Yes, I will write posts that offend some people. I get blasted quite often! Do I mind? No. See, I am the type that needs hard words to get it. This is why I liked Debi Pearl's book Created To Be His Help Meet so much. She clearly showed me my fault in my marriage and the changes I needed to make like no other book had before.
The quote from the man I used on this post was tough to hear. Lots of women were offended. Recently, a young man told me he was frustrated that so many godly, wonderful single women were quite overweight. Men are visual. Gluttony is sin, so I put the two ideas together to write a post.
There are so many single women who want to get married. My intention on writing that post wasn't to offend or hurt them. I wanted to try to get them motivated to lose weight if their greatest desire in life is to be married. Yes, many men like women with some meat on them but they still want them to be in shape and show self-control with their appetite.
I didn't say women needed to be beautiful as some people accused me of saying. They argued that God looks at the heart. Well, men aren't God and they look at the outward appearance. However, women can do a lot to make themselves attractive to men whatever they look like. Women who are joyful and positive are very attractive to men.
Sunshine Mary listed things that are attractive to men ~ a lot of smiling, classy and feminine clothing, self-control, friendliness, affection, appreciation and a thankful heart, a pleasant/friendly facial expression and tone of voice, honesty and truthfulness in a spirit of love, a desire to be his help meet and to bless and serve him, youthfulness/a feminine figure/ physical beauty {making the most of our appearance in a healthy, confident, and godly way}. You can read the full list HERE.
My purpose for writing this blog isn't to offend or shame people but to make them think about their choices and lifestyle. I am very sorry if you felt offended or shamed after reading that post. I may not always choose the best quotes or the best words but I only desire to help women become godly women who walk in obedience to God in all areas of their lives. Many women don't like Debi Pearl's writing style as many women don't like mine. I love hard words that challenge me, however, so I will continue to write them. After all, Jesus certainly knew how to use words that were difficult to hear!
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
II Timothy 4:2
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
II Timothy 4:2
Cheryl · 579 weeks ago
Gently Led · 579 weeks ago
sheila payne · 579 weeks ago
angela · 579 weeks ago
Deb · 579 weeks ago
Martha · 579 weeks ago
In His Grace,
Martha
PS...I used yesterday's post in our homeschool Bible Study about unity in the Body of Christ this morning with my 13 year-old daughter. Excellent timing!
sheworksretail 36p · 579 weeks ago
I don't know if it's fair to call all of the people who post on your more controversial posts trolls. I think you have a lot of passive readers who only contribute to the discussion on more controversial topics. (I guess I would include myself, though I have been pretty passive as of late.) I think the true trolls are the ones whose comments don't make it through moderation.
Amanda · 579 weeks ago
Praise God that there are teachers like you who are willing to accept the backlash of offended people. Too many "christian" teachers (bloggers, authors, pastors) only want to have their ego stroked and have abandoned the Scriptures in preference to being popular and praised. I've had many sleepless nights after offending people, not because I am hurt by their response. The only one I aim to please is my Lord, being shunned and hated by man doesn't bother me. But I always find myself stressing that I was too harsh, too forceful, too lacking in eloquence when I have stood on the word. Thus I am so thankful that people like you are willing to be out there!!
Blessings Ken & Lori - you are a great encouragement to me. :)
Cynthia · 579 weeks ago
One point that's so important for us to keep in mind is that outward physical appearance doesn't always tell the full story of what is going on, health-wise.
My sister's sister-in-law is a lovely woman. Someone who would simply glance at her may believe that she was plump. It would be truly unfortunate if they would conclude that this was due to gluttony and feel that they had the right to judge or admonish her. In fact, her weight gain is caused by the fact that she takes prednisone to control a chronic disease, colitis, which threatens her life.
My middle child started to gain weight rapidly when she was almost 5. Her former doctor ignored my concerns and insisted it was a matter of diet and exercise - even though I explained that she was very active and that she ate absolutely no junk. We got a referral to a pediatric endocrinologist who discovered that she had a mild version of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. While it is a genetic issue, it is being properly managed today and she is healthy (with a new family doctor).
I can give other examples, but I'm sure you get my point. It's important to promote a healthy lifestyle (I've discussed how my husband and I get up at 5 a.m. for our workouts) and almost everyone can benefit from sensible exercise and nutrition, but external appearance alone does not tell the full story of someone's health or eating habits.
2happy4 66p · 579 weeks ago
Ken · 579 weeks ago
Weight is a tough issue and considered by many, especially parents to be off limits in discussions when raising kids. It is so important to do the best we can to teach our kids that God is looking at the heart, and not the outside, and that some carry extra weight because it is God's design of their body. Others because of physical issues and low metabolism have to battle weight more than most, but God loves us just the way we are... AND yet wants us to be the best we can be in all areas of our lives, including what we eat and how we eat, and controlling our weight if we can.
If we can say that we are being faithful to be the best we can be with our eating habits to please Him, then if we gain weight, we know He is still pleased with us. We all battle many things in the flesh, and it is in the battle that we can learn to not only please God, but to accept His grace when we fail. Moving from where we are now to where He wants us to be should be our daily focus, never beating ourselves up over our lack of discipline or sins, but accepting that who we are in Christ is perfect. Now let us live out that New Life in the Spirit, and accept the trials of weight, or any other trial He may allow us to pass through as we learn to depend on Him with both His demands on our lives and His abundant grace.
Kelley · 579 weeks ago
Hugs and happy highways,
Kelley~
Glaphre · 579 weeks ago
You are doing good. Keep up the good work.
ayearinskirts 66p · 579 weeks ago
shannon · 579 weeks ago
ayearinskirts 66p · 579 weeks ago
Although- this is the man I married. For a different sort of man he might like a lady who makes great nachos and wants to sit and watch football with him.
Shiku · 579 weeks ago
Kim · 579 weeks ago
Victoria · 578 weeks ago