The Sanctuary

10-3-06

Modest (adjective)
1. humble –not having or expressing a high opinion of your own achievements or abilities
2. shy –not assertive, and tending to be easily embarrassed in company
3. reasonable –not large, extreme, or excessive
4. simple –not showy, elaborate, or pretentious
5. not overtly sexual –not drawing attention to or discussing sexuality, and so unlikely to offend or arouse.

Appropriate (adjective)
Fitting –suitable for the occasion or circumstances

Propriety (noun)
1. socially correct or appropriate behavior –conformity to the standards of politeness, respect, decency, or morality conventionally accepted by a society
2. quality of being socially appropriate –quality displaying behaviors thought to be correct or appropriate.

I believe we must recognize the differences among these words in order to come to some sort of common ground. I am using the Christian worldview. With that in mind, we can agree that to be modest (using the previous definition) is something we are all called to be (1 Tim 2:9-10). Even though modesty does not stop at just clothing, I am going to focus on that.

Our AMERICAN culture as a whole has been ever-changing as far as propriety. A hundred years ago, it wouldn’t have been socially appropriate behavior to walk out of your house or even answer the door without covering most of the skin on your body. It wouldn’t have been appropriate to go to the beach without the proper attire. Nor would it have been appropriate to show up at church with something you would wear to the beach. Even in the few years that I’ve been on this planet, our culture has changed. I’m astounded at how short shorts and skirts are, and can’t believe that young ladies wear lingerie as casual tops. Some tops are open from neck to naval. Now, the question is, are we as Christians, being set apart from the culture, but in the culture, supposed to accept this “socially acceptable behavior” as a defendable action? I say, NO.

Although the culture has changed in the amount of skin it is able to show in the public, it doesn’t mean our God is any less holy than he was before creation, nor has he changed his standards. Just because MTV says it’s okay to dress this way, doesn’t mean that we as Christians should say okay. As Derek Webb sang, “the Truth is never sexy, and it’s not an easy sell.”

Every Christian should be careful with what they put on or in most cases –don’t put on. Even if I say that I am not wearing this for guys to look at me, I’m wearing this, because I like it, I am only saying that I am choosing vanity and selfishness over being a temptress. We can’t control whether or not a person lusts after us, but if we can change our hearts to be more like Christ’s, we would find that we can more easily discern what is appropriate or not (”And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”) (And of course the age-old saying comes to mind: “who wants to buy the cake when they can get the slices for free?” God tells us to honor our husbands. Even if we are not married, how are we honoring him by wearing the “eye-candy” that every guy is going to get a taste of?

We as Christians should stand out from the culture and dress in a way that will glorify God. Skin-tight clothing, low-cut with cleavage hanging out, short skirts that barely cover you up, even those cute little accents that draw your eyes’ attention to certain areas of the body should be considered…I don’t think that is what God had in mind when he told us to dress modestly. I think what he had in mind was a people that dressed in HIS BEAUTY. A people who recognized that they were made in the image of God, and that we are beautiful, only because it is Him in us! “She is clothed in strength and dignity;”

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

9-2-06

Rumor has it that there are a few insider copies of my upcoming album floating around the United States. Well folks…it’s true. Scott sent me copies of all the songs -just vocals and guitar. I made a copy for my parents, a copy for my grandparents, and a copy for my best friend Jacki. The rest of you will have to wait until the CD comes out or steal it from one of them. I would prefer that you wouldn’t steal, but if you must hear them, I will tell you that they are in Las Vegas, Charleston, and Texas.

August 2006

Hey everyone! I’ve got some exciting news…I recieved three songs today! Not complete, but they are still
A-Mazing! Scott…you are the man! I’ve sold like 10 magnets so far. Ninety to go. I need to start working on a CD case insert and all that jazz. I also need to start finding some places to play. I mean…that would be good, right?

August 2006

Another thing…I was listening to a radio program the other day…probably Focus on the Family. It was an interview with the author of Teaching True Love in a Sex-at-13 Generation. They were talking about purity and how the viewpoint of young people, even Christians, has been drastically distorted. It was not news, because I am not too old to remember middle school through college, but it was disturbing.

Purity has become nothing more than another way to push the envelope and see “how far is too far.” It is called “Christian Sex” in some communities, and has become the way Christians stay “pure.” Its everything and anything…with the exception of losing your virginity. “Purity.”

It goes to show that we, as a Christian community, need to step up and teach our young people what it means to be pure. We need to stop leaving it just to the church youth director or Christian School teacher. It is our responsibility to show them The Way they should go…so they will not depart from it. If we don’t, someone else will show them a way…and it won’t be easy coming back.

Anyway…read the book. And I wrote a song about it.

August 2006

I just want to praise God for the support of Old Fort Baptist Church! Thank you EVERYONE that has sent a gift in support of my [His] music. I definitely feel the love! You all ROCK!

I also did a mini-concert after bible study at the Dirkes’ Tuesday night. I really love playing in living rooms! So, if you know anyone who wants to learn more about God’s truth in a post-modern world, have some fellowship, snacks, an occasional pork chop, or a free concert…come to bible study…you never know what you’re gonna get! Or if you know anyone who wants me to play in their living room…let me know!

August 2006

Okay…so the website is up. Let me know what you think. Suggestions welcome.

www.lovetopraisehim.com

August 2006

Well, I’m finally back home. It was SOOO nice to sleep in my own bed again…even though I need a new matress. Baby needs a bath and a shave very badly. I’ll take care of that tomorrow. Today, I stopped by CopyMax to pick up my last two checks. Things over there are still crazy. I feel very sorry for those that I left behind. I guess I just feel so great that I wish they all could feel as good as I do.

Anyway…being away has given me a greater appreciation for Charleston. I’m glad to be back.

August 2006

Well, today is my last day in Texas. My parents should be arriving this afternoon. So, I thought I would mention a few likes and dislikes.

What I liked about Texas:

Jacki, Kendall, Michelle, Laurent, Ashley, Jen…and basically everyone I met
Southwestern Seminary
Everything is bigger and hotter in Texas
The U-turn lane

What I disliked:

My family is too far away
No Ocean
Everything is bigger and HOTTER in Texas…and they don’t have any trees!
It seems unusually brighter in Texas…wierd
Confusing roads

All in all…I had a great time in these few weeks. It has been a great adventure. I’ve gotten a lot accomplished, visited many places, met many people, and have gotten to know myself again. I think I really needed this. I’m glad that I have had the opportunity to go around and just live. On the other hand, I can’t wait to see my friends and family back home, to sleep in my own bed, drive my Jeep, and to play with my dog. Although this is the last day of my trip, I am certain that God has more to come…

Movie Taverns that is…and a Boba drink is an asian smoothie.

So, last night, Jacki took me to this little Asian place to have the Boba Drink experience. I was a little skeptical…no surprise there. Basically, you can order them in all different fruit flavors, coffee flavors, tea flavors…etc. It can be iced or slushed. So far, so good. So, what makes it a Boba? Well, they put tapioka balls at the bottom. I do not like tapioka. lol. I did try it for Jacki’s sake though. The flavor was pretty good. Then, I sucked a tapioka ball into my straw. Jacki told me to chew it up. It was like an eyeball! I DO NOT like tapioka. Yuck. -Sorry Jacki. The place was kinda neat though…you’re typical Asian store. They had an anime DVD collection for purchase, I guess. Magazines…American and Oriental. You could order oriental food too. Now, here’s the best part…they had Christian music playing. Yes, they were a Christian owned business. How cool is that?

Then, we went to see Step Up at the Movie Tavern. Now, that was a really neat place too. The seats in the theater are pretty comfortable. Each row of seats has a countertop-like table. You can order food and drinks or you can just prop your feet up on the table. I wasn’t too comfortable propping my feet up on a table. Even though it was made for that, it just seems impolite. I tried, but I ended up just sitting “Indian style.” The movie was pretty good. It was pretty much predictable, but the dancing was good.

Jacki and I went to Eurotazza, a Christian owned/operated cafe in Fort Worth. We stopped by to see if I could play there this weekend. They were booked though. It was a pretty cute place. It made me want to start my own business. That would be so cool. I think that I would like to do that some day…for real.

I started writing some new songs this week. I have a lot of alone time on my hands since Jacki and Kendall work during the day. So, I finished one song. It is pretty good. I’ve had it in my head all day. I don’t have a name for it yet. The song is written like a recalled conversation between “me” and “someone else.” The jist of the song is about one Christian trying to admonish and the other Christian’s reaction. I’ll have to play it for you all when I get back.

Other than that…I’ve just been watching movies, playing guitar, hanging out, and relaxing. I can’t wait to get home. I miss everyone so much. Then again, I will have to start looking for a job right away when I get home. Not looking forward to that. Keep me in your prayers…love ya