Appearance

[Just Jesus]

I was not raised in church, I've been in church around 10 years or so...I've noticed that many Pentecostal women have the attitude of I'm Pentecostal (don't wear makeup, jewelary etc) so I'm not going to do anything to myself to improve my appearance. Similar to overweight women that have the attitude of well, I'm overweight so I'm not going to do anything with myself. I think we owe it to ourselves, our husbands and our church to look our 100% best when going out in public. I'm not saying you have to be wearing a fancy dress and heels, but I can't stand it when I go into Target and see a Pentecostal women wearing a ratty jean skirt with her hair stringing down. Many Pentecostal women are the most beautiful women in the world and some look just plain horrible. Am I the only person that feels like this?? Thoughts, opinions, ideas.......

[LadyRev]

You are not alone! ~L~ My pastor's wife just got on this topic the other night. She was speaking about the young girls at the time and mentioned ratty jean skirts and hair stringing down. I believe our appearance is very important. There are times and places for ratty jean skirts and times and places for fancy dresses and heels. It just depends. JMO. For instance, I ride 4 wheelers. I promise you that I don't wear my best to end up covered in dust or mud. :D

[tufluv]

What do ya'll mean by hair stringing down? Does that mean it should be UP?
I do agree and understand what is said here, we should be neat, groomed, etc., in our best holiness wear! Avoiding faded, bleached...torn, frayed..& no house shoes! (LOL) ummm, I myself don't even think 'sandals' like flip-flops (too-oo casual) are appropriate. Maybe other types. It grieves me to see women wear flip-flop types to church! :eek:
Sometimes I need to go into a store, and have on my 'work clothes'...so I take another set of clothes to change into for those times. LOL
Still, I don't see Apostolic women as anything but beautiful! How many here often maintain that its whats inside that counts more than the outside? Hmm...???
The inner glow should radiate outwards no matter what! Ladylike godly-woman type, mannerisms/demeanor are important, along with the clothing.

[Just Jesus]

Tuf,

You are right.....what's on the inside is MORE important. However, the world doesn't see it that way....if we want them to be attracted to us, we shouldn't go around dressed like an old hag.

[LadyRev]

Hair stringing down usually means unfixed and sometimes dirty hair. It doesn't necessarily mean it has to be UP...just clean and fixed. But some people may have a different definition.

[pentecostal mom]

I agree we should always look our best. Because the we already are "odd" to those that are worldly and if they see a saint with greasy stringy hair there is no glory in that. Why would someone want to be identified with that? But on the flip side of the coin---- I have a friend that used to follow standards and now doesn't and she will run around town in awful baggy t-shirts and sweats and that whole thing about holy people letting themselves go was her excuse for starting to wear make-up and pants!!! So anyway what I was getting at is society as a whole is slouchy and tacky it is just that there are acceptable levels of grunginess.
For instance if you see a woman in sweats at wal-mart, no make-up and hair twisted up in a clippie and she gets into a 2003 durango she really doesn't look so bad afterall you know--but yet holy ladies have to make an effort to look good even if it is a run to the store to get cleaning supplies or I garauntee you will see people you haven't seen in 15 years and they will be talking about poor ole so&so she has really just let herself go.

[LadyRev]

Quote:
but yet holy ladies have to make an effort to look good even if it is a run to the store to get cleaning supplies or I garauntee you will see people you haven't seen in 15 years and they will be talking about poor ole so&so she has really just let herself go.

Isn't that the truth? It seems like people you know come out of the woodwork if you dare run to the store in something tacky. LOL!

[Just Jesus]

Yep, that is the gospel truth. I'm sure the devil takes pleasure in that. I've been guilty of it myself. I just get so tired of doing my hair....it probably takes about an hour to get it looking decent. I guess I'm lazy, but on the other hand, if I'm doing "something" with it every day it starts to get really damaged looking. It's a no win situtation sometimes.....

[ddc101]

Well I hope they get tired of wagging those tongues quick because if I am doing a project the people I speak to usually know it.I would hate to think that people have so much available time that I am important enough to be discussed.Plus does anyone ever really look at another and say they have really let themselves go? Am I from another planet or do I just not go around this type person....oh well...lv sis.c

[Just Jesus]

Sister Ddc,

My mother (not in church) tells me all the time that I have let myself go. She cries about it. She cries that I don't wear jewelary makeup etc. Yeah, unfortunately people really wag their tongues.

[ddc101]

What she means is that you do not do all the things she feels are important to her as a woman to meet the image society accepts.
But what you need to share with her is that you have not let yourself go in fact you have finally found yourself in Jesus, all that you need to be.That now you are more interested in pleasing your savior than pleasing others or yourself.Honestly its the change in your spirit that people will notice before your clothes.
We women put too much emphasis on outer wear.Its the hidden man of the heart that needs working on.lv sis.c

[tufluv]

My mother (not in church) tells me all the time that I have let myself go. She cries about it. She cries that I don't wear jewelary makeup etc. Yeah, unfortunately people really wag their tongues.
Wow, ditto to that!!
Its often our own families that do this to us...satan uses them (lost ones) to accuse the 'saints'. It is not necessarily ourselves that see outer wear as THE focus, but those we run across try their best to 'look down' upon us, BUT, too bad they don't know who they're messin with! Hallelujah! JESUS is our great defender.
I don't worry much about others words against me...I tell 'em "take it up with my master, Jesus'!! My mom knows already not to bother me much anymore, IF she wants to see me.
My brother, though is the worst! I know what I do I do for Jesus, and thats all that matters. My husband never says one bad word about how I dress or don't, look or don't. He's the only other one I have to please., really.
Yet I also think we need to be a good testimony out in public. We are the only Jesus some people may ever see, or talk to.

[Just Jesus]

I've have expressed those very thoughts to my mother. She just doesn't seem to get it. She is baptist and while she believes I'm saved, she thinks the things we do aren't necesary and overboard.

[Just Jesus]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think I look bad. Yes, I may look a little "different" than what's the norm, but I feel like I look nice all the time. I get compliments on my hair all the time from perfect strangers.

[Joan]

Since moving to the south, I've never seen so much foundation make-up in church.

[ddc101]

haahaha...making up for the foundation I guess Sis.Joan.
How far south are you? I live in Louisiana.lv sis.c

[pentecostal mom]

cute!!

[Apostolic Kitty]

Originally posted by Just Jesus
but I can't stand it when I go into Target and see a Pentecostal women wearing a ratty jean skirt with her hair stringing down.

I avoid jeans... Matter of fact, I think the only jean thing I have owned since I was about 14 was a wrap around jean skirt I work with boots when I was 18...but that was not pentecostal at all. I had my boyfriend in mind when I bought it....

[Apostolic Kitty]

Originally posted by ddc101
Well I hope they get tired of wagging those tongues quick because if I am doing a project the people I speak to usually know it.I would hate to think that people have so much available time that I am important enough to be discussed.Plus does anyone ever really look at another and say they have really let themselves go? Am I from another planet or do I just not go around this type person....oh well...lv sis.c

Sis. Cooper, it's because you are the type of person who looks into a person's eyes to see what's going on inside them instead of worrying about their outside. You are too busy working for the kingdom to concern yourself with such pettiness... At least that's the way I see you...;)

[ddc101]

Well I am just different I guess.I like the cute jean skirts my daughter buys.They are called dirty jean.What they look like is tea stained stuff.I also like some of the cute junior wear that is ragged looking on purpose.Hey I am not that old.We don't need to be fuddy duddy either.lv sis.c

[foreverblessed]

I have some really cool jean skirts. I have those that are overdied. I have one that is ragged on the bottom, and it is the coolest. It has been overdied brown, so it looks dirty like Ddc said. My daughter has one that has been overdied hot pink, so it is a purple color. I have a couple that are heavily faded on the legs, especially on the seat.
One is a lighter denim, the fades spots are almost white, it has a touch of lycra in it, and it is sooo comfortable. I love it, it is my favorite. I own about 5, and that is more than I have had in a long long time. They just make them so cool right now. I can't resist them.

My kids have a lot of those that are overdied, some with no hems, just ragged on the ends. They all came from Gap, old Navy, and other nice stores, they are most definitely in style right now. This is a great time to be wearing jean skirts.

[Jillian]

My youngest is 7 years old and I found her some jean skirts just like the BIG GIRLS haha. Actually my 16 yr old found them, she is a better shopper than I am. :-)
She is so excited.They do have some neat ones out.

[Joan]

ddc, I'm not IN Memphis, but pretty near it. :-)

[pentecostal mom]

Hey Joan I am 2hours away from Memphis and have family in Covington! Are you any where near? I made my daughter who is 7 askirt out of pants last night that was Mary Kate and Ashley. Hemmed about 2 inches below her knee and then made her a matching purse from the bottom of the pant leg. Any way the old yucky skirts are like big baggy un ironed with the hem folding all back up around you know not the instyle grungr the unkept don't care thing.

[ddc101]

Some of you are so creative.Who would think of making a skirt out of pants.I had one lady make me a purse out of a pair of boys jeans before.Totally neat.I am not all that creative craft wise but I am creative situationally.The Lord has blessed me with creative ways to do things in the Kingdom.So he gets all the glory because in the natural it is not happening for me....get it! lv sis.c

[LadyRev]

I love jeans skirts too but I must admit, I do have some "ratty" looking ones! :D

Joan,

I am a transplant from the north too. Originally from Wisconsin. Where are you from?

[ddc101]

Well low and behold.I went out and bought me a jean jumper today.It was fringed along the bottom.I could not help but think of you all.lv sis.c

[Apostolic Kitty]

Y'all enjoy your jeans, now, my Sisters. I'll stick with clothes I can move in. LOL

[Joan]

Pent. Mom, I am about 30 min from Covington. Small world.

LadyRev, I am from all over, but born and raised in CT but the last place I called home was PA. I've lived in CT, MA, SC, IN, PA, and TN in this life of mine.

[foreverblessed]

My sister has made many a jean skirt out of a pair of jeans. You know the jean skirts that have that triangle in front made with seams? That is what they end up looking like. Don't hem the bottom, and make them fringed.

One of my girls have a jean skirt that it is a regular skirt, but hey just took out the hem, so you see the faded hem lines, and the jagged ends, it was bought this way. Really cool, funny what they find cool now, looks like I just ripped out the hem cause it got to short. LOL

[ddc101]

Well I want so more skirts.I don't care what kind.I went out yesterday and bought me some blouses to wear to the tent revival next month.They were all on sale.amen.I bought them up.
I like to shop but especially on sale.I bought a jean jumper for four bucks brand new at Cato.The sisters tell each other ....that sister cooper gets all the deals She is so blessed.Amen to that.
I bought so much it was shameful.But I am planning ahead and don't plan to be sweating buckshot at that tent meeting and still want to be ladylike.So I was very blessed to buy super feminine white blouses.I have umpteen skirts and jumpers so throw in new shoes....hehehehe....conspiracy my friends husband says and I am set.lv sis.c

[Just Jesus]

Talk about cute jean skirts....I received the new Fall JcPenny catalog in the mail today.....they have tons of cute jean skirts and corduory skirts.

[ddc101]

hey I have to look at that.I like J.C.Penny.I used to like Spiegal but they got so very expensive.lv sis.c

[pentecostal mom]

The pants to skirt thing is soooooo easy. And if the legs are fuller or pipe legs you don't have to even put the triangle in you can cut that out and just make it straight I did that just thursday night for my daughter. of course I had to cut the skirt off below her knees or she wouldn't have been able to walk. Then I made her a little purse out of the bottom of the pant leg. I have 2 more pairs of jeans that I plan on making into skirts for her and leaving them the full length for this winter.

[pentecostal mom]

Word of caution... if you do the pants to skirt thing make sure before you sew to lay it all out in the floor or on a table and pin the triangle part so that it will lay flat and not pucker if you do this you won't have a bit of trouble.

[LadyRev]

Originally posted by Apostolic Kitty
Y'all enjoy your jeans, now, my Sisters. I'll stick with clothes I can move in. LOL


EGHADS! What kind of jean skirts have you had that you couldn't MOVE in? I can move fine in mine! ~L~

Me thinks Kitty got one of them straight cut starchy ones. I don't do straight cut and starchy! LOL!

[Apostolic Kitty]

Originally posted by LadyRev
EGHADS! What kind of jean skirts have you had that you couldn't MOVE in? I can move fine in mine! ~L~

Me thinks Kitty got one of them straight cut starchy ones. I don't do straight cut and starchy! LOL!

I believe I've only had one jean skirt in my life. I was 18 and it was a straight, wrap around type...

I don't wear dresses/skirts that are not straight or I'll look like a butterball.

And I don't use starch except on the boys' nice clothes...

[ddc101]

I love comfortable clothes and shoes.And especially comfortable purses to match...hehehehe...sis.c

[LadyRev]

Well, I have some straight cut jean skirts but they are very flexible and comfortable, not stiff or starchy at all. ~Still wondering about Kitty not being able to move.~ ;)

[ddc101]

I love skirts and especially all cotton clothing.Louisiana is very hot and humid this time of year.lv sis.c

[davidswife78]

Church standards, and military dress codes. lol, just kidding.

well I'm new to the forum but I do not agree women should have to wear skirts. (i.e.-no jeans, etc). and the whole hair issue, I get horrible headaches when my hair get's to be a certain length. I love the jewelry my husband gives me as gifts, and even wear earrings on special occasions. but I also believe modesty is a huge priority. Clothing has been a huge hang up with me in my walk as a new christian. i just feel it is a male dominated subject, and at times the legalism of our church is medievil to say the least, and has become a topic of many marital arguements.

I don't have a problem wearing sweatpants just as well as a skirt in public. I don't think it makes me less of a christian, but the members at my church do. There is no way to play volleyball in a skirt, and the debate is kind of ridiculous.

[LadyRev]

Welcome to the GNC davidswife! We are glad to have you here. ;)

I personally wear culottes for various activities that might not be so easily done in a skirt. I hunt, fish, ski, swim, canoe, raft, ride motorcycles, horses and 4 wheelers, among other things. However, I have found that a full skirt of proper length also works well for alot of things.

Just sharing a few thoughts. :) Again, welcome to the forum!

[Renee29]

Davidswife,

I understand how you feel...I didn't grow up in church and when I first got in, I wondered how am I going to do everthing in a skirt? Once you get used to wearing skirts instead of pants, you will find that you can do just about everything in a skirt. I don't want to go against you Pastor, just want to give you my personal opinion about standards. Don't worry about them.....don't do them for man. If God convicts you of something, obey that conviction. Learn to listen for His voice. If you obey everything that God places upon you heart, you will be fine.

[Joan]

Dear Charity Ann,

How long have you been a Christian? Your last post says you are a new christian.

Welcome to GNC.

[ddc101]

Hello Sister Charity,
Welcome glad you posted.I hope you post some more.Just because you are a new christian doesn't mean you cannot have lots to share.If you are really open to the leading of the Lord he will lead you and guide you.Don't limit yourself by only possessing the looks of a christian.Let what you possess be born of a red hot prayer meeting and hours in the word of God.Allow yourself to be molded by him.Let him be the judge and guide of your life.
When you do not understand something preached or taught.Go to your pastor and admit it.He or the new converts instructor are the best ones to ask.So many times people get offended by one in the church who has no wisdom when someone honstly see something different than them in the word of God.You are off to a good start.Who knows maybe one day you may have convictions that are very personal and given to you from the Lord that no one but you will deem necessary.lv sis.c

[Janice Alvear]

The Holiness of God’s People
Part 1
The apostles Paul and Peter describe the children of God as “peculiar.” This means that somehow they did not look like and act like everyone else.


Titus 2:14 NIV 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

1 Peter 2:9 KJV 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Rom 12:1-2 NIV 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
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1 John 2:15-16 NIV 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world.
In Malachi, the Bible says that when the Lord makes his “treasured possession,” that people will see the difference between those who serve God and those who do not.

"They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Mal. 3:17-18.

Ezek 44:23 NAS 23 "Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

According to the Bible holiness means that we are ‘separate’, ‘different’ and ‘distinct’ from the world.

The waters of Baptism mark our separation from the world. The Bible talks about how the crossing of the red sea and the flood were antitypes of baptism; their salvation was when those waters separated them from Egypt and the rest of the world. Our salvation comes through our separation as we are baptized into His Blood which purchased our liberty.

When we are holy, we show our holiness by how we act, dress and talk. Everything about us should show the world that we belong to God. When we belong to God we want to look like Him and like he wants us to look. We don’t want to look like the world looks.

John 8:47 NIV 47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."


Just as a husband and wife possess one another, when we take on the Name of Jesus in our baptism we become His possession. If we truly take on His Name and become married to Him we will want to please only our new Husband. If we try to please the world then we are being unfaithful to our Husband.

John 15:19 NIV 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Jo

Jesus bought us with His blood. He paid a great price for us. When we are baptized into His death we are saying that we are now His Possession.

If we truly are God’s possession, then the way that we dress should represent the personality and character of Jesus Christ. Our lives express who really owns us.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

We want our fallen nature to be absorbed into His sacrifice, just as a wife looses her own identity when she takes her husband’s name.

God’s name is holy, so when we take His name we are supposed to take on He holiness also.

Marriage is exclusive because true love can only be fully known within the framework of a covenant commitment. In a marriage if a person includes everyone else in on the sacred marriage relationship, they defile the relationship and are unable to know what that true sacred, set apart love is really like. If purity is compromised, pure love becomes defiled.

In Hebrew, to make a covenant, “karat b’rit,” means literally “to cut a covenant.”
The Hebrew word for holiness is “kodesh.” The root of “kodesh” is “kadad” which means, “to cut” or “to divide”. In other words, to be holy means to be cut away from something or someone.

2 Corinthians 6:17 NIV 17 "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."

God chose a virgin who had never been known by a man to bring forth the individual living temple for His Name and He wants to find people who have not been known by the world in such a way that the seed of the world is conceived in their lives; because He wants His seed to be conceived in our lives so that His image can come to birth. So are we still receiving subtle suggestions from the world concerning fashion and popular opinion that will defile the image of God that is growing in the womb of our hearts? We have got to keep all the information that we receive confined within the walls of a covenant relationship with Him. To secretly cling within our hearts to our own independent and old worldly preferences defrauds our new Husband, who did not cling to even His own identity but, because of His love for us, determined that there should be “nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him” (Isa. 53:2) and who even allowed “His appearance” to be “disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred beyond human likeness” (Isa. 52:14).
Our questions should not be “Why can’t I wear this or that”, but “What can I do to be more like Him,” and if we are asking the “Why can’t I” questions then are those things standing between us and a relationship with Him?

.
These are questions that we should be asking ourselves:

Does the substantive outweigh the superficial in my life?

Do I belong wholly to God in spirit, soul and body?

Am I willing to vulnerably and transparently open myself completely to the authority of God’s Word and to that covenant community where His people “with unveiled faces reflect the glory of God”?
Everyone seeks relationships of approval and praise, whether from God or people comunidade onde as pessoas dele com rostos descobertos refletem a glória , and separation from those relationships lies at the heart of the greatest human anxieties.
We cannot escape having some outward form of appearance; the issue is, who or what does our appearance express? Who informs or forms within us our appearance?
If we want to be like Jesus, then we will not be trying to attract attention to ourselves.

Isaiah 53:2 NIV He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
Immodest exposure of the body is not restricted to only open nudity or semi-nudity or selective exposure but also the ways in which certain forms of dress call attention to the body.
Clothing can simply become a means of attracting attention especially sexual attention to the body.
Here is a quote from a book about the functions of clothing:
“Gowns of chiffon or similar material”; “earrings; long, loose hair; and dress made from or adorned with feathers, fringe, or ribbons.” All of these serve to emphasize body movement. Furthermore, the “association of dress with” “allure and flirtation” is “heightened by dress that both exposes and conceals” because the “longer [the body] is revealed . . . the less exciting it becomes.” Therefore, Professor Storm says, to maintain their allurement, “various body parts should be concealed after brief periods of exposure.”

[Janice Alvear]

The changing nature of worldly fashion often depends upon these “shifting zones” for its allure. Long dresses with slits up the back or sides are often designed not for convenience in walking but rather with these “shifting zones” in mind. Clothing that clings tightly to the body can also serve this purpose of allurement by, in fact, exposing the shape of the body even while it conceals the nakedness of the body itself.

So when we wear tight clothing and clothing that clings to our body we are participating in these idolatrous notions of a pagan race.

When we have a desire to impress others whether they are in the church or in the world our motivations for dress are worldly and ungodly.
When we continuously need new clothes because the fashions are changing, we are conforming to the patterns of the world. We become enslaved to these changing fashions and constantly need a “fix” like a drug addict needs a fix of drugs. We feel insecure because we don’t have what we want.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world” (Rom. 12:2), and John admonished, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. For if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:15-16).
“High-heeled shoes worn by many women,” also strictly for fashion purposes, “cause anatomical changes; tight shoes impede circulation and cause misalignment of the foot and toes; and most modern shoes,” In fact, high heels “cause such poor posture that ‘no single organ retains its natural position.”’

The fact that top fashion designers and fashion-setting media personalities die of AIDS at rates far exceeding those of the general population does not seem to bother many. They do not realize that they are participating in a type of idolatry.
Fashion expresses disrespect for the past and for all tradition. . It has nothing to do with the One who is from age to age the same.
Often the way that we dress even if it is not intended to draw sexual attention to ourselves, in our heart is a desire to instill envy in other women even if we don’t admit this to ourselves. We are looking for status to confirm our membership in a totally materialistic culture. This becomes idolatry.

1 John 2:15-16 NIV 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.

James 4:1-2 NIV 1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

1 Timothy 6:5-6 KJV 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
God wants us to find contentment in him not in the clothes that we wear or what others think of us.

Often our desire to impress others comes from not being secure in our relationships with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. But if we can open our hearts and allow ourselves to become knit together with God’s people we will no longer need to try to feel secure by impressing others. Just as some wear makeup to mask who they really are, we often try to mask who we are by wearing clothes that we think are attractive.

When we always are trying to make ourselves pretty we show that we have only self-love not a love for Christ.
Often the things that we say are our own preferences and really do not come from the world are really results of having been known by the world and having it’s seed conceived in our lives and the world informing our preferences.

Philippians 2:3 NIV Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
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Do everything with a single eye. Let your single intention to please God determine what you buy, the way that you make things and how you put it on and wear it. Whoever acts with a single eye, does all things to be seen and approved of God; and can no more dress, than he can pray, or give alms, “to be seen of men.” When you dress to be seen by men you have your reward in full just as Jesus said, but if you dress to please God then your reward is in heaven.
.


Lu 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. 35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. 36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.


part 2
The word “single” in this scripture means “single or simple”; if our only motivation when we dress is to please God then we will dress simply. We will simply dress to please God, who did nothing to attract us to Him. If we have that simple and single eye then our life will be full of the light of God, and we will know exactly what is His perfect will.

[Janice Alvear]

Sorry, if I offended anyone. Just lived a long time and seen a lot of things... Sister Alvear

[ddc101]

Amen Sister Alvear,
I love your contribution.We need to hear some of these things.At least I do.Preach them to me sister.I felt convicted about a few things you said.I need the conviction if I am going to be changed into what Jesus would have me to be.lv sis.c

[Marie]

Originally posted by foreverblessed
My kids have a lot of those that are overdied, some with no hems, just ragged on the ends. They all came from Gap, old Navy, and other nice stores, they are most definitely in style right now. This is a great time to be wearing jean skirts.

Overdyed?
If they are in style over your way right now, give us folks way over here in the boonies a year or so...
LOL

[cinthia]

Jaon,
I am from the south, I was raised there and saved there! I think for some reason southern women are very vain! My family ( My Grandma, mother, aunts, cousins) All think I have gone mad. I have been saved for almost 6 years and when I first got saved and the Lord showed me this most beautiful way called holiness, My family would say things like "you used to be so beautiful, and What has happened to you", But now after almost 6 years they know I am for real! they know I am not changing or going back! They seem more supportive and they say things now like" You are so beautiful, Your are prettier now than you ever have been" Praise God, they can say I am beautiful now, Because it is not of this world, but of Jesus! They see Jesus and Who can not think he is beautiful!!!! They think it is me, but it is him!!!! I really think it is sad that women in our movement think that they need foundation! Do they not realize that they are covering up the Glory of God! Their is nothing more beautiful than to see the shinning faces of Gods Holy Chosen Peole! It is hard to see that through foundation, all I see is PRIDE!!!

Cinthia

[Apostolic Kitty]

I suppose our biased for or against something tends to influence what we see. I have seen the glory of God on both ladies with foundation and without. Maybe that's because I have a "take it or leave it" attitude about make-up? :)

[cinthia]

Apostolic Kitty,
Thank you for your opionion. I do not agree with you, but do respect your view. I can not understand how and why women who have the holy spirit and who have a understanding of holiness, think that they can make themselves look better than what God has already made them. I guess really what it boils down to is that they probably really do not have an understanding of what true holiness is. I have always been told and I think it is a biblical principle that what is in your heart is going to show on the outside. Our movement has been tainted by the filth of this world, hollywood and glamour! Beauty is fleeting! Is that not what the bible says!!!!! What next in our movement, lipstick, eyeshadow, dying of the hair, earrings????? I think our movement needs to get back to a deeper consecration.This is only my opinion apostolic Kitty! have a Great day in Jesus!!!!
Totally consecrated!!!
Cinthia

[Apostolic Kitty]

I'm wondering what I said that you could agree or disagree with....


I wonder why when people speak about holiness the next words that follow usually have more to do with appearance than with attitude.....

[cinthia]

Jesus is so Awesome! Holiness unto the Lord is awesome!I love that song by Nacy Grandquist " We are Gods Holy People" I love my jeans skirts too!!!!God bless

:):):):):)

[Apostolic Kitty]

I never said YOU can see the Glory of God on a person who was wearing a mask.

What I said was that I HAVE SEEN the glory of God "on both ladies with foundation and without".

If you don't believe you can see it, then you definitely won't.

I would ask what you're talking about when you comment about obeying something, but I don't see a point in doing so.

[cinthia]

Apostolic Kitty I like the Picture of you and your muscle man! Have you read any of the post on the women keeping silent in the church thread? If you have what are your thoughts on that subject?:)

[Apostolic Kitty]

Originally posted by cinthia
Apostolic Kitty I like the Picture of you and your muscle man!

Thanks....that's me and hubby being silly for the camera.....

If I have any thoughts on that thread I'll comment on that thread, but I don't believe I've read it. And on such a topic I might not considering it's another subject that's been gone over so much it's like beating a dead horse AND I don't really have much time to be serious on here as I used to since "real life" has gotten busier lately.

:)

[Renee29]

Cinthia,

Why did your family say you "used" to be so beautiful? Is it because you stopped wearing makeup etc.

[ddc101]

Well I for one never wore much makeup before I was saved and I don't need it now.The only things I use are hygenic products and skin care products.I think if something does not change your natural appearance its okay.You after all are going to be the one who has to answer to the Lord for your obedience.I am going to have to answer for my obedience and what I teach to other believers.But as for myself I would rather be safe than sorry after its too late.lv sis.c

[cinthia]

Renee 29,
yes that is the reason! But to God be the glory! They are cool with it now!

[SisClarissa]

Well ladies the way I read the bible we are "representing the Church" and so we should keep ourselves clean and in Unity.
This means to be well dressed and clean and have our hair fixed up.
We don't always have to have our hair up but it keeps us in Unity.
We will be judged by holiness and so we should look holy to an unholy world. Remember we have been set appart from the world.
And if we are going to let our little light shine we must represent the church in every aspect in our lives.. from a dark and sinful world.
There is plenty of Scripture for our dress code in the bible.
God bless you all!
Sister Clarissa
Love In Christ Jesus~

[Apostolic Kitty]

I disagree that keeping your hair up = unity.

That's like saying everyone -- including men and women -- have to look the same for there to be unity. Not so.

Not even possible. since God made us all different.

Unity has nothing to do with our looks, but has everything to do with singleness of heart and purpose.

[foreverblessed]

Amen Ak you preach it girlfriend! ;)

[ddc101]

Wow I keep my hair up because it is very attracting of attention.
I suppose it would be unity if you were singing in the choir for instance.But as to the other times one should be able to wear their hair as it pleases them and the Lord.lv sis.c

[Apostolic Kitty]

Originally posted by ddc101
Wow I keep my hair up because it is very attracting of attention.

If there were ever a good reason, I would say this is probably it. :)

I usually keep my hair down for several reasons -- one of them being that is how my husband likes it.

Originally posted by ddc101
I suppose it would be unity if you were singing in the choir for instance.

Unity or uniformity? I'd say uniformity. Unity is being in harmony. You can be out of harmony, yet be uniform.

Originally posted by ddc101
But as to the other times one should be able to wear their hair as it pleases them and the Lord.lv sis.c

And don't forget their husbands, if they are married. ;)

[Apostolic Kitty]

Originally posted by foreverblessed
Amen Ak you preach it girlfriend! ;)

;)

[Cherokee]

Just thinking out loud...

Men really must be better looking than women because they aren't ever ridiculed for not wearing make up and I know my husband would faint if I wanted to put lipstick,mascara and false eyelashes on him!
And some women shriek,"Don't let them see me until I put my face on," so does that make a woman two faced?

Would it be perfectly alright for my husband to wear heels,panty hose, lace bra, silk blouse, and a split skirt (up to wherever the split stops) to work, or the grocery store, or in the church choir loft? God forbid that he would step behind the pulpit and try to preach looking like that! I'm afraid the congregation would never remember the text that day!
Now what in the world ( or church)would be wrong with that picture?
I just hope and pray he never yields to the temptation to do so!
As I said, Just thinking out loud....Love Ya' in Jesus!!..Cherokee

[LadyRev]

Oh goodness! My pet peeve has been touched on! :D

This issue of wearing the hair up is my personal pet peeve. First of all, let me say that I do indeed wear my hair up for church activities with few exceptions. HOWEVER, I don't do so because of any scriptural mandate because its simply not in the book.

History is in the book, tradition is in the book, cultural examples are in the book, but a mandate for a woman to wear her hair up is NOT in the book.

I don't mean to offend anyone, I am just sharing my personal opinions and experiences. I definitely think the decision to wear ones hair up or down is up to the individual.

Wearing the hair up is an "apostolic tradition" and nothing more. The bible cautions us about the traditions of men. It also tells us that all traditions are not bad. But we must be careful. Sometimes traditions are stumbling blocks to others, especially new converts. I speak from experience. There are far more important issues for a new convert to be concerned with than whether their hair is up or down so that they can sing in the choir or not feel like an oddball among the women.

I believe that pleasing our husband is important but pleasing God is most important. I believe in obeying our pastor but I don't believe wearing the hair up should be preached as a scriptural mandate nor should it be used as a measuring stick. Again, I speak from experience.

I have heard the argument about a woman letting her hair down "behind closed doors" (based on a country western song!) used as support for teaching that women should wear their hair up except when in private. As if every woman that doesn't wear her hair up out in public has the appearance of a whore. This is probably one of the most ridiculous arguments I have ever heard.

Last but not least...
If a woman's hair is given her for a covering and is a glory to her, why ball it all up into a knot? It seems to me there is scriptural support for wearing the hair DOWN.

But I reinterate, I believe the decision is up to the individual.

~Climbing off my soap box now~ Thanks for tolerating my rant! :D

[Apostolic Kitty]

Originally posted by LadyRev
I have heard the argument about a woman letting her hair down "behind closed doors" (based on a country western song!) used as support for teaching that women should wear their hair up except when in private.


:laugh: ROFL!

That is hilarious! Don't these folks know that "letting your hair hang down" is a metaphor of sorts???

Where do people get their thinking processes from? Don't answer that...it was a rhetorical question.

Think of the doctrines we could make up based on lyrics of secular music! Oh the possibilities are endless!

[ddc101]

Wow I am not used to that kind of reasoning.

[SisClarissa]

No, wearing the hair up is not scriptural.
But apostolics wear there hair up to represent
who they are. And what they stand for.
And unity is is the bible.
We do not have to wear our hair up but we
do so to be in unity with one another,
and some apostolic women have never
cut their hair and how awful it would look
to have their hair in their face and etc.
This is another reason we wear our hair up.
God bless
Sister Clarissa
Love In Christ Jesus~

[Apostolic Kitty]

Not all apostolics wear their hair up. So, would you such are not in unity?

Quite honestly, it saddens me that anyone would think they have to look a certain way in order to be in unity with another person.

I can tell you, I look completely different from my husband and son, yet in our family there is definitely unity.

Even at my job, we are all different people, but we work together for the unity of our department. It has nothing to do with our looks since none of us looks anything like one another.

Also, to keep your hair out of your face a barette, hairclip or ponytail all work quite well.

[SisClarissa]

Sister;
I did not say a person has to wear the hair up!
But why would an apostolic women want to look like the rest of the world when we have been set apart from the world. To represent the unity of the church and what we stand for is the reason the women in our church wear their hair up! The world knows who we are by the way we dress and wear our hair. And I am not ashamed to represent the Church in the unity of the women wearing their hair up. Oh their are some young girls who may once in a while wear their hair down, but for the most we wear it up to let the world know what we are and what we represent.
I am only commenting and hope I don't offend anyone, that is not the purpose of this site. I was just joining in with the rest of everyones comments!!
God bless
Sister Clarissa
Love In Christ Jesus~

[cinthia]

Hi all,
I have hair past my bottom, like alot of apostolic women, I hardley ever wear my hair up, I like it down and my husband likes it down, I do not believe because I wear my hair down That I am being like the world. Most of the women in the world today do not have long uncut hair. It is fashionable these days for women to have hair as short as a man.

[pentecostal mom]

I also have hair below my bum and I mostly wear mine up--because I get too hot if it is down in the summer and I cannot stand it in my face. I did go to a church where the choir members were asked to wear there hair up because some of them cut their hair and it gave the choir a more unified look. I also have a friend who got her hair in a candle at a wedding and burnt it off almost to her shoulders she wore her hair up until it grew out because she didn't want people thinking she had cut her hair.

[Felicity]

Originally posted by ddc101
Wow I am not used to that kind of reasoning.

You're not?!! I am. :yeah:

[LadyRev]

I get more compliments when I wear my hair down than I do with it up. People (sinners) notice the long hair because it is indeed more popular today for women to have short hair.

I have received compliments from both men and women. The men have often commented that they wish their wives would let their hair grow long. And then there are others that question as to how long it took for it to grow so long or do I do anything special to it to make it grow, etc. This "questioning" often opens the door for witnessing! :D I'll jump right through that open door!

Also, I have noticed that it is common for non-apostolic women with sufficient hair length to wear it up. Even shoulder length hair can be worn up. Put a dress on these non-apostolic women and possibly make a few other changes and these women could easily be mistaken for apostolics. I work outside the home and I see this everyday.

So I guess I don't see where "wearing the hair up" represents unity or lets the world know what we are and what we represent.

No offense is intended. We are indeed just sharing opinions and experiences. :)

[Apostolic Kitty]

Why would an apostolic woman be concerned with looking like anyone else?

I have seen both apostolic and non-apostolic women who look alike.

Really, if apostolic women (and/or men) wanted to look completely and totally set apart to not look like anyone else in the world, then there would literally have to be a uniform.

This is not necessary because we have the HOLY GHOST. It is THE HOLY GHOST that sets us apart -- it is not about anything we do or don't do.

When my husband first moved to Louisiana he took a job for a short period at McDonalds while looking for a better job. While in his uniform another worker asked him if he were pentecostal. That was just when he had begun to work there. He hadn't even begun to witness to them yet!

I've said it once and I'll say it again -- it is the HOLY GHOST that sets us apart -- not ourselves.

[Apostolic Kitty]

My hair is almost to my waist because my husband likes it that way. Otherwise, I may have left it at the shoulder blades or bra strap some time ago.

I wear it down most of the time. I make it a point to do so when I am around him (unless it is driving me crazy) because he likes it that way. When I do put it up, it's usually either in a clip or in a pony tail. If the pony tail touching my neck bothers me, then I just redo the pony tail by folding my hair before putting it up.

[Apostolic Kitty]

Originally posted by LadyRev
Also, I have noticed that it is common for non-apostolic women with sufficient hair length to wear it up. Even shoulder length hair can be worn up. Put a dress on these non-apostolic women and possibly make a few other changes and these women could easily be mistaken for apostolics. I work outside the home and I see this everyday.

I have noticed that, too, sissypoo.... (that rhymes) :)


I don't always get compliments, but just recently I had a woman boast to me about my hair saying how pretty it was. I was in a mission mindframe (get in the store, get what you need, get out) and don't take compliments too well, so I just went "oh. Thank you" and kept on my 90 mph pace. :) I felt proud of my long hair that day. :)

[LadyRev]

LOL! Originally posted by Apostolic Kitty
I have noticed that, too, sissypoo.... (that rhymes) :)


I don't always get compliments, but just recently I had a woman boast to me about my hair saying how pretty it was. I was in a mission mindframe (get in the store, get what you need, get out) and don't take compliments too well, so I just went "oh. Thank you" and kept on my 90 mph pace. :) I felt proud of my long hair that day. :)

You mean you were being a "hunter" instead of a "shopper"? A hunter goes in and gets what they came for and leaves. A shopper, well, a shopper shops! And may leave with nothing.

I myself am most often a hunter. Not always going 90mph but still a hunter. ~L~ I am not much of a shopper. I guess thats why I love to deer hunt. :D

[Apostolic Kitty]

Yes, I suppose I was being a hunter. :) I am not much of a shopper at all...unless I have money. I really hate to browse just for the sake of browsing. Who's got time for that? I know I don't! I prefer to come home from the store with "goodies"..... :)

[ddc101]

Sister Felicity,
Possibly its because of the work we are doing and the area we live in I don't know.We are too busy preaching the gospel to get into things the Lord needs to deal with personally.When you start with people who know nothing about the bible I guess you aren't having to war alot of junk people preach when they have nothing else to preach.We are blessed to be preaching the Oneness of the Godhead at this point.It does no good to try to clean up the outside when the people are sitting there with adultry in their hearts and multiple devils does it? lv sis.c

[ApostolicLady]

Oh man.....
Apostolic Women who dont like to shop? You guys just aint right!!!!!!
I Konw Becky aint a shopper..Searching and I have dragged her with us before..We are not hunters although we do get some prey to take home LOL

[LadyRev]

I am PROUD to be a HUNTER! :D

[ApostolicLady]

Guess thats better than being the hunted.....Girl, You still aint right LOLOL
I thought shopping and Apostolic ladies were 2 words that went hand in hand..
Kinda like you know..apostolics and restaurants........

[LadyRev]

I am perfectly normal my dear. :D

[ApostolicLady]

Hmmmmm
Lady Rev= Debateable LOL

[Apostolic Kitty]

I have to side with LadyRev on this one..... I think her and I would do well "shopping together". Of course, I really prefer to shop alone....

I have been dragged into shopping expeditions and found myself getting impatient waiting while my friend looked at everything in the store... UGH!

[LadyRev]

UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH! I can't stand shopping with people that have to look at EVERYTHING in the store!

Oh and whats even worse is shopping with people that have to go around the same Mall 3 or 4 times!

And then theres those that shop HUGE Malls to death, making the multiple rounds, and just when you think they are finished and we can GO HOME....they spot a small strip of stores down the street. Not a Mall mind you, just small, common, insignificant stores. Thats when I wait in the car or look for a place to sit and eat a snack! :yeah:

[LadyRev]

Hmmmmm...I think this appearance thread has been HIJACKED! LOL!

However, I prefer to NOT appear to shop! :D I'd much rather HUNT!

[pentecostal mom]

Me too I am a bargain hunter I love to boast about my great deals. But I do confess that when I go to Wal-Mart I always spend too much time and too much money!

[cinthia]

I love to Hunt and to Shop!:) I love the mall! I love walmart! I really love Consignment shops! I love to save money the most, so I do not get to go shop-hunt much! But it is fun!!!!! Oh I agree with LadyRev, We need to stop the hijaker! I for one was very interested in what other people where posting on the subject of appearence!

[LadyRev]

Ummm, actually, I think I AM the hijacker. LOL!

[ddc101]

Hey I love to shop when I have extra money for clothes.But for groceries I bear with it.What would we do without walmart? Where else would we see our church friends except at service.lv sis.c

[Apostolic Kitty]

Originally posted by LadyRev
Oh and whats even worse is shopping with people that have to go around the same Mall 3 or 4 times!

:eek:

No!!!! You just said the anti-Tina word -- MALL! I can't stand going to malls. I wish the stores I liked that were in the malls were individual somewhere. I definitely get in hunt mode when in a mall.

Now, I do admit that, when looking for clothes, I tend to take longer, but that's because I'm picky.

[ddc101]

Sister AP,
I love to shop in the strip malls and at Target.lv sis.c

[milady]

I do not like malls either.
:D

[pentecostal mom]

strip malls are a totally different creature from "malls" I like strip malls but I don't like malls.

[Cherokee]

One of 2 thoughts.... I thank God I have hair! And I believe it should bring God glory whether we wear it down or up.
I saw a time when hours were spent on "do" to outdo another Sis at camp meetings. That does not bring God glory.
Clean, attractive and neat is what is important to God and obedience to the Holy Ghost conviction He puts in us.
If their is resentment as to your hair it doesn't matter whether it is up,down,out or in,tied,twisted or whatever because God is looking into the heart of the matter.

Now the other part. I love to go to estate sales. You can find many nice things where so often garage sales are just someones trash.
I also like to shop for winter things in the spring and summer things in the falls because most stores are moving what has been left on racks to change seasons so you get good deals. Also after christmas sales and tax time sales from inventory.


Love ya" in Jesus!!! Cherokee

[Cherokee]

P.S. One thing about it, you can make long hair look short but you can't make short hair look long in most cases...Cherokee

[LadyRev]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cherokee
[B]One of 2 thoughts.... I thank God I have hair! And I believe it should bring God glory whether we wear it down or up.
I saw a time when hours were spent on "do" to outdo another Sis at camp meetings. That does not bring God glory.
Clean, attractive and neat is what is important to God and obedience to the Holy Ghost conviction He puts in us.
If their is resentment as to your hair it doesn't matter whether it is up,down,out or in,tied,twisted or whatever because God is looking into the heart of the matter.


I agree wholeheartedly! :)

[milady]

Originally posted by LadyRev
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cherokee
[B]One of 2 thoughts.... I thank God I have hair! And I believe it should bring God glory whether we wear it down or up.
I saw a time when hours were spent on "do" to outdo another Sis at camp meetings. That does not bring God glory.
Clean, attractive and neat is what is important to God and obedience to the Holy Ghost conviction He puts in us.
If their is resentment as to your hair it doesn't matter whether it is up,down,out or in,tied,twisted or whatever because God is looking into the heart of the matter.


I agree wholeheartedly! :)
Yes,I am glad I have hair too.
By the way Lady Rev. I love your website

[milady]

Originally posted by pentecostal mom
strip malls are a totally different creature from "malls" I like strip malls but I don't like malls.
I don't like malls because the clothes are always too expensive. I prefer to shop at Good will

[LadyRev]

Originally posted by milady
Yes,I am glad I have hair too.
By the way Lady Rev. I love your website

Thanks milady! :)

I need to do some updates though. The problem with that is TIME. :(

[milady]

Originally posted by LadyRev
Thanks milady! :)

I need to do some updates though. The problem with that is TIME. :(
I thought it was pretty anyhow. Have you ever thought of making background sets?

[BurningforJesus]

Greetings. Out of all those shops you have mentioned, we have Target.
I enjoy shopping with my girls. It is a pity the clothes are soooo immodest, I see my girls catching sight of something and going up to it with glee and getting it down and then finding it is too short or too low or no buttons where there should be buttons. I then see them take a glance at me and put it back on the rack.

Back on subject though....:) .... I like my hair, thin and not so long, as it is. I am able to do things with it that are simple quick and most times tidy too. I am not much into fiddly 'dos' as it takes too long and what sister Cherokee said I agree with too.

I enjoy going to Second hand shops too. I get really blessed when I find something the right size, colour and price.
I have never been to estate sales. They are usually Auctions anyway plus they are usually on Sunday mornings, and there is no way I will fore-go going to the Lord's house and be fed a banquet. I will chose the latter everytime.
Must go for now.
enjoying this thread and looking further on I see I have only just read page 7 of this thread and there is more after this. Never mind, I am still going to post it.:)
Have a lovely day or evening. never sure what time it is over your way. I know you on the east side of the States are just finishing Friday? We are just finishing Sat. It is 8.43pm right now as I type.
See you later.
Love
Burning.

[justavessel4him]

Originally posted by Janice Alvear
Sorry, if I offended anyone. Just lived a long time and seen a lot of things... Sister Alvear
Sis Alvear,
I can only say amen. Your post was, as usual, full of wisdom and truth.

[ApostolicLady]

Hi Sis Martha
Long time no see. I was wondering where ya had been..
God Bless

[LadyRev]

Originally posted by milady
I thought it was pretty anyhow. Have you ever thought of making background sets?

Actually, I have thought of making background sets. But theres so many sites that offer them, I just never have done any.

[milady]

Originally posted by LadyRev
Actually, I have thought of making background sets. But theres so many sites that offer them, I just never have done any.
ok

[pentecostal mom]

I love yard sales and thrift stores and junkin as my mom in law calls it. I bought my son 2 polo shirts a long sleeve cotton and a knit short sleeve one for $1.50. I just love it! And when old Navy has those end of the season sales I can always find nice long skirts for my daughter and usually they are around$5.

[milady]

Originally posted by pentecostal mom
I love yard sales and thrift stores and junkin as my mom in law calls it. I bought my son 2 polo shirts a long sleeve cotton and a knit short sleeve one for $1.50. I just love it! And when old Navy has those end of the season sales I can always find nice long skirts for my daughter and usually they are around$5.
yep,you can get a lot of good stuff at yard sales:D