Christians and the beach

[georgesbluegirl]

Okay, the human body is a beautiful thing and I see no reason why either a man or a woman should have to be covered up with folds of fabric in order to enjoy swimming in the ocean.

That said, I get the modesty bit, too. There are "private bits" that we as a society collectively think should be covered, and then there are body parts - mostly I'm referring to women's chests - that have been sexualized to the point that they draw male attention when somewhat exposed. So: if you're concerned about modesty, wear a one-piece, as others on here have said. You should be able to be **COMFORTABLE** at the beach while also feeling okay about what your attire is saying. And if you're worried about being looked at, don't worry; plenty of young ladies, for better or worse, will be wearing far skimpier outfits. Ladies, basic Speedo suits don't garner that much attention.

And that said, I'm a bikini girl myself. I like showing my (pale, pale) skin the sun every once in a while. As long as I'm not out there to "strut my stuff," I don't see it as a problem.

[Guest Biblicist]

I think that worrying about it too much either way is wrong.

It still takes one's mind off what we should really be concentrating on.

[HisMindinme]

Okay, the human body is a beautiful thing and I see no reason why either a man or a woman should have to be covered up with folds of fabric in order to enjoy swimming in the ocean.

That said, I get the modesty bit, too. There are "private bits" that we as a society collectively think should be covered, and then there are body parts - mostly I'm referring to women's chests - that have been sexualized to the point that they draw male attention when somewhat exposed. So: if you're concerned about modesty, wear a one-piece, as others on here have said. You should be able to be **COMFORTABLE** at the beach while also feeling okay about what your attire is saying. And if you're worried about being looked at, don't worry; plenty of young ladies, for better or worse, will be wearing far skimpier outfits. Ladies, basic Speedo suits don't garner that much attention.

And that said, I'm a bikini girl myself. I like showing my (pale, pale) skin the sun every once in a while. As long as I'm not out there to "strut my stuff," I don't see it as a problem.

Strut my stuff?

Please answer me this: Does the mind of Christ in you consider the flesh of the men and women around you? Do you in your liberty walk in life in a way to give occasion for offense and stumbling of others? What is the mind of Christ in this? NOT your mind: His! What is HIS mind in it through you towards other as related to giving occasion and rise (arousal) to their carnal minds? By making your choices in liberty, what occasion do you provide? Is the importance of your "pale skin" above of the condition and state of another?

Do you have OTHER choices that are of the mind of Christ, where not only you walk in liberty, but you do so with less possiblity of causing another to stumble at a point? Go to a tanning salon? Tan behind a privacy fence in the privacy of your own property and home? Surely you can find more options than what you've offered.

Finally, it is NOT the beauty of the human body that is at question or issue. The question WE ALL face is from which mind do we live? I am NOT telling you, I am asking you, exhorting you, challenging you and even -- to some small degree (forgive me) -- begging you to consider from WHICH mind you are living from on this matter.

Oh yes -- and for the Biblicist person who thinks this is not an issue: from which mind is that comment from? Consider. Find out. Seek Him. Ask yourself honestly from within. I am not your judge, but you certainly MUST be of yourself or you stand in a dangerous place. We ALL do, if we go to sleep on this matter, close our eyes and pretend like it does not matter

[Vickilynn]

Shalom,

Exhorting women to walk according to G-d's ways is not "worrying" about it. In fact, it is EXACTLY what we are to spend time doing according to the Word:

Titus 2:3-5

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

[Emily~Anne]

I want to add: Todays' style makes it hard to maintain a modest style. I guess maybe part of the problem for me is I am so thin I must shop in the Junior's department. Petite does not work as I am not short. I went to Old Navy the other day. Wow, those hip huggers looked great! Those hip huggers, I have never seen them baggy in the rear. It is hard to dress modestly with those hip huggers. I'd have to wear a very long tunic in order to be modest in those. I dress very plain. If I were to go with the style, I would not be dressed in a modest manner. Guess I havent figured out how to be stylish and modest at the same time so I just settle for plain jane look. I wish LL.Bean would carry their women's clothing in smaller sizes. I do feel there is a need for Titus Two women to remind the younger ladies, that though it may look in style and all that, it is not neceassrily the way to go. If I wore hip huggers and tight tops and etc., I feel I would be laying a stumbling block before both woman AND men, in that I need to be an example to the younger ladies. I suppose my example would be better if I showed how to dress modest and be stylish at the same time, unfortunately I am a fashion moron. So plain jane is what I do.

By the way, I wear pants that are two sizes too big and then wear a belt. I cant even find a nice pair of Docker's in my size!

Shalom Emily Anne,

Do you sew at all?

Do you like to wear skirts or jumpers?

I don't sew, but as I'm losing weight I'm finding that I love to wear skirts rather than pants. I also love to wear dresses.

I do most of my shopping at Goodwill and find some really great clothes there.

The modest part is just making sure that nothing is showing

Whoops! I missed this post! Ya know, me and my husband have really been talking about how great it would be if I could sew! I do knit pretty good so I am sure I could learn how to sew as well. In the summer, I wear skirts almost every day. In the winter, it is very hard to be modest in a skirt during my daily two mile walks with the dogs, due to the wind. A long coat would certainly help in keeping my skirt down. I have one jumper, and I had the slit sewn shut. Now I cant take full steps in it, forgot to think about that! Other than that it is my favorite jumper. My other jumpers have a summer theme on the front such as a watermelon slice or etc.

[Vickilynn]

Shalom Emily Anne,

What constitutes "modest apparel" is being led by the Holy Spirit, not a set of rules.

Personally, I don't believe there is a thing wrong with women wearing feminine slacks or pants as long as they are not revealing.

I also don't agree with the OP's standards for what to wear or not wear.

Case in point, today, I am wearing a jean skirt that goes to my calves (because I like it). It has a small slit in the back, but the slit only goes up to the back of my knees. I consider this skirt feminine, modest and not dowdy.

I am also wearing a black knit short-sleeved sweater with a V-neck and buttons in the front. I have pinned the area in between the buttons to make sure nothing is seen in between (since it's a stretchy material) and the V is not low enough to reveal anything.

I also am conscious NOT to bend over forward while wearing this sweater in case I am revealing myself.

Just my thoughts

[Emily~Anne]

About shirts that have buttons or a v-neck, I like to wear a 'baby tee' under those types of tops as a back up. Also keeps me a little warmer. I am a very cold person. I wear long johns every single day in fall and winter, under both pants and skirts. With skirts, I wear two pairs of trouser socks. With pants, two pairs of regular socks-usually my oldest son's.

For those of you not familair, JC Penny sells 'Cuddle Dud' silk long johns that work very well under dresses and skirts.

I wonder if I could open the slit back up on that jumper part way myself? I have another denim skirt that I really like, but the slit goes up so high in the back, and since what happened with the jumper, I am afraid to have the slit closed. Most of all my clothes are given to me. I am not much of a shopper.

[Vickilynn]

About shirts that have buttons or a v-neck, I like to wear a 'baby tee' under those types of tops as a back up. Also keeps me a little warmer. I am a very cold person. I wear long johns every single day in fall and winter, under both pants and skirts. With skirts, I wear two pairs of trouser socks. With pants, two pairs of regular socks-usually my oldest son's.

For those of you not familair, JC Penny sells 'Cuddle Dud' silk long johns that work very well under dresses and skirts.

I wonder if I could open the slit back up on that jumper part way myself? I have another denim skirt that I really like, but the slit goes up so high in the back, and since what happened with the jumper, I am afraid to have the slit closed. Most of all my clothes are given to me. I am not much of a shopper.

Shalom Emily Anne,

Oh, bless your heart!! You also are so thin that you have no body insulation! So, yes, wearing baby T's, long johns and such under clothes is an excellent suggestion for modesty AND warmth.

However, for me, a zaftig 51 year old woman in chemo-induced menopause (can you read HOT FLASHES!? ) wearing layers is excruciatingly hot and smothering. I can't even stand long sleeves or Turtle necks. I wear summer-type clothes all year long and don't even own a Winter coat! LOL! I never wear sock if I can help it!

Anyway, about the slit, yes you can open it partway. Another thing you can do to give your legs more room to walk is to re-open the slit, but wear a pretty slip underneath. I have seen ruffly ones and lace cotton ones that actually look NICE under skirts and it would allow your legs room while covering up underneath the slit. Just an idea.

[Emily~Anne]

I cant wait to start having hot flashes someday so I can finally be warm...

[Vickilynn]

I cant wait to start having hot flashes someday so I can finally be warm...

Shalom Emily Anne,

Oh, that's hysterical!! However, unless you gain some weight, your hot flashes may be just warm flashes!