Short Shorts are Back
Those concerned about modesty were grateful a few years ago when caprice length pants (named in honor of the Isle of Capri, Italy, in case you care) became all the rage in fashion. When I was a teen growing up in the 1980's, tight-fighting short-shorts had long been the norm for both guys and girls. As time went on, though, and Bruce Springsteen and Madonna gave way to Nirvana and Seattle grundge, looser fitting, longer shorts became popular for guys. Remember those little shorts that male professional tennis and basketball players used to wear? They look comical, even hideous, by today's standards. If memory serves me correctly, however, short-shorts stayed in fashion for girls and women for a good while after the time when a man wearing them identified him as fashion retarded, inviting looks of disgust from the fashion conscious (and all who recoil at the thought of a pasty, white, overweight, middle aged man putting his legs on display). But finally, tiny, tight shorts on girls gave way to the longer, and usually looser, caprice pants. Hem lines on girls were now below the knee. Pedal pushers, or clam diggers, falling just below the knee also became more available on store clothing racks, making it easier for the few parents who actually try to find modest shorts/pants for their kids.
But in case you didn't notice, which could only mean you're not a man, or are legally blind, short shorts for the ladies are back. For the past year or two, throughout the warmer months (here in Texas that's every month but January and February) everywhere we go we find young girls and women wearing those little shorts that barely cover more than their underwear, shamefully exposing themselves virtually from hip to heel. Go to the theater, the mall, the airport, Wal Mart, wherever, and it's a constant parade of flesh, naked thighs strolling around like it's the 1970's and 80's all over again. For men and boys striving to keep their eyes and hearts pure, this can be frustrating and nearly ubiquitous distraction. As troublesome as this is, it is even more disturbing to find members of the church who have no problem following the immodest shorts trend. They feel no compunction dressing (undressing, really) like the world around us, apparently believing something must be modest if it is acceptable in the community. The plastered on pants and form-fitting shirts many of your young ladies in the church wear are bad enough, but some are following the world, rather than biblical principle, and revealing ample amounts of skin below the waist, too. Parents allow their daughters to wear skirts or shorts that reveal the thighs, or strip down to swimwear where there are boys or men in view.
What happened to the sense of modesty enjoined upon us in scripture (1 Tim. 2:9-10)? Have we no shame? Do we not care if there is no difference between the way we let our daughters dress and the way the world dresses? What happened to pursuing holiness; being distinct from, separate from, the world (2 Cor. 6:17; Rom. 12:1-2)? Fathers, do we have no problem with our daughters displaying every curve with tight or otherwise revealing clothing. Don't we need to teach our daughters and demand that they and our wives show a sense of modesty and keep themselves decently covered?
Those who see no problem with tight dresses, shirts, and pants, or wearing short skirts, short shorts, or swimwear around the opposite sex may be naive when it comes to the issue of lust, and especially the extent to which the average man battles with it. Jesus said that to look on a woman to lust for her is a sin (Mat. 5:27-29). And scripture warns us not to do anything that might tempt another to sin or cause someone to stumble (1 Cor. 10:31-33). It's a shame, and a little embarrassing in fact, that we have to be this frank about it, but since many are apparently so desensitized by the world that they lack the capacity for discernment in this area, we feel compelled to spell it out: When women reveal their thighs it invites lustful looks from men. How can doing so be acceptable, then, when Paul said we should not do "anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or made weak" (Rom. 14:21)? While some may be naïve, others are just indifferent, concerned more about doing as they please than caring about conforming to the image of Christ and avoiding what others find offensive. Either cause of immodesty in the church—naivety or indifference— is serious, but the attitude of indifference is particularly appalling and ungodly.
Young ladies and our beloved sisters in the church, please don't dress in a way that could be putting a stumbling block before others, but help those around you to be pure by covering your thighs, rather than putting them on display for all the world to see what only your husband (or future husband) should see. Short shorts may be back, but for the Christian, a sense of shame and careful attention to modesty should always be in fashion.
Tyler Young
Current Concerns
Rocio Chacon will have surgery to remove the tumor on her thyroid on Wednesday, September 3rd.
Frank Vargas had surgery on his hernia on Monday, August 18th. He is at home recovering. He is doing well, but will be out of work for 2 weeks.
Clemente Martinez, uncle of Juan Morolez, has been diagnosed with cancer and is waiting on test results as to the extent or stage of the cancer. The family needs strength to trust GOD with this news.
Betty Reeves, sister of Robbie Butler, fell on Monday night, August 11th. She has a broken arm and a large hematoma on her head. She went to the doctor on Tuesday, August 19th. No surgery is needed.
Prayer List
Fran Arbuckle; Mildred Bell; Mark Brewer; Makalyn Conner; Mildred Heslip; Cecil Hext; Estella Morolez; Lily Munos; Mable Riggs; Dolores Sanchez; Erin Whitlock; Delora Wood; Thomas Wood.
Shut-ins
Mary Dunn; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Virgie Price; Charles Tucker.
Events
Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7. This week's topic will be entitled, "God's Word is Light."
We will have special services on Sunday, August 31st. We will have our regular morning Bible class and worship service and then a potluck luncheon. We will have our evening service immediately following the potluck luncheon. There will be no 6:00 p.m. service.
The Lubbock Lectureship is set for October 12th. thru16th. The theme is The Law of Christ. It will be held at the Southside Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX. Make plans to attend if you are able. Allen Weakland will be one of the many wonderful speakers at this event. A flyer is posted on the News and Notes board in the east foyer.
FYI
Steve Horton will begin the Wednesday morning class on September 3rd in the annex at 10:30 a.m. He will continue his study on the book of Revelation.
Promotion for Bible classes will begin on Wednesday, September 3rd and Sunday, September 7th.
ALL classes will be dismissed on Wednesday, August 27th for a singing night in the auditorium. We will also have an ice cream fellowship immediately following services. Please bring you favorite ice cream, toppings, and/or cookies.
We are in need of someone to head up organizing the visitation program. If you are interested and able to do this, please contact one of the elders.
The Truth for Today Commentary series edited by Eddie Cloer has published its newest commentary. This volume is 1st and 2nd Thessalonians by Dr. Earl Edwards of Freed-Hardeman University. We have one copy available for purchase for $29.99.
Odessa Christian School is in need of a computer teacher. If you are interested, contact Shona Wood.
Thank You
We want to send a note of thanks to everyone who has been so thoughtful towards our children. Alex, Shannon, and Natalie have all enjoyed the generous gifts and cards that everyone has sent their way. Our little Natalie has taken over our hearts. What can we say? Juan and I are so grateful for having such a loving and thoughtful Christian family. May the LORD bless each and every one of you for your out pouring of love.
In Christ, Juan and Estella Morolez
Bible Quiz Question
We will be using questions from Nehemiah until November in order to help our study for the upcoming Bible search in Cleburne, TX. There will be more than one question to answer. Parents please try to help your children answer these questions at home.
This week's answers must be submitted by August 27th. (Read Nehemiah 2:1-4; Ezra 7:1ff; Jeremiah 8:1-3 )
Question: 1) Who is Artaxerxes and what was Nehemiah's relationship to him? 2) Why was Nehemiah afraid of Artaxerxes? 3) Did Nehemiah exaggerate about the condition of Jerusalem?
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of August are Sharon Bell and Susan Simmons.
We are preparing to print out new pocket directories to be ready by the first week of September. There are several people whose information has changed and several of our newer members who have not turned in their information to the office. Please provide us with any new information as soon as possible.
Note ~ Elder McCarty has a new address and phone number. If you need to get a hold of him, please call the office.
This week's pantry items are sugar, canned meats, and syrup.
| August 24, 2008 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
Announcements | Mike Smith | Mike Smith |
Song Leader | John Wood | Rudy Ochoa |
Sermon | Allen Weakland | Allen Weakland |
Opening Prayer | Mike Smith | Mike Smith |
Scripture | Alex Martinez | Kirk McFarland |
Second Prayer | Larry May | Juan Morolez |
Closing Prayer | Cameron May | Jr. Munoz |
|
||
West |
Billy Carson |
Craig Wesson |
East |
Harmon Rex |
Bradley Martell |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Mike Smith ~ Deacon: Don Easlon ~ Pulpit: Jeff Wesson ~ Table: John Wood ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM
"The Love that God Hates"
(1 John 2:12-17)
Sunday PM
"Hope, as Found in Scripture"
(Ps. 16:8-11)
Our Records
Bible Class... 96
Morning Worship... 154
Evening Worship... 115
Wednesday... 120
Contribution $4,913.50
Special Contribution $2602.00