Bro. Lee Stoneking: The Order of Creation

Here Comes the Bride

  Many times in Scripture the Church is referred to as a woman--the beloved and the Bride of Christ. We as ladies are privileged to be able to be the physical representation of the Church to the world. We are able to show the world what a Blood-bought bride looks like and how she lives in her new life.

  The parallels and contrasts that are repeatedly drawn in the Bible confirm this. The similarities of the husband and wife relationship and of Christ and and the Church fill the pages of the Bible, not only in the New Testament, but also the Old Testament books. The books of the Prophets are replete with examples of the Lord wooing His beloved Israel (a type and foreshadow of the Church) from her sin-filled, empty life to a new life with Him.

 There is much we can learn and glean from the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. The people of Israel were different and set apart from the other nations of the world around them. They had a different lifestyle, a different set of rules, different dress, diet and style of worship. This was because of their relationship with Jehovah, the God Who led them out of Egypt and the wilderness. There was no doubt to Whom they belonged, or Who they worshipped.

  There wasn't a question of "Are they Hittites or Hebrews?" or "Well, they kind of look like Egyptians, but they talk about Jehovah so they must be Israelites." No, there was none of that. Everyone knew what they were and what they stood for.

That is how it should be with the Church. When people look at us, it should immediately be apparent that we are set apart. There should be no question whether we are His or not.

  Most of the time you can look at a married woman and at a glance see what her husband believes and stands for. If a woman is truly in love with her husband and in submission to him, she will be the image and the embodiment of what he believes and values.

   Since I became a married lady earlier this year, I am beginning to understand the Christ and His Bride relationship more fully than in times past. We married, I took his name and left my old life--my childhood--behind. Everything is new. A new home, a new church, new dishes, new furniture, new clothes :)

  I love my husband. Actually, I adore him and think that he hung the moon AND the stars. To please him is and make him happy is one of my greatest joys. I know what things make him feel loved. I know how he likes me to dress--what colors are his favorite on me--and how he likes my hair to be fixed. I know what he would like to see in my life.

  It is my privilege and my delight to please him and conform to his tastes and preferences. I love him so much and the best way I can think of to show him is to do the things he likes. It shows him that he has first place in my heart and affections, that my world revolves around him. This makes him adore and spoil me even more than he already does. He misses me when we are apart and if I send him a text or email that says "I miss you and love you and can't wait till you get home" it makes his day. When I brag on him, or praise him or something he has done, it just triples the effect. He loves and cherishes and adores me even more, and that makes me want to do more for him. It's like a circle :)

  I can't help but stop and think that if my earthly husband loves for me to lavish attention on him, and do things for him just because I love him, and tell him how wonderful he is, how much more does our Bridegroom love attention and affection and praise from His bride? When we do things that He asks, just because we love Him, not just because it will get us to Heaven. When we do things for Him, when we conform to His will, out of love and not expecting a reward, how do you think that makes Him feel?

  I don't want there to be any doubt His mind that I love Him completely and unreservedly.

Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of one of the girl's Christmas dresses that will be available from my store soon.

Modiste Originals

Just a thought....

So true!

Modest Threads

We have a new business listed on the Clothing and Accessories page : Modest Threads. It is owned by Kim and she sells gently used modest clothing.
 She has some adorable things available and the prices are very reasonable. Click on the banner above to view the site.
 Be sure and let her know that Rebecca from Apostolic Beauty sent you!

ALSO PLEASE NOTE: The Clothing and accessories page now has all of the links for the Apostolic owned shops. The Resources page is now links to books, encouraging articles, etc.

Reality Check

Up Do Tutorial from Abigail Goss

Ruffly DIY skirt follow up

Here is my take on the ruffly skirt from last post (Thanks to my mother in law for the photo!).
  It was lots of work, but sooo much fun to wear. I may start making them available through my Etsy store in the future. I'd like to try a floor length black one next :)

DIY Ruffled Straight skirt

A free PDF download of project instructions are available HERE.

Thanks to Shoes and Sewing for the heads up about this awesome project idea. Guess what I'm spending my Saturday doing? :)

Ruffled Maxi Skirt tutorial

from:  2Little Hooligans

I can't wait to try this out! I love long skirts and ruffles, so what could be better? The tutorial's instructions are very clear, so it should be easy even for a beginning seamstress.

  Have fun! I'll post pics of my  attempts at it.

Cadeau Knitwear

Hello Ladies!
Head over to Cadeau Knitwear, a brand new site started by an Apostolic minister's wife. She will be selling awesome knitted items and sharing knitting techniques, resources, etc.
 Grab a cup of tea, head over there, and let her know that Rebecca sent you.

Beauty and Value

from reviveourhearts.org 

But I’ll tell you what, in this culture, beauty has become an idol. The cultural view related to beauty is that it’s a huge issue. I was traveling a few weeks ago, and on the airplane, in one of the seatback pockets, I pulled out a copy of People magazine. Now, I don’t normally pick up People magazine, but this particular issue was the issue that had the best and the worst dressed lists.
The thing was, here are these glamorous, good-looking people who spend thousands of dollars to try to look really good because they think that looking really good defines them, gives them worth, makes them valuable. I mean, it gets their picture in People magazine. Many of these people have tragic, sad lives, relationships that don’t last, anger issues, drug dependencies, but boy, they look good!
You see the value system in the culture? And here is a magazine that says these are people. What’s that say about you if you’re not as gussied up as they are? What are you? See, that’s the issue.
Eve was focused on the temporal, not the eternal. Her focus was moved from what God has said is important and good to what she wanted, and that’s when it became problematic.

• The issue is how much focus or importance do you place on physical appearance?
• How much are you seeking the approval of others, of men?
• Is your thinking about your outward appearance shaped more by the culture or by the Bible?
• What’s in your heart when you focus on your appearance? Is it value connected to your appearance?

God doesn’t look at you and say you’re valuable if you’re pretty. God looks at the inside, the heart.

 Read more here...

Welcome!

Welcome to Apostolic Beauty! I'm so glad you stopped by.
This blog is dedicated to encouraging Apostolic ladies in the beauty of Holiness.
I hope to soon feature hairstyle tutorials, hair care tips and tricks, clothing helps and ideas on how to dress fashionably and beautifully, yet modestly at the same time.
 I would like to feature articles on why we dress the way we do, why our hair is our glory and why separation and holiness living are of such importance to us. If you love to write and are passionate about these topics, please contact me. I'd love to have guest authors on this blog.
 Also I would like to build a resources page of Apostolic-owned businesses and websites that sell Apostolic-friendly products. So if you or someone you know fits into the above categories, contact me. I'd love to link to them!
Check back soon for more!