Blogger You Need a Vacation! (With Encourage My Heart Link Party)

I read a fabulous post last week by Courtney from Women Living Well over at the Allume Blog.  Her post entitled "My Journey to 5000 Followers" really inspired me.  In it she writes some absolutely FABULOUS tips on growing your blog based on what she did.

Her best tip though in my opinion is posting something 5 TIMES a week, no matter WHAT.  I completely agree with her, and have noticed in my own blog, the months when I am very consistent in my blogging my numbers are consistently higher.

I love blogging, I love writing, but occasionally everyone needs a bit of a vacation, that's where my blogger vacation package comes in.

If you'd like to take a break from blogging for one or two days let me do a Guest post for you.  You select the topic, and I write.  Not only will you have the benefit of new traffic from my website, but you can soak your toes, do dishes, play with your kids, or whatever.

Let me give you a vacation. And if you want to return the favor I'll let you guest post on my blog as well.

So if you'd like to have a little bit of a vacation Contact me.

Now for the link up party : )  There have been some spammy things going around some link up parties I frequent so once again I'm moderating.  I will check frequently though I promise.

Will you learn along with me? Let's encourage one another.

I'd love for you to sign up for e-mail updates or follow me on Facebook.
And to see the lovely places where I link click here.  

Dressing Modestly Is.......

Posts In This Series
Modesty is Important
Is N*dity In Classic Art Okay (And Link Up)
Should Christians Wear Bathing Suits at All?
Immodest Women are Mean

It's funny most Christian women agree, modesty is important everyone just seems to have a different definition.  I'll reiterate what I said yesterday, God doesn't want us to sin, I truly believe if we genuinely seek God in this matter He will show us what is modest and what is not.  Our clothing is important to Him, and removing sin from our lives is important to him as well.

My series took a surprising turn after receiving some very unkind comments.  I appreciate how many people reached out to me, in real life and cyber space.  My mother and sister both offered to beat someone up for me, jokingly of course, and a woman from church who reads my blog pulled me aside and told me the sweetest thing.  I even had one cyber friend e-mail me directly just to make sure that the offending comment I mentioned wasn't her's.  It wasn't, but it blessed my heart.

So with great trepidation here are my final thoughts on modesty and I'll even attempt to open up the comments.

• Dressing modestly doesn't mean you're a "Super Christian." (Proverbs 31:30)

• Dressing modestly doesn't mean you've got everything else in your life figured out, just your clothes.  (1 Peter 3:3-4)

• Dressing modestly doesn't mean you've arrived spiritually.  You still might struggle with anger, worry, or a hundred other sinful things.  (Proverbs 11:22)

• Women who dress modestly shouldn't look down their nose on those who don't but........

• Christian women shouldn't be afraid to take a stand for dressing modestly. (1 Timothy 2:8-10)

• Dressing modestly isn't just about skirt length, not wearing or wearing slacks, or embracing the newest fashion trend.

• Dressing modestly is about seeking God and desiring to honor Him through our clothing. (1Corinthians 10:31)

• Dressing modestly is about  honoring and respecting our husbands (or father's for those unmarried) wishes in how we clothe our-self.

• Dressing modestly is about keeping private that which is sacred, and being kind to the men around us by not causing them to stumble. (Matthew 5:28)

• Dressing modestly................................. (Now it's your turn to fill in the blank)

I'm okay with differing views but just so you know, if your comment even starts to seem a little unkind, it will be deleted before I even finish reading it, so please don't bother.  Also, please remember I and anyone who comments are real people that exist in real life.  An unkind word can hurt, a lot, please be kind.

Will you learn along with me? Let's encourage one another.

I'd love for you to sign up for e-mail updates or follow me on Facebook.
And to see the lovely places where I link click here.  

Immodest Women are Mean

Posts In This Series
Modesty is Important
Is N*dity In Classic Art Okay (And Link Up)
Should Christians Wear Bathing Suits at All?
Immodest Women are Mean
Dressing Modestly Is....... (If you only read one post read this one)



So Yesterday I got a really mean comment, I mean really mean.  I've gotten rude comments before but this one went beyond attacking my belief system (that's fair game).  I've made the mistake of typing something in the heat of the moment before, but this comment was more than someone typing something in the heat of the moment it was calculated and cruel. It attacked me, my family, and my marriage.

The comment however did do one thing it underscored, why  I am doing this series.

Based on what this woman wrote I can only conclude she was a non-Christian.  Amid descriptive vulgarities, her comment came down to this:

"I wear my clothes (swimsuit) so men (like your husband) will lust after me."

This woman, however mean she was, get's it.  She understands that her clothing has the power to draw eyes and make men desire and lust after her, including other women's husbands!

Dressing this way to entice men is just plain mean.  It's mean to the men because the provocative dress is causing them to sin; and it's even meaner to their wives because their relationship is being robbed of purity and oneness when another person enters into her husband's thoughts.

Ladies, God doesn't want other men to sin when they look at you, and He doesn't want you to inadvertently be sinful because of what your wearing.  I truly believe if you earnestly seek this matter in prayer and study God will lead your modesty standards if you're willing to listen and change if needed.

I love long skirts and wear them most often but  I don't always wear them.  I'd like to think however  if God convicted my heart I would make the switch instantly.

We shouldn't choose our clothing to please men, we should choose it to please God.

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1 Timothy 2:8-10

This post didn't "go" where I wanted it to today so I'll be wrapping up my series on modesty next week, I hope you'll join me.

I've disabled commenting on these posts.....sigh some people, I've cried too much yesterday and today from personal attacks on my marriage and appearance.   I'm not playing the game any more.  It truly breaks my heart.  If this post has been a blessing to you since you can't comment would you mind sharing it via one of the buttons below?

Will you learn along with me? Let's encourage one another.

I'd love for you to sign up for e-mail updates or follow me on Facebook.
And to see the lovely places where I link click here.  

Should Christians Wear Bathing Suits at All?

Posts In This Series
Modesty is Important
Is N*dity In Classic Art Okay (And Link Up)
Should Christians Wear Bathing Suits at All?
Immodest Women are Mean
Dressing Modestly Is.......(If you only read one post read this one)



In this series, we've looked at why modesty is important, and the sacredness of n*dity. Rather than jump right to what Christians should wear on a daily basis let's start out with the skimpiest thing most people will wear out in public.............

The Bathing Suit!!

Growing up my grandparents had a swimming pool so my family was always swimming.  I don't think any of us ever gave our bathing suits a second thought when we were just around family.  So believe me what I'm writing today does not come from a place of judgement.  I'm not here to tell you what to wear, I am by no means an authority on the issue.

(Public Domain)

Believe it or not, the above picture would have been considered scandalous by some at the time.  Men and women swimming together?!

Tomorrow I'll be sharing a massive list of scriptures on modesty, but for now I'd like to simply pose a few questions for you to chew on when it comes to your swim-wear.

• Would my father be comfortable seeing me in this.  If the answer is no, your suit might be immodest.
• Is this something I would wear to the mall?  Think about it, what difference is there from what you wear on the beach to anywhere else in society?  Would you show that much thigh, cleavage, or back if you were going to the mall rather than the pool?
• Am I wearing less because it helps me swim easier, or am I wearing less to get attention?
• Is there a more private place to sunbathe?  If your main goal is tanning then a bikini might be your best  bet for an even tan but, that doesn't mean you need to tan in public.  (Coming from someone who has a family history of skin Cancer I'd much rather buy Jergen's Natural Glow anyway.)
• Will this cause any man to stumble?  If the answer is yes, then don't wear it!  I am amazed at how many women look at this issue as "not my problem."  An attitude that says "I can wear whatever I want, you shouldn't be looking" is anything but kind.

So what do I wear at the beach?  A Simply Modest swimsuit, that I made myself from their pattern.  ( I removed my picture because I'm tired of feeling like I'm back in middle school again.  Oh and by the way, I wouldn't trade weighing 10 extra pounds for my three children, EVER!!!)

Quite frankly I love it, and I feel comfortable in it because there is no fear of being immodest.  There's no nagging guilt in my mind or need to cover up quickly when I get out of the water.  I'm free to have fun and free to enjoy myself.

So what do you think?  Forget bikinis, should Christians wear even a traditional swimsuit, or should they opt to cover up a little more?  I've shown you what I'm comfortable with, what about you?

Will you learn along with me? Let's encourage one another.

I'd love for you to sign up for e-mail updates or follow me on Facebook.
And to see the lovely places where I link click here.  

Is N*dity In Classic Art Okay (And Link Up)

Posts In This Series

Modesty is Important

Is N*dity In Classic Art Okay (And Link Up)

Should Christians Wear Bathing Suits at All?

Immodest Women are Mean
Dressing Modestly Is....... (If you only read one post read this one)

"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were n*ked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." Genesis 3:7

Yesterday I introduced the topic of modesty.  Before we start discussing bathing suits , skirt lengths, necklines and all that good stuff let's undress the issue fully ; )

 Is n*dity ever okay? (On a side note This post will be seasoned with asterix's otherwise my parental controls won't let me access my own blog. I promise there is nothing salacious.)

 Is n*dity okay on the ceilings of renaissance cathedrals? Is it okay in the great sculptures of Michelangelo? Is it okay on ancient Greek pottery? Is it okay in an artist's sketch book?

It's interesting to note that traditionally heathen cultures had a lot of n*dity and depictions of "relations" in their artwork.  But time after time, whenever Christianity would reach a new group of people that type of artwork would begin to disappear from the culture.

Christianity would introduce the sacredness of n*dity and the marriage act to the groups of people they evangelized.  It no longer was something found on common dinner ware for the world to see.

So why is it that sometimes we have blinders on when it comes to modesty?  Does it really matter who painted the canvas if it's showing something that should be private?

Does it truly matter, the wonderful use of color and perspective?  Just because something is labeled as art doesn't mean it's appropriate.

There is a reason why Adam and Eve were ashamed of their bodies when sin entered the world. There is a reason why God gave Adam and Eve clothing.

Yes I realize God created a beautiful thing in the human physique, and I realize it has been celebrated throughout history in art, but  a sin filled world has temptation and shame.  What was very good is now not only tainted but is also able to make others stumble.

I don't mean this post to be legalistic, but I do want to challenge the belief that n*dity is okay when it's classic art.  I realize not everyone will agree with me, and I would love to hear what you think.  (Keep the discussion nice)

Be sure to leave a comment and link up some of your own posts below.  And be sure to come back to read the rest of this series. (Subscribe)

I've disabled commenting on these posts.....sigh some people, I've cried too much yesterday and today from personal attacks on my marriage and appearance.   I'm not playing the game any more.  It truly breaks my heart.  If this post has been a blessing to you since you can't comment would you mind sharing it via one of the buttons below?

I had some links get stuck in moderation limbo last week, this week I won't be moderating but I'm still too paranoid for thumbnails.  Here are the posts you might have missed:

Care Free	Who is sitting on the throne of my heart?
. Deep Sea Creatures Revealing the Glory of God	. My Sins are not Hid From Thee	. Happy Mothers Day!

And one post that's on topic : ) Making Clothing More Modest

It's time for some encouragement.

So glad you're back.  Link up anything encouraging and be sure to share the post so others can join in the fun. 

Will you learn along with me? Let's encourage one another.

I'd love for you to sign up for e-mail updates or follow me on Facebook.
And to see the lovely places where I link click here.  

Modesty is Important

Posts In This Series
Modesty is Important
Is N*dity In Classic Art Okay (And Link Up)
Should Christians Wear Bathing Suits at All?
Immodest Women are Mean
Dressing Modestly Is....... (If you only read one post read this one)

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;"

1 Timothy 2:8-10 

Modesty........

I led a Bible study one time when I was in college about modesty that caused an uproar from the girls on campus.  Girls who weren't at the Bible study were so upset at how judgmental we were being.  Had they attended the Bible study they would have realized the spirit in which this issue was addressed, but the grape vine is so much more interesting when details are left out.

Many of the girls seemed to take the stance that it was no ones right to tell them how to dress.  And yet scriptures are anything but silent on the issue of modesty.

Since the weather is getting warmer, and clothes are getting smaller, I'm going to take a few days and look at the issue of modesty and standards.  We'll examine n*dity, bathing suits, and every day clothing.

If our modesty wasn't important it wouldn't be in the Bible.

This series will not be about pants vs skirts.  It will not be about bikinis and traditional swimsuits, it will not be a list of what I think you should wear.

What this series will be about is our hearts, yielding to what God says and not the standards of men. Modesty isn't just about what we wear.

This week we'll be looking at some different aspects of modesty.  We'll look at pants vs skirts, swimsuits, dance classes for little girls, and a handful of other things that might be a touch controversial.  But it really isn't my place to tell you what's modest and what isn't, but more on that thought later : )

So, before we begin:  What are your thoughts on modesty?  Have you ever been in a situation where it's needed to addresses?  Where it's become a controversy?  Are you trying to teach modesty to your daughters?

I've disabled commenting on these posts.....sigh some people, I've cried too much yesterday and today from personal attacks on my marriage and appearance.   I'm not playing the game any more.  It truly breaks my heart.  If this post has been a blessing to you since you can't comment would you mind sharing it via one of the buttons below?

Don't Miss a Post in the Series

Will you learn along with me? Let's encourage one another.

I'd love for you to sign up for e-mail updates or follow me on Facebook.
And to see the lovely places where I link click here.  

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Will you learn along with me? Let's encourage one another.

I'd love for you to sign up for e-mail updates or follow me on Facebook.
And to see the lovely places where I link click here.