"O Lord and Master of my life
do not give me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, or idle talk.
But give rather a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to your servant.
Yes Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions
and not to judge my brother.
For blessed art Thou unto ages of ages, amen."
It's a few days before Lent, but still...I am going to be fasting from blogging during lent, so I'll see you all on the flip side, after Holy Pascha!
Blessings and peace to you all.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Early Church Fathers Quotes...again
Clement of Alexandria, AD 190-"Let the woman observe this, further. Let her be entirely covered, unless she happens 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, The Instructor 3.12]
Hippolytus, 200 AD-"And let all the women have their heads covered with an opaque cloth, not with a veil of thin linen, for this is not a true covering." [Hippolytus Apostolic Tradition]
Tertullian, 200 AD-"Throughout Greece, and certain of its barbaric provinces, the majority of churches keep their virgins covered. In fact, this practice is followed in certain places beneath this African sky. So let no one ascribe this custom merely to the Gentile customs of the Greeks and barbarians.
Moreover, I will put forth as models those churches that were founded by either apostles or apostolic men. . . . The Corinthians themselves understood him to speak in this manner. For to this very day the Corinthians veil their virgins. What the apostles taught, the disciples of the apostles confirmed."
---
"I also admonish you second group of women, who are married, not to outgrow the discipline of the veil. Not even for a moment of an hour. Because you can't avoid wearing a veil, you should not find some other way to nullify it. That is, by going about neither covered nor bare. For some women do not veil their heads, but rather bind them up with turbans and woollen bands. It's true that they are protected in front. But where the head properly lies, they are bare.
Others cover only the area of the brain with small linen coifs that do not even quite reach the ears.... They should know that the entire head constitutes the woman. Its limits and boundaries reach as far as the place where the robe begins. The region of the veil is co-extensive with the space covered by the hair when it is unbound. In this way, the neck too is encircled.
The pagan women of Arabia will be your judges. For they cover not only the head, but the face also. . . . But how severe a chastisement will they likewise deserve, who remain uncovered even during the recital of the Psalms and at any mention of the name of God? For even when they are about to spend time in prayer itself, they only place a fringe, tuft [of cloth], or any thread whatever on the crown of their heads. And they think that they are covered!" [Tertullian, The Veiling of Virgins The Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. 4 pp. 27-29,33]
Section 3 of the Apostolic Constitutions, Commandments to Women:
"If thou desirest to be one of the faithful, and to please the Lord, O wife, do not superadd ornaments to thy beauty, in order to please other men; neither affect to wear fine broidering, garments, or shoes, to entice those who are allured by such things. For although thou dost not these wicked things with design of sinning thyself, but only for the sake of ornament and beauty, yet wilt thou not so escape future punishment, as having compelled another to look so hard at thee as to lust after thee, and as not having taken care both to avoid sin thyself, and the affording scandal to others. But if thou yield thyself up, and commit the crime, thou art both guilty of thy own sin, and the cause of the ruin of the other’s soul also. Besides, when thou hast committed lewdness with one man, and beginnest to despair, thou wilt again turn away from thy duty, and follow others, and grow past feeling; as says the divine word: “When a wicked man comes into the depth of evil, he becomes a scorner, and then disgrace and reproach come upon him.”25752575 Prov. xviii. 3. For such a woman afterward being wounded, ensnares without restraint the souls of the foolish. Let us learn, therefore, how the divine word triumphs over such women, saying: “I hated a woman who is a snare and net to the heart of men worse than death; her hands are fetters.”25762576 Eccles. vii. 26. And in another passage: “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is beauty in a wicked woman.”25772577 Prov. xi. 22. And again: “As a worm in wood, so does a wicked woman destroy her husband.”25782578 Prov. xii. 4 in LXX. And again: “It is better to dwell in the corner of the house-top, than with a contentious and an angry woman.”25792579 Prov. xxi. 9, 19 You, therefore, who are Christian women, do not imitate such as these. But thou who designest to be faithful to thine own husband, take care to please him alone. And when thou art in the streets, cover thy head; for by such a covering thou wilt avoid being viewed of idle persons. Do not paint thy face, which is God’s workmanship; for there is no part of thee which wants ornament, inasmuch as all things which God has made are very good. But the lascivious additional adorning of what is already good is an affront to the bounty of the Creator. Look downward when thou walkest abroad, veiling thyself as becomes women."
"IX. Avoid also that disorderly practice of bathing in the same place with men; for many are the nets of the evil one. And let not a Christian woman bathe with an hermaphrodite; for if she is to veil her face, and conceal it with modesty from strange men, how can she bear to enter naked into the bath together with men? But if the bath be appropriated to women, let her bathe orderly, modestly, and moderately. But let her not bathe without occasion, nor much, nor often, nor in the middle of the day, nor, if possible, every day; and let the tenth hour of the day be the set time for such seasonable bathing. For it is convenient that thou, who art a Christian woman, shouldst ever constantly avoid a curiosity which has many eyes."
Hippolytus, 200 AD-"And let all the women have their heads covered with an opaque cloth, not with a veil of thin linen, for this is not a true covering." [Hippolytus Apostolic Tradition]
Tertullian, 200 AD-"Throughout Greece, and certain of its barbaric provinces, the majority of churches keep their virgins covered. In fact, this practice is followed in certain places beneath this African sky. So let no one ascribe this custom merely to the Gentile customs of the Greeks and barbarians.
Moreover, I will put forth as models those churches that were founded by either apostles or apostolic men. . . . The Corinthians themselves understood him to speak in this manner. For to this very day the Corinthians veil their virgins. What the apostles taught, the disciples of the apostles confirmed."
---
"I also admonish you second group of women, who are married, not to outgrow the discipline of the veil. Not even for a moment of an hour. Because you can't avoid wearing a veil, you should not find some other way to nullify it. That is, by going about neither covered nor bare. For some women do not veil their heads, but rather bind them up with turbans and woollen bands. It's true that they are protected in front. But where the head properly lies, they are bare.
Others cover only the area of the brain with small linen coifs that do not even quite reach the ears.... They should know that the entire head constitutes the woman. Its limits and boundaries reach as far as the place where the robe begins. The region of the veil is co-extensive with the space covered by the hair when it is unbound. In this way, the neck too is encircled.
The pagan women of Arabia will be your judges. For they cover not only the head, but the face also. . . . But how severe a chastisement will they likewise deserve, who remain uncovered even during the recital of the Psalms and at any mention of the name of God? For even when they are about to spend time in prayer itself, they only place a fringe, tuft [of cloth], or any thread whatever on the crown of their heads. And they think that they are covered!" [Tertullian, The Veiling of Virgins The Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. 4 pp. 27-29,33]
Section 3 of the Apostolic Constitutions, Commandments to Women:
"If thou desirest to be one of the faithful, and to please the Lord, O wife, do not superadd ornaments to thy beauty, in order to please other men; neither affect to wear fine broidering, garments, or shoes, to entice those who are allured by such things. For although thou dost not these wicked things with design of sinning thyself, but only for the sake of ornament and beauty, yet wilt thou not so escape future punishment, as having compelled another to look so hard at thee as to lust after thee, and as not having taken care both to avoid sin thyself, and the affording scandal to others. But if thou yield thyself up, and commit the crime, thou art both guilty of thy own sin, and the cause of the ruin of the other’s soul also. Besides, when thou hast committed lewdness with one man, and beginnest to despair, thou wilt again turn away from thy duty, and follow others, and grow past feeling; as says the divine word: “When a wicked man comes into the depth of evil, he becomes a scorner, and then disgrace and reproach come upon him.”25752575 Prov. xviii. 3. For such a woman afterward being wounded, ensnares without restraint the souls of the foolish. Let us learn, therefore, how the divine word triumphs over such women, saying: “I hated a woman who is a snare and net to the heart of men worse than death; her hands are fetters.”25762576 Eccles. vii. 26. And in another passage: “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is beauty in a wicked woman.”25772577 Prov. xi. 22. And again: “As a worm in wood, so does a wicked woman destroy her husband.”25782578 Prov. xii. 4 in LXX. And again: “It is better to dwell in the corner of the house-top, than with a contentious and an angry woman.”25792579 Prov. xxi. 9, 19 You, therefore, who are Christian women, do not imitate such as these. But thou who designest to be faithful to thine own husband, take care to please him alone. And when thou art in the streets, cover thy head; for by such a covering thou wilt avoid being viewed of idle persons. Do not paint thy face, which is God’s workmanship; for there is no part of thee which wants ornament, inasmuch as all things which God has made are very good. But the lascivious additional adorning of what is already good is an affront to the bounty of the Creator. Look downward when thou walkest abroad, veiling thyself as becomes women."
"IX. Avoid also that disorderly practice of bathing in the same place with men; for many are the nets of the evil one. And let not a Christian woman bathe with an hermaphrodite; for if she is to veil her face, and conceal it with modesty from strange men, how can she bear to enter naked into the bath together with men? But if the bath be appropriated to women, let her bathe orderly, modestly, and moderately. But let her not bathe without occasion, nor much, nor often, nor in the middle of the day, nor, if possible, every day; and let the tenth hour of the day be the set time for such seasonable bathing. For it is convenient that thou, who art a Christian woman, shouldst ever constantly avoid a curiosity which has many eyes."
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Resting Place
This day found me very busy and fussing with my head covering a lot. I kept changing from one snood, to a scarf, to a different scarf, to a black bandana. Nothing felt right.
I suspect that the not feeling right has more to do with my heart than it does with what's on my head.
So often I find that my attitude towards my head covering, my willingness to wear it joyfully, or my secret feelings of embarrassment about it are a good barometer of what's going on in my heart spiritually.
This evening at vespers, standing in the balcony of the chapel directly across from the icon of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, the Lord just broke my heart over my sins. Tears were granted, and I cried. It seemed as though St. John were there, admonishing me as well, like a Grandfather-in-the-Lord.
Seems I'm always the foolish woman crying in Church. But that's OK. If that's the way the Lord wants to deal with me, then He gets to do so.
I wish I were not the woman who spends so much time worrying about what others might think of me. And I wish I were not so fussy about my appearance. (For someone so fussy about her appearance, I am ridiculously and perpetually askew.) I'm always uncomfortable with myself, and I think part of that stems from being in chronic pain. I guess I'm uncomfortable with my body because I'm literally uncomfortable in my body. And so I fuss and fret about this and that.
But the restless longing for escape has GOT to be turned into a longing for heaven and a pursuit of God. Sometimes I succeed in this, but at other times I am so much just clay.
Here's a jewel from Jeremiah that I found today:
When I read this, I thought of how Jesus said "I am the Good Shepherd...".
O Lord, be my resting place.
I suspect that the not feeling right has more to do with my heart than it does with what's on my head.
So often I find that my attitude towards my head covering, my willingness to wear it joyfully, or my secret feelings of embarrassment about it are a good barometer of what's going on in my heart spiritually.
This evening at vespers, standing in the balcony of the chapel directly across from the icon of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, the Lord just broke my heart over my sins. Tears were granted, and I cried. It seemed as though St. John were there, admonishing me as well, like a Grandfather-in-the-Lord.
Seems I'm always the foolish woman crying in Church. But that's OK. If that's the way the Lord wants to deal with me, then He gets to do so.
I wish I were not the woman who spends so much time worrying about what others might think of me. And I wish I were not so fussy about my appearance. (For someone so fussy about her appearance, I am ridiculously and perpetually askew.) I'm always uncomfortable with myself, and I think part of that stems from being in chronic pain. I guess I'm uncomfortable with my body because I'm literally uncomfortable in my body. And so I fuss and fret about this and that.
But the restless longing for escape has GOT to be turned into a longing for heaven and a pursuit of God. Sometimes I succeed in this, but at other times I am so much just clay.
Here's a jewel from Jeremiah that I found today:
Jeremiah 50:4-7 (King James Version)
4In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.
5They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
6My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.
7All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.
When I read this, I thought of how Jesus said "I am the Good Shepherd...".
O Lord, be my resting place.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Preparing for Lent
I find myself thinking much of repentance these days. Lent is coming soon in the Orthodox Church, and this period of preparing for Holy Week and Pascha's celebration of Christ's resurrection is for that: Repentance.
So the temptation is to set aside the things I'm really working hard to learn to be repentant about (I believe a good bit of repentance is life-style surgery and habit building) and to slack off for the next week and a half because, after all, lent is coming and I'll really be working hard, then.
But I don't think that's God's will. I need to keep repenting for today, as long as it is today, and keep walking forward in obedience.
Because much of disobedience to the Lord amounts to inattentiveness to one's spiritual life, as opposed to outright rebellion.
So today, when I tie my head covering on, I'm going to say this prayer: "Behold, the handmaiden of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to Thy will."
And I'm not going to give up being attentive to the Lord.
I'm glad that a season of repentance is upon us soon. These times always help. May the Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.
So the temptation is to set aside the things I'm really working hard to learn to be repentant about (I believe a good bit of repentance is life-style surgery and habit building) and to slack off for the next week and a half because, after all, lent is coming and I'll really be working hard, then.
But I don't think that's God's will. I need to keep repenting for today, as long as it is today, and keep walking forward in obedience.
Because much of disobedience to the Lord amounts to inattentiveness to one's spiritual life, as opposed to outright rebellion.
So today, when I tie my head covering on, I'm going to say this prayer: "Behold, the handmaiden of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to Thy will."
And I'm not going to give up being attentive to the Lord.
I'm glad that a season of repentance is upon us soon. These times always help. May the Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Planning For Swimsuit Season
I just realized today that May is coming up and with that, the pool that is a stone's throw from our apartment will be in use.
Now, it may seem like there's lots of time, but in terms of my life and the fact that I have at least three modest swimsuits to sew, and a very modest budget (things go better if we spread them out), I'd best at least start thinking about it.
Because the kids can't use the pool unless I accompany them. And I will. not. wear. my old suit. It would be ridiculous. A woman who dresses modestly and wears a head covering suddenly sitting out by the pool in a bathing suit that shows vast amounts of cleavage? I think not. In my defense, in the past 20 years or so, I have NEVER found a suit that fits me that doesn't show vast amounts of cleavage.
I've always used the "I'm too fat and nobody cares" line, but now I'm really convicted about it. I have to be consistent, even if it means being wildly weird.
So, out comes the sewing machine.
I've made suits before, and I know that I have various options as far as patterns go, but what I really think I'm going to do is this:
Get a pattern from Elizabeth Lee such as NC 302.
And alter it into a tunic length top with 3/4 lengh sleeves and raise the neckline a bit, and sew some pants with built in panties to go under it. And a sports bra. Perhaps I'll add side ties at the waist on the inside so that the top does not float up when/if I'm in the water.
The whole project will probably cost fifty or sixty dollars.
I'm thinking black. If I could add a few decorative touches of pink to it, somehow, that would not be all bad, either.
Why, I wonder, do all the "Christian" modest swimsuits out there have such fitted tops with a dress-like shape to them, and short shorts (knee length) under them? (Granted, Wholesomewear does have an extended version now, that has longer sleeves and leggings which I found almost acceptable, if it weren't for the very hot looking goretex-like overlayer...I don't know.)
It seems to me that if all my skirts are well below my knees, the leggings of my swimwear should be, too.
And for me, I'd rather have something looser, tunic-like.
Now, it may seem like there's lots of time, but in terms of my life and the fact that I have at least three modest swimsuits to sew, and a very modest budget (things go better if we spread them out), I'd best at least start thinking about it.
Because the kids can't use the pool unless I accompany them. And I will. not. wear. my old suit. It would be ridiculous. A woman who dresses modestly and wears a head covering suddenly sitting out by the pool in a bathing suit that shows vast amounts of cleavage? I think not. In my defense, in the past 20 years or so, I have NEVER found a suit that fits me that doesn't show vast amounts of cleavage.
I've always used the "I'm too fat and nobody cares" line, but now I'm really convicted about it. I have to be consistent, even if it means being wildly weird.
So, out comes the sewing machine.
I've made suits before, and I know that I have various options as far as patterns go, but what I really think I'm going to do is this:
Get a pattern from Elizabeth Lee such as NC 302.
And alter it into a tunic length top with 3/4 lengh sleeves and raise the neckline a bit, and sew some pants with built in panties to go under it. And a sports bra. Perhaps I'll add side ties at the waist on the inside so that the top does not float up when/if I'm in the water.
The whole project will probably cost fifty or sixty dollars.
I'm thinking black. If I could add a few decorative touches of pink to it, somehow, that would not be all bad, either.
Why, I wonder, do all the "Christian" modest swimsuits out there have such fitted tops with a dress-like shape to them, and short shorts (knee length) under them? (Granted, Wholesomewear does have an extended version now, that has longer sleeves and leggings which I found almost acceptable, if it weren't for the very hot looking goretex-like overlayer...I don't know.)
It seems to me that if all my skirts are well below my knees, the leggings of my swimwear should be, too.
And for me, I'd rather have something looser, tunic-like.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Weird Headcovering Dream
I had a nightmare the other night. I dreamed my head covering slipped off somewhere in public, and underneath, my head was bald-like a Roman monk's tonsure.
And the top of my head was ugly and fat looking and blubbery.
I was very glad when I woke up and figured out is was just a bad dream.
Bonde Ambition
New Snood. I was at the thrift store the other day, and saw a blonde colored stretch lace shirt, size medium. I could not stop thinking about that shirt. I went back a few days later and it was still there. I could not be caught dead in the shirt, without turning it into a snood. Directions here.
This is made from the back of the shirt, cut carefully along the side seams and then rounded at the top, starting where the arm-hole indentions were.
I'll probably use the front part of the shirt to make a head band. Those are always nice to have handy, too.
Why a snood is so great to wear: They tend to stay in place, they are comfortable, pretty and feminine if you like an old-fashioned type of look, and they look good with earrings.
Mainly I like them because they are so hassle free. I mess with a snood way less than I mess with a scarf.
Oh, and here's a "duh" I figured out today: A snood or a scarf will sit much better, prettier, fluffier on dry hair as opposed to wet hair. If you wash your hair in the morning, take the time to dry it before donning your covering, and you may be happier with the way your covering sits. Or not. Everyone's hair is unique. That's just my mileage.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
One God
...the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth...and one only begotten Son Jesus Christ...and the Holy Spirit...
How can Christians claim to worship the ONE God, for God is ONE and there is no other, and yet at the same time, believe in the Trinity and say that this ONE God contains a three-ness? Official Orthodox catechetical terminology says: "One Divine Nature in three Persons" . I can accept this on faith and I truly believe the ineffable and incomprehensible God and be One God in three divine persons without being three gods. It is a mystery and it does defy understanding, as it should.
But from a lecture I heard recently, I offer this apologetic as a helpful explanation of the ONE who is beyond our understanding. An analogy:
I am myself. When I speak, my word is as much a part of me as myself, for it is I who have spoken and my word is inseparable from me. My word reveals who I am and shows my true character. I cannot speak without my breath, and my breath is as much a part of myself as myself, for without my breath I am not myself and I would cease to exist. And without my word I am not myself because self involves expression, and yet without myself neither my word can exist, nor my breath. Nor can my word exist without myself or my breath, and when I breathe my word comes from me. I am one.
Scripture teaches about the Word made flesh, Jesus the Annointed One (Christ, Messiah):
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John 1:1-5)
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
Furthermore:
"Jesus answered: "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say 'I do not know Him,' I shall be a liar like you: but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."
Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?"
Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
John 8: 54-58
And about the oneness of God, Jesus testifies:
"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves." John 14:10-11
And about the Holy Spirit:
"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." John 14: 16-17
and further:
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." John 14:26
So, One God: the Father who begets the Word who became incarnate, Jesus Christ and who sends his Spirit, his breath, upon us in the name of His Word. Inseparably One God, mysteriously in three persons.
How can Christians claim to worship the ONE God, for God is ONE and there is no other, and yet at the same time, believe in the Trinity and say that this ONE God contains a three-ness? Official Orthodox catechetical terminology says: "One Divine Nature in three Persons" . I can accept this on faith and I truly believe the ineffable and incomprehensible God and be One God in three divine persons without being three gods. It is a mystery and it does defy understanding, as it should.
But from a lecture I heard recently, I offer this apologetic as a helpful explanation of the ONE who is beyond our understanding. An analogy:
I am myself. When I speak, my word is as much a part of me as myself, for it is I who have spoken and my word is inseparable from me. My word reveals who I am and shows my true character. I cannot speak without my breath, and my breath is as much a part of myself as myself, for without my breath I am not myself and I would cease to exist. And without my word I am not myself because self involves expression, and yet without myself neither my word can exist, nor my breath. Nor can my word exist without myself or my breath, and when I breathe my word comes from me. I am one.
Scripture teaches about the Word made flesh, Jesus the Annointed One (Christ, Messiah):
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John 1:1-5)
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
Furthermore:
"Jesus answered: "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say 'I do not know Him,' I shall be a liar like you: but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."
Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?"
Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
John 8: 54-58
And about the oneness of God, Jesus testifies:
"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves." John 14:10-11
And about the Holy Spirit:
"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." John 14: 16-17
and further:
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." John 14:26
So, One God: the Father who begets the Word who became incarnate, Jesus Christ and who sends his Spirit, his breath, upon us in the name of His Word. Inseparably One God, mysteriously in three persons.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Staying Covered at the Chiropractor
I tried, I really tried.
For one thing, I know enough to wear stretchy pants underneath my skirt for modesty when I go to a chiropractor. And a turtle neck shirt, that way there are no cleavage issues to deal with.
Did I mention my back is "out"? I'm in loads of pain, so I finally took the leap and called a new chiropractor here in this town. Made an appointment. Went in, did an interview, let him poke and prod me. Let him take x-rays.
I'll go back for an adjustment later today. He was good, though. He was predicting, based on feeling my spine, where I'd feel more tender/sore, and where I'd feel less tender/sore and he was dead on correct each time. I don't think I've ever had a chiropractor examine me this thoroughly.
Long story short: My back is a MESS. Even my shoulder sockets are messed up. But it's my lower left back and mid left back preventing me from doing much right now at this very moment. I've been on muscle relaxers all weekend, but not today.
So I wore my stretchy pants, and I wore a loose knit turtleneck top, skirt over the stretchy pants, jacket over the top. And a snood.
Everything stayed on just fine, even my snood, until I had to remove the bobby pins for X-rays. Then the snood slipped off the back of my very slippery head, and I just stuck it in my purse. Oh well.
For one thing, I know enough to wear stretchy pants underneath my skirt for modesty when I go to a chiropractor. And a turtle neck shirt, that way there are no cleavage issues to deal with.
Did I mention my back is "out"? I'm in loads of pain, so I finally took the leap and called a new chiropractor here in this town. Made an appointment. Went in, did an interview, let him poke and prod me. Let him take x-rays.
I'll go back for an adjustment later today. He was good, though. He was predicting, based on feeling my spine, where I'd feel more tender/sore, and where I'd feel less tender/sore and he was dead on correct each time. I don't think I've ever had a chiropractor examine me this thoroughly.
Long story short: My back is a MESS. Even my shoulder sockets are messed up. But it's my lower left back and mid left back preventing me from doing much right now at this very moment. I've been on muscle relaxers all weekend, but not today.
So I wore my stretchy pants, and I wore a loose knit turtleneck top, skirt over the stretchy pants, jacket over the top. And a snood.
Everything stayed on just fine, even my snood, until I had to remove the bobby pins for X-rays. Then the snood slipped off the back of my very slippery head, and I just stuck it in my purse. Oh well.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Pity
Today I was out shopping at Walmart, and I was wearing my tichel, long denim skirt, sweater and jeans jacket.
I got a look from a woman that can only be described at pity. It was plain as day.
I wonder if she thought I was oppressed.
Or I wonder if she pitied me because she thought I did not know my Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.
I just wonder.
God is good, though.
I've been reading lots of blog posts of new-to-covering sisters and to you all, whether you are new to covering in Church or new to covering out and about, please be encouraged that it does get easier.
After a time, you get so used to it that your head feels naked uncovered.
I got a look from a woman that can only be described at pity. It was plain as day.
I wonder if she thought I was oppressed.
Or I wonder if she pitied me because she thought I did not know my Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.
I just wonder.
God is good, though.
I've been reading lots of blog posts of new-to-covering sisters and to you all, whether you are new to covering in Church or new to covering out and about, please be encouraged that it does get easier.
After a time, you get so used to it that your head feels naked uncovered.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
How To Turn Jeans into a Skirt
Needed:
Two pairs of jeans
pins
scissors
sewing machine with thread
patience
Take the two pairs of jeans, and choose which one will be your main pair. On these jeans, cut up (or seam rip) the inside seams, up to the point in front where the zipper flap is.
In the back, you want to split the butt part open up to about pocket level.
Take the second pair of jeans and cut the legs off as far as you can get up. You will be left with two legs and a pair of "Daisy Dukes", which I recommend you put in the garbage can.
Examine the two legs you've cut off, and see if there is a difference in the seams. On my jeans, one seam was topstitched, and the other was not. I decided that I wanted to keep the top stitched seam to be in the middle of the front and back of my new skirt, so I cut up the other seam on both legs.
Now for the tedious part: Lay the main jeans out, and overlap the front crotch area to make a flap.
Pin this down flat, and then put one of the cut up pant legs behind the big gap that the two main jeans legs make. It's a big triangle shape. 
Pin and re-pin until you get it all straight and smooth. You want to fold the edge under, as you will be topstitching for these seams.
Take it to your machine and sew the bottom seam first, then re-pin that flap part by the erstwhile crotch part nice and smooth, and topt stitch that, and on down the leg.
Do the same in the back.
Turn the skirt inside out and trim off the excess fabric by your seams.
For the hem, I just trimmed right next to the hem, cuting it off, and zig-zagged the bottom. That way I did not have to bother with matching up the panels at the bottom edge. I had enough other worries.
Since this skirt is made from a pair of blue courduroys and a pair of black strech jeans, I may decide to do a Navy blue overdye at some point...or not. I'm also thinking about adding some embroidery to embellish the bottom. Or not.
I have another skirt made out of two identical pairs of Gap jeans that had a wider leg, and on that skirt I used the front and back of one pant leg for the front and back triangle piece, and then I slit up the side seams and added a triangle gusset from the front and back of the other pant leg to each side.
Both skirts fit me and give enough room for walking.
Two pairs of jeans
pins
scissors
sewing machine with thread
patience
Take the two pairs of jeans, and choose which one will be your main pair. On these jeans, cut up (or seam rip) the inside seams, up to the point in front where the zipper flap is.
In the back, you want to split the butt part open up to about pocket level.
Take the second pair of jeans and cut the legs off as far as you can get up. You will be left with two legs and a pair of "Daisy Dukes", which I recommend you put in the garbage can.
Examine the two legs you've cut off, and see if there is a difference in the seams. On my jeans, one seam was topstitched, and the other was not. I decided that I wanted to keep the top stitched seam to be in the middle of the front and back of my new skirt, so I cut up the other seam on both legs.
Now for the tedious part: Lay the main jeans out, and overlap the front crotch area to make a flap.
Pin this down flat, and then put one of the cut up pant legs behind the big gap that the two main jeans legs make. It's a big triangle shape. 
Pin and re-pin until you get it all straight and smooth. You want to fold the edge under, as you will be topstitching for these seams.
Take it to your machine and sew the bottom seam first, then re-pin that flap part by the erstwhile crotch part nice and smooth, and topt stitch that, and on down the leg.
Do the same in the back.
Turn the skirt inside out and trim off the excess fabric by your seams.
For the hem, I just trimmed right next to the hem, cuting it off, and zig-zagged the bottom. That way I did not have to bother with matching up the panels at the bottom edge. I had enough other worries.
Since this skirt is made from a pair of blue courduroys and a pair of black strech jeans, I may decide to do a Navy blue overdye at some point...or not. I'm also thinking about adding some embroidery to embellish the bottom. Or not.
I have another skirt made out of two identical pairs of Gap jeans that had a wider leg, and on that skirt I used the front and back of one pant leg for the front and back triangle piece, and then I slit up the side seams and added a triangle gusset from the front and back of the other pant leg to each side.
Both skirts fit me and give enough room for walking.
Sweetness
Life is hard, you know? It's hard for everyone. My particular "life is hard"-ness involves a mentally ill teenaged daughter (and I'm not just saying that tongue in cheek, she really is mentally ill.) We get the impression that she lives her life on a razor's edge between barely hanging on and total catatonia, and the only thing keeping her here is her daily dose of meds.
Stressful times, with no end in sight. Our family is finally able to explore various support options here in our new community, and God has answered every one of our prayers in regards to finding doctors and therapists and the like. Soon we shall go to our first NAMI meeting.
Well, the reality of living with a mentally ill person has really turned my heart towards the Lord, and my hope towards heaven. Every. Single. Day. What else is there, because this world sure isn't offering me the "good life".
And God's grace is there, in the midst of the difficulties, and He does pour out his goodness and his joy, even on desperate souls like us.
I've been reading the book of Jeremiah. There is so much sweetness in the heart of the Lord expressed towards His people. Here are some nuggets to feast on today:
"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish."--Jer. 31:25
"Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope for your future, says the Lord." --Jer. 31:16-17
Well, pretty much the whole of the 31st chapter is wonderful...
The other day B asked me: "Mom, what will happen to me if the economy collapses and the pharmaceutical companies stop making my medicine?"
??????????????
"Well, I guess then I'll feed you and change your diapers and we'll pray together and I'll take you to every Holy Unction service we can find, and ask God's help." (Not that we aren't already praying, you know...).
"Oh, good! Thanks Mom!" And she hugged me.
Stressful times, with no end in sight. Our family is finally able to explore various support options here in our new community, and God has answered every one of our prayers in regards to finding doctors and therapists and the like. Soon we shall go to our first NAMI meeting.
Well, the reality of living with a mentally ill person has really turned my heart towards the Lord, and my hope towards heaven. Every. Single. Day. What else is there, because this world sure isn't offering me the "good life".
And God's grace is there, in the midst of the difficulties, and He does pour out his goodness and his joy, even on desperate souls like us.
I've been reading the book of Jeremiah. There is so much sweetness in the heart of the Lord expressed towards His people. Here are some nuggets to feast on today:
"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish."--Jer. 31:25
"Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope for your future, says the Lord." --Jer. 31:16-17
Well, pretty much the whole of the 31st chapter is wonderful...
The other day B asked me: "Mom, what will happen to me if the economy collapses and the pharmaceutical companies stop making my medicine?"
??????????????
"Well, I guess then I'll feed you and change your diapers and we'll pray together and I'll take you to every Holy Unction service we can find, and ask God's help." (Not that we aren't already praying, you know...).
"Oh, good! Thanks Mom!" And she hugged me.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Long Hair?
Love4Holiness asks:
Well, that's what I was trying to tell about in my "Taking Care of Hair" post a few days ago: How the Lord convicted me that I'd sinned by cutting off most all of my hair. And how I just needed to let it alone and let it grow.
Now, I do think that the Greek is abundantly clear that the hair is not THE headcovering. St. John Chrysostom says that the headcovering is put on voluntarily, and is a sign of one's voluntary submission to God-going beyond nature.
Nowadays, when hair is so often cut and styled, growing it out can also be an offering to God, perhaps?
I recall the Nazirites in the old Testament who were commanded not to cut their hair. St. John the Forerunner was such a one. His hair was wild.
There is the tonsure at baptism. There is monastic tonsure. (Tonsure is the cutting of hair and offering it to God as a symbol of dedicating one's life, one's head to God. In the Orthodox Chuch a little snip is taken on the front, back, and on either side, in the shape of a cross at b, but my guess is, it's the same.)
And I wonder if making an offering of one's hair as an act of charity, to some place like "locks of love" might not be an acceptable offering to God, too.
If a woman is covering her hair, no one knows what's underneath or not, and her dignity is intact, either way.
These are random thoughts....Clear as mud?
Oh, and one more thought:
One can never ever ever judge what is in another person's heart based on outward appearance. A woman may have a buzz cut that she got a week ago, and may have repented in her heart before the Lord about it and be letting it grow from that day forward. But the nature of hair is that it takes a long time to grow long. That is why we cannot judge what is in a person's heart based on the length of her hair. Only the Lord knows.
And based on the 1 Cor 11 passage, it seems to me that the Scripture says that if a woman only has her long hair, that she might was well shave it all off, if she refuses to wear a headcovering. Might as well.
In my case the head covering is part of my repentance.
Any thoughts on the idea that a woman cutting her hair at all (whether herself or in a salon) is a shame unto her? "For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered." Granted, most of us who read your blog from time to time see the need for the head to be covered, but the Bible says that if the woman be not covered, let her ALSO be shorn (shorn literally means to cut, no indication of how MUCH is cut off, although it must be different than to be shaven as there is a distinction made in that respect). To me, the Word tells us not to cut our hair, but to let it grow long & uncut. It says it is a shame for it to be shorn (cut) or shaven (completely cut off). And that if we don't cover, we might as well cut or shave as it is just as just as shameful to do either of these 3 things. Any thoughts? Not trying to argue, as I know most of you cut your hair. Just trying to discuss as I see this as a directive for a woman not to cut her hair at all, as it is shameful. I mean, it says we should have long hair... but how long is long? Long to you migth be different than long to me. So in not cutting my hair, I let the Lord decide how long is long by letting my hair grow to a length that is His will for me, personally. I let HIM determine what long is for me by being obedient in this matter.
Well, that's what I was trying to tell about in my "Taking Care of Hair" post a few days ago: How the Lord convicted me that I'd sinned by cutting off most all of my hair. And how I just needed to let it alone and let it grow.
Now, I do think that the Greek is abundantly clear that the hair is not THE headcovering. St. John Chrysostom says that the headcovering is put on voluntarily, and is a sign of one's voluntary submission to God-going beyond nature.
Nowadays, when hair is so often cut and styled, growing it out can also be an offering to God, perhaps?
I recall the Nazirites in the old Testament who were commanded not to cut their hair. St. John the Forerunner was such a one. His hair was wild.
There is the tonsure at baptism. There is monastic tonsure. (Tonsure is the cutting of hair and offering it to God as a symbol of dedicating one's life, one's head to God. In the Orthodox Chuch a little snip is taken on the front, back, and on either side, in the shape of a cross at b, but my guess is, it's the same.)
And I wonder if making an offering of one's hair as an act of charity, to some place like "locks of love" might not be an acceptable offering to God, too.
If a woman is covering her hair, no one knows what's underneath or not, and her dignity is intact, either way.
These are random thoughts....Clear as mud?
Oh, and one more thought:
One can never ever ever judge what is in another person's heart based on outward appearance. A woman may have a buzz cut that she got a week ago, and may have repented in her heart before the Lord about it and be letting it grow from that day forward. But the nature of hair is that it takes a long time to grow long. That is why we cannot judge what is in a person's heart based on the length of her hair. Only the Lord knows.
And based on the 1 Cor 11 passage, it seems to me that the Scripture says that if a woman only has her long hair, that she might was well shave it all off, if she refuses to wear a headcovering. Might as well.
In my case the head covering is part of my repentance.
Encouragement Along the Way
I was talking with a woman from Church yesterday, and we discovered that last spring we'd both attended the same lenten retreat, to hear Mother Gabriella (a nun) speak. My friend and I did not know each other at the time, since I still lived in my old town, so it was fun to compare notes on having been in the same crowd.
I told her that one of the biggest things that I'd gotten out of the retreat was something that was in a handout. The handout was concerning how to live the spiritual life as a lay person, and one of the suggestions was "dress every day as if you were going to visit a monastery."
Now this is significant for Orthodox Christians, because in order to visit a monastery, there is a fairly strict dress code. It matters not whether this is a women's or a men's monastery. Men are expected to wear long sleeves, long pants and be modest. Women are to wear a long skirt, long top, and a head scarf, and be modest. No double standards.
For some reason, this really made an impact on me. The idea being to be as sober every day as one would be if one were going on a spiritual retreat to an Orthodox monastery really got into my head.
I started following this rule, for the most part.
"You mean you didn't always dress this way?" my new friend asked?
"No, just since last year. And it's been like shifting gears. Taking things up a notch."
Later in the evening I asked my husband if there was any difference in me, since I started dressing differently, and he vehement nodded and said there was. More sobriety. More focus.
Clothes can make a difference. Headcovering makes a difference. And God knows I need all the help I can get along the way. So if this bit of outward stuff can help, then great, I want to embrace that.
Now, I'm not saying that I'm perfect or that I have it all together, but when someone who has dedicated her life to following Christ in poverty and humility gives advice on how to dress in order to concentrate on the spiritual life, then I think it is good to heed that advice. Especially when that advice is so entirely scriptural.
And my new friend (who always wears a head covering in Church, too) also said something interesting: She said that whenever she wears blue jeans or slacks (not just in Church, but out and about) she feels as though she's doing something inappropriate before God. To clarify, I've never seen her wear jeans in Church at all, so she must have been meaning when she's out and about. To that I could only add my "me too" and show her the skirt I'd made out of two pairs of blue jeans.
I offered to convert her jeans into long skirts for her, and she was pretty excited.
It's good to get some encouragement along the way.
I told her that one of the biggest things that I'd gotten out of the retreat was something that was in a handout. The handout was concerning how to live the spiritual life as a lay person, and one of the suggestions was "dress every day as if you were going to visit a monastery."
Now this is significant for Orthodox Christians, because in order to visit a monastery, there is a fairly strict dress code. It matters not whether this is a women's or a men's monastery. Men are expected to wear long sleeves, long pants and be modest. Women are to wear a long skirt, long top, and a head scarf, and be modest. No double standards.
For some reason, this really made an impact on me. The idea being to be as sober every day as one would be if one were going on a spiritual retreat to an Orthodox monastery really got into my head.
I started following this rule, for the most part.
"You mean you didn't always dress this way?" my new friend asked?
"No, just since last year. And it's been like shifting gears. Taking things up a notch."
Later in the evening I asked my husband if there was any difference in me, since I started dressing differently, and he vehement nodded and said there was. More sobriety. More focus.
Clothes can make a difference. Headcovering makes a difference. And God knows I need all the help I can get along the way. So if this bit of outward stuff can help, then great, I want to embrace that.
Now, I'm not saying that I'm perfect or that I have it all together, but when someone who has dedicated her life to following Christ in poverty and humility gives advice on how to dress in order to concentrate on the spiritual life, then I think it is good to heed that advice. Especially when that advice is so entirely scriptural.
And my new friend (who always wears a head covering in Church, too) also said something interesting: She said that whenever she wears blue jeans or slacks (not just in Church, but out and about) she feels as though she's doing something inappropriate before God. To clarify, I've never seen her wear jeans in Church at all, so she must have been meaning when she's out and about. To that I could only add my "me too" and show her the skirt I'd made out of two pairs of blue jeans.
I offered to convert her jeans into long skirts for her, and she was pretty excited.
It's good to get some encouragement along the way.
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