Back to School Shocking...

I love fashion.  Basically everyone knows that.  Some of you will remember the blog posts I did based on Shari Braendel's book.  This is a blog post she did last week.  She basically read my mind.  Its amazing what stores sell for "teen girls" to wear.

 

Here's what she said:

It's Back to School Shopping (Shocking) time again. Last week, my assistant Jill Marquis, took her teenage daughter shopping and in the middle of her shopping trip I got a text from her that simply said, "Shoot Me." Part of the reason she wanted to be put out of her misery is that so much of what is available to our girls these days is simply ridiculous. When she spilled the drudgery of her shopping trip I asked her to write this blog post. Read on:

I took my fifteen-year-old daughter shopping last week, along with about a gazillion other people, in an attempt to pick up some staples for the coming school year. Now I won’t go into the trauma and drama that usually surrounds clothes shopping with a teenaged girl, that’s a whole other blog post, or maybe a book, but I will tell you about the latest fashions for teens that I saw. That’s what shocked me. And trust me, I’m not easily shocked. In the search for the ever-elusive perfect clothing, we were in a very popular (judging from the crowds) place called the Wet Seal. This store caters to young women, selling everything from jeans to intimates. A lot of the clothes were fine, that is until I turned around and saw the wall of graphic tees. Lots of shirts with cute sayings on them, right?

Not so much…here are some examples:

I’m Not Shy, I Just Don’t Like You

Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Pretty 

 

Everyone Here Is Awesome Except You

Shall I keep going?

Born This Way

Reckless

I’m Bad

 

If Your Single, So am I (They didn't even get the spelling right)

 

Wanna Make Out

 

Nobody Remembers The Nice Girl

 

This is what society is selling our young women. What starts out as a bit sarcastic quickly moves right past suggestive and into propositions. But most of us don’t look at it like that – it’s just funny, a little suggestive, a joke.

 But it’s not – the message is not subliminal, it’s a full on assault of our girls.

What do these pithy little sayings mean?

“I’m not responsible for my own actions, I’m Born This Way”.

“I don’t think things through, I’m, Reckless”.

 

“I’m Bad because I think it’s easier and more fun than making the right choice”.

“I’ll abandon my standards to be with you because If You’re Single So am I”.

 

“I have no self-worth, I’m desperate to be popular, desperate to be loved,

 so do you Wanna Make Out?”.

And, in my opinion, the worst one:

“I will do what I have to in order to be noticed, I will cheapen myself, I will give myself away, I will be mean and hateful because Nobody Remembers The Nice Girl.”

Maybe I’ve got the messages wrong, maybe I’m crazy. It’s not like that’s what the shirts really say…but that’s what I see. And I see the insidious attack on our daughters’ minds that puts their souls at risk. All that from a little tee shirt.

Mom’s, talk to your daughters, engage their friends. Ask their opinions, share yours. Starting the conversation will open their eyes – while they might think it’s about fashion, it’s really about faith. - Jill Marquis, Event Coordinator for Shari Braendel

 

Ladies, talk and talk and talk to your daughters about what they wear. But don't just give them RULES, give them REASONS. Just like Jill stated above, tell them what the sayings on the shirts mean. Ask them if it's wise to spend their (or your) money in a store that sells items like this. I simply wouldn't spend one cent in a store that has clothes like that.

Help your daughters understand that she is beautiful and amazing. I know, I know, I'm preaching to the choir, but let's all stand together and refuse to shop in places that have such degrading things for our girls to wear. One person DOES make a difference. And one plus one plus one adds up. Shari Braendal. 

 

I love you girls!

Amberly

He Makes Me Happy...

I saw this today on a blog that I enjoy reading.  Its "The Write Word" by Sis. Rachel Coltharp, a pastor's wife in Illinois.  I hope you enjoy it :)

"My husband doesn't make me happy.

I recently asked a young lady in the throes of new looooooove to describe to me what she loved about her Prince Charming. I was saddened that her only response was "He makes me happy". Sad because she thought "happy" was enough. Enough to gloss over some serious character issues. Enough to ignore warnings from friends and family. When weighing out all the issues, happy was winning over responsibility and integrity. She thought that lonely was the worst thing imaginable. She thought that happy was enough. But I know better.

Back when I was younger and foolisher, as opposed to now being older and sometimes still foolish, I was under the false impression that being part of a marriage meant never being lonely again. I thought that when you (finally) got married there were no more frustrations in your relationship with The Man. That the, ahem, closeness, would smooth out most of your emotional/relational rough spots. I thought that being married to Brent was going to fill all the empty places in my heart. That being loved by him was going to be enough.... to be happy. Boy was I wrong.

I was wrong because a husband was never intended to make me happy. Being married was not supposed to mean that I would never be lonely again. Never hurt again. Never be frustrated again. Marriage was intended so that I could serve Brent when HE is frustrated, lonely, hurt. So that I could share in HIS joys. So that I can be the hands and feet and voice of Jesus Christ to this man I have pledged my life to. And it's his job/obligation/duty/right to do the same for me. In serving each other, we serve Christ.

Let me tell you right now, there have been plenty of times when one of us was doing most of the serving. MUCHO opportunities arise in marriage where one partner can't, or won't, do their fair share. It is during those times that "for better, for worse, sickness or health, richer or poorer" comes in. Those are not just pretty poetic phrases. Honey pie, better may or may not come, but WORSE is around the corner. Health is not going to last forever, and sickness is not the least bit lovely. Poorer we recognize as being a potential difficulty, but richer can be too. Marriage is designed not to make me more happy, but to make me more holy.

Being married means that I have someone to share parts of my life with. Parts, yes, parts. Some things I can only truly share with God. The things for which there are no words. The times that my soul longs for more than any earthly person could ever fulfill. The hurts that no human touch, word or empathy can heal. He was never intended to. When I finally learned this, muuuuuch later than I wish I had, I freed Brent from unrealistic expectations. And in freeing him, I freed myself.

So while I share my happiest moments with Brent, while our relationship is the most satisfying and rewarding and enjoyable one I have, he does not MAKE me happy. Happy is a fleeting emotion. Quickly here. Quickly gone. No, Brent does not make me happy. But he shares my happy. And my pain. And he blesses me with the treasures of the ages, fidelity, patience, forgiveness, respect. Put "happy" on one side and those on the other.... there is just no comparison. And by the way.... I don't make him happy either."

Taken from http://rachelcoltharp.blogspot.com/
 
Love you ladies!!
Amberly

I Will Wait For You

Ok girlies, Natalie is coming out of blog-retirement! It's a miracle! Just found this today and wanted to share it with all of you. I hope you will continue to be strong and wait for the "perfect" man that God has for you.  Love you all! xo

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igCj3jsbcqs

Fashion Friday...

Don't have much for this Fashion Friday - its been one crazy week!!!  So, I thought I would just leave you with a quote from the beautiful Audrey Hepburn:

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years."

Happy Friday!
Amberly

HE Is...

I was cleaning out the picture folder on  my computer this morning...anticipating the move to the new office in The Woodlands.  I found a couple pictures from Worship on The River in Alexandra, LA.  I think it was a God-thing that I stumbled onto these pictures today.  The last few days it has seemed that my life is full of chaos.  In the middle of taking up tile in our house, an AC drainage pipe in our attic got clogged and flooded the upstairs bathroom...sending the ceiling caving in all the way down to the living room on the bottom story.  Its a mess.  While I'm thankful the new carpet wasn't in yet, my house was already a mess because all the furniture is moved and all my pretty things are boxed up.  Everywhere you look there is concrete with leftover grout stuck to it.  Its ugly.  Now when I sit on the sofa (which is sitting at a weird angle in the formal living room LOL) I can stare up into a nice big hole in the ceiling.  *huge sigh*  Plus, the move to the new firm is coming up...less money = more budgeting.  *another big sigh*  Its really hard for me to feel peace in the midst of chaos.  So, that's why I think seeing this picture today was a total God-thing.

Do you see that???  Right up at the corner in ALL CAPS, underlined letters???  GOD is...PEACE.

Are you getting my point now? I'm sure that many of you don't even remember the days of Aaron Jeoffrey, but I'm old and I do remember LOL Since seeing that old photo the words of a song they sang keep running through my mind:

In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our High Priest
Numbers, the Fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice
In Joshua, He is salvation's choice
Judges, Law Giver
In Ruth, the Kinsmen-Redeemer
First and second Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles, He's sovereign

Ezra, true and faithful Scribe
Nehemiah, He's the rebuilder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage
In Job, the timeless Redeemer
In Psalms, He is our morning song
In Proverbs, wisdom's cry
Ecclesiastes, the time and season
In the Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream

He is, He is, HE IS!

In Isaiah, He's Prince of Peace
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
In Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, He's the call from sin
In Daniel, the stranger in the fire
In Hosea, He is forever faithful
In Joel, He's the Spirits power
In Amos, the arms that carry us
In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Savior
In Jonah, He's the great missionary

In Micah, the promise of peace
In Nahum, He is our strength and our shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's pleading for revival
In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage
In Zechariah, our fountain
In Malachi, He is the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings

He is, He is, HE IS!

In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God, Man, Messiah
In the book of Acts, He is fire from heaven
In Romans, He's the grace of God
In Corinthians, the power of love
In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servants heart
In Colossians, He's the Godhead

Thessalonians, our coming King
In Timothy, Titus, Philemon He's our mediator and our faithful Pastor

In Hebrews, the everlasting covenant
In James, the one who heals the sick.
In First and Second Peter, he is our Shepherd
In John and in Jude, He is the lover coming for His bride
In the Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords

He is, He is, HE IS!

The Prince of peace
The Son of man
The Lamb of God
The Great I Am
He's the Alpha and Omega
Our God and our Savior
He is Jesus Christ the Lord
And when time is no more
He is, HE IS!

He is...so many things to so many people.  Here's one more photo...just more reminders of who God is. 

I'll leave you now that I'm feeling really small and realizing He is...more than enough - for you and for me.  He supplies all our needs...

XOXO
Amberly

Limping the Walk...

I've been thinking lately about the people I did Bible Quizzing with.  Less than 20% of my team is still in church.  By that I mean, less than 20% even claim to believe in God.  They can quote literally hundreds of verses from the Bible, yet they don't believe its writer exists.  How did that happen? 

 

Most of us have brains filled with memorized scripture.  We started working on memorizing scriptures in Sunday School, when reciting the memory verse meant a bright shiny gold star on our charts, some of us attended Christian schools where the chapters memorized meant earning extra privileges, still further, some of us participated in Bible Quizz Tournaments.  In each situation, most of us memorized verses because a prize was being dangled in front of us.  So we did it. And we remember them still.  Hundreds of verses over the years. Most times when a familiar passage is being read I know it by heart. So many of us can talk the talk with the best of them. Walking the walk is another thing entirely.

I'm thankful all those years ago, I had a Sunday School teacher who taught me "Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee."  I'm thankful that my parents prayed every day that most of all their children would have a deep love for the things of God, because they knew if we loved Him, we would follow His ways.

I revel in His love for me, so deep, so amazing. That He, who knows me best, loves me most. It boggles my mind, humbles my heart and sometimes, breaks my strong will.  He said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) so I do my best to love Him the way HE wants to be loved. The words I choose, the clothes I choose, the way I spend my money (sometimes LOL), how I spend my time and talents...I choose to use them in the WAY His word instructs me.  But sometimes, my pride gets in the way, the ME monster arises and snarls and snaps at others, I let hormones, situations, fears and petty personal preferences sit on the throne of my heart.  But then, all those scriptures come to mind… the WORD comes, out of the recesses of my brain where it was stored and it speaks to my heart.

 

Remember, as you spend your Sunday morning drive to church working on your memory verse, or you study for Bible Quizzing...there really is a purpose beyond the shiny gold star or the trophy.  When you learn to love the Word you are memorizing, there is a benefit that will bless your entire life.  That Word will protect you in times of trouble, it will comfort you in times of sorrow, and it will keep you in times in doubt. 

 

Love,

Amberly

Struggle With Perfection...

I find it is often a struggle to live a life of authenticity. If you know me much at all, you know I am a perfectionist.  So much so, that my husband told me a few days ago "You must be miserable trying to be so perfect all the time!"  I don't struggle with being myself necessarily, I struggle with wanting to hide my imperfections.  In the virtual world of Facebook and blogging there is a huge temptation to Photoshop my life into perfection. To erase the lines around my eyes, thin my silhouette, polish my demeanor and perfect my image. I can post only the best photos of myself and my husband, where my house is spotless and we are sitting in quiet contentment reading our Bibles and enjoy a cup of hot tea.  This is not AT ALL the actual reality of how we REALLY live most of the time. Sure, sometimes its reality...for brief seconds in time!

Honestly, my house is usually a bustling flutter of activity...I get up somewhere betwen 6:15 and 6:30.  Make a cup of coffee (a MUST) and fill it with honey and cream.  Then I rush to fix my lunch, shower, do my hair.  Then, I stand in my closet feverishly searching for something to wear that doesn't need to be ironed, because ugh...I seriously don't have time for that.  I rush off to the bus station for that 1 hour trip to downtown Houston (usually arriving 10-15 minutes later than planned).  I get on the bus, pull out my phone and proceed to check my emails, read my daily Bible reading.  Then, I arrive at work, and sit at my computer all day looking at the clock every few minutes, wishing for 5:00 to arrive.  Finally, I hit the bus stop for that long 1 hour trip home.  By now, its 6:15 p.m. and I'm driving home, talking on the phone with D, trying to decide what to have for dinner.  This, of course, is on nights when we have no other obligations.  At least several nights a week D and I rush home, he quickly changes clothes, and we rush out the door for one thing or another.   I don't enjoy shopping trips during the week, or leasurely afternoons in the park with my Bible and a cup of coffee.  Most nights, I fall into bed exhausted and have nightmares about the laundry that didn't get done or the dishwasher that needs to be unloaded.  In the perfect photo, my kitchen is spotless except for a bowl of fresh fruit and flowers. In the actual one, the dishwasher is full of dishes, the counters need to be wiped off and there is at least one pot in the sink that needs to be handwashed.  Not exactly what I want to post on Facebook…for what would folks think of me then?

I don't typically realize the pressure I place on myself, until my sweet husband decides he needs to point it out.  Gee thanks...  No, really - thanks.  I'm not exactly ready to show everyone how "unperfect" I really am...but maybe, just maybe, I can at least understand that I don't have to feel so guilty when my house isn't spotless because I spent my extra time working at the church or spending time with family.  Maybe, I can stop singing the nasty nagging ‘not perfect’ icky song. You know the one that says “Look how pretty, smart, talented, poised THEY are…how clean they keep THEIR homes, how well THEY stay on top of all the laundry... girl you just DON’T fit in”. That is the song I usually hear being played in my mind, but that is not the song Jesus wants us to sing.  Oh no - He keeps singing ‘We are family!’ He wants us to know its okay to have imperfections and its okay to let those imperfections show.  Afterall, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and, just as I don't have to be perfect for my family...I don't have to perfect for His family either.  He shows love to us, no matter what.  And that only happens in the perfect world of perfect love. Perfect love casts out fear. That’s what He gives.  Not because we project back His perfection, but because He accepts us in our reality. He welcomes me, he calls me daughter.  Part of the family. I guess that is about as perfect as it gets.

Amberly :)