Symbols or “logos” as they are sometimes referred to, have great power.  If you don’t believe that just try to use one that is already owned by a corporation for your own purposes!  Symbols are not new, they have been in use for thousands of years.  I believe we are designed by God to associate ideas, promises, warnings etc. with pictures or symbols. On this weekend, the flag of the United States of America will be flying proudly all over this country.  People will be wearing red, white and blue clothing and we’ll be eating hot dogs and apple pie.  Fireworks will be going off legally and illegally and light will fill the evening sky.  All that these symbols represent is nearly impossible to put in words. Sometimes symbols get “high jacked.”  Imagine our outrage if ISIS decided to use our flag as their own!  The rainbow was given by God as a promise of His mercy, He said He would never judge the earth by a flood again.  Every time we see those colors in the mist, our hearts should be filled with gratitude for His grace.  Sadly, various groups over the years and around the world have grabbed that symbol for their own purposes.  The same has happened with the cross.  The Crusaders used the cross as a symbol of power and completely misrepresented the purpose and mission of Jesus Christ in the process.  Their misuse of the symbol is still causing people to question the validity of Christianity.  The KKK burned crosses in hopes of intimidating people and used the symbol of God’s love for all people as a tool of contempt.  Of course the enemy delights in the misuse of symbols.  If he can get people to associate wrong ideas with recognizable symbols he has gained the upper hand.  Who will take him to court over trademark piracy?  Let’s not forget what the cross really represents.  Paul gloried in the cross because it reminded him of the love of God, the answer to sin, our separation from the world and the glory of the abundant life.  The cross reminded Paul of Christ Himself; His nature, His character, His beauty and His love.  Join us this weekend as we look upon the cross in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord…who loved us and gave Himself for us.