A Youtube Channel With Modesty Ideas & More....

I've just discovered The Texas Boys Youtube channel.  

They have some helpful videos on modesty, simple living,

 their personal journey, homesteading, etc.  

Click here for this particular video by 'Texas Mom' which I found

 especially appealing.  In it she shares lots of ideas for an inexpensive 

modest wardrobe - including sources to some great online stores.  

I had never heard of many of these.  Check it out - 

you just may learn something new too!

Blessings today... ~Joyce

You Never Know Who Is Watching....

I'm sharing a humorous sighting I had yesterday.    Humorous - 

but also sobering and a good reminder for all of us...

I happen to be an Etsy seller of vintage goods (shop here if interested)...

 and as such was in my studio space shooting product photos.  

My studio is on the 2nd floor of our home and I was stationed right by a 

window (gotta have day light!) which faces our next door neighbor.  

A bit of movement caught my attention so I looked out.  

For a while I couldn't figure out what I was seeing as there was

 simply a car parked along the road with its flashers on.  But then I

 noticed a young man in the neighbors' front yard.  It had been

 snowing and I also noticed there were car tracks in the front yard.

  Ahh...  I was starting to put 2 and 2 together!  

Apparently the young man had driven or slidden through the front yard.  

(Just an accident?  Fooling around?  I don't know...)  But it appears 

he turned around and came back to try to hide the evidence.  When

 I spotted him - he was walking all over the tire tracks - scuffling

 them with his feet - trying to make them 'disappear'.  When that 

didn't work - he spied a shovel propped against the garage - 

went and got it - and proceeded to use that to try to hide the tracks.  

Or course none of this really helped... the tracks were still very evident.   

But what was sorta cute was that the whole time he kept

 looking in all directions to see if anyone was watching him.  

(Hello - up here in the window..!!!)  

The obvious 'take-away'?   Everything WE do is seen too - 

by Jesus if no one else.  And as Christ followers - 

that should matter hugely to us.   

I know for me - this little next-door life's lesson will be a 

good reminder going forward.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus...

Colossions 3:17

Signing off with a childhood song running thru my mind...

 

'Oh be careful little hands what you do...'

Smile!  ~Joyce

Got Head Covering Questions?...

Hi folks!  I'm sure many of you are aware of The Head Covering 

Movement website.  But if not - here's your chance to get acquainted.   

They are currently asking folks to ask their 'head covering' questions.  

They've done this in the past and have provided well studied

& excellent responses (just peruse the website).

But this time, they're planning to do a video feature.  So,

 you need to take a video of yourself asking the question. 

 Click HERE for a link to all the details.

The website has been a bit inactive recently while the author battled

 cancer... but he's doing better (indeed cancer free - praise Jesus) - 

and is back to providing content.  I have truly appreciated the 

site's excellent work  The one place I would disagree is their

 current view that head covering is for public worship only.  

And even there - they leave some room to other views.

So - do you have a question?  Or perhaps you've heard of a

 question that you don't have a good answer to?  Ask away!   

And if you don't want to ask them... you can always ask me.   No video needed...

To sincere questions - God and I will try to  help!  But  know that I'm not a theologian or historian.

Just a simple gal who loves Jesus and wants to obey His Word.

   

Hugs girlfriends.... ~Joyce

Stephanie's Head Covering Testimony...

I recently met Stephanie online and was intrigued with her story.  

She graciously shared her testimony with me and gave me permission to share it with you...

My parents were raised Mennonite and grew up near Lancaster Pennsylvania in the heart of the Amish community. Horse drawnbuggies and men with wide brim straw hats with a thick black band around the crown were a common everyday sighting. Women and girls dressed in plain almost uniform like attire including a plain cape dress of a dark color with no frills or buttons. Placed on their heads, covering their smooth bun of hair was a plain heart shaped kapp with two strings hanging on either side of their face. I often remember thinking to myself that they seemed like such beautiful and graceful creatures as they labored alongside the men in the community working hard and late and yet always full of a calm spirit full of Grace and compassion.

I did not grow up Mennonite I was adopted by my parents who by that time had changed to a more Reformed Baptist/Presbyterian approach to faith and religion. We did not wear the clothes of the Mennonites or Amish and we did not cover our heads either. As a child my hair was usually shoulder length or shorter and even though I liked the idea of long beautiful hair I did not want to make the effort to keep it up and looking nice.

After moving away from home and marrying a wonderful man I began to think on and off about the idea of covering my head again. First Corinthians called to me and I read it over and over feeling the pull of the Holy Spirit telling me to be obedient and cover my head at least during church services. I ignored the conviction as long as I could, telling myself that head covering was a cultural practice from the past and an outdated law of the ceremonial law. I told myself that a woman's hair is her natural covering so I didn't need another covering. Then a thought hit me, 'First Corinthians tells us that if a man is to wear a covering during prayer and worship it is a shame to him and men today still take off their hats to pray...Men in the church today do not go to church with bald shaven heads to avoid bringing shame on themselves by having it covered with hair...No they remove their hats or hoods on coats out of respect and submission to Christ...If Paul is telling men to remove their coverings for prayer and worship and telling women to cover their heads why am I not obeying?" The answer was so clear right in front of my eyes. The original Greek word for covering and hair is different thus doing away with the idea that a woman's hair is "covering enough". We follow other commands in the bible from even earlier written time frames then when Paul wrote Corinthians, if we hold to the belief that the whole word of God is alive and relevant and a command to follow to this day this includes head covering in my opinion.

I decided to try wearing a covering at home as a sign of submission to my husband and also my Father in Heaven. I ordered a small round lace veil and wore it to church for the first time two Sundays before Christmas. Not only did I feel a deeper sense of obedience to God but I felt a hand on my head as a father would place a reassuring hand on the head of a child both to calm and protect and show love. At home I began to wear the coverings more and more. I noticed that arguments between my husband and I became less verbally violent and I was given a calmer gentler spirit. My husband noticed the difference also and commented on it. When I place the head covering on my head there is no magical sorcery that happens. There is not a sense of "holier than thou" or an air of disdain for those who do not cover. I do not believe that covering the head is necessary for salvation and entrance into heaven. I cannot deny however, the gracious spirit and calm countenance that the Holy Spirit has given me since starting to cover my head. I cannot deny the peace and safety I feel in the discipline of covering my head. The covering no longer feels heavy and embarrassing when I wear it in public, rather it feels like my earthly crown marking me as a daughter of Christ and my wedding veil as a part of the church who is the Bride of Christ. When I place it on my head it is a joy to wear it knowing that it is a reminder to submit myself to His will and His plan and it is a helpful tangible reminder to me to know that He is watching and caring for me and that I belong to Him.

Thank you Stephanie!

A 2018 Headcovering Testimony & Teaching Too!...

Dear friends - I'm so sorry this blog has not been kept up the way 

it should be.  I desire to be more intentional.  God is up to 

good things... and it's a joy to hear about them.  

It's been hard to discern where to spend my time.

I'll continue to pray on it!

But for today - I'm sharing a recent audio recording from a gal

 named Abby as she briefly shares her faith and church journey.  

  

Then - she moves on and does some wonderful teaching on 

head covering.   The verse she shares at the end is sobering 

and a new thought for me.

 Enjoy...

(Make sure your computer sound is 'on'..)

Click here for the audio...

Blessings - Joyce

Recent (2017) Video On Headcovering...

Hi friends - I'm part of this young woman's modesty and headcovering facebook group.

She recently wrote an article and made a YouTube video of herself reading it.  Some good stuff!

Click here to watch on YouTube and give her some love.

  

Also pasted below.  ~Joyce

On Women Wearing Pants - Readers' Comments...

Recently - I had two intriguing comments on this post that I feel 

are worthy of their own blog post. 

I'll relay them here and let them speak for themselves.

The first one comes from a reader who asked me if wearing a

 certain pair of khaki pants which she adored were a sin.   Of course - 

I had no idea what the pants looked like - but responded with some
 thoughts that I once shared in this post (which links to a 2nd post).

Source

Almost immediately after my response - she responded again - with this...

Not many minutes after I asked you the question, Holy Spirit answered it! 

I was going about my day, when suddenly I was

 overcome with the realization that when I

 wear those pants, 

#1, they clash with the covering, and 

#2, my attitude and demeanor feel gruff and

 sort of dominant. Gross! So immediately I

 changed into a skirt, and BAM, femininity!

How about that?  

And here is a comment or story from another reader...

(I) heard a talk on modesty one time by 2 women who knew nothing

 about wearing dresses... Their husbands after studying the subject

 of modesty came to them asking that they consider wearing modest dresses. 

Their husbands were willing to compromise and allow them to wear

 their pants at home. One of the women forgot to change one day and

 parked in front of the shoe repair place that she was picking up

 her husband's shoes at. She realized her dilemma, but decided she

 was just running in there and back out and back home, so she would

 just run in. She was relieved no other customers were in there, so

 she asked the clerk for the shoes. While he was retrieving the shoes 

from a back room, a male customer walked in and took a seat behind this woman. 

She began wishing the clerk would hurry up, when the customer says, "Those are nice pants you are wearing". She suddenly had something

 revealed to her. The pants she was wearing were "modest pants" in her eyes, 

however, no matter how modest the pants, men look. She expressed how

 humiliated she was and how thankful her husband brought something

 to her she had never before had revealed to her Biblically.

Again - you can go to the original post and read the full comments there.  

I continue to be uncomfortable in pants in public.  Even when

 riding motorcycle with my hubby - I wear a knee length full skirt

 over heavy leggings or pants.  

Just some food for thought for you on this lovely - almost fall - day! 

Be blessed!  ~Joyce

A Sister's Testimony...

Years ago I was blessed to hear a woman by the name of 

Billie Blevins share her personal testimony.

Source

 Billie grew up in an abusive and ungodly home with almost no

 knowledge of God or His Son.  Her road to adulthood is not pretty and her choices along the way - way less than best. 

But today she is a Godly mother of a large family,

 wife of a pastor, dresses modestly, covers her head, loves her Lord

 and is intent on sharing Him with others. 

Just recently I discovered that her testimony is available to listen to online.

I invite you to hear her story for yourself...

Part I can be heard here.  Part II can be heard here.

In a time when it seems that so many professing Christians

 are compromising or dismissing biblical teachings... 

what a comfort to know that others are seeking them out 

and willing to do or be whatever Jesus asks.

Blessings my friends!  ~Joyce

Thrifty Modest Outfit Thursday...

We'll see how long I can keep this up - but for now -

I thought I could share one outfit a week with you.

  Keep in mind - I'm a 'thrifter' - so most everything

 will be from thrift shops and yard sales.  

In other words - I'm hoping to share that modesty is budget friendly!

So what do we have here?  (And I realize I'm no model!)

The skirt is really a jumper.  I wore a 'new to me' gold 

long-sleeved tee over it to make it look like a maxi skirt.  

Those two alone looked a little boring - so a white dressy 

sweater helped.  The scarf is a narrow long scarf 

that I tied to look like an infinity scarf.  

It could be a little longer - but who's checking?

Gold and yellow seem to be colors that are surfacing right now.  

Gold works with my skin and hair.  Yellow?  Not so much.  

Now I'm not saying we need to try to be 'fashionable'.  

But somewhat current and modest works for me.  

I never run out and get the latest thing to try to fit in.  

But I don't purposely avoid what someone else might wear either -

 if it's God-honoring.  (Hope that makes sense).  

The jumper is probably from the 80s!  I have no idea the price 

I paid for this outfit - but most of my clothing is 

under $4 for a piece - yes really.

The shoes may have been new from Old Navy - 

and I think I paid around $10 for them 'on sale'.  

I loved them - they were comfy - and I knew I'd wear them alot!   

I love modesty and creating little outfits.  

It's a bit of a hobby I guess - sort of like decorating my home. 

Honor God with what you wear today! ~Joyce

Why Modesty Is Such a Big Deal...

There is so much information thrown around about modesty.  

It gets overwhelming and kinda 'old' at the same time.  

I've even seen articles about the 'idolatry of modesty'

 which suggest that anything we pay too much attention 

to can be an idol and thus 'not good'.  Oh boy...

May I just share what to me is one glaring reason why modesty 

needs to be a huge deal?  Because immodesty can make someone 

stumble... as in sensually desire someone that is not their wife.  

And Jesus calls lusting after someone that is not their wife 'adultery'. Matt. 5:28.  

  Now we can say that a man needs to have the 

responsibility of guarding his eyes and thought life.   And of course - this is true.  

After all - a girl can be dressed entirely properly and

 a guy can still have an impure thought when he looks at her -  

if that is his intent. 

But for us women - Jesus has a very pointed and plain truth we need to consider.  

He said in Luke 17:1 that offences or things that cause people 

to stumble exist - but 'woe' to the person through whom they exist.  

We do not want to get a 'woe' from Jesus.   To get an idea 

of how strong this language is - later in Luke 22:22

 Jesus uses this same word to pronounce judgment 

on the man who betrays Jesus. 

Uh oh - we don't want to be in that camp.

Like it or not - we, as girls, do have a responsibility.

  There should be no reason why a godly girl would

 want to be sensually enticing in public. 

That being said - I don't see anywhere that we can't be a woman 

of beauty.  God loves beauty - just look at his flowers. 

And God made women naturally beautiful with a natural 

desire to be attractive.  But anytime - any time - we publicly 

accentuate or reveal (through tightness, drawing attention to, 

accenting, nakedness etc.) an area of sensual beauty - we err.  

Rather - let's go forth with a pure and modest beauty.  

I'm pretty sure we all know the difference...

Walk in beauty today!  ~Joyce

A Testimony of Modesty & Leaving the World Behind...

Lorna has been blogging her journey with the Lord over at The Brown Brink.  

It's a lovely journey.  Her spirit is so sweet, so willing and the 

Lord is truly visible in their lives.   And... they are going it alone...

...never completely alone because they have the Lord - 

but alone in that their church fellowship does not

 fully share their hearts' beliefs.  

Her latest post shares more of her journey as it relates to her attire.  

I'm thinking that more and more we're needing to get used to 

this 'alone' thing.  Yet God is stirring up a remnant.

  And thanks to the wonders of technology - we can be 'alone'...together!

Be blessed!   ~Joyce

Together In Unity - Scripture Sunday...

Lake at Mount Gretna, PA

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 

 Psalm 133:1

While this may sound like an easy scripture to follow... 

I recognize that it can be difficult at times.

Hopefully we are truly showing honor to one another

 and treating each other with love and respect.  

But when we interpret scripture differently and each feel that

 'our view' is the right one - that's when it can get sticky. 

May God give us grace in these times too.  Let us keep studying 

and have humble hearts to hear God's truth on any given subject.  

And may we each do whatever His Spirit and Word teach us to do.

(His Spirit will never contradict His Word.)

Always Seeking...  ~Joyce

 

Another Headcovering Testimony...

Today I discovered the sweet blog of  Nikka.  She is from the Philippines 

and she practices head covering in accordance with I Cor. 11.

She started covering for church services only. 

(actually - she is a born-again Catholic - so it is Mass for her.)

But now she wears scarves and bandanas all through out the week. 

 I just love her sweet obedience and her changed heart of being

more submissive and respectful to her husband.  

Go read all about how she grew in this area on her Why I Cover My Head post.

From Immodest Maxi Dress to Modest Maxi Skirt...

One of my finds on my recent thrifting trip was a knit fabric maxi dress.  

It was the sleeveless - elastic across the bust kind.  But the colors were wonderful.  In fact, as I walked around the store with it hanging on my shoulder - 

several people commented that those were 'good colors' for me.  

So for $5 - home it came.  I figured I could transform it into a skirt.

Step 1 - cut off the elastic top.

 Step 2 - lay another maxi skirt, that fits, on top for a length estimate... 

 chop some more off the top of the non-elastic skirt portion.

 Step 3 - sew a large running stitch all the way around the top 

of the non elastic skirt portion.  

(tip - I sewed 2 running stitches - one between each side seam.  This made it easier to work with.)  

Pull the back thread of the running stitch to gather the fabric 

till it fits into the elastic portion.  Stitch together - 

with skirt inside out and right sides together.

 Step 4 - The elastic portion was just too deep for my waist - 

so I sewed it in half.  

(folded it down and sewed it onto the seam where the elastic portion meets the bottom part.) 

A new upcycled maxi skirt for me!  In great colors!

  (Sorry - the colors in this photo are very off...

nighttime indoor photography at its finest.)

Head Covering Christian Women Hit the Streets...

I just spent 2 days with some wonderful friends and Godly ladies.  

We were on a mission - a bargain hunting mission.  In other words - 

for 2 days we hit thrift and discount stores looking for treasures.  

But we had a 2nd equal and important mission...

and that was to represent Jesus everywhere we went.  

We did find great stuff...

a lot of stuff...

 And we had sweet times of sharing and fellowship around the Word...

But when we hit the streets... I was intrigued with how folks 

were drawn to us.  (not necessarily evident in these photos.) 

People seemed to love to chat with us.  It was our prayer 

that we would shine the light of Jesus where ever we went,

through everyday living and shopping. 

It was a joy to talk with strangers and feel their excitement in encountering us.  

We were not anything special - just 17 ladies with smiles and 

joy on our faces - dressing modestly and wearing head coverings.  

But you could feel Jesus join our journey and I trust He was glorified.

Don't be afraid to be 'different'... it may be just what someone is longing for!

 

 To view more  - check out the post on my other blog.

A New Free Online Headcovering Booklet...

I recently became aware of a blogger who just made an ebook available.  

Entitled - 'Why I Started Covering My Hair' - it's all about 

her reasons and thoughts on her headcovering journey.  

She jotted them all down so that in the face of temptation 

and difficult questions - she could refer to them 

and have the words she needs.  Good idea! 

A unique aspect to this book is the comparison Renee makes between us...

and Satan.  Yes, you read that right.   Renee tells us

 that when we are unwilling to cover our heads - 

we are modeling the very acts of Satan...acts which resulted in his fall.  

Oh my - that's pretty serious stuff!

This book is jam packed with hard hitting truths and

doesn't pull any punches.

 It's definitely worth your read.
(click on the black words in this post)

Free Online Headcovering Femininity Magazine...

Did you know there is a beautiful Christian bi-monthly 

color magazine that features headcovering girls?
I didn't either and I'm in  love!

 You can subscribe to the paper version...

 or read the digital version for free.  

Head over to the Daughters of Promise website 

and see for yourself how awesome this venture is.  

The target group seems to be teens to young moms - 

but I'm 'old' - and much of it speaks to me too!
 
(You'll also find super cute modest outfits, girl-stuff and great articles about following Jesus in real life.)

Below is the 2014 March/April issue.

 

Let me know what you think!

(This is not a paid advertisement - I don't even know the gals involved.)

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!

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

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