Where Does the Eye Go?....

I've redone this post in response to a challenge from a dear sister.   
While it is my goal to always share what I believe to be Truth in love and kindness - 
 I also know that it will not be possible to never offend.    Someday I'll share more on that...

The goal of this post is to give you a quick measure - a little test - 
to be able to tell what is modest vs. immodest.  
It's the viewing of actual images - with faces - 
that drives the point home.  So please bear with me here... 
As you look at any given image - simply take note
 where your eye goes almost first thing...

  What becomes the focus?  Be honest...

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 Now take note of this last photo... the eye goes where? 

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 For me  -it hovers over the dress and then returns to
 the face without any true hint of sensuality.
(Ok - I did notice those shoes...)

If any clothing or outfit highlights or draws the eye to a  

sensual part of our bodies - it is not modest.  It is that simple.  

My intent here was for women to take this test (not men) and yet even we can tell where the eye goes.

I realize this clothing all looked pretty normal - and is broadly seen - 
even in the Christian community.   
But dear ones - that doesn't mean it belongs there.

Together, let's be a shining example of purity ~ Joyce
Linking to Modest Monday

But What About the Prostitutes?...

Today's bite-sized Headcovering thought...

Have you heard or perhaps been taught that the reason 
Paul shared about headcoverings in I Cor. 11 was because 
the prostitutes of the day were about the only ones
 who went about bareheaded and shorn?  

So the Christian women needed to look different than them?   

And I think the argument further goes that since this is 

no longer the case - we no longer need to practice headcovering.

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Well, interestingly - Paul never mentions the prostitutes, 

the culture of the day or anything remotely close for the reason 

for this teaching.  It would seem that should have been mentioned.

(He does mention 'traditions' - we'll have to look at that in another post.)

Also - according to R.C.H.Leske in his book

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The Interpretation of I and II Corinthians  "all the evidence that 

has been discovered proves that only a few of the very lowest 

types (of prostitutes) had shorn or shaven heads".

And according to Myron Horst -  "By the time 1 Corinthians 

was written, 200 years after the temple prostitute system was destroyed,

 Corinth was a thoroughly Roman city. Life in the Roman Empire, 

during this time in the first century AD, was in many ways more like 

society today than any other time in history."  He also states from 

his research that there were other nonChristian women - 

not just the prostitutes - of this time that did not cover their heads.

For a further in depth study of dress and

 headcovering customs of the day - check out 

Headcovering Customs of the Ancient World by Michael Marlowe.

May the Word of God be our guide for life ~ Joyce

Scripture Sunday...

Quilted Nest is my other blog.

What a beautiful testimony if this is true of our homes.  

But perhaps some of us feel like we have failed - and the Lord 

was not served in our homes the way He should have been.  

We need not despair.  We can still choose this day whom we 

will serve in your own house - our own body.  We can only choose

for ourselves - not our family members - not even
those dearest to us.  

But yes, with the Spirit's help - we can choose - each one of us - 

to serve the Lord - this day!  

And be encouraged to know that fervent prayer will unleash the 
Spirit to continue to work in the lives our loved ones.

With a Plan and Purpose ~ Joyce
Linking to Modest Monday 

Modesty Begins Wtihin...

inner modesty = outward modesty by apostolicswag on Polyvore

Vines Grass clip art
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Stock illustration
sxc.hu

Has Headcovering Been Done Away With?...

Let me introduce Sarah.  She blogs over at Obedient Joy.  

  She has a post where she shares her husband's thoughts as it 

relates to her desire to practice headcovering in this 'modern age'.  

 He concludes that "the Bible is giving a pretty clear command in 

1 Corinthians 11 and nowhere in Scripture does it revoke that command." 

He goes on to say "...the only commands in Scripture that have 

been 'done away with' are the ones that were fulfilled in Jesus.  

Since this one came after Jesus had already lived,

 died, and rose again, and because it was given to the church 

that was created after Jesus had fulfilled all that needed to be fulfilled,

(then) we have no evidence of it ever being something that 

was supposed to stop being practiced at some point."

I was so blessed by these thoughts.  Hope they blessed you as well.

Be encouraged with these words ~Joyce

 

Scripture Sunday...

So teach us to number our days, 
That we may gain a heart of wisdom

Psalm 90:12 

Spotted on a tree in Chautauqua Mount Gretna, PA

Tonight at church we were reminded to live each day in the present.  
Not in the past with regrets or in the future hoping or waiting 
for things to 'get better'.  But to live each day to the
 glory and honor of the Lord - right now - just how it is.

With the Lord's help I can do that!  Will you join me?

One day at a time with Jesus ~ Joyce