It used to be that mannequins were adequate for models ...for those who wanted to sell clothes. But, today we have mostly the idea that all we have to do is sell an image.

For the most part, the clothes aren't even the focus, but the body and image ...inclusive of how the body is handled.  Victoria Secret has a clothing line that seems to focus on the lack of clothes ...and secrets seem less secret & more for the sake of what can be revealed, in public.

The first Sunday of this month, there was the Superbowl.  Everybody anticipates the big game ...but also the halftime show.  I have to confess that I did not see the halftime show, because I was eating during that time.  Many of you who know me ...are not in disbelief.  But, though I did not see any of it, I heard plenty about it.  It's often not what you wear that makes you popular, but what you don't wear ...and how you act.

Like I said, I was eating during the Superbowl's halftime show, but I did see some of the dumbest commercials I'd ever seen.  Though it wasn't really what 'I' thought that concerned me. I wondered more what the children thought ...of the entire package of one of the advertised biggest nights of the year.  I often wonder what they think we perceive as being important.  Yet, it was not that alone, nor anything else on TV that brought me to these thoughts here.  Nor is it the constant depiction of glamour on the internet.  Most children recognize the somewhat surreal nature of those sort of things ...to a degree.  I don't see kids leaving the movie theater, and then afterwards walking around the rest of the week looking like and acting like Wookies.  But, though I don't get out often, being sort of an 'at home' person ...it doesn't exactly take a 'socialite' to see the changes, inclusive of a rapid increase in tattoos and body piercings. This is all done in the name of individual expression.  And everyone has a right to express themselves ...it's just that I wonder what we are communicating to our children, if anything of substance, at all.  

It all has to do with what you want to express. If you study the dress of people that we read about in the Bible, it is not just happenstance that clothing style was what it was.  As Hollywood would often depict a rather unattractive librarian, untying and letting down her hair ...during that moment of her choosing, as she is enthralled by a certain man who just happened to be returning a book ---it would appear that the Biblical woman would wear a headcovering, and the beauty and glory of her hair was for her husband.

Some people think the 10 Commandments are just guidelines for that certain group of people living during that 'Old' Testament time.  The 7th Commandment states, "Thou shall not  commit adultery."  Jesus said, "Whosoever looks on a women to lust after her, has already committed adultery in his heart."  Forbid also that we should invite it.  Lust measures at different degrees ...eagerness, enthusiasm, self-absorbed desires. Romans 6:1, states, "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?"

The Bible says that the grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our God lasts forever.  I've heard parents talk of their loving and youthful daughters, "My little flower".  But, as the youthfulness fades, the depth of the Word of God in their hearts bring character and beauty to their every breath.  Too bad everyone cannot see the value of a woman, the way God would have us see it.  Just yesterday, I heard on the radio of the magnitude of the horrific problem of child trafficking.

Human trafficking is the second largest criminal activity in the world.  It is second only to the drug trade, though there is a disturbingly close association with that, along with arms dealing also.  Often the deceit of job opportunities, or free benefits draw the naive.  The statistics stated that the average life expectancy of that victim after the beginning of the child trafficking episode ...is seven years.  That means that the child will not live much past their early twenties, if they even reach adulthood at all.

Some people don't like it when others participate in Facebook and Twitter with less than 'happy, happy, joy, joy' moments.  Yes, we all have to laugh a little ...but in our home, we do plenty of that.  And it seems that much of our society does that ...at times, creating a big divide between those who are not happy, or those who are happily deceived.  So, it does provide a mix of silly and opinionated viewpoints on life.  What appears sad, is that Facebook and Twitter are often more credible than most news sources ...because they do admittedly have much the same stuff as the news, just regurgitated; but it also has another side presented, which the news often omits.  Some people don't like to hear, nor see the other points of view ...and they are quite content with the manipulative slant.  But, aside from the few who do stir up trouble, and engage the Facebook police; as a general rule, everyone can present their point of view.

So, maybe you don't prefer it; and maybe you don't like it ...but I feel many of us are slipping away from what is important, and as a result, I am one who does not like that.  The result, of course, is that I feel a resolve to mention things that I feel we can stand to be reminded of ...or informed about.  If you don't like it, then everyone has the freedom to dispense whatever level of  awareness they prefer.  I am simply providing a point of view, that may be an option of awareness.  We are all ignorant of some things ...and it's been said, "Ignorance is bliss!" In some cases, I would agree, but those cases are usually when it would be bliss for most everyone.


If you must have a few more moments of private bliss, then go ahead ...because I am about to voice another concern of mine.  Those child marriages really disturb me.  Waking up an eight year old from her sleep, to sneak off into the night ...to wed her to someone who could be her grandfather.  The Bible refers to forgiveness, as seventy times seven ...but to have an eight year old marry someone eight times eight, is really disturbing.  There are many sicknesses in our world ...and often, the worst of them are not physical sicknesses.

Little girls, I believe, are healthier with rag dolls. They're encouraged to feel compassion, & also practice nurturing and love ...they parent the dolls.  Or they even explore a different sort of care giving ...as with one who is older.  How many of you remember Mrs. Beasley? 

Yet, with Barbie, the concern seems mostly to emote an image of self. Comparison replaces compassion. Narcissus replaces nurturing. Antipathy replaces empathy.

There are many ways we can 'model' Christ.  We can explore the knowledge of the wrong before correcting the wrong.  Or we can directly follow the One who did it correctly ...and focus on what is right.  But, we should do our best to never misrepresent the Christ, the Messiah, the 'Anointed One' ... in following Christ Jesus.  Our own actions may fail to represent Him, but our words should never deny 'the Word' ....the truth of what Jesus presented to our world.