Posts tagged as:

A Life Presented To God

Musings on Modesty

by Jessica on April 24, 2009

Since the conversation on representing Christianity and modesty, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. How do we apply modesty to our everyday life? And where do we draw the line?

Here’s what I’ve been thinking:

Take a bikini. Most people are fine with their daughters, girlfriends, wives, etc. donning a bikini and walking around in public. So, would these same people be fine with taking off their clothes and walking the boardwalk in their underwear?

Mostly likely not. Of course, the construction in a swimsuit is different than underwear, but the same amount of skin is revealed either way.

Why is it that one is deemed appropriate and the other not?

Now, here’s the next step in my thought process. Is there really a difference between wearing a bikini and wearing a one-piece that’s second skin? Sure there’s less skin revealed, but it still hugs your every curve…

It does leave more to be discovered rather than the bikini leaving (nearly) nothing left for the imagination.

Now back to the dinner table conversation. So, I mentioned to my husband this question, what’s really the difference?

His response was, “But you usually wear one of those skirt thingy’s over it.” Not always. Later Joe said, “You could just wear one of those old bathing suits…” like this,

Circa 1900

Circa 1920's

The modern verison

Umm…yeah.

But really, where’s the line? What makes one thing modest and reflecting a pure heart and something else immodest? Does what we wear always reflect the motives of our heart? See it really is a loaded topic!

But right now I have an adorable little boy to go play with…

I’ll be thinking about it though. What’s your thoughts?

Tagged as: A Life Presented To God, Be an ambassador, Bible, modesty, Scripture

{ 0 comments }

Christianity & the Miss USA Pageant

by Jessica on April 22, 2009

in Be an ambassador,Scripture

article_photo1 Last night at the dinner table the Miss USA pageant came up. As you might have heard Miss California was asked the controversial question of the year by celebrity gossip columnist Perez Hilton,

Vermont recently became the 4th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit. Why or why not?

Her response was,

Well I think its great that Americans are able to choose one or the other,” she said. “We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you very much. (see article)

We spent a little time discussing how this is reverse discrimination. But my husband, Joe, brought up another topic. His question was, Is this the face we want representing Christianity?

It wasn’t a personal attack against Miss California, Carrie Prejean, but He said, “Sure what she did was right, but is that what we want representing our beliefs and our values?” For clarity, he’s talking about how she was dressed (and the donning of a skimpy bikini parading around for the world to see).

He continued, “Is she what we want the world to see when they see Christianity? Is she modeling what it means to be a godly woman? What is she wearing say about women?”

It sounds harsh, I know, but if someone says they’re a Christian and are striving to live as a light in a dark world, then shouldn’t they live a life unconformed to the world?

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2, NASB

Now, I don’t know Miss California personally so I can’t speak on her character, but just doing a Google search to find an article about the pageant 4_22_usa3_450 and Miss California a plethora of pictures came up as results. And let me just say they weren’t the sweet ones you find on San Diego Christian College’s news article.

It’s hard to take seriously her Christian testimony, when her own photos look like they belong in a Maxim magazine, no joke.

Here’s the crux that we all deal with from time to time: being in the world and not of it. Being ambassadors of Christ and not looking like what’s paraded across the covers of magazines. It’s knowing that everything you do and say is a representation of not only what you believe about God, but also how the world sees God by what you do and say.

As Christians, we’re held to a high standard. What we say we believe must align with what God’s Word says. The issue of Miss California’s wardrobe is how it contradicts with what the Bible says,

Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.1 Timothy 2:9-10

I know this is a loaded verse and all its implications and how we apply it, which is for another day. The reminder for us is to remember that everything we do is a representation of God and His Kingdom.

Tagged as: A Life Presented To God, Be an ambassador, Bible, Miss USA 2009, Scripture, womanhood

{ 1 comment }

A Life Presented to God – Part 4

by Jessica on May 1, 2007

in Uncategorized

“…so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2c

As we are continually being made new in the attitude of our minds (Eph. 4:23) we come to the place where we can ascertain what the will of God is. This is a very important aspect of our transformation, because as we grow we need to know what God desires of us to, which isn’t always explicitly said in His Word. Therefore, living opposed to the world’s culture and understanding God’s mercy by offering our bodies as living sacrifices produces knowing and doing the will of God. (A very profitable lifestyle.)

At this point in the passage there becomes a very simple explanation. Pursue God and in pursuing God He will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:5-6) by reveavling Himself, His Word, and His ways to you. As we continue to pursue the Lord we become more atuned to His will. It’s as if we have an antenna and as we run after God the picture becomes more and more clear. Then we are able to say, “Oh, I understand God! (As far as we can humanly, that is.) Your ways really do work and are perfect.” And the more we see the clear picture, the more we trust in God and see experientally that His ways are perfect. The best part of it is that as we continue along our hearts are changed, we are transformed as we stare at the face of Christ.

Reflect with me today on your pursuit of Christ. Ask yourself, “Do I struggle with knowing what God’s will for me is?” If yes, then ask the Lord, “Why?” Is it unbelief? Rebellion? Fear? Whatever it is confess it before Him today.

If you answered no, ask the Lord, “What areas have I struggled with in pursuing You—letting You rule and reign as Lord?” As He answers, confess those as well. Then pursue God wholeheartedly offering yourself to him as a living sacrifice as you live a life unconformed to the pattern of this world.

Take heart and be encouraged,
“For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”