Cardboard Cutout Jesus

I don't have a problem with Tattoos. I think they're cool. I've always thought about getting one.

But something about them has troubled me, and I was never sure what it was. The thought of ACTUALLY getting one just didn't set well with me and I never knew why.

The church has this thing against tattoos, piercings, hats, rock music, dancing etc. Forever I've just written those things off as "stupid rules made up by some old man".

Well, I was partially right... and partially wrong.

I went searching for answers. Why I can't just pick up the Bible, I don't know, I guess it doesn't work that way for me... no... I went searching for answers on the internet, searching up exact versus dealing with my questions.

I don't feel like going back through and uncovering the verses but I suppose if you want them for your own reference, just leave a note asking and I'll post them.

ANYWAY, here's how it goes.

We're not to mark to cut our bodies. The Bible says strictly AGAINST piercings and tattoos. But the thing is, the Bible says it's because you're not to idolize any other "god". But what if you get a tattoo of a verse number, or something praising the Lord? Is that OK?

I haven't found an answer to that... I mean I know getting a tattoo of a guitar, or a car engine, or a bands logo or something like that is wrong according to what it says in the Bible... but if you get a tattoo of a cross with a Bible verse, is that acceptable?

I don't know...

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So I've been doing a lot of thinking. Why do I need a tattoo to show people that I'm a man of God?

Maybe if they can't tell just by looking at me, I need to change my life a little more so that I won't NEED a tattoo to show my faith. I don't need a cross necklace or anything either. My cross is within. My faith is within. I don't need something outward, a "cardboard cut out Jesus" if you will... I don't need something to carry around and point to telling people "this is my Jesus, this is my faith, look, see here?"

I have a Cross Eyed (youth group) logo on the rear window of my car. I have it there cause it's cool, and it even helps me remember not to flip people off in traffic or anything.

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On another note...

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Things are going crazy lately. It's complete and utter chaos... ...and for once, I'm on the outside of it all, I'm a spectator just watching things unfold and holding the sides of my head while I try to take it all in. My worry, my fear, my anxiety... I love my friends. All of 'em. They're my family. So how do I turn away and pretend like it's not my place to step in when one of them is surely on the wrong path? Well, it IS my place to step in, but the way I've stepped in before isn't the way I should have.

I should leave it up to God. I should pray for the person(s). It really sucks that I can't just approach a friend with concern about their actions without them getting mad at me... that they can't just see that I only care about them... but in a way, that's God telling me that it isn't my problem to take care of. I need to step back and just ask God to work in their life.

So here's the situation-er- situations. I have a friend... well, a couple... or more... friends who are seeing people who aren't nessecarily good for them. In one case, it seems to be a purely superficial situation... in another, it seems to be ignorance... and in another, just plain defiance and denial.

I'd love to just approach them and say "Look, I really care about you, and this isn't good for you... you need to bring these people to Christ before you begin a relationship."

But I'll get shot down. They'll get mad at me, they'll resent it.

I had a talk with Jessica last night about it all. She's not willing to stay silent about it. The situation that this friend is in relates to Jessica in such a way that it's REALLY hurting her to think about it.

This friend... she's seeing a guy who has a girlfriend. This friend is "the other girl". Well, Jessica's dad had "another girl"... so for one of Jessica's best friends... or rather, Jessicas BEST friend, as she stated, to be doing the same thing as that girl that got with her father, stirs up a lot of bad memories, breaks a lot of respect and trust.

It's similar to if you had a friend whos parents were killed by a drunk dirver, yet you decide to drink and drive also.

I'm just going to sit back and pray about it. I hope everyone in these relationships can make it out a little wiser in the end...

There's no need to waste Gods time.