WEAKNESS

Each time he said, "My GRACE is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (NLT) ( 2 Corinthians 12:9 )
People always want to talk about what they are Good at or past achievements "look how far we've come" Each of these are strengths we proudly boast to one another. It is absurd to think about taking pride in our weaknesses.... Right?
 We are uncomfortable with weaknesses because recognizing them means we are not enough.
Yet this attitude welcomes Christ into our lives so He can perfect our weakness and He can receive glory. What is one of your weaknesses? Is it not wanting to APPEAR weak? Is it admitting when you've made a mistake? Will that make you LOOK weak? Or will that be Inviting Christ to have the power to work in you. Share your weakness with others and watch to see the power of Christ...
...by no means will that be easy for all...
It took certain "BIG REVEALS" straight from God for me to Finally see and know who I am in Christ. It Gives you such STRENGTH to Know HIS LOVE!

And With HIM you can do ALL things. 

Indeed to Reveal you have a weakness is bring Glory to God. Shattered Hearts, Pride, Only you and God know if you'll Lie and pretend to be Blind. Will You Bring Glory to God with Your Weaknesses By Boasting Them? Or will You Hide Them To APPEAR Righteous?

PRESS TO DRESS

On Wednesday after service I was asked to NOT wear jeans anymore During Sundays when helping Lead Praise with the worship Band.... I politely said ok and Left as I was already getting into my car. Simple Right?

First off I “get” and understand some of the LOGIC, but not the relationship... Or how this demonstrates anything other than focusing on Image.  I just don’t see how it has anything to do with LOVE.  Doesn’t God see us at our worst? When we are in our sweatpants and t-shirts with no makeup on or hair washed? God sees us all the time.  Most people say that we should dress up out of respect for Christ. But how do you define dressing up. Is a tie enough? Or do you need a suit as well? Do nice jeans count or do you have to have slacks? Shirt tucked in or out? I think you may get my point because I could go on and on. What one person considers dressing up may not be consistent with what other people think. Very quickly you start down a road that leads to legalism and pride. You also start down a road that causes division between generations. What most 20 year olds consider nice, most 50 year olds would not even consider wearing, and the reverse is true as well. What I would wear to a job interview is very different from what an older person would wear. Why, because we grew up in different eras.

I needed to make sure this wasn’t my pride or ego that was hurt.

When I was approached it was done privately as it should of been. But in the End…it just made me feel like I wasn't good enough.
Now I'm sure there are some that would try to say
 "well, your in a leadership position...you need to look Professional" 
The Pharisees were the religious of the day who were impressively dressed as Leaders of the Faith, In fact They HATED the Fact That Jesus was Wearing “Jeans” of his Day… No adornments, Fancy Garments, No Crown and No fancy shoes…This Can NOT be The Son of God. Jesus wasn’t just “A” leader of the faith… he is the son of God…. And he wore a dirty Robe of a carpenter and not what People EXPECTED or Told him he SHOULD be wearing. Jesus had some of the harshest words for those Religious Leaders of The Faith pushing appearances.
LET ME ASK YOU THIS: 
What Did ALL of the Religious Leaders Wear? 
What Did JESUS, Teacher, Leader and Son of GOD wear? 
are we following the church? or are we following Christs example?
As a personal Conviction There is of course the argument that I also think that dressing up can become a barrier to reaching people for Christ. I have had people ask me if they come with me will they have to dress up for church and then have a sigh of relief that they don’t. Why?

Because they didn’t own any clothes that people would find acceptable in most churches?

They felt like they couldn’t even attend church unless they bought “nice” clothes?

How sad of an indictment is that against churches today. We are known more for what we wear instead of who we love.

And I’ll Only quickly even mention how since going to this Church how many people have approached me just to show me their “Tattoos” and talk about them… if they have meaning or struggles… ALL This because they see me on stage worshipping GOD with them. We are ALL Broken Sinners. Don’t you Think someone in the congregation might need to see its ok to wear jeans?! That it’s not about what’s on the Outside… Ever.

This issue weighed Heavy on my heart… all the while the enemy whispering in my ear.

“Just follow The Rules… don’t cause waves… just wear khakis or slacks or whatever the “professional” Christian wears… If you cause problems they will never let you be in leadership…”

Of course if we seek God he’s there…and he was quick to reminded me I Don’t need anyone’s Approval but His. I put my focus back on God. If God wants me in Leadership or Building my Own Ministry… who’s gonna stand against him? Not me that’s for sure.  Later that week I went to the Local Theater with my Small Group (a small bible study from my church) to see “Gods Not Dead”. Without giving away any spoilers to the readers who haven’t seen it yet… there is an issue in which the “main Guy” is doing something For God against everyone’s better judgment. He’s Told its self-seeking by other believers, his parents and loved ones are telling him to not make it an issue even though he feels lead by God and  something isn’t right. They down Play it to him or try justifying it… Either way the message is the same… it’s just “Jeans” Just wear what they tell you to.

It's bothered me all week,  Not just today when I woke up for church looking at  The "not" jeans; a Pair of slacks sitting out on top of my dresser since Wednesdays Lil’ private Talk... And I've been praying and praying. I wasn’t ready yet…  So I Turned to the Lord. So Instead, I spent My Morning Hangin’ with God and seeking his wisdom.

Doesn’t it feel like Churches Today are doing way to much overlooking by looking to hard at what they see and what they want others to Perceive?

It Seems That Some’ in my church may see my “Image” as something Negative on their Overall Ideal Look for Church Leadership.  Tattoos and Gauged Ears… and Jeans… I even had long Hair but Cut it (on my own accord). Don’t they see these are the type of issues that cause division in a church? When Church Leaders focus on secondary issues, we are distracted from God’s vision for the church. You will never hear me preaching against dressing up in church, but you will also never hear me preach against dressing casually. Why? Because as a church we have more important things to talk about.  Keep in mind We’re not talking about Modesty here, But IMAGE.  And if it bothers you when people don’t dress to your standards, please take a look at John 7:24. Let’s not focus on secondary issues that do nothing but cause division.

“God, how do I Show them that it’s Not the Expectation of Trying our Best…. But Creating the Standard of BEST that diminishes Gods Love so that someday we can become that church that really and truly are the hands and feet of Jesus and not running around worried about stupid man made policies and procedures but instead to just roll up our sleeves and deal with broken, messy, messed up life we have been delivered from”

... So I wait upon The Lord.

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Soul Tattoo

As someone who Looks the Way I do…Tattoos, Gauged Ears ... my Concern and dare I say it… fear, as a Jesus-loving sinner, is that I might be a stumbling block for someone. 

I am by no means perfect… or even close. I certainly don’t have it all figured out, but I do know this… if we die to our own desires, ask God to convict you if you’re Living for you and not him, Ask that he place desires in your Heart to guide you to where he wants you….and truly want that…want what he wants. We will live completely and abundant and with difficulty and Pain. So Let’s Talk About Tattoos.

When growing up… I wanted my ears pierced.. Living at home and being only 16 at the time I undoubtedly needed permission. When I asked my parents if I could pierce my ears my dad instead of saying no…or yes… challenged me. He asked me to show him where in the bible it says its ok to have your ears pierced. If I could find something to give proof of “ Jesus giving the ok”…Only then would he allow me to get my ears pierced.

DEAL.

I found myself digging through scriptures, verses and Even history books to find out the origins of piercings and what they meant and of course “Is it ok?”. I found some interesting things back then…but through the years I found even more perspective and have been blessed with Wisdom. The Lord seeing fit to turn my “Bad Past and Strongholds” into “His Plan and Strongpoint’s”. I Seek Him in All That I do. I try to be sensitive to the holy spirit enough to be convicted if I’m out of line. I do this by seeking him. Always.

 Now first things first… when I went to look it up, I first found the verse in Leviticus. You see, I believe there are many different rules in the Bible; some are cultural and some are eternal. 

Here is the verse I am referring to:

²⁸ “‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19, NIV)

At first it seems pretty straightforward, until you realize that it says

“for the dead”

and lets consider that getting earrings also constitutes cutting the flesh. "Ladies" and Gents. THE PAIGEN RELIGIONS HAD RITUALS FOR MOURNING THE DEAD THAT INVOLVED CUTTING and MARKING THEMSELVES. GOD DIDNT WANT THE ISRAELITES TO LOOK LIKE THEY WORSHIPPED A PAIGEN GOD. SIMPLE. 

Then, when you read the verses around it you find this:

26 “‘Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it.
27 “‘Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.”

In this passage, Moses is beseeching the Israelites, God’s chosen people, to be set apart: to be holy. And the rules listed consist of a mixture of heart-rules and head-rules. Ones that are meant for 

A.) preserving one’s relationship with God and with man, and 

B.) for preserving cultural cleanliness and order for that time.

The Old Testament commands which carry forward to the New are those that focus on preserving one’s relationship with God and man, rules such as:

15 “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
16 “‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
“‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord..
18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19)

And then there are other rules mixed in with those such as:

“‘Do not mate different kinds of animals.
“‘Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed.
“‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material. (Leviticus 19:19)

These, I believe, are cultural. And you are welcome to disagree with me. The Bible is infallible, yes, but we as readers are fallible.

WE DO NOT LIVE UNDER THE OLD LAWS.

If you Believe that we Live Under The Old Law.

Then that shirt you’re  wearing that’s half polyester Half Cotton is a Sin. Unless we are picking and choosing... ahem.

When Jesus was asked about all the Old Laws of the Old Testament. He answered I did not come to Abolish the Old Law, But to fulfill it…We are living Under a New Covenant… Not a covenant of Rules and Laws…But of Grace and Mercy.

It can all get so messy discussing matters of the Heart, unless we realize the Spirit behind the Bible: a Spirit that longs for us to be set right with God.

Jesus came to fulfill the rules that preserve our relationship with God and with each other. 

He came to give us the Holy Spirit so we might not steal, or cheat, or envy one another.

As for marking one’s body on behalf of the dead, or wearing clothing of two kinds of material, or clipping one’s beard… I believe those were intended to keep cultural cleanliness and Order for that time and Have Nothing to do with your salvation.

1 Samuel 16:7 – “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (NIV)

Jesus chastises us when we focus too much on the outward appearance and What’s Acceptable:

25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

I think What God cares about most is us surrendering such decisions to him. If we give our desires to him, he will make our path straight.

Over Years, I’ve had the privilege of learning to hear Lord’s voice and how he choose to Speak to Me. I know some hear him through Scripture, others through dreams. For me, I have conversations with him and am constantly amazed at his Perfect Timing.

If the Tattoo will be a source of pride and vanity for you. I think you should ask yourself how does that bring glory to God?

I Believe that I am more than my skin. More than my physical appearance. That I matter in an eternal kind of way.

I don’t have all of the answers. I do know, however, that God cares about us. He cares about every decision that we make. We don’t need to be afraid to surrender, because he is not out to get us. He is a good father who wants to bless his children.

37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, … how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings…” (Matthew 23)

After all, the Bible says in Revelation19:16 that Jesus has a tattoo on His thigh, "And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

I think it comes down to personal conviction and we should never try to push our personal convictions on others. Ultimately, the decision is between you and God

If you want a Tattoo, Then pray about it. Its a Matter of the Heart. God Knows Your Heart.

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