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Post by coveredinharmony on Jun 9, 2008 16:38:29 GMT -5
Hi, brethren and sisters! Last school year, I literally was swamped with people asking me questions about the way I dressed. I felt the Lord calling me to write a tract about it. I've been working on it for a while, and I wanted to see what you all think. It's in a .doc file, so I can't upload it here. I will, however, post the contents: You might think I’m Mennonite, a nun, a Muslim, or perhaps someone with cancer. But I am none of these. I am a Christian woman who is striving to obey the Bible in every area of my life. One of the ways I choose to express my faith is in my dress. Why do I cover my head? The Bible in 1 Corinthians 11 states that a woman should cover her head out of reverence toward God and out of submission to the authorities in her life. A Christian woman should cover her hair—her glory, that which brings attention to her—so that God’s glory may be revealed. This principle of covering the head is described in many places in the Bible, such as Genesis 24:65 and Isaiah 47:1-4. The covering is for every Christian woman in every time and place. It is an honor and a blessing! Why do I dress the way that I do? Besides my headcovering, you probably also noticed that I wear long dresses and jumpers that are loose and simple. I do this for many reasons. To cover myself Genesis 3:7-11 teaches that the main purpose of clothing is to cover us, rather than to be a display of beauty. It also teaches us that God’s standards in all things—clothing included—are best. For modesty 1 Timothy 2 9:10 teaches that women are to be modest in all things—dress being one small area of that commandment. Women here are exhorted to dress modestly and plainly, drawing attention to God instead of their beauty. I also dress in order to avoid any chance of causing men to lust (Matthew 5:28, Romans 14:13, 21). For gender distinction The Bible in many places teaches that a woman should only wear clearly feminine clothing, such as Deuteronomy 22:5. In several places in the Bible, pants (also called breeches) are described as a solely male garment (Exodus 28:42, Leviticus 6:10, 16:4), and thus they are not to be worn by women. For these reasons, I choose to wear long dresses and a headcovering for the glory of God. The bigger picture In reality, though, the Christian life is much more than outward appearance. It is a deep knowledge of who God is, what He has done and will do, and what He desires for us to do and be. More than anything, the Christian life is filled with a vital relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord desires this close bond with him for all people on earth! Want to learn more? Turn this tract over! ~*~*~ On the back of the tract, I list several sites, such as a link to an online Bible and some sites on modesty. What do you all think? What can I improve? I would also be willing to send the .doc file to anyone who would like to see the "whole thing." It's meant to be folded into quarters, so the file's a little funny looking. Just PM me your email address if you'd like it  Thanks  Love in Christ, Little Sarah |
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Post by mitchell on Jun 9, 2008 18:36:39 GMT -5
Dear Covered, Thanks. I needed that. I've been somewhat discouraged lately trying to cover the majority of the time. Lately, I've hit a wall where it would just be easier to take it off and quit trying. While my husband has indicated that I needed to do whatever I thought was right about it, I know that he has always been very into appearance - and in this culture, one of the "trendy" haircuts is always considered "attractive" (how I dislike that word). To make matters worse, I'm finding that, while they may tell one they're welcome at a non-headcovering church, after a while, generally, the women who run things in the church manage to get rid of the headcovering, modest-dressing woman under some excuse or the other. Sometimes, it's as simple as just the old cold, cold shoulder until the "deep freeze" finally drives one out. I recently had visited a non-headcovering church not too far from us. (When I went there to visit, I thought it was a headcovering, modest-dressing congregation, but it turned out that there had initially been a headcovering group that couldn't keep up the payments on the building and had to sell it to a non-headcovering non-denominational group. The unfriendliness, especially coming from the majority of the women, was palpable. I was given to understand that the cold shoulder was reserved for any "headcovering" people who tried to come back in and "take over" the church building that belonged to them now. Of course, I wasn't a part of the original group and certainly didn't intend to try to "take over" their church building, but it was a very unhappy experience there - made worse by the tactic of the congregation in how they ran off their preacher. Of course, I don't know all the ins and outs of that situation, but it certainly contributed to discomfort visiting there. I think I've just about given up on the "church building" concept, as it generally gets more nurturing than the poor souls who enter its walls. Your tract is really good. Wanda |
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Post by allenehatherell12 on Jun 9, 2008 20:25:30 GMT -5
The tract is good, well done. I think keeping it simple is a good idea and having scriptures and resources for people to seek more.
Dear Mitchel, how sad. Another case of Christians behaving very badly, I simply do not understand it!! I mean what difference does it make if a sister chooses to cover and another does not? you are all there to worship Him, eyes up!! Are we not Christians...and there is the big question! I know when I was unsaved, many so called Christians looked down on me, they certainley never reached out to me. I cover in church and I know that it is not enough (another time...:) but I get cornered and literally preached at why I do not need to do it and that I am legalistic and that once I grow up in the Lord a little more I will see this....argh. We are all on a journey and as we know, covering does not = salvation, I think many see cobering as a direct assault on their own faith, they take it personally. Perhaps they are not liking the lght being shone on them and they do not like the conviction they feel in their hearts when they see you. A sister who does not cover, may well cover next week, next month or next year, I know it happened to me and I have a way to go still as the Holy Spirit works on my/their heart and as they come to obedience....The main thing here is that these people are not behaving in a Christ like manner full stop.A church is run on Gods principles not on mans....there would seem to be little fruit of the Spirit being displayed there and I can appreciate how uncomfortable you must feel. Stand firm dear Sister, you are a light in the darkness... ''to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.'' Luke 1:79. Just because these ladies stand in a church on Sunday does not make them Christians, we know that....some of them may well not know the Lord and your witness is very obviuosly having an effect by the very nature of some of there reactions. God Bless yoy as you stand for His Word. <><
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Post by 7schmicks on Jun 10, 2008 0:03:34 GMT -5
Dear Little Sister Sarah, Your tract is very nice. I like that it isn't just a sermon to tell others of how they should live, but that it is a testimony of your own convictions from Scripture of why you live as you do. Not that I have anything against sermons, but the purpose for which you are writing it is to answer the many questions of those with whom you come in contact. It makes it very personal that way! My only advice is that you might want to think about actually printing out the Bible verses for those who don't have a Bible or won't take the time to look up the verses. We know that God's Word is alive and powerful, so it is important that when we share things with others, we use His word. I fully believe that it will not return void when we do that. Love, Sister Brenda |
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Post by Brother Ben on Jun 10, 2008 10:42:21 GMT -5
Simple, clear, excellent! I wouldn't change anything on the front, but you might put a few scriptures on the back on how they can know the Christ that has made such a difference in your life.
Ben
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Post by coveredinharmony on Jun 10, 2008 13:45:22 GMT -5
I am playing around with a few different ideas for the tract, and so far I've rearranged it to be a regular piece of paper, folded in half to be a tall rectangle. On the front, I will start the tract, saying "Why do you dress that way" with a picture and the first paragraph.
On the first page (inside), I will put the information about headcovering and modesty.
On the outside page, I will put several important related Scriptures and a few links.
On the second inside page, though, I want to put a little about the plan of salvation, though I might swap this with the Scriptures on covering. Here's what I've worked up so far (it needs work):
The bigger picture
In reality, though, the Christian life is much more than outward appearance. It is a deep knowledge of who God is, what He has done and will do, and what He desires for us to do and be. More than anything, the Christian life is filled with a vital relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord desires this close bond with him for all people on earth! Unfortunately, this bond is broken by sin. Without the power of God within us, sin reigns in our lives and cut us off from the glory of God.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Everyone who is cut off from the Lord will ultimately die, not just physically, but eternally in hell. But the Lord in His infinite mercy has provided us a way out from that eternal punishment.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
How can we obtain that beautiful gift of God? Not by doing good things, going to church, giving to charity, or “being a good person.” We’re all sinners, and anything good we can do is like filthy rags before a holy and perfect God.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
How, then, can we be saved?
Romans 9:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Call upon the name of Jesus Christ, confessing your sins, and He will forgive you and make you His child! Praise God!
What do you all think? I thank you all for your help!
Love in Christ,
Little Sarah
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Post by George on Jun 10, 2008 17:26:00 GMT -5
My young sister I must say that you have done an excellent job of creating this tract. I can see that a lot of thought went into it and I also believe a lot of the Holy Spirit went into it. When you get to the point of printing it I have heard there are places on the internet where you can get tracts printed free. I cannot give you a web site to check but I am certain that if you do a search you can find one of them.
I thank God for young women such as you who are so dedicated to God and truth.
In Christ,
George
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Post by 7schmicks on Jun 10, 2008 21:15:59 GMT -5
Dear Sarah, Your "Bigger Picture" is very good! I think the Lord will bless this effort! Sister Brenda |
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Post by Brother Ben on Jun 13, 2008 12:12:36 GMT -5
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Post by coveredinharmony on Jun 13, 2008 13:25:05 GMT -5
Thank you all for your encouragement! I am going to be printing a few in the next week or so, but I will save printing more than a handful until school starts. I have a printer card at school that the school puts five dollars on to print (that's 100 pages) so I'll print more there. I don't really ever print at school because I can print at home much easier Brother George, I've looked around Google and I can't find anything so far, but I'll keep looking! Love in Christ, Little Sarah |
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Post by coveredinharmony on Jun 22, 2008 22:38:05 GMT -5
Hello, brethren! I am a little excited, because I just ordered my tracts to be printed. Kinkos has an option to print online, and my order with 200 tracts will be ready by noon tomorrow. It was pretty inexpensive too (significantly cheaper than the school printer, and they will cut the tracts in half for me, since each one is half of a sheet of paper).
I'll scan a copy once I get one. Please pray that they turn out right and that the Lord will lead me to the right recipients!
Love in Christ,
Sarah
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Post by coveredinharmony on Jun 23, 2008 15:35:20 GMT -5
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Post by Andrea on Jun 24, 2008 15:58:00 GMT -5
Wonderful job, Sister Sarah. Thanks for sharing your tract.
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Post by prv31wife on Jun 25, 2008 23:56:56 GMT -5
Great job! You done good |
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Post by SisterNancy on Jul 9, 2008 7:19:20 GMT -5
Sister Sarah, You are definitely blessed by God! your track is awesome! very appropriate for woman of your age and teens and older too. Praise the Lord for your faith and obedience! |
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