UPSIDE DOWN SECRET MESSAGES
Here are two examples of the use of ambigrams to share a Bible story or truth:
Introduction: When I tell stories using ambigrams, I have a large board or overhead projector to draw on so that everyone in the audience can see. I tell the story as I draw the art. I usually say each letter as I make it and say the word that I've written several times as I'm telling the story because I know that some people have trouble reading them because they are only readable artistic representations of words and not plain text. Talking through an ambigram with your audience helps them be able to see and read more clearly the word you have displayed. If you like this sort of way to share visual presentations, you may want to check out our book that shares 25 different Bible Stories with a Surprise for the Eyes! Our book goes more in-depth into the drawing instructions and story telling instructions than I do here. (These three aren't in the book either.)
1. Citizens of . . .Earth...or Heaven?
Recommended Bible Passage: Ephesians 2:19, I Corinthians 15:47-49
Copyright © 2001 Nathan Dorrell
1. The Bible tells us that God created the earth and everything in it. One of the many things that He created...humans. But humans were the one thing He created on earth for a different purpose--to know Him. In other words, those of us on Earth, could know Him who is in heaven! But when sin came into the earth, not only man, but the whole earth was affected by sin. Man could no longer be directly in the presence of God because of his sin. But God still didn't want man to only live on earth...he wanted man to be able to enter His presence in heaven (flip the image upside down.)
Suggested Bible verses: Romans 3:23, John 3:16, Romans 6:23, Col. 1:12 (which tells us that when we receive God's perfect love, he qualifies us to receive the inheritance of all the saints...the kingdom of heaven.)
Copyright © 2002 Nathan Dorrell
2. Write "SIN" first, then tell the audience that every person sins and that makes each one of us a sinner (add the "ner" to the word "SIN".) Tell that the problem with that is that sinners can't get into heaven because heaven is perfect. God says he will only let perfect things into his perfect heaven...that means instead of being sinners (add the "S" at the end) we need to be saints. The Good News is that God sent Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sin...and when sinners trust in Jesus, God turns them into SAINTS! (as you say this, flip the drawing over to show that even clearer than it said sinners, it says "Saints!" To see it now, just move your mouse over the pic if you're on a PC.) He makes it as if you never did anything wrong when you believe and trust in Jesus Christ!
Suggested verses: Joshua 24:15, Romans 3:20-24
Copyright © 2002 Nathan Dorrell
3. If you want to be in heaven, if you want to be seen in God's eyes as a saint instead of a sinner, the choice is up to you. Joshua put it this way, "Choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua said that before Jesus walked on the earth. Today, our choice is the same. In other words, once you know the truth, that Jesus Christ died and rose again to pay the price for your sins, you have a choice to accept him as your Lord, or reject him. As for me and my house, our choice is Christ! (This ambigram is one of a different style...it uses the negative space from the first image to make the upside down image of the word "Christ")
Once again, check out Bible Stories with a Surprise for the Eyes! Our book...you can even see two of the stories that are in the book online.
Other ambigram locations on our site: mirror messages, Spanish ambigram messages, just for fun, water to wine, woman at the well (a picture puzzle that flips upside down), our ambigram book