Modesty...I can't think of a more creative title...

Hi!

For my next several posts, I'm going to tackle the issue of modesty and what God has taught me in this area over the past several months. This is a complex issue, and by no means will I be able to cover everything. I think that this issue is not addressed enough by Christians and that we are entirely too susceptible to worldly influence when determining what is modest in clothing and what is not. I am seeking to make a difference in both of these problems. I pray that we can walk through this together, all the while seeking to glorify God.

I'm mostly writing this to the girls, but I need feedback from guys, too. Let me know where you agree/disagree/think I'm insane, etc. I will not pretend that I do not struggle with this issue or that I have everything right. Honestly seeking modesty at all times in today's fashion-conscious world is extremely frustrating and difficult, and it requires humility and the grace of God to develop a heart that desires to be modest in dress.

Let's look at what the Scriptures have to say about this issue...

"And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes." (1 Timothy 2:9 NIV)
Decent and appropriate...what does this really mean today? That's what we're here to talk about!

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)
I think that this verse applies as well, since one of the main goals of dressing modestly is to look out for others' interests by not tempting them to sin. And, if we're really honest with ourselves, some of our more immodest choices come out of "selfish ambition or vain conceit." Who doesn't want to look "prettier" or "hotter"? But must we be immodest to be outwardly beautiful? NO! And that's part of why I'm writing...to encourage girls by letting you know that it is possible to avoid clothes that cause guys to stumble and still find something "cute" to wear.

Be sure to check out the new modesty survey at http://www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey/
They address this much better than I will be able to. It's thorough, relevant, surprising at times, painfully honest, and heartbreaking to read how much we girls can cause our brothers in Christ to stumble, sometimes without even realizing it.

Coming up...swimsuits, formal dresses/weddings, random clothes I never thought to consider, and more! Get excited! :-)

Blessings,
Katie

Let's Try This Again...

Hello!

My good intentions to post consistently were thrown off by the events of the last month and a half, but the Lord has graciously provided me with both time and energy tonight, so I thought I'd give this another try. Though I may not post often, I pray that these words will bless you and lead both of us to a closer walk with Jesus.

I cannot even begin to detail all that has happened in my life recently, but I will try to mention the major things...

• I got engaged to an amazing, Godly man (PJ King!) on January 5th. We will be married in December. I praise God for allowing our paths to cross and for bringing us to this point. I pray that our two lives will become one with the purpose of advancing His kingdom.
• My semester at school started with a tremendous amount of uncertainty, frustration, and feelings of hopelessness and failure. I thank God that He carried me through that time and taught me more about His infinite faithfulness in those dark days.
• My semester continues to be terribly draining and at times overwhelming. I'm taking a human anatomy class, and it is by far the hardest thing I have ever attempted. I know that any success that I have in the classwork or in studying is of the Lord and not of my own doing. Through this difficult time, though, God has blessed me with friends and teachers who walk with me through this time and point me back to Him always. He is also teaching me a lot about pride, priorities, and how essential it is to be obedient to Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. I pray that God will use this semester to strengthen my reliance on Him for all things and will teach me to trust in His infinite goodness even when I can't understand why the path is lonely or difficult. And to any of you who have listened to my endless monologues about my lab work, thank you. :-)

Tonight I wanted to share some thoughts on a passage of Exodus that I read this past week. (Exodus 33:12-19)

12 One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13 If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.”
14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”
15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”
17 The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
18 Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”
19 The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh,[c] before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. (New Living Translation)

I read this passage over and over because I loved the intimacy of the conversation between the Lord and Moses. Moses comes to the Lord with some uncertainty, yet it is evident that he is walking with Him. In turn, the Lord answers Moses' questions in love, as a father seeks to comfort his child. Indeed, the Lord is our perfect Father.

A couple of things stood out to me from this passage...

• Moses knows the promises that the Lord has made to him. (v. 12)
• He seeks to know the Lord more fully. (v. 13)
• He will go nowhere without the Lord at his side. (v. 15)
• He desires to see the glory of the Lord. (v. 18)

I want my walk with the Lord to be like this. I want to know the Word and the promises that God has made in it. I want to always be learning more about who God is. I want the Lord's presence to be clear in everything that I do. I want to see the glory of the Lord, and I want His glory to go to where it is not known.

When Moses left from this time with the Lord and went back to his people, the people could not even look at Moses because he was shining so brightly from being in the presence of the Lord. I want to radiate the light of the glory of the Lord. I want the light of the Lord in me to draw people to Him. All of this can only come to be by diligently seeking the Lord and intentionally following Him in all things and at all times. I encourage you to spend time in the presence of the Lord, to read His Word, and to reflect the radiant light of His glory to a dark world. I pray that we will know the Lord more fully, seek His will, and know a closer walk with Him. We serve a great and faithful God!

In Him,

Katie