What Is the Difference?

I'm going to show you a couple pictures. And then I'd like to hear what your honest reaction to each one is. I think I already know what the majority will say. But I'm interested to see if I'm right. Anyway, here's the pictures and then I'll share my own thoughts below. You ready?

                                                          (the new covergirl boy)

 

(girls wearing boys jeans/shirts)

 

My guess is that most of you were disturbed by the first picture, but not the second at all. In fact, you're probably confused as to why the second one would even be an issue? Let me tell you why I think it is.

 

Our country has been racing down a path of sexual immorality for years now. The most recent and saddening turn on the path being gender confusion, especially in children. Believers or those who are more conservative in their views are quick to express outrage and disbelief over stories/pictures like the first one above where a young boy has been chosen to represent a popular make-up line. They ask questions such as why would anyone want to do this, how did we get here, or other similar expressions. But the thing that I see as being most confusing (and dare I say, hypocritical) is when they blame the world, the left, the liberals, etc and completely fail to point any fingers where they should rightly belong.......the church. How many girls and women claiming to be Christian's do you know that gleefully follow the fashion of the world without thought as to if it's feminine or masculine in style? I've personally been told by multiple women including but not limited to a pastor's wife, fellow homeschooler, family members, and random acquaintances about instances where they shopped for their daughters or even themselves in the men's clothing department because their pants "felt better" or "fit better" than the ones from their own section. And let's not forget the number of Christian families that encourage their daughters to play sports....where the girls wear the exact same uniforms as the boys do and think nothing of it. Or how cute and funny they think it is when the opposite sex ends up in an outfit that exactly matches each other.

 

(*Let me just take a second to be clear here and say this post is not about starting a discussion on being for or against women wearing pants of any kind, in any way, for any reason, as much as it is about pointing out inconsistencies in beliefs/standards and how that affects our argument against sin by using the Bible as our basis for morality.*)

 

There are numerous places in the Scriptures that point out how important the differences between men and women are. And that not only are they to be enjoyed and celebrated but that we should also take care to make them obvious. But how often do we fail at that and then excuse it? How desensitized have we as believers become to the lack of differences in the sexes when it comes to clothing/behavior for ladies? But yet we are outraged that there are now boys and men who want to explore the opposite by wearing dresses and makeup and behaving more womenly! Am I the only one who notices the irony of this? We talk about slippery slopes but I think we don't really want to consider that maybe our acceptance of something that was never God honoring is one of the things that pushed our culture down the hill. 

 

I'm not naïve enough to think that there wouldn't still be sin in the world or that the kind of things like that first picture wouldn't ever happen if the church didn't compromise. But that in no way changes our responsibility in choosing to come out and be separate. Because if we don't stand up and show them a difference, who will?

Styles and standards of dress may look a bit different for each family; but if we are going to the Bible and studying out God's truths and praying for His guidance, rather than blindly following what the world and yes, even mainstream "church people" believe is okay, I can guarantee that there won't be any confusion when others try to figure out what gender we are. We claim that people who are teaching their sons and daughters that being the opposite gender are so confused.....but maybe they are just as confused as to why we are judging them so harshly without judging ourselves first? In fact I know they are because I've seen the comments from them on Christian blog and facebook posts that are belittling boys for dressing/looking feminine, while their own profile pictures depict themselves or their daughters looking/acting rather masculine.

 

I'm not saying any of this to be hurtful or offensive (or God forbid, to sound self-righteous) but because it breaks my heart to see how the church has lost its' ability to be a light and a witness in these days. Maybe you're reading this and thinking this isn't an area you struggle in, but are there others? That's what we all need to be asking ourselves. Because I see a lot of unbelievers today looking at those of us claiming to be Christian's and asking, what is the difference? And if the answer we give them, even if only by our actions, is that there is none.....then why would they want what we have?

 

(I realize this subject is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to talking about how believers should be separate from the world. There are numerous other areas we could look at such as modesty, masculinity in men, attitudes, etc but for the sake of time and discussion this is the one I chose and also because that's what kept coming to my mind and heart when I was reading about the covergirl story. As I said above, we need to be asking ourselves what God's standards for us are in ALL areas of our lives. I pray that we can all be challenged to let not just our words but our actions show unbelievers what a difference Christ can make!) 

Good and Evil

I've had so much on my mind lately as I look around at the way things are going. And although the condition of the world and what unbelievers are doing is scary and sometimes shocking, I have to admit that what bothers me most isn't that. It's the choices of those who claim to know Jesus. Who say they are believers of the same God I serve. But yet how they view His word and the truths in it are so completely different than what actually is reality. That is the scariest thing I see these days. But while it does bother me greatly and make me extremely saddened as well, it also makes us step back and reevaluate ourselves. Look at our own family and the choices we've made or are making. We want to hold to the truth of God's laws and not compromise or change them just because it seems like that's what the majority are doing in order to be more comfortable in this world. Saying all that, the Lord brought these scriptures to my mind this week and I wanted to share them (as well as the thoughts I've had along with them) with you all. They seem to speak almost perfectly of how things are these days and most especially to those who are willing to act like sin isn't all that bad anymore.

^{I saiah 5:20} Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
²¹ Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
²² Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
²³ Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
²⁴ Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
²⁵ Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

I just can't seem to get away from thinking about these words. The ones in verse 20 have stayed with me the most and just keep running through my head. I don't want to call evil good and good evil! We want our family to be holy and separate from the world and willing to stand up against sin no matter who is doing it. And no it isn't easy but we want to do it because it's right! There's another verse in Romans that says to "abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good" and we want that to be true in our lives. It's so very easy to let worldly things slip in slowly and not even realize how far we've gone until there's been so much compromise that we've vexed our righteous souls and caused our witness to others to be hindered. Our prayer is that God would help us to stand strong against the lies that Satan (and our own flesh!) try to trick us into believing about things that can harm our fellowship with the Lord. We want to stick to what's good and not fall into the trap of excusing evil rather than hating it. There is SO much out there now that can start out seeming so innocent but in reality leads us away from righteousness in our lives. I want God to keep reminding us to stay vigilant against those things or to become so again if we've let anything slip in.  
Will you join us in praying that as well? That we as Christians will stop calling evil things good (such as movies, music, clothing, attitudes, and other openly, sinful behaviors that don't honor the Lord) and instead pursue true holiness. I think choosing to lay aside the things in our life that have quenched or grieved the Holy Spirit and then seeking His help in having a touch on our hearts to live in a way that's more pleasing to Him is the first step in seeing true revival and repentance in our churches and country. May God burden us even more in these days to live for Him so that the lost world might see a difference and be saved before it's too late! I don't want to be counted as one who has brought woe on themselves by becoming too comfortable with sin. Do you?

Some Things I Really Want

It's not.....

~ all the stylish, new clothes and jewelry I see on Pinterest that I really don't even have a need for.

~ the pretty hairstyles that might look great on someone else but I will probably never be able to achieve on my own hair.

~ a bigger, better, (cleaner?) house, newer car, or more gadgets and toys for us or the kids.

~ a perfect body that looks great in (or out?) of clothes. (which after four kids and multiple health problems is really impossible for me anyway!)

~ to seek after more carnal pursuits (like ungodly,worldly movies, music, or other entertainments) that only satisfy the flesh momentarily but leave your soul feeling empty and 'vex your righteous spirit'.

~ to be popular or accepted by those around us or have to let down certain standards in order to fit in and have more friends.

But it is.....

~To be a woman who is content with just trying to be the best Christian, wife, and mother I can be. (1 Ti. 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.)

~ To focus more on who I am on the inside than what I look like outwardly. To treat others around me well and show my kids that attitudes of the heart are what's really most important. (1 Ti. 2:9-10 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame-facedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh a woman professing godliness) with good works. Prov. 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.)

~ To realize even more that being commended by the Lord for how we live is a far greater achievement and blessing than to be liked or approved of by others.....and to rest in the fact that no matter how many don't understand the decisions we make or choose to turn against us, He is the one we're trying to serve and please. (Luke 6:22-23a Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall seperate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice you in that day, and leap for joy; for great is your reward in heaven.)

~ To remember how important the battle we are in against satan is. And that no matter how tired I get some days of trying to do the right thing or be less like the world, I can't give up. Even if so many around us seem to be. Not only for my own sake, but the sake of my marriage, children, and others who don't know the Lord! (2 Ti. 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 2 Thes. 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.) 

Yes, these are the things that the Lord has been speaking to my heart about lately. And ones I've realized that I truly want more than anything, even though they might be hard. Because they are the things that really matter in the end and will count for eternity. I'm praying that He'll help me to not only want them, but work for them as well! I don't want to just be a hearer of His word, but a doer also.

(Just to be clear, some of the things I named above that I don't want may not all be bad in and of themselves, but are just things that can become too important and turn into wrong if we focus too much on them I think. And again this is stuff the Lord's been showing me personally that I felt like sharing! Not intended for any other specific purpose.)

I Call Him Lord

This song has been on my mind this morning so I just wanted to share the words with you! Hope it speaks to your heart as it did mine on this Christmas....

 "Master, Redeemer, Saviour of the world.
Wonderful, Counselor, Bright Morning Star.
The Lily of the Valley, Provider, and Friend.
He was yesterday, He'll be tomorrow; the
beginning and end.

 And the angels called Him, Jesus, born of
a virgin. Mary called Him, Jesus, but I call
Him, Lord.

 Jehovah, Messiah, Mighty God and King.
Bread of Life, He's the Lasting Word of
love that I sing. Light in darkness, door to
Heaven my home in the sky. The Fountain
of Living Water that never shall run dry.

 And the angels called Him, Jesus, born of
a virgin. Mary called Him, Jesus, but I call
Him, Lord."


So very thankful that I can call Him my Lord this morning! So amazing that God loved us enough to send Jesus down here to die for our sins. He is the Reason why we can celebrate today! Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you have a blessed holiday.

On My Heart

I've seen and heard so many things lately that have saddened me and also caused me to really think about what it means to be a child of God. I sometimes think it's easy for us to forget just how holy Christ was when He walked on this earth and that the reason those who were saved after His death were first called Christians was because they were seen as being Christ-like. I'll be the first to admit that I don't always do a good job of that. And I don't believe that in any way changes my salvation, but I do think it can change my witness to others and my personal fellowship with God.

I may get around one day to writing about some of the specific things that have bothered me recently, but for now I'll just share these verses that the Lord has kept bringing to my mind the past few days. I pray that us who are truly saved will choose to take these verses to heart, allow God to show us what they should mean in our own lives, and then be strong enough to do it. I'm thinking the next time someone asks why our family does or doesn't do certain things I'll just remember to tell them this.....

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority....."

It's not always easy and definitely not popular these days, but I want to be more willing to be peculiar for the Saviour who gave Himself for me. And maybe, just maybe someone else will want to know more about Him because of it. But at the very least it will also show how grateful I am to God for that amazing grace that brought me salvation, which I am so unworthy of. And if that means not fitting in either with the world or even other believers, then I want to be brave enough to do it anyway. For Him.