TATTOOS-Part 2

Is this type of tattoo (which is called Embedded) any different than the post before on tattoos? Where does altering your body become sinful? Where does altering your body become nothing more than vanity which is sin. I know that many out there want to push "Christian Liberty" but where is the line? I find it interesting that some classify this as "art" and therefore is off-limits to critics because of "free-speech." To me that is not even a stretch, that is simply foolish.

What about piercings? Is this another topic or does this fall in the same line?

For my critics out there let me make some disclaimers.

-I am not discussing those who have already had this done.

-I am not discussing those who are not saved.

-I do not care if someone is using it to "witness" to those around them. You know who you are.

-I did not say that anyone having anything done to their body is going to roast in Hell.

INTERESTING POST

I would like to hear what you think about this post that I came across today.

It made me think about the state of the church today in general.

How Dead is Dead?

I hear about being dead in sin. Then I hear "choose Christ."

If you are dead in your sins how can you "choose Christ"?

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain...John 15.16

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him...John 6.44

If God is on one side voting for you to be saved and the devil is on the other side voting against you being saved and you have the deciding vote then it appears the power is in your hands.

And if God does want everyone to be saved then why do you pray for people to be saved? And if He wants everyone to be saved then once again, man is in control.

Does man really have 51% of controlling interest in his salvation? How about 50-50? That would put Him and man on an even level.

These illustrations sound ridiculous don't they? So does the idea that man is in control of his destiny or salvation. Salvation is 100% totally of God by God and for God. Pride is the sin that makes us want the credit for our salvation.

JUST PLAIN SIN

It is obvious that I need to clarify something. The couple that is mentioned below is living together. They had a "living together service" in which they:
1. wanted man's approval and blessing and
2. God's blessing on them and their family.

They were not married in this service legally or morally. That was not the intention of this service. The service was a celebration of living together.

I came across this within the past couple of months. It is true. I have changed the names to protect the wicked participants.

The Uniting of George (Jr.) Howard and Brenda Sue Mathers
June 20, 2007 at 11:30am
Jones County Recreation Park

Inside the program it says...

Unity Blessing
Patricia Wahman assisting

Opening Song by ......

We have come together as family and friends to witness the joining together of George and Brenda as they unite their lives together as a couple. We gather to ask God to bless their union.

George and Brenda wish to declare their commitment to each other to love, comfort, and honor each other in sickness and in health and be faithful to one another as long as they live. George and Brenda take seriously the full nature of this commitment of joining their lives together.

We celebrate with them that they have been drawn together in love and that they desire to please and serve God in this new relationship.

Let us listen to the words from 1Corinthians 13:4-8

Therefore, George, without reservation, do you pledge to love, honor, cherish, and care for Brenda all of your days?
George: "I do"

Brenda, without reservation, do you pledge to love, honor, cherish, and care for George all of your days?
Brenda: "I do"

Presentation of the rings:

The ring is a symbol of everlasting love. There is no beginning or end to it, just as their is no beginning or end to your love for one another. Do you George, pledge your love to Brenda by giving her this ring?
George: "I do"

Do you Brenda, pledge your love to George by giving him this ring?
Brenda: "I do"

Let us join together in prayer.
The Lord's Prayer sung by James Couch

As George and Brenda begin their life together, let us now pray for God's blessing on their home.
Ever loving God, we pray that you will bless the home that George and Brenda now begin. Unite their families in love and understanding. We pray that they will grow in love and peace with God and each other all their days and that George and Brenda may reach out in concern and service to each other and to others through Jesus Christ. Give them patience and understanding toward each other. Help them remember their past loved ones but to look to their future together with hope and joy. We rejoice in their union and pray your blessing on them. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen

George and Brenda will be at home at 29 Peach Trail Somewhere, USA

This was a ceremony for two people to shack up together. This is not a wedding ceremony. It is a "live together ceremony." I know the person who knows this couple. This couple was living in sin and wanted the community's approval of their sin with God's blessing.

WICKED

NEEDS NO COMMENT

TATTOOS-Part 1

I am totally amazed at the attitude toward tattoos these days. I hear people say stuff like "Have you seen Kelly's new tattoo? I have just got to get one."

I remember growing up in the early 70's and seeing a lot of people with tattoos. The people, as I remember it, that had the tattoos were the tough-rebellious group. The tatoos were pretty basic with the dark green ink sharing its message with all to see. The 80's and 90's did not seem to be as colorful (tattoos, that is). In the 2000's the needles starting coloring again.

As Christians what is the view that we should have toward tattoos? Should we just think that it is part of the culture and it is not hurting anyone.

"Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord." Leviticus 19.28

Is this verse still applicable today? Does this verse apply if we have a "Christian tattoo?"

What if we have a little one on our ankle like so many today? Is that Ok? What about the new embedded tattoos?

I like what Tony Capoccia said...

"I think the spirit of Lev. 19.28 is that we are to respect the human body for it is a gift from God to us to use, and that it is the temple of the Holy Spirit:"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." [1 Corinthians 6:19-20]

Since God said to honor your body, then Satan will try to dishonor it! We have seen the pagan cultures do all kinds of bizarre things to the body to honor their false gods (demons)--they cut their bodies, put rings in many places, paint and tattoo, and do other awful things.

Is it any wonder, as our culture continues to turn away from the true God that we are beginning to degrade our bodies more and more."

"Tattooing is often a magical rite in the more traditional cultures, and the tattooist is respected as a priest or shaman."(Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 73)

"The actual tattooing process, which involved complex ritual and taboos, could only be done by priests and was associated with beliefs which were secrets known only to members of the priestly caste. . . Hambly concluded that historically tattooing had originated in connection with ancient rites of scarification and bloodletting which were associated with religious practices intended to put the human soul in harmony with supernatural forces and ensure continuity between this life and the next." (Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 158)

Famous witch and author Laurie Cabot writes of the tattoo:"The origins of tattooing came from ancient magical practices. . . "(Laurie Cabot, Power of the Witch, cited in Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated by Dr. Cathy Burns, p. 301)

NEVER!!!!

It seems that a Catholic Bishop has figured out a way for other religions and Muslims to live in peace...for everyone to call God "Allah."

NEVER, NEVER and NEVER!!!

For all of my Papist readers, how can someone encourage this and be saved? This is a slap in the face of a holy God. Allah is a demonic illusion posing as God. Allah's real name is Satan.

Truth cannot be put aside for the sake of unity.

Bragging Rights

The Isle of Hope has another good post. This is very true. As a pastor I can vouch that bragging in the ministry is commonplace. It is utterly shameful.

Emergent Posters

I was doing my usual checks of blogs and sites and noticed that I forgot to mention this one

http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/posters.htm

I have been watching the "poster" post for a bit now and it seems to get better by the day. Tell me what you think.

Music

Most of us are aware of Eph. 5.19 "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord."

Is this a mandate dictating the music we should have in church or listen to personally?

As a Christian we must decide how we feel about about music. Should we only listen to Christian and if so what constitutes "Christian." Is it Southern gospel, hymns, praise, choruses, contemporary, and etc?

On the other hand are we free to listen to secular music? What about classical or jazz? Love songs are fine aren't they? We've heard it all but the question is still there.

From a personal standpoint I feel that I cannot listen to secular music. I do listen to jazz occasionally and classical regularly. Other than that I listen to contemporary Christian and hymns with some praise.

I say that I cannot listen to secular because:

1. I was a slave to rock music before I was saved. I had a very difficult time giving that stronghold to the Lord. I realized what a hold music had on me.

2. The verse listed above.

I suppose some would say that the jazz that I occasionally listen to does not lift up the Lord and they are right. Believe it or not though, the classical that I listen to often does make me think on things above.

Before you write me and tell me that these are my personal convictions and you can listen to what you want just think about it for a moment. Most of the country and rock music of today is self focused and definitely not honoring to God. How can I repeat most of these words when they are about me, sex, vengeance, or sinful habits? What does the music that you listen to in private or in church make you think about? Is it the beat or is it the Savior?

I know that this one subject can put a charge into the most relaxed of individuals. But think about it and let me know your thoughts.