{Malnurished Modestly}

"When you interrupt a girl's school day because her shorts are too short, or her clothing is immodest,  you are telling her that hiding her body is more important than her education. You are telling her that making sure the boys have a distraction-free learning environment is more important than her education. In a way, you're telling her that the boys are more entitled to an education than she is, and that isn't acceptable." ~Anonymous

Read: http://www.cambio.com/2014/12/11/stress-coded-why-high-school-dress-codes-are-hurting-girls/

I almost laughed while reading this article. Wow. The quote, in itself, uses the word "immodest." The definition of immodest (although you probably already know) is: lacking humility or decency. Well, if that's how you want to be thought of, then that is your choice. However, is it worth it? It is October in her post,  not July. She probably will not die of heatstroke while receiving a free education in an air-conditioned building because she wore shorts that you can actually see beneath her shirt.

"Women need to stand up against dated, sexist stereotypes of what's appropriate in schools." Girls' clothes have changed dramatically over the years. I may be stepping out on a limb here, but for the most part, women used to dress more modestly and classy than they do nowadays. Society has morphed and has now taught many that you must wear crop-tops and short-shorts to fit in. Society, along with media, has taught tons of girls of any age that the only desirable ones are the skinny, but large in other regions, girls. Girls as young as eight are looking at themselves and thinking that they are fat. "Hot" and "beautiful" are two different extremes just like healthy and skinny are. Furthermore, the reason the majority or all of dress-code violators are girls is because many girls feel insecure about themselves. Guys, well, they don't care so much about "fashion" or physical insecurities.

Also, they sent her home to change clothes. They didn't expel her, put her in prison, or send her to the guillotine. Is it so hard to dress decently and modestly? Are you being or looking like the kind of girl that you would want your son to date one day?

"My school demonstrated to me that my education is less valued than those of the boys in my class, and that is why I'm writing this article." Less valued? Or is it that most boys don't come to school wearing the "bare minimum" as girls do? This is not a feminist issue; it is one of decreasing morality and standards in today's girls, the women of the future. We, as believers, are called to not hinder others in their relationships with God. 1 Corinthians 8:9 says, "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak." This doesn't say you have to dress like an eskimo to be modest, but also doesn't mean that you can wear as little as you want without being reprimanded.

 

"The school pulling girls out of class and calling their clothes inappropriate makes girls feel uncomfortable in their own skin. Previously confident girls walking in the hallways wearing their (cheer) uniform feel shamed for the length of their skirts." Previously confident. If the shortness of your skirt or the lowness of your top is your vital source of confidence and security, then something is wrong.

 

She's backing her argument up with her friends' "determination to shine light on the injustice of the situation." However, I'm backing my opinion with Scripture. We are called to be Holy, because He is Holy. Holy means "separated" and not of the world. We are in the world but should not be of it :)

• "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." ~Proverbs 31:10

 

Being modest?

• "Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire." ~1 Timothy 2:9

Why be modest?

• "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." ~1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." ~Proverbs 31:30

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    M

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{Juggling Jobs}

3 Things Everyone Should Know About Making Money:

I think that having a job is good. I like my job. Working to make money is a good skill for teenagers to learn nowadays so as to have a good work ethic and not grow lazy. However, is making money higher on your list of priorities than God? And is your bank account more treasured than your personal relationship with Him?

First, the verse "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31), comes to mind. Whether you work in a restaurant, store, or don't even have a job, you are representing Christ. Even if your boss is a lying and cheating thief, you're still working for the glory of God, not man. Also, "Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow" (Proverbs 13:11). Many people try to cheat in the workplace whether by stealing food or even hours. This is dishonest and even if your supervisor doesn't find out, God knows, and He will punish. So however you make money or live your life, do it all, honestly, for the glory of God.

Secondly, never let money become an idol. Are you missing church every week because your job is "more important?" Or are you working late Saturday night and sleeping in on Sundays? No earthly treasure could ever compare to the treasure we can store up in Heaven. Matthew 6:19-20: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Earthly treasure is temporary and fleeting--like our lives here on Earth! Sometimes the wealthiest people are the loneliest and unhappiest. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). If our insecurities are inversely proportionate to our monetary wealth, then there is a problem with our priorities.

Additionally, God calls us to tithe. "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'" (Malachi 3:10). All he asks is for us to give a portion of what we receive. I do not think that is too much to ask considering it is all by Him and through Him that we were blessed with it to begin with. Furthermore, after we give back to Him, he will flood us with blessings! What could be better?
Some argue that it is not within their financial means to tithe. God says, "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need" (Matthew 6:31-33). God, more than anyone, knows best what we need and what is best for us. Yes, it can be challenging to cast a situation out of your own hands and leave it up to someone else. However, God has everything in control and has perfect timing! So if you tithe and trust in Him, he will provide and multiply your blessings abundantly.

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    M
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{Identity Issues}

Society and social norms frighten me nowadays. The name of the following website sums it up pretty well though - Opposing Views.

Read before continuing: http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/angelina-jolie-brad-pitts-8-year-old-daughter-wants-be-called-john-sparks-controversy

Now I'm no psychology expert, but I think there is truly something wrong with this. I respect others' opinions, but hold mine firmly in place too.

I don't understand how someone just wakes up one day and decides to switch genders just because they want to or because they recently found their true "identity." Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; make and female he created them." It doesn't say he created them "whatever-gender" or "to be determined by them personally." It says "male and female HE created THEM." So is this sudden epiphany justified or just crazy and far-fetched? You must make up your own mind; no one can make it for you unless you let them.

Another thing I see an issue with (regarding Shiloh) is her (yes, her) age. She is eight, not eighteen. There is a good reason that eight year-olds do not have voting rights, driving privileges, or the ability to live independently. I don't think I even picked out my own outfits when I was eight! I have heard of multiple instances when a child, well under the age of ten, decides that they are going to switch genders. The parents do not tell them, "no, honey, you're a girl and that's how it goes" or "son, you're a boy and you'll stay one." They simply condone the irrational behavior and change their wardrobe, hair, name, and identity. How is a child to know that this is wrong? They will grow up accepting it as a norm. Maybe if the parents explained life to their child instead of just following their orders, the child would realize how it really works. You're born a gender and you die the same gender. Parents are there to teach their children what is right and appropriate, not to be taught by their children. Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Another thing that must be understood is: Children go through phases. They're easily distracted, indecisive, and have large imaginations! Just because a little boy plays dress-up and grabs a purse or bag does not make him a girl or necessarily even mean he thinks he is a girl. For example, a little boy I know went through a phase a while back for five whole months after seeing the movie "Frozen"....five times. He has four older sisters and he didn't really have a choice, ha. He only responded to the name "Elsa," told everyone he was The Queen, and constantly ran around throwing his magical ice powers at people or castles...all while singing "Let it Go." His parents did not grow his hair long, put him in girly dresses, and change his name to Ashley. His dad constantly, but gently, reminded him of his real name and identity.  

I think that is similar to what God does for us! We are given the privilege to make our own choices, but He is always there - reminding us of who we really are and who we were meant to be.

Lastly, our identity is found in Jesus Christ! He tells us so many things through His Word:

• We are a new creation - 2 Corinthians 5:27
• We become God's children - Galatians 3:26
• We are one part of a larger body - Romans 12:5
• We can never be separated from God's love - Romans 8:39
• We are the light and are to live like it - Ephesians 5:8
• We labor not in vain - 1 Corinthians 15:58
• We have redemption - Ephesians 1:7

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   M
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