When Tattoo Artists Cry

To me, guys with tats have always seemed like a rough sort. If I'm walking down the street toward a big ugly, angry man, he has always been that much more intimidating sporting a sleeve down his arm or flames crawling up his neck. But the truth is, they do cry. Maybe these guys are just softies. Or maybe, the gospel is powerful. Maybe the name Jesus Christ really does carry an otherwordly majesty.

For the full story, you can read Daniel's blog, but we can't take a coffee break from the missio dei (mission of God). There is no retirement, no going on vacation, and no exception for tattoo day. "We are ambassadors for Christ as though God were making an appeal through us." Everywhere the believer goes, he bears the name of Jesus. When an American ambassador enters another country, he goes representing America. But not only is he representing America, he represents America. While on the one hand, he is there to speak for America, he is also a representation of who America is. If someone were to watch him for a day this person may understand better what it looks like to be American. Therefore, when the ambassador takes a coffee break or goes home for the night, he is still watched, still observed, still studied.

Christians too often want to speak for God, but are so rarely willing to adequately represent Him. If we are to tell the lost of God's love, mercy, hope, and truth, should we not also live this out when people are watching, observing, and studying us outside of our jobs or ministries?

Daniel, AnneMarie, and I went to get tattoos on Friday. Upon arriving at the tattoo studio, we discovered that Steve, our artist, could not make it in. His five-year-old daughter, Violet, had become sick at school and needed to be cared for. Timidly, almost anticipating trouble, the receptionist, Kelly, asked if it would be ok for us to reschedule. Little did we know, but another tattoo artist, Lacie, was listening and observing our conversation. Daniel and I graciously thanked Kelly for her time and happily rescheduled our appointment for two weeks later. As we were leaving, Lacie noted her surprise to our reaction as this was atypical behavior.

We returned to Raleigh that night to hang out with some friends and watch a dueling piano show. At some point on the way into Raleigh, the Holy Spirit pricked Daniel's heart. In response to this we found ourselves outside the tattoo studio again, the three of us, with a stuffed frog holding a get well card between its magnetic hands with the words "you're special" on them. Walking into the studio ten minutes before closing, we found Steve lamenting to Kelly about how he had missed us earlier in the day. At the sight of our trio and the ensuing explanation concerning how we cared about and had been praying for little Violet, he welled up with tears. This act of love spoke volumes to him.

Steve insisted we stay after closing so he could ink us up. For the next hour and a half Daniel had the opportunity to tell Steve about how his tattoo encouraged him to pray and keep a good attitude and I had the opportunity to talk about how the Greek words for "Jesus is Lord" had impacted my life. The conversation remained on spiritual things all night as we listened, taught, encouraged, and loved on Steve. At the end, we prayed for him, his daughter, and that his relationship with her would model God's for His children. The night ended with a round of bear hugs as emotions flied high on all sides.

Yes, Paul does challenge believers in II Corinthians 5:20 to be "ambassadors for Christ." He does challenge us to urgently beg men, on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God. We play a vital role as vessels through whom God speaks words of truth. But this only comes after people see the life transformation that has already occurred in us. Just a few verses before, Paul writes "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

What right do we have to speak love, truth, and grace into someone's life if they have not seen the new things born into our lives through Christ's reconciling work?

Live the truth.
Speak the truth.


"kurios Iasous" - Greek for "Jesus is Lord" or, very literally translated "Lord Jesus". This phrase is used in Rom 10:9 to signify the words that come out of one's mouth at regeneration in partnership with a belief that God raised Jesus from the dead. The word order is significant insofar as what may seem to be the misplaced word "Lord" in English is moved to the front to add greater emphasis. Typically in an equalitative statement like this where nouns are nominative (both act as a subject) a proper noun such as Jesus would take priority to go first in the text. Yes, Jesus is Lord. He is Lord of the universe. This is a truth statement. But the emphasis on the word "Lord" brings to light the place He holds now in the new believer's life. I Peter 3:15 says "sanctify (set apart) Christ as Lord of your hearts..."

Time For Revival... But, I Think I'll Kill Aliens First

Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of mediocrity. A flood of mediocrity fills my lungs as the fire is slowly choked to death. Day in and day out I live and walk with Christians whom I fear I will become. Is the call of Christ really so easy to put aside for worldly comforts and pleasures? Or, maybe I really am so naive as to think that what I read in the Bible about suffering, counting the cost, and dying to self should be the norm for Christ-followers. All too often I can't help but wonder if youthful zeal and passion will fade as I age. Can I expect to join the ranks of the Christian soldiers around me that seem to be on a permanent leave of absence? At the age of 30, will I spend all my free time napping and shooting aliens on the x-box with my other balding 30-year-old friends?

But on the other hand, why should the fire die?

Paul was an old man when he spoke these words:

"I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself,
so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus,
to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.
Therefore, I testify to you this day that
I am innocent of the blood of all men.
For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God."

Paul did not consider his life as dear to himself. Nor did he consider comforts, money, religion, or laziness as worthy of his life investment. Paul gave everything to finish the course and the ministry set before us. Paul was on a mission, the missio dei (mission of God), that was not solely his own, but a mission for all Christ-followers. He lived, suffered, and preached in a manner that made him innocent of the blood of all men he encountered.

I only wish I could say the same, for my hands are stained red by all of the opportunities that I have missed. I have failed time and time gain in my service to the kingdom whether for fear or doubt or, most notably, apathy. Hell is a real place. The truth is that this is the destination for some. My feet are supposed to be beautiful as they carry good news, for "how will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?" Today's church has no urgency. We have an understanding of hell, but, judging by our actions, we don't care. To care would be to do something. To care would be to preach. To care would be to love. To care would be to emulate Christ.

Where is the light? "You are the light of the world."

Where is the love? "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Where is the sacrifice? "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

Where is the power? "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth... lo, I am with you always."
Where is the boldness? "As they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus."

Where is the revival? This is the question that Christians and churches continually ask, but are unwilling to catalytically spark. There is no time, it is now. "Behold, now is 'the acceptable time,' behold, now is 'the day of salvation' --

When are we going to grow up?

When are we going to step up?