A friend asked about the Jesus Loves... section on Oakleaf Harbor. The basic thrust of the questioning was that I was being disrespectful by putting Jesus's name on merchandise to sell. Let me tell you the story behind the section and see what you think.When my current health crisis started, I decided to get out a Bible that my parents gave me. I keep it in a box to protect it. It has my name printed on the cover, and it's quite nice. (I have a "regular" everyday Bible.) Anyway, that Bible makes me feel close to my parents, and I decided to get it out. When I did, a small blue plaque fell out of the box. I don't know where it came from -- I think maybe one of my nieces gave it to me, but no one remembers it so I don't really know. The little blue plaque says: Jesus loves Stephen. It gave my spirits a lift, and so now I have it where I can see it each morning when I get up and each evening when I go to bed. It's a small thing, but it has given me comfort.
Well, I got to thinking about how nice that was for me so I decided to create the same as best as I could on Oakleaf Harbor, particularly for my friends and family who have unusual or uncommon names (Bethia, Weston, Ria, Woody, Jolene, etc.) and might not be able to find personalized items anywhere. So that's why I created the "Jesus loves..." section.
For what it's worth, no one has purchased a single item for the section. And that's okay. I like going to it and seeing all the names of my family and friends with the reminder that Jesus loves them. I'm slowly adding more names each day. It takes me a while to create the artwork for each name and then I upload it and place it on the particular items, but I'm trying to add five names each day. If your name isn't there yet, it will be. And if you have any names you'd like added, email me, and I'll add them.
I certainly didn't mean any disrespect and don't feel like I'm "cashing" in on Jesus. I'm fine with people just looking at the section or downloading the picture of their items or whatever they like. But maybe it's being crass. What do you think?
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Click here to order merchandise designed by Stephen B. Bagley
4 comments:
I think it's nice, Tech, and I'm going to email my nieces' names to you. I'm looking forward to seeing Jesus Loves Gloria! :)
I think it's terrific, Tech! There's nothing more personal or true, no matter whose name is there. I'm so glad you found that blue plaque to remind you that Jesus does love you -- just like the rest of us do!
I think it is great. I also know you are not making a ton of money off this and the cashing in on Jeasus is silly. I applaud the idea of helping each of us to remember that he actually knows us each by name and loves us. Anything that helps us think of him is good.
I agree. Companies that sell Bibles make money. It costs money to make these items, so they can't be free. It is a good message. We all need to be reminded of His love for us as individuals, not just as a group.
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