Sunday, March 30, 2014

Scripture Sunday - Now Is the Day...

I often assume that my readers have already given their hearts and lives to Jesus.
Since my blog topics are related to obeying Jesus and his Word - the result of our salvation.  
But perhaps that is not the case for you.  
If not - I invite you today... to choose Jesus over this world.  
The result is life abundant in this life - and eternity in heaven in the next.   
It's truly a life worth living - not easy to be sure - but oh so worth it!
Won't you let this day - be your day - of salvation!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Modest Warm Spring Outfit...

It's been a while since I did a modest outfit - so why not?  
This is me from yesterday... church and an
 anniversary party for my mother-in-law in the afternoon.
The weather turned cold again - so my challenge was to 
look Springy and be warm at the same time.

 So let's see what we have here...

Brown tiered skirt - Thrifted
Pink turtleneck shirt - can't remember
Brown shoes - Thrifted (yes - really!)
Brown trouser socks - can't remember
Beige shirt worn underneath for warmth - Old Navy
Cream lace vest - Thrifted
Cream and rosy reds scarf - Cracker Barrel - (Birthday gift to myself - 60% off!)

See a common denominator there?  
I'm a thrifty gal from a way back!

 I turned a significant number over the weekend - it may show a bit. :)  
Ahh well - l'm gonna enjoy life anyway.
I highly recommend shopping Cracker Barrel's 60% off displays.  
I'm not one for tying my scarves like everyone else...
 I flip 'em and knot 'em and do all sorts of contortions
with 'em till I'm OK with the result. Weird I know.

But a new (and NOT thrifted scarf) for $7.20 works for me!

Linking to Modest Monday

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Following Christ or Other Christians...

A sweet headcovering shop - Joyce's Coverings and Veils  
had this graphic posted on their facebook page today...

After a sleepless night of wrestling with varying thoughts 
along this line - I felt it was a little message from heaven just for me.  
It's not a new thought - but oh how I need reminded.  

Being like Christ means following His commands, His words 

(hint - they're in the Word), and having a mindset and attitude 
that does not spill out of our flesh.

Being like other Christians may well mean we'll miss some 

of the above... don't want that.

So today - again - I resolve to pick up and let go...

and let God lead me, guide me and not worry about what other 
Christians are doing.  It may be OK - it may not be -
but I need to be following Christ.  Period!

Praise Jesus - His mercies are new every morning ~ Joyce

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Modesty Without Hypocrisy...


There was an interesting statement made in the morning's sermon...

Conduct without character = hypocrisy
Character without conduct = disobedience


Scripture puts it this way...

...Faith without works is dead.  James 2:20
You will know them by their fruits.  Matthew 7:16 & 20
We can outwardly appear righteous to men but inwardly be 
full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 
 Matthew 23:28

Dressing modestly and wearing a headcovering are things we do 
'outwardly'.  But dear sisters - anyone can do them.
  They do not make our 'faith' - nor do they mean we have good character.  
Rather - they need to be the result of our faith and be part 
of the evidence of our obedient and Christ-centered character.  

Likewise - when we have wonderful things to say for the Lord
to whomever we meet - even with much joy and grace
but our appearance does not at all line up with His Word - 
we cast doubt on the name of Jesus by our disobedience.
It's like saying I love Him, but not enough to obey Him.  It flaws our testimony.

It's a true challenge to juggle it all.  Most of us tend to err on 
one side or the other.  How do we keep it all in check?  
By seeking the Lord's face daily and letting Him be the Lord 
of our days & ways.  (That mean He leads.... we follow!)  
It also is critical to maintain a humble walk before God and others.  
It's hard to admit our wrongs.  But when we repent and resolve 
with Christ's help to again walk in a manner worthy of a
new life in Him - what blessed testimonies we can be.
 
Jesus has not asked anything of us that He has not faced himself...

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
 but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrew 4:15

Lord - help our witness be true - from the inside to out.  Amen!

I struggle too! I would love to hear your stories of victory  ~Joyce

Linking to Modest Monday


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Another Sweet Headcovering Testimony...

Let me introduce you to Farm School Marm and her Cowboy...
(aren't they cute?)
Her blog is full of good things - anything from recipes to 'farm'schooling'.

According to her profile - she's all about breaking out the box.  
"The box I'm breaking out of is the one in which Christians 
look very much like non-Christians in their choices about family life, 
career planning, family planning, vacation planning,
 retirement planning, and caring for their elderly parents."

She's been taking God and His Word seriously.
  Recently she posted about her somewhat new practice 
related to a particular 1 Cor. 11 passage (you know the one!).  
Her summary is pretty simple.... 


Who:  "[A]ll who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours." (1 Corinthians 1:2)
"Every woman...Every man..."  (1 Corinthians 11:4 - 5)

What: Men are to uncover their heads while praying and prophesying while women are to cover their heads while engaged in those functions.


When & Where:  Any time or place that praying or prophesying are taking place.

Why:  According to Paul, these practices are part of God's plan for us because of:
The headship order designated by God.  (1 Corinthians 11:3)
The creation order enacted by God.  (1 Corinthians 11:8-9)
"The Angels."  (1 Corinthians 11:10)

Go check out her whole post and more of her conclusions here.  
I love it when Christians simply read, study and obey.  
Imagine how Jesus must love it! 
Would that were me too - more often in more areas.

Stay diligent my friends.... ~Joyce