It's a give and take

Black stockings was a no-no for me before, because it looks overdone. Going through more modest fashion choices, I think tights could be a best friend that could add a certain flavor to your look!

This outfit brings me back to being a kid - feeling like a princess with purple and pink stuff plus anything that glimmers! Haha

Balloons from my nieces.

Modesty is from Grace Alone

Modesty is from grace alone.

One that pleases God is not earned through your own efforts - it is God who enables you to be modest, He is the One who molds your heart to be centered on Him alone.

This said, we do not have license to be prideful of being "modest".

Taking the step towards modesty could make someone boastful of this feat. It could make a girl feel that she's the most respectable, noble woman in the world! It could make her feel as if she's really precious, like the royal princesses and queens. It could make her feel more respectable than others.

She could feel entitled to that respect - and, along with that, entitled to judge the girls who doesn't really practice modesty. I don't know what motivates you to pursue modesty, it may be a Christian boyfriend, a sermon, a blog like this, or the Philippine's conservative culture. One thing's for sure - you learn stuff about modesty all because of God. Never because of your own doing.

When you recognize that every realization comes from the Lord, you should realize next that you have no right to judge other women. You have no right to compare yourself to "immodest" girls and see them lowly.

"Look at her! What a dress. What's she doing? Selling herself to every guy she sees?"

"Yuck! I would never ever wear such thing! Why did she wear that? She looks like a prostitute."

WHO ARE YOU TO SAY THESE THINGS?

These are things women of the world say!

A woman who follows God would never judge so easily, without looking beyond the clothes. Where did the immodesty come from? Is it because of her insecurity? Does she dress that way because she thinks no one would like her otherwise? Is it because of her family who brought her up to think that she should please the people around her? Is it because she does not know the impact of immodesty to the community around her and to herself?

After knowing the root of her immodesty, I bet you would never talk so judgmental about her again. Immodesty is just a manifestation of brokenness inside. We all experience brokenness. That immodest girl do to. She needs someone who'll look at her heart first, not her clothes. She needs love, not the list of what to wear and not to wear.

If God-pleasing modesty comes from the heart, the only way to help girls struggling with immodesty is touching their hearts.

Not judgmental eyes.

Not gossips.

Not even an out-of-place correction.

Be Christ-like in responding to women who are immodest.

How do you think did Jesus interact with the prostitute? How do you think did He talk behind her back?

He surely did not judge her outside appearance.

He reached out His hand to her and moved in her heart.

And everything else followed..

You? How are you guilty of judging women because of their clothes?

He moves like the Wind

Last night I prayed that God would sweep through MMF's event Treads and Dreads like a wind! And He did! While Christafari's lead vocals was praying with those who responded, a powerful wind blew! I watched as the mini tent above the stage danced wildly at the wind..

After Christafari's number was the only time the rain poured - it's as if God was saying,

"See how I held the clouds and kept them from showering rain? See these people with their arms raised, with their eyes closed?

I am moving, I am alive."

Seeing all those people dancing at the last song.

Celebration!!

Wake up, sleepers! Hands up, new believers!!

GAME FACE ON.

How about you? How did God show you His power lately?

Hearts and Minds Set Above

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

- Colossians 3:1-2

This world has a lot of ways to stress one out. It certainly knows how to push one to the limits - but still feel empty!

• You do your best to be called successful in this world.
• You try to pursue the temporary pleasures this world offers.
• You desire the approval of the world, its earthly residents and their earthly standards.

Being raised with Christ gives us freedom, for we know that our lives here on earth is not the end of it all.

However, even though we are just passers-by in this world, it is so easy to get distracted by the world's demands, and base our "life" on the its definition of life.

We have to be constantly reminded to set our hearts and minds on things above, and not on earthly things.

Along with the cross, we must put to death the version of yourself you have known for years - and allow God to create in you a new creation, as you are raised with Christ.

"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." - Colossians 3:4

What are the  things of this world you want to turn away from in order to set your heart and mind above?

Much♡, Faye

Bright + White

His grace allowed me to renew my fashion style - a style that gives me freedom from my old self.

Ombre jeans! I don't know what these are, not leggings. Not jeans either, more stretchy (and comfy) than usual. Plus it's ombre!! Kahit na sabi nila nung Limitless camp, parang nabasa yan =))

Blue + yellow = happy vibe!

Top: F&H | Bracelets: Accessorize | Pants: SM Dept Store | Shoes: Unlisted

These jeans are as comfy as your favorite leggings, but it isn't as form-fitting as that.

Great alternative!

For a hot weather, wear white.

To show the world how happy you are in the Lord, bright colors! 

All because of Grace

Last Saturday, we, Gencon ladies, had our day out!

It was a lot of fun! I got to talk to and to make kulit to some of the genconers who were new to me.

The GC Ladies' Day Out is definitely something I anticipate every summer!

I have no biological sister. This activity makes me appreciate how God showered me with great sisters I have in Him! Haha! Watch video at the end of this post to see what we were up to ☺ 

I am so thankful to Ate Jana (her blog here) for giving me an opportunity to share some things that I've learned about Modesty. It was my first time to talk in front of around 30 ladies about this, that's why it was very memorable.

From the moment I read Ate Jana's message telling me of the opportunity I have to share about modesty to these girls, until the end of my talk, I can only think of one thing.

I am so undeserving.

If you saw how I dress in the first few months of January 2012, you would never ever think that I would actually encourage others to pursue modesty. If you rewind a lot further, you would see a naive girl who does not care, at all, how much skin she was showing.

There was even a shopping moment in my life when I literally cried to my parents, asking them to buy a tube top for me! Could you imagine that? Haha. They ended up buying me a yellow tube. I never wore it, only because the label was so itchy. If it weren't, I would be willing to walk around wearing it. That was when I was only 12 years old!

A few years after that desperate-for-an-immodest-top moment, I found myself confident of wearing bikini tops in resorts. I wore shorts, because I loathe the idea of wearing bikini bottoms in public. But bikini tops I liked. I was not worried at all when I wore those.

Until God shook me up and told me that modesty is the best fashion trend in His eyes!

It was a difficult change! I resisted the change. I always tried to justify wearing some pieces that are actually undoubtedly immodest. I bargained with God a lot. "Lord, please let me wear this one? Please give me peace while wearing this beautiful mini skirt? See it isn't as short as you think.. Please? Peace, please?" But then it was a clear no.

It was a lot of struggling.

A lot of asking why I should pursue modesty so radically.

A lot of excuses, a lot of pain surrendering.

But God enabled me.

Gradually He changed not just what's in my wardrobe.

He transformed what's in my chest.

He taught my heart how to love Him and how to shut the door to my selfish desires.

He taught me how to see myself in the way He sees me. He told me that I am precious, that I am His temple, that I am His servant.

He taught my heart to be passionate in serving my brothers and sisters through modesty.

His love looked beyond my selfish and unreflective immodesty.

His love was persistent in getting me out of destruction from dressing for vanity.

It is God's grace alone that brought me into the beauty of the heart-driven modesty.

And He can also transform YOU.

You may think that modesty isn't for you because of how you dress today.

But God tells you otherwise. He called you higher, young lady.

Let Him do with you what's best for you.

Surrender, obey and be amazed.

How is your past (and/or present) fashion style keeping you from pursuing modesty whole-heartedly?

P.S. Here's the video, as promised. Almost forgot it! Haha