It is a pretty weak girl who has only her body to attract somebody. ~ Spencer W. Kimball.My friend, Ember, has an interesting post today on modest clothing when you aren't a *dresses only* girl. Check it out. As always her posts are interesting & thoughtful. Even if you are dresses only this may help you better understand your sisters in Christ & the journey they have made in regards to modest clothing ~ & why they aren't *dresses only*. Enjoy.
11 comments:
I really enjoyed the visit to Embers blog - you are quite right, modesty doesn't only mean skirts. I am a skirt girl partly as it suits me best at work were I need to look professional (or try to!!).
I really enjoy Ember's blogs. Try her Wabi Sabi Jesus. I probably haven't spelt that right but you can link from her side bar. She is a very interesting lady.
I had a look over there too. I am interested in both yours and her comments on the lack of scripture used in Quaker worship. I understood from an old post of yours which I had read that all the thoughts/ speakers/ prophecies(not sure of the terminology)had to line up with scripture?
Ruby: You are quite right. I did say that. Optimally that is how it was meant to work & the safeguard that was put in place by the early Quakers. Over time the SoF has acquired more diversity than almost any other denomination so that I know of Quaker atheists. No idea how that works but they go to Meeting & worship with everyone else.
In unprogramed Meetings there is no preaching & it is this lack of teaching I think both Ember & I are refering to. This is not a concern if people are diligent about searching the scriptures & studying God's word for themselves but a huge concern if their beliefs are wishy~washy.
America, as you may have gathered from Ember's post & the following comments, has a strong conservative Quaker movement, very Christ centred, very scriptual. Australia does not. My local Meeting has many *Seekers* [something Quakers are strong on] who are searching for God but the Quaker emphasis on the *inner light* & no need for an intercessor/priest means people can come up with all sorts of garble. Where there is genuine seeking after God the Holy Spirit addresses this over time. Each Meeting is different. Some are very Christ centred, others middling, some not at all, & I am very careful to weigh any spoken ministry against scripture & what I know of the speaker's own spiritual journey. It can sharpen you but discernment is needed ~ which scripture tells us anyway, in any church. The Meeting I attended in Sydney was very Christ centred, my local one less so ~ but at least not pantheistic.
The SoF often attracts people who would never set foot in a regular church but it's greatest strengths: personal accountability/emphasis on direct personal access to God, are also it's greatest weaknessness.
Sorry to be so long but it is a little complicated to explain & your concerns are valid. It spins the *sola scriptura* people out but one should never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to lead people into all truth when they have a teachable heart. Hope that helps.
I always find your insights in Quakerism very interesting. Being originally from Ohio, the only Quakers there I knew were Christian and usually quite conservative in dress.
I don't know if I would qualify as conservative in dress by these standards, but I feel I am certainly more conservative than most Christian women on my end of the globe. I am not in the skirts-only category although I prefer long skirts with either comfortable walking sandals or boots...yeah, boots. I am a country girl at heart so I like things with a bit of country or old-fashion styling, but not flashy. A simple white top with a bit a lace and a long denim skirt makes me happy. Also, I always take at least a light sweater with me because even in summer I get chilled with air conditioning. I like short tops with a slight gather that just cover the waist so I don't have to tuck them in and wear a belt. I really don't like things tight around my waist at all.
However, when it comes to gardening, working with horses, and some other activities I am definitely in a plain pair of straight leg jeans or capris and whatever footwear that suits. If you see my knees, I must be completely miserable with the heat, which can make me quite ill, and that is rare. I suppose jeans are not as modest to some, but they are functional, don't easily get caught which reduces the risk of injury, and everything is covered as much as if I were in a skirt or dress. They usually are not too form fitting as I prefer my clothes to be comfortable and not tight.
Now my daughter, she is very aware of modesty. She has capris and we allow shorts just above the knee, which we usually have to find in boys clothes as girls are just beyond way too short right now. She would never wear a tank top; she would say it is "too embarrassing." She even wears tops under sleeveless dresses because she feels they show too much. I am hoping I am doing something right here.
Seeking: lol do you think we have a problem with being brief? Everyone else seems to manage just fine. You & I are writing sagas! ☺
So it seems. I guess we just have a lot to say right now...?
I am in agreement with sola scriptura. I do not think that we underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to lead people into truth. We witness many who claim to be led by the Spirit and yet we come to different conclusions. God's truth never fails. There is a right answer. Does the Spirit of God lie, God forbid. But we human vessels taint His teaching. God has given us His Word as the revelation of his will. Like the Bereans we must search it daily to see whether these things be so. Unless we have that firm foundation upon which to gauge all our beliefs and understandings of things I do not think it is reliable.
Ruby: I love God's word. I also love His spirit & how He works in my life. Personally I like to keep a balance between the two. Certainly God's word has been given to us for our instruction & edification but there are many testimonies of God's saving grace to people with no access to the scriptures. I do agree that we who are blessed to have access to many helps as well as scripture itself are foolish to ignore it but I have also seen people twist scripture to say things it was never meant to say. I guess the problem is just people. ☺ Our hearts are decietful.
Amen to that!
Ooh! I missed this post! Great comments, girlies!! Off to read the link now. I may be back with an opinion...
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