A Broken People

Not For Man

Hey Everyone,

Since I was 15 years old, I have wanted a Tattoo.  It all began when I was a part of our hardcore band takedown playing shows at the Whisky A Go-Go, Ventura Theater and churches around LA seeing them all over the place.  My father told me that when I was 18 and moved out I could do whatever I wanted and so I just decided to wait.  I got into college and heard God’s call on my life to be a pastor and thus the tattoo went on the back burner.  It wasn’t until the last 6 months that my desire returned.  So, on Saturday we made it happen.  First of all I must say Jason Bradshaw at Golden Eagle Tattoo on State Street in Santa Barbara rocks.  He is a Christian guy who really has a great story.  He was kind to my arm and was totally patient with my weak self.  I recommend him to anyone!

The biggest question: “What does it mean?”  Well, it directly means : Greek for Not for men or man.  It comes from the last portion of my life verse Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”.  For me, Pride is my biggest struggle.  It has always been a part of my extended family.  I learned at a very young age to be the best at everything.  And then make sure you let everyone know you’re the best.  That formed in me a heart that struggled everyday to take away the Glory from God and place it on myself.

During my life, I have had several awesome men speak into my life some challenging words on my pride.  I’ll never forget the biggest realization I had at the Saddleback Worship Conference in 2005 with my friend and Pastor Carl Lodico.  We had been through session and session of Pastors speaking about how every time we step on stage we become the focus and it just wasn’t getting through to me.  That evening it sank in and I  just broke down realizing how many times I led in worship all so that I would be recognized.  It was awful.  That day I changed.  It is still the biggest struggle of my day to give the glory not to myself but to God.  So, my tattoo is a constant reminder to myself to still work with everything I’ve got but do it for the glory of God not for the praise of men.

So, the details of the tat.  It took about 30 minutes and yes it hurt.  It was wierd.  Sometimes it didn’t feel like anything but an annoying buzz andthen all of a sudden…it would feel like him dragging razor blades across my arm.   But despite bets against me from all my friends…I didn’t cry.  BTW, these great pics were done my my brother-in-law who lives down the street from Golden Eagle and came over with his bride to hang out and snap some pics.  Thanks Michael!  At this point I don’t have plans to get any more but hey…wouldn’t put it past me. 

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