WHY DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE?

Good morning, my dear readers! Yes, it's been a while since I've posted. You see, I have decided to go back to school to pursue my Bachelors in Elementary Education. It's a big step to fit into my busy, busy life along with my family, church and employment, but, with lots of prayer, I took it. My family still comes first and foremost, so if it looks like my schooling is starting to take too much time from my first priority, my boys, then I will once again step back.
The class that I chose to start out with is Environmental Biology. It seemed the logical choice since it is a completely online class, and I really, REALLY didn't want to jump into Algebra after not having looked at an equation in almost twenty years! I didn't get along very well with them, even back then.
What do you think we talked about in the first chapter? That's right. Evolution! OH, I'm ready for this, I thought. I do not believe Darwin's theory. Well, "I do not believe" was not a good enough answer. Since this is an online class, there is a Discussion Board on which we have to interact with our other virtual classmates. WHY do I not believe? This chapter really opened up my eyes. Why do I not believe? It's easy to say that you don't, but WHY not? What do you base it on? As I researched my answers (by the way, two very good Christian websites to visit on this subject are ANSWERS IN GENESIS and INSTITUTE FOR CREATION), my faith and beliefs were strengthened.
This begs the question, "Why do you believe what you believe?". You have convictions-WHY? Do you live and do things a certain way because that is what you have been taught growing up, or just told that you should do?
If someone tells me this or that when it concerns my Christian walk, I want back up from the scriptures (KJV!).
For instance, over the past several years, I have been convicted on how I dress. I used to be a "jeans and t-shirt" type of girl. I usually only wore dresses to church and sometimes to work. One lady that worked with me (she also attended my church) always wore dresses, no matter what. I always thought that was a little overboard and, yes, strange. Also, growing up, one of my best friends in high school always wore a dress. I never thought to ask her why. The lady at work, on the other hand, would tell me that she wore dresses because that was her conviction. WHY?
My husband, although he wanted very much for me to stop wearing my tight jeans and small tops, was very wise. He did not "demand" that I stop. If he had, I am ashamed to say that I would have "bucked up" and rebelled. He would just say things like, "Those jeans really bring out your curves" or "Should you be wearing something that will tempt other men?", etc.
Although the Lord had started tugging at my heart on this issue some time before, I came to a turning point when my husband became the pastor of our church. Our church holds to dress standards, and women are expected to dress like women (dresses and skirts) and men like men (no shorts) at all church activities and functions. We are ambassadors for Christ, after all! At this time, I still wore jeans around the house or to the grocery store near my house. I wore dresses or skirts everywhere else.
But then, the Lord really started convicting me. Why am I one way in the general public (church or when we go to town), but another in the privacy of my home? Isn't that being a hypocrite? Shouldn't I be the same no matter what? Hmmm.....
So, I started to really study this subject of Modest Dress. I came across a really good book, "What in the World Should I Wear?" by Cathy Corle (you can purchase a copy here-Baptistink or use the search engine). Another article that helped me was "What About Women Wearing Pants?" by Brother Potter (Priceless Woman Ministries). In these two places, I found the scripture that I was looking for. I could not deny it! From that point on, I have only worn dresses and skirts. Now, when someone asks me why do I dress the way I do, I have an answer. I also would not have changed if I had not been clearly shown in the scriptures.
That is just one apect in my life. How about you? Do you have an answer when someone asks you "WHY?" when you say you do or do not belief something? Always, always study your Bible. Be ready with an answer. Also, always, if someone says you should or should not, ask for scripture to back it up.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

What does it really mean to be feminine? by Pastor Art Kohl

Good morning, my dear readers. Here is an interesting and insightful article that I found pertaining to modesty:

What does it really mean to be feminine? by Pastor Art Kohl

I hope this helps you along if you are searching and praying about the issue of  Christian Modesty in your own life!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

SATURDAY MORNING SAYINGS-MODESTY

"Either we must speak as we dress, or dress as we speak. Why do we profess one thing and display another? The tongue talks of chastity, but the whole body reveals impurity." Saint Jerome


Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth  :-)

SATURDAY MORNING SAYINGS

“When a woman veils her body in modest clothing, she is not hiding herself from men. On the contrary, she is revealing her dignity to them.” -Unknown

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)

WHO CAN FIND A VIRTUOUS WOMAN?

Proverbs 31:10 says, "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." I often think that if King Lemuel had to ask that question those thousands of years ago, is there any hope for our time?

The answer is a resounding, "YES!". Christian sisters, we MUST strive to be that virtuous woman. We often look at what people are calling the "Proverbs 31 Woman" and say, "I can NEVER be like her!". But we can! It just takes alot of time, prayer and hard work on our part. We are, and will always be, a continuous "work in progress". My boys love to sing the song, "He's Still Working on Me". How true that is and will be until the day we go home to be with our Lord and Saviour.

I will be the first to admit that I fall short many, many times. I am often like Peter, who alot of times acted before he thought. I work so hard  to have the "meek and quiet spirit" that Peter wrote about which is "in the sight of God of great price." I often let the frustrations and trials of  this life get to me. I am learning to step back, take a deep breath, and pray, pray, pray, giving it to my Lord.

If we claim to be Christians, dear sisters, the world is watching us. They are waiting to see how we react to different situations. They are watching how we dress (what are your clothes telling people?), act and talk. Our actions and lives are more of a witness than what we say.

"Who can find a virtuous woman"? I pray that they find one in me! If you are struggling to be a virtuous woman, why don't you give it all to Jesus? Submit to Him all of your failings and short comings. Let Him guide you and lead you where you need to go.

Have a wonderful and blessed Wednesday. Tonight is Prayer Meeting night.

Beth :-)

Monday, Monday!

Good Monday morning, everyone! What a beautiful weekend! The basketball goal was delivered on Saturday morning to two VERY excited boys.
I didn't get a chance to post anything this weekend. Usually, Saturdays are set aside as "Family Day", unless something is scheduled or comes up with the church, so I try not to get on the computer while my boys are up and moving. My time with them is too precious and short to waste. :)
I have been trying to get my blog set up. You know, when I first started my journey into Christian Modesty (will post about my journey later), I had a HARD time finding modest dresses and skirts. A HARD TIME! So, I am trying to help anyone out who is looking by posting the links that I have found in my searching. Most I have already ordered from.
Last night, my husband preached on the blind man that was healed by Jesus (John 9). Isn't it funny how you can read something so many times in the Bible, and each time the Lord reveals some different thought?
My oldest son says to me sometimes, "Mom, I've already read this. I know what it says!". Oh, not so! Everytime we open our Bibles, we need to pray to the Lord that He will reveal to us what He wants us to know, to give our eyes new sight on what we are reading.
Ok, so, back to the sermon on John 9. While reading it, I actually saw the unbelief, the absolute unbelief, that Jesus had healed this man. The man's own neighbors, who knew him, even questioned as to whether or not this was the same man. Even his parents, when questioned as to whether or not he had been born blind, were so afraid of the Jews and being cast out of the synagogue, answered that , yes, he was their son and had been born blind, but they didn't know how he had received his sight, but to ask him because "he is of age"v21.
This man was eventually cast out of the synagogue because he would not deny Jesus.
When Jesus heard that the man had been cast out, He went and found him. Jesus asked him "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"v35. The man asked, "Who is he, Lord that I may believe on him?"v36. When Jesus told him that he had both seen Him and is talking to Him, the man immediately said, "Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him."v38
Are we willing to be known as followers of Christ, no matter what the cost? Are we willing to take a stand, even at the cost of our family, friends, and sometimes even people in our own church? Oh, I pray so!
Have a wonderful and blessed Monday!
Beth