If you love food, then you will absolutely melt thinking about eating some of these things. And for any of you who have or choose to eat GF, this blog is for you.

Enjoy!

Well school has started once again, 15 hours of deliciousness. I'm glad to be honest, I like school, generally, planned my schedule so i can do some ministry with some friends. Its also nice having a set schedule again, makes my life a bit easier. It should be nice, hopefully I'll have a more meaningful blog post soon.

As some of you are very aware since you went, I went to the fine arts museum last week, (I think it was last week...) and we saw many, many naked or semi-naked statues and paintings. For me at least they did not provide a stumbling block, but they were disturbing in a way. It made me wonder, is there a real problem with these pictures? Any Christian and even most unbelievers would immediately say that porn is bad, or at least shouldn't be set up in a public place. Are these really any different from porn? If they aren't, then why do we have them up for public display, or go to a place that shows them? Most people would say that viewing art is good, and it helps us grow academically and such, but is it worth being "cultured" and yet damning ourselves? I know if that is the choice I would rather be but a mere peasant, and yet be pure. I don't really know the answers, or haven't decided yet at least lol, thoughts?

Striving to serve the Lord in all I do,
Daniel

As I'm sure some of you have noticed my template is different. I am trying out some different ones over the next few days, so if y'all could vote and/or leave comments, I would appreciate it. :)

If you miss a day, here are links to the current templates I'm considering. Oh and if anyone has a template they would like to suggest please do. Specifically space, night time, or fantasy/foresty ones. The names are the names of the templates, and what they will be on the poll I am putting up.

Aspire/Parchment
Outside Our Window
This Beating Heart
The Drawn Eclipse

I know for some of you this will be old hat, though it is never bad to restudy things. Our society today, well really every society throughout history, has an extreme problem with dressing in a tempting way. You go to the mall or practically anywhere else, churches seems to be worse at times even, you are inundated with skin everywhere. Mini-skirts, short shorts, tight t-shirts, low cut shirts, short shirts, really tight pants (though I do wonder how they get them on...) and a lot of other stuff. It seems females in our society are trying to sell themselves as sexual objects, or if they aren't they want to make it seem like they are. To a degree i expect this from unbelievers, though it is sad, it does not "phase" me. What makes me truly sad is when Christians, and even fairly conservative homeschoolers seem to have no qualms on this. We are commanded in the Bible to not cause our brothers (and sisters) to stumble/sin. (1st Cor 8:9) Now I will caution here that yes there is personal freedom, that isn't a huge issue here but I will address it later on. Some of you girls know some of you may not, guys are very visual, we are made that way, it's a good thing. The problem is that because of sin this is tainted, and it can be "used correctly" in marriage but outside of marriage sin causes problems. Guys lust (well everyone does), it is sadly true, and when a girl dresses immodestly (we'll get to what that is later)it creates an environment that is conducive to that lust. I'm not saying a girl causes the guy to lust, but girls have a responsibility to protect their brothers from it, and I believe you will be held responsible by God for it. I also want to point out that there are girls who struggle with it, and yea you probably don't want to think about it, but it's true. I wonder why so many christian girls seem to have no idea what is going on, I have talked to multiple girls who didn't know any better until I asked them to dress more modestly. Are fathers and brothers just not man enough to be honest with their wives/daughters/sisters? Are they trying to deceive themselves and others, and make it seem like they don't have this problem? Or do they just not care... I will call any guy out who says they don't struggle with lust at all, it may not be with girls, maybe it's emotional and not physical lust, but everyone does. I challenge any guy who reads this and is not being honest with themselves, or have a close female relative or friend who needs to dress better. Man up (I know it's a terrible cliche but there it is), the Bible calls us to be men of God, this is part of it, sometimes we are called to do hard things but it's worth it.

Everyone has a different opinion on what is modest and what isn't. Though there are some fairly general things that most people agree on. Some people are more conservative in this than others, the specifics are between you, your spiritual authority (dad, husband, maybe someone else depending on the circumstance), and God. Some people don't think pants can be modest, much less shorts, and some people have no problem with them, thats one of the big ones people feel strongly about. But some general stuff, with skirts not much above the knee, a little is fine but not more than a few inches, same thing applies to shorts. Low cut shirts are a big one, not much lower than your shoulders, sometimes its ok if you have another shirt underneath, but just be careful not to wear something that really draws the eye to your chest. No tank tops, even if it's not technically one be careful on how much shoulder area is getting shown. Try and keep any part of your bra hidden, i understand straps sometimes go where they aren't supposed to but depending on the shirt your wearing it won't show... ;)On shirts also be careful of how easily they ride up and expose your back, that's a big one.

This one just drives me up the wall, girls would you wear just your underwear out in public, especially around a guy you like? Because that is basically what you are doing when you wear a bikini, it isn't any different.

Those are just some general guidelines, a great resource is the modestly survey that the Harris brothers did. Some of the comments on there I do disagree with but it has some good stuff.

I also want to make a point about guy modesty, I don't know how much it affects girls, so if any of you ladies want to say something... Guys just like girls do have responsibility in this too. It may not be such a big deal, but I do know some girls who struggle with it. Pants need to be pulled up, just like girls shouldn't be showing off their underwear, neither should guys. Don't take off your shirt around girls, I don't period. Just like a girl taking off hers isn't good, the same applies for guys.

Something else I want to point out is that even if you dress modestly but you still flirt and act like you're ready to jump in bed with someone you are still immodest. Modesty is both physical and spiritual/mental, so be aware of how you act towards people. Treat them as the brothers and sisters they are.

I hope this is all clear, and if anyone has anything to add please go for it. :) And if the girls could comment too on guys modesty, and what that looks like I would appreciate it.
A slave of Christ,
Daniel

*Thanks to Josh for looking it all over for me*

As my family can attest to one of the big things i have missed since going gluten free is croissants. I discovered a recipe for them the other day, and though they are not exactly like regular ones they are quite good. Here is the link for the recipe

Here are some pictures, sorry for the poor lighting.