Keep Yourself Pure from this Generation.

"In 1892, the personal agenda of an adolescent diarist read: "Resolved, not to talk about myself or feelings. To think before speaking. To work seriously. To be self restrained in conversation and actions. Not let my thoughts wander. To be dignified. Interest myself more in others."
    Later in 1982 a girl's New Year's resolution: " I will try to make myself better in anyway I possibly can with the help of my budget and babysitting money. I will lose weight, get new lenses, already got a new haircut, good makeup, new clothes and accessories."
    The traditional emphasis on "good works" as opposed to "good looks" meant that lives of young women in the 19th century had a very different orientation from those of girls today. Before World War 1, girls rarely mentioned their bodies in terms of strategies for self improvement or struggles of personal identity. Becoming a better person meant paying less attention to self, giving more assistance to others, and putting more effort into instructive reading or lessons at school. Many parents tried to limit their daughters interests in superficial things such as hairdos, dresses or the size of their waist, because character was considered more important than beauty, both by parents and the community. And character was built on attention to self control, service to others, and belief in God. When girls of the 19th century thought about ways to improve themselves, they almost always focused on their internal character and how it was reflected in outward behavior. In fact, girls who were preoccupied with their looks were likely to be accused of vanity or self-Indulgence."
   So you see it only took 90 years for the minds of young girls to lose godly wisdom. Now, 121 years later, it's 2013 & the heart & mind of this generation is corrupt beyond measure! We may be advancing in technology-but that doesn't make this generation any more wise. Certainly godliness has become a thing of the past unless some are willing to hold fast to it & promote it for the few who will receive it.
 Here's a random New Year's 2013 resolution I've come across on the internet from a woman:
"This year, I'm determined to be more confident around guys."
 "Stick to It Tip: Trust us, guys are just as nervous to talk to you, so don't be afraid to strike up a little casual conversation."
  I could shock you, grieve you, & waste your precious time (& mine) with more 2013 resolutions from the foolish women of our times but they were so foolish I decided not to. And I'm sure many of us already know the wisdom of this generation is foolishness with God,  (1Corinthians 3:19  "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.") and "...that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." (-Luke 16:15)
  Mothers, Sisters, friends keep yourself pure from this generation. Seek the Old Paths that uphold virtue; Proverbs 19:27-  "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge." this verse can be applied to us daughters, as well.
     2Ti 2:22  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Dear Mother
(and Future Mother)

Marcia Zimmerman

I am a middle-aged mama of three. I’ve experienced the wonder of pregnancy, the pains of giving birth, the joy of opening my home to the homeless child, sleepless nights walking fussy babies, the 24-hour round-the-clock care of newborns, the busy life of toddlers exploring and getting into many things, the first graders with their missing front teeth, the scholars with their eager (and sometimes not-so-eager) faces, the face-down-on-the-floor moments (often in the night watches) before God with a heart cry for making me a woman of God with an eternal vision for my children.
I have known the busy days when it seems that all that I had planned has gone awry. I’ve known the distractions that come to mothers whose desire is to keep the home, as God has designed us to do. I have walked through the valley of loneliness as I’ve cared for little ones while my husband was busy working to provide for us. I have wept myriads of times on the shoulder of my Daddy God who makes all things beautiful in His time, as I have grappled with questions like, “What is the purpose of my life? Why am I a mother when I don’t even know how to be one?”
I have lived through seasons of fear that I would mess up the mothering of my children and create stumbling blocks for them to walk through when they should be spending their adult years more profitably than to make sense of life because I pulled them back. I have searched the heart of God and sought Him prayerfully in tears that He would show me how to be that mother He designed me to be.
And do you know what? God has answered ... faithfully, quietly, lovingly, and with much enlightenment over the years! He gently answered each heart cry as it came, sometimes through my reading His Word, sometimes through my seeking counsel from mature sisters in the faith, sometimes by observing the successes and failures of others, and sometimes by experience as I’ve stumbled and even fallen. He has faithfully shown me His plan and as I look back over the years, I see His hand, always guiding me.
Here are some things I share with you, as I look over what I have learned, by experience, by observation, and by obedience to His leading.

Created for keeping the home

Keeping the home requires carefulness. It requires dedication. It requires a heart that has been changed by the hand of God through salvation from sin by Jesus’ blood. Keeping the home requires constant alertness, continual laying down your life for your family, and an eternal vision that recognizes the far-reaching effects of your influence in your home.
Motherhood is a noble task. It is not some demeaning place behind the scenes with much drudgery and thankless toil. It can be that, if our perspective is geared that way; but any other job can be that way, too. Motherhood is a job that soon is noticed if it is absent. Homes cannot prosper well if mothers are failing in their jobs.
Oh, mother, do you know this? Do you love your place in the home? Do you grasp the magnitude of the task His wisdom has assigned you? Do you love to serve your family, a humble servant of the Lord in the place He has called you to fill?

Practically speaking ...

Love your husband. He is your head, your provider, your leader. Reverence him, being careful to honor him in your words and deeds, whether you are talking to him, or about him to others. Look out for him. Learn to love, caring for the little things that seem so insignificant, but that indeed do help him and show him that your heart is towards him ... things like getting up in the morning and serving him a nice breakfast, or making sure his socks are folded and in the drawer (this one seems to be a continual battle in my home!), or his Sunday clothes are laid out for him (if he likes this sort of thing). Serve him a cup of hot chocolate, instead of just telling him that it’s on the stove if he wants any. Thank him for the many things he does for you each day. Tell him that you love him … in word and in deed.

Keep the home simple and clean.

Simple beauty does not need to cost a lot, nor will it cause continual burden upon the heart to take care of it.

Keep the home simple and clean. Don’t let yourself get distracted by all the glitter and glam that money can buy; it will only heap upon you work to dust it or to keep it organized (besides unwisely spending your husband’s hard-earned wages). Simple beauty does not need to cost a lot, nor will it cause continual burden upon the heart to take care of it.
Love your children. Notice them when they talk to you. Manage your time and duties so as to provide a habitually calm atmosphere in your home. There are days when things do seem extra busy, but be purposeful in your living. You are here as a mother, a tender of hearts, a teacher of future ministers, homemakers, and parents of generations that you will not be here long enough to see. Be very aware that there are myriads of distractions that would lure you away from this holy calling. Be the joyful mother of children as God created you to be. Work with your children. Teach them how to be responsible and purposeful as well. Seek to know their hearts and to teach them the things they need to know.
Teach your children. Do you have daughters? Teach them to love being homemakers, joyfully serving the family God gave them. Teach them to prepare simple meals, and to reach out in hospitality to both those in the household of faith and the community around them. Teach them to care for the needs in their family and others. Teach them to care about and work towards having an orderly home. Teach them that to love Jesus and to know Him is the most important thing in all the world. Help them to walk with Him by helping them to establish a regular time of personal worship each day. Show them that He lives by letting Him change you from glory to glory, yielding your life to being conformed more and more into His image. Tell them what His plan is for their life, based on the Holy Word. Help them to value the things God values and to forsake the things He does not consider holy or important. Teach them to guard their hearts from premature or inappropriate relationships with young men. Teach them how to take their hopes and dreams to their Father in heaven who will perfect that which concerns each of His children.
Do you have sons? Teach them that Jesus is the Way to eternal life. Teach them that they are here to bring glory to God. Teach them to be respectful of women and to honor their authority. Give them responsibilities to sharpen their leadership skills. Show them how to value what God values and to depart from what He does not value. Teach them how to care for and provide for the family. Show them how to treat the young women as sisters and the older women as mothers.
Learn to speak blessing into your children’s lives. Thank them often for duties well done. Let them know of your thankfulness to God for bringing them into your life. Tell them that your heart rejoices when they walk in truth. Bless them for godly desires they have. When you must admonish and correct them, oh, do not speak harshly and selfishly! Those words you say when your heart is not right can give Satan much fuel for years to come in pushing them down into discouragement and bitterness. Protect them with blessing and admonish them in a Christlike manner.
Read Bible stories to your children, and help them to memorize Scripture. Get them to write Christ-centered compositions for school projects and help them to search the Scriptures to understand the heart of God.
Dear friends, these things I have learned—and am still learning—by the faithful answer of my Father God when I cried out to Him for help in being a wife and a mother. I bless the Lord for His mercy in helping me to begin anew early in my marriage when I had very small children and realized I had certainly been blind and undiscerning. With deep reverence I remember those women whom God has graciously brought to me to show me how to be the godly wife He designed me to be and (often imperfectly but with a steadfast heart) I have yielded my heart to His service. With fear and trembling I desire to fill this place of motherhood which I entered so many years (but so short a time!) ago. And as I learn, I desire to share with you, my fellow sisters. Together, we can know the path we are to take and can encourage one another to fill it joyfully, purposefully, and with reverence to the Lord.

And most importantly …

The last thing I want to share with you is the most important one of all. Take the time for daily fellowship with the Father. Learn to be “instant in season and out of season,” praying and singing and teaching as you go through the days. But make time to “refuel” daily. It might mean that you need to retire early in the night so that you can rise early in the morning while the household still sleeps in order to get that time of worshipping the Father and learning at Jesus’ feet. But do not discredit the power that comes from sitting at those precious, nail-scarred feet. We need it so very much.
God bless you in your mothering (or future mothering). His design is perfect. It is beautiful. And it is much under attack in this generation, as it was in the generations before us. Oh, may we walk with Him in the light of His word. He will shed a glory on our way that we cannot know unless we walk with Him. ~
 This article was taken from: The Heartbeat of the Remnant -January/February 2013                         
 http://www.ephrataministries.org/remnant-2013-01-dear-mother-and-future-mother.a5w

  She was Faithful 'til Death will you be? 

This picture describes the death of Perpetua.

*

                             Here is a testimony of another Brave Daughter of Sarah. Bravery seldom heard of in our time. The name "Christian" is no longer a death sentence (at least not for many in America). The reality of death & persecutions are only very real to those who are truly living faithful to the Gospel. It is in making this choice that we are set apart from this world of professing Christians; & thus we bring upon ourselves the afflictions of the Gospel. But to die faithful to Christ, & with the confidence of the Holy Men & Women of Old - these short lived afflictions are worth it. Here is yet another testimony to strengthen our hearts to be valiant for the Truth. Oh Lord help us to be faithful & attain unto such a Holy & powerful testimony.

FELICITAS WITH HER SEVEN SONS, JANUARIUS, FELIX, PHILIPPUS, SYLVANUS, ALEXANDER, VITALIS, AND MARTIALIS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE FAITH, AT ROME, A. D. 164

Felicitas was a Christian widow at Rome, and had seven sons, whose names were Januarius, Fe-
_{(Page 110)} lix, Philippus, Sylvanus, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martialis. These lived together with their mother in one house, as an entire Christian church. Of the mother it is stated, that by her Christian communion, (conversation) which she had with the Roman women, she converted many to Christ. The sons, on their part, also acquitted themselves well by winning many men to Christ.
Now, when the heathen priests complained of this to Antonius, the Emperor-who had resumed the persecution which had begun with Trajan, but had subsided-saying, that there were not only men, but also women, who blasphemed the gods, despised their images, trampled under foot the Emperor's worship of the gods, yea, turned away many from the old religion of the Romans; that this was principally done by a certain widow, named Felicitas, and her seven sons, and that, therefore, in order to prevent this, they must be compelled to give up Christ, and sacrifice to the gods, or, in case they should refuse to do so, be put to death, the Emperor, prompted or instigated hereby, gave . to Publius, the provost, or chief magistrate of Rome, full authority over them.
  Publius, willing to spare Felicitas, as being a highly respectable woman, first secretly summoned her and her sons into his own house, where he entreated them with fair words and promises, but afterwards threatened to punish them with severe tortures, unless they would forsake the Christian religion, and readopt the old Roman worship of the gods. Felicitas, remembering the words of Christ,"Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven," did not seek to evade the issue by using dissimulating or indirect words, but answered briefly thus, "I am neither moved by thy flatteries and entreaties, nor am I intimidated by thy threats; for I experience in my heart the working of the Holy Ghost, which gives me a living power, and prepares me for the conflict of suffering, to endure all that thou mayest lay upon me, for the confession of my faith."
  When Publius could not move the mother from her steadfast purpose, he said to her, "Very well; if it seems pleasant to thee , to die, die alone, but have pity and a mother's compassion for thy sons, and command them, to ransom their own lives at least, by sacrificing to the gods."
  Thereupon Felicitas said to the judge, "Thy compassion is pure wickedness, and thy admonition is nothing but cruelty, for, if my sons should sacrifice to the gods, they would not ransom 'their lives, but sell them to the hellish fiend, whose slaves, yea, whose serfs in soul and body, they would become, and be reserved by him, in chains of darkness, for everlasting fire."
  Then, turning away from the judge, to her sons, she said, "Remain steadfast in the faith, and in the confession of Christ; for Christ and His saints are waiting for you. Behold, heaven is open before you; therefore fight valiantly for your souls, and show, that you are faithful in the love of Christ, wherewith He loves you, and you Him."
  This filled the judge with rage against her, and he commanded them to smite her on the cheek, while he at the same time upbraided her vehemently, saying, "How darest thou thus impudently exhort thy sons in my presence, and make them obstinate to disobey the commands of the Emperor; whereas it would be far more proper for thee to incite them to obedience toward him?"
  Felicitas, notwithstanding that death had been threatened her, answered with more than manly courage, saying, "If thou, O judge, didst know our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the power of His Godhead and majesty, thou wouldst undoubtedly desist from persecuting the Christians, and wouldst not seek to draw us away from the Christian religion by blaspheming His holy name; for whoever curses (or blasphemes) Christ and His faithful ones, curses (or blasphemes) God Himself, who, by faith, dwells in their hearts."
  Thereupon, though they struck her in the face with their fists, in order to silence her, she did not cease to admonish her sons to remain steadfast, and to fear neither tortures nor rack, nor even death itself, but to die willingly for the name of Christ.
  Therefore, Publius the judge took each of her sons separately, and talked first to one and then to the other, hoping by this last resort to draw away from the faith, by promises as well as by threats, some of them at least, if not all. But as he could not prevail upon them, he sent a message to the Emperor, stating that they all remained obstinate, and that he could in no wise induce them to sacrifice to the gods. Thereupon the Emperor sentenced the mother together with her seven sons, that they should be delivered into the hands of different executioners, and be tortured and put to death in various ways; yet, that the mother was first to see all her sons die, before she herself should be put to death.
  In accordance with this sentence, they first scourged Januarius, the first-born, to death, in the presence of his mother. The scourges were made of cords or ropes, to the ends of which balls of lead were attached. Those who had to undergo this mode of torture were scourged with them on their necks, backs, sides, and other tender parts of their bodies, either to torture them, or in order to martyr them to death as was the case in this instance. Felix and Philippus, the two brothers next (in age), were beaten to death with rods. Sylvanus, also called Syllanus, was cast down from a height. Alexander, Vitalis, and Martialis were beheaded. Last of all, the mother was beheaded or put to death with the sword. This took place under Emperor Antonius Pius. A. Mell. 1st book of the Hist., fol. 33, col. 4 and fol. 34, col. 1-3, ex Prudent. in hincentio. Also, Acto. Adon. Mart., 23 Novemb. Greg. P. in Natali. S. Felic. Homil. 3, in Eu. Bet. Chrysol. Serm. 134. Arta apud Mombrit.
_{Page 111} tom 1. Beda Usuard. 23 Nov. Heur. Er$ord. Chron., Mart. Rom. Touching the time when this took place, see P. J. Twisck, Chron. 2d book, for the year 164, page 45, col. 1, front hincentio, in Cal., fol. 35. (This testimony & many others can be found in the Martyrs Mirror online book - link located under Study Tools on this blog.)
 What a powerful testimony of faith & confidence from a mother & her children who simply believed the Gospel, & were unwilling to compromise to save their life on earth. Mat 10:28  "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."-Y'shua (Jesus) They believed these things that they were told. They were not told by Christ in the flesh, but by faithful men who spread the Gospel of truth. They believed what they heard to the laying down of their life!
  As Women of faith we can be like Felicitas & teach the children to never compromise the Gospel of truth, to never fear what man or flesh can do unto us (Psalm 56:4  In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.). Felicitas was known for her Christian conversation (in the Bible conversation is known to mean our behavior not just words). Her behavior was so powerful it converted unbelievers--& she obviously was not compromising in her behavior.
  As i was working on Felicitas testimony i came across the testimony of Perpetua who was killed for her faith not many years after Felicitas. Her death was made a show in an arena. The people wanted to see the blood & violence & take pleasure in it as many people do today when they pay to watch movies & play video games that make things appear more real. I wouldn't be surprised if  these upcoming desensitized generations become dis-satisfied with virtual reality & turn again to the arena. It is very possible that history will repeat itself, & the faithful will once again depart from this world in the midst of a Super Dome filled with a raging generation of anti-christ, false Christians who will think they are doing God a service by putting the faithful to death.
May we press in & redeem the time, that if our time comes to show ourself valiant for the Gospel, we may have the confidence & assurance of these Holy Women of Old. Praise God for preserving these testimony for us.

October 2011 - Vol. 53 *Perpetua's Victory Over Death . The heroic witness of the early Christian martyrs Perpetua was a young lady who had it made. She was born into a noble Roman family in Carthage, a Roman city in North Africa in 181 AD. She was beautiful, well-educated, happily married around the age of twenty, and now the mother of an infant son. And then to the surprise of her family she decided to become a Christian. This appeared sheer nonsense to her father who saw it as breaking not only with Roman tradition but with family loyalty as well. Besides, what good had Christianity brought to Roman society? It seemed to mainly attract working class people and the slaves who had little or nothing to lose. Many emperors had tried to suppress it in the past, and the current emperor Septimus had decided to outlaw it once again, and threatened death to anyone who professed it.  The threat of death did not deter Perpetua from taking instructions in the Christian faith. She discovered that the Gospels were true and offered the way to eternal life and happiness. Jesus of Nazareth became a real living person to her, someone greater than the emperor, someone who was king of heaven and the whole earth as well. Despite the objections of her family, Perpetua pursued the Christian faith with great enthusiasm and conviction. Her brother Secundus soon followed in becoming a Christian as well.  Perpetua’s father had pleaded with tears to persuade her to give up her Christian faith. Her answer was simple and clear. Pointing to a water jug, she asked her father, "See that pot lying  there? Can you call it by any other name than what it is?" “Of course not,” he answered. Perpetua responded, “Neither can I call myself by any other name than what I am – a Christian.” Her father became so upset that he physically attacked her.  Sometime after the birth of her firstborn son, she was arrested, along with four other Christians who were new in the faith. Her brother Secundus had been arrested earlier and thrown into prison as well. Before being taken to prison she was baptized. The Holy Spirit gave her a prophetic gift and told her to pray for nothing but endurance in the face of her trials. Perpetua was thrown into a crowded prison with no light anywhere. In her diary she described her ordeal: Such darkness I have never known! What a day of horror! Terrible heat, owing to the crowds! Rough treatment by the soldiers! To crown all, I was tormented with anxiety for my baby. Perpetua admitted she was afraid and was most at pain from being separated from her nursing infant. Another young woman in prison with her, who was a slave by the name of Felicity, was eight months pregnant.  Two deacons who visited the prisoners paid the jailers to move Perpetua and Felicity to a better prison cell where they could receive visits from family members and be better cared for. Perpetua’s mother brought Perpetua’s baby to her so she could nurse the child. When Perpetua received permission for the baby to stay with her, she said “suddenly my prison became a palace for me.” Once again Perpetua’s father pleaded with kisses and tears for Perpetua to give up her faith. She told him, “We rely not on our own power but on the power of God.” When she was taken before the judge he also tried to persuade her to give up her faith. After she refused, the judge sentenced her, along with the other four new Christians and Saturus their Christian teacher, to be thrown to the wild beasts in the arena. Two days before the execution, the slave Felicity gave birth to a healthy girl who was adopted and raised by one of the Christian women of Carthage.  While in prison Perpetua shared a vision she had received. She saw a ladder leading to heaven. At the bottom of the ladder was a serpent, attacking the Christians trying to climb the ladder to heaven. Perpetua understood that she would have to fight Satan rather than just the beasts of the arena. The Lord assured her that she would not be defeated in overcoming Satan. This gave her great confidence and courage.  On the day of the games, the three men and two women were led into the amphitheatre. At the demand of the crowd they were first scourged. Then a boar, a bear, and a leopard, were set on the men, and a wild cow on the women. Wounded by the wild animals, they gave each other the kiss of peace and were then put to the sword.  Perpetua's last words to her brother were: “Stand fast in the faith and love one another and do not be tempted to do anything wrong because of our sufferings.” An early eyewitness account describes the death of Perpetua:  “But Perpetua, that she might experience pain more deeply, rejoiced over her broken body and guided the shaking hand of the inexperienced gladiator to her throat. Such a woman – one before whom the unclean spirit trembled – could not perhaps have been killed, had she herself not willed it.”  Perpetua and Saturus wrote personal accounts of their ordeal while in prison. They include the testimony of Felicity as well. An English translation of the account, called The Passions of the Holy Martyrs Pepetua and Felicitas, along with an eye witness testimony of their martyrdom can be found online.  [The story of Perpetua is based on her personal testimony along with other early eye witness accounts, adapted by Don Schwager.]  [this was copied & pasted by P.F. from (see bottom of page...)] From the account of the holy martyrs of Carthage (203 AD) Called and chosen for the glory of the Lord The day of the martyrs’ victory dawned. They marched from their cells into the amphitheater, as if into heaven, with cheerful looks and graceful bearing. If they trembled it was for joy and not fear. Perpetua was the first to be thrown down, and she fell prostrate. She got up and, seeing that Felicity was prostrate, went over and reached out her hand to her and lifted her up. Both stood together. The hostility of the crowd was appeased, and they were ordered to the gate called Sanavivaria. There Perpetua was welcomed by a catechumen named Rusticus. Rousing herself as if from sleep (so deep had she been in spiritual ecstasy), she began to look around. To everyone’s amazement she said: “When are we going to be led to the beast?” When she heard that it had already happened she did not at first believe it until she saw the marks of violence on her body and her clothing.  Then she beckoned to her brother and the catechumen, and addressed them in these words: “Stand firm in faith, love one another and do not be tempted to do anything wrong because of our sufferings.” Saturus, too, in another gate, encouraged the soldier Pudens, saying: “Here I am, and just as I thought and foretold I have not yet felt any wild beast. Now believe with your whole heart: I will go there and be killed by the leopard in one bite.” And right at the end of the games, when he was thrown to the leopard he was in fact covered with so much blood from one bite that the people cried out to him: “Washed and saved, washed and saved!” And  so, giving evidence of a second baptism, he was clearly saved who had been washed in this manner. Then Saturus said to the soldier Pudens: “Farewell, and remember your faith as well as me; do not let these things frighten you; let them rather strengthen you.” At the same time he asked for the little ring from Pudens’ finger. After soaking it in his wound he returned it to Pudens as a keepsake, leaving him a pledge and a remembrance of his blood. Half dead, he was thrown along with the others into the usual place of slaughter. The people, however, had demanded that the martyrs be led to the middle of the amphitheater. They wanted to see the sword thrust into the bodies of the victims, so that their eyes might share in the slaughter. Without being asked they went where the people wanted them to go; but first they kissed one another, to complete their witness with the customary kiss of peace. The others stood motionless and received the deathblow in silence, especially Saturus, who had gone up first and was first to die; he was helping Perpetua. But Perpetua, that she might experience the pain more deeply, rejoiced over her broken body and guided the shaking hand of the    inexperienced gladiator to her throat. Such a woman –one before whom the unclean spirit trembled – could not perhaps have been killed, had she herself not willed it. Bravest and happiest martyrs! You were called and chosen for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. [Historical note: This excerpt is taken from The Martyrdom of Perpetua. It is based on the first-person accounts of Perpetua and Saturus, which took place under the persecution of Septimius Severus in 202-3 AD.  The popularity of the account spread rapidly in the third and fourth centuries. By the fourth century, a basilica at Carthage was dedicated to the memory of Perpetua.]	.
(c) copyright 2011  The Sword of the Spirit publishing address: Park Royal Business Centre, 9-17 Park Royal Road, Suite 108, London NW10 7LQ, United Kingdom email: living.bulwark@yahoo.com	.

 
 
 
 

Jewelry

                                
 Luke 21:8 "And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived:..."

 Modern Preachers have been giving false impressions on the Biblical teachings of modesty/jewelry. Biblical Modesty has nothing to do with the culture we live in. Paul never said it was ok for women to wear "inexpensive" jewelry. Right & wrong, according to the Word of God, does not change with the culture. We are to be imitators of what is good, therefore I would rather be as a true daughter of Sarah ("doing good") than adhere to modern interpretations.                    
 Search for yourself. Here's a start:  
The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament (that is the English literal translation directly from the original Greek) So 1 Peter 3:1-6 would literally read (from original Greek)," Likewise, wives, being subject to your own husbands, that, even if they are disobedient to the word, by the conduct of the wives without [the]word they may be gained, having witnessed your chaste conduct [carried out] in fear; whose adorning let it not be the outward [one] of braiding of hair, and putting around of gold, or putting on of garments; but the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible [ornament] of the meek & quiet spirit, which is before God of great price. For thus formerly also the holy women those hoping in God adorned themselves, being subject to their own husbands; as Sarah obeyed Avraham calling him lord; of whom ye became children, doing good & not fearing [with] any (lit. no) consternation."{=Noun=Feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.}

[words in brackets were applied by translators for English clarity in sentence structure]

 
Read on to see what men of old thought about this subject.

                                    Adornment, Outward
 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:3-4

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Timothy 2:9-10
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Revelation 17:3-5

It is childish to admire excessively dark or green stones, and things cast out by the sea on foreign shores, particles of the earth. For to rush after stones that are pellucid and of peculiar colors, and stained glass, is only characteristic of silly people, who are attracted by things that have a striking show. Thus children, on seeing the fire, rush to it, attracted by its brightness; not understanding through senselessness the danger of touching it. Such is the case with the stones which silly women wear fastened to chains and set in necklaces. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.267
But these women, who comprehend not the symbolism of Scripture, gape all they can for jewels, adducing the astounding apology, "Why may I not use what God has exhibited?" and, "I have it by me, why may I not enjoy it?" and, "For whom were these things made, then, if not for us?" Such are the utterances of those who are totally ignorant of the will of God. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.268
For God has given to us, I know well, the liberty of use, but only so far as necessary; and He has determined that the use should be common. And it is monstrous for one to live in luxury, while many are in want. How much more glorious is it to do good to many, than to live sumptuously! How much wiser to spend money on human being, than on jewels and gold! Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.269
And let not their ears be pierced, contrary to nature, in order to attach to them earrings and ear-drops. For it is not right to force nature against her wishes. Nor could there be any better ornament for the ears than true instruction, which finds its way naturally into the passages of hearing. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.270
Love of dainties and love of wine, though great vices, are not of such magnitude as fondness for finery. "A full table and repeated cups" are enough to satisfy greed. But to those who are fond of gold, and purple, and jewels, neither the gold that is above the earth and below it is sufficient… Such people are ready to die with their gold. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.273
To such an extent, then, has luxury advanced, that not only are the female sex deranged about this frivolous pursuit, but men also are infected with the disease. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.275
Wherefore the wearing of gold and the use of softer clothing is not to be entirely prohibited. But irrational impulses must be curbed, lest, carrying us away through excessive relaxation, they impel us to sensuality… But there are circumstances in which this strictness may be relaxed. For allowance must sometimes be made in favor of those women who have not been fortunate in having godly husbands, and adorn themselves in order to please their husbands. But let desire for the admiration of their husbands alone be proposed as their aim. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.284-285
The Word prohibits us from doing violence to nature by boring the lobes of the ears. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.285
But women who wear gold seem to me to be afraid, lest, if one strip them of their jewelry, they should be taken for servants, without their ornaments. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.285
The Instructor orders them to go forth "in becoming apparel, and adorn themselves with shamefacedness and sobriety," "subject to their own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold," he says, "your chaste conversation. Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." For the labor of their own hands, above all, adds genuine beauty to women, exercising their bodies and adorning themselves by their own exertions; not bringing unnatural ornament wrought by others, which is vulgar and superficial, but that of every good woman, supplied and woven by her own hands whenever she most requires. For it is never suitable for women whose lives are framed according to God, to appear arrayed in things bought from the market, but in their own home-made work. For a most beautiful thing is it thrifty wife, who clothes both herself and her husband with fair array of her own working; in which all are glad--the children on account of their mother, the husband on account of his wife, she on their account, and all in God. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.287
Not to deck and adorn herself beyond what is becoming, renders a wife free of calumnious suspicion. While she devotes herself assiduously to prayers and supplications; avoiding frequent departures from the house, and shutting herself up as far as possible from the view of all not related to her, and deeming housekeeping of more consequence than impertinent trifling. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.379
Therefore a woman, taking counsel from the apostles' foresight, will not too elaborately adorn herself, that she may not either be crowned with any exquisite arrangement of her hair. Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg. 102
For they, withal, who instituted them are assigned, under condemnation, to the penalty of death, --those angels, to wit, who rushed from heaven on the daughters of men; so that this ignominy also attaches to woman. For when to an age much more ignorant (than ours) they had disclosed certain well-concealed material substances, and several not well-revealed scientific arts--if it is true that they had laid bare the operations of metallurgy, and had divulged the natural properties of herbs, and had promulgated the powers of enchantments, and had traced out every curious art, even to the interpretation of the stars--they conferred properly and as it were peculiarly upon women that instrumental mean of womanly ostentation, the radiances of jewels wherewith necklaces are variegated, and the circlets of gold wherewith the arms are compressed, and the medicaments of orchil with which wools are colored, and that black powder itself wherewith the eyelids and eyelashes are made prominent. Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 14-15
Nay, rather banish quite away from your "free" head all this slavery of ornamentation. In vain do you labor to seem adorned: in vain do you call in the aid of all the most skilful manufacturers of false hair. God bids you "be veiled." I believe (He does so) for fear the heads of some should be seen! Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 22
Let us only wish that we may be no cause for just blasphemy! But how much more provocative of blasphemy is it that you, who are called modesty's priestesses, should appear in public decked and painted out after the manner of the immodest? Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg.24
The characteristics of ornaments, and of garments, and the allurements of beauty, are not fitting for any but prostitutes and immodest women; and the dress of none is more precious than of those whose modesty is lowly. Thus in the Holy Scriptures, by which the Lord wished us to be both instructed and admonished, the harlot city is described more beautifully arrayed and adorned, and with her ornaments; and the rather on account of those very ornaments about to perish. “And there came,” it is said, “one of the seven angels, which had the seven phials [vials], and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show you the judgment of the great whore, that sits upon many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication. And he carried me away in spirit; and I saw a woman sit upon a beast, and that woman was arrayed in a purple and scarlet mantle, and was adorned with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand, full of curses, and filthiness, and fornication of the whole earth.” Let chaste and modest virgins avoid the dress of the unchaste, the manners of the immodest, the ensigns of brothels, the ornaments of harlots. Cyprian (A.D. 250) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol. 5 pg. 433

Early Christian Modesty

(From The) Early Christian Dictionary

The Doctrine and Practice of the Early Christians

 Modesty

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. 1 Timothy 2:9
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel. 1 Peter 3:3
And much more must we keep pure from shameful deeds: on the one hand, from exhibiting and exposing parts of the body which we ought not; and on the other, from beholding what is forbidden. For the modest son could not bear to look on the shameful exposure of the righteous man; and modesty covered what intoxication exposed - the spectacle of the transgression of ignorance. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.251
But if any necessity arises, commanding the presence of married women, let them be well clothed - without by raiment, within by modesty. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.252
For these superfluous and diaphanous materials are the proof of a weak mind, covering as they do the shame of the body with a slender veil. For luxurious clothing, which cannot conceal the shape of the body, is no more a covering. For such clothing, falling close to the body, takes its form more easily, and adhering as it were to the flesh, receives its shape, and marks out the woman's figure, so that the whole make of the body is visible to spectators, though not seeing the body itself. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.265
And again, "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband." They must, as far as possible, correct their gestures, looks, steps, and speech. For they must not do as some, who, imitating the acting of comedy, and practicing the mincing motions of dancers, conduct themselves in society as if on the stage, with voluptuous movements, and gliding steps, and affected voices, casting languishing glances round, tricked out with the bait of pleasure. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.287
Let the woman observe this, further. Let her be entirely covered, unless she happen to be at home. For that style of dress is grave, and protects from being gazed at. And she will never fall, who puts before her eyes modesty, and her shawl; nor will she invite another to fall into sin by uncovering her face. For this is the wish of the Word, since it is becoming for her to pray veiled. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.290
I would counsel the married never to kiss their wives in the presence of their domestics. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.291
For since, by the introduction into an appropriation us of the Holy Spirit, we are all "the temple of God," modesty is the sacristan and priestess of that temple, who is to suffer nothing unclean or profane to be introduced (into it), for fear that the God who inhabits it should be offended, and quite forsake the polluted abode. Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg.18
For most women… have the audacity so to walk as if modesty consisted only in the (bare) integrity of the flesh, and in turning away from (actual) fornication…wearing in their gait the self-same appearance as the women of the nations, from whom the sense of true modesty is absent…How many a one, in short, is there who does not earnestly desire even to look pleasing to strangers? Who does not on that very account take care to have herself painted out, and denies that she has (ever) been an object of (carnal) appetite? Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 18-19
Why therefore excite toward yourself that evil (passion)? Why invite (that) to which you profess yourself a stranger? …But why are we a (source of) danger to our neighbor? Why do we import concupiscence into our neighbor? I know not whether He allows impunity to him who has been the cause of perdition to some other. For that other, as soon as he has felt concupiscence after your beauty, and has mentally already committed (the deed) which his concupiscence pointed to, perishes; and you have been made the sword which destroys him: so that, albeit you be free from the (actual) crime, you are not free from the odium (attaching to it)… Are we to paint ourselves out that our neighbors may perish? Where, then, is (the command), "You shall love your neighbor as yourself?" Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4pg. 19
Let a holy woman, if naturally beautiful, give none so great occasion (for carnal appetite). Certainly, if even she be so, she ought not to set off (her beauty), but even to obscure it…"You are bound to please your husbands only." But you will please them in proportion as you take no care to please others. Be you without carefulness, blessed (sisters): no wife is "ugly" to her own husband. She "pleased" him enough when she was selected (by him as his wife)… Every husband is the exactor of chastity; but beauty, a believing (husband) does not require, because we are not captivated by the same graces which the Gentiles think (to be) graces: an unbelieving one, on the other hand, even regards with suspicion…Why are you eager to please either one who is suspicious, or else one who desires it not? Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 20
Let us only wish that we may be no cause for just blasphemy! But how much more provocative of blasphemy is it that you, who are called modesty's priestesses, should appear in public decked and painted out after the manner of the immodest? Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 24
But continence and modesty consist not alone in purity of the flesh, but also in seemliness, as well as in modesty of dress and adornment; so that, according to the apostle, she who is unmarried may be holy both in body and in spirit. Paul instructs and teaches us, saying, “He that is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, how he may please God: but he who has contracted marriage cares for the things which are of this world, how he may please his wife. So both the virgin and the unmarried woman consider those things which are the Lord’s, that they may be holy both in body and spirit.” A virgin ought not only to be so, but also to be perceived and believed to be so: no one on seeing a virgin should be in any doubt as to whether she is one. Perfectness should show itself equal in all things; nor should the dress of the body discredit the good of the mind. Why should she walk out adorned? Why with dressed hair, as if she either had or sought for a husband? Rather let her dread to please if she is a virgin; and let her not invite her own risk, if she is keeping herself for better and divine things. They who have not a husband whom they profess that they please, should persevere, sound and pure not only in body, but also in spirit. For it is not right that a virgin should have her hair braided for the appearance of her beauty, or boast of her flesh and of its beauty, when she has no struggle greater than that against her flesh, and no contest more obstinate than that of conquering and subduing the body. Cyprian (A.D. 250) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.5 pg. 431
Paul proclaims in a loud and lofty voice, A “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”nd yet a virgin in the Church glories concerning her fleshly appearance and the beauty of her body! Paul adds, and says, “For they that are Christ’s have crucified their flesh, with its faults and lusts.” And she who professes to have renounced the lusts and vices of the flesh, is found in the midst of those very things which she has renounced! Virgin, you are taken, you are exposed, you boast one thing and do another. You sprinkle yourself with the stains of carnal concupiscence, although you are a candidate of purity and modesty. Cyprian (A.D. 250) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.5 pg.431
You call yourself wealthy and rich; but Paul meets your riches, and with his own voice prescribes for the moderating of your dress and ornament within a just limit. “Let women,” said he, “adorn themselves with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with broidered hair, nor gold, nor pearls, nor costly array, but as becomes women professing chastity, with a good conversation.” Also Peter consents to these same precepts, and says, “Let there be in the woman not the outward adorning of array, or gold, or apparel, but the adorning of the heart.” …For the rest, if you dress your hair sumptuously, and walk so as to draw attention in public, and attract the eyes of youth upon you, and draw the sighs of young men after you, nourish the lust of concupiscence, and inflame the fuel of sighs, so that, although you yourself perish not, yet you cause others to perish, and offer yourself, as it were, a sword or poison to the spectators; you cannot be excused on the pretense that you are chaste and modest in mind. Your shameful dress and immodest ornament accuse you; nor can you be counted now among Christ’s maidens and virgins, since you live in such a manner as to make yourselves objects of desire. Cyprian (A.D. 250) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.5 pg.432

  This Post was made as a reference to a point I made  in the Brave Daughters of Sara post.                                  

                    Salmon run            

Salmon swimming up stream

    Salmon spend their early life in rivers, and then swim out to sea where they live their adult lives and gain most of their body mass. When they have matured, they return to the rivers to spawn. Usually they return with uncanny precision to the natal river where they were born, and even to the very spawning ground of their birth. ...
     Obstacles to the run
 Salmon start the run in peak condition, the culmination of years of development in the ocean. They need high swimming and leaping abilities to battle the rapids and other obstacles the river may present, and they need a full sexual development to ensure a successful spawn at the end of the run. All their energy goes into the physical rigors of the journey and the dramatic morphological transformations they must still complete before they are ready for the spawning events ahead.
The run up the river can be exhausting, sometimes requiring the salmon to battle hundreds of miles upstream against strong currents and rapids. They cease feeding during the run. Chinook and sockeye salmon from central Idaho must travel 900 miles (1,400 km) and climb nearly 7,000 feet (2,100 m) before they are ready to spawn. Salmon deaths that occur on the upriver journey are referred to as en route mortality.
Salmon negotiate waterfalls and rapids by leaping or jumping. They have been recorded making vertical jumps as high as 3.65 metres (12 ft). The height that can be achieved by a salmon depends on the position of the standing wave or hydraulic jump at the base of the fall, as well as how deep the water is.

If you are further interested in this please refer to

 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that is where i copied this info from.

 

                                                                                                                               

Brave Daughters of Sara

 Gen 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

    As a new wife I have found it a challenge when faced with threatening situations (from wicked haters of good). We are taught in 1 Peter 3:6  that in order to be the daughters of Sara (Abraham's wife) we must not be afraid with any amazement (πτόησις ptoēsis, pto'-ay-sis - From Strongs G4422; alarm: - amazement.  to scare: - frighten.

 I have had to strengthen my heart by the Word of God, prayer & the reading of testimonies of the faithful. It is very important for the wife of a godly man to be a help to his labor for the LORD & not a hindrance. A fearful wife is a BIG hindrance. Throughout the ages their have been many daughters of Sara who have trusted in God, & have been faithful help meets to their husbands who were tortured for the work of God. i recently read of an account of one of these God fearing women : (her husband testifies)
 "In sadness I wondered if I should keep on preaching or if I should escape somewhere for the sake of my wife and children to whom I was intimately bound. Then my wife came up to me & gently asked, 'Why are you so sad?' I explained what I had been thinking and asked her in turn, 'What shall i do? Shall I speak or keep silence?' She replied, 'How strange you talk! Do not the children & i bless & support you? Preach the Word of God & stop feeling sorry for us. We will stay together until God wishes. If we get separated, only remember us in your prayers. Christ is strong enough to take care of us!' I thanked her and, as having my eyes opened from blindness, I kept on preaching in towns along the way denouncing Nikon's heresy." -Zhitiye Protopopa Avvakuma (Autobiography of archpriest Avvakum).-Testimony from the 1600's

  This man had already undergone persecution & lost 2 of his children to starvation because of it. So his wife was not speaking without the knowledge of the seriousness of the situation. Yet, the hardships she had already suffered did not cause her to want to compromise her husbands labor for the Gospel. She was willing & ready to be a partaker of these sufferings.
 I have also been strengthened through the teachings of Paul in 2 Timothy. In Chapter 1 verse 8 he encourages-"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;"
  This man's wife was a good example of this. She was not ashamed of the suffering her family was going through for the sake of her husband preaching the Gospel. They could have very easily compromised their convictions & lived a very comfortable life. Much suffering resulted from her encouraging her husband to continue preaching. He ended up suffering 14 years in prison & was then chained to a stake & burned. Three other men were burned with him & as the flames devoured their bodies they called out words of encouragement one to another.

  In America there seems to be few occasions for wives to show themselves so brave. But for those of us who have husbands zealous to preach the true Gospel of Christ I see the opportunity drawing near. Going on to read in 2 Timothy
Chapter 3 -we read of- "perilous{= Strongs G5467 χαλεπός chalepos khal-ep-os'
Perhaps from G5465 through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, that is, dangerous, or (by implication) furious: - fierce, perilous.] times...men shall be lovers of their own selves...unthankful...unholy...without natural affection...trucebreakers {= (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G4689; literally without libation a derivative of G4689=Apparently a primary verb; to pour out as a libation, that is, (figuratively) to devote (one’s life or blood, as a sacrifice) (“spend”): - (be ready to) be offered.]...despisers of those that are good...lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." I see these very things dominating the hearts of many. 

  Reading on he says, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Y'shua (Jesus) shall suffer persecution. But evil men & seducers shall wax worse & worse, deceiving & being deceived. chpt. 4:2- Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, & shall be turned unto fables. But watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
 So we see suffering is part of the Christian life. As women of modern times we must be as the *salmon which swim against the currents (of our time). The many false doctrines that are prevailing in recent generations give us a sense that we are able to have the best of both worlds. Many of us have escaped the sufferings simply because we are not living godly lives. For example: a man recently approached my husband offended by signs he was holding that plainly spoke Truth; according to Christ's teachings. I believe one of the first words that came out of his mouth started with an "F" & others following as well. He also claimed to be a church going "Christian" & one of the most moral men he knew. As he went on speaking, it was manifested plainly that he was very unfamiliar with the Word of God & hated it's basic teachings (yet he called himself a Christian). He also displayed forcefulness (a perilous nature, so to speak). This man claimed the name of Christ, but failed to show forth the power thereof.
 How can we claim the name of Christ and lack the power of godliness that causes suffering to come upon us? If we are truly Christ's then we depart from evil. 2 Tim. 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from  iniquity. And as it was evil for Peter to protest the suffering of his Lord, so it is evil for the wife to try to hinder, or protest the suffering of her husband and family, even her own life. Mat 16:23  But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. It is so important that our husbands are faithful to preach the Gospel to this perlious generation & that we support them by being fearless daughters of Sara. Another Word that has strengthend my heart in all this: Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mat 16:27  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
With the hope of eternal life, which God Himself who cannot lie has promised, what shall we fear besides Him?

* For those who are not familiar with the salmon's dangerous voyage upstream I have created a post that explains the process. (please see post titled Salmon Run )

Head Covering

            (David Bercot shares,)
   "When I first saw some Mennonite women with their head coverings, I couldn't imagine why they were wearing those things on their heads. I figured it was simply some type of quaint costume.

But then I read the writings of the early Christians. And then I understood why Mennonite and Amish women wear prayer veils or head coverings. I realized that it was in obedience to 1 Corinthians 11:5, which says, Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. The early Christian women veiled their heads not only in church, but also anytime they were in public.

From my later study of church history, I discovered that Christian women continued to maintain this practice through the all centuries up to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. During the nineteenth century, many Christians in the United States and western Europe began arguing that long hair constituted the only covering women needed. Others said that women only needed to wear a covering when in church. The middle class and wealthy women switched from veils and caps to ornate bonnets if they wore a covering at all. Bonnets became more a matter of fashion than of modesty or obedience to 1 Corinthians 11.

By the turn of the twentieth century, the ornate bonnets of the nineteenth century had given way to ladies hats. Until the mid-century, women in Europe and America typically wore a hat or scarf in public, but they were simply following tradition and fashion without realizing that there was originally a spiritual reason behind the practice. Similarly, until about 1960, western women wore hats when in church. But the meaning behind the hat was lost.

Today, Christian women in eastern churches still cover their heads in church. Some of them cover their heads all of the time. In the west, some Plymouth Brethren women still wear the prayer veil in church, as do many black women. But usually these sisters do not wear a head covering at other times.

Generally speaking, in the west today, only the Mennonite, Amish, Brethren and Hutterite women still practice wearing a head covering at all times. However, in recent years, they have been joined by thousands of Christian women from house churches and other independent congregations who have re-discovered this New Testament practice... "
                                                                       ...David Bercot

If you google "pictures of women head covering through the ages" you can see by 1954 the Biblical teachings of the head covering was carelessly maintained. In other words, many modern believers had lost the wisdom of the  noble people of Berea who searched the Scriptures. Thus, a vain tradition it became, rather than a God fearing commandment. And currently it is mostly forgotten, there being few men as noble as them of Berea to search & preach the Word of God in truth.

Examples of modest dress throughout the ages:

200's Rome

                                                      

         

800's England

Germany 1400's

Europe 1400,s

Europe 1500's