My Dear Friends,

Just a little thank you for those who come by faithfully to read my thoughts on womanhood and the feminine spirit. 

I am working to make strides that will allow me time to be faithful to this endeavor, instead of my haphazard postings at irregular intervals.  

My promised posts on feminine apparel will be coming soon. 

PS: at the end of July until Mid-Aug. I won't have internet access, and in Sept Missionaries are coming to visit us for the first time. They are on furlough from Sicily. Pray for the Galiotos and their ministry there and as they travel. They have been in Sicily for a long time. 

PPS:  For those who are interested I will be started another blog where I can post interesting items and articles that don't relate directly to femininity. BUT I wholeheartedly believe that the problem within the body of Christ today is Women who do not realize that the way they live, act, dress, speak, etc is not feminine or at best is a feminized version of manliness.  Eeek..that sounds awfully close to SIN doesn't it.  That statement is not intended to be unkind. In fact, I think women today have been done a great disservice by many of their mothers and teachers, pastors, and peers. They have been convinced that the HAVE to be be tough to survive, and if they don't men will let them down. This is a HUGE misnomer. Only by women being womanly--soft, feminine, gentle and yet strong in spirit to withstand the trials of life, CAN THE MAN/MEN take up their roles and be MANLY MEN.  Like many ills of society that we as christians look upon with disgust in our eyes and hearts, people don't know better, no-one has taught them this or that is really wrong, no-one has ever told them NO you can't do.....  They have not idea what it means to have self control and to deny themselves immediate gratification-whether that is food, things, or pleasure. 

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In past posts I have tried to challenge you into thinking about years gone by when women and men wore distinctly different garments all the time.  50 years ago, or less, respectable women wore dresses. The level of modesty was, from a Biblical standpoint, always challenged by the local Pastors, and the older folks of each era.  But  from undergarments to swimsuits, dresses to pants, all the clothing from yesteryears of not so long ago, were, generally speaking, MORE modest than what we see today. 

Even advertising was different. It wasn't until the 70's that LIVE models were allowed to parade their wares on TV. Catalogs which sold undergarments were usually just a picture of the necessary body area. The models were bodyless, and faceless. Many advertisers saved money using black and white photos on either a mannequin torso or chest. Mind you that men's underwear was modelled the same way. 

After the burn your bra revolution of the 60's, the 70's was the time when women became liberated, and wanted to be taken seriously. They wanted equal rights, and desired to be seen as more than just a plaything for their husbands. Odd isn't it -they wanted to be respected for their brains but began to make bare more and more of their bodies, and crying out against all looks, comments, whistles, or stares that their new found FREEDOM incited!

This is one thing we have to take into consideration when selecting garments. Whether we are buying them from a high end shop or the local thrift store, regardless of them being a gift, or sewn with our own two hands, we must learn to examine them from all the angles any MAN might see us.  I'm sure your husband will gladly assist with this. If not, have a trusted friend join you for a day of cleaning your closets and drawers, and ask her to be brutally honest about your clothing, even if it means getting rid of 99% of your current wardrobe. The LORD will bless you for it, and provide your need, plus many a man, maybe including your husband will thank you for your desire to keep yourself chaste in attire. 

Aside from modesty, let us also remember that  God does not expect nor require us to gad about in a drab colors, drib styles, and shapeless sacks. There is not scriptural support for us to look gawdy or gawky. In fact, in I Timothy 2:9-11, the verses that many people use to present modesty as a Biblical mandate, ok...let's look at the verses together.

"In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (WHICH BECOMETH WOMEN PROFESSING GODLINESS) with good works. "[emphasis added. ]

That sure sounds like God doesn't expect us to be frumpy in our attire. Part of being modest is not drawing attention to yourself, or your "danger zones". One gal said it was "being able to go to the store, check-out while chatting with the cashier, and he/she wouldn't remember what you were wearing".  I like that definition, but in todays world where almost all women wear JEANS, the most generic dresses stand out in stark contrast. 

Certainly God doesn't want us to present ourselves as ambassadors for Him in clothing that is unattractive to us. He had Paul say which becometh women! He wants us to look becoming. T he only color tied to anyone/anything sinful is red-connected with harlotry. Historically, the wearing of black was a sign of being in mourning over a loved ones death, and purple was only allowed to be worn by royalty. Today, while you may want to shy away from red for your own personal reasons, there is no New Testament prohibition on colors. There is a program "color me beautiful" that helps women determine what colors bring out their natural beauty and color. As "daughters of the King" we should look our best with what we have.  

Look quickly with me at I Cor. 7:31. Here Paul is  talking to the Corinthian believers about marriage and how to treat one another, and especially virgins. But vs. 31 says, "And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."  Yes, I know that I am taking this out of context, but think about it. There are sects of Christian who believe ALL fashion except a few specific styles are sinful. But in a round about way, might Paul be saying, USE the fashion of the world, but don't abuse it. Let me restate it like this: It's ok to BUY clothes from Walmart or Bloomingdales or Macys, and even to wear stylish trendy clothes, just don't cross the line of modesty in the process. 

While many will differ with me, I do not believe that Paul was prohibiting women from wearing jewelry either. Look at the time in history in which Paul live, and wrote this chapter. There was no electricity, gasoline engines, or computers to assist in mining operation or refining processes. Obtaining precious metals and gems was an extremely laborious process, and only the rich or elite could afford to have gold, and pearls. 

There was not driving your camel to the Bethlehem Mall and picking up a new wardrobe.  Getting a new robe in that day and age took quite some time. First, if you wanted wool, some sheep needed to be sheared (which is done only once a year), the wool then had to be washed, combed, spun, dyed, and woven into cloth. Then someone was ready to first begin to make the robe. Many garments in this time period were draped on the body and not cut and sewed because of the work needed. This is another reason why "costly array" might be silk, or be a printed fabric, or even embroidered or have fringe or other embellishments that the ordinary work-a-day person would never wear due to cost and practicallity.

A Feminine woman knows and wears the styles and colors  that "becometh women professing Godliness. 

**Next time -- sexy vx. feminine

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In past posts I have tried to challenge you into thinking about years gone by when women and men wore distinctly different garments all the time.  50 years ago, or less, respectable women wore dresses. The level of modesty was, from a Biblical standpoint, always challenged by the local Pastors, and the older folks of each era.  But  from undergarments to swimsuits, dresses to pants, all the clothing from yesteryears of not so long ago, were, generally speaking, MORE modest than what we see today. 

Even advertising was different. It wasn't until the 70's that LIVE models were allowed to parade their wares on TV. Catalogs which sold undergarments were usually just a picture of the necessary body area. The models were bodyless, and faceless. Many advertisers saved money using black and white photos on either a mannequin torso or chest. Mind you that men's underwear was modelled the same way. 

After the burn your bra revolution of the 60's, the 70's was the time when women became liberated, and wanted to be taken seriously. They wanted equal rights, and desired to be seen as more than just a plaything for their husbands. Odd isn't it -they wanted to be respected for their brains but began to make bare more and more of their bodies, and crying out against all looks, comments, whistles, or stares that their new found FREEDOM incited!

This is one thing we have to take into consideration when selecting garments. Whether we are buying them from a high end shop or the local thrift store, regardless of them being a gift, or sewn with our own two hands, we must learn to examine them from all the angles any MAN might see us.  I'm sure your husband will gladly assist with this. If not, have a trusted friend join you for a day of cleaning your closets and drawers, and ask her to be brutally honest about your clothing, even if it means getting rid of 99% of your current wardrobe. The LORD will bless you for it, and provide your need, plus many a man, maybe including your husband will thank you for your desire to keep yourself chaste in attire. 

Aside from modesty, let us also remember that  God does not expect nor require us to gad about in a drab colors, drib styles, and shapeless sacks. There is not scriptural support for us to look gawdy or gawky. In fact, in I Timothy 2:9-11, the verses that many people use to present modesty as a Biblical mandate, ok...let's look at the verses together.

"In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (WHICH BECOMETH WOMEN PROFESSING GODLINESS) with good works. "[emphasis added. ]

That sure sounds like God doesn't expect us to be frumpy in our attire. Part of being modest is not drawing attention to yourself, or your "danger zones". One gal said it was "being able to go to the store, check-out while chatting with the cashier, and he/she wouldn't remember what you were wearing".  I like that definition, but in todays world where almost all women wear JEANS, the most generic dresses stand out in stark contrast. 

Certainly God doesn't want us to present ourselves as ambassadors for Him in clothing that is unattractive to us. He had Paul say which becometh women! He wants us to look becoming. T he only color tied to anyone/anything sinful is red-connected with harlotry. Historically, the wearing of black was a sign of being in mourning over a loved ones death, and purple was only allowed to be worn by royalty. Today, while you may want to shy away from red for your own personal reasons, there is no New Testament prohibition on colors. There is a program "color me beautiful" that helps women determine what colors bring out their natural beauty and color. As "daughters of the King" we should look our best with what we have.  

Look quickly with me at I Cor. 7:31. Here Paul is  talking to the Corinthian believers about marriage and how to treat one another, and especially virgins. But vs. 31 says, "And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."  Yes, I know that I am taking this out of context, but think about it. There are sects of Christian who believe ALL fashion except a few specific styles are sinful. But in a round about way, might Paul be saying, USE the fashion of the world, but don't abuse it. Let me restate it like this: It's ok to BUY clothes from Walmart or Bloomingdales or Macys, and even to wear stylish trendy clothes, just don't cross the line of modesty in the process. 

While many will differ with me, I do not believe that Paul was prohibiting women from wearing jewelry either. Look at the time in history in which Paul live, and wrote this chapter. There was no electricity, gasoline engines, or computers to assist in mining operation or refining processes. Obtaining precious metals and gems was an extremely laborious process, and only the rich or elite could afford to have gold, and pearls. 

There was not driving your camel to the Bethlehem Mall and picking up a new wardrobe.  Getting a new robe in that day and age took quite some time. First, if you wanted wool, some sheep needed to be sheared (which is done only once a year), the wool then had to be washed, combed, spun, dyed, and woven into cloth. Then someone was ready to first begin to make the robe. Many garments in this time period were draped on the body and not cut and sewed because of the work needed. This is another reason why "costly array" might be silk, or be a printed fabric, or even embroidered or have fringe or other embellishments that the ordinary work-a-day person would never wear due to cost and practicallity.

A Feminine woman knows and wears the styles and colors  that "becometh women professing Godliness. 

**Next time -- sexy vx. feminine

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Think for a minute of the most feminine woman you've ever seen. It doesn't matter if it was a photograph, on TV, in a movie or magazine, on the newspaper, or in a store or on the sidewalk walking by you.   Keep thinking.  What was it about her that really made you take notice that she was all girl? (Not in a harlot-like sense)

Was it her clothes? Her hair? Make-up? Jewelry? Shoes?  What?

Many great women have possessed this characteristic. It is called....grace. Every step they take, every move they make, oozes grace. They seem to be ballet dancing without the toe shoes and tutu's. These women make scrubbing the floor look like a pleasureWatching them stir a bowl of cookie dough is a sight of beauty to behold.

The delightful ladies grace goes deeper than just physical dynamics. Even their emotions are full of grace. One of the most well-known women who possessed this characteristic was Jackie Kennedy (Jackie O. in later years).  In every photo of Mrs. Kennedy immediately after JFK was shot, during the funeral and years after when she was better recognized as Jackie O, seen yet unseeable in each one is her grace. (Forgive me if using her as an example offends you.) 

Of all the women through history, time and space, who should posses grace, it is us. Not as a result of the era in which we live, but because of who we are.  We are Christians, bought with the blood of Jesus Christ. His GRACE was extended to us, freely. He GIVES us grace to live by and we are commanded to GROW in GRACE. If anyone should exude grace it's us.  Precious Sisters, we need to let GRACE ooze from every pore and corpusle of our body. GRACE should be like a fountain of sweet water, refreshment to the heart and soul, of all who come in contact with us day by day. The question is-Does it? 

How is your attitude when things don't go as planned-loss of a job, car accident, expectations fall short, etc?  Be honest with yourself. 

In the face of emergencies or tradgedy, what do you think, say and do?

As we delve into GRACE, may I remind you Dear Ladies, that GRACE is feminine trait. (The male 'version' is masculine)

We are to walk, move, live, speak, think, and hear wiht GRACE.

Literally walking with GRACE sets us apart from the guys. It says, "Thank You Lord for making me a woman".  Mind you, a feminine walk and a harlot walk are NOT the same thing. They are as different as a waltz is from disco.

To be feminine means we must root out the feminIST ideaology that has infiltrated our hearts and minds. To LOVE your FEMININITY will fly in the face of the world. To do that, you must repent of all the anti-feminine, feminIST ideas, thoughts, that you believe, (for some, this might include giving up pursuits of manly habits, hobbies etc.)

Sisters, Oh Sisters, God made us WOMEN. He created us in a special way. We are different from the menfolk, beyond simple biology and physical appearnce.

Precious Ladies, if you are in search of peace and fulfillment and haven't found it yet, if you tried so many other things, perhaps the root problem is accepting yourself just as you are, as God made you.  He made us to be WOMEN.

Accepting ourselves, our minds, hearts, souls, bodies-shape, size, hormones, etc are just the first step.  We should celelbrate womenhood and love how God made us. Then we can begin to practice walking with grace as well as growing in it.

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Femininity is one of those attributes that has been lost with the rise of feminism, ERA, women's rights, and the like.

Once a bastian of a girls upbringing, femininity has been relegated to a form of bondage. 

Girls, Women, were taught to be soft, gentle, kind, submissive and to be content to do the womanly tasks the LORD built them to do. 

What is femininity? 

According to Websters 1828

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