Are tattoos sinful? Christian author and podcast host Jefferson Bethke takes a look at this controversial topic from a Biblical standpoint. And this is one powerful discussion! Tattoos in society have become much more mainstream in the last several years. It's reached the point where nearly everyone you encounter has some form of tattooing. RELATED: Joyce Meyer Talks About Holiness And Tattoos In The Body Of Christ Now‚ some Christians believe that having the body inked up with tattoos is wrong and sinful. However‚ others take a wholly different view‚ believing nothing is wrong with them. Are Tattoos Sinful? Jefferson Bethke tackles this somewhat controversial topic by first admitting that he's firmly on the side and of the belief that tattoos are not sinful. He has two tattoos and raises his arms to display the tattoos on his wrists. He then mentions the verse in Leviticus that those against tattoos always bring up. "You may not make cuts in your flesh in respect for the dead‚ or have marks printed on your bodies. I am the Lord." – Leviticus 19:28 However‚ he claims that people bring that verse up out of context. He states that the verse is among other commands from the Lord to the Israelites on how to live‚ carry and protect themselves at that time. RELATED: How Jay Allen‚ Country Singer‚ Met An ‘Actual Angel' Thanks To His ‘Tattoos In Heaven' Song A few verses before God's mention of tattoos and markings on the body come directives from Him about how and when to eat fruit and meat. "If you're the person quoting to me that I can't get tattoos‚ then you‚ hopefully‚ also are the person not eating any fruit or vegetables that has not been cultivated for at least three years‚ and on top of that‚ you don't eat any meat‚" he said. In the end‚ Jefferson states that it all boils down to giving glory to the Lord. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Christian Celebrity Shares The Godly Truth About Bikinis And It's Powerful "So‚ I say‚ can we turn this issue to the heart? Can we understand in context what those verses mean? And can we say that it's all about giving glory to God‚ whether that's in art‚ whether that's in tattoos‚ whether that's in piano‚ music‚ politics? It's all about using whatever we have to point to Him." Revelation 19:16 "And on his robe and on his leg is a name‚ ‘KING OF KINGS‚ AND LORD OF LORDS.'" WATCH: Jeff Bethke Answers The Question‚ ‘Are Tattoos Sinful?’ LISTEN: Amy Grant Talks Her Christian Faith | Family Blesses Dad By Flying In All Of His Siblings For Birthday h/t: Godtube Featured Image Credit: Godtube The post Jefferson Bethke Uses a Biblical Perspective to Tackle the Question‚ ‘Are Tattoos Sinful?’ appeared first on GodUpdates.

A federal appeals court removed an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ban on an insecticide linked to nervous system damage. “The decision from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to send the rule back to the agency does not preclude the agency from reinstating the ban in the future‚” The Hill reports. “But it said the EPA needs to give greater consideration to whether there are cases where the pesticide‚ called chlorpyrifos‚ could be used safely‚” the outlet added. “On April 29‚ 2021‚ the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ordered EPA to issue a final rule concerning the chlorpyrifos tolerances by August 20‚ 2021‚” the Federal Register states. “Based on the currently available data and taking into consideration the currently registered uses for chlorpyrifos‚ EPA is unable to conclude that the risk from aggregate exposure from the use of chlorpyrifos meets the safety standard of the Federal Food‚ Drug‚ and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Accordingly‚ EPA is revoking all tolerances for chlorpyrifos‚” it added. The tolerances for all commodities expired on February 28‚ 2022. The National Pesticide Information Center states: Chlorpyrifos is no longer used on food and animal feed crops since 2022‚ although products may be used on non-bearing fruit or nut trees that will not bear fruit or nuts within a year. Ear tags may still be used on cattle that will not be slaughtered for at least a year. The U.S. EPA determined that risks of dietary exposure to chlorpyrifos‚ especially for children‚ were too high. The pesticide industry‚ chemical farmers‚ and their government allies can go back to poisoning all of us with #chlorpyrifos (a neurotoxin) in 2024. Poisoning America’s children. They call that a victory? We call it INSANE‚” GMO Free USA commented. “Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide linked to brain damage in children – used on corn‚ soybeans‚ alfalfa‚ apples‚ cherries‚ grapes‚ oranges‚ peaches‚ strawberries‚ asparagus‚ broccoli‚ cauliflower‚ onions‚ tomatoes‚ almonds‚ pistachios‚ and walnuts‚ among other crops‚” the group wrote. The pesticide industry‚ chemical farmers‚ and their government allies can go back to poisoning all of us with #chlorpyrifos (a neurotoxin) in 2024. Poisoning America’s children. They call that a victory? We call it INSANE. https://t.co/YOfB4Ma60U pic.twitter.com/lxUxPHzsVi — GMO Free USA (@GMOFreeUSA) November 17‚ 2023 The Hill reports: The EPA banned chlorpyrifos for use in growing food in 2021. That came after a prior court ruling gave the agency just 60 days to either find a safe use for chlorpyrifos or ban it outright. The appeals court determined that this deadline contributed to a rushed decision from EPA that was ultimately “arbitrary and capricious.” The court decision overturning @EPA‘s attempt to cancel agricultural uses of the highly #neurotoxic #insecticide #chlorpyrifos shows that the #pesticide regulatory process is #broken—it’s time to promote policies at the #state &; #local level. #TakeAction: https://t.co/9fI4Ht8gYX — Beyond Pesticides (@ByondPesticides) November 11‚ 2023 From the National Pesticide Information Center: Chlorpyrifos affects the nervous system of people‚ pets‚ and other animals the same way it affects the target pest. Signs and symptoms can appear within minutes to hours after exposure. These effects can last for days or even weeks. During this time‚ the body is replacing the depleted enzymes in the nervous system so it can function normally again. Exposure to small amounts of chlorpyrifos can cause runny nose‚ tears‚ and increased saliva or drooling. People may sweat‚ and develop headache‚ nausea‚ and dizziness. More serious exposures can cause vomiting‚ abdominal muscle cramps‚ muscle twitching‚ tremors and weakness‚ and loss of coordination. Sometimes people develop diarrhea or blurred or darkened vision. In severe poisoning cases‚ exposure can lead to unconsciousness‚ loss of bladder and bowel control‚ convulsions‚ difficulty in breathing‚ and paralysis. Studies have shown that chlorpyrifos‚ like all organophosphates‚ is linked to learning disabilities in children. It is unconscionable to overturn EPA regulations &; allow children to be exposed to chemicals that diminish their learning potential. https://t.co/q26CXAqUYU — Earthjustice (@Earthjustice) November 16‚ 2023 Beyond Pesticides writes: EPA’s action to cancel all agricultural uses of chlorpyrifos was a rare instance when the agency took protective action. Required by a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in April 2021 to take action‚ EPA issued a final rule in August‚ 2021—in full effect February 28‚ 2022—after an earlier 9th Circuit decision‚ concluding that‚ “EPA is unable to conclude that the risk from aggregate exposure from the use of chlorpyrifos meets the safety standard of the Federal Food‚ Drug‚ and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Accordingly‚ EPA is revoking all tolerances for chlorpyrifos.” On November 3‚ the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals decided to vacate EPA’s 2021 decision to cancel all food tolerances for chlorpyrifos and sent it back to the agency. In other cases‚ EPA has avoided such litigation by taking more limited action. When the industry challenges EPA‚ the agency almost invariably capitulates through a negotiation process. With the chemical paraquat‚ EPA allowed an industry umbrella group dubbed the Agricultural Handler Exposure Task Force to correct its data risks posed to workers‚ resulting in the agency changing its position within months. With the synthetic pyrethroid class of insecticides‚ EPA allowed an industry group to rework its methodology for addressing pyrethroid risks to children and followed the request of another industry group to allow the pyrethroids to be sprayed with smaller buffer zones during windier conditions. With the chemical glyphosate‚ despite overwhelming evidence of its carcinogenic properties‚ the agency has refused to acknowledge this risk‚ even after a federal court chastised its review process‚ and instead has acted on the behest of chemical manufacturers to stop glyphosate from being banned in other countries. The examples of this pattern are numerous‚ including the recent EPA decision to cancel the deadly chlorinated hydrocarbon wood preservative‚ pentachlorophenol‚ with dioxin contaminants‚ among others (see Pesticide Gateway)‚ after it watched countries around the world one-by-one ban its use under an international treaty—the Stockholm Convention‚ which was never ratified by the U.S. With a severely diminished market worldwide and difficultly setting up a manufacturing shop in the U.S. after a community and state uproar in South Carolina‚ the manufacturer withdrew—after 40-plus years of fighting and unthinkable cases of cancer. EPA then announced in March of this year that it was time to cancel the chemical. And even when EPA suspends the registration of a pesticide‚ removal from use is very slow because existing stocks are generally allowed to be sold. For example‚ EPA suspended the registration of the herbicide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA) (also widely known as Dacthal)‚ effective August 22‚ 2023‚ leaving existing stocks (products containing DCPA manufactured before August 22) available on the market. These examples and more demonstrate that the “whack-a-mole” approach cannot adequately protect against the dangers of pesticides. What is required are policies at every level of government that encourage the adoption of organic agriculture and land management practices. RELATED: SPECIAL REPORT: Infertility Issues? READ THIS NOW! You learn something new every day… And this was a big one for me. In hindsight‚ it makes perfect sense but I had never really thought about it. In fact‚ when someone started telling me about this‚ I said “Wait‚ hold up…say that again?  What did you say?” And so they told me again….and then I researched it…..and this article is the result of that journey. Some of you may already know this but this may be a similar stunning wake up call for many of you like it was for me. (Be sure to read to the end because I’m not just going to give you the problem‚ I’m going to give you the solution!) So basically‚ the premise is this: studies have now shown that many popular makeup brands have “EDCs” in them. EDC stands for Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals. According to EHN.org‚ Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals can have the following major health consequences: For the reproductive system‚ these harms include: Genital malformations Cancers of the reproductive organs Early female puberty Early menopause Lowered sperm counts Infertility Miscarriage Low birth weights These chemicals are also linked to many inflammatory and chronic diseases‚ including: Obesity and other forms of metabolic dysfunction Diabetes Cardiovascular disease Hormone-sensitive cancers Autoimmune disorders Allergies and asthma EDCs can also harm the brain and nervous system. Prenatal and childhood exposure is linked to: Lower IQ Memory and attention deficits Developmental delays Depression Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s Take a look at that first grouping and then ask yourself if it’s any wonder so many young couples are suddenly facing infertility issues. It’s such a private thing that people don’t talk about very often‚ but I would bet you probably know someone in your life right now facing infertility issues. And the cause may be EDCs…. Specifically‚ the EDCs that we are rubbing all over our skin each day! The enemy is within the building folks! The enemy is in the expensive creams and lotions that we pay so much money for and then rub all over our skin. As someone who has young daughters at home‚ this one hits REALLY close to home. How about you? In fact‚ studies are now showing that ON AVERAGE young women use EIGHT personal-care products a day that contain EDCs! Are you kidding me? And some were as high as 17: WOMEN’S PERSONAL-CARE PRODUCTS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH. According to the following study‚ young women use at least eight personal-care products a day that contain known endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Some of the women in the study used up to 17. pic.twitter.com/tUVs66h5Fn — RAW EGG NATIONALIST (@Babygravy9) July 21‚ 2023 But is this really any big surprise? They are poisoning us with the food we eat (mRNA steaks anyone?)‚ the air we breathe (hello chemtrails!)….is it really any wonder there would also be poison in what we rub on our skin? Like I said — so obvious in hindsight‚ how did I not know this until now? I mean‚ think about it too…. God designed our skin to essentially be this giant solar panel. It takes in sunlight and then converts that to vital Vitamin D and other nutrients we need. Our skin is like the most advanced solar cell ever. So it’s receiving and taking in all sorts of things‚ of course it would be highly sensitive to taking in toxins. And where do we often rub creams and ointments? Often in sensitive places. Instant access for toxins. Man‚ this is some nasty stuff — but I have to warn you about it and maybe we can truly save some lives and improve some lives!! You’d better believe I’m making INSTANT changes for my daughters as they grow up! I’ve got a ton to show you about this‚ but let’s go here next: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdq9hpp-wyA Here’s more from EHN.org: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals‚ also known as EDCs‚ are natural or human-made substances that interfere with the healthy functioning of the body’s endocrine system. The endocrine system is made up of glands throughout the body‚ along with the hormones that these glands produce and receptors that respond to the hormones. Endocrine glands include the pituitary‚ thymus‚ pancreas and adrenals. Hormones act like messengers‚ traveling through the body to deliver instructions that control biological processes ranging from growth and development to sleep‚ digestion and childbirth. Humans have more than 50 hormones. These include estrogen and testosterone‚ which help to control sexual development‚ as well as the “feel good” hormones serotonin‚ endorphins and oxytocin‚ which regulate mood‚ along with many other processes. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals change how the endocrine system works. Some EDCs are chemically similar to our hormones and mimic their effects in the body. Others block the action of hormones‚ increase or decrease their levels‚ or affect how the body responds. Because the endocrine system is extremely sensitive‚ endocrine disruptors can be hazardous in tiny amounts‚ such as one part per trillion — the equivalent of one drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Some of these substances‚ such as lead‚ are so harmful that there is no known level of exposure that is not considered dangerous to some degree. According to one estimate‚ there are roughly 1‚000 endocrine disrupting chemicals currently in use. However‚ this number is likely an undercount. There are hundreds of thousands of synthetic chemicals‚ and only a small percentage have been assessed for their effects on the endocrine system. What’s clear from these studies‚ and others‚ is that personal-care products are one of the most significant sources of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals for women. If you’re worried about your reproductive health‚ ditch them or find natural alternatives. pic.twitter.com/FvVCuPQoez — RAW EGG NATIONALIST (@Babygravy9) July 21‚ 2023 Ok‚ so now you’re probably saying I get it‚ this is terrible‚ but what can I do? You’re right‚ the situation IS bleak… In fact‚ every brand you see in this wheel below is owned by the 11 corporations shown below: But it’s actually much worse than that…. Because those 11 corporations are mostly owned by THREE corporations: BlackRock… Vanguard… …and State Street! It’s called the ILLUSION of choice: You’re not going to find the solution in that wheel… Or in your local grocery store…. Definitely not at Wal-Mart or Target. Nope! Those are EDC havens folks! NO THANK YOU! So‚ what’s the solution? How about this: There’s only one pro-American‚ American made and manufactured‚ chemical free‚ toxin free‚ hormone free‚ company left….and I’m teaming up with them to FIGHT BACK! This is the company I’ve partnered up with on my new Mission that I keep talking about. We launched the new Mission in February‚ but this company has been doing this for over 38 years!! Talk about a track record. Watch this:   https://switchwithnoah.com Backup here if that doesn’t play: Want in? It’s invite only….https://t.co/9cjSEFFqKF pic.twitter.com/aRfYggpCGo — DailyNoah.com (@DailyNoahNews) July 26‚ 2023 It’s Invite Only but the invite is completely free! In fact‚ I’ve assembled a team of patriots who will personally get you invited and signed up….if you want in. Folks‚ we don’t have many strongholds left. This is one. And I’m all in. If you’d like to find out more and get a FREE personal invite‚ just go here:  http://bit.ly/3E5K89d Tell them Noah sent you and I promise you will get a personal call‚ text or email. Don’t freak out when you do. I know I tend to get concerned when I get messages from numbers I don’t recognize‚ but if you request a Free Invite (Link here: http://bit.ly/3E5K89d) you WILL have someone from my Inner Circle reach out to you….so be ready! These are awesome people and I think you’ll love getting a chance to talk with them. And they’ll help get you all set up. Then put me to the test… I’ve had people take their products and run them through the most detailed‚ scientific lab testing possible and they pass with flying colors. NO EDC’S! SAFE! NON-TOXIC! Who’s with me? NOTE: am I saying we can CURE infertility?  No‚ absolutely not.  Am I saying that you should consider getting as far away from EDCs as you can?  100% yes.  Let’s start there and see what happens?  Sound good? What is the primary medical credo? DO NO HARM. How about if we cut off the products that are doing harm and then we see where we go from there? That good with everyone? – Noah p.s. Since everyone gets personal attention‚ we will take these in the order in which they come in.  So if you are excited‚ ask for your invite now or you might be far down on the list.  I have a great team‚ but they can only do so much and they’ll work on a first-come‚ first-served basis. Request a free Invite here:  http://bit.ly/3E5K89d

Ok‚ I apologize right off the bat‚ perhaps I shouldn’t have said “famous”. I’m not sure how famous this guy actually is. Have you heard of him before?  Michael Rapaport? Ok‚ so how about “D-List Famous Anti-Trumper and Actor”…is that more accurate? Or how about “Infamous”? Either way‚ a dude who fancies himself a Comedian and Actor named Michael Rapaport has been suffering an EXTREME case of Trump Derangement Syndrome for the better part of 8 years now‚ but suddenly shocked the world when he went live online to announce he’s not only talked to President Trump but he’s likely going to vote for him in 2024. Pretty incredible. Watch this short clip here: Infamous “anti-Trumper” now open to voting Trump in 2024! Hell hath officially frozen over‚ or at least Joe Biden’s America has‚ which is virtually indestinguishable from Hell. But he’s still gonna call him “Pig D*ck Donald Trump”. Red man voting for Orange man! LFG and… pic.twitter.com/E38SxvuGwa — DailyNoah.com (@DailyNoahNews) November 17‚ 2023 Longer clip here‚ where he talks about having spoken with President Trump: Fugly Michael Rapaport Says He’s Had Conversation with Donald Trump and Voting for for Him is Now on the Table Why? • He can’t get a job• The economy sucks• Mortgage rates are too high• Interest rates are too high• Can’t buy a car‚ can’t buy a house• There’s no… pic.twitter.com/hRPHNb447N — UltraMJTruth (@MJTruthUltra) November 17‚ 2023 Fugly Michael Rapaport Says He’s Had Conversation with Donald Trump and Voting for for Him is Now on the Table Why? • He can’t get a job • The economy sucks • Mortgage rates are too high • Interest rates are too high • Can’t buy a car‚ can’t buy a house • There’s no law and order • Illegals are taking over • There’s chaos in this country and chaos all over the world But don’t worry… even if he votes for him‚ he’s still gonna call him “Pig D*ck Donald Trump” Ok‚ so in typical classless fashion he has to point out he’ll still call him “Pig Dick Trump” even if he votes for him. And you know what? I don’t have a problem with that. Free Speech kind of works like that. But as always‚ this confirms one of the oldest and most reliable truths in politics‚ I believe first famously said by James Carville: “It’s the economy stupid!” People can go Far Left Woke and dream about Far Left ideals…..UNTIL…..it hits THEM in the pocketbook. So people like Michael Rapaport‚ who have maybe banked up some money from his time in Hollywood‚ might be able to stay Far Left for longer than most‚ but eventually when even he can’t get a job anymore or afford a house or afford a car‚ finally even he taps out. It’s the economy stupid! EVERYTHING WOKE TURNS TO SHIT! And eventually people realize that and say “Enough’s Enough!” when they themselves turn poor. Often it’s too late by that point‚ but credit to Michael for finally waking up. For a history on Michael’s Extreme TDS and prior flare-ups‚ keep reading: TDS ALERT: Michael Rappaport Goes On Another Unhinged Meltdown Over Trump… Michael Rappaport just went on another unhinged meltdown over Trump and Russia and Ukraine. I know‚ many of you are saying “Michael who?” But he’s semi-famous‚ or was at one time‚ and claims to be a comedian‚ or was at one time… Kind of like Kathy Griffin‚ D List material I guess. Almost two years into Trump being out of public office and Trump is still living rent-free in this guy’s head. Kind of sad. Kind of funny. Very tacky. Just watch here for yourself on Rumble:

Nia DaCosta‚ the director of ‘The Marvels’‚ predictably blamed her recent box office bomb on “racists‚ sexists‚ and homophobes” after the film debuted to the lowest audience in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). #TheMarvels filmmaker Nia DaCosta‚ a self-proclaimed Blerd (Black nerd)‚ ignored the toxic fandom haters and made the movie her teenage self would want to see. https://t.co/6eZTI1VpaE— Variety (@Variety) November 17‚ 2023 New woke Marvel film is failing in theaters. Why? According to the director‚ fans are "virulent and violent and racist — and sexist and homophobic."https://t.co/BWstdxPpo8— OutKick (@Outkick) November 17‚ 2023 “There are pockets where you go because you’re like‚ ‘I’m a super fan. I want to exist in the space of just adoration — which includes civilized critique‚” she told Variety Magazine. “Then there are pockets that are really virulent and violent and racist — and sexist and homophobic and all those awful things. And I choose the side of the light. That’s the part of fandom I’m most attracted to.” From Variety: “The Marvels” — the MCU’s 33rd movie — premieres two days after the director’s 34th birthday. “This birthday is sort of like ending this chapter of my life‚” DaCosta says. “I did these three films back-to-back. They were each so unique and so special and so different. And with each film‚ I was able to grow as a filmmaker‚ and rise to different heights in my career and in the industry. It’s nice to have a ‘What’s next?’ moment after doing a Marvel film.”

President Biden spoke with the leader of Mexico at the APEC summit in San Francisco Friday where he promised to give “reparations” to illegal migrants. Biden is late for his own meeting again pic.twitter.com/QTYY4qoxoj— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 17‚ 2023 Biden brags about his "balanced approach" to illegal immigration‚ which "includes enforcing our borders‚ increasing reparations‚ and opening historic number of legal pathways for migrants" pic.twitter.com/CebD0AYuEC— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 17‚ 2023 Watch Biden’s comments above.

From 70s hard rock anthems to mystical prog deep cuts‚ Iron Maiden are the kings of the cover versions