Why Do We Let Them Dress Like That?

Someone may recognize the title of this as the same as Jennifer Moses online article published awhile back where she also did a live interview. Every parent should read and hear her comments. Nothing else seemed to express my thoughts better than her question because it is the question I keep asking myself as well: Why do we let our daughters dress like tramps?

An amazing addition to all this - that raises even more questions in my mind - is that the woman asking these questions is apparently not a professing Christian. All I can think is that there is something definately missing in the puzzle. What's missing are all the many Christian voices who speak loudly about how to gain wealth and enjoy living - but are noticably silent in expressing any concerns or teaching about how Christian's should deal with the serious issues relating to today's fashions.

As this article's subheading says, "Women of a liberated generation wrestle with their eager-to-grow-up daughters—and their own pasts." Which brings me to the question as it did this author, "Why do so many of us not only permit our teenage daughters to dress like this—like prostitutes, if we're being honest with ourselves—but pay for them to do it with our AmEx cards?"

She goes on to express her theory relating to them dealing with their past - which I believe is correct in many cases. She then adds, "So here we are, the feminist and post feminist and postpill generation. We somehow survived our own teen and college years (except for those who didn't), and now, with the exception of some [more accurate would be few] Mormons, evangelicals and Orthodox Jews, scads of us don't know how to teach our own sons and daughters not to give away their bodies so readily. We're embarrassed, and we don't want to be, God forbid, hypocrites....

"As for the girls themselves, if you ask them why they dress the way they do, they'll say (roughly) the same things I said to my mother: "What's the big deal" "But it's the style." "Could you be any more out of it?" What teenage girl doesn't want to be attractive, sought-after and popular?

"And what mom doesn't want to help that cause. In my own case, [and I think most moms can relate] when I see my daughter in drop-dead gorgeous mode, I experience something akin to a thrill—specially since I myself am somewhat past the age to turn heads."

But the truth is as her Wall Street Journal article reveals, promiscuity has hit new heights and it includes preteens, teens, as well as college and young adults. Obviously because of the constant stream of semi-pornography from about every media source. So it's past time to take notice and begin making some serious changes in the direction we are going - much less the slimy pit we're allowing our children to slide into?

It is somewhat blunt and crude, but the final comments in this woman's article should awaken everyone. "It's easy for parents to slip into denial. We wouldn't dream of dropping our daughters off at college [or our preteens and young teens at a friend's overnight party] and say: "Study hard and floss every night, honey—and for heaven's sake, get laid!' But that's essentially what we're saying by allowing them to dress the way they do while they're still living under our own roofs.' "

It's time to think seriously, why do we let them dress like that? It's time to come to grips with the answer - because the end results may not be so pretty. More important - we will answer to God for the results it brings.

Fashion is About More Than Clothes

We say "don't dress like the world," but what is worldly when it comes to dress? I think we can learn something about what it is by what the world say about dress? I think also we can learn about it by discerning what's behind the sad looking, gaunt expressions of the models who stride down the runways displaying the latest fashion ideas. What they seem to be saying may relate to the spirit behind the whole business that they are in. Sad and empty. This was evidenced recently as I read about a world-renown wealthy Italian fashion designer who a few years ago was murdered in cold-blood - and some of what the fashion world and its editors wrote about him after his death:

" 'Designer Gianni Versace understood that fashion was about more than clothes. He knew that a simple dress could also make allusions to art, music, architecture, and the cult of celebrity.'

" 'His style was flamboyant, profoundly sexy, and often crossed the line into a wonderful, dangerous vulgarity.'

" 'He unapologetically cut dresses obscenely low or rediculously high. But he could also cut a perfect suit that blended classic lines with delicate sensuality.'

" 'Fashion for him was a glamorous, colorful, sensual world.'

" 'He was a homosexual and designed men's wear accordingly.'"

Through such comments and in looking at those who represent the world of fashion design it's not difficult to sense the spirit behind the whole scene of today's fashions? They also give more than a hint why the poor models look so lost and hopeless? How does any of it line up with the Word of God? It doesn't.

Everyone's life in various ways will reflect what or whom they admire or follow. The story of this man's life, his work and his wealth sheds a great deal of light on the world of fashion.  As a Christian I should be concerned with what the story of my life will reveal? Will it highlight my desire to dress like the world - or will it reveal that my life reflects the purity of Christ?

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light....Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Ephesians 5:8, 10, 11.

Did you know you’re in a beauty pageant?

It has been an interesting journey as I search for different writings relating to the subject at hand. Some things are very disturbing and I’m still mulling them over in my thoughts. But one that I’ve found interesting is the well documented report written a few years ago by the YWCA, “Beauty at Any Cost.” I recommend it to anyone, particularly, mothers of young teen girls.
Their initial statement will get anyone’s attention . “Every woman in the United States participates in a daily beauty pageant, whether she likes it or not.” The thought that quickly follows may be, “Yeah, sure. That’ll be the day that I’d ever be in a beauty pageant.” But as you read on you begin to realize the truth in the report’s first unbelievable statement.

“Engulfed by a popular culture saturated with images of idealized, air-brushed and unattainable female physical beauty, women and girls cannot escape feeling judged on the basis of their appearance….

“The issue is not new, but the extent to which it is invading the lives of younger girls and women of color, and the lengths to which women will go to achieve an unattainable look, is an increasing problem. The pressure to achieve unrealistic physical beauty is an undercurrent in the lives of virtually all women in the United States, and its steady drumbeat is wreaking havoc on women in ways that far exceed the bounds of their physical selves.”

Even more sad is the fact that this all also applies to Christian women and girls. A recent research study (one that I’m still mulling over) reveals this disturbing truth. All we have to do is look around us in every arena of life to know that it is true though.

At first the idea of our ever being in a beauty pageant may sound exciting. But as the Y’s report states, there are consequences of our beauty obsession. And in many cases they can be deadly consequences. It’s time we evaluate the direction we are going and what may be the end result - not only in our own life - but also in the lives of our children, or others who may be watching us.

The Frog in The Pot

As I continue to reflect on the issue of modesty in our society today it becomes more and more clear that Christians may have become like the proverbial frog in the pot. With the frog the water is slowly heated but the frog never seems to notice as he swims contentedly around in it until he boils.The frog could jump out anytime but because it happens slowly he never even tries to escape - until it's too late. In a similar way we are slowly becoming comfortable with our social surroundings - accepting whatever comes off the fashion runway - failing to think about the outcome. Unlike the frog though we may give a little kick now and then and say about these fashions, "I'd never buy that sleazy thing," or "yuk, where'd they come up with those colors," or "that reveals way too much." It's not long though before we're right back in the store purchasing them - settling back down in the water that continually has gotten hotter but we haven't even noticed.

This thought continues to replay in my mind especially in thinking on a startling video I reviewed online awhile back. It was about how the advertising industry for the past 40 or so years continues to mold us into thinking and behaving like that as females (beginning as children) we are nothing more than sex objects. I consider the video pornographic and it is certainly NOT one that I would recommend - other than for the purpose of shocking someone's senses - that maybe they need to jump before the boiling water totally engulfs them. I can only pray they would be of a mind to where it would still actually shock them - as it certainly did me. In the video Jean Kilbourne analyses how the advertising media continues to depict women. In shocking detail, she decodes an array of print and television advertisements to reveal a pattern of disturbing and destructive gender stereotypes. Her analysis also challenges you to consider the relationship between advertising and broader issues of our culture.

The disturbing scenes of it were still fresh in my mind a day or so later when I was browsing through the tweens and teens section of a major department store. Nearly everything I saw and touched because of the fabrics and styles brought back to mind the message from the video. Disgusted with it all I stepped out into the aisle to leave. As I did I nearly bumped into a woman with a beautiful little 4-5 year old girl by her side. Glancing down at her I couldn't help notice that as usual the little girl was also donned from head to toe (hair included) to look like what is now the typical older teenager. As she glanced up at me I also couldn't help noticing a sad look to her eyes. I later remarked to my husband that it all makes me long for the return of the "little house on the prairie look."

Of course I do not know if the parent of that child is a Christian. But the whole incident was only a reminder of what seems to me to be the acceptable norm within the Christian community as a whole. That just as did the proverbial frog we also are becoming comfortable - accepting what ever is the latest fad - considering it as just the social thing to do.

The answer to this whole problem of course is to remember - and follow the command. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." 1 John 2: 15-16. But have we like the frog in the pot become so adepted to our surroundings in our day to day fashion choices so that we have no desire to jump to freedom?  

Hello, is anybody out there?

Recently while reading a current book on the subject of fashions I got a few surprises. With my having little to nothing knowledge of what devout Catholics believe, I was quite surprised at the author's conservative stance on the subject of modesty. In fact if I had not known differently I would have thought the writing was that of a staunch Pentecostal or other similar conservative group. So far I have found no such writings from those sources, however. I've thought about that with the same question in mind that I often hear youth say in jest: Hello! is anybody out there? Where are their voices on this subject?

Another surprise came as I read several quotes that this author gave from Pope Pius XII—which most people not doubt would consider legalistic—but I considered just good advice. His comments were a reminder that the good of our soul is more important than our body. Now with our me'ism and comforts mentality that is hard to do at times. But that wasn't all. He added another punch—we also need to consider the spiritual welfare of our neighbor over our own comforts. Imagine! Of course that means in relating to our subject of modesty that if a certain kind of attire causes a person to sin, spiritually effecting our soul and others, it is our duty to give it up.

As I said, I was surprised at such a conservative stance. He even suggested that our choices can effect others in ways we often don't think about. In fact, we should even consider the anxieties and motional issues that are caused by it all. Wow! An illustration might be suppressed shame that we prepare for our sons and daughters by allowing them to become accustomed to being scantily dressed. We think they are so cute, yet without even meaning to do so we cause them to lose the sense of modesty—which opens up future problems that we can only imagine. And these are children that Heaven has entrusted to us to be brought up as Christians.

But as this author also illustrated, the sad truth is that tragically some mothers not only enable their young daughters to dress in 'hooker chick' but encourage it. It seems apparent that parents in general have become desensitized to today's fashions. They have been duped by the fashion industry. And the reason for it seems simply that they want their children to be popular. But whatever their reason, another commentator gets right to the point when he said my thoughts exactly. Why should we be surprised by today's tween and teen girls going around dressed like streetwalkers? It's their parents who let them. Let's face it most 10 to 16-year-olds don't have access to a lot of cash unless of course someone gives it to them.... And who is it who most likely drives them to the mall? It's their mother. It is obvious, little girls dress in what their mommies allow. Hello! Is anybody out there?

Children are supposed to be protected and taught to value themselves and their bodies. But as this author asked, what I've also pondered for a long time, what chance does a little girl stand of keeping her childhood or innocense intact when it's her own mother that takes her to the store and pays for the thongs, the itty-bitty skirts, the hipster jeans, the skimpy tops and the plunging necklines?

Yet, in reality when we get right down to it, the real issue comes front-center-clear. It's the fathers who are letting their precious little girls dress like 'ladies of the night'? And whether or not we agree with some conservative legalistic sounding stance on the matter—even one from a Pope...it's fathers, and mothers who will stand ultimately responsible before God for the effect it all is having on the children. What will it take to get our attention? Hello, is anybody out there?

Who's Looking And Who Cares?

With all the thought on whether or not modesty is important it's important to consider what others see in our daily choices. When we do that a familiar scripture comes to mind. It's quite familiar to many of us because we often quote a part of it when something is said about a way a person dresses, or possibly about our own unkempt appearance. We say it quickly in defense, "...the Lord looketh on the heart" (I Samuel 16:7). Yet as we look at the later part of this verse we discover another interesting statement — a special warning that is often overlooked. First, and foremost, God does look at our heart! But the scripture's subordinate truth declares, "Man looketh on the outward appearance...."

"What is meant" John Makujina writes in Measuring the Music, "is that future success is not based on a person's natural endowments — such as physical stature, outward beauty, or talent — but on one's inward desire to serve God.... It has nothing to do with God not being concerned with how a person dresses or what they may signify through their clothing."

It's interesting that Jesus later emphasizes this fact. He said, "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). So, we can be certain of two things: man looks — and God is concerned about the effects of what he sees!

Yet, as Jeff Pollard writes in Christian Modesty and The Undressing of America, "The cry of the Feminists is 'It's my body, and I'll do what I want.' The cry of the modern Evangelical is 'It's my liberty, and I'll do what I want.' Nevertheless, the declaration of Scripture is this: 'What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify your body, and in your spirit, which are God's' (I Corinithians 6:19, 20). You are not your own, if you are a Christian. Your whole being — body and soul — is the purchased property of Jesus Christ; and the price paid for your body was the breaking of His: 'This is my body, which is broken for you' (I Corinthians 11:24; Matthew 26:26). Your body belongs to Him! He redeemed it with His precious blood on the cross of Calvary. How tragic when we fail to consider how He would want us to adorn His blood-bought property."

What Difference Does It Make What I Wear?

Since choices of ones clothing seems to be a controversial subject it may be easy to dismiss all comments that are negative to your "it's my body..." view with, "you're just too old-fashioned"- right? Yet according to experts you may not be correct.

A study done by the American Psychological Association (APA) determined that a constant barage of sexualized images of young girls and women in the media is harmful to their self image and healthy development. This report gave the results of their research on the content, and effects of media; TV, music videos and lyrics, magazines, movies, video games and the Internet. Their defining of sexualization was based on the idea that a person's value came predominately on sexual appeal or behavior.

Among other problems the onslaught of such images were linked to three of the most common mental health problems among girls and women over 18; eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression.

The issue doesn't just stop with girls over 18, however. One popular brand which targets girls ages 7 to 12 years of age, according to a special report in The Washington Post, said that $1.6 million retail sales came from thong underwear alone. And in one popular store, graphic tees sized for "tweens" were adorned with phrases like "Flirt" and "D is for Diva."

Immodest dress is negatively affecting many in ways they don't realize. Acording to the psychologist - once the girls are hooked on such clothing choices, it's a never-ending cycle. They simply graduate to more self-denegrating forms of clothing and self-image.

The study also showed that "If girls purchase (or ask their parents to purchase) products and clothes designed to make them look physically appealing and sexy, and if they style their identities after the sexy celebrities who populate their cultural landscape, they are, in effect, sexualizing themselves. Girls also sexualize themselves when they think of themselves in objectified terms. Psychological researchers have identified self-objectification as a key process whereby girls learn to think of and treat their own bodies as objects of others’ desires (Frederickson & Roberts, 1997; McKinley & Hyde, 1996). In self-objectification, girls internalize an observer’s perspective on their physical selves and learn to treat themselves as objects to be looked at and evaluated for their appearance. Numerous studies have documented the presence of self-objectification in women more than in men. Several studies have also documented this phenomenon in adolescent and preadolescent girls (McConnell, 2001; Slater & Tiggemann, 2002)."

Modesty of course involves our way of dressing, but it also involves our way of thinking — what is in our soul — and that effects what we put on. As Elizabeth Elliott so aptly stated, "The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman."

As a Christian we are called to a different lifestyle. As someone said, "we are like princesses in training, awaiting the opportunity to rule." It really does matter what we choose to wear!"

Avoiding The Trap of Thinking You Have Something to Lose.

Since the death of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, Inc. his story has dominated the media including even nearly every post on Facebook. I wasn't a fan of his but as a result of all the coverage I listened to a commencement speech he gave in 2005 at Stanford University. Portions of it were quite interesting — one quote in particular were words he said he lived by — which we all can gain instruction from as individuals striving to be ambassadors for God’s kingdom.

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

Steve pointed those who listened that day to follow their heart. I would point you to follow Jesus Christ. Without that we cannot trust our heart. But as we follow Christ and continue to yield to the Holy Spirit’s guidance our heart (our soul's longings) will become more pure — and what’s in it — what’s in our very soul will effect what we do, what we say and even our clothing choices.

Because unlike the big choices Jobs most likely was speaking about, for most of us, our “big choices” on a daily basis deal simply with things as difficult as what to wear. But when we consider the possibility that this really could be our last day on earth — how important do you think it is to be dressed in whatever the latest immodest fashion fad may be? Realizing that in the very next moment you could be meeting your Maker … what would you choose to wear?

Jobs was right, “remembering you are going to die is the best way to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” Instead of worrying about what we will lose by not following the crowd, we can live confidently. Because by walking pleasing to the Lord in all that we do ... we have everything including Heaven to gain!

A Conversation on Dress: An Excerpt from Beautiful Girlhood By Margaret Hale

"Mother, said Jennie Vane one day as the two sat together sewing. Why do you not want me to wear my necklines low?"

"What do you call a low necked dress?" asked her mother.

"You know how the girls mostly wear them low like this," said Jennie, with her finger making on her bosom a line that she called low. Mrs. Vane looked to God for wisdom to rightly answer, and to equip Jennie with enough Christian sense to dress modestly despite the popular trend and fashion.

"I do not require you to make your dresses with close fitting necks, Jennie, but I have reasons which I am only too glad to explain to you why I do not approve such necklines as you've described."

"I want to know just why Mother, for sometimes I feel a little odd that none of my dresses are made that way."

"One of the first evidences of a real lady, is that she should be modest. By modesty we mean that she shall not say, do, nor wear anything that would cause her to appear gaudy, ill-bred, or unchaste. There should be nothing about her to attract unfavorable attention, nothing in her dress or manner that would give a man an excuse for vulgar comment. When we dress contrary to the rule of modesty we give excuse for unwholesome thoughts in the mind of those who look upon us, and every girl who oversteps these bounds makes herself liable to misunderstanding and insult, though she may be innocent of any such intention."

"Shouldn't men learn to guard their thoughts?" asked Jennie.

"There," replied her mother, "is the very question, put in a little different form, that Cain gave to God about his brother: 'Am I my brother's keeper?' Yes, Jennie, to a great extent we are responsible to our brother's thoughts. But I would not have you think that all men are so weak. There are strong, true, pure-minded men and boys to whom these weaknesses of women are not a temptation. But there are the weaker also, and for them we are partly responsible. Let us suppose that upon the streetcorner there stands a group of men and boys among them being two boys whose minds are pure. You and another girl are dressed with very low necks, very thin blouses and your skirts are quite short. The scantiness of your dress attracts attention to your person. You may behave as perfect ladies, but as you pass the corner your appearance causes worldly minded to think and say vulgar things about you. The pure-minded boys hear, and their minds are defiled. You girls are as much to blame for what has happened as the impure man or boy who said the evil things."

"I never thought of it that way, Mother, never!" said Jennie, looking up with a new understanding in her eyes.

"Your necklines should be high and close fitting enough that at no angle does your bosom show, and your skirts should always be long enough so that you can sit without appearing very unlady-like or showing too much flesh. Also, very shear clothing cannot be called appropriate dress for the modest girl."

"But Mother, they wear nice undergarments with those kinds of dresses," said Jennie quickly.

"Yes, Jennie, but does a really modest woman want to publicly display her undergarments?"

The two sewed on in silence for a while, then Jennie spoke again. "Mother, I know many nice women who do not think as you do about dress. Many church members dress the very way you have been condemning. Do you think they're not nice women or not Christians? I cannot think that."

"That is entirely another side of the question, Jennie. I must answer for myself before God, and so must they. But it remains a fact that many nice women dress in a way that is not strictly modest. Many do not think just as the rest do. It is the same with some women who profess to love the Lord. Their minds and hearts are not awake on this line. They follow where the present fads lead them with no thought of the consequences. I cannot say to you that nice women do not dress as I have been condemning for you and I both know nice women who often do. Nor can we say that Christians never wear such things. For we have seen examples where those who profess to be Christians through lack of proper understanding did wear them. So we cannot look around at others for examples. We must have a conscience for God ourselves and answer these questions before Him in our own hearts. As for myself, I cannot wear what I know is not becomingly modest for a Christian to wear."

"But I am not a Christian yet, I have not been converted yet," said Jennie, as if she had now found an excuse.

"But you should be Jennie. That does not change your responsibility before God. If it is not right for a Christian to do it, it is wrong for anyone to do it." Mrs. Vane sat still a little while thinking, then continued. "It is not merely a matter of opinion, but of principle. Do startling clothes cause unfavorable attention and comment? Are they modest? Should modest women wear them? Am I discharging my duty as a Christian either to wear them or permit my daughter to do so? Is my daughter safe with them on, from the insults of base men?"

"Of course, if you put it that way, Mother, is certainly looks as though wearing such things is wrong. But it seems odd to me that we should need to be so different from other people."

"That is all owing to the direction you look Jennie. If you will look in the right direction, you will find many, many women and girls who are not overstepping the boundaries of womanly modesty and they do not look odd either."

"Is it the same reason that you want me always to do my hair simply?" asked Jennie.

"Partly. The manner of dressing the hair will give a girl a modest or a bold exaggerated look. And then many of the extravagant hairstyles are unbecoming to most faces. I cannot see why you should make yourself look outlandish by your hairstyle just because many of your friends are doing it. It is far better to choose a mode of hairstyle that becomes your face and stick to it, than to be changing from one thing to another. Besides, we should wish to take good care of your hair that you may preserve it's beauty."

"But Mother, I like to do as the rest do. I hate to be different from the other girls," persisted Jennie.

"Be frank with me Jennie: Are you so different from others? Are there not many of your school friends who dress just as modestly as you do? Are there not a number of girls yet who are not extravagant in their hairstyles? Be honest with me: Are there not many girls like you?"

"Oh yes, for that matter. But they are not the ones we look at. Some of the girls have a new way of dressing their hair each week."

"But the quiet, sensible girls run a far greater chance of coming to pure, wholesome womanhood. Jennie dear, sometime you'll be thankful that you are one of them."

Do We Have Character Amnesia?

I read recently about a strange thing happening in China. It seems that young people there are beginning to forget how to write the characters that comprise the beautiful calligraphy of their traditional language. Some are calling the phenomenon “character amnesia.” Because of the usage of computers and other handy gimmicks their writing is being neglected and some can no longer remember the characters they learned in childhood.

These days it seems that many of us are suffering from character amnesia only of a different sort. When it comes to some decisions we seem to “forget” the righteous route and play follow the leader and do the world’s ways. But just as the Chinese children are taught their characters by repeatedly writing them over and over we learn true character in the same way - not by writing it of course - but by putting it in practice on a daily basis. When it comes to practicing graceful modesty though we often fall far short of that goal. So much so that often when we rarely do see a young woman in a dress, in most cases it is easy to see she has had little or no practice. She walks or sits as though she is still in her shorts or jeans … and knows nothing of being gracefully modesty.

We need to seriously consider what we are allowing our children to forfeit by the habits we allow them to acquire - and from the practices that we model in front of them. Whether it be in letters - or in our morality - character amnesia is a tragedy which is sure to have negative effects on generations to come.

Let’s purpose to practice, practice, practice to always be gracefully modest in everything we do. Because you can count on it, someone is watching, learning from you and putting it into practice.

Someone said it well, “When wealth is gone, little is lost; when health is gone, something is lost; but when character is gone, all is lost!”

Can Life Really Be Compartmentalized?

There are few books that I've read that I've enjoyed as much as those written by Dr. Paul Brand (1914-2003). Dr. Brand is known for his missionary work in India among those suffering with leprosy, his pioneering medical research, and his brilliant and innovative work as a surgeon. Dr. C. Everett Koop, former U.S. Surgeon General, claims that Dr. Brand's research has been directly responsible for eliminating the need for tens of thousands of amputations — greatly benefiting, particularly, people with Diabetes.

What does this amazing Christian doctor, speaker, author have to do with the subject of clothing? A great deal, perhaps. In his book, "He Satisfies My Soul," Philip Yancey, who co-authored with Dr. Brand and knew him well, said, "If I had to choose one lesson I have learned from Dr. Brand, it would center on the underlying unity of life. So often in this modern world we compartmentalize. Scientists study the material world; priests and preachers study the spiritual world. Dr. Brand brings these worlds together....To him, the world reveals God, and God illuminates the world....For him, life is an act of worship."

And what we worship is reflected in our attitudes about what we wear. As we see again in the news. The Washington Post's lifestyle post read, "Target’s Web site is back after multiple crashes Tuesday and early Wednesday, but frugal fashionistas hoping to find zig-zag print dresses and sweaters from the Missoni for Target line may be out of luck.

"The retail giant launched the new limited collection with the Italian luxury brand Tuesday morning in the midst of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York." And everyone went crazy trying to be the first to get theirs before they were sold out.

Life really is an act of worship. All we do, what we think, say, where we go — and even what we choose to wear is an act of worship. It is revealing our heart and what we believe about the only true and living Holy God. How could we think otherwise. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men...for ye serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23,24

We only fool ourselves when we compartmentalize our lives and put worship into our few minutes spent on Sunday? Life is an act of worship. Instead of compartmentalizing this and that occasion as a less important one, or with a who cares attitude, or a woohoo! we beat out the crowd to get the latest thing — shouldn't our dress for all of life's occasions — regardless of if our shopping is done at Nordstrom or Target be selected with care — always being gracefully modest ... regardless of the label?

Which Side of The Debate Are You On?

Political debates are the name of the game these days. They’re there headlining every news media. All the while though another debate less publicized continues to circulate among Christians. Evolution vs. Creation. Thankfully, a large percentage of Christians still argue on the side of Creation. A good sign, conservative Christians may think. After all, aren’t we giving due credence to our Creator? Yet I wonder if perhaps a problem still exists with it. Because though we Christian women claim that we believe in Creation with our words — often by our actions we appear to be taking the other side. We all at times “make a monkey of ourselves.” But what I’m referring to is our tendency to “evolve.”

Our friend, Webster, says evolution is “a theory that the various types of animal and plants have their origin in other preexisting types, and that the distinguishable differences are due to changes in successive generations.” The thought of course is that each generation of species become better and better. Obvious to any thinking person such an idea is false. Yet maybe in truth this definition should be used to describe we as Christians. Isn’t our origin in another preexisting Type — Jesus Christ? And should not our distinguishable differences be due to changes in successive generations? After all we are to be different due to successive generations because we’re told in Scripture to “…teach these things to our children and to our children’s children….” We ought to be learning from earlier generations’ mistakes. Instead of “evolving” into the likeness of the world’s ways, we should be “growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord.”

But in looking around at what Christian women often choose to dress themselves in and in the behavioral patterns we don as a result — we often do make a monkey of ourselves. So which side of the debate are we really on when in our words, actions (including the way we dress) and behavior give huge points to the Evolution crowd? Let’s score for Creation by being distinguishably different — gracefully modest in everything we do!

We're In The News!

In thinking about what this initial post should consist of it was interesting how women and what they wear seem to take priority over Presidential talks, political rallies, and whatever is considered news at the moment. The news today, would you believe it, included this very topic but not from where you'd expect. Would you believe, Indonesia? JAKARTA — "About 50 women in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, donned miniskirts to protest remarks by the Jakarta city governor who blamed a recent gang rape on the victim's choice of clothing."

Hmmm! What women wear is a hot topic no matter where you look. And that is the reason, as both a mother and grandmother of "girls" this subject is so serious to me. And hopefully if it is not now it will also become one that you take seriously as well.

As Christian women are we more concerned about our "rights" to do as we wish than we are about how our life [words, actions, attitudes...and yes, even our attire] affects others?

"...whatsoever a man [woman] soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Galatians 6:7-8

My prayer is that we all will realize - and be so grateful - that our life can be used of God for someone's good, rather than possibly causing a negative, when we establish graceful modest habits in all areas of our life.