Modern Christianity has accepted a false impression of what God truly expects of us. They have accepted false sense of peace and rest in the entertainment of the world. It is far to easy to be carried away by the world’s philosophies by doing nothing, than to be swept away by our Savior in real joy and fulfillment. We find our “escape” from the world in movies, and music, and video games when God is asking us to come away with Him.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

It is a constant personal struggle to meditate on the Lord day and night. It is hard work to fill our minds with everything that is good, lovely, pure, noble, just, and true. {Philippians 4:8} It does not happen on its own.

“The one who came from heaven to earth for us and died on that cruel cross of shame on Calvary’s hill; who spared not himself; who endured the contradiction of sinners.  He who bore that agony in the garden and on the cross, He will look at us- and what He will look for is this: how we spent our time in this world after we realized what He had done for us. 

It is the terror of love you see, not the fear of torment.  You will look into that beloved face and into those eyes and you will realize, as you have never done before, what He did for you.  Then you will realize with shame what you did not do for Him.  Oh, says Paul, buy up the opportunity, do not waste a second.  Keep that in the forefront of your mind.” -D. Martin Lloyd-Jones

How many times do we sit and watch things on television or fill our minds with music that glorifies sin, and violence, and evil? We sit and turn our brains off to the things of God, and take it all the false ideas of the world, and really, of Satan. Satan loves to fill our minds with garbage, and he is working hard everyday to take control of your heart and your mind.

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 2 Corinthians 6:16-17

Think of all the amazing women throughout history- Elisabeth Elliot, Amy Carmichael, Gladys Aylward- could we imagine these women getting caught up in latest and newest television drama or rushing out to see the newly released blockbuster movie at the theater? I can not imagine it. These women were far too busy working to see God’s kingdom furthered, and being captivated by their Prince, living out their own love story with Him rather than watching a worldly romance play out on the silver screen. Christians should never allow themselves to be entertained by things of the world that disagree with our heavenly Father. We should never allow into our minds the music, magazines, or internet sites that openly make a mock of the purity and righteousness we are called to.

We get so addicted to things of the world that really, our affect on the world is next to nothing. Jesus calls us to be dead to the world; dead to the world, and alive unto Christ! He promises us rest and fulfillment in Him and Him alone. Are we willing to give up our movie time or Tuesday night television schedule to spend more time with our Savior, and meditating on the things He has said?

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 12:25-26

If we truly long to become like Christ, why do we live the way we do? We are called to hate the things that God hates and love the things that God loves. Would God stand up and cheer over the performances at that concert? Would he get excited about the newly released secular album? Does He become so enthralled by that television drama that life gets put on hold while the new episode airs?

Or does it break His heart to see our hearts so divided and distracted from the things of His word?

So often, we feel as thought we can ask, “How little can I let Christ into my life, and still be ok? How much can I step into the world, and not have God angry with me?” When instead we should be asking, “How much time can I spend Jesus today? What can I give up to give Him more of my mind and heart? What is my next step in becoming more like Him and closer to Him?”

Amy Carmichael said this, “We often ask the question, ‘What is the harm of it?’ — about reading certain books, following certain pursuits, taking our recreation in certain ways. Perhaps we have been working hard and need a change of thought and rest of brain. What is the harm of the latest novel, even if it happens to be rather unprofitable? And we who have not the time to read one out of a thousand of the real books that have been written spend a precious hour by deliberate choice over something not worthwhile. We love to live life to the uttermost, to touch souls to eternal issues. Entire separation to Christ and devotion to Him is required. Is there no other path to reach our goal? There is not. Ours should not be the love that asks, ‘How little?’ but ‘how much?’; the love that pours out its all and revels in the joy of having anything to pour on the feet of its Beloved. The question ‘what is the harm?’ falls from us and is forgotten when we Calvary, the Crucified, and the risen-again Rabboni of our Souls.”

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matthew 22:37

See if we are busy loving the things of the world with part of our hearts, we can not be loving God with all of them too. God calls us as Christians to such a higher standard than we so often set for ourselves, and that the world sets for us. We justify it by saying that it is harmless, and for entertainment purposes only, but mark it down, that we can not live set-apart lives with one foot in the world.

We can not be dazzled by the things of the world AND the things of the Lord.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:15-16

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4

We can not feast on the things of the world, and grow in Christ at the same time. We need to come OUT of the world and offer them a different live according to a different standard that other men and women would not even attempt for God. We are to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. How can we even try to be perfect while we sit and take in everything that is evil from the world?

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

God has offered us a life of peace, and joy, and rest of infinite proportions and we settle for worldly entertainment and ideals.

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak.  We are half hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy in offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.  We are far too easily pleased.”-C.S. Lewis

What are the worldly cravings that you need to lay aside? Entertainment that twists and perverts God’s plan and makes sin look beautiful? Music that glorifies darkness and perversion? Internet choices or magazines that influence you toward materialism or selfishness? Books that lead to a preoccupation with romance or make sin seem right and good and normal? Even friendships that lead you further away from Christ instead of deepening your relationship with Him?

Why is it that we say we love God so much and want to live to make Him known that we waste so much time on trifles? We literally offer our minds and hearts to Satan readily.

I want to submit to you, let us be the generation who longs for Christ. Let us be the generation who sets His glory and ideals above the world’s in our homes. Let us be the people who are completely separated from the world, and wholly devoted to the purposes of God so that we can live worthy of His blessings, and that we can see our generation eternally changed because of the footprints that we leave for the next. This is the higher standard that God has designed. This is the life we read about in the Bible that will actually become our reality when we live them out–Our prayers being heard and answered and lives being transformed and abandoned to Christ. It is only when we truly come away with our Beloved that we will have truly abundant and overflowing lives. He is calling you, drawing you. What will you answer Him?

“Jesus says, ‘Rise up, my love, my fair one and come away.’ He asks you to come out  from the world and be separate and touch not the unclean thing. Make no reserves. Come altogether away from seflishness- from anything which would divide your chaste and pure love to Christ- your soul’s Husband. Come away from your old habits. Avoid the appearance of evil. Come away from old friendships which may tempt you back to the flesh posts of Egypt. Leave all these things. Come away to private communion. Come away, shut the doors of your chamber and talk with your Lord Jesus and have close and intimate dealing with Him. Oh, take care that you begin aright by coming right away from the world, by making your devotion perfect, complete, unreserved, sincere, spotless. ” Charles Spurgeon

Like so many women, I had a “Proverbs 31 Phobia”. I dreaded studying the chapter of the Virtuous Wife out of fear. Fear that I would never be able to measure up to her. Fear that my faults would start showing through the cracks, and that God would never see me as a virtuous woman. I thought that I had to be “perfect” – something I knew I could never be. It was one evening during my Bible study time that God spoke to me and said, “Just read it. For real this time”. I had been avoiding that portion of scripture, and God wanted me to study it. Clearly, He had an awesome truth to share with me. Then, for the first time, I started seeing the Proverbs 31 Woman in a different light.

What makes this nameless, yet famous woman so significant, is not the fact that she knows how to cook, clean, have babies and stay at home while taking care of her family. It’s not the fact that she has great wisdom and business sense. It’s not because she’s an all-rounder. Of course, that’s great and valuable for any godly woman, but it’s her fear of the Lord that makes her a woman of virtue – that’s it. Her perfection doesn’t stem from her impeccable homemaking skills, but from her heart. Her perfection is not her own, it belongs to the One who owns her soul. The only reason why the Proverbs 31 Woman can be perceived as “perfect” is because she is a product of the God who lives within her. The only thing that’s perfect about her, is Him.

She doesn’t place her hope in her husband, her family or her looks, but in God.

Because of her fear of the Lord, she is able to be all that she is. You see, the Proverbs 31 Woman is the ideal example of a godly woman, not because she’s perfect, but because all that she does is a result of her relationship with her Saviour. She’s an example to every woman who wishes to please the Lord because she fears Him first and foremost, and every other area of her life flourishes because of it. That is something that doesn’t just apply to married women, but to every woman. Just like us, the Proverbs 31 Woman goes through many seasons in her life that needs His grace and guidance.

The Proverbs 31 Woman is no different from the type of woman that is described in 1 Peter 3. In fact, she is just a complete personification of the kind of godly woman described throughout the Bible. Much like a summary. If we read Proverbs 31 v 1-9, we will see that the words mentioned are by king Lemuel; a reiteration of what his mother told him when he was a child. Indeed, his mother understood what God expected from women. She understood what it means to be a woman after God’s own heart. If anything, the Proverbs 31 Woman should be an encouragement to women to pursue a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus – not pressure us to be “perfect”.

In ancient times, Proverbs 31 v 10-31 was a popular rhyme taught to young boys by their mothers to help them find “ideal” wives. In short, their mothers taught them to look for wives who aim to please the Lord, and who don’t live for beauty, charm and vanity which all fade with time. They understood that a woman who “fears the Lord” will live in a way that is more beneficial and that will satisfy God. Much like that which Paul describes as being “pleasing in God’s sight” in 1 Peter 3 v 3-5. He calls it cultivating “inner beauty” – something that we can only receive from the God who IS beauty.

So, I have learned that all I need to do in order to be a Proverbs 31 Woman, is put God first and focus on my relationship with Him. He desires to have our complete devotion, He wants to be our first love – and that, dear virtuous young woman, is what He deserves. It’s His blood that was shed for our sins and the high price of His sinless life (1 Cor. 6 v 20) that makes us “worth far more than rubies” (Pro. 31 v 10). It has nothing to do with our deeds or what we do for Him (Eph. 2 v 8).

Rest assured, we don’t need to be perfect to please God, we just have to desire to please Him and act on that desire.

-Danelle Vingtas

About the author:

Chambray Top: Seven- Macy’s

Green Pencil Skirt: J. Crew

Necklace: J. Crew

Shoes: Sam Edelman

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Meet Valentina From Miami!

Jeans: Hollister

Shirt and pumps: Forever 21

Purse: ASOS

So cute, girl!

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Meet Amy from Minnesota!

Cardigan: J.Crew

Dress: Target

Wedges: Target

Classic. Love it!

What now? Well, here are a couple things you need to know.

1. It hurts.

I know it hurts. It’s gonna hurt… And guess what- That’s ok. It’s ok to not be ok. It’s ok to be hurt. You invested your time, your emotions,  yourself in that person, and they walked away. You’re gonna cry. Because it mattered. If it didn’t matter, if you were some cold, heartless ice queen, it wouldn’t hurt. But, you aren’t. You are kind and caring and loving and giving and it mattered. You’ll ask yourself every question you can think of, what, why, how come? And the more you talk yourself out of being hurt the more real the pain becomes. Well, I’m telling you that it’s okay. Accept the fact that you care. Accept the fact that this does hurt- it physically and emotionally hurts. Because once you tell yourself its ok to be hurt, you can then help yourself begin to heal.

2. You rock.

You’re anything but confident at the moment, but there are a few things you should know. You are beautiful. You have so much to offer. You have infinite worth. Just because that one person out of 7 billion failed miserably at seeing it doesn’t mean it is not true. You are lovely, my darling, and you have to be brave enough to really believe this. You have people around you that love you. Love them back. Open your eyes and your arms and embrace all that God has given to you. Because one day you are going to look back and embrace this too. This is your journey. This is God directing your path if that is what your heart wants. You deserve to be with someone who digs you. Every little thing about you. If anyone doesn’t dig you, you need to move on. You have an obligation to rock in your life. You must rock..because there is someone out there who is looking for exactly the stuff that you are made of.

3. God has better in store for you.

Cliche, I get it, but the first step in finding something better out there is first believing that there is, in fact, something better out there. God is pretty cool. He made your heart, your mind, your personality. He made it all. I’m pretty sure he can make someone else who digs it. I am pretty sure that the God of the universe can find someone who won’t walk away. Because if this guy was God’s plan, he wouldn’t have passed you by. You trusted God with your salvation, and your life, and hopefully your relationship, and God chose a different path for you. He is in charge and no one else can mess up God’s plan for your life. This broken relationship is not going to be mended by sitting around asking questions forever. You have to leave the pieces on the floor, and move on with your life. Soon, the man of God will walk into your life. You won’t be wondering and guessing about the timing or his feelings. You won’t be waiting around for a phone call. You won’t be ruining your life running in circles trying to figure it all out. You won’t be feeling like ignored or rejected. You will be too busy being adored. He is coming. Wait for it.

Stop checking your ex’s facebook page, or twitter, or instagram. Stop asking all his friends about him. A break up should be just that- a BREAK. Think about your future no-name husband and all his spiritual strength and godly, sweet heart and think, “What are the things that I can do today that he would be proud of?” Pining over a guy who leaves us because he didn’t see your worth-and it’s easy to do, girls- is not something that he would be proud of. I know it’s easier said than done this moving on process, but just think back to your other little heart breaks when you thought, “Wow, I don’t think God can pull me through.” But He did! And He will again. You just have to turn over the broken pieces of your precious heart to His healing Hands. Give it all to Him…. He has is all figured out already.

4. Hello… You have work to do.

So that guy was not the one, and you haven’t met the one yet. While you are daydreaming about the wonderful mystery of your future, don’t forget about your purpose. This may come as a surprise but the grand purpose of your life is not just to get married.

You see, I have come to the realization that if I could serve God better and bring Him more glory married, then, I would be married right now at this very moment. So even though sometimes I don’t like to admit it, God knows better than I do. I could try to convince Him otherwise all I want, but He knows the perfect timing for everything in our lives. If we are living to serve Him, then He will take care of it! Right now, you have a job to do. A job that could not be done if you were married. A job that will bring God the MOST glory if you do it now, while you are single.

Figure out what you are supposed to be doing, and get busy doing it!

Get busy working toward things that really matter. Seek the kingdom FIRST, because even marriage is a temporary state that will eventually give way to the beautiful reality of what the picture points to- our relationship with Jesus Christ. He is enough, anyways. No one will truly complete you except Him.

5. Trust God.

Basically, you know what you have to do. Trust your Heavenly Father. You WANT His will. He is going to lead you into it, and He is not going to let you make a decision that isn’t a part of it. He is not going to let you marry someone who doesn’t see you true value- and he obviously doesn’t if he let you go. God is too good for that and He loves us too much.

And He knows. He knows that you long for companionship so badly that it hurts. He knows exactly what you need, and if you let Him and if you love Him, He can work all things together for your good and His glory. Dig into the word and claim every singe promise you find! You have to trust His plan, and know that He is writing a story so magnificent it would make Nicholas Sparks swoon.

Chin up, beautiful. There are brighter days ahead.

*****

Dear beautiful girl,

I know, My daughter, I know. That thing you wanted is not going to happen. Not the way you’ve always dreamed. I know this hurts. I know this stings. I know you feel like I am distant or not aware of where you are and who hurt you and what you think life was supposed to be like. I know this world is hard on you. I know that you are hard on yourself. I know that you struggle to believe that I have created you in the most loving and delicate way possible. You are exactly how I wanted you. Made in My image and designed for My purpose. I know that others in the past have made you doubt that you are worthy of love, but that ends today. I AM your Father, the King of kings, and have given you worth beyond that of the galaxies. I faced death to be with you, and no matter who sees it, no matter who knows, you and I know, you are My princess and you are worth loving. I know in moments like this you doubt that I can count the hairs on your head or have your best in mind. But please, I am not done. I have barely started to reveal your life to you. I am the God who satisfies your desires with good things. That is ME! And when it comes to your hopes and your fears and your dreams, I know.

Love, your Heavenly Father

Chiffon Top: Free People

Jeans: Buffalo

Shoes: Fossil

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Meet Andi!

Dress & Flats: Target

Belt: Forever 21

Necklace: Walmart

Earrings: Charlotte Russe

So cute!

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Meet Stormie from Indiana!

Brown leather jacket: H&M

Polka dot dress: American Rag-Macys

Yellow tights: Icing

Brown Suede Booties: Ebay {$30- nice find!}

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Girls! I am also on pinterest if you didn’t know. I do my best to pin MODEST outfits to choose from… { and lots of other fun things :} so for more ideas, go follow me there! {Click HERE}

Marriage is a beautiful picture of the gospel. Husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. Wives are commanded to submit themselves to their husbands as the church submits itself to the Lord. As the woman submits to her husband and her husband submits to the Word and to the Lord, the gospel is shown to all who look on their marriage.. and God is glorified.

So, what about the rest of us? I don’t want to miss the chance to live out the gospel for the world. I want a life that proclaims the glory of God. What about me? What about now?

In 1 Corinthians chapter 7, Paul speaks about marriage and singleness, and what he says may surprise you. He doesn’t say, “get married,” and he doesn’t say, “stay single.” He says, “Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.” (vs 27) Um, well what does that mean? It means, “Hey, both are good….chill out!”

Singleness is not a curse- it is grace. It’s not about being married or single. It’s about trusting God in whatever state you are. If you are married, be content. If you are single, be content. And if you seek fulfillment in Christ, you will find it.

Paul goes on to say,

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. (vs 32-34)

Singleness is an incredible and exceptional privilege. The gospel says you do not NEED anyone but God to complete you, and while marriage is a picture of Jesus Christ and His bride, singleness also portrays the gospel powerfully in that the Christian’s ultimate identity is in Christ alone.

Think of all the things that you can do focusing all your energy on Christ right now instead of caring for an entire family. Oh, Christian, there are spiritual battles to engage in right now. There are such important fights to be fought for the glory of God, and right now, you are free to focus on these battles. Right now, you have a job to do– a job that could not be done if you were married– a job that will bring God the MOST glory if you do it now, while you are single.

The sole purpose for our lives is not marriage, it is the glory of God.

Figure out what you are supposed to be doing, and get busy doing it! Get busy working toward things that really matter. Seek the kingdom FIRST, because even marriage is a temporary state that will eventually give way to the beautiful reality of what the picture points to- our relationship with Jesus Christ. He is it. He is enough. No one will truly complete you except Him.

I’d love to tell you that I am a spiritual giant who never struggles with loneliness or never looks up and says, “God, whatcha doin’?” Because, unfortunately, it’s not true. This was not my plan. This was never my plan, but let me tell you, God rarely does it the way WE think He should. Are we willing to trade our timeline for the schedule of the Author of time? Are we willing to give up our tiny plans for the very dreams of God? Are we willing to give our lives, our entire lives here on earth, for HIS glory?

Do you think it was David’s plan to fight Goliath or become King of Israel? Do you think it was Daniel’s plan to be thrown into a den of lions? Do you think it was Moses’s plan to wander in the wilderness with God’s people for most of his life?

What about Mary? I mean, if Mary was willing to give up her dreams of a perfect wedding and have a baby out of wedlock who would eventually save the world, I think I can give up my plan, my timeline, the way I thought that it should go, and surrender it to God. I think I can let go of what I think is best to really have the perfect way of God. I can really be content with what He sends my way because I don’t want to miss out on proclaiming His glory the exact way He planned me to do it. I can be content with the opportunities that He sends my way to live the gospel out in front of the world, and I can trust the heart and wisdom of my God to direct my life and work everything for my good and His glory.

Don’t stop believing. Don’t stop praying. Don’t stop looking. Do stop stressing. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are running out of time. Because when the Author of time deems it right for you to fall in love and be married, then you will, and it will be magnificent.

I’m single and I’m giving up– giving it all up to God. Won’t you do the same?

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. Psalm 18:30-32

David was just a boy. How could he defend himself against a wild animal? He could have sat down in the middle of the field and given up. He could have cried out to God, “Why did you let this happen to me? You have given me more than I can handle. I thought you were supposed to bless me for all the things I have done right!” But David did not.

With confidence in God’s strength and assurance that he was not alone, David ran after that lion, killed him, and took back the sheep. Then, David went back to tending the sheep just as his father asked.

A few weeks passed, everything was going smoothly when out of no where a bear came along to take a sheep. David again could have gone home and left the sheep to cry in his bed, “God, how many times is this going to happen to me? You are NOT taking care of me like you said you would! When will I get my blessing??” But David did not. Again, he rose up and, remembering how God had helped him overcome the lion, David defeated the bear and saved the sheep once more.

David could not see the future. He did not know what was awaiting him. He did not know the enemy of the Lord would soon call his name and it would go down as one of the most famous upsets in history.

David and Goliath. How could he have known that the whole time he was being tested and God was preparing his heart for what was to come? He didn’t know. He simply trusted, and when Goliath called his name, he had the courage and faith to say,

Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.

And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 1 Samuel 17: 34-37

David knew at that moment that everything that God had brought to him, and brought him through was preparation for possibly one of the greatest moments in his life for the glory of God. With each testing of his faith, God was preparing David to reach his full potential. With each trial, David’s faith was made stronger. God alone knew what David could handle in each situation, and David trusted his love and wisdom.

Trials come to all of us. Sometimes right in the middle of doing exactly what God has called us to, God will throw us a curve ball. None of us are strangers to the lions and bears of troubles and trials in this life. When these trials arise, we can sit with our head in our hands and ask God “WHY?” …. or we can trust God’s hand working in our lives.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

God is preparing you for something in the midst of a trial. He wants you to reach your full potential, and he does that through the testing of your faith. Just as exercise tears down muscle to build it back up stronger, God uses our hard life situations to tear down our pride, and self sufficiency, and to build our faith in HIM. When we are patient and trust His hand even when we can not see, we can be made little by little into what he has truly created us to be. We can always trust Him to bring us through every trial and every testing that comes our way, and believe me, they will come.

Looking back one day, you will be able to say, as David said, “God has never failed me before when I have trusted in Him…. and He will not fail me now.”

I’m so excited it is spring!

My outfit is from the following stores:

Top: Free People

Polka Dot Jeans: Forever 21

Shoes: Lucky Brand

Hat: Lovely Bird

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Meet Amy from Minnesota!

A quote from her email that I loved: “I am super passionate about fashion, and modest fashion especially — fashion for women & girls who aren’t stick skinny.  Why do we long to starve ourselves when most of the world just wants to eat?!?! Honestly.”

Absolutely, Amy, I agree!

Her outfit is from the following stores:

Top: Black Poppy at Pacsun

Black Jeans: Maurices

Boot Moccasins: Minnetonka

Meet Aleah!

A quote from her email that I loved: “I am a Christian, teenage girl. I also really love clothes a lot. I believe modesty is really important. It is sometimes hard, however. But I know you can wear super cute, fashionable outfits and still honor God at the same time.”

That’s why we do Fashion Friday!!

Her outfit is from the following stores:

Dress, Hat, and Jeans: All from Target!

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So many girls have mentioned that it is “SO hard” to find modest and cute clothing…. well I’m here to set the record straight. I’m a shopper, people.. and these are my confessions. We have got to take back fashion, girls… we have got to take control of what we wear, and how we present ourselves. Because if we claim the name of Christ, He cares how we do it.

I do NOT have a problem finding cute and modest things to buy.

And to prove it, I started segment of the blog called “Fashion Friday.” It has featured some of my favorite outfits, and where to buy them! …. and of course posts on Friday. :]

However, the best part is that YOU can be featured in Fashion Friday too! Simply take a picture of your favorite fashionable modest outfit and send it to thefulltimegirl@gmail.com, and check back to see if you are posted! Be sure to include the picture, your name, where you are from, and the brands of your clothing so we can look for it in stores!

Check out all the “Fashion Friday” posts here!

I’m so excited to re-launch one of your favorite segments!! “Fashion Friday” is a super fun way to share clothes and encourage each other to dress modestly to bring honor to our Jesus.

I’m super excited for a new Fashion Friday next Friday, March 29!

Send in your pics and spread the word!!

xoxo,

thefulltimegirl

These days, social media is HUGE part of our lives. Most people log on every single day to check out what their friends are saying and doing. It is a great way to catch up with old friends, keep up with current friends, and make new ones.

However, there are so many young people who obsessed with their online lives. Looking through pictures from their friends, comparing their looks and comparing their lives. We have girls posting pictures of themselves every day needing likes to boost their self esteem. Every detail is broadcasted for the world to know and approve and give attention for. Insecurities are compounded and jealousy is rampant. We crave the attention and live for the approval of others.

Although helpful, I feel that the world would be much better off sometimes if it were not for social media. So many are more concerned with what their lives look like on social media than what they actually are.

So what can we do about it?

We have to admit the problem. Cliche, I know, but we have to recognize the mistakes in our thinking before we can begin to fix them. How do you feel about your social media profile? Could you be happy with your life if it were deleted…. or would you feel alone without any attention to boost your self-esteem? Do you live your life to live it or for how it looks on Facebook?

Be honest with yourself.

Secondly, recognize where you are in life. Jim Elliot, the martyr missionary, said,  “Wherever you are, be all there.” If we are so much more concerned with how our lives LOOK than how they FEEL, we will miss our entire lives. In 10 years, or even 5 years, or probably even 1 year, it is really not going to matter how many “likes” your profile picture got or how many people were impressed with your #nofilter selfies on instagram or your check in at the grocery store, starbucks, forever 21, and Panera bread.

I’m not saying any of those things are inherently wrong. [As long as we are keeping it classy] But, what I’m saying is what do we take from these things? Our self-worth? Really? There are so many better things we can be using social media for rather than getting attention from people for our own selfish gain.

It all boils down to WHY we do what we do. What if it were all shut down? What of our REAL lives would we have left? Have we poured so much of ourselves into our online profile that real life is suffering? Because that’s what matters most: the people in real life that we have relationships with; the ministries we can be giving our time and energy to; the real life issues that we can address when we aren’t so concerned with ourselves and how we look online.

The only cure is to define ourselves completely with CHRIST.

So easily we buy into the lie that the world has something “on us” and that we need to measure up to the standard it has set for us. We try to put a band-aid over the issues by telling ourselves and each other, “You are beautiful.. and unique.. and wonderful.. and special all on your own.” But without God, those good feelings will fade. Your worth does not come from how many friends you have or how many “likes” your Facebook status gets, how many followers you have on twitter, or how many double-taps you get on instagram.

Your worth comes from the One who created you, and has already defined you.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10

The Proverbs 31 woman remembers the price that was paid for her- a price far above the most costly vanities of earth. Jesus Christ bought and paid for her with His precious blood. He did not pay this price only for her salvation. He bought her very soul. She belongs to God, and through this transaction, she is enabled to live a valiant, virtuous life through the strength of Jesus. When she is completely abandoned to her Savior, she can showcase not her own, but HIS strength, and beauty, and grace.

Jesus Christ is so beautiful, and when we find our identity in Him alone, we are defined with HIS beauty. Is there anything more beautiful than Jesus? Nope… I promise. Get to know Him, and you will know what I mean.

To be honest, I’m over it. I’m over this exhausted girl who puts pitiful statuses up about her depressing view on life. I’m over the duck faces and pouty lips and bikini shots. I’m over the girl that looks so tired and hungry. I like confident girls. I like people filled with life! I’m over this hollow-eyed, empty, party garbage all over the internet.

I get worried for young girls because I want them to feel that they can be smart and sassy and weird and geeky and independent and beautiful and lovely and godly and fun and fulfilled… and not so withered and shriveled and empty and depressing.

Let’s re-evaluate our social activity and what we are most concerned with. Social media is not evil, but when we are more concerned with what we look like than who we are, our real lives and ministries and relationships suffer.

So we can waste our lives begging for attention on social media or……We can make a change in social media. Let’s start a rebellion!! Let’s use our social media for good and to glorify God instead of ourselves. Let’s be different, set-apart. Let’s be the girls God not only wants us to be, but calls us to be. Let’s not waste our uniqueness competing and emulating everyone else. Let’s be a voice for good and for God.

It’s really our choice to make. We need to wake up, girls. This is real life.

Hashtag #thefulltimegirlREBELLION to join the movement!!!