A Quick Thought on Modesty and Morals

Modest dressing is easier than you may think.  I started wearing skirts/dresses only in February, 2013.  This is my 5-year anniversary and I still feel that it is the right choice for me.

I do have to mention that I recently found a company that has the softest leggings and I have purchased several to wear under my skirts/dresses.  The same company also has other clothing pieces that are modest, comfortable and fun.  I tend to wear a sweater that is elbow or wrist length with my tops/dresses as our office tends to stay on the cooler side.

As I look around this world, I am so saddened by the disintegration of morals.

The Bible says to surround ourselves with those like-minded (other Christians).  It also says we are to spread the Good News and not to judge other but to love our neighbors as ourselves.  WOW – to know we need to love all others; sometimes this can be hard.  However, if we lean on the Lord’s strength we can do anything.  I know I don’t have to agree with or condone actions; I think that is where so many get trapped--differentiating between the person and the action.

So, even with the world on a downward spiral, the best news is that the Lord wins!  He has overcome.

I will continue to dress modestly, spreading the Good News and embracing the fact that He wins – Praise the Lord!

Ramblings

It has been over a month since I posted.  Time is flying by -- in a good way.

I am very blessed with a loving Father who showers me with mercy and grace on a daily basis.  I have a home, family, a great job, wonderful co-workers, a Church family with two small Bible study groups, and the list of blessings goes on.

We are starting to cool down here in the Inland Empire of the Pacific Northwest.  I am holding out on a coat and just using a scarf and fingerless mitts for now :-)

Growth

I am excited to begin a class at Church.  This class is going to be taught by our Teaching Pastor.  We are going to delve into the Bible on a different level – background, culture, etc. to help us as small group facilitators (me) or large group teachers.

This is a course that will begin this fall and go through the early part of the new year.

Our Church is blessed to have a man that is gifted with teaching and that God is leading him to share that knowledge base with others.

I am ready to grow!

Bible Study Group

I have been in my Bible study group for about 3 ½ years now.  It is such a blessing to forge relationships with other Christian women.  We are from different backgrounds and run the gamut of ages from early 30s to 70s.

I have just embarked on co-leading (facilitating) a new Bible study for ladies on Sundays during one of our church services.  This will enable women to use the child care that is available, if needed.  We have prayed over the room, resources and our willingness to be used by the Lord.  We have been informed that we are a total of 8 commencing this weekend.  The Lord is good!

Learning and drinking in the Word, being accountable to sisters-in-Christ and being a servant for the Lord are all things I am praying come of this group.

A Mentor is a Blessing

A big shout out to my small group leader, Louise.  She is a mature Christian lady that has been leading this Bible study group for over 7 years.  I have been blessed to be a part of this group for the past four years.  Louise holds us accountable in a loving and kind manner.  She models Christian love, discipline and wisdom.  Her life reflects Christ to all who come in contact with her.  I thank the Lord for such a mentor as Louise.

Looking Around the Corner

February is quickly coming to an end and I feel spring right around the corner [under the mounds of snow].

I am struggling with a few things:  getting back into a daily routine, Bible study and my volunteering commitments.  I am lifting these up in prayer and working on the ones in which I can actively change.

I think the longer daylight definitely helps with the motivation aspect of life.

God definitely knows when to change the seasons; what an Awesome God we have!!

Being Intentional

I read this on A Wise Woman Builds Her Home blog [http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/] in October, printed it and read it again this morning.  A wonderful reminder for us to be intentional in our relationship with our Lord and Savior J

Calming the Storm Within You

I loved these wise words from Nancy Leigh DeMoss that I read early this morning after my Bible time so I wanted to share them with you:

"Devotions" Without "Devotion"

Some of us have had devotions, but we have not had devotion. There's a big difference. We may have gone through the motions of reading our Bibles and "saying our prayers" but we have not been cultivating a love relationship with our God. We know alot about Him, but we don't really know Him. 

We are active and busy in a multitude of spiritual activities, but we have lost perspective of who it is that we are serving and why.

The result of our "devotionless" religion is seen in the way we respond to pressure. So many of us as Christian women are chronically stressed out. Everywhere I go, I see it in the eyes of women; I hear it in their voices; and too often I see it when I look in my own mirror. I know what it is to have demands coming at me from every direction. I know what it is to respond of weariness, with an impatient, demanding spirit.

And I know what it is to contend with God Himself, even as my eyes fill up with tears of frustration with myself and my reactions.

I also know that there is only one place where that angry, reactive, overwhelmed self can be transformed---the same place that Mary chose--the feet of Jesus.  I must take a conscious, deliberate, daily choice to sit at His feet, to listen to His Word, to receive His love, to let Him change me, and to pour out my heart's devotion to Him.

When I get into His presence, the whole world looks different. When I draw close to His heart, I find mercy when I know I deserve judgment; I find forgiveness for all my petty, selfish ways;  I find grace for all my inadequacies; I find peace for my troubled heart; I find perspective for my distorted views.

In Him, I find an eye in the midst of the storm.  

Oh, the storm around me may not immediately subside;


but the storm within me is made calm. 

Bible Study and Coziness

Furnace is working wonderfully!  Kudos to the folks at Holliday Heating as they were helpful as well as professional.  Bum that it was the control board and on the spendy side of things.

The Thursday evening Bible study is great – 20-30 participants.  I am enjoying a study with my daughter.

My small group is back in the swing of meeting weekly – thank you God!  I missed the group tremendously during the summer months.  I don’t know if they fully realize it, even though I did plenty of whining~lol.

I need to revamp my budget this weekend, joy.  I am lifting my budget up in prayer and asking for God’s leading in this aspect of my life – yep, keep grabbing it back trying to do it ‘my way’ not His way.

Hot July

Independence Day was full of family fun.  It was also our family reunion and we had a wonderful time.  The weather has been extremely hot over the last week and a half both here and in Oregon where we had the reunion.

I haven't started a new Bible study yet.  I am currently reading some Agatha Christie books -- what an amazing writer.  I love her mysteries :-)

My daughter is continuing her search for a full-time professional job.  She and her husband recently moved and are closer to Church and his jobs.  I am proud of them both as they continue to set goals and follow God's leading.

My heart is filled with thanksgiving -- thank you Heavenly Father!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Whew~what a busy weekend that was!  Very enjoyable times with my small group, daughter, church and volunteering.  I was gone from home most of the weekend and didn’t get any yard work done [this issue is hanging over my head].

My first Farm Chicks event!  What a great time we had~a huge thumbs up.  I think we may make this a Mother/Daughter yearly event.  A big ‘thank you’ to Serena for this wonderful yearly show of antiques and handmade items with lots of vendors.

Yes, I bought a ‘Newzgirl’ style cap while there.  Actually that was my goal~to add to my headcovering repertoire.  A shout out to www.oldmanspants.com ; they are a local, small business that is friendly and helpful.  I am eyeing a couple of other caps on their website.

The Daniel study I am doing on Thursday evenings is wrapping up at the end of June.  My small group has also disbanded for the summer.  I am on the search for some good books/series and a good bible study to tide me over for the summer ~~ I am sure the yard work will be calling my name as I try and plug my ears—LOL!

Bible Study

Last night was my second week of Beth Moore’s Book of Daniel study.  She is an amazing speaker.  We are doing a Women’s Ministry Thursday evening study and are using workbooks along with her DVDs.  She makes it relevant to our world today and the insight she is giving from multiple sources is fantastic.

I look forward to going to a live event when one is nearby :~)

Another week has come and gone.  The weather is still very rainy, windy and cold.  My yard is looking overgrown and weedy :-(  I am praying for good weather on Monday [my day off] so that I may rake and start some weeding!

Blessings!

AWESOME

My devotional this morning had me stopping and really thinking of the “little” things we normally don’t think about. The verse is “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

The corresponding thoughts: “Consider the delicate balance in the following ordinary occurrences that affect our daily lives: Hurtling through space at an average speed of 18.4 miles per second, Earth is constantly changing its position with the sun. Not only is the earth orbiting around the sun, but it’s also steadily rotating at 1,070 miles per hour. Each day, as Earth stays on her prescribed path, gravity continues to hold us to the ground, adequate fresh water exists, our hearts beat, our muscles move, our brains think, our cars continue down the road, we smile and the sun shines. God has made all these miracles and sustains them, each moment of every day! We have countless reasons to thank God for holding all things in his divine balance. Apart from God, we really can do nothing. Jesus says that when we stay connected to him in our daily lives, we will receive his power. Today, let the God who runs the universe and sustains each heartbeat connect with your life. Tap into the life that Jesus gives!”~Jennifer King

When I think of some of the things mentioned above, it stops me in my tracks. Yes, I know that ‘God is bigger than the universe’ and I truly believe that He is the Creator and Lord of my life; however, I usually go through my day not thinking about breathing, walking, talking…

Praise God!

Changes

I had a conversation this weekend with a lady I have known for about 25 years. We were talking about my wardrobe changes and wearing a headcovering. She asked a very good question and it made me want to share it and my response.

“What are you searching for?” “I am not searching for anything; I have already found it :-) A reason for the appearance change is that I am hoping to convey what/how I am on the inside [learning daily with help from the Holy Spirit] by my appearance on the outside."

As she has known me for many years, she wasn’t surprised or in disbelief over my answer or the changes I am making.

We had another conversation on the aspect of dating/remarriage. The Bible is firm on the stance that a man or woman may remarry if their spouse has passed away. Otherwise, it is adultery. I realize that many people (Christians included) don’t take this stance. I am intent on living my life for Christ and am not ‘looking’ for a spouse. The Lord knows what is best for me; I have been washed clean of my inequities and look to Him for guidance.

Modest Dressing and Headcovering Thoughts

I have been praying about wearing a headcovering. In the Bible, Paul is speaking to the church in Corinth to set away the doings of the world and be set apart. 1Cor. 11: 3-16 is clear about prayer and head covering:


3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,[a] and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

7 A man ought not to cover his head,[b] since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[c] head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.

I wore a bandanna all last weekend, although I haven’t worn it to work. I did order a couple of headcoverings and am waiting for them to arrive. I believe I will begin wearing them to work. They are a softer material than the bandannas I currently have at home. Of course, I will wear the bandannas as well for variety. I am convicted to wearing a headcovering at all times. As I grow in my faith and try to obey the scriptures in “praying unceasingly” this seems to be a natural progression.

My other prayer has been with a concern of modest dressing. Most of my clothing I would consider as modest. However, the more I read about Christian modesty, the more I am inclined to wearing skirts and dresses. Tight shirts and jeans accentuate a person’s curves. Is it right to flaunt your form in public; is that being a modest Christian woman? Modest doesn’t have to be frumpy. Of course, I feel frumpy while I am overweight. Gee, another reason to continue exercising :-)

I am at peace with my decision to wear a headcovering.  I am still waiting about the modest dress issues.

Blessings abound

Women of Faith ~ what an amazing event! If you have never been, please consider going. The speakers each had a specific topic they spoke to. Each one touched my heart in a special way.

Mandisa and Amy Grant were wonderful as well as the Women of Faith worship group. The ladies led us in spots of praise and worship throughout the entire two day event.

News update:

I have joined a women’s small group bible study on Saturday mornings. What a blessing these women are and I’ve only been going a couple of weeks :-)

Promiseland has started back up at church and I am working in the 2nd-4th grade room.

We are holding off any landscaping in the front yard so it will be dirt through the winter. However, we are going to be building our raised beds at the end of the month for our vegetable garden.

The Lord is mighty and I am glad!