So, I read a article by J. Lee Grady, Contributing Editor of Charisma magazine (a link is at the end of this blog). I enjoy Grady's articles - he's quite insightful and spiritually sound in his writings. I often find myself pondering his words and viewing them in light of my own thoughts and perceptions.
The article I read today "What Will You Do With Jesus' Tatoo?" was a pretty good one (as usual). The title was misleading, as Grady spent about 2/3 of the article dealing with the various misunderstandings that most Christians have about our Lord and Savior. Most people want Jesus to be a "Genie in a Bottle" or a "Kum-by-yah guru" or a democrat or a republic, when he's none of those things and he really doesn't even fit into our small-minded categories.
But, in the first 1/3 of the article, he did deal with tattoo. He cited Revelation 19:16, which says, And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KINGS OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (KJV). Many in the church understand this to be a marking (or tattoo) on Jesus' thigh; many in the church also use this Scripture to justify getting a tattoo or tattoos. However, many in the church are against tattoos, citing Leviticus 19:28, which says Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print an marks upon you; I am the Lord.
I spent time in prayer over this issue in 2009, after someone pointed out to me Revelation 19:16 - that person wasn't interested in a tattoo, but wasn't sure how to reconcile Revelation 19-16 with Leviticus 19:28. I had my personal opinion on the subject of tattoos, but I wanted to provide a biblically-sound answer to anyone who may have any questions or uncertainties. Many Christians will immediately cite Leviticus 19:28; while others claim Christian Liberty to justify tattoos (since we're not under the Old Testament covenant, but under a new covenant, I'm not bound to the OT law or that scripture - Leviticus 19;28).
I personally have never been a fan of tattoos - I think they're tacky. Plus, how good will they look on a person in 30-40 years, after that skin has started to thin out, sag, and the other physical affects of aging take root? Additionally, most people know by how that it's near impossible to get a job in most settings here in America with visible tattoos. For example, Lil' Wayne isn't worried about his tattoos because Lil' Wayne knows that he'll never work on Wall Street, in a law firm, or a bank; the average American doesn't have to celebrity or finances that Lil' Wayne has to provide for his future.
And, I agree with the Leviticus 19:28. Even though we're under a new covenant through Christ Jesus, and not yoked with the obligation of living by the Mosaic law, it's still in the Bible that Christians study; it's been included for a reason. The law gave the Israelites guidelines to follow to keep them distinct from their culture, as well as guidelines to perform the ceremonial duties (care for the tabernacle/temple, priestly duties, and whatnot); the law, of course, also gave moral guidelines (such as the Ten Commandments) - the moral guidelines are applicable, regardless of which covenant we subscribe to (meaning that the moral guidelines are for Christians today as well, even if they first appeared in the Old Testament).
Let's be honest - the reason why most people want a tattoo is because they're popular. Nobody, especially in the African-American community had a tattoo prior to the 1990s unless they were a gang member or had spent time in prison (or was a Satanist). Then, when Tupac Shakur and the other rappers and rock stars started getting inked up, everbody was running to the tattoo parlors to get crosses, hearts, their mother's name, Japanese symbols, and the like all over their bodies.
Many Christians are included and are caught up in the tattoo craze. Many younger Christians even use this lame excuse "I'm using my tattoo as a ministry tool." Well, if a person doesn't have power from on high, I guess they need gimmicks such as tattoos to try to reach souls for Christ. As for me, I pray and ask God that I lead a life that will stand out and make men want to know Christ; that I'll preach and teach with such conviction, authority, and power that men will be compelled. The apostles didn't need tattoos, or slang, or Holy Hip Hop to win the lost souls to Christ - they just had the truth and power, and that was enough.
As I said earlier, I spent time in prayer over this issues. Then, God took me to Genesis 4:15 - Therefore whoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. God had me "zero in" on the part where it is written "And the Lord set a mark upon Cain". Then I thought back to Revelation 19:16, and asked this question "Where did Jesus get his tattoo from?".
Jesus and Cain get their tattoos from the same source - GOD (THE FATHER). These were the only two instances of tattooing (or marking, as the KJV calls it) (The word "tattoo" is from the polynesian word tatau, which is associated with the rites of passage of men in some polynesian cultures, which involves a navel-to-knee tattoo). My rationale is that, since the only two Biblical personalities with tattoos received them from God, and they both served a purpose (for Cain - to let the rest of mankind know that he was not to be killed; for Jesus - as part of him returning in all glory), then God is the only one who can give tattoos.
What Will You Do With Jesus’ Tattoo?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Go Metro?
So, I was catching up on local news on Cincinnati.com, and I came across an opinion piece dealing with Metro service written by Krista Ramsey (for my non-Cincinnatians, Metro is the local public transportation service). (Here's a link to the article)
I felt that she makes some good points in advertising some of the good that Metro does in the community (the relationships with local colleges/universities, the fact that more than 20 major employers subsidize employees' bus passes or allow them to pay for the passes pre-tax, and being available to persons with disabilities).
However, I generally felt that her perspective was a little twisted. She holds the idea that if more people would ride Metro, then it would resolve the economic problems facing the bus system. I disagree with this perspective, for a few reasons-
1. Leadership in this area aren't overly concerned with transportation. This is evidenced in the fact that most of the board members of SORTA (the governing body of Metro) live in areas that aren't accessible by public transportation. As these people are drivers, they have no regard for the average Metro rider (working class, poor, students).
2. Metro routes are often inconvenient. In most cities, the buses travel to all the malls - not in Cincinnati. In most cities, there's plenty of east-west bus routes - not in Cincinnati (only 3, at best). In most cities, buses travel to the heavy employment areas - NOT IN CINCINNATI.
3. Metro continues to cut the length of routes while increasing fares. A year ago, they raised bus far $0.25, and raised transfers $0.25, while cutting routes by 20%. What does that look like? Well, I live on a main thorougfare here in Cincinnati, yet the bus only runs every 1/2 half on my street. Then, the bus used to go past a main shopping center on my side of town, but after this fare increase, they cut direct service to that shopping center. So, now I have to pay an extra 25-50 cents to walk up a hill a block to go to that shopping center.
4. I don't like the fact that my school is ten minutes from my home, yet I have to spend 45 minutes and catch two buses to get there. I don't like that I have to spend an hour and catch two buses to my job (which is 15 minutes away). I don't like that my church is 10 minutes away, and it takes two buses and an hour to get there. I don't like that the bus drivers allow these disrespectful, nasty teenagers get on the bus and eat, drink, blast that rap music, use all kinds of profanity, and roll up joints on the bus. I don't like these chicks that get on the bus with these supersized strollers and expect the bus driver (or someone else) to grab the stroller for them - girl, you need to at least ask somebody!!! I ain't the nigga that got you out here riding the bus with a baby!
Basically, I'm not feeling Ms. Ramsey. Maybe if I lived Downtown, or OTR, or Clifton, maybe even Northside or Hyde Park, or even if I worked Downtown, my perspective on Metro would be better. However I'm not within two miles of Downtown, and I'm thinking that the 8-10 hours a week I'd save from driving is worth more than the 2-3 dollars I would save from riding Metro.. That's why I plan on leaving Metro alone as soon as this income tax check comes through.
These are just some thoughts... off the dome.
I felt that she makes some good points in advertising some of the good that Metro does in the community (the relationships with local colleges/universities, the fact that more than 20 major employers subsidize employees' bus passes or allow them to pay for the passes pre-tax, and being available to persons with disabilities).
However, I generally felt that her perspective was a little twisted. She holds the idea that if more people would ride Metro, then it would resolve the economic problems facing the bus system. I disagree with this perspective, for a few reasons-
1. Leadership in this area aren't overly concerned with transportation. This is evidenced in the fact that most of the board members of SORTA (the governing body of Metro) live in areas that aren't accessible by public transportation. As these people are drivers, they have no regard for the average Metro rider (working class, poor, students).
2. Metro routes are often inconvenient. In most cities, the buses travel to all the malls - not in Cincinnati. In most cities, there's plenty of east-west bus routes - not in Cincinnati (only 3, at best). In most cities, buses travel to the heavy employment areas - NOT IN CINCINNATI.
3. Metro continues to cut the length of routes while increasing fares. A year ago, they raised bus far $0.25, and raised transfers $0.25, while cutting routes by 20%. What does that look like? Well, I live on a main thorougfare here in Cincinnati, yet the bus only runs every 1/2 half on my street. Then, the bus used to go past a main shopping center on my side of town, but after this fare increase, they cut direct service to that shopping center. So, now I have to pay an extra 25-50 cents to walk up a hill a block to go to that shopping center.
4. I don't like the fact that my school is ten minutes from my home, yet I have to spend 45 minutes and catch two buses to get there. I don't like that I have to spend an hour and catch two buses to my job (which is 15 minutes away). I don't like that my church is 10 minutes away, and it takes two buses and an hour to get there. I don't like that the bus drivers allow these disrespectful, nasty teenagers get on the bus and eat, drink, blast that rap music, use all kinds of profanity, and roll up joints on the bus. I don't like these chicks that get on the bus with these supersized strollers and expect the bus driver (or someone else) to grab the stroller for them - girl, you need to at least ask somebody!!! I ain't the nigga that got you out here riding the bus with a baby!
Basically, I'm not feeling Ms. Ramsey. Maybe if I lived Downtown, or OTR, or Clifton, maybe even Northside or Hyde Park, or even if I worked Downtown, my perspective on Metro would be better. However I'm not within two miles of Downtown, and I'm thinking that the 8-10 hours a week I'd save from driving is worth more than the 2-3 dollars I would save from riding Metro.. That's why I plan on leaving Metro alone as soon as this income tax check comes through.
These are just some thoughts... off the dome.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
His Eye Is On The Sparrow (Part II)
"His Eye Is On The Sparrow" is one of my favorite songs of all time. I love to sing it to myself, and I love to listen to others sing it (as evidenced by Part I of this blog).
I was in college the first time I [remember] hearing this song. It was such a beautiful and encouraging song. It reminded me that I don't have to worry or fret because, surely, GOD is watching me. This song put me in remembrance of Scriptures such as, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" or "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you". It just reassures me of God's love, protection, and provision for me.
I copied the following from Wikipedia:
Inspiration
The theme of the song is inspired by the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, as referenced by Mrs. Doolittle in Elmira, New York: "Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26) and "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29-31).
Civilla Martin, who wrote the lyrics, said this about her inspiration to write the song based in the scriptures outlined above,
I was in college the first time I [remember] hearing this song. It was such a beautiful and encouraging song. It reminded me that I don't have to worry or fret because, surely, GOD is watching me. This song put me in remembrance of Scriptures such as, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" or "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you". It just reassures me of God's love, protection, and provision for me.
I copied the following from Wikipedia:
Inspiration
The theme of the song is inspired by the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, as referenced by Mrs. Doolittle in Elmira, New York: "Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26) and "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29-31).
Civilla Martin, who wrote the lyrics, said this about her inspiration to write the song based in the scriptures outlined above,
Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience.
—Civilla Martin
His Eye Is On The Sparrow (Part I)
Anybody that knows me well knows that "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" is one of my all-time favorite songs. It's probably my favorite, though it's hard to pick sometimes ("Now Behold The Lamb" and "Please Don't Pass Me By" are up there on the list as well).
Earlier today, I was on good ol' Youtube, listening to some of my favorite renditions (and one that was... well, they were doing it unto the Lord, so I can't knock that, right?), and I've decided to post some of my favorite versions.
And...
Oh yeah - I heard that Kelly Price did a version of my song, but I haven't seen/heard it - does anyone reading this blog know about it?
Earlier today, I was on good ol' Youtube, listening to some of my favorite renditions (and one that was... well, they were doing it unto the Lord, so I can't knock that, right?), and I've decided to post some of my favorite versions.
And...
Oh yeah - I heard that Kelly Price did a version of my song, but I haven't seen/heard it - does anyone reading this blog know about it?
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
2010
Happy New Year's and stuff!
It's 2011, the year of "like never before." God told me that so many things will be like never before in this next year, and I'm in expectation of the fulfillment of his prophecy.
But, the reason for this blog was to share my thoughts on the previous year, now that it's over.
Well, 2010 year was a good year. More than anything, I've realized just how far I've come in the past 10 years, and how I almost didn't get to experience these 10 years (long story). So, I was pretty grateful unto God for 2010, and I really begun to do like Philippians 3:14 says - "forgetting those things that are behind... I press forward...."
I also believe that a lot of "groundwork" was done in 2010. Some things are soon to happen, especially with Anointed Word Fellowship, and much of the work was accomplished over the last year.
Some highlights include the following: 1 - my first extended fast in January/February, 2 - my brother's return home in June, 3 - being put up as an Elder in the church in June, 4 - returning to school in August, 5 - preaching two Sundays in a row in October, and 6 - something that I won't mention at this time (there's a situation on which God has yet to give me clarity).
Nothing bad to say about 2010, except that I wish my financial situation would have been better, and I wish I could've went out of town this year. Oh well - God provided my needs (and more), so there's no reason to be in sucka-mode or anything like that. I have health, shelter, food, clothes, the Holy Ghost, and the Internet. (LOL)
For 2011 - very hopeful. Like I said at the beginning, this is the year of "like never before." Even though the past 3-4 days have been "blah" for the most part (except for New Year's Eve service, and Sunday service, both of which were off-the-chain), great things are going down this year. I'm looking forward to great things in the ministry, trips to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Oxford (Alumni Reunion), and a few other places, more of school, more writing, and buckling down with practicing the keyboard, among other things.
Well, that's that. Laton!
It's 2011, the year of "like never before." God told me that so many things will be like never before in this next year, and I'm in expectation of the fulfillment of his prophecy.
But, the reason for this blog was to share my thoughts on the previous year, now that it's over.
Well, 2010 year was a good year. More than anything, I've realized just how far I've come in the past 10 years, and how I almost didn't get to experience these 10 years (long story). So, I was pretty grateful unto God for 2010, and I really begun to do like Philippians 3:14 says - "forgetting those things that are behind... I press forward...."
I also believe that a lot of "groundwork" was done in 2010. Some things are soon to happen, especially with Anointed Word Fellowship, and much of the work was accomplished over the last year.
Some highlights include the following: 1 - my first extended fast in January/February, 2 - my brother's return home in June, 3 - being put up as an Elder in the church in June, 4 - returning to school in August, 5 - preaching two Sundays in a row in October, and 6 - something that I won't mention at this time (there's a situation on which God has yet to give me clarity).
Nothing bad to say about 2010, except that I wish my financial situation would have been better, and I wish I could've went out of town this year. Oh well - God provided my needs (and more), so there's no reason to be in sucka-mode or anything like that. I have health, shelter, food, clothes, the Holy Ghost, and the Internet. (LOL)
For 2011 - very hopeful. Like I said at the beginning, this is the year of "like never before." Even though the past 3-4 days have been "blah" for the most part (except for New Year's Eve service, and Sunday service, both of which were off-the-chain), great things are going down this year. I'm looking forward to great things in the ministry, trips to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Oxford (Alumni Reunion), and a few other places, more of school, more writing, and buckling down with practicing the keyboard, among other things.
Well, that's that. Laton!
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