God's Type of Beauty~ Mikayla McMahen

Flipping through her magazine Lillie sighed to her self," If only I could look like them." Looking up, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and thought,"Maybe I could wear different makeup or wear different clothes. What if I styled my hair differently? Then would I be thought more beautiful?"

I think at one point or another we all have or will feel like Lillie. Unbeautiful because of what were told through TV shows, commercials or even just the advertisements we see as we walk through the mall. We are told that unless we have long eye lashes, designer clothes, sleek smooth hair, and are skinny we aren't beautiful. That's when we need to slow down and think about what God says about beauty!

1 Peter 3:3-4 it says, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, 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."(NIV)

It's not about how we look. God see's it's your heart, your attitude. So instead of trying to fit into what society thinks is beautiful, try to be what God thinks is beautiful!

Did you know that Mikayla is obsessed with Starbucks?!?!

Just The Way You Are~ Madline Hunt

"I'm not as beautiful as She is, She always has the perfect outfits and super cute hair and make-up. Plus all the cute guys want her to be their girl. Why don't any of them think I'm attractive? I always feel cute until I see what she is wearing. I wish I could afford to shop at ______. Every one thinks she is gorgeous and she always has a crowd of people girls and guys around her. Why don't I?" This is a sample scenario of a train of thought. As we go down, our attitude, self worth and joy plummets. But does what the guys and the girls around you think of your outfit, make-up and hair really matter?

Do you seek the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit or of perfect make-up?

Does the time you spend "perfecting" your hair and face exceed the time you spend with the Lord allowing Him to mold you into what He is calling you to be?

Do you choose your outfit based on what the guys your attracted to will like {read immodest} or based on the principles of feminine modesty the Lord has laid on your heart through the reading of His word.

Think about these questions. Do you need to redefine how you spend you time in the morning? Is the way you look more important then your heart toward God? What do you need to do differently to place God First? Maybe that means getting up a half and hour earlier or giving up make-up for a month.

But I spend time with the Lord and I just don't feel beautiful? Let God define you not your mirror or the cute guy next door or the most popular girl at school. You are beautiful just the way you are. It does not matter what anyone thinks except for Christ!

Psalm 45:11 ~ "The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord."

Did you know that Madeline has curly blonde hair?

Photogragh property of "Lilies Among Thorns Magazine". Photograph taken by Tara Willinger.

Jesus Thinks You're Beautiful~ By Renee Arnold

We've probably all heard at some point in our lives that God thinks we're beautiful and valuable, but maybe you don't truly believe it in your heart. Here are some bible verses that will help you in your journey to find inner beauty through Jesus Christ and his word!

1 Peter 3:3-4 Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a women who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Song of Solomon 4:7 You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.

2 Corinthians 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

1 Samuel 16:7 God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Rest in the peace and knowledge that Jesus thinks you're beautiful, even on your worst hair day or your make-up doesn't turn out quite right.He knows your heart, trust in he fact that he thinks you're worth more then rubies and diamonds and he will forever cherishes his relationship with you.

To all our beautiful readers,

Renee Arnold <3

Did you know that Renee has a recurring dream about an alligator?

Did you know that Jess LOVES the different American accents?!

How to be a True Beauty~ Inner Beauty Article by Madeline Hunt

"You don't need a temporary man-made beauty, cause you got the real thing. THE REAL THING!"

One of my really good friends posted this on my facebook page recently and it got me thinking. Why is everyone myself included so obsessed with being beautiful on the outside and forgetting what is so important the inner beauty of your heart. But I realised it it true! I don't need the latest fashions or tons of make-up. He is what makes me beautiful!

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— ⁴but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. ⁵For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves 1 Peter 3-5a

I don't think this verse is condemning braiding your hair or wearing cute clothes, but emphasizing what really matters- the inner beauty in your heart. But your heart can't be "beautiful" if you are harboring bitterness, unforgiveness, shame, guilt, secret sin or many other things. You have to forgive others and confess your iniquity's to the Lord, you may also need to confess to other people you have hurt or sinned against. I know how hard that is!! But it is SO worth it to get it out into the open! Several months ago I was burdened by feelings of guilt and tinges of regret. I wasn't free even though I had already confessed my sin to God. Then one of my close friends encouraged me to tell my parents.

 At first when I read her email I thought to myself "There is absolutely NO WAY I am ever telling them, what I did wasn't even bad in the world's eyes, why should they even know?!?" But I kept thinking about over and over for about 2 or 3 weeks and then I came to the conclusion that I had to tell them otherwise I was never going to be free from my past. It was so hard for me to humble myself and tell them, I wrote them a letter. I was so freed after that! My heart had room to be adorned by Christ with His beauty. I want to encourage you all. Let him make you beautiful! I know you may have scars but the scars are a reminder that He has set you free to live and love him with wild abandon. You are beautiful in his sight! Our true beauty is Christ living in us. Our hearts were ugly and dirty before he took them and molded them and exchanged the stone for flesh. It does not matter what color your eyes are. How much you weigh or if your clothes are stylish or not. He wants your heart! He will make you truly Beautiful!

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11a

Photograph Property of 'Lilies Among Thorns Magazine' taken by Alyssa Dannettel

Inner Beauty With a Smile!~ "Inner Beauty Revalation"~ By Renee Arnold

Inner Beauty is probably something that you've heard about time and time again in youth group, by your mom or in a magazine but what is it really? Inner beauty simply means that beautiful actions on the inside that shine to your outside.

 

  We look at ourselves every morning in the mirror.  We may be happy with what we see and we may not be. You may have heard that the best accessory is a smile and that is absolutely true! All the make-up or plastic surgery in the world can't compensate for a simple smile you give someone. A smile is only one way to let your outer beauty shine through, say hi to someone new at your school, help a sibling or peer study for a big test, help your parents when they ask. These are only a few ways to show someone that you value the inside more that the outside.

 

The main key to inner beauty is your heart. It's who you really are. How is your relationship with God? Do you have one? By relationship I don't mean just going to church and reading your Bible in your Bible class. By relationship I mean an actual relationship with Him. Do you set aside time in your busy day to spend with just Him? Do you talk to Him not just when you need something, but just to talk? Do you live for Him? True inner beauty comes from God! He is the only one who can give you true and everlasting beauty. His beauty, unlike out outer beauty, will never fade.

 

  Now, I'm not saying that our outside isn't important, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit so we should take care of them. What I am saying is that we shouldn't begin to value appearance more than actions by choosing friends because of what they look like or dating a really cute guy even though you know he isn't a christian. We should look to the inside first and choose who we date and who our friends are because of it.

 

  Our world is obsessed with outer beauty. Celebrity's pay fortunes for plastic surgery, women pay hundreds for "miracle creams" that claim to banish wrinkles or make dark circles go away. Is that really worth it? Wouldn't you rather sink your money and time into something that will last! Read this last verse and ask yourself where your heart is. What are you really concerned about in life? Your outer beauty, or what can shine even brighter, your inner beauty?  

²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:20

 

 

Are You Clothed?~ Inner Beauty Revelation Column by Madeline Hunt

Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus. Romans 13:14
Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.1Peter 5:5b
She is clothed with strength and dignity. Proverbs 31:25a

Although you may take great care to dress modestly or femininely, how much time do you spend clothing your heart? Throughout the Bible, God makes it clear that He is more concerned with our heart than our outward appearance. If you devote yourself to adorning your heart carefully, your inner beauty will shine through. I challenge you to record the amount of time you spend getting dressed, showering, and getting ready; include any “touch-up” during the day. Compare that with the time you spend adorning your heart each morning. The character traits in the verses above will bless you and others, but first you must be willing to devote the time that it will take.

Picture yourself shopping for an outfit for a special occasion. You will make sure everything coordinates and looks lovely. You may even buy new jewelry to complement the outfit. On the day of the event, you will make sure the clothes are clean before putting them on, and you will be careful to keep them clean all day.

Do you go through the same process with your heart? The spiritual clothing of your heart is so much more important than the physical clothing of your body. It is hard to focus on the appearance of our hearts instead of our physical appearance. But it will be so worth it! Your relationship with God and others will improve, you will be a light to others, and you inner beauty will be evident to everyone, and your life will be a testimony! Are you willing to devote what it takes? I challenge you to choose one of these “spiritual articles of clothing” to pray for whenever you are tempted to worry about the way you look.