The Gospel Today

A few years back we went to a conference and heard Jerry Bridges speak. He talked about the importance of preaching the gospel … to ourselves, every day. That has stuck with me. I wonder to myself how my life and the lives of my husband and children as well as the people that we come into contact with would be affected if we who are Christians woke up every morning speaking the good news of the saving work of Jesus to ourselves. If we reminded ourselves at the bare-minimum: once a day, that we are seriously deserving of condemnation but instead have received grace free of charge and without reservation because of the lovingkindness and mercy of God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds; how might our thoughts, affections, attitudes and actions be changed? Would I so easily judge and condemn that woman who is gorgeous and flaunts herself… because she doesn’t know the love of God or would I feel genuine pity for her lack of hope and instead pray for her? Would I get angry with that self-centered person who carelessly cuts me off on the road, knowing that I am so often self-centered and deserving of real wrath or might I give a blessing instead? Would I become impatient with my children in their ignorance or rebellion, when I too am often ignorant and rebellious but Christ is still patient with me or might I patiently call them to follow the Good Shepherd? Or, if I truly spent time treasuring the good news of God’s acceptance and redemption, might I be filled with joy enough to show grace and mercy and love and humility; and shine forth the gospel to others around me who do not know Christ? Is it possible that unbelievers will be drawn to “light of the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ” as it is enjoyed by me and lived out in my life?

In my minds-eye, I can visualize my husband and children and I telling each other about Jesus with warm gushy voice-tones sort of like Stewart Smalley: “You’re good enough. You’re smart enough and dog-gone-it, people like you!” And that’s not what I mean. Rather will I chose to wake up and purpose to set aside time right away to think through the eternal good news and its workings in my life? Then can I call my children to think on those same things; even ask them to tell me about the good news of Jesus and how it affects them? Can I encourage my husband with the gospel when he is down or discouraged or distracted? It would seem that if we spent real time everyday remembering how the good news of Jesus the Savior has impacted us that it will impact us even more and impact the world around us, too. But until I (we) start this journey of speaking the gospel to ourselves every day, all of this speculation will remain just that: speculation. There is a world of opportunity set out in front of me through the good news of Jesus Christ… will I embrace it or will I just sit and speculate?

Witty Wednesday

Another smart blonde joke, because we here at the True Women blog are a friend to blondes! Enjoy!

A blonde walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan officer. She says she's going to Europe on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $5,000. The bank officer says the bank will need some kind of security for the loan, so the blonde hands over the keys to a new Rolls Royce. The car is parked on the street in front of the bank, she has the title and everything checks out. The bank agrees to accept the car as collateral for the loan.

The bank's president and its officers all enjoy a good laugh at the blonde for using a $250,000 Rolls as collateral against a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then proceeds to drive the Rolls into the bank's underground garage and parks it there. Two weeks later, the blonde returns, repays the $5,000 and the interest, which comes to $15.41. The loan officer says, "Miss, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely,but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that you are a multi-millionaire. What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?"

The blonde replies....."Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $15.41 and expect it to be there when I return?"

Missional Minded Mommy

Right now we are in a series at Church where Pastor Matt is teaching us what it means to be a missional Church, or to put it another way, he is trying to help us to embrace the mindset of a missionary to our culture. I am hearing that the word missional is freaking some people out and does in fact have some very bad connotations tied to it. I hope we will hear Matt out from the pulpit and follow Matt and Rick's lead as they try to exemplify for us and lead us into what they believe to be a biblically sound, gospel-centered view of missional.

A question still in my mind as I try to wrap my heart around all this and keep up the pace with where my own husband is leading our household into changes to become more of a presence in our community for the sake of the gospel is, what does this look like for me, a wife to an elder/seminary student, mommy to 5 young children and granddaughter to two very ill grandparents that live with me? I have to answer this question. And I think it begins in the "heart." By this I mean a heart/mind set on the gospel of Jesus, so fixed on Jesus that it permeates all I say and do everywhere I say and do it. And my friends, I think for me it starts at home.

I have to take a long hard look at what the God I say I serve says about how the gospel-His gospel-shines forth in a world that is dying in sin. I believe the Lord has not hidden how His gospel is manifested. It seems to me it is very clear and speaks directly to wives and mothers. I am not desiring to exclude anybody, in each passage I look at the Lord is clear to all situations(health, wealth,employed, unemployed), positions(single,married,parent,boss,employee), and genders(male and female).

I am somewhat focusing on being missional as a wife and mother because that is the position I am in right now and I believe that other young wives and mothers have some of the same questions and struggles I have. So, for the next few weeks I am asking you to journey with me as I ask my questions, maybe answer a few, and give you a little peek into my life as Rick and I begin to pursue a more missionally(gospel-centered) focused mind-set. It may be a bumpy ride, so please show me grace. We plan, but God often has His own plan which is far better, so you may experience that with me. I want to attempt to give you a glimpse not only into the changes we are making as a family but into what our home looks like on the inside! *scary music* So you can see where perhaps the Lord has made us gospel-centered parents and where there are changes that need to be made. I want to give a bit of what the scripture is saying about my life as a wife and mommy that is manifesting the gospel His way rather than my way. I want you to come with me as you see some of our attempts to invade the culture with the gospel. I want to hear some of your questions and some of the things you are doing to be a missional minded mommy, student, grandparent, wife, employer, employee. Ladies help me out, I want to know how you managed to invade the culture (where you work, play,buy or sell), what you are doing now, or even what is hindering you.

I am looking forward to getting into this and getting some of your insight. I am looking forward to the rest of what Pastor Matt is going to say and learning along with everyone else how to let our lights shine before men so that our Father may be glorified!

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus!

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

I love hymns. I love many different types of Christian music as well, but I can honestly say that hymns are my favorite overall. Especially since Indelible Grace, Sovereign Grace Ministries, and many others have begun to put them to more updated music. The lyrics are amazing and thought-provoking.
I was on my way home from school Wednesday night after a day I had thought would be rough but the Lord was gracious and I actually ended up having a very good day. As I drove home, this song came on sung by Matthew Smith. I could not help but worship the Lord as I listened to these very true lyrics. They were especially sweet in light of the study I just finished on the Cross Centered Life.
The third verse particularly caught my attention. "Not of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus." I was struck by how often I forget that my salvation had nothing to do with me or any personal merit or worth I can claim on my own. Of course, if you asked me, I would absolutely say that this is true. But I can point to many times when I have not lived this out.
I can think of many times I have not lived in absolute thankfulness to Jesus for His sacrifice on the cross - without which I would still be an enemy of God and destined for hell. I can think of many times I have compared myself to my brothers and sisters in Christ in pride without remembering that apart from Christ's work on the cross I am totally depraved. I can think of many times I have looked down on unbelievers and their lifestyles and actions and thought "I would never do that!" although apart from God's grace I would be doing the same things!
"This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus!" Do I truly live every moment of my life acting out this truth? Or do I act as though I am partly hoping in Jesus' righteousness and partly on my own? Unfortunately, often times I find myself living out the latter.
Even as this song convicts me, it also reassures me. "This is all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus." As much as I am unfaithful, so much more is my Savior's faithfulness! As sinful as I am, my Savior is the holy Son of God! Jesus is my never changing, always faithful, infinitely gracious, loving, merciful, SAVIOR! And I should strive to live out every minute of my day proclaiming this truth through my actions.
I should remember that every time I am impatient, I am demeaning the patience of my Lord. Every time I hesitate to forgive, I am acting like the sin committed against me is a bigger deal than the sin I have committed against God. Every time I have pride I am acting like Christ's sacrifice for me was unnecessary.
I should remember every time I show patience that it is only because of Jesus' work in me. Every time I am able to truly forgive, show humility, speak graciously, etc. it is all and only because of Jesus' death on the cross!
This week, let us all strive to live out our thankfulness to Jesus and our dependency on Him in our every thought, action, word, and deed. And when we fail, let us run for forgiveness to a forgiving, loving, merciful Savior who has already paid for our every sin. And when we succeed, let us thank our Savior for His sacrifice that enabled our success.

Power in Weaknesses

In my Sunday school class we just learned about God’s promise to reward those who persevere in trials for the sake of Christ. It was a fantastic and encouraging lesson and, as always, God seems to bring my lessons in such a timely fashion in ministering to me! In preparing for my lesson I read these verses:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I’ve read these verses many times before but they were especially convicting this time. The word “delight” is what really caught my attention. Paul didn’t say that he puts up with trials, insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties, etc… he said that he delights in them. That’s just not normal! If somebody insults me or treats me badly, I don’t delight in it - I get angry. I steam inside and wish a lightning bolt would just zap them and teach them not to mess with me. But Paul says that he delights in it… ? So I re-read the verses and here’s what I think: Paul has seen the power of God through Christ’s work. He has experienced the power of Christ in himself and he wants more. He has a choice to either give in to his own flesh in times of trials (in my case this looks like angry silence, pouting, etc.) or to look to Jesus and see His glory, to trust in His work, and then taste of His power. He has tasted of the goodness of the Lord in every aspect of his life including Christ’s power in, over, and through his trials and afflictions… and as such when Paul is in a situation where he is in a position of weakness, he delights because he knows that Jesus has the power and will fill Paul with His strength. Paul would rather be filled with the presence and power of Jesus Christ through his own weaknesses and trials, then seek to give in to his own flesh to be free of the trials and hardships.

Psalm 16 puts words to the heart attitude expressed by Paul in the above passage, and is my prayer as I fight for joy in Christ in the midst of trials.

Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. 2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good besides You."

3 As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. 4 The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor will I take their names upon my lips.

5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Witty Wednesday

I saw this over at the Girl Talk blog and it gave me a good laugh. I hope you enjoy it......

A little girl asked her father: "How did the human race appear?"

The father answered, "God made Adam and Eve; they had children; and so was all mankind made."

Two days later the girl asked her mother the same question.

The mother answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."

The confused girl returned to her father and said, "Dad, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Mum said they developed from monkeys?"

The father answered, "Well, Dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family, and your mother told you about hers.

May God Bless your Wednesday!

Ponderings

In a book I am reading on evangelism, John Stott comments on the challenge and opportunity that all Christians face when striving to make visible the gospel of the invisible God.

This is what he says: 'The invisibility of God is a great problem. It was already a problem to God's people in the Old Testament days. Their pagan neighbors would taunt them, saying, "Where is now your God?" Their gods were visible and tangible, but Israel's God was neither. Today in our scientific culture young people are taught not to believe in anything which is not open to empirical investigation. How then has God solved the problem of His own invisibility? The first answer is of course "in Christ." Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. John 1:18: " No one has ever seen God, but God the only Son has made Him known." "That's wonderful," people say, "but that was 2000 years ago. Is there no way by which the invisible God makes Himself visible today?" There is. We return to 1 John 4:12: "No one has ever seen God." It is precisely the same introductory statement. But instead of continuing with reference to the Son of God, it continues: "If we love one another, God dwells in us." In other words, the invisible God who once made Himself visible in Christ, now makes Himself visible in Christians., if we love one another. It is a breathtaking claim. The local church cannot evangelize, proclaiming the gospel of love, if it is not itself a community of love.' (emphasis mine)

I have a bunch of thoughts pin-balling all over in my brain after reading something like this. Maybe at some point I can make them (my thoughts) coherent, but for now I am just soaking in what Mr. Stott is saying. As I seek to go forth as a gospel-bearer are those that I am engaging able to see a community of love? When I take them back to Jesus' body, is Jesus really Who they are seeing? Or am I going out and bringing them back to something that simply hides who Jesus truly is? By hides I mean, looks good, clean, knowledgeable, but is still seeking what the world seeks- what the Church does for me? Or is love reigning supreme in our local church so that the gospel is visible?

Our church just finished a series on using our spiritual gifts for the edification and unification of the body in love. Now we have moved on to learning what it means, at least in the minds of our elders, to be a missional church. I am very much looking forward to hearing the rest of this series, but as I read this commentary if you will, I hope we will not lose sight (at least that I won't lose sight) of putting into practice seeing the body of Jesus as so important that we would invest ourselves in building it up, by loving our brothers and sisters by using the gifts God has given us for each others good; so that we can out of the overflow of that love be missionaries manifesting that love to those around us and truly bring them into a community of lovers of God and others. You see, I can't separate the previous sermon series from this present one. So at least in my mind they are fitted together and that is where my thinking is taking me as I consider all that I am being challenged in.

Keeping the Cross Central

The junior high youth just finished studying the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney. I really enjoyed the study - sometimes I wonder if I enjoy the studies we do more than the kids actually do - and I wanted to share some of the things I got out of it.

We are never to 'move on' from the gospel. Mahaney said that often times people feel like after they are saved (and therefore clearly have a perfect understanding of the gospel) they decide that they need to move on to mastering prayer, mastering submission, mastering faithfulness, mastering holiness. The book urged us not to view our sanctification in this manner. He said that we are to learn to pray, learn submission, faithfulness, holiness through the gospel - not apart from it.

We also learned that the chief goal of Jesus dying on the Cross was to glorify God - not to save us. We learned that the main reason God does anything He does is to glorify Himself. And we learned that the chief end of man truly is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Therefore, everything we do should ultimately be to glorify God. We should submit to our husbands to glorify God. We should discipline our children to glorify God. We should witness to unbelievers to glorify God. Are there other reasons we should do these things? Absolutely. But the main reason must always be to glorify God.

I learned many things from reading this book. Even as I type this, I must excercise extreme self control not to simply go chapter by chapter and outline the truths I found within. Because then this post would be nearly as long as the book! I do urge you, though, never to 'move on' from the gospel. Always keep it at the forefront of your mind. Execute any changes in your life through the gospel. Make your decisions through the gospel. Plan your day through the gospel.

Fight for Faith: pondering Exodus

How often do we look at a situation that is arising and predict “doom” as the outcome? Or how often are we presented with an opportunity to either believe good about a person or believe bad about a person… and then when that person lets us down, we think ,”I knew that this was going to happen”. How often do we not trust God to work all things for good, even though we have seen Him do it a hundred times before?

Today reading Exodus 14, I came across this passage and was convicted over a recurring sense of hopelessness and despondency that I have been struggling with. In this passage the Israelites have just left Egypt (after witnessing all the huge things that God did to show His might, power and majesty to them and the Egyptians).They find out that the Egyptians have changed their mind about letting them go and are in hot pursuit with the armies of Pharaoh. Here’s how they respond.

Exodus 14:10-12 As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD. Then they said to Moses, "Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? "Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians '? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."

Wow… does that sound familiar? They didn’t believe in God’s faithfulness, in His power or in His promises to deliver them and bring them to a new land filled with His wonders. They immediately forget how God has already delivered them from Egypt and they forget their nation’s history… (the whole Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob thing… not to mention the big famine and Joseph which brought them to Egypt in the first place and saved them from certain death which would have kept this whole generation from being born!) So now they are frightened and rebellious. But here is how God (through Moses) responds.

Exodus 14:13-14 But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."

Moses tells them to trust in the Lord because He will fight for them. This is noteworthy to me. The Israelites were facing a potential battle; a real battle. But when I am lacking faith and feeling hopeless and desperate; I am facing a battle, too! Whenever I am tempted to not believe God and sin (whether in attitude, thought or deed) I am in a battle. And the source of my victory is this: God will fight for me. Just like He did for the Israelites who were lacking faith, God will intercede with His great power on our behalf if we are His children. But should I sit down and wait to see what God is going to do? Do I become paralyzed until I am able to see how God will resolve either the fearful situation or my sinful unbelief? No… Here’s what He tells the Israelites:

Exodus 14:15-16 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. "As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land.”

At this point I was wondering what the deal was with God’s response. John Mac Arthur says (in my study bible) that “, The Lord’s promise of deliverance overruled all despair and sense of hopelessness.” It sounds to me like God’s promise of deliverance should be overruling all despair, but it wasn’t because they weren’t focused on it. So God is telling them to look for His deliverance and pursue it. He tells them to act by faith. Moses is told to divide the sea and the people of Israel are told to walk on in! ? ! That takes faith.

And similarly we are told to get a-move-on. God has shown His faithfulness… He has promised to fight for us… now go out and walk by faith… act; obey; walk into the sea. Stop complaining and lamenting things not going the way you desired and see that God is doing good, through it all. See that God might bring forth a situation that is difficult so that He can bring a wonderful victory through it and as such, show forth His glory! Just like in the case of the Israelites:

Exodus 14:31 When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses.

The greatest victory that I can see is not in the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and Pharaoh’s army. God could have done that without so much trouble. The biggest victory is that God worked in such a way as to cause His people to see Him… I mean to really see Him and fear Him and believe in Him! He strengthened their faith so that they would glorify Him. This is what God is doing in the lives of His children. He (through the Holy Spirit) is fighting to strengthen our faith so that we will show forth His glory to all of those around us. It so gracious and merciful that God would care for us, and it shows forth His love and faithfulness that He continues to be faithful when we are not and that He fights the good fight of faith on our behalf when we are lost in our sin and pride (despair and unbelief). And let’s don’t forget that His purpose in doing all of this is for His glory! We don’t properly testify of His beauty and surpassing value if we are full of ourselves, despondent, despairing or paralyzed with fear. So He strengthens our faith as a means to testify of His glory.

Here are some verses from my Sunday school class on the Faithfulness of God to keep His promises, specifically regarding His promise to fight for His people.

Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Isaiah 64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

Witty Wednesdays

WORST FIRST DATE STORY EVER

Here is a first date story that supposedly happened to some poor girl from Utah. This is probably the funniest date story ever, first date or not!!!

She said it was midwinter...Snowing and quite cold... and the guy had taken her skiing in the mountains outside Salt Lake City , Utah .

It was a day trip (no overnight). They were strangers,after all, and had never met before. The outing was fun but relatively uneventful until they were headed home late that afternoon.

They were driving back down the mountain, when she gradually began to realize that she should not have had that extra latte. They were about an hour away from anywhere with a rest room and in the middle of nowhere! Her companion suggested she try to hold it, which she did for a while. Unfortunately, because of the heavy snow and slow going, there came a point where she told him that he had better stop and let her go beside the road, or it would be the front seat of his car.

They stopped and she quickly crawled out beside the car, yanked her pants down and started. In the deep snow she didn't have good footing, so she let her butt rest against the rear fender to steady herself. Her companion stood on the side of the car watching for traffic and indeed was a real gentleman and refrained from peeking. All she could think about was the relief she felt despite the rather embarrassing nature of the situation.

Upon finishing however, she soon became aware of another sensation. As she bent to pull up her pants, the young lady discovered her buttocks were firmly glued against the car's fender. Thoughts of tongues frozen to poles immediately came to mind as she attempted to disengage her flesh from the icy metal. It was quickly apparent that she had a brand new problem due to the extreme cold.

Horrified by her plight and yet aware of the humor of the moment, she answered her date's concerns about what was taking so long with a reply that indeed, she was 'freezing her butt off' and in need of some assistance! He came around the car as she tried to cover herself with her sweater and then, as she looked imploringly into his eyes, he burst out laughing. She too, got the giggles and when they finally managed to compose themselves, they assessed her dilemma. Obviously, as hysterical as the situation was, they also were faced with a real problem.

Both agreed it would take something hot to free her chilly cheeks from the grip of the icy metal! Thinking about what had gotten her into the predicament in the first place, both quickly realized that there was only one way to get her free. So, as she looked the other way, her first time date proceeded to unzip his pants and pee her butt off the fender.

Oh and how did the first date turn out? He became her husband...

Post Script: It was pointed out to me that this story may have been simply made up and circulated around on the internet for laughs... but either way it sure is an amusing possibility.

Do I Treat Others The Way I Want To Be Treated?

Calvin came up to me a while ago and said very seriously, "Mom, I don't know how to treat others the way I want to be treated". Really!? Hmm....

The fact is, he knew how he wanted to be treated, but admittedly had no clue how to translate that into how he should live with and respond to other people, in particular his brothers and sister.

Of course this made me think. He is not the only person in the room that has this problem, he was just more honest about it, in the very Calvin (some of you know what I mean) way that he thinks and talks.

I'm not talking about my other children, I am talking about me. I mean, if I'm honest with myself I know exactly how I want to be treated, it just doesn't always connect to others. To be honest with myself and with you, I want to be thought of in a certain way, spoken of a certain way, talked to a certain way. I want to be shown common courtesy, shared with, cared for, asked about, and treated with respect. The problem is... well I might want those things too much. That is clearly a problem and is manifested in whining, complaining, responding in anger or some such thing if I am not treated this way. But I think there is another problem that it far more subtle and easy to avoid confronting in my own life, and perhaps some of you have experienced it as well. That problem is not thinking that I should think of, speak of, speak to and about others the very same way I want them to do to me! I might not think anything of treating certain people with disrespect or disdain, but if they did that to me I would be upset.

How often do find yourself angry, dumbfounded, or frustrated with how rudely someone treated you, how bluntly and graceless someone spoke to you, or how indifferently someone spoke about you? Have you ever been just incredulous that you gave someone good counsel and they didn't listen? Maybe they mocked you? Rolled their eyes at you? Argued with you? Maybe they just belittled the counsel to others and went their own way anyway?

How about this question? How often have you rolled your eyes, argued, mocked, belittled, or did what you wanted anyway, when someone gave you counsel? How often have you treated someone rudely, spoken bluntly without grace, spoken about someone with indifference, treated someone as less than you? When doing these things we usually don't think to ourselves, I am not going to treat others the way I want to be treated. We know we ought to treat others the way we want to be treated. The Bible says it, our parents told this to us everyday of our lives, but it got lost in translation! We apply it to us, as in, we expect certain treatment from other people. But, we do not actively think of ways to treat others in the same manner. It does not come naturally and yet somehow we act as if it does!

I am discovering that I must be very purposeful if I am going to live out the golden rule. I need to think before I act and speak.

If I love God with all I am and my neighbor as myself through the wonderful sustaining grace of our loving Lord than I will treat others the way I want to be treated. That is what loving God and people looks like.

Pastoral Thoughts on Modesty Pt 4.

Our nation has long since gone past the time when a woman would blush at a foul word or a man would apologize in a woman’s presence after he spoke roughly. Now speech pours out of the mouths of both sexes with little thought and no concern for modesty. But for a modest woman, this cannot be. There cannot be a disconnect between the dress and the lips. They must complement one another.

In that well known passage of Matthew 15:11-19, Jesus makes it clear that what proceeds from the mouth is simply that which is in the heart. Evil speech, angry words, bitter phrases, suggestive statements, and sensual comments all tell us something about what is in the heart. In Proverbs 6:16-19 we find six things that God hates to the uttermost and three of them have to do with the tongue—the lying tongue, the false witness, and the one who spreads strife. Or, as James reminds us in the third chapter, the tongue is a restless evil that can create untold damage.

The modest woman is modest because her heart is modest. And if her heart is modest then her words ought to model that modesty. Her speech is to be redemptive, pointing to the grace of God in Christ Jesus. Her speech is to be gentle and kind, building up rather than tearing down. She should flee the temptation to utter that crass joke or use language that is simply cheap.

I have witnessed in my life beautiful women who sliced and diced with their tongues. They were gossips and backbiters. They loved to have their little gatherings where tea was sipped and secrets discussed. In today’s world of instant communication much immodesty flows over text messages and internet posts.

But not the modest woman. She guards her lips and considers the effects of her words. [S]he who guards [her] mouth and [her] tongue, Guards [her] soul from troubles (Proverbs 21:23).

She understands that her tongue is to be a tool to spread knowledge not folly (Proverbs 15:2).

She values a mouth that is known to be as choice silver (Proverbs 10:20).

As David declared in his longest Psalm, "Let my tongue sing of Thy word . . ." (119:172).

A modest woman understands these things and seeks to employ her tongue in a manner consistent with her faith. She remembers that she is a woman saved by grace and therefore is resistant to harsh comments of others who may have failed. She contemplates how her words help prepare people for the gospel of Jesus Christ and seeks to decrease rather than increase. She seeks to say what needs to be said with little words rather than many.

Pastoral Thoughts on Modesty Pt 3.

So far in this little series on modesty we have seen the foundation for modesty and the heart that creates true modesty. Now we come to the application of modesty. In other words, how do adorn the woman’s body in such a manner so as to reflect the supremacy of Christ over her body, the beauty of the female form without exploiting it, and be a testimony of the grace of God in the gospel.

We again look to our passage, 1 Timothy 2:9-10, "Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness."

There are three aspects of clothing and attire that Paul addresses in verse 9 that help us. The woman is to "adorn" (kosmeo–cosmetics) themselves in three specific ways: properly, modestly, and discreetly. We could break these down individually but instead I want to simply consider what they are all saying as a group.

First, the church is not a place to be showing off our clothing. It is not a place to display our political preferences. It is not a place to display our money. Rather, it is a place to give refuge and welcome to all who are in Christ. I am speaking here of our sisters-in-Christ. Men need to practice self-control when around anyone immodestly dressed, but they should never have to run away from a sister!

Second, I believe that one can be modest and yet very indiscreet. I remember as a young boy being entranced by this one woman’s mink stole, complete with glass eyes and a mouth that now functions as a alligator clasp. She always sat in front of me and whenever she wore that thing all I could do is look at it and want to pet it. Nothing else. I still remember the slap I got from my mom because finally I got the courage to actually pet it during communion—not a good idea. But I can make the same argument when a girl decides she is going to go with a bright purple, sparkle look in her hair. Is she truly seeking to discreetly blend in on Sunday?

Third, clothing communicates information to those around you; without even realizing it, there is a uniform that we all wear. When we go to see the Brewers or Cubs game there are all sorts of identifying clothes. Baseball players in uniforms, umpires, beer salesmen. In our society there are those who are punk, goth, emo, jocks, geeks, and such. Their clothing often defines them, though often the claim is that they just like dressing that way. But the reason that they dress that way is because they fit into a group.

Let me give a few practical points that bring all of this into focus:

To see a person’s underwear is simply inappropriate and immodest. This includes low pants, tight pants or shirts, sheer clothing, low cut shirts, etc.

To be more specific, no man other than your husband, should no what color your bra or your underwear are. Never. I don’t care how hot it is, underwear is never a fashion statement for a modest woman.

There are shirts that are fine when you stand in front of a mirror, but open up completely when you sit down. I am thinking right now of men who have talked to me about how they have had to move from where they normally sat in our church service simply because of a woman who would bend over for a hymnal or to get in her purse, and . . . well you know.

Let me close out this post with a testimony of a young man in my church. I asked him to simply share the issue of modesty from his perspective as a college student:

As a college student, each and every day on campus is a battle—a battle against my sin, a battle against temptation, a battle against my sin nature. Every morning I have to cry out for mercy, strength, and a renewed conviction to flee youthful lusts. The Spirit is faithful to bring me the renewal I need to prepare me to do war against my sin, yet the temptation still exists.

I am thankful God has created me to be attracted to women. However, campus is a loaded minefield. There are girls everywhere. And it’s guaranteed I will pass some attractive girls as I walk between classes. I either have to actively be engaging my mind and my spirit to pray, quoting Scripture, listening to worship music, or simply looking at the sidewalk to make it through unscathed. Many days it takes all four to be safe.

The thing that women do not seem to fully grasp is that the temptation towards lust does not stop for us as men. It is continual. It is aggressive. It does all it can to lead men down to death. And women have a choice—to help or to deter its goal.

Sometimes when I see a girl provocatively dressed I’ll say to myself, "She probably doesn’t even know that a101 guys are going to devour her in their minds today." But then again, maybe she does. To be honest, I don’t know the truth of why she chooses to dress the way she does, the way she chooses to walk, the way she chooses to act, I don’t know because I’ve never asked. All I need to know is that the way she presents herself to the world is bait for my sinful mind to latch onto, and I need to avoid it all costs.

For the most part, the church serves as a sanctuary from the continual barrage of temptation towards sin. However, the church’s members are not yet free from sin, and there are girls both ignorant and knowledgeable of men’s sinful tendencies.

Witty Wednesdays

(The mother writes to her child's teacher after getting back this homework assignment...)

Dear Mrs. Jones,

I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.

From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Smith

Pastoral Thoughts on Modesty Pt 2.

1 Timothy 2:9-10, "Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness."

My first post on modesty dealt with the foundation of God’s glory and His gospel. Without those two, inter-related truths capturing our hearts, modesty will always fail. But with those two truths saturating our souls we are able to begin to consider what modesty is and what it looks like. I envision three posts that will help us see modesty rightly and fully. They will focus on the modest heart, the modest body, and the modest mouth. Before continuing I must express my indebtedness to C. J. Mahaney and his efforts on this whole subject. May God bless this effort.

Too often the first thing people begin to do when considering modesty is to zip up, pull up (or down depending on the clothing), cover up, and such. In other words, the exterior is the focus. But this is simple futility in action for an immodest heart, modestly attired is an ugly and deadly thing to behold. But a modest heart shall never allow immodest attire.

What is a modest heart? It is one that desires and values and exalts modesty. It begins in the heart and flows outward; and if it fails in the heart, then it simply fails. You can have a modest exterior that is covering a very immodest heart. And you can easily fall into the trap of thinking that modesty is simply being properly covered up. As Mahaney said it so well, "We must address the heart first and not the hemline."

But what is at the core of immodesty? It is a heart of pride. Immodesty is nothing more than an outward expression of a heart of pride. One that seeks for others' eyes and focus to be upon yourself rather than on the Lord. Therefore, modesty is more than simply wearing a low cut shirt. Immodesty reveals the heart to be arrogant.

Modesty, on the other hand, is humility expressed in dress. Modesty is the desire to serve others in your dress. No woman show dress in a manner that would hinder their ability to serve others, especially men. Men should not have to avoid any sister in Christ; rather, they should be very secure around them.

The heart of a modest woman seeks to be known by her good works rather than her appearance. That is what she most highly prizes, the character qualities that delight God rather than those qualities in which the culture delight. Notice what our passage says in verse 10, "...rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness." In Paul’s mind, the dress has a direct connection to the reputation that a woman possesses within the Church. Notice how the contrast is being made. It is NOT, modest versus immodesty. It is really immodesty versus good works. There is a vital connection on how a woman dresses and how she serves.

1 Peter 3:2-4 gives us additional information regarding the heart of a modest woman. Notice that it is a chaste (pure, holy) and respectful behavior. In addition there is the (vs 4) gentle and quiet spirit. Then, Peter makes the key explanation as to why a godly woman would wish this—it is precious to God. Which causes a modest heart to sing! But makes an immodest heart grimace.

Back in 1 Timothy we see that the heart of a modest woman seeks to be discreet (vs 9). This speaks of the practice of prudence, good judgment, moderation, self-control. In other words, when you dress so as to be noticed, you are not dressing correctly. Frankly your dress should not be a point of distraction even if it is "modest." A sloppy, unkempt appearance can be as distracting as immodest dress. I am not talking about a person who is poor. I am talking about sloppy, uncaring dress. Where comfort reigns supreme over consideration of others.

Paul says to use self-control, be discreet when you choose your clothing. I believe it is Joshua Harris who said that it is one thing to dress attractively and another thing to dress to attract. Now let me just spend a little time on that attitude of "self-control." I think it is much misunderstood. First a few questions: Do we desire to be noticed? Are we noticed nonetheless? Do we create a negative reaction by our dress or demeanor?

To argue for purple hair, spiked hair, 5 inch nails, extreme body piercings and jewelry, clothing five sizes to big, shirts too tight, etc is to make a mockery of what "self-control" means. At the very core of the decision making is the usual argument, "but I like it." Which simply means that they are not controlling themself. Do not miss this point, for it is critical to a mature understanding of a heart of modesty. To have "self-control" means you control your wants and desires. Your dress needs to manifest that type of heart. One that makes you not the deciding factor in your attire, but rather one that flows from a heart that seeks to manifest humility and desire to serve your brethren.

Allow me to end this post with three questions that C. J. Mahaney developed for his own church:

1. What statement do your clothes make about your heart?

2. Is your shopping for clothes and purchase of clothes informed and governed by modesty and self-control?

3. In choosing the clothing that you wore today, whose attention did you desire? Whose approval did you crave?

Pastoral Thoughts on Modesty Pt. 1

Happy Monday! The girls and I asked Pastor Matt (or Dad, as I like to call him) to be our guest blogger this week and give us some thoughts on modesty while we enjoy a break from blogging. :)

"When I was asked to write this article on modesty, I began to think how best to approach it without merely repeating my sermon. This then led to ‘brain-freeze’ as I had many other things on my mind at the time. But, as I continued to give it thought, I realized that there were two over-arching issues that had to be made clear: The first, the glory of God and second, the glory of His gospel. If these are not what drives it all then I am a sad creature who at best can speak of morality but offer no hope or true direction. So allow me to start with these two points and then build from there (I already pity my poor daughter who must edit this for I sense many words flowing into my mind).

First modesty must be for the glory of God. Not so that your husband does not see a scantily-clad woman and lust. Not so that you don’t feel uncomfortable because there are women around you with beautiful, young bodies with which you can’t compete. Not because as a man you are tired of looking at the floor more than what lies ahead of you. Not because . . . anything else.

Why is there immodesty in this world? There is a famine in the land for the glory of God to be preeminent! It really is that simple. Romans 1:20-23 makes it clear that the chief sin of mankind is to give glory to the creation and not the Creator. But right after that there is a key word that helps us in this subject of modesty, "therefore." The result of honoring the creation over the Creator? We are given over to degrading passions of every type. Therefore, immodesty is merely the outworking of people who delight in their glory rather that the glory of their Creator. And that is exactly what we see in the garden in the beginning isn’t it? No sin, and man and woman are happily naked without even knowing it and it was very good. Sin comes into the picture and now they are ashamed and God must cover them with clothing. And from that moment on, we have been using clothing and the lack thereof to encourage eyes and minds to look at the creature and forget the Creator.

Therefore, the first answer within the Church and within Christian homes to promote true modesty requires that fathers and mothers to stop focusing on themselves, their children, their IRAs, their lawns, and their comforts and start focusing upon the glory of God. We need to see repentance take place in our hearts as we see the various ways we have usurped the glory of God for our own glory. We need to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and reorient our goals and passions toward Him. And only then can we begin to truly consider modesty.

The second point is closely aligned with the first for the gospel of God IS the glory of God! 2 Corinthians 4:4 reminds us that Satan is busy obscuring the glory of the gospel, Jesus Christ. And one simple way this is done is by the showing of just a hint of cleavage , the sensuous swing of hips, or the inviting uplifting of the eyebrows as a young man is invited to look at that which does not belong to him. The gospel is all about the mercies of God toward a rebellious people. It is the sovereign act of God to redeem for Himself a people for His Name. And when those people who purport to bear His Name comport themselves in an immodest manner they deny the soul-saving, life-altering, Christ-exalting, hope-filled gospel that saved them.

And so, the first step in becoming modest is to repent of ourselves and the love we pour upon ourselves. And only then will the words that follow make sense.