Oh Naturale
What we have in America is what I was taught in grade school, "The Great American Melting Pot". America has embraced different nationalities as well as a variety of cultures and religions. Other countries aren't as welcoming nor accommodating as America. It seems that we should be pleased with the diversity; however, there does come a point where even the most liberal, well centered, confident American must take a stand and say enough is enough.
When? Could it be during the Winter and catching a cab trying to be at a place 20 minutes ago. There you are trying not to be a back seat driver when some horrendous B.O. wafts over and envelopes your whole head. At making mention of the smell, the ethnically diverse cab driver holds a soliloquy on how in his country, the natural smell of men is becoming to the women.
No? Well what about when a woman said to me that she believed a man should love her just the way she is without her making any necessary changes. She called it unconditional love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 AMP). The woman weighed well over 400 pounds.
No? How about telling large groups of people that you tried shaving your legs and it just doesn't work for you anymore. So your are going to let all of the hair grow - as much as it wants.
In all of the scenarios, the people did the minimum basics of hygiene - some more than others, yet it can go a tad bit further.
You see Christians have this preconceived notion as well. We don't think we should do anything to our bodies to improve upon what God has given. Where do we get this? Could it be from the Old Testament where it is written not to cut the body, or mark the body, or in the New Testament where it is written, not to plait the hair? Yet we do cut our finger and toe nails. We trim our eyebrows and mustaches and we even use make up. We don't squirm about coloring our hair, but it is looked upon as vanity if one gets a face lift, tucks away sagging skin, or some other cosmetic surgery.
Think of it this way, Howard Hughes was an extremely wealthy man. It was reported when he passed on, he went "oh naturale." So natural that he had to be carried where ever he went. His hair grew down his back, he had an over grown beard and mustache. His finger and toenails had grown so much he couldn't function common every day tasks. Is that too much of an extreme? Is that a judgment call? Can you measure what would be too much of an extreme for me or anyone else with there being many members of one body. All of those members having a different function than yours. It is why I believe America embraces diversity, because our country was founded on the principles of Christianity. Still, in that diversity, some of us have to get a grip. I don't think BO will ever become the norm to have (in the name of Jesus). Not shaving your legs is a preference, but don't be offended if people stare or make comment that you have more hair on your legs then some men have on their heads. It just looks cleaner and well groomed. As far as the weight things goes, well many of us have a few pounds to lose (including me). The bottom line is, that God wishes the best for us (3 John 1:2 KJV). Though bodily exercise profits little (1 Timothy 4:8 KJV), according to the Word, there is still a profit. If we look at the the priest that raised Samuel, we can see that his death was based on the weight of his body (1 Samuel 4:18 KJV). He was obese.
It is something to consider. We can't change one another, like we might say to ourselves when we settle for someone that isn't really our type. It can't happen. Many generations have tried before you. The only one you can change is you. If you are too critical, then criticism is your harvest.
As far as plastic surgery goes, to each his own. Consider it this way, seeing that we are like trees planted by the rivers of water (Psalm 1:3 KJV), as much of a metaphor as that is, God is the husbandman of said tree. He will prune and care for the tree to achieve the best harvest He can get. If pruning back some skin is what is needed because of drastic weight loss, would God have you miserable? If it is necessary for a chemical peel to rid yourself of acne scars, would God deny you (Psalm 84:11 KJV)? Just remember that when you make these decisions to put Him first. Pray on it and no matter what the doctor says, take it back to God so there is peace before you do anything (1 Peter 3:11 AMP).
When? Could it be during the Winter and catching a cab trying to be at a place 20 minutes ago. There you are trying not to be a back seat driver when some horrendous B.O. wafts over and envelopes your whole head. At making mention of the smell, the ethnically diverse cab driver holds a soliloquy on how in his country, the natural smell of men is becoming to the women.
No? Well what about when a woman said to me that she believed a man should love her just the way she is without her making any necessary changes. She called it unconditional love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 AMP). The woman weighed well over 400 pounds.
No? How about telling large groups of people that you tried shaving your legs and it just doesn't work for you anymore. So your are going to let all of the hair grow - as much as it wants.
In all of the scenarios, the people did the minimum basics of hygiene - some more than others, yet it can go a tad bit further.
You see Christians have this preconceived notion as well. We don't think we should do anything to our bodies to improve upon what God has given. Where do we get this? Could it be from the Old Testament where it is written not to cut the body, or mark the body, or in the New Testament where it is written, not to plait the hair? Yet we do cut our finger and toe nails. We trim our eyebrows and mustaches and we even use make up. We don't squirm about coloring our hair, but it is looked upon as vanity if one gets a face lift, tucks away sagging skin, or some other cosmetic surgery.
Think of it this way, Howard Hughes was an extremely wealthy man. It was reported when he passed on, he went "oh naturale." So natural that he had to be carried where ever he went. His hair grew down his back, he had an over grown beard and mustache. His finger and toenails had grown so much he couldn't function common every day tasks. Is that too much of an extreme? Is that a judgment call? Can you measure what would be too much of an extreme for me or anyone else with there being many members of one body. All of those members having a different function than yours. It is why I believe America embraces diversity, because our country was founded on the principles of Christianity. Still, in that diversity, some of us have to get a grip. I don't think BO will ever become the norm to have (in the name of Jesus). Not shaving your legs is a preference, but don't be offended if people stare or make comment that you have more hair on your legs then some men have on their heads. It just looks cleaner and well groomed. As far as the weight things goes, well many of us have a few pounds to lose (including me). The bottom line is, that God wishes the best for us (3 John 1:2 KJV). Though bodily exercise profits little (1 Timothy 4:8 KJV), according to the Word, there is still a profit. If we look at the the priest that raised Samuel, we can see that his death was based on the weight of his body (1 Samuel 4:18 KJV). He was obese.
It is something to consider. We can't change one another, like we might say to ourselves when we settle for someone that isn't really our type. It can't happen. Many generations have tried before you. The only one you can change is you. If you are too critical, then criticism is your harvest.
As far as plastic surgery goes, to each his own. Consider it this way, seeing that we are like trees planted by the rivers of water (Psalm 1:3 KJV), as much of a metaphor as that is, God is the husbandman of said tree. He will prune and care for the tree to achieve the best harvest He can get. If pruning back some skin is what is needed because of drastic weight loss, would God have you miserable? If it is necessary for a chemical peel to rid yourself of acne scars, would God deny you (Psalm 84:11 KJV)? Just remember that when you make these decisions to put Him first. Pray on it and no matter what the doctor says, take it back to God so there is peace before you do anything (1 Peter 3:11 AMP).
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