What Is Beauty?

 Listening to something on the radio today got me to thinking... and we all know that's dangerous. That's why it doesn't happen often. ;P

 Anyway, the man on the radio said "Women are the center influence in the home; whatever they do effects everyone around them, inside or out." And I have to agree with that... it seems whatever attitude we girls have, effects the attitude of those around us. This works negatively, and positively. As to which one... that depends on us.

The positive effects:

 Proverbs 31:23

  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

 The negative effects:

 Proverbs 5:3-6

  For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

  But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

  Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. 

  Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

 The strange woman's ways not only effect those around her, but herself as well.  

 Believe me, it's easier to be the strange woman than the virtuous woman. 

 Okay, so now you're wondering what this has to do with beauty, I know. Just hold on, we'll get there.

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

 Often times we girls forget just how powerful our actions and attitudes are. No, not as in how feminists  talk about "girl power", but as in how God talks about "girl power".

 We forget just how much influence we have on the world, from our own home.  We influence our family, and all who come to our homes, and then they go out into the world, and that influence then carries into how they influence others.  This is pretty serious ladies.



 Now we get into what this has to do with beauty.

 We girls (generally, but not always) put a great deal of importance on looking good.  We have this idea that guys like pretty girls (and they do) so, the thing to do is try to be pretty always.
 There is nothing wrong with looking nice. We need to be careful about dress, cleanliness and all that.  But there's something far more important to being pretty that we need to pay closer attention to.

 Inner beauty is much harder to acquire. But it's far more important.

 As the man on the radio said "We have to be beautiful inside before we can have outward beauty that is genuine."

 Whatever is in the heart will show on the face. Make sure your heart is right, then the rest won't matter so much, because it will be taken care of.

 We get things backwards here.  We're trying to look good outside, and not paying as close of attention to inner beauty, instead of working on inner beauty and letting the rest take care of itself.
 Before you say "But wait! The other matters too!" I know.  But outward beauty is a side effect of inner beauty.
 You can try all you like to be pretty outside, but if your heart isn't pretty, the outer beauty won't last.

 Something the man said about what inner beauty is, that caught my attention... "Not winning arguments, but people to Christ, is the goal."
 That struck me.  We are so easily distracted by wanting to look good, either in form, or in our intelligence level.  We have this desire to "win the argument" so we don't look stupid.  But part of inner beauty is caring about the other person, not about making a good impression.

 Proverbs 31:20
  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

 But remember, not only is charity/kindness a main aspect of inner beauty... but so is wisdom.

 Proverbs 31:26
  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

 True beauty is more than skin deep. Inner beauty makes outward beauty so much prettier.

 Proverbs 31:30
  Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

 God is the source of true beauty. God is beauty.  We need to keep our focus on Him, and trust Him with everything else.  When we do that, we're more beautiful than any beauty queen.

 Proverbs 31:29
  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 

I'm A What?

 That's right. A Princess.

 Now, before anyone laughs at this observation, let me tell you what I mean in saying it.

 Since we have been redeemed through the blood of Christ, are we not God's children?  Is He not King over all?

 Aren't children of earthly kings called either a Prince or a Princess?  As children of the One True King, are we not then either a Prince or a Princess?  
 We are? You're sure of that?   Good. Then let us proceed....

How are children of earthly kings expected to behave themselves?  

First of all, I should think, since they bare the royal family name, and at least one is being prepared to one day take the throne, they are not allowed to break the laws of the realm, and do as they please simply because they are royalty.
 This seems to be a common misconception (at least among Americans ) that royalty can do whatever they please, and no one can tell them no since they are in fact royalty, and have final say.
 How often we forget how many kings have been put to death for breaking their own laws.

 With that in mind, why do we, as children of the Almighty God, King of all the universe, think we are ever justified in not following His laws, and living in a manner that brings more honor to the Royal family name of Christian?
 As children of the Almighty King, surely we have more reason to live honorably. Surely ours is the greater weight of responsibility?

Romans 8:17
 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.

 There are ever so many things I could talk about on this subject, but the other points will be covered in future posts. So let this suffice for now.

 Keep in mind who you are as a child of Almighty God, a son or daughter of The King, and live accordingly.   Read the letter (Bible) He has given you, and follow His instructions. They will never lead you wrong.

 Should you go wrong, remember He is not only King of all, but a loving Father, who is ready and willing to forgive those who are repentant and willing to give up sin in exchange for His glory, and bringing more honor to His spotless name.

Let It Go

 The song Let It Go from Disney's Frozen has taken the world by storm. Or so it seems.

 Everyone seems to be singing it, many have been recording it themselves, and the rest of us are doomed to having it stuck in our heads.  I have heard it many times, and don't like it.  Many have tried to explain to me how it is a good song, and perfectly acceptable, but it still doesn't set right with me.  Some may think I'm too hard on it, or judging it too much... but I see it as a dangerous song, and herein I shall attempt to explain the reason why.

 "The snow glows white on the mountain tonight,
  not a footprint to be seen.
  A kingdom of isolation and it looks like I'm the queen.
  The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside.
  Couldn't keep it in, Heaven knows I tried.
  Don't let them in, don't let them see.
  Be the good girl you always have to be.
  Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know.
  Well now they know!"

 So far not much trouble. She seems to be lamenting a mistake made.  Except that last line... that's where the rebellion comes into her voice.

 "Let it go, let it go!
  Can't hold it back any more.
  Let it go, let it go!
  Turn away and slam the door.
  I don't care what they're going to say.
  Let the storm rage on.
  The cold never bothered me anyway."

 So whatever it was she was supposed to keep in, that got out... she is now yelling out in rebellion, saying she doesn't care.  She's going to "turn away and slam the door"... Rather than making right the wrong she was just lamenting - she is now walking out on responsibility.

 And, if what she did wasn't wrong, then she made it wrong by walking out instead of standing up and doing what was needed.

 Correct me if I'm wrong - but doesn't wrong doing - or at the very least, messing up "slightly"- require repentance and making it right?   Would it not be wrong to suddenly blurt out in frustration/anger about something and walk out, shunning responsibility?

 "It's funny how some distance,
  makes everything seem small.
  And the fears that once controlled me, can't get to me at all
  It's time to see what I can do,
  to test the limits and break through.
  No right, no wrong, no rules for me.
  I'm free!"

 Ah, here we go. Being free from fears is not at all wrong... but being free from rules, right and wrong, now there's the problem.
 Wrong is defined as sin, and sin is defined as lawlessness, the law being the law of God.

 1 John 3:4

  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

 As for being free... freedom is not found in rebellion. Never has been. 

 John 8:32
  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
 Romans 8:2
  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

 "Let it go, let it go.
  I am one with the wind and sky.
  Let it go, let it go.
  You'll never see me cry.
  Here I'll stand, and here I'll stay.
  Let the storm rage on."

 So now, after openly declaring her rebellion, she is stubbornly "standing her ground" in rebellion.
 Proverbs 17:11
  An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

 "My power flurries through the air into the ground.
  My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around
  And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
  I'm never going back; the past is in the past!"

Here's another problem with the song that I have yet to see anyone even attempt to explain away... "My power" and she's building a castle of ice without a single tool... it's all with the waving of her arms.  That my friends, no matter how you want to view it, is witchcraft.

 Galatians 5:19-21
  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 "Let it go, let it go.
  And I'll rise like the break of dawn.
  Let it go, let it go
  That perfect girl is gone
  Here I stand, in the light of day.
  Let the storm rage on!
  The cold never bothered me anyway...."

 The whole song is about her or, for the others who are picking up on the song, it's about "me" what "I" can do, what "I" think is best, what "I" want.  It's not about helping others, it's not about serving the Almighty Creator. It's about "me".

 Now I know what some are going to say.  "The song is out of context. It's not about rebellion if you have it in context"  Alright, I'll grant that.  But if you need context to understand that it isn't rebellious or selfish, then why is the song being taken out of context and sung all around the world? Why are there video clips, and recordings of the song by itself?

 Rebellion is something sinful human nature gravitates to.  If this song is only good in context, but not alone, then it shouldn't be listened to, and especially shouldn't be being endorsed by Christians, or those who profess to be Christians.

 Our culture is a shambles already, and this song is only drawing people deeper into rebellion which isn't doing anything toward cultural reform.

 This song may be alright in context (which I find hard to believe, but will grant it for sake of argument having never seen the movie) but it is being taken out of context, and being endorsed, when lyrically, it encourages sin in all who hear it.    This is not pleasing to God, and least of all, when coming from His children.

 Philippians 4:8
  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

 There is no virtue expressed, or even mentioned in this song.  In which case I say - Let it go.