You might call them the "signs of the times."

I'm talking about billboards of course, and once again a trip across this country of ours puts them in the center of my thoughts. When people found out I was going to drive this whole long way, in fact when people here found out I had just done such a thing, they expressed their condolences to me. I think thats really nice, but actually I enjoy the trip. My wife and I usually chatter about the things we see along the way, and even in the seemingly long stretches we recall things we'd meant to ask or confide to each other but never got around to it back when life was so busy - ie "at home."

We might think about life like that anyway. A long trip that you take with a friend who you meet somewhere along the way, with all sorts of events you chat about and experience together. When the miles are tough and seem to all go uphill, its funny how there will be a stretch coming up after that you can coast along and enjoy. Our trip - and some people's lives - had a fair amount of rain but mostly a lot of bright sunshine. I reckon God does a lot to watch out for his own.

But it is that wacky American phenomenon of billboards I wanted to note today, most if not all on private land but rented by different groups. Once we got into Ohio they went from products to preaching, with a lot of enjoyable messages to read along the way. Some are threatening - GOD IS COMING, and some are encouraging "Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart". Many had political undertones, especially ones that carried messages like "When Judgement comes how will you explain to GOD your views on Abortion?" By far the messages are simple, after all you are speeding by at 75 MPH - "Jesus Lives" "Jesus is Lord" or even "God Is Love."

Sure sure we also see Fast Food, Americana, Elvis, Dinosaurs, Two Headed Cows, Candy outlets, Fireworks, Cheese, Caverns, Historic Stuff, and the like. When we're in a city proper we might spot advertisements for a local restaurant that will tempt the traveler to stop and taste the cuisine. What I seemed to see LESS of, and maybe it was because we were on 1-70 and not 1-80, were ADULT store signs. Not that I shed a tear at seeing less of these. Perhaps it is a sign of the times that people are less self-reliant and once again swinging towards considering God in their lives, and cleaning up their acts. I wish that it were so!

Yes, my wife and I discussed these things and our own lives, and how we might better them or encourage others. We'll possibly bring back a trinket or two to amuse and bring a smile to the face of some of you back there. We snapped a few pies of glorious sunsets and breathtaking views, to remind ourself of the wonderful world our creator has made us.

But the most amusing thing we saw, at least to me, was a particular billboard in the corner of a cornfield out in Missouri, squeezed up against the fence. It was set in such a way that those driving by on the interstate could see it, but in particular those visiting the Adult bookstore next door couldn't miss it looming over the parking lot. Funny, the parking lot was empty when we drove by. Maybe the billboard, a plain black background with crisp, white words as I recall, had something to do with it. What do you think? Here is what it had to say:

The Eyes of the LORD are in Every Place,

Beholding the Evil and the Good

Randy