Kudos to Kylie!

I now have one more name to add to the short list: Kylie Bisutti.  In case you missed it, this beautiful young lady is even more gorgeous on the inside:  a woman standing in an international spotlight choosing to go against the stream and glorify God.  She has relinquished her contract with Victoria’s Secret because her career in modeling lingerie clashes with her Christian convictions to honor her husband with her body.  In at least one interview, she cited a poignant encounter with her 8 year old cousin as a turning point.  Kylie said her little cousin was watching her put on make-up and fix her hair one day and was admiring her.  The little one then remarked, "I think I'll stop eating so I can look like you.." and it broke Kylie's heart because she didn't want her little cousin to think this was the way to be beautiful.

God’s blessings to you, Kylie.  By the enormous strength you’re displaying, you will be influencing MORE young ladies to seek true beauty and worth in God’s sight.  What you’re doing now takes more guts, more hard work and endurance than winning that lucrative contract to wear the wings.

Case in point, dealing with this chaff: The Blemish. This anonymous writer for the Blemish is a prime example of a priest of the church of secular humanism.  Out of one side of his mouth, these liberal types will praise the famous who, under fire, will ‘buck the norm’ and come out about their homosexuality, and out of the other side, will tar and feather someone like Kylie for ‘bucking the norm’ for taking an unpopular stance because of Christ.   Your article embodies the hypocrisy of your ilk, being willing to consume women as a commodity for your insatiable pleasure.   I’d say, deep down, far removed from any news or web print, you men would be overwhelmed and humbled to experience the kind of devotion, love and honor that Kylie is showing to her husband in front of the world.

Kylie, may God grant you & your husband many, many joyful years.  You are an inspiration to millions!

  

What Demons Dread

A friend just posted this "bumper sticker" on Facebook and it's too good not to share:

I love it! I think I’ll print it out and tape it to my desk where I’ll see it each morning. It begs the question, just how to be that woman? Read Proverbs 31 and you’ll get a glimpse into the life of a godly woman, to whom the demons have reason to fear. She rises early, works with her hands, extends help to the poor and needy, is cloaked with strength and dignity, speaks with kindness, looks after her family, is trustworthy and fears the Lord. Her children bring blessings to her and her husband praises her.

My children asked recently, what exactly does it mean to fear the Lord? To be afraid of God? they wondered. I told them a fear of the Lord means to fear displeasing their Heavenly Father, to fear being out of fellowship with their Creator. To have a loving reverence for His will, as their King and Lord.

In days gone by, I regarded a “godly” woman as one who is mild, submissive and never heard. A pious woman, but not necessarily one that I admired or wanted to imitate. This has to do more with my pride and being a Type A personality than anything else. Now, a few decades later, I see differently.

I’ve realized that the people I admire most, those who have wisdom, patience and spiritual strength and stamina are godly. They fear the Lord. They are meek and they are the strongest people I’ve ever met. They are the ones who are slow to anger, obedient in prayer and usually quiet and reserved when conflicts exist around them. They are the listeners who think much before acting. They are the anchors in a chaotic sea because they are close to Christ. I want to be one.

As per my last post, our family is going through some trials. My sister is exhausted in every regard and I wonder why it is that God cannot grant her just one restful night sleep. So many are praying for her; does God not hear? She told me, “I feel like satan is right there -- right beside me just waiting for me to cave, to curse God”

I can hear Coach (if you’re a fan of Facing the Giants, you’ll know who I mean) yelling in our ear, ‘It’s right now! It’s right now that you have to be strong! When you want to quit, when you’re tired and worn out and can hardly breathe, it’s now that you have to dig in with all you’ve got’

Demons tremble at the name of Christ, for they know of the spiritual reality of God and His heavenly kingdom. (James 2:19) We cannot give up, we will not give in, we will finish the race well. God have mercy on me to be stronger than I am †

My Commitment to Loveliness ~

As began by Mat. Emily, I am including my list of things I can work on this week to increase a measure of beauty in my life, my home. Incidentally, when I think of beauty, femininity & strength Alphonse Mucha's artwork immediately comes to mind. That is his work, titled "Reverie" posted at left.

1. De-clutter. And, I’ll take any tips you can share! Running two businesses out of our house, while raising children & our fur kids, too, has transformed our home. I would so enjoy a tidy space where everything has its place & I’m sure my family would, too.

2. Take regular walks. My dog needs it & so do I! Plus, this is a great time for prayer.

3. Refrain from giving advice unless asked. *sigh* A tough one for me, but oh so necessary...Lord keep Thy hand over my mouth...

4. Set my spring silk flowers out... we could all use a reminder that spring really is coming!

5. Change my outdoor flag to usher in St. Patrick’s Day =-)