New Tattoos

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Sherri

I wouldn't like it, but I don't think it's a sin. So far, he hasn't wanted to, so I'm not sweating it. In the past, my daughter has had both a pierced belly button and a pierced nose, which were just phases that she outgrew. They were not a big deal to me, although I personally hated the little diamond thing in her nose. She got it when she was spending a year as a missionary in Costa Rica, and it was culturally accepted there way more than here. So, no, I don't have a problem with piercings themselves (but I was glad that they were just a phase!!).

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[berkeley]

Originally Posted by revrandy

....

just spit it out and get it over with....

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Berkeley

just spit it out and get it over with....

I can take it; I'm a big girl.

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by Sherri

I can take it; I'm a big girl.

I know ...I know... If he has something to say, he should just say it..

[Michlow]

To be perfectly honest, I could only stomach the first 11 pages of this thread before I got so frustrated that I wanted to repeatedly bang my head against the computer monitor.

I particularly like how we judge each other by little superficial outward things.

All you pharisee's will particularly appreciate this story.

The other day, after returning from a vacation back home, my non-believing husband asked me if my sister had "completely given up on the whole christianity thing". Well, I looked at him kind of stupefied and asked him what made him ask that, he answered "well, she got her eyebrow pierced".

I couldn't help but look at him like he grew another head. As I continued to stare at him stupidly, he followed up with "doesn't the bible say you aren't supposed to pierce yourself?"

I don't know if I can fully explain the horror I felt that my non-church attending, non-praying, non-bible reading husband only knows enough "religion" to judge others by their outward appearance.

And then I think of how I perpetuated that attiude for years. It just makes me want to cry.

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by revrandy

Margie...

Would you have a problem with him piercing his ear and wearing a cross to celebrate his Christianity?

Originally Posted by Sherri

I wouldn't like it, but I don't think it's a sin. So far, he hasn't wanted to, so I'm not sweating it. In the past, my daughter has had both a pierced belly button and a pierced nose, which were just phases that she outgrew. They were not a big deal to me, although I personally hated the little diamond thing in her nose. She got it when she was spending a year as a missionary in Costa Rica, and it was culturally accepted there way more than here. So, no, I don't have a problem with piercings themselves (but I was glad that they were just a phase!!).

RevRandy, I agree with Sherri on this one. No, I wouldn't like it. But I don't think it's a sin. So while I may say to him, "Justin, I don't like it when you wear that." - the same way that I would if he came out in raggy jeans that hung way off of his bottom - I would not say to him, "Justin, you should not wear that because you will go to hell for it." I MIGHT ask if he has prayed about it and whether he can honestly feel like whatever he is doing is pleasing in the sight of God.

But again, I've learned to pick my battles. External issues are not often a battle having. Discussions about his relationship with the Lord - now that's time well spent!

[Sweet Pea]

I would be devastated if one of my children came home with a tattoo....But... I'd get over it! I have to agree with whoever it was that said they were more disappointed with themselves that they have raised them to think it was okay... I personally feel that it is a pagan, heathen practice that has crept into the mainstream American culture. I'm not saying it is "sin" - but I personally don't believe it is a "witness" to others.

Now, having said that..... Thad, I think you were a little tough on Sherri... she was very transparent and brave to even post this information on this forum. I'm not sure that I would have had the guts to put it out there for all of you to criticise, if it were my children. As parents, we learn that our children sometimes do things that we don't approve of and that we ultimately feel is a reflection on us as parents. HOWEVER, we love them in spite of these things. Until you are a parent, you just don't understand how this kind of love is!!! And believe me, as your children get older..... you learn more and more about it!!!!!

Sherri, though I'm not sure I agree with you on some of the "standards" issues, I do respect and admire your sweet spirit.

[Sweet Pea]

Originally Posted by Margies3

RevRandy, I agree with Sherri on this one. No, I wouldn't like it. But I don't think it's a sin. So while I may say to him, "Justin, I don't like it when you wear that." - the same way that I would if he came out in raggy jeans that hung way off of his bottom - I would not say to him, "Justin, you should not wear that because you will go to hell for it." I MIGHT ask if he has prayed about it and whether he can honestly feel like whatever he is doing is pleasing in the sight of God.

But again, I've learned to pick my battles. External issues are not often a battle having. Discussions about his relationship with the Lord - now that's time well spent!

Boy...... isn't that the truth.... don't major in the minors! (and I'm NOT saying that a tattoo is a "minor".)

[Jekyll]

Welcome to Joel Osteen's church!!!!!!

All you need to do is feel the loooooooooove of God and have zeal for uh....His looooooove!!!!!!

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Jekyll

Welcome to Joel Osteen's church!!!!!!

All you need to do is feel the loooooooooove of God and have zeal for uh....His looooooove!!!!!!

All you see of Joel Osteen is his TV program. His church is nothing like what you see on TV. We have people from our church who attend there when they're working in Texas. They say it is very much Spirit filled, and he is nothing like the good old smiley boy you see on TV. I don't know why they put that image across the airwaves!