(Kansas City, Mo.) Rob Poulos is a walking fragment of literature. Tattooed on his left wrist is a single word, lowercase, followed by a comma and quotation marks — back,” — as if it was lifted from the end of a line of dialogue. Likely it was. Poulos, himself a student of creative writing, joined a worldwide effort to help author Shelley Jackson publish a short story solely on human hide.

Appropriately titled “Skin,” the 2,095-word piece of fiction is the foundation for a project that’s as exclusive as it is obscure. Each person bears one word only, and Jackson insists that the full text will be distributed only to participants.

The story has no obscene words, but some can be taken more than one way. One woman, for example, refused to tattoo “use” to her curvy body.

In 1992, the author, famed for “Johnny Mnemonic,” sold $2,000 copies of a “read-only-once” poem. Published on a computer disk and bound by art that vanished when exposed to light, a program would scroll the six-verse poem across the screen one time, then self-destruct (the idea was spoiled when someone passed the poem over the Internet).

Douglas, Jeff. Short Story Printed Only Through Tattoos
May 14, 2004. Associated Press – Strange News.

Commentary: Let’s imprint God’s Word on our hearts… and not just one word, but all of it.

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, “I hear a cricket.”

His friend said, “What? You must be crazy. You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!”

“No, I’m sure of it,” the Native American said, “I heard a cricket.”

“That’s crazy,” said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket.

His friend was utterly amazed. “That’s incredible,” said his friend. “You must have super-human ears!

“No,” said the Native American. “My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you’re listening for.”

“But that can’t be!” said the friend. “I could never hear a cricket in this noise.

“Yes, it’s true,” came the reply. “It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you: He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs. “See what I mean?” asked the Native American. “It all depends on what’s important to you.”

What’s important to you? What do you listen for? Are there times that you fail to listen? Have you let the “noise” of life drown out God, because he just isn't important to you?

Noise comes in many different forms: family, friends, jobs, responsibilities, bills, etc...

Most of the time God’s voice is loudest, when he whispers!

Blessed are they, who are too tired, busy, or distracted to spend time with fellow Christians in the church, for they are my best candidates to backslide.

Blessed are they, who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked, for they slow things down.

Blessed are they, who are touchy and picky, for they may make others quit church.

Blessed are the very religious, who know everything better, and get on others' nerves, for they may become stumbling blocks.

Blessed are they, who have no time to pray, for they are easy prey for me.

Blessed are complainers, for they may discourage others.

Blessed are they, who demand to be satisfied, for they will be disappointed sooner or later and will find faults with others.

Blessed are they, who think that only others can become victims to temptation.

Unknown Source
cited by: Rev. Alexander Jalso (Presbyterian). How to understand
the literal and figurative Interpretation of the devil
February 25, 2005. Herald Standard (Uniontown, PA) – Religion

"It would be helpful to remember that all human authority in this life is 'borrowed' authority. The only ultimate authority in the world is God’s… Therefore, whenever those exercising such 'borrowed' authority seek to command us to do or believe what God in his ultimate authority forbids —- or forbid us to do or believe what God commands —- in that specific situation those exercising such 'borrowed' authority forfeit the authority God loaned them.

…We join the apostles who boldly stated to their ecclesiastical authorities: 'We must obey God rather than men' (Acts 5:29). This principle applies equally to men and women. Although a woman will recognize the God-given authority entrusted to men in her congregation, she’s not bound to recognize their authority in any matter in which they teach contrary to Scripture.

Consider what Luther did as he stood before both governmental and ecclesiastical authorities at Worms. He certainly recognized their positions of authority over him. Yet, when they commanded him to retract what he was convinced were biblical teachings, he refused.

…However, we mustn’t overstate the case. Even those teaching falsely have not forfeited all respect and obedience from us. In all other respects other than that false teaching, they retain their position of authority.

Consider the amazing words Jesus spoke about the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. 'The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you' (Matthew 23:2,3)."

Gurgel, Prof. Richard. Authority and false teaching, p. 9
November 2004. Forward in Christ – Q & A. Vol. 91, No. 11

Concerning rulers: "Someone might come and say, 'Why should I think more of this person than of others?' But because the commandment is added, 'You shall honor father and mother,' I see another man, adorned and clothed with the majesty and glory of God. The commandment, I say, is the golden chain about his neck, yes, the crown on his head, which shows me how and why I should honor this particular flesh and blood."

Luther, Martin. Large Catechism