| Author | Message | ||
| Wolfgang Registered user Username: Wolfgang Post Number: 137 Registered: 10-2005 |
what are your thoughts on this for a christian? | ||
| Violet Registered user Username: Violet Post Number: 496 Registered: 2-2001 |
That it is a non-essential not be be divided over. But with the full understanding that we live in a conservative country and you may be limiting who you can influence, professionaly and spiritually. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5590 Registered: 12-2003  |
I agree, Violet. You said it well! Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3506 Registered: 3-2004  |
Violet, I agree with all that you say. Diana | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 500 Registered: 6-2006  |
I have a friend who is a Navy Chaplain, totally on fire with the Holy Spirit. He rides a Harley, and he actually got a tatoo of the trinity right after he was ordained. (Boy did his Dad have a fit!) For him, he's been able to draw a lot of his Marines to Christ, as they don't feel like he's overly Holy or not one of them. I was surprised to learn this, as this guy is so all American and looks more like Opie Taylor than Dog the Bounty Hunter! However, I do wonder sometimes why some men or women cover themselves with tatoos. I wonder two things - why would they want to endure so much pain, and also, are they actually covering something in themselves that they aren't comfortable with? I get the impression that the ones who do have a lot of tatoos (or piercings) are surrounded with some sort of drama. Maybe I watch too much TV??  Leigh Anne | ||
| Mwh Registered user Username: Mwh Post Number: 551 Registered: 4-2006  |
Depends very much on which kind the tatoo is. Is it glorifying God or not. Also it might offend people and push them away from Christ, on the other hand it can attract people to Christ. Personally I'm not the tatoo kind of guy, and Well I used to wear a cross but now I don't, but I guess its my taste. In Jesus, Martin | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 748 Registered: 7-2004  |
I don't see that tattoos are a salvational issue, but I have no interest in them. The biggest problem with tattoos is that even if they looked good and served a positive purpose at one time, eventually all tattoos look downright ugly when they start sagging and fading years later. It's not like they can easily be removed once they are an eyesore. | ||
| Haroldo Registered user Username: Haroldo Post Number: 8 Registered: 5-2005 |
What about this tatoo? "Behold, I have carved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are forever before me." Isa. 49:16. | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 158 Registered: 2-2003 |
Here is a link to a beautiful story about a tattoo. http://www.sistersinservice.org/images/fall2004newsletter.pdf One of the founders of Sisters in Service spoke at our ladies retreat 2 years ago and told us this story. So thankful for the freedom we have to worship, Leigh | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3508 Registered: 3-2004 |
Now that is a meaningful tattoo. Thanks for the story. Diana | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 889 Registered: 8-2004  |
Wow! Thanks for sharing that tattoo story Leigh. Gives a glimpse into the sometimes forgotten reality that different cultures and different situations call for different methods of witnessing. Makes me think twice, and rejoice for the freedom in my country. And pray for my Christian brothers and sister who are currently suffering so much under much more severe persecution than I am!! Blessings, Mary | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5597 Registered: 12-2003 |
I agree, Mary. Praise God for what we have, and I pray that God will protect and strengthen His people who are opposed and suffering. Colleen | ||
| Violet Registered user Username: Violet Post Number: 497 Registered: 2-2001 |
This is a prime example of why we must be very careful not to judge on non-essentials and enjoy each others liberty in Christ. | ||
| Agapetos Registered user Username: Agapetos Post Number: 741 Registered: 10-2002  |
In Japan most people don't get tatoos because it's usually something only yakuza do -- yakuza are the Japanese mafia. They go through an old-style painful tatooing process that, if they can handle it, often covers their backs and arms. If people have tatoos, public baths (sento) will most often refuse to let them in, but sometimes they don't care. My friend from Calvary Chapel once bathed next to a guy covered in tatoos -- considering where my friend lived at that time, he was most certainly a yakuza. However, not many years ago some yakuza had their lives interrupted by Jesus Christ, and several of them are now pastors. The group of them formed a mission which they call "Mission Barabbas" for reasons that are poignantly obvious. They still show their tatoos, but now there's a "message" behind it -- "He loved even me, and changed my life". A google search for "Mission Barabbas" yields a lot of results, but here are three: http://www.pfi.org/newsevents/news/from_mafia_to_christ/index_html http://www.worldmag.com/articles/4918 http://www.geocities.com/wisinss/world/japan.html | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 510 Registered: 6-2006 |
Ramone, thanks for that story. I read the first one, about Pastor Suzuki(?) and was very touched. I was blown away that his wife took him back! That was really a beautiful story. I have so much respect for the Christians who have lived on the edge and have been reborn in Christ. They have amazing impact on all of us, IMO. Hoping you're getting sleep! Leigh Anne | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5631 Registered: 12-2003 |
Awesome, Ramone! Thanks for sharing these stories. I agree, Leigh Anneóthese people do have amazing impact on all of us. God is so amazingóHe knows how to reach each one of us in exactly the way we need. Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3527 Registered: 3-2004 |
Ramone, That is such an exciting story. AWESOME how God changes people. It reminds me of a book my pastor wrote. It is called STRIPPED by Jud Wilhite. If you see it in your local book store, get it and read it. It is about members of my church who have learned about God and how God is changing them. As Colleen said above, God is so amazing-He knows how to reach each one of us in exactly the way we need. We truly have an awesome God. Diana | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 149 Registered: 8-2005  |
I got one while in the Military on the upper portion of my left bicep. Several years ago when I was at a work bee my t-shirt sleeve rode up and my tat was exposed, one of the elderly female "saints" gave me a FIT over having it!! My tat is the Tazmanian Devil with a beret and some other Military accessories on him, nothing crude or vulgar. |
