Bobs Thank You Card Front, Easter, 2012

April 21, 2012

Dear Robert (Columber),

Thank you so much for the crosses you gave me on the Tuesday of Holy Week, 2012.

You said you were compelled to obtain them for me. I believe there are times when we all are used as messengers to each other by our Loving Source. So you became my messenger or angel - an unexpected and unusual motorcycle-riding angel.

You also said you did not know why. So I have looked into the current context of my life to determine what the crosses mean for me.

I read the writings of Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong. Starting this Lent, I have been reading his book entitled Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism. The good bishop makes sense and is correct, but he puts us at odds with the basic dogma of the mainline Episcopal Church. Although the essence remains true, much of the official church teachings may not be true. Bishop Spong has shaken my religious believes.

I consider your crosses as a message concerning what I should believe.

The plain wooden cross is the most important part of the message. It represents the essence of my believe in the Love of God and Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Do you remember emphasizing that the wooden cross came with a 'certificate'. The certification pertains to the cross being made of olivewood from Bethlehem. But I beleive you gave me 'certification' of the truth of the basic message of the cross of Jesus Christ.

The smaller crucifix you gave me represents the church. Even though it is more ornate and appealing, it is smaller and of less importance, and has not been 'certified'.

The enlarged points of the crucifix contain symbols of the Four Evengelists or Gospel Writers. Matthew as the Winged Reasoning Human, Mark as the Winged Courageous Lion, Luke as the Winged Sacrificial Ox, and John as the Ascending Eagle.

The back of the crucifix is inscribed with the 'Way of the Cross' or the 'Fourteen Stations of the Cross'. Jesus... Condemned to Death, Carries His Cross, First Fall, Meets His Mother, Helped by Simon, Tears Wiped by Veronica, Second Fall, Meets Jerusalem Women, Third Fall, Garments Stripped, Nailed to Cross, Dies, Taken Down, and Laid in Tomb.

These symbolize the teachings of the church which should not be just accepted, but need to be scrutinized to keep the teachings relevant and ever pointed toward the truth.

Of course, I may be wrong, but this is how I initially value your gift. I treasure the crosses and you as my angel.

Peace and Love,

Uncle Dave (Watts)

Front of Ornate Cross from Robert Columber at Easter, 2012 Bethlehem Olivewood Cross from Robert Columber at Easter, 2012 Back of Ornate Cross from Robert Columber at Easter, 2012


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