Piercings

(Discussion topic requested by - Rey-From-Jakku)

▪Are piercings a sin?▪

▪Are they considered harmful to the body, physical and spiritual?▪

▪Do piercings give out the wrong impression of Christians/Christianity?▪

▪Does our physical appearance/impression even matter?▪

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It's definitely quite a controversial subject. I personally do not find them bad. I have my ears pierced and I love it. My mom has her belly button pierced. I've seen people with several piercings on their lip, nose, eyebrows... To ME, no they're not super attractive most of the time, but I feel like it's just another way of expressing your personality!

The Bible tells us not to harm ourselves because our bodies are God's temple, so that part of it is a little iffy. They do not cause any long term pain or damage unless they get infected or whatever, so I'd say they're okay. Please inform me if there's something more you find in the Bible about this!! It helps!

Impression wise, I'll admit, at first I wouldn't really imagine major piercings when I think of a Christian, but that doesn't mean those who do have them give off a bad impression of Christians, which leads to the next part...

Does appearance and the impression we give out as a Christian matter? To some extent, I think it does. The Bible tells us not to put ourselves under the impression of sin, but I don't think piercings would fall under that category of sin.

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Liberalism
(Definition: 1. open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values 2. favorable to or respectful of individual rights and freedoms 3. favoring maximum individual liberty in political and social reform 4. concerned mainly with broadening a person's general knowledge and experience, rather than with technical or professional training 5. broadly construed or understood; not strictly literal or exact)

▪Can liberalism and Christianity go hand in hand?▪

▪Is being a liberal considered a sin?▪

▪Are you liberal, conservative, or neither/I don't know?▪

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Lately, I've noticed how I tend to take on liberal views. Not that I agree with the things they support (homosexuality, racial equality, abortion, environment protection, etc.), but that I, as a human being, believe in equal rights for everyone. So, to see where exactly I stand, I took at least five quizzes yesterday and sure enough, I lean far more towards liberal than conservative. (Sorry, I know most of you are women and we women don't like to engage in this kind of talk, but it's good for us every once in a while.)

Take into consideration this situation: A while ago, I starting becoming really good friends with a girl and she was (and is) a lesbian. Now, don't just read the word "lesbian" and automatically cringe. This girl is actually extremely loving and funny and accepting of everyone. Now, this was around the time when gay marriage was a huge deal in America. I was attending a youth conference in Georgia when gay marriage was legalized. She immediately texted me saying she was crying she was so happy!

And ya know what? I was too. Not for the fact that gay marriage was legalized, but because now someone I love can marry the one that they love.

Guys, please understand that being this way does not make me any less of a Christian. It does not weaken my faith and submission to Christ. In fact, I say it STRENGTHENS it because what are God's biggest commands? To love! Love Him, love others, love yourself. His golden rule is to treat others the way that you would want to be treated.

Now I am not as close of friends with her because God said that was enough. He took the time to open my eyes and open my heart by putting her in my life, but a year later He decided it was time for me to be equally yolked. (And that's when I met my boyfriend! Coincidence? I think not.)

I dearly hope all that I've said today has helped you to understand and to be more open to the people around you. We're all different. That's the way it is. Accept it.

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Prayer Request
(given by LaceySturm_wah4life)

▪Back problems▪
▪Surgery on back on July 13th▪

Definitely praying for you!! God is The Physician and I pray that He is in the doctors as they perform the surgery, and that He removes any and all pain, physical, emotional, and spiritual, as you go through this time.

God be with you, sister! 💕 +†+ 💕

Also, my almost two year old niece has bronchitis, so a quick prayer for her would be appreciated! Thank you!!

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I know we covered a lot of material in this chapter (heh, I sound like a teacher! 😂), but please remember to stay positive! Don't feel obliged to know and understand everything that God has laid out for us in this world. Set it aside and keep swimming!! 🐟

🔆RADIATE POSITIVITY!🔆

🎆🎆THROW AROUND HAPPINESS LIKE CONFETTI!🎆

😄SMILE!!!!!!!!!!😄

I AM HOPING MY POSITIVITY IS RUBBING OFF ON YOU BECAUSE YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY! YOU ARE FREAKING AMAZING JUST FOR BREATHING LIKE OMG STOOOOOP! JUST KIDDING! NEVER STOP BREATHING. THAT'S NOT HEALTHY. YA KNOW WHAT ELSE ISN'T HEALTHY? BEING ALIVE AND NOT LIVING!! HAVING SIGHT BUT NO VISION! HAVING A HEART BUT NOT LOVE! COME ON!! BE WHO GOD CREATED YOU TO BE!! OH, DO YOU NOT KNOW WHO GOD CREATED YOU TO BE? LET ME TELL YOU! IT'S GOING TO BLOW YOUR MIND!!

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KEEP SCROLLING!

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JUST A LITTLE BIT FURTHER!

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ALMOST THERE!

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...you.

GOD WANTS YOU TO BE YOU!!

YOU are wonderful.

YOU are blessed.

YOU are loved.

YOU are forgiven.

Now... Just believe it and then make others feel the same way. If it means being crazy positive and doing funny things like this in your books and life that are meant to be serious? Well, it is what it is.

ONE LAST THING...

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY!

🔆😄🍦😋🌵😂🌈😊

GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU!

WITH ALL OF MY LOVE,

BPL