Beauty~ Issue 8, 2007 ~ April 23, 2007

Issue 8, April 23, 2007

Contents

1. Note from Alyssa
2. Devotion
3. Link to Video
4. Ad Exchange
5. Tell a Friend
6. About Alyssa

Note from Alyssa
Hello Everyone!
I’ve been spending the past few days trying to get all my summer clothes out and my winter and maternity clothes put away. Actually, I have sold quite a few of my maternity items on EBAY since we don’t plan to have any more children. It was a great way to make a little extra cash as well. I’m also trying to determine if I’ll ever get back in those favorite pair of jeans. Hopefully in a few more weeks.
We sure do put ourselves through a lot in the name of looking good don’t we ladies. I am sharing an article with you that I found interesting on beauty. Enjoy!

Blessings,
~Alyssa Avant, Founder, Beauty By Design Ministries
www.beautybydesignonline.com

Devotion
Beauty is only skin deep. How many times have you heard that saying? Or beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There are so many thoughts about beauty. Beauty is something we as women struggle with; we often compare ourselves to others and think that we don’t measure up. We must remember that we are created in God’s image. Jesus living in us is what makes us beautiful, inside and out. It is important to teach our daughters where beauty truly comes from.
Here’s an article on the subject:
The Skinny On Teenage Body Image and Spiritual Health By Angie Lewis

Many young women and teenagers are placing great value on looking like the latest Cover Girl model, and placing little or no value on spiritual health. I agree, it is important to feel good about the way we look, but I think the culture is going a bit too far. It is far more important for young girls to feel good about who they are on the inside, wouldn’t you agree?

What are we teaching our youth of today? Have we, as parents contributed to this self-indulgent need to look perfect, be thin as a rail, and wear expensive adornment to be somebody? Have we taught our children that beauty starts on the outside? Are we telling them that it is more important to “look” good rather than “be” good?

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold and pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (1 Timothy 2: 9, 10)

It is not a sin to get a nose job, and wear expensive clothing and jewelry, but as we all know, real beauty comes from the inside of a person, not what they are wearing or how beautiful they look. A modest, kind teenager will gain more respect and kindness from others than one who dresses in expensive clothes and is stuck-up and hateful. It all begins in the attitude.

The standards of what society deems important is not what God deems important. As a teenager, I strived to be accepted by others, but I never really loved myself. Because of this, I never became the young person God created me to be. I wasted my teenage years trying to impress others, but that wasn’t who I was. It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I realized God’s love for me. It is never too late to become the person God intends you to be, but if you wait, it may be too late.

It is important to wear clean clothes and be well groomed, but it is not important to have big breasts, a twenty-five inch waist, full lips, and a perfect nose. God made you the unique and special young girl that you are. Your nose, eyes, lips and chin is your uniqueness that sets you apart from looking like everyone else. Accept what God has given you and be content to be who it is you are.

…Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (1 Peter 3:4)

It’s easy to be beautiful on the outside, but it is not an easy thing to be beautiful on the inside. Being beautiful on the inside is a bit more difficult to accomplish. It takes great wisdom and understanding to realize the special person you are regardless how much money you have, how skinny you are, or what you wear. Those things don’t make someone be great. Those things do not make someone successful. Those things are only a cover up to hide the true self. To be great and to be successful is to know God! Your true value in God is what’s important not what others think of you.

Please don’t fall for the “appearances trap”, and become too obsessed with fashion and looking like the latest cover girl model. Dress to please God not others. Of course, hygiene and neatness is always important, but even more important is your inner spiritual self and attitude towards others and God. Strive to be the person God wants you to be not what the world is enticing you to be.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is –his pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Angie Lewis is the author of three marriage books offering marriage enlightenment tips and wisdom filled answers tackling such issues as adultery, pornography, emotions, beliefs, feelings, marriage, children, forgiveness, and communication in marriage.
http://www.heavenministries.com/

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com

Link to Video
This video on beauty is a real eye opener.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1339997803

WANT YOUR AD HERE?
Exchange ads with me, up to 25 words. For more info or to place your ad here
space, contact Alyssa: alyssa@beautybydesignonline.com

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Tell a Friend

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About Alyssa

Alyssa Avant is a Christian author, speaker, and business owner whose desire is to turn the hearts of girls towards God. Alyssa lives happily in Carrollton, Mississippi with her devoted husband, Greg, 3-year-old son, Baker, newborn baby girl, Lily, and beloved basset hound, Duke.

This ezine is published weekly by Beauty By Design Ministries founder, Alyssa Avant as a service to moms of girls of all ages.
PO Box 92
Carrollton, MS 38917
alyssa@beautybydesignonline.com

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