Daughters of the King....

This one goes out to the boys who read my blog. And it's going to be harsh, and I don't apologise.

I am sick to the back teeth of all the sexist innuendo that seems to dominate the boys club in most groups. I'm not surprised by it, but I'm sick of it. I'm tired of all the "girls should be in the kitchen or the bedroom" jokes - they're simply NOT funny. I'm most disappointed when I hear these jokes, and this attitude coming from CHRISTIAN men. It's not very Christ-like boys and it HAS TO STOP!

We often joke in our group that "words have power" but you know what, it's not a joke, words really do have power. And I'm starting to witness a few of the younger girls I'm in close relationship with be stripped of their worth by guys that think they are being funny. NOT ONCE did Jesus EVER make a woman feel like a second-class citizen. NOT ONCE did Jesus EVER encourage men to shame a woman - in fact if we look at the story of the woman caught in an adulterous relationship and in danger of being stoned to death, Jesus went TOTALLY against the grain and defended her stating that "He who is without sin cast the first stone" He then goes on to tell her that He doesn't condemn her and she is to go and sin no more. (you can read this in John 8:1-11).

To say it's just "boys being boys" is not a good enough response in a Christian circle. I'm sorry boys, but it's just not good enough. For some guys it is just a joke, and they totally and utterly respect women, but for some, and I'm seeing this increasingly, it actually goes deeper than that. They're actually disrespecting the women in their lives in other ways - perhaps treating them as a sexual object, dismissing their opinion, treating them as second class, or stripping them of any real value or worth. This is dangerous ground, and it's time those of you men who know your GODLY place in a woman's life started standing up and fighting this attitude!

I'm so thankful to God for placing some amazing men in my life. I have some men who not only value and respect me, they actually go out of their way to remind me of my worth, of my value to them and to Christ. Men like my father, go out of their way to let the women in their life feel valued and supported. They seek their advice, and appreciate their giftings. I could name at least a dozen good Christian men like that, men that walk so closely with Christ, the idea of degrading a woman doesn't even cross their mind. I have indeed been very blessed in my life with such men!

So I'm on a new rampage - if you're a Christian man in my life, or in the life of any of the girls I am in contact with watch out - it's time to start remembering that the women in your lives are Princesses, they are daughters of the MOST HIGH King... and you are to respect, love and value them accordingly. Be prepared for quoted scriptural passages, and well thought out and theologically checked arguments if you even try to disrespect one of these Princesses.

And to all my sisters out there - learn your worth, learn you are highly favoured by the Creator of the Universe, learn that you have a valid voice...and use it to demand the respect YOU deserve!

Be blessed xx

Plastic Fantastic?!

Okay, so I've got another bee in my bonnet. It's something I've been speaking with a few friends about, and something that my dear friend - the other Sarah E - has noted on facebook...and that's the phenomena of the "Fake" person.

I'm so over people being complete chameleon's... you know, changing who they are depending on their environment or who they're with. No obviously, we show slight changes in personality around different people. I know I'm definately more "myself" with some of my friends, than I am with others. I know that I'm definately more quiet and reserved in my opinions and feelings and views around some groups of people. That's not what I'm talking about at all, because truth be known, my friends wouldn't look at me in another group and say "Who is she?!"

No what I'm talking about is when someone is completely different. Perhaps they are a mature Christian person who you call upon for advice, and then you see them acting in a way that both disappoints you and calls you to question whether they really are someone you can trust to give you advice? Or perhaps someone is really nasty to you when you're alone or in one group, but then acts as though they are your best friend when you are with another group. I think they're as bad as each other to be honest.

I am loving the movie "Twilight" at the moment, and in one scene, Bella turns to Edward and says "Your mood swings are giving me whiplash"... and THAT's what I'm talking about. The sort of "fake" that makes you question whether they are actually your friend or not.

You see, God calls us to be honest and real. To be true to ourselves and who HE has called us to be. Friends who you need to change in order to impress, are not really friends. And that's the hard reality I've learned this last few weeks. A dear session mate and close friend of mine, Sare, gave me a really good way to assess whether you are being fake or not. She said that you should think of the most holy person you know, someone who you really truly respect and love, and think about whether you would act the same way you are acting in front of them. I'd take it a step further. When I'm with my friends, I like to imagine Jesus is sitting next to me and watching my behaviour and I can see Him right there - would I be saying and doing the same things I am now?! Would I be childish? Or nasty? Or moody? Would I talk trashy? Would I disrespect other people?

The answer is and should be no.