A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Team Christ

Yeah, I really hope that Natalie gets kicked off BB9 tonight. But anyway…

The script in this tattoo by Brian at Atomic Age in Mechanicsburgh, PA, reads “This I Know”, like the song, explains the wearer…

I was on a plane leaving the French West Indies after a month-long cross cultural college course. We were headed for Philadelphia, but there was an electrical short in the cockpit when the plane was somewhere over the Bermuda Triangle. The smell of melting plastic and smoke filled the cabin and we thought we were going down for a watery death in the Atlantic. I was terrified with most of the other passengers. One man even wrote up his will a few seats ahead of me.

The college group I was with from Messiah College started singing “Jesus loves me, this i know, for the Bible tells me so.” Hearing that song reaffirmed my faith and brought me a solace I never thought I could feel in a time like that. I told myself that if I lived through the experience, I was going to get that tattooed. That song states such a foundational understanding of my Christianity and because the whole experience tested my faith, I realize how vital my relationship is with my Creator. God brought me through that, and now I have a permanent reminder that I know I am loved.

I’ve heard of plenty of people promising God they’d be good Christians if they survived whatever, but this might be the first time I’ve heard of someone promising God they’d get tattooed if they survived!

See more in Lettering Tattoos (Tattoos)

Comments

192 responses to “Team Christ”

  1. lost raevyn Avatar

    I’m not really religious at all, and I don’t think you have to be or should be to find this tattoo touching. The story behind it is sweet an inspirational, and I really find it sad that people have to rag on others for what they believe or find solace in.

  2. lost raevyn Avatar

    I’m not really religious at all, and I don’t think you have to be or should be to find this tattoo touching. The story behind it is sweet an inspirational, and I really find it sad that people have to rag on others for what they believe or find solace in.

  3. lost raevyn Avatar

    I’m not really religious at all, and I don’t think you have to be or should be to find this tattoo touching. The story behind it is sweet an inspirational, and I really find it sad that people have to rag on others for what they believe or find solace in.

  4. lost raevyn Avatar

    I’m not really religious at all, and I don’t think you have to be or should be to find this tattoo touching. The story behind it is sweet an inspirational, and I really find it sad that people have to rag on others for what they believe or find solace in.

  5. lilangel311 Avatar
    lilangel311

    Shannon I hope your happy, Natalie was kicked off tonight 🙁

  6. lilangel311 Avatar
    lilangel311

    Shannon I hope your happy, Natalie was kicked off tonight 🙁

  7. lilangel311 Avatar
    lilangel311

    Shannon I hope your happy, Natalie was kicked off tonight 🙁

  8. lilangel311 Avatar
    lilangel311

    Shannon I hope your happy, Natalie was kicked off tonight 🙁

  9. Jaimes Avatar
    Jaimes

    I do like the actually tattoo itself. But Jesus did nothing to save you. The pilot did. The pilot saved your life and in typical Christian way he didn’t get any praise for saving all your lives.

  10. Jaimes Avatar
    Jaimes

    I do like the actually tattoo itself. But Jesus did nothing to save you. The pilot did. The pilot saved your life and in typical Christian way he didn’t get any praise for saving all your lives.

  11. Jaimes Avatar
    Jaimes

    I do like the actually tattoo itself. But Jesus did nothing to save you. The pilot did. The pilot saved your life and in typical Christian way he didn’t get any praise for saving all your lives.

  12. Jaimes Avatar
    Jaimes

    I do like the actually tattoo itself. But Jesus did nothing to save you. The pilot did. The pilot saved your life and in typical Christian way he didn’t get any praise for saving all your lives.

  13. [QUEEN] Avatar

    Im glad he enjoys his tattoo and it means so much to him. Thats the most important thing about it. Religion and finnding faith in a non existant god or higher entity just turns me off.

  14. [QUEEN] Avatar

    Im glad he enjoys his tattoo and it means so much to him. Thats the most important thing about it. Religion and finnding faith in a non existant god or higher entity just turns me off.

  15. [QUEEN] Avatar

    Im glad he enjoys his tattoo and it means so much to him. Thats the most important thing about it. Religion and finnding faith in a non existant god or higher entity just turns me off.

  16. [QUEEN] Avatar

    Im glad he enjoys his tattoo and it means so much to him. Thats the most important thing about it. Religion and finnding faith in a non existant god or higher entity just turns me off.

  17. english Avatar
    english

    the exsistance of a god or a higher being is simply beyond human intellect.. and if you want to say religion is evil you only need to look at the china and tibet struggle atm in our news..

    some of the comments here display this via writing with aggression and fear.

    we all want to live peacefully and in harmony so no need to pull down another’s beliefs or thoughts – i have never had holy water thrown over me but i cant wait to have jesus tattoo’d into my chest – why? because i like the idea of treating others equally and with kindness – i like what jesus stood for in the stories we hear – i aint got a clue if he ever rose from the ground or was to son of a god – it is about having integrity and something to stand for – a foundation – it is an image that i can identify with and will remind me that i am human..

    i think your ink rocks and it will always stand the test of time for you and that is all that matters..

    skippy love from the agnostic one.

  18. english Avatar
    english

    the exsistance of a god or a higher being is simply beyond human intellect.. and if you want to say religion is evil you only need to look at the china and tibet struggle atm in our news..

    some of the comments here display this via writing with aggression and fear.

    we all want to live peacefully and in harmony so no need to pull down another’s beliefs or thoughts – i have never had holy water thrown over me but i cant wait to have jesus tattoo’d into my chest – why? because i like the idea of treating others equally and with kindness – i like what jesus stood for in the stories we hear – i aint got a clue if he ever rose from the ground or was to son of a god – it is about having integrity and something to stand for – a foundation – it is an image that i can identify with and will remind me that i am human..

    i think your ink rocks and it will always stand the test of time for you and that is all that matters..

    skippy love from the agnostic one.

  19. english Avatar
    english

    the exsistance of a god or a higher being is simply beyond human intellect.. and if you want to say religion is evil you only need to look at the china and tibet struggle atm in our news..

    some of the comments here display this via writing with aggression and fear.

    we all want to live peacefully and in harmony so no need to pull down another’s beliefs or thoughts – i have never had holy water thrown over me but i cant wait to have jesus tattoo’d into my chest – why? because i like the idea of treating others equally and with kindness – i like what jesus stood for in the stories we hear – i aint got a clue if he ever rose from the ground or was to son of a god – it is about having integrity and something to stand for – a foundation – it is an image that i can identify with and will remind me that i am human..

    i think your ink rocks and it will always stand the test of time for you and that is all that matters..

    skippy love from the agnostic one.

  20. english Avatar
    english

    the exsistance of a god or a higher being is simply beyond human intellect.. and if you want to say religion is evil you only need to look at the china and tibet struggle atm in our news..

    some of the comments here display this via writing with aggression and fear.

    we all want to live peacefully and in harmony so no need to pull down another’s beliefs or thoughts – i have never had holy water thrown over me but i cant wait to have jesus tattoo’d into my chest – why? because i like the idea of treating others equally and with kindness – i like what jesus stood for in the stories we hear – i aint got a clue if he ever rose from the ground or was to son of a god – it is about having integrity and something to stand for – a foundation – it is an image that i can identify with and will remind me that i am human..

    i think your ink rocks and it will always stand the test of time for you and that is all that matters..

    skippy love from the agnostic one.

  21. Heather Papps Avatar
    Heather Papps

    religion is not evil.
    religion is amoral – it is a path. the hammer is not generous as it builds a house, or evil as it smashes in the skull of an innocent.

    how many atheist humanitarian organizations? how many agnostics have suffered to aid those that hate them the most?
    yeah, religion sure is evil.
    those sons of bitches, fighting injustices throughout history…

    and yes, religion is a double edged sword, but anyone who can’t see that a double edged sword cuts both ways is a fool.

    i guess the main issue of the debate is that science and both religion both claim a monopoly on truth when they are both different methods of working out the same problems.

    also, “Religion and finnding faith in a non existant god or higher entity just turns me off.”

    are you kidding me?
    there is a reason that people call atheism the worship of ones self of smug superiority.
    this guy gets a rad tattoo that means something to him and you’re like “oh yeah, as long as you like your tattoo that is what matters. if you were as smart as me, you’d know that your god doesn’t exist and that you’re an idiot. who cares if it improves your life, or if it’s a matter of faith and not fact and it can’t be disproved or proved.”

    bme is pretty rad but the fanclub can get pretty lame

  22. Heather Papps Avatar
    Heather Papps

    religion is not evil.
    religion is amoral – it is a path. the hammer is not generous as it builds a house, or evil as it smashes in the skull of an innocent.

    how many atheist humanitarian organizations? how many agnostics have suffered to aid those that hate them the most?
    yeah, religion sure is evil.
    those sons of bitches, fighting injustices throughout history…

    and yes, religion is a double edged sword, but anyone who can’t see that a double edged sword cuts both ways is a fool.

    i guess the main issue of the debate is that science and both religion both claim a monopoly on truth when they are both different methods of working out the same problems.

    also, “Religion and finnding faith in a non existant god or higher entity just turns me off.”

    are you kidding me?
    there is a reason that people call atheism the worship of ones self of smug superiority.
    this guy gets a rad tattoo that means something to him and you’re like “oh yeah, as long as you like your tattoo that is what matters. if you were as smart as me, you’d know that your god doesn’t exist and that you’re an idiot. who cares if it improves your life, or if it’s a matter of faith and not fact and it can’t be disproved or proved.”

    bme is pretty rad but the fanclub can get pretty lame

  23. Heather Papps Avatar
    Heather Papps

    religion is not evil.
    religion is amoral – it is a path. the hammer is not generous as it builds a house, or evil as it smashes in the skull of an innocent.

    how many atheist humanitarian organizations? how many agnostics have suffered to aid those that hate them the most?
    yeah, religion sure is evil.
    those sons of bitches, fighting injustices throughout history…

    and yes, religion is a double edged sword, but anyone who can’t see that a double edged sword cuts both ways is a fool.

    i guess the main issue of the debate is that science and both religion both claim a monopoly on truth when they are both different methods of working out the same problems.

    also, “Religion and finnding faith in a non existant god or higher entity just turns me off.”

    are you kidding me?
    there is a reason that people call atheism the worship of ones self of smug superiority.
    this guy gets a rad tattoo that means something to him and you’re like “oh yeah, as long as you like your tattoo that is what matters. if you were as smart as me, you’d know that your god doesn’t exist and that you’re an idiot. who cares if it improves your life, or if it’s a matter of faith and not fact and it can’t be disproved or proved.”

    bme is pretty rad but the fanclub can get pretty lame

  24. Heather Papps Avatar
    Heather Papps

    religion is not evil.
    religion is amoral – it is a path. the hammer is not generous as it builds a house, or evil as it smashes in the skull of an innocent.

    how many atheist humanitarian organizations? how many agnostics have suffered to aid those that hate them the most?
    yeah, religion sure is evil.
    those sons of bitches, fighting injustices throughout history…

    and yes, religion is a double edged sword, but anyone who can’t see that a double edged sword cuts both ways is a fool.

    i guess the main issue of the debate is that science and both religion both claim a monopoly on truth when they are both different methods of working out the same problems.

    also, “Religion and finnding faith in a non existant god or higher entity just turns me off.”

    are you kidding me?
    there is a reason that people call atheism the worship of ones self of smug superiority.
    this guy gets a rad tattoo that means something to him and you’re like “oh yeah, as long as you like your tattoo that is what matters. if you were as smart as me, you’d know that your god doesn’t exist and that you’re an idiot. who cares if it improves your life, or if it’s a matter of faith and not fact and it can’t be disproved or proved.”

    bme is pretty rad but the fanclub can get pretty lame

  25. Valkyrie Avatar
    Valkyrie

    Beautiful in so many ways

  26. Valkyrie Avatar
    Valkyrie

    Beautiful in so many ways

  27. Valkyrie Avatar
    Valkyrie

    Beautiful in so many ways

  28. Valkyrie Avatar
    Valkyrie

    Beautiful in so many ways

  29. LadyCrow Avatar
    LadyCrow

    “and if you want to say religion is evil you only need to look at the china and tibet struggle atm in our news..”

    Um, where Chinese troops — from a regime that discourages religious expression, e.g. Falun Gong — are beating the crap out of monks and other Buddhists? That China/Tibet struggle? Yes, darn those silly Tibetans for trying to practice their nonviolent religion, which includes a whole lot of… um, sitting silently on the floor.

    Every day an eye-opener on Modblog, huh? I’m just gonna enjoy the hot man with the great hair and nice tattoo.

  30. LadyCrow Avatar
    LadyCrow

    “and if you want to say religion is evil you only need to look at the china and tibet struggle atm in our news..”

    Um, where Chinese troops — from a regime that discourages religious expression, e.g. Falun Gong — are beating the crap out of monks and other Buddhists? That China/Tibet struggle? Yes, darn those silly Tibetans for trying to practice their nonviolent religion, which includes a whole lot of… um, sitting silently on the floor.

    Every day an eye-opener on Modblog, huh? I’m just gonna enjoy the hot man with the great hair and nice tattoo.

  31. LadyCrow Avatar
    LadyCrow

    “and if you want to say religion is evil you only need to look at the china and tibet struggle atm in our news..”

    Um, where Chinese troops — from a regime that discourages religious expression, e.g. Falun Gong — are beating the crap out of monks and other Buddhists? That China/Tibet struggle? Yes, darn those silly Tibetans for trying to practice their nonviolent religion, which includes a whole lot of… um, sitting silently on the floor.

    Every day an eye-opener on Modblog, huh? I’m just gonna enjoy the hot man with the great hair and nice tattoo.

  32. LadyCrow Avatar
    LadyCrow

    “and if you want to say religion is evil you only need to look at the china and tibet struggle atm in our news..”

    Um, where Chinese troops — from a regime that discourages religious expression, e.g. Falun Gong — are beating the crap out of monks and other Buddhists? That China/Tibet struggle? Yes, darn those silly Tibetans for trying to practice their nonviolent religion, which includes a whole lot of… um, sitting silently on the floor.

    Every day an eye-opener on Modblog, huh? I’m just gonna enjoy the hot man with the great hair and nice tattoo.

  33. english Avatar
    english

    LadyCrow – That is what I am saying – Trying to imply that religion in its purest form promotes peace and respect – it is only modern man that corrupts.

  34. english Avatar
    english

    LadyCrow – That is what I am saying – Trying to imply that religion in its purest form promotes peace and respect – it is only modern man that corrupts.

  35. english Avatar
    english

    LadyCrow – That is what I am saying – Trying to imply that religion in its purest form promotes peace and respect – it is only modern man that corrupts.

  36. english Avatar
    english

    LadyCrow – That is what I am saying – Trying to imply that religion in its purest form promotes peace and respect – it is only modern man that corrupts.

  37. haas Avatar
    haas

    i’m by no means a religious person in the traditional sense, but i absolutely loved this entry. first thing one on modblog that brought me to tears, actually. cock and ball torture? not even a wince. mad love for god? start to cry. thanks shannon.

  38. haas Avatar
    haas

    i’m by no means a religious person in the traditional sense, but i absolutely loved this entry. first thing one on modblog that brought me to tears, actually. cock and ball torture? not even a wince. mad love for god? start to cry. thanks shannon.

  39. haas Avatar
    haas

    i’m by no means a religious person in the traditional sense, but i absolutely loved this entry. first thing one on modblog that brought me to tears, actually. cock and ball torture? not even a wince. mad love for god? start to cry. thanks shannon.

  40. haas Avatar
    haas

    i’m by no means a religious person in the traditional sense, but i absolutely loved this entry. first thing one on modblog that brought me to tears, actually. cock and ball torture? not even a wince. mad love for god? start to cry. thanks shannon.

  41. paleblue Avatar

    I try to refrain from posting on modblog these days, and to be honest I’m not even sure if this will get through moderation, but I had to say something about this:

    “i guess the main issue of the debate is that science and both religion both claim a monopoly on truth when they are both different methods of working out the same problems.”

    No, they are not. Not even close. Religion wants to be given equal weight to science – especially in the form of creationism – without having to conform to all those pesky things that scientific theories have to conform to in order to be taken seriously, like… oh, I dunno, rationality, logic, research and evidence?

    Also, the idea that a theory holds water because it cannot be disproved is totally fallacious.

  42. paleblue Avatar

    I try to refrain from posting on modblog these days, and to be honest I’m not even sure if this will get through moderation, but I had to say something about this:

    “i guess the main issue of the debate is that science and both religion both claim a monopoly on truth when they are both different methods of working out the same problems.”

    No, they are not. Not even close. Religion wants to be given equal weight to science – especially in the form of creationism – without having to conform to all those pesky things that scientific theories have to conform to in order to be taken seriously, like… oh, I dunno, rationality, logic, research and evidence?

    Also, the idea that a theory holds water because it cannot be disproved is totally fallacious.

  43. paleblue Avatar

    I try to refrain from posting on modblog these days, and to be honest I’m not even sure if this will get through moderation, but I had to say something about this:

    “i guess the main issue of the debate is that science and both religion both claim a monopoly on truth when they are both different methods of working out the same problems.”

    No, they are not. Not even close. Religion wants to be given equal weight to science – especially in the form of creationism – without having to conform to all those pesky things that scientific theories have to conform to in order to be taken seriously, like… oh, I dunno, rationality, logic, research and evidence?

    Also, the idea that a theory holds water because it cannot be disproved is totally fallacious.

  44. paleblue Avatar

    I try to refrain from posting on modblog these days, and to be honest I’m not even sure if this will get through moderation, but I had to say something about this:

    “i guess the main issue of the debate is that science and both religion both claim a monopoly on truth when they are both different methods of working out the same problems.”

    No, they are not. Not even close. Religion wants to be given equal weight to science – especially in the form of creationism – without having to conform to all those pesky things that scientific theories have to conform to in order to be taken seriously, like… oh, I dunno, rationality, logic, research and evidence?

    Also, the idea that a theory holds water because it cannot be disproved is totally fallacious.

  45. Heather Papps Avatar
    Heather Papps

    “No, they are not. Not even close. Religion wants to be given equal weight to science – especially in the form of creationism – without having to conform to all those pesky things that scientific theories have to conform to in order to be taken seriously, like… oh, I dunno, rationality, logic, research and evidence?”

    religion is not an active force. it wants nothing.
    science is the same.
    religion is a path to understanding, and science is the same.
    one looks to the inside, and one looks to the outside.
    they are rival brothers and neither will ever win or lose because neither hold the key to true understanding.

    grow up, athiests. religion is not bible thumping fag hating “christians,” religion is established religion. it is manyfaceted and some sides shimmer and some sides are horrible and black and dark. religion will not fly my planes and land them safely, but that is not its purpose.
    science is not nazis butchering orphans in cruel mockeries of legitimate experimentation. science is a system of understanding phenomena by breaking them down until we can hopefully grasp the causes and effects and the why’s and hows of what is happening. science will not save your soul, or bring you solace in your time of need, but that is not its job.

    oh man i sure hope my controversial opinions will pass moderation….

  46. Heather Papps Avatar
    Heather Papps

    “No, they are not. Not even close. Religion wants to be given equal weight to science – especially in the form of creationism – without having to conform to all those pesky things that scientific theories have to conform to in order to be taken seriously, like… oh, I dunno, rationality, logic, research and evidence?”

    religion is not an active force. it wants nothing.
    science is the same.
    religion is a path to understanding, and science is the same.
    one looks to the inside, and one looks to the outside.
    they are rival brothers and neither will ever win or lose because neither hold the key to true understanding.

    grow up, athiests. religion is not bible thumping fag hating “christians,” religion is established religion. it is manyfaceted and some sides shimmer and some sides are horrible and black and dark. religion will not fly my planes and land them safely, but that is not its purpose.
    science is not nazis butchering orphans in cruel mockeries of legitimate experimentation. science is a system of understanding phenomena by breaking them down until we can hopefully grasp the causes and effects and the why’s and hows of what is happening. science will not save your soul, or bring you solace in your time of need, but that is not its job.

    oh man i sure hope my controversial opinions will pass moderation….

  47. Heather Papps Avatar
    Heather Papps

    “No, they are not. Not even close. Religion wants to be given equal weight to science – especially in the form of creationism – without having to conform to all those pesky things that scientific theories have to conform to in order to be taken seriously, like… oh, I dunno, rationality, logic, research and evidence?”

    religion is not an active force. it wants nothing.
    science is the same.
    religion is a path to understanding, and science is the same.
    one looks to the inside, and one looks to the outside.
    they are rival brothers and neither will ever win or lose because neither hold the key to true understanding.

    grow up, athiests. religion is not bible thumping fag hating “christians,” religion is established religion. it is manyfaceted and some sides shimmer and some sides are horrible and black and dark. religion will not fly my planes and land them safely, but that is not its purpose.
    science is not nazis butchering orphans in cruel mockeries of legitimate experimentation. science is a system of understanding phenomena by breaking them down until we can hopefully grasp the causes and effects and the why’s and hows of what is happening. science will not save your soul, or bring you solace in your time of need, but that is not its job.

    oh man i sure hope my controversial opinions will pass moderation….

  48. Heather Papps Avatar
    Heather Papps

    “No, they are not. Not even close. Religion wants to be given equal weight to science – especially in the form of creationism – without having to conform to all those pesky things that scientific theories have to conform to in order to be taken seriously, like… oh, I dunno, rationality, logic, research and evidence?”

    religion is not an active force. it wants nothing.
    science is the same.
    religion is a path to understanding, and science is the same.
    one looks to the inside, and one looks to the outside.
    they are rival brothers and neither will ever win or lose because neither hold the key to true understanding.

    grow up, athiests. religion is not bible thumping fag hating “christians,” religion is established religion. it is manyfaceted and some sides shimmer and some sides are horrible and black and dark. religion will not fly my planes and land them safely, but that is not its purpose.
    science is not nazis butchering orphans in cruel mockeries of legitimate experimentation. science is a system of understanding phenomena by breaking them down until we can hopefully grasp the causes and effects and the why’s and hows of what is happening. science will not save your soul, or bring you solace in your time of need, but that is not its job.

    oh man i sure hope my controversial opinions will pass moderation….

  49. nope Avatar
    nope

    i wonder if he uses manic panic…

  50. nope Avatar
    nope

    i wonder if he uses manic panic…

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