Thursday, July 31, 2008

Cover up!

Today I had a fun, and what you can say a tiring day! I had one of the moms I babysit for call me and ask if I could come with her to the water park and watch her little baby who is barely 2 months old while she has a party with her little boy and his friends. I said sure! I was at the water park for about 4 hours! I had a great time holding and feeding the baby though. However, I sat there and I was able to observe all the people. It was very heartbreaking to see young girls walking around in these skimpy bathing suits. I just thought to myself, "I know it's hot out, but come on, aren't you ashamed to show so much of your body?" I was asked many times to get into the water, I would of, but I didn't know what was ok to wear and what wasn't. I know a lot of these public places don't allow shorts and tank tops. I would of gone, but, was so uncertain.

I just couldn't believe how youngsters walk around totally ok with what they wear. I sometimes just think, "What you're wearing is senseless, you're practically naked!" I'm serious! I know I'm being open and bold, but it's the truth! Just because they may have a good body and great figure doesn't mean that you can show it off. Many times when we see someone who is a bit overweight and they are just in some swimming trunks, or in a bathing suit, we say, "Ew, can't you put a t-shirt on?" But just because they look sick with the fat doesn't mean they should cover up. Everyone should cover up. However, our world is so messed up with thinking that if you are thin and in shape it's ok to go without any shorts or t-shirt. Fat or skinny, it doesn't matter, we all should keep our bodies for ourselves and later for our spouse. Did you know that until the mid-1800s guys and girls swam in different places or at different hours? Yet, today guys and girls swim together in swimwear that is often provocative and designed to expose your body!

You see little girls with the age of about 3 who are already dressed in bikinis, people think it's so cute! It may look cute, but these little girls are getting messed up with already thinking, "Oh, it's ok to dress with such little clothing!" Then you see them in mini skirts, and skinny strapped tank tops and swaying their hips back and forth because they see everyone else acting this way. That is true, everyone practically does dress that way and little girls don't know the difference because mommy is dressing them that way. Then once they hit 13 or so they are totally out of their mind and are dressing totally nuts! Sadly, they don't know the difference. They have been taught and have been dressed that way since a little child. They think it's normal to show off their body, to walk and act immodest. Then they have their own children and start that same pattern. You see, it just goes on and on. It's ridiculous!

As a Christian your behavior sets the tone for how others see you and your faith. Being modest in your appearance is just as great a witness to those around you as your words. One issue many non-Christians have with believers is that they tend to be hypocritical. If you are preaching purity and modesty to others while wearing revealing clothes you may be seen as a hypocrite. By being modest you allow people to see your inner faith rather than your outer appearance.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12 (TNIV)

Stand up and be modest. Don't try to follow the trend with dressing in the latest styles. You can still dress very cute and fashionable while at the same time being modest. I know, because I have seen so many. However, even wearing a skirt can be immodest if it's too tight or too short. Be careful when choosing your clothing. Make sure your tops aren't too sheer, tight, and short. You don't want to make others stumble and fall with your looks. Ask God to point out to you if you have anything against him. Are you causing others to stumble at the way you are dressing or acting? Dress modest. I'm not saying for you to wear skirts at all times, you can wear pants, it's fine, but just be aware and on the look out if they are immodest. They shouldn't be too tight around your hips, rear end, and thighs. Examine yourself and ask yourself these questions, "What will others notice or see? Why do I want to wear this outfit? Why do I like this style?" Prayerfully consider, "Am I truly modest-according to God's standard?"

Modesty is an issue of the heart. A heart of modesty affects every aspect of a woman's life-not just the way she looks, but her attitudes and the way she talks and acts, as well. Keep this in mind, 'What we wear+How we look=A picture of what we believe.

The next time you get dressed for an outing or whatever it is, look at yourself and ask those questions above! Pray to the Lord though, don't just listen to what I say, you need to have a conviction from the Holy Spirit, and not from someone else.



Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Lost souls!

Looks like I'm on a roll here, getting a post up everyday. Hm, don't get tooooo used to it, I might get a packed week one of these days, but I sure do enjoy getting a post up when I can. Just to let y'all know, I got a poll up! Yeah Vanessa!!

I got something pretty interesting to talk about. If you look at my post from yesterday it has to do with filthy talk and a froward mouth. Now, I DO HATE bad language, but to my surprise, I heard a whole lot of it yesterday evening at the park.

I was with my little sister at the play ground yesterday waiting for my two little brothers to finish their soccer practice. OK, my mom and dad were walking around the block nearby, so they left me in charge of my sister, which was fine. My mom didn't like the idea too well, because the area looked a bit, well you know, risky. But, she went along with the plan and made sure she'd keep an eye on the two of us every once and a while. She kept looking back at the play ground until there came a building at which my little sis and I were out of mom's and dad's sight. I didn't think much about it, since I was there with others and there was a whole bunch of dads from the soccer. Well, soon enough there came a whole 'gang' of African American boys. All ages, I'd say from 5-13. Oh my word, my heart was about to fall into pieces, my friends, I think I was about to die of pain. Those words which came out of their mouths was nothing but filth!

They started cussing at all the kids, and it was this one mom and me who were the only which you can say, "older ones." Well, this mom walked away with her daughter because it was getting pretty nasty with their talk. I grabbed my little sister's hand and started walking off, but had an eye on this one boy who I'm guessing was about 7. He could NOT say a single sentence without using profane talk. He started cussing at me and thinking he was the boss. I stood up and had enough, I couldn't take this bad mouth of his. I said, "You better stop this right now, what gives you the right to scare everyone off this play ground? It is not yours!" Ooh, did he blow up or what. He called me nasty names which I will never ever put in my mouth. He said something like this (without fowl language). "You, you, I don't care what you say to me, you're nothing but...." I was shocked and hurt at how little kids like this can be so perverted in their mind. I kept talking to him when there was this other boy who said, "Hey you, you better watch what you are doing, don't you be messing with him!" Sure enough that little boy who spoke back at me picked up some woods chips and through them at me! I left him alone and walked off. I wanted to say more, but I had to be careful because there were other boys who were about 17, and they could of come over and done the rest. I was in such a shock, and so troubled, my own heart was hurt at how you have youngsters like this talk in such a perverted way. I have never ever heard such speech.


Last night as I was trying to fall asleep I thought about that little boy. I can't even imagine what his household is like. I don't even want to imagine. I bet he has parents who yell, and use fowl language. I bet he has a total messed up life. There is something which he hates about himself because he's trying to use all his anger and beat up on other little kids. I feel very sorry for children like this. He doesn't know what love is, he probably has never had someone to love him. I prayed last night for that little boy and his friends, that they will all find Christ, that there will be some person who will bring the gospel around to these lost souls. There is no other hope but the love of Christ. I have seen the world from all corners for the past few days now and it is very hurtful to know what is out there. To know that you have children like this, they are left unattended day after day. They probably learn all this from the TV, their parents, friends, etc.. I can't go on thinking and walking past people like this, I want them to know who Christ is. I want them to live a life for God. That little boy has so much misery in his life. Think about it, he's just starting out his life, wait until he's 17 or 18, then we will talk about destruction. We need to begin praying for lost souls like this. Cry out to God, that they will find the light and that God will forgive them and they will turn their lives around and be a testimony to those around them!
Jesus is the hope for every man!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Life's Little Instructions from the BIBLE

Here is a quick reminder for today. A few words of wisdom from the best book in the entire world!
Remember that loving words quickly heal.

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Speak words which will be kind, sweet, and gentle. Don't speak that which is filthy, for a froward tongue is that of the evil one. God wants us to speak kind and righteous words.

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Psalm 34:13

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. Proverbs 12:18

That verse right there (Proverbs 12:18) is so very true. Doesn't it just hurt you when you hear people speak evil, and have filth lying on their tongue. My flesh wants to grab that person and say, "Stop!" But then, I would just shock them so I have to just pray that the Lord will change this person and that the Lord will put wisdom on my tongue so that I can tell this person. I find bad language very hurtful and disgusting!


Monday, July 28, 2008

Become blameless and pure!

Hello all my readers!

I visited a church with my family yesterday morning which I really liked. It was so nice to see like minded families and youth. I saw about 10 teens who all acted modest. None of them were messing around with each other like the average teens these days. I have walked into a church a few weeks ago where I was literally in shock! I never saw youth act that way in church. Now, I have seen teens and preteens act immodestly outside of church in the world, but I'm talking about church. That one church I attended was very nice, but when I walked to the youth department, I was shocked at how these young teens were acting. So foolishly and trying to get each other's attention. My own soul was hurt, I can't even believe how God must be hurting from these young teenagers.

Church is not a place to get entertainment, as so many want it. These young kids were wanting enjoyment for themselves and were not serious about worshipping Christ. I can figure out people pretty well, and once the service was over, they were out of the door straight to their 'buddies' or finding a way to do some inappropriate playing with the other gender. This was very sad to see. What if you have an unbeliever walking into church that morning, wanting to find something he/she has been lacking for years. If they walk into church and see the way these people act, they will think, "What, these are Christians, this is church? But they are acting just like the average!" Teenagers have a big impact on many people. What I mean by this is...many people see us as weird, disrespectful, embarrassed by their own family, wanting to be with friends only, immature, and you name it. The average person in this world sees teenagers as a red flag, "OH NO! Teens, destruction! DISASTER!"

I have been questioned about my faith this past weekend while visiting with two young girls, (13, and 16). The 16 yr. old asked me what my religion is. So, I told her that I'm a christian. Then she went on and said, "OK, I see, so you do the whole nine yards and everything?" Then I went on and said, "What are the whole nine yards?" "Oh, you know, pray before each meal, read your bible every morning and pray, pray at night and so on." I was like, "Oh, of course, that's what I love to do!" Then she pointed to my skirt, "That too, you just wear skirts?" "Oh yes, I do!" "Hm, you are interesting!" She went on with saying that just because I believe in God and that I have my religion it won't stop her from hanging around me, she said, "You have your belief, and I have mine!" She said, "If I could pick my religion I'd be a Buddhist!" I simply came back with, "Why?" She then answered, "Because, they are all about life, and they see nature from a different perspective, and you get to live!" I wanted to say more, but sadly the conversation had to end like that because I had to leave. I wanted to say, "We are not here on this earth to live and have fun, we are here to live our lives for Christ, to live and die for him." I know I will have another opportunity, because I see these girls weekly. I pray that God will bring me the moment when I can witness, and that I can be a light. I just thought it was so interesting that they noticed I was different. I have only been together with them two times!

Anyways, I kind of got off my main subject here. I am pointing more to the teens of our world, and the ones compared to the church. Many of these youth in the youth groups are just like the teens in our world. Yes, I do believe you have some serious kids who are set apart and wanting to live for Christ, but then you have some who are just at church because dad and mom make them go, or because they might have 'fun' there. A lot of churches make that mistake with adding too many activities for the young teens. They just go to have FUN! I know that the teens of this world, the ones who don't have a relationship with Christ and don't go to church talk about guys, and girls, and music and so on. However, if you go into the youth at many churches you have that same talk. I am in utter shock when I hear it. I don't expect that. When I walked into the youth department of this one church I went to a few weeks ago, I heard and saw these kids, sorry to say, flirt and talk about things one shouldn't say. I felt as if I was in a park with kids who don't know Christ. This is just so sad to see and hear. Shouldn't we strive to be set apart, to be different. It can be very easy to fall into the same attitude a lot of these teens are in. Just as talking about boys and girls. You know, the usual thing, "So, do you like a guy or a girl?" That question was brought up to me this past weekend. I was stunned, I immediately said, "No, you are wrong, we shouldn't be talking of things like this!" I changed the subject. I find it very senseless to talk of things like this. My mouth knows better, my heart is too ashamed.

I know I have said a lot, but the main thing that needs to be said is, BE SET APART FROM THIS WORLD. You may be one of those who don't go to a family integrated church, and you may have the whole nine yards of youth group, Sunday school etc., if so, don't fall into the trap if there are young people talking about immoral things, stand up and say no, and walk away. I was very impressed when I went to this church this past Sunday how this young kids acted with each other. You didn't see the usual game with the other gender, and the teasing, and all that stuff. It was nice to see others striving to be different, to became blameless and pure children of God!

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Philippians 2:15

Friday, July 25, 2008

Bible reading

Well, the info my parents told me is too scary for some of you. I don't wanna to scare the dickens outta ya! It's wild y'all, and scary what's out there!! So, just disregard all my other words in the previous post and just be careful and remember to be on alert when using the Internet and your blog. And not to put too much of personal info on the blog or whatever you keep. Web, blog, or myspace, be on caution.

Have y'all kept up your bible reading this summer? I know summer is a time for relaxation, and to just kick up your feet and forget about routine and everything. But hey, your bible reading and spending time with the Lord shouldn't be a thing you have to worry about doing everyday and reminding yourself, it should be a thing where you will NOT forget, where it gets into such a habit that when you awake in the morning you will want to, and you can't forget! I know many of you have a busy summer schedule and you don't 'have' time 'right now', but 'later', believe me, don't use that word 'later' because it won't happen. It won't work, at least not for me. It just slips away, and then I get caught up into somethings else. So, God is the first thing you should come to, start out your day with meeting God!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

No blogging

Hello everyone, I will not be posting for awhile. There has been something which my parents are going to talk about with me concerning the blog and the Internet. I will post whenever I get the info and the things they want to tell me. I have a little insight of it but not enough to give exact detail. Remember the Internet is a dangerous thing, that's what I will be discussing with my parents. If you can tell I have deleted all my posts with the pictures. This has all to do with it. We have sick minded people in this corrupt world.

Till then!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Summer Up-date!

Goodness, I wait forever till I get a new post up. I have had my best friend leaving a comment and even telling me to get something new out there. I always say, "I know, I will!" But seriously, those don't mean anything because I CAN'T fit it in. My summer has been going really good, nice and busy. We have things come up as the day goes on so sometimes we will take it and go ahead. It's really fun to just be with my favorite people in the world....my FAMILY! I just need 6 more people to spend my life with and then it's complete, well, to really make it all good 12! That would be her grandparents, and then mine! But hey, you can't have everything, even though at times I wish for it. But then I always have to make myself come to realization, "Vanessa, God wants me to be content with what I have, stop complaining about this and that." (Heb 13:5 KJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

I just love that verse, it speaks so clearly and it explains everything for me! It has two very good parts which go perfectly hand-in-hand. I sometimes feel so low here in Illinois, wanting to go back to my hometown in TX, I sometimes feel that God has left my family and I here, and we're just wandering alone. However, that verse always comes back in my mind, "No, God HAS NOT left us here, he brought us here for a reason and it's a good one! I'll follow him wherever he's going to take me, I am NOT alone!"

So anyways, I haven't forgotten to post anything, I'm always reminding myself, "Get on that blog!" But, then things are always coming up or the computer is taking already.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Independence Day!


We gather ‘round to celebrate
On Independence Day
Pay homage to our country
As the children run and play.
With barbecues and picnics
And fireworks in the air
The flag we own is proudly flown
To show how much we care.
The stars and stripes spell freedom
She waves upon the breeze
While bursts of colors can be seen
Above the towering trees.
This is all quite wonderful
We revel in delight
But God above in divine love
Has brought this day to light.
With just a stroke of liberty
A touch of His great hand
He gave democracy to us
And helped this country stand.
The stripes upon our stately flag
Were touched by His sweet grace
Each star of white that shines so bright
Reflects His loving face.
So as you turn to face the flag
For battles that were fought
Be filled with pride for those who died
And freedoms that were bought.
But don’t forget to thank the One
That gives the bright display
The reason why we paint the sky
On Independence Day
Have a Great Independence Day!!