Please enjoy the pictures:
Friday, June 4, 2010
Vacation to Tennesse
This past week we packed the car up and headed to Tennessee to Kirk's parent's, more affectionately known as "Nana and Pop Pop". We decided to leave around the kids bedtime so that the kids might fall asleep and the ride be more peaceful for us. Our plan worked and we made it to Tennessee last Thursday evening. The week was filled with many happy memories including swimming, playing with the dogs, playing with Nana's tuberware, visiting their great-grand pa, going to McDonalds for Olivia's FIRST ever fudge sundae, running around the Johnston's 14 acre paradise (that's what I call it) and of course enjoying Nana's awesome cooking! It was a fabulous and relaxing week and we feel blessed to have had such a great start to summer after such a long school year for Kirk. We can't wait to go back for Olivia's 2nd birthday in a few weeks, my how time flies!
Please enjoy the pictures:
Please enjoy the pictures:
Monday, May 24, 2010
Modesty Among Believers
I have wanted to write a post on modesty, a huge issue in the church. Especially one for us as women seeking to honor the Lord and our spouses through our dress. I found this article by Dr. John Piper that I feel so eloquently addresses the topic. I enjoyed the read and greatly benefitted from his wisdom and truth from scripture. I hope you take the time to read it, it's well worth every Christian ladies time.
By John Piper November 19, 2007
Is modesty an issue in the church today?
Yes. And it's not just a problem for males. Women have issues with it as well. But it is true that males are more visually spring-loaded to lust or to think unhelpful thoughts when they see a certain picture or person, so that's where I'll focus here.
My concern today is that it seems like a lot of Christian women are oblivious to the fact that they have some measure of responsibility here. I say it carefully though, because I know that some women would turn the issue back on men as if it is their own problem.
But I know that a sincere Christian woman would not have that attitude. A Christian woman would respond, "Really? I didn't know. Please, tell me what the issue is here." She wants to serve her brothers, and her brothers want to serve her. The brothers don't want to put her under any artificial constraints and she wants to serve them. So there ought to be dialogue about this.
Necklines are an issue these days. Everywhere I turn—at the airport and at church—the necklines are plunging! Some fashion designers in the world are communicating to women today that the thing to do is have your neckline split extend too low.
Women should dress in such a way that they draw men's attention towards their eyes, their face, and not towards the other parts of their bodies.
A woman can test herself in this arena by how she dresses her little girl. What kind of bathing suit do you put on your little two-year-old? Is it a cute little bikini? Or do you begin from the very start to teach this little girl that there is an appropriate way to dress? Are you preparing her so that by the time she is seven, eleven, or fifteen her whole mindset is, I dress appropriately, modestly, and not to entice or flaunt?
One of the first words that my daughter Talitha learned was "appropriate." She didn't even know what the word meant at the time, but now it is built into her DNA as an eleven-year-old that she should dress in a way that is appropriate.
So I plead with the Christian women of the world that they take into consideration the things they are saying by what they're wearing. Dress to please the Lord.
And you can still dress beautifully. You don't have to look stupid or out of style to be modest. I know this is the case because there are hundreds of very attractive women at our church who dress modestly and don't cause men to stumble, and they don't look out of style.
Why do you encourage women to draw a man's gaze to their eyes?
There is something about the face that makes it the most full and complete expression of a person (see Numbers 6:24-26). My hands only communicate a little bit about me, my shoulders don't say much at all, and my belly tells you hardly nothing! But my face says a lot about me—my eyes, my countenance, and my mouth. Having someone just stare at another part of my body would make me very uncomfortable. I'd say, "Look at my face! I'm a person!"
But women are selling themselves because Madison Avenue has said, "Show your belly-button, your knees, your cleavage, etc." And women, evidently, are wired to want men to notice their bodies. And that is what must be channeled in an appropriate way.
Women should handle the desire to be noticed by preserving it for one man, whether he is present yet or not. They should also protect themselves (and other men) by not saying things that they don't want to say. We are always saying things by what we wear.
© Desiring God
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Desiring God.
By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org
By John Piper November 19, 2007
Is modesty an issue in the church today?
Yes. And it's not just a problem for males. Women have issues with it as well. But it is true that males are more visually spring-loaded to lust or to think unhelpful thoughts when they see a certain picture or person, so that's where I'll focus here.
My concern today is that it seems like a lot of Christian women are oblivious to the fact that they have some measure of responsibility here. I say it carefully though, because I know that some women would turn the issue back on men as if it is their own problem.
But I know that a sincere Christian woman would not have that attitude. A Christian woman would respond, "Really? I didn't know. Please, tell me what the issue is here." She wants to serve her brothers, and her brothers want to serve her. The brothers don't want to put her under any artificial constraints and she wants to serve them. So there ought to be dialogue about this.
Necklines are an issue these days. Everywhere I turn—at the airport and at church—the necklines are plunging! Some fashion designers in the world are communicating to women today that the thing to do is have your neckline split extend too low.
Women should dress in such a way that they draw men's attention towards their eyes, their face, and not towards the other parts of their bodies.
A woman can test herself in this arena by how she dresses her little girl. What kind of bathing suit do you put on your little two-year-old? Is it a cute little bikini? Or do you begin from the very start to teach this little girl that there is an appropriate way to dress? Are you preparing her so that by the time she is seven, eleven, or fifteen her whole mindset is, I dress appropriately, modestly, and not to entice or flaunt?
One of the first words that my daughter Talitha learned was "appropriate." She didn't even know what the word meant at the time, but now it is built into her DNA as an eleven-year-old that she should dress in a way that is appropriate.
So I plead with the Christian women of the world that they take into consideration the things they are saying by what they're wearing. Dress to please the Lord.
And you can still dress beautifully. You don't have to look stupid or out of style to be modest. I know this is the case because there are hundreds of very attractive women at our church who dress modestly and don't cause men to stumble, and they don't look out of style.
Why do you encourage women to draw a man's gaze to their eyes?
There is something about the face that makes it the most full and complete expression of a person (see Numbers 6:24-26). My hands only communicate a little bit about me, my shoulders don't say much at all, and my belly tells you hardly nothing! But my face says a lot about me—my eyes, my countenance, and my mouth. Having someone just stare at another part of my body would make me very uncomfortable. I'd say, "Look at my face! I'm a person!"
But women are selling themselves because Madison Avenue has said, "Show your belly-button, your knees, your cleavage, etc." And women, evidently, are wired to want men to notice their bodies. And that is what must be channeled in an appropriate way.
Women should handle the desire to be noticed by preserving it for one man, whether he is present yet or not. They should also protect themselves (and other men) by not saying things that they don't want to say. We are always saying things by what we wear.
© Desiring God
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Desiring God.
By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Top Three Thursday
Top Photos of the week.
Taken at my moms retirement gathering given to her by the teachers at her school and Greenville County 4K.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Through the Storm
Wow, the last two months have been a whirlwind in our family and I am just now finding the time to sit down and reflect. These past two months have brought Strep (2 x's), Multiple Sinus Infections, Stomach bug, Multiple Ear Infections, and a Severe Bladder infection to our family. We now know all the nurses at the pediatricans office and I think we might own stock in the minute clinic?? We have been through almost every free antibiotic from Publix and are well acquainted with the med aisle in Wal-mart. We have had to miss quite a few opportunities these last few months because of all the sickness including church, FPU, being with friends, going to small groups, and just being together as a family. I am praying that we might be coming near the end of this sickness and have a break for the summer and Lord willing on into the fall.
I know it may sound silly that these minor illnesses might effect my relationship with the Lord, but I surely neglected to come before Him. Often in my need I retreat. I try to rely on independence to get me through. I have always been a "get it done" kinda girl, and through these past two months I have really had to reach out for help... humbling. The Lord has been showing me that I need dependence on Him, even in the small things like a few cases of strep and ear infections. I have had to be more open to my wonderful spouse, that I need His help or that I am not feeling well, so he can drag me to the doctor (i'm stubborn about that). I have come to a deeper realization that the Lord cares about all our needs, not just the huge matters in our lives. These past two months sometimes all I could get out in an hour or day is "Lord be with me, give me strength." He never fails, He has met me everytime. He didn't always relieve my immediate situation or take away the pain...but He was there He was peace admist the struggle. I admit I asked him why he couldn't just make us all well, or why we seemed to be getting ill more frequently than others. But in His most gentle way He reminds me that He will never forsake me.
My husband told me this great quote I wanted to share with you all:
"God whispers in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, and shouts in our pain." C.S. Lewis.
I know it may sound silly that these minor illnesses might effect my relationship with the Lord, but I surely neglected to come before Him. Often in my need I retreat. I try to rely on independence to get me through. I have always been a "get it done" kinda girl, and through these past two months I have really had to reach out for help... humbling. The Lord has been showing me that I need dependence on Him, even in the small things like a few cases of strep and ear infections. I have had to be more open to my wonderful spouse, that I need His help or that I am not feeling well, so he can drag me to the doctor (i'm stubborn about that). I have come to a deeper realization that the Lord cares about all our needs, not just the huge matters in our lives. These past two months sometimes all I could get out in an hour or day is "Lord be with me, give me strength." He never fails, He has met me everytime. He didn't always relieve my immediate situation or take away the pain...but He was there He was peace admist the struggle. I admit I asked him why he couldn't just make us all well, or why we seemed to be getting ill more frequently than others. But in His most gentle way He reminds me that He will never forsake me.
My husband told me this great quote I wanted to share with you all:
"God whispers in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, and shouts in our pain." C.S. Lewis.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Stop and Listen
I am a shameless fan of Bethany Dillon. I have seen her twice in concert and I feel she expresses herself in song many times the way that I am feeling in my heart. I can relate to her as a young married, seeking to know the Lord in a deeper way during this time in my life where I am also learning to be a wife, mother, and friend in a way that honors HIm. So enjoy this video and my plug for Bethany's music and her new album Stop and Listen...
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
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