I Got a Tattoo

Ps. 119: 9-15

Not really.  It will be interesting, however, to see how many come to the site (right now I am at 3995), how many tatt SEO's come my way with messages on how to get one or remove one and just how many of you come out of curiosity and if I really did get one.  Well I did not get one, but know several people who are close to me who have one, are getting one or want one.  At first reaction, it is not something I would do for myself or really wish for someone else either.  At the same time I am called not to judge.  I am called to lead. I am called to pray, to rejoice, to celebrate, to love, to serve and a whole lot more.  I also am called to do all these things by His side and with His heart.  That is where I fall flat....usually on my face before God and sometimes just flat on my face. It is then that I remember the heart of God.  I know "they" saying "it doesn't make you less of a Christian to have a tattoo or get one", (who are "they" by the way?) but at the same time it struck me that I don't need one either to remind me of God's love for me or how much I love God.  I don't need one to show others who God is in my life.  His Word is written on my heart.
I made this ring out of PMC, precious metal clay.  It's my first attempt, it's not perfect, but I really love it.  I used a kitchen torch to burn away the clay and I had to put it under the white flame in order for the clay to burn off.  I feel like I have been in the white hot flame this week as God has been burning away the chaff in my life.  And yet what a perfect heart it creates out of it's imperfect and irregular shape.  When I opened my Bible to take this picture I was hoping to place the ring on Ps. 118:8 which some of you know is the verse that is the very center verse of the bible and reads, "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."  Instead I was focused on the lighting, the ring and the heart and forgot to double check the verse.  This is my life as I know it.  I forget too often and need God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit there in my heart, double checking, putting my life in just the right light, in just the right place for it to make any sense to God.  It has to be by His design, otherwise I would have missed this message all together.   As it turns out it this is a much better verse and perfect placement of the ring by God's design for this little message He gave to me that I share with you.  If you can read the verse where the ring rests it's Ps. 119: 9-15 which reads, "How can a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed according to Your word.  With my whole heart I have sought You;  Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!  Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.  Blessed are You, O Lord!  Teach me Your statutes.  With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches  I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways".
1 Cor.10:31 reads, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God".  An important principle (on issues the Bible does not specifically address) if there is room for doubt whether it pleases God, then it is best not to engage in that activity.  Rom. 14:23 reminds us that anything that does not come from faith is sin.  Our bodies and our souls have been redeemed and belong to God as a temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell.  You are not your own, you were bought with a price therefore honor God with your body.  What am I learning in this fallen world?  That even though there are things that may not please me I am not the one to judge whether it pleases God......
So I don't have to fall flat on my face in despair, or anxiousness or shame.  God has put His signature on my heart like a tattoo.  He has written my name in the book of life tattooed there for eternity for all the saints to see.  So, I guess I do have a tattoo hidden away inside my heart, in the palms of Christ hands, in the countenance on my face, in the walk I choose to walk and in the love I am able to give because He freely gave to me.  We're not perfect, but God really loves us.   I love you and you love me.......so what else really matters?