“The sweetest part is acting after making a decision..”
(the indigo girls)

Well, how are things going so far? We still are not open yet, but I am holding on to hope that it will be by the end of the month. We are still waiting on a bathroom fan. Other than that, things are coming together, and I will have pictures of it soon. So in the mean time, let me ponder some things with you….

We have been called revolutionaries, and pioneers. People have said all kinds of wonderful things about our mission here. (I am sure they have said some less than wonderful things too, but our leaders are good people who don’t let me hear any of them). Now don’t get me wrong here, I love that they all feel this way!!!! But allow me to point out the fact that I have, as of yet, not done anything. We are not open. No baptisms, no testimonies, no tattoos, no stories, no not one, no not one. “But” I hear you say “you have made us thinks about some things”. This may be true, and a wonderful thing to be sure, but for me, and maybe only for me, this is a dangerous bit in the road. Allow me to explain…

Thinking a thing, and actually doing it, are not the same. I know that sounds simple enough, but for years it wasn’t all that apparent to me. I would sit around with the rest of my friends, and talk all about the things we were going to do…. someday. Oh the plans we made! They were good plans too! But the sad truth of the matter is that I didn’t get my head out of a bong long enough to do them. And on those rare occasions that I did, my good friend Jack Daniels tended to talk me out of it. I know that kind for thinking is a cop out however. I could have done those things, but I chose not to. I chose to keep being distracted by all manner of amusements instead. Those days are long behind me now, but the point is still valid. Even in the inner workings of a church environment. I don’t know how many times I have watched great ideas die in committee. Good, Godly things to be done, yet no one ever actually did any of them for one reason or another. Why? Well, it is my opinion (and only an opinion) that it takes too much effort.

Between the time I started to type this, and now, I was handed a bill for part of the shop opening. I also have a rent payment due, a car payment, and insurance payment, etc… And since we are not open, I am not making any money, nor have I been for some months now. So the bills are coming due on this little dream of ours. And even though I have put a lot of work into opening Sacred Ink so far, the real work still lay ahead. The work of the day to day, the mundane, the bill paying kind of days. Not to mention the ministry that still exists in theory! Saying this will be a great opportunity for ministry is one thing, being a minister is another. Yes, to the work, to the work, as the old song goes. But wouldn’t it have been easier to just talk about all of this? We could have sat in nice coffee shops, and worn blazers with leather patches on the elbows, and used words that normal people don’t use in normal conversation. Maybe I could have written a book?!?! That would have been cool! But then again, that little store front at 4007 East 9 mile would never have even had a chance. And maybe that man or woman that I will meet someday would never have a chance to hear about a better way.

Jesus talked a lot about Kingdome work. But if you look, He often talked while working at the same time! And since He is my boss, I too will talk while I work. I will do what I can “to drag this dream into existence” (Obscure Rush reference. Extra points if you know the song!). I believe this is a God thing! So I am going to do my best to act like it. I would urge you to do the same. If there is something in your life that needs to be done, and it seems like a God thing, then by all means do it. If you find that there is an idea that is keeping you up at night, and interrupting your favorite show, than you may need to look into it. Don’t let the opportunity go by. Yea, I know it is probably hard, and defiantly inconvenient, and your friends and family might think you have gone nuts, but relax. You’re in good company! Even a quick read of the gospels will show you people who were called to live a Kingdom life… not a convenient one.

Keep prayin’ and I’ll keep workin’

Pete

I know it has been a while since I have posted, so let me make lame excuses…

We were laying the floor, and I was using a large rubber mallet. Here is a word of advise; don’t look the other way when swinging a large rubber mallet!!!! As you can see it is not the best thing for your fingers. I hesitated to post this picture because I am sure many of you wouldn’t even have noticed, much less slow down your work. I however am a whiney wimpy sort. And I find it rather hard to type without the tip of my left index finger. But as always there seems to be a lesson here. But first, here is a word from our sponsor…

Things are moving along here at the tattoo shop. The floor is almost in, and much of the furniture has been loaded in and put together. We have had our first round of inspections from the city, and now we need to put in a bathroom fan that vents outside in order to get our certificate of occupancy. So while we wait on that, we are trying to get some of the details locked down, like how to display the flash. We hope to be open for business by the end of the month. Now back to our profound thought of the day…

So where were we? Ah yes, pain. One thing about it, it tends to show you your limitations. And that is a good thing. You see, I am a person who tends to try to do everything for himself. For some reason I find it almost impossible to ask for help on anything. It really is kind of funny when seen from a third person perspective! However, since my little lesson in the laws of physics, I have had to say “I can’t do that” and “I need some help with this”. May not seem like a big deal for you, but I have realized that it is for me. It has also delighted my friends who are working with me. They even had to take the hammer away from me.

Now physical pain is one thing, but we all know there are far worse pains in life. My finger is an annoying inconvenience, and it will heal. There are other forms of injury that last a lifetime. The big question is not if, or why you have them. It is how are you going to handle them. My wife (a wise woman with lousy taste in men) said that perhaps it was God’s way of teaching us to let go of the illusions that we are in control. It forces us to live day to day, and rely on God for the strength to make it to the next one. And some days that is easier said than done!! Our pain draws us closer to God, but only if we allow it to. We have to be willing to ask for help. Man it sucks when those little daily problems teach you big spiritual truths!!! Whether it is a sore finger, or depression, or addiction, or family issues, or anything else for that matter, life can be painful. And we all need help from time to time.

Now everyone who has a tattoo knows that they hurt. But when the pain is over, you have a cool tat to show for it. And it is something you get to keep forever. So what do you get for the other pain in your life? What do you have to show for it? How can it be redeemed? Simple… you pass on what you have learned. There are going to be people in your life that are suffering with what you have been through (or are going through now). They will need your help! And guess what? They may have trouble asking for it! Yea I know that is hard to believe isn’t it? But if you can share what you have been through with someone who is suffering, you can help them. Sometimes it is in a small way, and sometimes it is a huge thing. But you may never know which one it was. And that’s ok, because this isn’t about you.

So I guess it all comes down to this; life is hard, and we all could use a little help. So don’t be stubborn like me, and ask for help when you need it. Then give help when you can. That, along with strength and faith from God, will lead you to a meaningful life. Not a pain free one mind you, but meaningful none the less. Now it is far too frustrating to type without using my finger, so I will let you all go for now. Thanks for checking in, and keep us in your prayers, we obviously need it.

Pete

A different kind of Psalm

Please allow me to indulge in a little reflection. I would like to look at tattoos as psalms. Webster defines a psalm as…
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English psealm, from Late Latin psalmus, from Greek psalmos, literally, twanging of a harp, from psallein to pluck, play a stringed instrument
Psalm: a sacred song or poem used in worship; especially : one of the biblical hymns collected in the Book of Psalms.
So basically it is the use of words, to describe or capture how a particular person feels about God. I know that is an oversimplification, but it should work for our purposes here. You see, our church is going through the Psalms these past few Sundays. On one of them, our preacher / pulpit minister / head microphone using guy, was looking at the psalms as what it means to follow Jesus. You know, how all the different emotions we are capable of feeling come to the forefront at one time or another. How following Jesus is not always (in fact rarely if you ask me) a “happy happy joy joy” kind of thing. He also talked about how the pain we go through in life shapes and changes us. Again, this is a horrible oversimplification. If you would like to read more of what he said, please go to http://www.tentpegs.blogspot.com/ I would give you a link if I knew how… well maybe I just did, how do I know?

So anyway, it all got me to thinking. I propose that you could look at certain tattoos as psalms written in flesh. For many people, they are the outpouring of emotions, not in words, but images. They chronicle the changes and pain that shape our lives. Sound familiar? Let me give you an example…

My God,
You consume me with a holy fire that pains me, and refines me.
You have called me Your own, and have placed your Spirit in me.
You have opened You ways to those who were not Your own, You grafted wild vines onto your stock.
You sustain my family, and bring life to all that is nourished by You.
You uphold us through all of our changes.
My God, it is You I will serve all my days.

Now, would you feel comfortable calling that a psalm? Granted it may not be a very good one, but I think it qualifies non the less. I just wrote it! I never intended to write it, but I just did. Why? It describes all the elements of my tattoo. That tattoo came first by a long shot. It signified my devotion to God as a minister, no matter what I found myself doing for a living.


The Trinity knot is a symbol of God. It is flaming because “our God is a consuming fire”. The flames are blue simply because I wanted them to be…. It’s cool! The Chinese characters translate; “religion of light”. It is what the early Taoist called Christianity. I had them put there to remind me that not all of Christianity looks the same. The characters themselves were found on a stone tablet in China. The two trees symbolize my wife and I. We are separate, yet very much intertwined. God stands at the center of us. Along the top of the trees they transition from winter, spring, summer, to fall. This shows the seasons of our life, and the changes that we go through.

Now I know there are a lot of people out there that don’t like tattoos. That’s fine, they don’t have to. But what negative thing can you really say about this one? One of the complaints I heard recently about this tattoo ministry is.. “They’ll regret getting them some day”. Maybe, maybe not. Unless I turn from God, I don’t see that happening. And if I do turn from God, I will always have a reminder of Who I have deserted.

So there you have it. I think there are a lot of people feeling a lot of things, and finding a lot of ways to express them. Some are good, some are not. But just remember, the next tattoo you see, may just be someone’s prayer, whether you know it or not. Maybe, just maybe, the tattooed and pierced could teach church folk some new kinds of prayers, and the church folk could teach the tattooed and pierced some new kinds of Psalms. I think both sides would be blessed… don’t you?

Pete

So here is where we are at...

We have a store front....


















And we are actually getting some things done....

So that is where we are at today. No great insights, no philosophical flashes of brilliance, just sweat, a little blood, and a lot of paint. So keep checking in, and pretty soon we will have pictures of an actual tattoo shop!!! Till then I'll keep working...

Pete

Well, for those of you keeping score at home….



We are dangerously close to looking like a tattoo shop. Sort of. I made the analogy of giving birth to this ministry the other day, and I still think it is valid. Somewhat disgusting, but valid non the less. We have prayed, agonized, and gone into a ridiculous debt, as we have tried to drag this ministry into reality kicking and screaming. We have a location, but I have not even been able to get in to paint it yet. I keep thinking I will be able to, then bam, something comes up, and I have to push my all impotent (no, that isn’t a typo) time line back yet another day! It is enough to make a guy do something crazy… and I did. I bought a day planner. There, I’ve said it, and I feel better. It is good to own up to your lapses in judgment. You see, when I moved back to Detroit, I threw my day planner away. Why would I ever need something so repressive, so restricting, so ministerial ever again? I was going to reinvent myself, and my ministry. I was going to be the person I used to be… just without all the drugs and booze. Now look at me! I am going to open a Tattoo shop! How cool? How bohemian? How free spirited and unrepressed? Yea right… If you think that is how it is, then you have never tried to open a tattoo shop. In all fairness, my guess is that opening any business is the same. You have 10,000 details that seem to pop up for every one you get locked down. So I bought a day planner, and even put my first important date in it. Nov 18th, in case you were wondering. That is the date we have our fundraiser at church. Remember that ridiculous debt I was talking about? Well, we are going to open it up, and see if anyone wants to partner with us in this project. Like any other mission trip, this one needs cash to run on. I wish it weren’t that way, but them’s the facts Jack! By the way, if anyone is interested in contributing, please contact me and I will point you to the people at Rochester Church of Christ.

So, here I am running around trying to get things taken care of so I can get to painting. I’m stressed out, and toting a new day planner. I am behind schedule, and wondering if I could just not sleep for the rest of the week, would I be able to get caught up. Then I see some emails, and check the responses on this site, and I realize that things are coming along just exactly the way they are supposed to. Not the way I would have chosen them to go, but I’m guessing that they are going the way God wanted them to. And His vote trumps mine every time. I just don’t always realize it at the time.

I wrote earlier today that “a well is of no use to a thirsty man, unless he has something with which to draw the water up. I see now that God smashed my house in order to give me wood with which to fashion a bucket” (or something like that. I have been accused before of talking in proverbs). At the time, I was referring to the last couple of years in my life. But sitting here tonight, I realize the smashing is still going on. It always goes on! It’s kind of like living in a spiritual wood chipper. We are so sure that our plans are in the right order, or our list of priorities is in the right order, but God sees things differently than us sometimes. We see ourselves building a wonderful house to live in, and He sees us putting a lot of great bucket wood to waste! Funny huh?

So, I guess I will just have to take things as they come, and hope that I will get the painting done sometime this week. Until then, I will just see what God has planned for my days, and try to learn a thing or two along the way. Thanks to each and every one of you for your responses to the posts. They really do mean a lot to me. Happy bucket making!

Pete