Modesty and Special Occasions...

Modesty - does it apply to special events such as weddings, formal dinners, graduations, etc?  A similar question might be - 'As a Christian, are there some times in scripture when God say it's OK to not love your neighbor?'  Neither mandate has an exception clause.  But I do understand that it can be hard to find modest 'dressy' gowns and dresses.   May I offer a few suggestions (you may have more!)....

1.  Wear a pretty lacy shrug or wrap to help cover what would otherwise be 'bare'.  

2.  Layer something pretty underneath- sometimes this is an attractive option.

3.  Shop a thrift store for something vintage that would still look cute by today's standards (sometimes vintage is more modest).

4.  Sew your own or have it made.  (often times - formal wear is more simple with straighter lines anyway - easier sewing!)  This sweet gal (who happens to be the daughter of a friend of mine)...

 

...is just adorable in her handmade turquoise gown.   All it took was some pretty fabric - a seamstress friend - some pretty lace and I think she's just as cute as a button!  (Oh to be that young and beautiful!)

Let's honor the Lord with our bodies in every occasion of life.

With the Spirit's help -we can stay the course ~Joyce 

 

Linking to Modest Monday 

Interesting Artist Rendering...

Today I stumbled upon the artwork and story of child prodigy sensation Akiane.  I cannot vouch for her faith or experiences - nor am I trying to.  But I did find something interesting....  

Akiane began drawing at the age of 4.  She claims to have seen visions and dreams with something akin to visits to heaven.   Her drawing started as a way to convince her mother of the things she was 'seeing'. (Her mother was an atheist and Akiane had not been taught any kind of Christian faith.) 

Now what I found interesting is how Akiane - at the age of 11 -  portrayed a young girl in prayer...

Source

 It would seem instinctively that she knew or felt led to depict the subject with a veiled head.  How about that?  Akiane may not even know why she did it - but it lines right up with bible teachings and blesses my heart.

You can go to her website that I linked above and see more about her.  I hope

 she develops a strong truly biblical and Christian faith and can be a bold

 witness for Jesus as the only Way to heaven.  From what I've perused on her site - 

 it seems she is still learning in this area.   May God shield her and guide her.

Sometimes we need a child to lead us ~ Joyce

Sewing For Modesty...

Lately I've been frustrated with my tired wardrobe -
 so I decided I would try to actually make something (it's been years!)   
I don't consider myself a seamstress - so this was a simple effort.  
If I can do it - I'm thinking most everyone can.  
Sewing is a great way to gain modest clothing for your closet.  
(Shopping at the malls can be a real challenge!)

  I had a simple skirt in my closet (the plum piece on the left below) 

I used as a pattern.  But first - I needed some fabric.  

These were my 'on hand' viable options.  I loved that brown daisy 

dotted swiss - but decided against it in case I messed up. 

 The red teeny gingham fabric is actually vintage curtain panels - 

so I had some ripping to do to get enough fabric.

Isn't it adorable?

Essentially - I just laid the skirt onto the fabric and cut it a 

little larger on each side.  Just 2 side seams folks! 

I did this times 2 - because I added a lining.  

(Out of old solid cream curtains I found for almost nothing!)

I wanted to mimic the drawstring waist of the original skirt.  To form the ties - 

I just eyeballed it and folded the fabric onto itself to cut a straight line...

It worked!...

 My original skirt was almost maxi length with a plain hem.  

I chose a slightly shorter version and added a ruffle.  

   This would be me - slightly graying hair and all.  

I love how green it is outside right now - 
we've had lots of gentle spring rains.

I think I'm gonna love this skirt. And it cost well under $5.

And who knows?  I might do me some more sewing!
(Need to work at making some peasant blouses.  Cute modest shirts are hard to find!)

Linking to Modest Monday

Because Of the Angels....A Testimony...

I don't think there is a bible commentary out there that doesn't 

stumble over this part of the I Cor. 11 passage regarding headcovering.  
And rightly so - it's not crystal clear.  (verse 10 on side bar)  

But I have heard enough real life testimonies and stories that I 

believe a woman's covered head has definite significance in the 

spirit world.  And I believe it goes far beyond being just a sign to the 

angels that watch over our church services (as many commentaries suggest.)

This story from Kendra on her 'A Proverbs 31 Wife' blog is interesting.

She and her mother had an encounter with a follower of Jesus who 

had once been a Satanist.  Kendra and her mother practice daily 

headcovering (which is probably what initiated the encounter in the first place).  

Go read this man's parting words to them as their  conversation ended.

I'll share more stories and thoughts on this subject in future posts... so stay tuned!

Be a Light in this Dark World ~ Joyce 

God Looks On the Heart... Right?...

"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks 

at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."   

Source

What a beautiful verse of scripture!  But sadly it is often quoted 

to mean what it never said.  This verse is not saying that the Lord 

looks only at the heart and that our outward appearance is of little consequence. 

Rather, the context of this verse in I Samuel is about something else.  

Samuel is to anoint a new king from among the sons of Jesse.  

When the first one - Eliab - was presented - Samuel assumed from his 

appearance and physical stature alone that he was the one.  

But God tells Samuel to not use someone's physique to determine 
who would make a good king or if someone was 'good enough' 
for the Lord.   The whole verse reads.... 

 
"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical 

stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; 

for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

This verse does not suggest that we need not be concerned 
about our outward appearance or if we are modest in apparel or not.
   Modesty is actually a heart and clothing issue.
 
God mentions clothing and adorning or
 covering our bodies numerous times in scripture. 

He intentionally covered Adam and Eve in the garden after all.

In 1 Timothy (see sidebar) He specifically mentions apparel... 

"that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, 

with propriety and moderation...."

So while modesty begins in the heart and God knows and 
looks at the motives of the heart - it can't stop there.
  What's in the heart will shine forth and be visible!

May your cup runneth over ~ Joyce

Linking to Modest Monday 

If It Was Cultural - When Did It Stop?....

Did you ever wonder... if headcovering as taught in I Corinthians 11 

was just a cultural teaching - then when was it supposed to stop?  

Paul Burrell wondered the same thing.

Source

He's pictured here (back left) with his family.  You can read his 

headcovering journey and the questions he wrestled with here.  

He also comments on observing how just a few short years ago 

(not sure if this is still true or not) - men were asked to remove 

their hats in buildings, etc. - but it was not expected of women.  

Interesting...!  I'm sure there's more to his story - 

but be encouraged by this short read.