Balloon Jesus (http://www.apostropher.com/blog/archives/004237.html)

I can't help but laugh at this, but based on some of the conversations I've read here in the forum I thought some of you might like it quite a bit.

Not sure if we can file this under "graven images."

Cheers.

Being a Christian, I'm not sure what to think about this. I do like the first one. That would be great to use for children's church or VBS. And it could easily be adapted using different colors to make some of the disciples. But I don't know about some of the others. I'm gonna have to look again & think about these. But I really do like that first one.

I have seen a few of these twisted pieces before when people were talking about programs they do for Easter. There are a few twisters that will complete an entire nativity scene for Christmas. The hot air balloon on the other hand I feel is in poor taste.

I'm sure it took time and patients for those twister to create those scenes. The first one I agree is more for little kids, for the other depecting the crucifixion would be great in a program.

The third one is a design by John Holmes which is the one I posted in the gallery
John also has a couple of tapes out for gospel balloons and magic

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I like first one, I feel is very appropriate in a children's program, classroom, decor, ect. But the others I am uneasy about. The crucifixion is very important to me as a Christian and not to be taken lightly, IMO. Other may be comfortable with it, but I am not. Balloons are for silly stuff, and I love silly stuff. The crucifixion is not something I feel comfortable being silly about. I will get off my soapbox now.
Carrie

agree with Luki here, Just because it's made from balloons doesn't make it silly. A song or a drama, or a clown skit could possible reach or touch some one, so could the use of the balloon in a program.

Just because it's made from balloons doesn't make it silly.

I agree. These artists have created balloon "sculpture," but instead of clay, their medium is balloons.

I would guess they were not giggling as they worked on these.

When John Holms first presented his Jesus balloon it was at COAI balloon competition. I can't remember the year. There were three of us who decided we would do biblical balloons in the arrangment catagory and take 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. We thought that would get peoples attention as to what could be done with balloons. That clown ministry should be taken seriously.

The third guy bailed on us and did not compete but John took 1st with his Jesus on the cross and I took 2nd with the serpent in the apple tree. People did notice. It started several conversations. Good conversations. There are a lot of venues for our art. Not all of it is for the kids.

The thing I had a problem with was not so much the sculptures, but the comments. But that is to be expected I suppose.

I agree that just because it's made from balloons doesn't mean it's silly. Clowns can be serious too. God has blessed us with a way to reach out to people in our communities that may otherwise be unreachable. For the most part, when people encounter a clown the tend to relax a bit - which opens a door to begin talking to people that wouldn't necessarily listen if someone just walks up to them on the street & hands them a tract or starts "preaching" to them. There are so many avenues God has given us to share His message of hope & eternal life. So many wonderful people have followed God's prompting & come up with skits, magic & yes, balloon designs to share the Gospel. They can be funny or they can be serious. It all depends on the audience. If I'm working with a bunch of children, I'm going to try to keep it on the light side to keep their attention. When presenting to adults, start light light & work up to the serious stuff after you've gotten their attention. For some it may take a little longer to get to the serious part & for others you may be albe to jump right in to the discussion of eternal life * Heaven vs. the alternative. Regardless of who we are speaking to, no matter where we are - even if it's at a birthday party for the child of a devout athiest, we should ALWAYS show them Jesus. Even if we never speak His name in their presence, we can show them through our attitude & actions - in clown & as clowns in disguise.

Stepping down from the soap box.

I knew better than to even bother reading the comments. Anytime something like these pictures are taken out of context you have to beware.