Scott Free

I see your point. Just leery of taking a person's avatar too seriously. I like to watch them react to others while under stress or see how they deal with people not liking them. Witnessing goes deeper than persuasive arguments, much less religious symbolism.

I love how we must have faith. It is interesting that the Bible says that the Word appeared to the antediluvian people. They must of had holy scripture proclaiming the outlandish propositio0n of a deluge when rain clouds couldn't form during that time. Since they were at glacial maximum, which sucked up the available humidity to the point that all they knew was fog and glacial runoff.

J.R. Tolkien was a Christian and was best friends with C.S Lewis. The Lord of the Rings is heavily influenced by Christian morals and ideals. Example: the hobbit 'Samwise' is meant as a representation of true Christian character. He reminds me of 'Help' in the Pilgrim's Progress. I do realize it is not a ministerial work.

After the Thousand Years the Pit is reopened and the mortal humans that survived the cataclysm will overrun the Earth again for the last time. This process could take many more thousands of additional years to complete. Those glorified remind me of the elves in the Lord of the Rings. We will stand apart and live in high places out of their reach.

Yes, The Ark closed with no time left after that worlds age of grace. When repentance was no longer an option. Do not forget the Beast exterminates the Christians. The retribution of the Last Trumpet is reserved for the sons of perdition alone.

A better way to put it is that people with tattoos are more likely to be diagnosed with mental health issues. Behind the pride I see a compensation for feelings of inadequacy. Good candidates for the love of Jesus and spiritual healing. My attraction toward them is more out of compassion than admiration.

That is so true. Still love the idea of complete modesty with nothing to show. Spiritual power wrapped in sackcloth. To be considered nothing, yet hearths what is most powerful.

I agree, “For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Yet, these words haunt me and continuously beat down my narcissism, "My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power."

My brother. Vanity is weak, words are cheap. Character and deeds lay the foundation deep. Focusing on showy iconography or persuasive speech is seeking applause of others, replacing the gifts of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ that lead people to sincerely seek our Heavenly Father through their inner self.

Interesting, if you made a fist the tattoo would have an evil connotation making it a symbol of double mindedness. A ring tattoo of the name Yeshua in a Chicanos font would wear better.

I am old fashioned and have always seen tattoos as badges of accomplishment, initiation or cultural identity. Random tattoos indicate an obsessive compulsive disorder and an inclination toward risky behavior. Thou, this thread is dealing with a proclamation of faith which is admirable.

My thought always wonder to this verse in such matters, "But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice." Philippians 1:18

67% percent of USA citizens are Christian. A faith tattoo here is not very daring or impactful. Seems more about validation and fear of inadequacy. An expressing faith through works or personality development is more meaningful, being more apt to get my attention. Thou, If we were in India or China the immediate longing to share in our common suffering would be overwhelming.

One can become falsely overconfident about his expertise in a certain subject if he possesses a small amount of knowledge about it. I remember in my youth deciding I was good at something just from the power of my confidence. Then mess things up and have the fruit of my labor proclaim my foolishness.

Researchers admit they do not understand quantum mechanics. I love seeing God's applications embarrass our preconceived over simplistic biases. It is said the less we know the more we think we understand. Wisdom is about being humbled in our own incompetence.

There is a tendency to read in additional meaning that was not intended by the author. Knowing how are biases, naivety and filters affect our interpretation is important. The same goes with atheists use of evolution to serve their personal belief that miracles do not happen. The sword cuts both ways. For example: We read Eve is Adam's helper. The actual context states she is his rescuer. Also, the word used for "rib" that Eve was made from was used as a word for "half" in the rest of the Bible.

Sometimes a literal interpretation of the English translation does not convey the actual meaning. Maybe, we are misunderstanding what was being expressed. It would take a PhD. in Biblical & Theological Studies to authoritatively declare a proper viewpoint in such matters.

Personally, I shy away from any kind of sententious display or paraphernalia. Relying exclusively on adornment from the unseen. Our unity as believers is what I celebrate. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

Ha, soo true. It would be narcissistic of me to insist people adhere to my personal opinion. The value of a point of view is derived from its kindness and consideration of other preferences.

A glorious sentiment.

Your right, tattoo regret is not very common. It was a very modest tattoo with little repercussions. Some people do not consider that their aesthetic preferences will change. Her interest was not in an art tattoo, so objections were kind of mote.

It is exhilarating to attempt to understand these things. The more we learn the more we realize our ignorance. I am stupid on the subject and just parrot others without being able to define my position with any competence.

Yeah, subatomic particles are so weird. The answer to the question "Do they behave like waves or particles?" is … yes. The Word creating order from the deep waters was a more mindboggling process than we first assumed. It always puts me into a state of awe just perceiving what little we know.

Not a parallel universe just an unknown quality. The speed of light could just be the speed limit of electromagnetic waves though an unknown medium. Magnetism can be described but not explained. From where is magnetism propagating?

Yes, I have witnessed that in Jesus a personally tailored bridge is always ahead to transverse a pit of despair. Faithfully sent there before the world had a foundation as God foresaw the need long ago. The catch is, we only see it at the last minute as our foot begins to fall upon the miry clay. "Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).