A daring post to follow:

I love books. If you read my main blog you get that idea a lot. :) I also love good films. This is not a post about how bad books or movies are. This is not a post where I tell you what to read or not read and where to go or not go. That is between you and God. But this is a post in which I am asking you to think. Think. It is a very hard post for me to write, but it is one I must write because God has laid it on my heart. I must be obedient to that which He has called me. I must write the truth - in love. I am writing because I care. deeply. I care about each person that reads it, whether you agree with me or not, whether I have even met you or not. God loves you. I love you. And I want you to get to Heaven. (Isn't that the main goal in life anyway?) Please read this post with that in mind.

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For several months, in several places I have heard a lot about a certain series. It has become extremely popular across the board. You can probably guess what that series is. Women and girls all over are ranting about it. So what's the deal? Why is it such a big thing? You know the series: Twilight. The one that glorifies vampires and werewolves. Hello? and this is popular in many Christian circles. HELLO?? Are we thinking?

To answer the question that is coming up in your mind, no, I haven't read them. However, I have read about them. Enough to know that it is glorifying things that a Christian should not be supporting. I've done some research and I want to share with you why I think the series isn't appropriate.

First, I've read that it's only a book, it's fiction... Yes, it is a story someone made up. No, it isn't a factual account. But fiction does have an effect on us. I know that I have been molded as a person by many of the books I've read. Like it or not, stories have a dramatic impact on all of us. Some, of course, more than others. Can you honestly say that you walk away from this series without any effect? You are what you eat, you are what you read. What you put in your mind will come out in your actions. We are affected so much more than we realize by what we allow in our minds. Phil. 4:8 - "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." If something does not pass this checklist, is it something that we should be dwelling on and filling our lives with?

My second point, but a more important point: The heroine is idolizing someone other than God. Last time I checked, God wants first place in our lives!! She is even willing to give up her soul, the most precious possession we have given by God. Anytime anything comes between us and God, it has become our idol. God has said, "No other gods before Me." This commandment hasn't changed. And even in a more practical level, how much time have we spent with God and His Word in comparison with other books, especially books that don't lift us spiritually but even draw us down. Are we putting these things before God?

God should be the driving force of our lives, not a guy, no matter how attentive, respectful, cool and loving he appears to be.
Melanie M. Cogdill
Brio December 2008

Thirdly, the question arises, what is good? Can something that is bad, make itself into something good? Can evil be good? These "good" vampires are deceptive. This is the idea that we can be good without being changed. There is no way without God that we can become good. And in order for us to become good, there must be a radical transformation that takes place - from the inside out. God doesn't make sinners good, He makes sinners into saints. The old has gone, the new has come. We are transformed by the blood that Christ shed on the cross for our sins. No matter how hard we try in ourselves, we can not be good. We must be changed.

So everyone is reading/watching it? Does that make it right? Do we blindly follow what the world does just because it's popular? I submit to you that the enemy isn't going to use something as a tool if it isn't attractive. It may be a good story (a matter of personal opinion), all the more reason to be careful. The more attractive something like this is, the more careful we should be about allowing it into our minds. What are we allowing to guide us?

I hope and pray that you as the reader will think about what is being put into your mind. Please pray about what you are feeding your soul. We should be focusing on the eternal. We are called to holiness, to be set apart from the world for God. We can dare to be different. to take a stand.

There are so many Scriptures that I can share to help you think. Here are several references: (if you hover your mouse over them, the verses themselves should show up)
Ephesians 5:11
Ephesians 5:13-15
3 John 1:11
1 John 4:1-6
1 John 2:15-17
1 John 1:5-8

Here also is a link to an article put out by Brio Magazine in December 2008.

ETA: Here are a couple more articles on the series - well worth the read:
Visionary Daughters
Joyfully Home

It starts with a seed

"If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed...
nothing shall be impossible unto you."
Matthew 17:20

How much faith does it take for prayers to be answered? Jesus said just a minuscule amount is enough to work wonders. A mustard seed is very small, but it brings forth a productive, fruitful, helpful plant. It is not our faith alone that bring answers to prayer... it is God's power. Faith is necessary just as a seed is required for the plant to grow. A seed needs moisture and light to grow and produce. So answers to prayer require God's power working with the seed of faith.

As each person starts to walk with Christ, she doesn't have a mountain of faith. She begins with just a seed planted by God. As we grow in Christ, in our fellowship with Him and in seeing prayers answered, that seed of faith will grow. Our responsibility is to nurture it. The more we put our trust in God, the stronger faith will grow - just as a mustard seed grows into a fruitful, useful plant. God cares about our faith and He will help nurture it.


God doesn't have unrealistic expectations for us. He know we are human and He understands that at times we have humanly doubts. At these times we need to pray, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." ( Mark 9:24 ) At those times Christ sees the lack as well as our trust in Him and He will help us.

At times we may feel that we aren't getting an answer to our prayers. I believe that it is in those times when our faith grows stronger. These are the times we must say " No matter what happens, I will trust God." We trust Him to work things out for our best and His glory, even if His answer isn't what we first desire or expect. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." ( Isaiah 55:8 )

How grows your seed?

Where does the heart lead?

"Follow your heart." This saying is so familiar. You find it in books, people tell you to do it, and it is sung in songs. But is it really good advice?

God's word says that the "heart is deceitful above all things." hmm... it doesn't sound as though I can trust my heart.

So what is our "heart?" The heart is considered the center of emotions. (You've heard of loving someone with "all your heart.") The problem with emotions is that they can't be trusted. Emotions can shift with the weather - really!! Have you ever felt a little down, and later realize that a major storm is coming? Emotions can also shift according to how we feel physically or mentally. If you are tired, you are less likely to feel happy. Sounds like a lot of ups and downs, huh?

If the emotions are always changing, the heart cannot be trusted. If the heart is allowed to guide you through life, there will be a lot of frustrations, disappointments, and wrong choices.

On the other hand, we can allow God's word to guide our hearts. We can chose to set our hearts in God's will. Deut. 11:16 warns us to take care that our heart isn't deceived. If we hide God's word in our hearts, we can live a life free of sin. ( Psalm 119:11 ) The important thing is choosing to guide the heart, not be guided by the whims of emotions.

It is important not to make choices in life based purely on emotions. "If it feels good, do it." is an old mantra, but not a reliable one. Something may feel "good" at that moment, but have serious negative effects for the rest of a person's life.

Pharoah chose to set his heart against God's way ( Exodus 9:34 )and suffered the consequences. On the other hand, Ezra prepared his heart to seek God's law ( Ezra 7:10 ) and became a great leader of God's people. What will you chose for your heart?


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What is Truth?

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. John 18:37-38


So many people today are on a quest for truth. They want to know what is real. Unfortunately, many of them don't believe that there is such a thing as absolute truth. They feel that all things are relative. Jesus said that He is the Truth. (John 14:6) If we don't seek Him as the source for truth, we aren't going to find truth at all.

Pilate wanted to know the truth. However, he didn't even stay around long enough to let Jesus answer his question "What is truth?" I believe many people are afraid of the truth. Maybe Pilate didn't want Jesus to tell him what truth was, because then Pilate would be held accountable. If there is Truth, than nothing is relative. Pilate would be held to a standard other than his own. Many people today are the same way, they may want to know what is true, but are afraid of Truth. Knowing the Truth might change their way of life. Truth might require them to hold to Someone else's standard - God's.

When we seek truth, from the Source of truth, we will find it. Jesus said, in the verse above, that His purpose in coming to earth was to bring Truth. Not only was Jesus on trial in Pilate's hall, but so was truth. The fact is that truth remains on trial today. Many people aren't willing to commit to the truth.

As we pause on this Good Friday, let us be grateful for Jesus's sacrifice that we might have salvation and be brought into the Truth.

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Modesty - What is and What isn't?

Modesty has become a rather hot topic in the blog world. I have seen several blogs that address the topic, and a couple of blogs that ran a series on it. The confusing part is that each person has their own definition of what is modest and what isn't. So how do we know?

Well, like many other bloggers, I have my own definition of modesty. I am going to "stick my neck out" and let you know where I stand. You may or may not agree with me on certain aspects, but I hope what you read here will give you something to think about, and that you will be open to what standard God places on your heart. I am not posting this to start a debate, or to offend anyone, just stating where I stand - where I have stood for years.

First off, the most important fact about modesty, is that it must come from the heart. If you click the modesty label, you will see that I have spent several posts on this. If you are modest because that is the way people want you to dress, whether it be your parents or your church rules or the crowd you hang out with, your standards may be subject to change. Our standards on anything should be convictions based on God's Word. While you are young, study and ask those in authority or those you trust, to help you learn how to be modest. The important thing is to pray for God to reveal His standard. Those of us that are older, should really do the same thing! There is always room for more learning.

So here are some of my basic guidelines for modesty:

1. Modesty for all
Biblical Principal: In Genesis 3, we read the story of the fall and the entrance of sin to mankind. As a result of sin, man realized that he was immodest. He made an attempt at modesty, but his attempt wasn't good enough. Adam only made an apron, God made them garments or coats of skins.
Application: God's principals of modesty apply to both men and women. God's design of modesty is for the body to be covered. Man's definition of modesty isn't good enough. This is why it is important to ask God's help in setting your standard of modesty.2. The torso is to be covered
Biblical Principal: Back to Genesis 3. What does an apron cover? Not much. But the coat that God made for Adam and Eve can be defined as a tunic or long shirt-like garment. (reference) The same word for coat used in Gen. 3:21 is also used in Job 30:18.
Application: God commands that our torso be covered. This principal deals with the part of the body from the waist to the neckline. Though God's principal applies to both men and women, it is more difficult for women for obvious reasons, and thus it is important to women to take particular care in this area. Clothing that is to tight and shows the form is not concealing the torso and therefore can't be modest. Personally, to aid in covering my torso, I wear sleeves that are long enough so that when I raise my arms or move about, I am not uncovering my torso. A top that is too low is revealing the torso. If when you bend over your torso is uncovered, you need to consider adding another layer or wearing another top.

3. The thigh is to be covered
Biblical Principal: Exodus 28:42 The Old Testament priests were given standards of modesty. This verse tells of the breeches that they would wear that covered their "nakedness" - from the hips to the knees.
Application: God's principal of modesty is that our thighs should be covered. This doesn't just mean when we are standing in front of a bedroom or fitting room mirror. Modesty means in whatever position you are in - standing or sitting, running or walking.

4. Men dress as men, Women dress as women.
Biblical Principal: Deuteronomy 22:5 This verse states that men are to wear men's clothing and women to wear women's clothing.
Application: There is much debate over what consists of women's clothing. (Funny, everyone generally seems to agree on what is men's clothing.) Of course, this is defined by culture. Although cultures have their own styles of dress, there is always a difference in the styles worn by women and men. I have always lived in a western culture, as many of you have, I'm sure. In our culture, you don't have to go far to figure out what defines women's clothing. As a woman, I am going to pick the public restroom with a dress on the door. It has only been in the past 60 to 70 years that women have chosen to wear pants publically as a norm. (I won't go into the history here, but pants did't used to be the norm for women.) Just because most women wear pants, doesn't mean I should dress any less femine to simply "fit in." This is why I choose to wear dresses and skirts for clothing. To me, it is just that straightforward.

The purpose of clothing is to conceal, not to draw attention to our body. Just like all other areas of life, we should choose to honor God in the way we dress. As a woman, I want to dress modestly to honor God, and also to respect my husband. I do not wish to be a stumbling block for others, or to draw undue attention to myself by dressing outlandishly or immodestly. I hope this post has been helpful for someone. If you don't agree with me, that is fine. I am not posting to condemn anyone, or to be controversial. This is something I have felt I needed to address for some time, and it has been a more difficult post to construct. My prayer is that it will lead you to ask God what His standard is for you.

Many blessings!

Charity
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For more information on Biblical Modesty, you may want to read the series of notes linked to on this website. The information shared there is written by Dr. Phillip Brown II, an instructor at God's Bible School and College.

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