This fall I had a meeting with a broker I have known for 15 years. We were meeting to discuss the long-term leasing of a commercial office building. Along with him was an associate, a young woman, with whom I was impressed—smart, knowledgeable, and personable. As she was leaving the office, I noticed a tattoo just above her ankle.
Now old Beef here considers himself to be quite tolerant of other people; as a matter of fact, I rather enjoy free spirits and eccentrics. Immediately, I judged this young lady with the tattoo to be a tramp. Upon further thought, I was amazed how quick I formed a lasting negative opinion.
In his book In, But Not Of by Hugh Hewitt (a practical short book on how to walk the walk) says this about tattoos:
“Fads fade; tattoos don’t. These permanent displays of youthful exuberance trigger at best mild amusement, but in some a serious concern about your maturity.
“Whether or not you believe that concern to be fair, it is real. That tattoo you covet today will be an obstacle in some situations the rest of your life. Do you need it that much? Is it worth compromising your effectiveness?
“This rule of tattoos is easily applied to many other areas of your style of living. Do you do anything to call attention to yourself or to make a statement? If so, is the attention worth it? Most such indulgences are self-defeating, whether it is idiosyncratic hair or clothes, a loud motorcycle, or—later in life—a palatial residence far beyond any ordinary need. The attention you are drawing to yourself is defeating your ambition by marking you as concerned with silly things.
“Serious people do not seek attention except for serious purposes.”
We are not bound today to the code of Leviticus (Leviticus 19:28; Galatians 3:19-25) but in the New Testament we are asked to treat our bodies “as a temple of the Lord” (I Corinthians 6:19-20) So who of us would deface the temple of the Lord? Tattoos? What’s next—coloring our hair, make up, nose piercing, ear piercing, a new beard, etc. This train of thought results in “hyperfingerwagging” (a German word to define the slippery slope of legalism) and we are sliding downhill very fast. Isaiah 58:9 NIV
I wonder sometimes about this “What Would Jesus Do” movement, but I ask the question: Would Jesus have a tattoo???????????
Read Revelations 19:11-16. This reveals the warrior side of Jesus. Notice verse 16. I quote “On His robe and on His thigh He has His name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” God could write that name on His thigh any way He wants—a tattoo??? Maybe, maybe not.
But old Beef, when will you ever learn? So quick to judge, so slow to learn.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Are we set in our ways?
In December 2005 Jim Monson passed away. Jim was 78, had a long battle with heart disease, and was married to Judi’s cousin Joann Slater. Jim was a gregarious, outgoing man.
At his funeral in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the pastor told the true story of a young family who had adopted a baby from South Korea last summer. They had her baptized in the church during a Sunday morning service. (Jim and his daughter Chris were also at that service.)
The next week, the couple received an anonymous letter which was signed “the old soldier”. The pastor read the letter and I will summarize it. The letter said “I served one year in Korea during the war. I lived in conditions you couldn’t ask your animals to live in, I was wounded three times, I lost three of my best friends and over the years I saw no sense for this whole experience which just showed man’s inhumanity to man.” The old soldier was angry and bitter.
He went on to write “but this morning during the church service I saw the baptism of your daughter, a baby who came FROM a free country, she came TO a free county, to be baptized and to know Jesus. I thought about that and I wondered, probably God’s reason for having me in Korea was so your little daughter could know Christ.” The letter was signed “The Old Soldier”.
(After Jim passed away, Chris was going through his computer and came across the letter from “the old soldier”. She did not know that her dad was the one who had written the letter until that time.)
Tears were rolling down my face; I looked across the aisle and Judi’s cousin who served a hard tour of duty in Viet Nam had tears in his eyes also. As we walked out together, he said to me “Jerry, Jim gave us a lot to think about tonight.” I said, “Yes, he sure did.”
What impressed me about this incident and Jim Monson is this. After 50+ years Jim was open to have his mind changed. How many of us have our past hurts tucked away inside, forever frozen there to serve as a constant reminder of our hurt and pain. Jim was willing to listen, learn and change.
We have to be careful how we judge events that happen in our lives. What we judge as bad may in the long term be for our good and the good of others.
This cancer I’m recovering from, I don’t like it, but I needed it. I needed to slow up, appreciate what I have, realize God always wants the best for me. Thank you Lord for the reminder.
Scriptures: Jeremiah 24:5, Psalm 119:71, I Peter 1:6, Genesis 50:20, John 16:20, Hebrews 12:7.
At his funeral in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the pastor told the true story of a young family who had adopted a baby from South Korea last summer. They had her baptized in the church during a Sunday morning service. (Jim and his daughter Chris were also at that service.)
The next week, the couple received an anonymous letter which was signed “the old soldier”. The pastor read the letter and I will summarize it. The letter said “I served one year in Korea during the war. I lived in conditions you couldn’t ask your animals to live in, I was wounded three times, I lost three of my best friends and over the years I saw no sense for this whole experience which just showed man’s inhumanity to man.” The old soldier was angry and bitter.
He went on to write “but this morning during the church service I saw the baptism of your daughter, a baby who came FROM a free country, she came TO a free county, to be baptized and to know Jesus. I thought about that and I wondered, probably God’s reason for having me in Korea was so your little daughter could know Christ.” The letter was signed “The Old Soldier”.
(After Jim passed away, Chris was going through his computer and came across the letter from “the old soldier”. She did not know that her dad was the one who had written the letter until that time.)
Tears were rolling down my face; I looked across the aisle and Judi’s cousin who served a hard tour of duty in Viet Nam had tears in his eyes also. As we walked out together, he said to me “Jerry, Jim gave us a lot to think about tonight.” I said, “Yes, he sure did.”
What impressed me about this incident and Jim Monson is this. After 50+ years Jim was open to have his mind changed. How many of us have our past hurts tucked away inside, forever frozen there to serve as a constant reminder of our hurt and pain. Jim was willing to listen, learn and change.
We have to be careful how we judge events that happen in our lives. What we judge as bad may in the long term be for our good and the good of others.
This cancer I’m recovering from, I don’t like it, but I needed it. I needed to slow up, appreciate what I have, realize God always wants the best for me. Thank you Lord for the reminder.
Scriptures: Jeremiah 24:5, Psalm 119:71, I Peter 1:6, Genesis 50:20, John 16:20, Hebrews 12:7.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Prayer - John 17
As I begin this venture, I want you to know I am a very grateful man. I am grateful for all your prayers as I recover from the cancer surgery. Of all this I am blessed. Your prayers and concern have been appreciated.
Speaking of prayer, as a new Christian, I remember reading John 17 for the first time. This is Christ’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. What touched me the first night I read it was this. Christ’s prayer for us is to be protected from the evil one. John 17:15-20. Verse 15 “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world (my comment: we are to stay here and be Jesus Christ in flesh and blood—that’s why the church is called “the body of Christ”) but that you would protect them from the evil one. (My comment: Of all He could have prayed for it is good news when Jesus cuts to the quick and identifies our true enemy, the evil one, the devil.)
Then in verse 20 something else floored me. “My prayer is not for them alone (His disciples). I pray also for those who believe in Me through their message.” Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prays for future believers—you and me!
To a new Christian that was good news; to an old Christian, it is still good news!
God bless you this day, January 22, 2006 ~ Jerry “Beef” Seehusen
Speaking of prayer, as a new Christian, I remember reading John 17 for the first time. This is Christ’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. What touched me the first night I read it was this. Christ’s prayer for us is to be protected from the evil one. John 17:15-20. Verse 15 “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world (my comment: we are to stay here and be Jesus Christ in flesh and blood—that’s why the church is called “the body of Christ”) but that you would protect them from the evil one. (My comment: Of all He could have prayed for it is good news when Jesus cuts to the quick and identifies our true enemy, the evil one, the devil.)
Then in verse 20 something else floored me. “My prayer is not for them alone (His disciples). I pray also for those who believe in Me through their message.” Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prays for future believers—you and me!
To a new Christian that was good news; to an old Christian, it is still good news!
God bless you this day, January 22, 2006 ~ Jerry “Beef” Seehusen
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Welcome
Welcome to my site. This is Big Jer coming at you loud and clear!!
My son, Andy suggested that I do this so we'll give it a try. If you want to get in touch with me personally, you can email me at beefjudi@tds.net. I hope that you enjoy these commentaries as much as I enjoy writing them. ~ Jerry "Beef" Seehusen
My son, Andy suggested that I do this so we'll give it a try. If you want to get in touch with me personally, you can email me at beefjudi@tds.net. I hope that you enjoy these commentaries as much as I enjoy writing them. ~ Jerry "Beef" Seehusen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)