What Does A Smile Really Say???

This may be a crazy conversation, but you will soon learn one thing about me, I tend to see things in a crazy way : )After debates with my husband regarding what is and is not appropriate for a woman to wear, and as the Spirit has worked in my life, I have let some things go...But now the debates has moved from the clothing I wear on my physical body, to the smile I wear on my face.Now, my husband says that due to my "friendly-ness", my ability to never meet a stranger, my ability to give everyone the benefit of the dought, can be translated in the mind of a man as flirting. After going back and forth about this issue, I decided to conduct an experiment. For one week I walked around town, conducted business, meeting people, getting gas, in my usual manner. By speaking to everyone, smiling at everyone, acknowledging everyone. And what I notices was, yes there would be times when I would have to stop a man in his tracks to let him know, no, I am not hitting on you or responding to you in a "I am interested" way, I am acknowledging you out of love. And I have to say, it was more times than not that a man misinterpreted my kindness as an open invitation.The next week, I made it a point to change my behavior, not speak or smile to anyone, not have a inviting spirit, and it was a horrible experience. I will say, not one man approached me. But I felt bad inside for that entire week.So what did I learn from the experience? It's important to me to treat people with kindness and love. And if any actions are mis-understood, I have no problem clearing up the mis-understanding. I, by no meens, am trying to send off signals of flirting. Why can't I just be kind to people and people understand I am only being kind??? Being a Christian, to me, is loving. But so many people make that hard to do, by being rude, or wanting more.Oh well, like I said, when I am alone and conducting my business or running errands, I can't help but to be kind and offer a stranger a smile. But when I am with my husband... I leave the smiling to him.What do you think? Why are we viewed as flirting, when the Word of God says to love???

Does God Care About How We Dress???

My answer to this is yes. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says "Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gently and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." But how do we get to this point???I have always had a problem with people judging someone based off of the way they dress. In my opinion, the closer we get to God, the Spirit will change us on the inside first, then the outside. Now, I was one, that loved to wear my mini-skirts!!! But as I developed a closer relationship with God, the Spirit changed me. And when I would put on my smini skirts or short dresses, it was a feeling of uncomfort that drove me to change.I think, when it comes to the way people, mainly women, dress in church, if we take the time to develop a chiristian relationship with these women and help encourage them to seek a stronger relationship with God, the Spirit will do the rest. Because just like me, I started out in church with a short skirt, but I am now a woman that understands how inappropriate it was, and I now, still enjoy dressing, but in a manner that I feel is pleasing to God. So what do you think??? Do you think there should be more mentoring to younger women, not so much attacking them for there appearance, but helping encourage them to seek God? Because some of the best dressed women in church, are just that, best dressed women in church. What is their heart dressed in? We need to pay more attention the the heart, and let Spirit will do the rest. And lead by example, at all times."Still wearing my Stilettoes"

Walking In Unity

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ~Ephesians 4:1-3

as i continue my daily devotion, i will find myself sometimes reading over and over again the same scripture, when one day the Spirit will reveal the truth. i have been struggling with my identity versus what the people of the church think I should be like. i have been struggling with not feeling "accepted" by some in the church. and i came across this scripture, with Truth being revealed to me. although i have read this scripture 50,000 times, it hit my spirit and has shown me how to deal with people, both inside and outside of the church building. i want to be able to love as Christ loves. Scripture says "for God so loved the world, He GAVE...His only begotten Son. He gave us LOVE. So it's my responsibility to give love. I tell you, when we allow the Spirit to work in us, every situation we face has an answer waiting to be revealed to us. I get so excited when this happens to me (you can't see it, but I am smiling right now!!!)what have you gone through where while seking God's Word, a revelation was revealed?

Walking In Unity~In My Stilletoes

~First