What Does Your Forehead Say?

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to have everything you’ve ever done (including the awful) pasted on your forehead for all the world to see?

The following contains excerpts from websites: www.humanadspace.com & www.bbc.com

In January 2005, with the SuperBowl coming around once again, one “average Joe,” with a need for college money and a creative idea, made his impression on the world. The man’s name was Andrew Fischer from Omaha, Nebraska. His big idea? To lease his forehead for advertising space to the highest bidder. In short, he would have a non-permanent logo or brand name tattooed on his head for 30 days.

Fischer quotes, "The way I see it I'm selling something I already own; after 30 days I get it back. The winner will be able to send me a tattoo or have me go to a tattoo parlor and get a temporary ink tattoo on my forehead and this will be something they choose, a company name or domain name, perhaps their logo,"

When probed further, Fischer stated, "I just had this idea and, in my heart, I wanted to take advantage of this radical advertising campaign and become a part of history."

Indeed he did, and in his first year alone, he made over $50,000 selling his forehead as a billboard to every type of business imaginable! Not only so, by his fame has become so large, that he has enjoyed live television interviews on every major network (ABC, NBC, CBS), including appearances on FOX, CNN, and the BBC – just to name a few.

From the Q&A section on his own website Fischer answers the question “What is the most fun part about being the ‘Forehead Guy?’" by adding, “Like I have said in some interviews, it's fun having the recognition. It's also nice to be able to change my look and go back to normal life when I am not currently "advertising" for anyone. Before this experience, I had never been in the news. Now I have been on the front page in Taiwan. That's a big jump into the media, and it's been great so far.”

Also from that same section, the question is posed, “What does the future hold for Human Ad Space? Will this trend die off, or is it just beginning?” Fischer responds, “To be honest, I doubt that there will ever be a day where every forehead is used as ad space, however, I wouldn't be surprised to see more of this in the future. The media loves the idea, and so does the general public. I think forehead advertising will be around for a while. As long as people are still turning their heads when they see somebody with a forehead ad, the marketing value is still there.”

What an amazing story, to be sure! But think about this…what if your forehead was a billboard, and rather than advertising the latest internet bank, it displayed a list of your most previous sins and failures? Would we be as eager as Mr. Fischer to expose our faces to our spouses, friends, and co-workers? And, would we be so bold as to go on national television time and time again, knowing the entire world would be watching as our forehead flashed, “cheater” or “pornoholic” or “abuser”?

In John 8, we see a scenario where two types of people are discussed – those who sin is on their forehead for all to see and those who chose to cover their head, for fear people would know who they really were. In both cases, Jesus knew the true hearts of both, and both parties left the scene changed. The question for us this week as we prepare for worship is this: will we bring into the light that which can become freedom, or will we, as the scribes and teachers of the Law, continue to hide in darkness, in fear that who we really are might be known to all?

As you worship this week:

Meditate – on the life that you show others and the life you live when nobody sees.

Contemplate – on why you are so quick to judge others failures, when your own sinfulness weighs you down.

Seek – the forgiveness that comes from confessing your sins freely before the Master.

Find – the new, free life that awaits the soul that can accept and give grace.

Resounding Themes:

The Searcher and Knower of Us All
God’s Great Grace
Freedom to Love and Be Loved

Getting READY to Worship

Ready, Set, READ

John 7:53-8:11

Ready, Set, MEDITATE

- Where do we find Jesus in this story? Why is that significant that he is here, rather than somewhere else? Does it seem like this is his first time to be here? Whom might he be teaching, in your mind?

- What trap do the Pharisees set for Jesus? Who is the bait? What is her crime? Why is this all very suspicious? What leverage do they use to trap Jesus? What are they hoping he’ll say?

- What is Jesus’ first reaction to their charges? Then what does he do? Why is this so strange? Finally, what posture does Jesus take and what does he say? Is this what they were hoping to hear? Why not?

- How does the crowd respond? What’s important about the order of events mentioned? What happened to the woman? What could have happened if Jesus hadn’t stepped in? What has happened to you since you’ve become a Christian? What could have happened to your life if Jesus hadn’t stepped in?

Ready, Set, PRAY

Have mercy on us, O God! According to Your steadfast love!
Lord, if only our foreheads were billboards to the world, displaying our sinfulness for all to see, how different we would behave. Instead, Lord, we find ourselves pulling the cap of shame over our faces, for fear that who we really are will be known – fearing most that what others see would be the worst thing that could happen.

Indeed, Father, You see through our facades and diversions. You know what we’ll do before it is accomplished and what we think before the thought graces our conscience. And even with that infinite, terrible truth ever before us, You choose to love and have relationship with us. Oh, to know and be fully known!

God, we confess to You our sin. Show us mercy and compassion that can only come first from your heart. Gracious Father, lift the mantle of sin off our shoulders. Cleanse us that we might be clean and ready once again to serve and love. Show us grace that we might also be able to share grace with others. May we live in transparency and in the Light, so that our brokenness can be used for your glory.

It is through and by the sacrifice of the Savior we pray, AMEN.

Ready, Set, WORSHIP!