazes me. I drove down I 45 this morning and saw the cross sign - tho barely as the bill board with a scantily clad lingerie ad was a short distance past it. But it appears that ads such as these are acceptable to many. My 10 yr old granddaughter didn’t think so. At least not at this point in her life.

Have we become so comfortable and accepting of the existing images cluttering our freeways and city that we don’t care or think about the affect it leaves with our youth? Or is it the fear of viewing a cross that would make us stop and think of what that cross represents. Would that cross really make you more uncomfortable than the liquor or sex ads? If so, then it’s even more reason why there needs to be changes made to what our youth is also viewing sitting quietly in the back seat.

This city is full of crime, drugs, poverty and instead of feeding into it why not try something to help it? That help is not going to come from the governmental agencies obviously.

Many here made assumptions of the persons involved in a church wanting to take a stand and have themselves represented on the side of the road. Do you know anything about the church or persons attending? What kind of church is it? Catholic, Baptist, etc.. What services do they offer to this city….do you know? I googled it and snooped around some. This “selfish and self glorifying church” sponsors an enormous amount of homeless shelters, clothing centers, outreach ministries, battered women shelters, food pantries, senior assited living programs, on and on. Wow, what self serving jackyls they are.

If your child was lieing in a hospital bed with a dismal chance of survival….what would you do? Pray? If you don’t believe then how can you expect that prayer to be heard? Would you be ashamed of praying? Or as your child sat up in bed, smiling…would you say “Praise God”

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