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Ana Garcia shows what she maintains is an image of Jesus Christ on her wooden fence in the backyard of her Lodi home. Garcia saw the depiction while mowing the lawn on Friday. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)

Is it the Son of God, or knot? Lodi woman sees face of Jesus on fence

By Ross Farrow
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Monday, August 27, 2007 6:17 AM PDT

Comments (117 comment(s))

Ana Garcia was mowing her lawn last Friday when her sister, Emily, saw something odd on Garcia's fence in her backyard.

"She said, 'Ana, you've got to come over here,'" Garcia said. "'What do you see?'"

Garcia replied, "Oh my God, that's Jesus!"

It may be said that Jesus is in the eye of the beholder. Some may swear it's a likeness of the Son of God on her fence on South Hutchins Street, while others will think it's just her imagination.

"It's bizarre, it's a mystery, but I'm a true believer that he's around us," Garcia said.


Is it Jesus or a knot in the wood? Lodi resident Ana Garcia noticed the image while mowing her lawn. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)

A devout Catholic, Garcia plans to contact St. Anne's Catholic Church today and ask someone from the parish to come take a look the likeness of Jesus on her fence.

Garcia has lived at the same house for eight or nine years, and the fence is two to three years old. But it wasn't until Friday that she noticed that Jesus was there.

When asked what she thinks Jesus symbolizes on the fence, Garcia said she wasn't sure, except that he wants to be seen more.

"He might want peace," she said.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Lodian wrote on Sep 4, 2007 8:58 AM:

" ariel: Idol worship? "

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ariel wrote on Sep 2, 2007 5:58 PM:

" it is jesus. it looks just like him. "

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dogbark wrote on Aug 30, 2007 5:13 PM:

" well in the gospel story about the moneychangers Jesus did knot his belt didn't he "

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OTH wrote on Aug 30, 2007 3:47 PM:

" If this lady sees and believes then what ever gets her through the night. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 30, 2007 12:25 PM:

" Isn't this idol worship? And that's a no-no. "

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To: Chuck wrote on Aug 30, 2007 11:42 AM:

" You and Retired Cop are becoming delusional. A lot of these things do happen to be coincidental, and just because you can't see Jesus on a fence as others do, does not necessarily make you a non-believer. People that make these judgements, are usually these so called Christians that don't practice what they preach. "

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dee tees wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:09 PM:

" by god, that looks like the bean god to me! "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 29, 2007 6:46 PM:

" Chuck: Didn't God give you a sense of humor? Lighten up. "

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sam wrote on Aug 29, 2007 6:14 PM:

" to To Retired Cop 5:08 pm... best blog on the site. Thank you. "

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Chuck wrote on Aug 29, 2007 6:13 PM:

" Well then, you are in good company!! "

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To: Retired Cop wrote on Aug 29, 2007 5:08 PM:

" So if my preschooler spills some paint on a piece of paper, and it turns into a blob, is that Jesus too? His preschool teacher couldn't see it, so does that make her a non-believer too? LOL! "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 29, 2007 4:31 PM:

" Chuck: Just for kicks and giggles. "

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Chuck wrote on Aug 29, 2007 12:35 PM:

" Lodian: Then why are you reading and posting in this forum??? "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 29, 2007 10:34 AM:

" Love Jesus!: No, they are not talking about Jesus. They are talking about a fence. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 29, 2007 10:33 AM:

" Retired Cop: People are talking about a knothole in a fence, not about Jesus. Why do people reach so hard when all they have to do is look in their heart? "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 29, 2007 10:31 AM:

" Metric Time System: We have to read the Record to know what is going on around us. "

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Jimmy wrote on Aug 29, 2007 9:47 AM:

" Looks just like Jesus. KNOT!!! "

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Metric Time System wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:16 AM:

" Lodi is great! Knotholes and streakers grabbing the headlines. I'll take that any day to what's going on in Stockton. "

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Believer wrote on Aug 29, 2007 4:54 AM:

" All these sighting of Jesus...I imagine they are compared to his Carpenter's union photo? "

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Love Jesus! wrote on Aug 28, 2007 11:11 PM:

" Well, at least everyone is talking about Jesus. This is a good thing wheather or not this is Jesus on the fence. Jesus is everywhere anyway! "

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Retired Cop wrote on Aug 28, 2007 9:11 PM:

" Alot of you don't believe that the image is that of Jesus. One thing is for certain. He works in mysterious ways and this image has got ALOT of people talking about him. I believe that you non believers are trying hard not to accept the truth. "

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nylodian wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:41 PM:

" Seems like a case of matrixing to me (where the mind creates faces out of patterns in clouds, leaves etc.) but if it gives Ms. Garcia some happiness, what is the harm? "

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THINK wrote on Aug 28, 2007 7:22 PM:

" Think about the days you pray to GOD and think about how much he means to YOU. Think about HOW YOU GO TO CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY TO PRAISE HIM AT HIS HOME. And don't forget that you always have him in your mine no matter where your at. What a shame when we just use his name in vein? "

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Hey mike wrote on Aug 28, 2007 4:33 PM:

" That was a funny comment, but true! LOL "

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OH MY! wrote on Aug 28, 2007 4:13 PM:

" What people will do for fame!According to someone who actually saw the fence when it was put up.It was already there. "

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caligirl wrote on Aug 28, 2007 2:48 PM:

" I wouldn't mind seeing Jesus around a little more, even if it is on a fence. "

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Former Lodian wrote on Aug 28, 2007 2:08 PM:

" Since no one has actually ever seen what Jesus looks like, how can ANYONE say this looks like him? As far as that goes, she sees what she THINKS and what she has been taught that Jesus looks like. "

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Griot wrote on Aug 28, 2007 1:09 PM:

" Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? (1 Corinthians 11: 14-15) That knot needs a haircut! "

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Audi 5000 wrote on Aug 28, 2007 12:51 PM:

" This happened to a neighbor of mine once, he thought JC appeared in a concrete water stain, come to find out it wasn't JC, but former President Warren G. Harding, circa 1922. "

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Farrow Defender wrote on Aug 28, 2007 11:03 AM:

" If Jesus was a Jewish carpenter, then why does he have an Hispanic name on a flat board in a Mexican backyard? "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 28, 2007 10:14 AM:

" Out-of-Stater: I'm sure you have stupid things in your paper sometimes too. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 28, 2007 10:13 AM:

" Retired cop: It's ridiculous to say that those who choose to see this as a fence are all non-believers. Just make sure you don't worship this fence, ya know... idle worship and all. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 28, 2007 10:05 AM:

" Benita Hernandez: Where does it say in your bible to look for Jesus in wooden fences? As far as I know you're not supposed to worship a wooden fence. "

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Old MOney wrote on Aug 28, 2007 9:59 AM:

" Wood you believe that Jesus was a carpenter? "

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wow.... wrote on Aug 28, 2007 9:46 AM:

" ...and it's official....the Lodi News-Sentinel is the WORST paper I have ever read. "

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Out-of-Stater wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:33 AM:

" Wow! Reading small-town newspapers is great fun! I've never seen anything like this on the front page of a newspaper, before. "

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Audi 5000 wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:18 AM:

" Looks like Ana Garcia "

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2¢ wrote on Aug 28, 2007 7:57 AM:

" Frank Beard of ZZ Top... "

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whoah! wrote on Aug 28, 2007 6:28 AM:

" Sell it on ebay! "

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someone wrote on Aug 28, 2007 6:27 AM:

" I seen a bum poop splatter on a wall looking like virgin mary's face. "

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mike wrote on Aug 28, 2007 5:41 AM:

" It seems all sightings of Jesus on objects are from mexicans, the crying jesus, blood from the arms and legs, in the clouds! He is supposed to be in your heart. I was wondering if this lady might be alittle bit embarased? "

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duke wrote on Aug 28, 2007 1:23 AM:

" some have eyes but do knot see. "

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NoLongerInLodi wrote on Aug 28, 2007 12:28 AM:

" Actually, it either looks like Hulk Hogan or the bassist for Judas Priest. "

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Farrow Defender wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:07 PM:

" To the point of being just as ridiculous, why don't we just type out loud what everybody is really thinking. It actually is an imprint of the fellow on the cover flap of those Zig-Zag brand rolling papers. Seen anyone smoking those funny cigarettes lately? "

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Alex wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:34 PM:

" Jesus or not, those eyebrows need some thinning. "

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to wow wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:33 PM:

" Come on! You can't be taking this seriously. These may be very "nice" people, but my goodness... Jesus on the fence board??? Weird. "

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Benita (BV) Hernandez wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:00 PM:

" Only a no-believer would not be able to see such a wonderful gift that Ms. Garcia is sharing with us....no bad comments should be made, I see it! I'm a believer...Who knows, God made be in your back yard one of these days, "IF" you are still around. "

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ednauseam wrote on Aug 27, 2007 9:05 PM:

" Everyone has seen depictions of Jesus, but no such likeness was ever proven to be authentic. My own wife thinks I am JC. Every time I goof up, she'll throw up her hands and shout,"J#$@$ C+&!$#what the hell are you doing now??? "

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Hella Luya wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:38 PM:

" Looks like Bejeezus hurled on the fence rail! "

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Slave of God wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:25 PM:

" In the Name of God Most Gracious Most Merciful. Say:"He is God (the) One. God The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He beggets not Nor was He begotten, and there's none co-equal or comparable onto Him." He Almighty is the True God, dont' be decieved by Satan. "

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lady wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:40 PM:

" there you lodians go having to take drugs to see jesus. at least garcia doesn't have to be on drugs. "

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Retired cop wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:26 PM:

" To all you non believers, I went to look at the fence and saw the image of Jesus. All you need to do is believe and have faith. Obviously some of you are not believers hence the comments. "

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Cant we all Just Get Along wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:24 PM:

" Will that board stop bullets.... "

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JJ wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:24 PM:

" Give Garcia a break, it LOOKS like Jesus, post negative comments on other issues. "

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fed up wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:10 PM:

" is this the best the LNS can do for news? there is not a word in the dictionary to describe how utterly trivial this "news" is. And anyways, nobody actually *knows* what Jesus looked like, HELLO!!! It's all artists' suppositions of what he may have looked like "

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Family wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:07 PM:

" you people are very rude and should not make negative comments in a situation like this. It looks just like Jesus...and is has no nail in it..and maybe if you seen the whole fence you would be shocked..the fence is farely new. "

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Benita Hernandez wrote on Aug 27, 2007 6:44 PM:

" Only an no-believer can not see it...I can and God is watching over the ones who have fait and beleive in him....There should be no bad comments about Ms.Garcia cause she is only sharing this with us....Someone who is selfish would not share this and all she wants to let you guys know that there is a God and one day he may show up in the back of your yard.. but then it may be to late for you.... "

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Ismael wrote on Aug 27, 2007 6:33 PM:

" Actually, it looks more like Mohammed in the Miraj Nama. "

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Whoa Nellie! wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:57 PM:

" She was on the 5pm Ch13 news and within 5 minutes I got two phone calls from guys in Sac & Stkn to harass me about this Lodian. Her, the guy beating his dog, uh... what other nut job do we have embarassing our town name? Oh, yes, T&C. lol! "

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T & C wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:38 PM:

" The News-Sentinel will do anything they can to get those Mexican readers. "

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the knot wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:25 PM:

" cocaine is a hell of a drug!!! "

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The Caveman... wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:16 PM:

" If I pop some Vicoden and look at my neighbor long enough, he looks like Jesus too! "

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Jesus Says..... wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:14 PM:

" Actually I'd say he looks more like the caveman from the Geico commercials! "

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I'm a faithful Catholic wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:04 PM:

" ..but I just don't see what everyone's talking about. It looks like a knot to me. "

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Weezer wrote on Aug 27, 2007 4:17 PM:

" Ultimately, when the humor has died down, I sincerely hope that we find that "vacuum" inside us that can only be filled by God, "who rewards those who diligently seek Him." Have a good day everyone! "

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wow wrote on Aug 27, 2007 4:12 PM:

" The garcia's are wonderful and devout catholic people... whether it looks like Jesus or not is no reason for the negative comments on the board. "

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j wrote on Aug 27, 2007 4:05 PM:

" i am sorry but that is silly there is nothing on that fence that might even look like jesus "

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dont need a name wrote on Aug 27, 2007 4:04 PM:

" man only in lodi would this make front page news "

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dumb wrote on Aug 27, 2007 3:36 PM:

" This story is SO STUPID! Im switching over to the Stockton Record....they give real news about Lodi. "

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bob willer wrote on Aug 27, 2007 3:17 PM:

" ITS A KNOT GOD DOESNOT HAVE A FAT UGLY BEARD! "

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Weezer wrote on Aug 27, 2007 3:16 PM:

" When you're bored, your mind plays tricks on you. What this story proves is that not only youths, but even adults have a problem with "having nothing else to do in Lodi." "

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duke wrote on Aug 27, 2007 2:26 PM:

" Some have eyes but do knot see "

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Weird wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:46 PM:

" I can see hands praying as well..Minus the huge nail in the middle! It looks like what Jesus looks like. Front page worthy? No..But it definatly could be something! "

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resident-mom wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:20 PM:

" she doesn't live on the east side like some of you commenters assume... read the article. "

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HaHa! wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:17 PM:

" Where's Waldo?!?! "

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Sportsguy wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:12 PM:

" Is this the same Jesus that Micheal Vick found? "

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jesusfriend wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:58 PM:

" i wish Jesus would help me about now "

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PAL wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:56 PM:

" It looks like we think Jesus should look. Also, if you pan down the wood gets lighter which could be a robe and then the knot to the right looks like hands clasped in prayer. At least thats what it looks like to me. I also see Abraham Lincoln for the poster who said that. "

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BvK wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:43 PM:

" Personally, it looks like a bad likeness of Garth Brooks with a bad mullet. But that's just me. "

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2XLT wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:34 PM:

" And old Ross Farrow had to beat feet over there to get a look at Jesus Christ on earth - looking at a know in a fence board. They're all nuts. "

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One eye Jack wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:26 PM:

" Look on Garcia's shirt, it appears to be the image of a dove, maybe the Holy Spirit. "

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Not Jesus wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:11 PM:

" It doesn't look like Jesus...But hey, it made front page news.....Get a life. "

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I Will Pay$100.00 if wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:08 PM:

" I can touch that board with Jesus picture! Please, tell me where I can get in line! "

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Washington wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:53 AM:

" This settles it. Lodi is the blessed place and Stockton is not. "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:53 AM:

" Why do people continue to do this? It's tacky and demeaning. Why keep looking for Jesus in food products and wooden fences? "

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I Want To Buy That Board... wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:51 AM:

" I will be saved if I can buy that board of jesus! How much are you willing to sell it for? Price is no object because I can't take my money to heaven! "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:50 AM:

" Seriously? Geez! "

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jqq wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:42 AM:

" How do you know it's not Moses? Maybe if she removes that section of 2 X 4 we will see more of this "holy" image. "

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Whah? wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:32 AM:

" That is retarded "

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Stop being so negative! wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:28 AM:

" I think this is a GREAT article for the front page! What's wrong with you people? Perhaps if you let GOD into your heart, you wouldn't be so negative. For whatever reason, Ms. Garcia has been blessed by this rare event. "

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Weezer wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:25 AM:

" It looks like the Spartan guy from '300.' Seriously now, this is the kind of countryside news you'll read from a Third World country's newspaper. Poor people easily believe anything that would offer them "hope." "

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satan wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:19 AM:

" the knot below Jesus is Satan, it is a picture of the Serpant's head. it has a eye and face. It represents the GOOD AND BAD on the EASTSIDE. "

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EBAY wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:14 AM:

" Maybe she should sell that board on ebay and get enough money to rebuild the fence with wood that doesnt have so many knots. "

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Metric Time System wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:59 AM:

" No, that knot below looks like the Sea Hawks logo. What's the line on Seattle winning the Super Bowl? "

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12x wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:56 AM:

" So what Jesus do I pray to now? The grilled-cheese Jesus? the bubblegum wad Jesus? the wood-knot Jesus? the Catholic Jesus idol? Or do I pray to a weeping lady idol in Thornton? a stained shroud? a soiled handkerchief? a man with a collar? an old guy riding shotgun in the Pope mobile? I wish there were printed instructions on just how we should pray and to whom. "

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askyourself wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:53 AM:

" Oh My Gosh, these people are always looking for Jesus somewhere. Hey I have a bag of potato chips in my cupboard teeheehee "

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WWJD wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:25 AM:

" No matter what it is or insn't it sure got everyone talking about the Son of God. "

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Mark wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:04 AM:

" There is a knot below it that looks like a drag-car. "

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Mark wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:03 AM:

" His ears are too big. Plus, EVERYONE knows that Jeebus didn't wear sunglasses. "

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huh wrote on Aug 27, 2007 9:56 AM:

" I guess I can see the likeness but FRONT page??? what a pathetic town... "

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IS THIS TRUE wrote on Aug 27, 2007 9:37 AM:

" WELL WAT SHOULD WE THINK? "

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IT's a knothole... wrote on Aug 27, 2007 9:01 AM:

" Not Jesus. "

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Audi 5000 wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:58 AM:

" NOT! "

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Michael J Hunt wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:52 AM:

" She should cut it out and sell it on Ebay. "

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alotta 20 june wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:31 AM:

" wow "

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Joe Silva, Sr. wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:31 AM:

" Looks like Jesus to me. Then again it looks an awful lot like this homeless guy downtown as well. Wait a minute come to think of it that homeless guy downtown bears a striking resemblence to Jesus. I wonder if he really is and he is just waiting for us to notice his return??? "

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Weezer wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:17 AM:

" Please, LNS, this article deserves space in the Comics/Humor section, not front page. "

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oops wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:15 AM:

" Editor, were you in the bar again all weekend? Next thing you'll be seeing the Virgin Mary in your Sunday bloody Mary's at the Rosewood. LOL "

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Al-righty wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:14 AM:

" Jesus wants to live in our hearts and knot have us ride the fence. If this is taken seriously its sad. Depicted pictures of Christ are just somones idea of what he looked like. If this is real news, oh well. "

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ATheeIs wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:13 AM:

" That's really gee-zeus? Looks like that east side streaker peeking through from the other side of the fence. Sentinel, you've really outdone yourself this time, along with that venom story about your city hero today, too. "

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Just silly wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:58 AM:

" OH MY GOSH....It's a knothole! You can make something out of everything you look at. Remember clouds as a kid? "

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Lodian wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:35 AM:

" Looks like Jesus to me too. You must be a blessed person. "

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oooookaaaay wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:34 AM:

" Come on, people - sometimes a stain is just a stain, a burn is just a burn, and oh yeah, a knot is just a knot. "

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You gotta be kiddin wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:28 AM:

" Holy smokes, Batman! It's Abraham Lincoln! "

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Huh? wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:26 AM:

" Even if I try to imagine seeing Jesus in that picture, I see nothing. Either that is a bad picture, or she needs to be on medication. "

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One eye Jack wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:23 AM:

" Is this really news worthy? Must be a slow time for local news. "

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David D wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:19 AM:

" Jesus? I think knot. "

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Comments on this story are now closed.

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