There is a certain feeling of claustrophobia that sets in when sitting in a plane.

Sitting in a plane at 2.30 am and knowing that there is another 8 hours of suspension in the air--typing on your smartphone to try and pass the time. There is a feeling that this is only a transitory world, and at that, a mind-numbing purgatory. Yet, the knowledge of this temporary existence reminds you of the depravity of the human body. Next to you, is the solitary snorer on the plane, the problem is the only time he seems to snore is when you're about to nod off and fall asleep. Behind you, there is the man who insists on playing Angry Birds on full volume--he can afford an iPad but not headphones apparently. With the symphonic cackle of birds and short-breathed groaning like the sound you make when repeatedly told your pet cat died, conspiring to cause me grief, frustration is becoming an appropriate word. More Here...

I am a Christian woman; the only reason I have not said "godly" is because I feel like I would be bragging on myself if I said that.  To be called a godly woman is a great honor, I believe.  Anyway, I digress.  Lately I have been thinking about modesty and the trials men go through with temptation.  I know that both women and men are called to modesty, but for the purposes of this post, I'm just talking about female modesty. 

I like to dress attractively, I won't lie.  I used to not be so good about buying shirts that didn't show cleavage, but I've never had a problem with short shorts or dresses because I was never comfortable with them to begin with.  However, in the past year or two, I've grown more mature, I guess, and I have gotten better at covering up even more.

I like to show my figure, though.  I have learned to love my body -- really! -- and I have a desire, a strong one, mind you, for others to see.  Mainly men.  So I wear things that are flattering.  But I can't help feeling that this desire is selfish and sinful.  Sure, every women was created to love and to desire love and pursuit, and I don't believe that is wrong in and of itself.  But how far is too far?  I think about how I look a lot, not particularly because I'm insecure, like I used to be, but mostly because I'm constantly thinking about what men see. More Here...

By Sam at Creative Theology

Whenever the government provides opportunities and privileges for white people and rich people they call it ‘subsidies.’ When they do it for Negro and poor people they call it ‘welfare.’ The fact is that everybody in this country lives on welfare. Suburbia was built with federally subsidized credit. And highways that take our white brothers out to the suburbs were built with federally subsidized money to the tune of ninety percent. Everybody is on welfare in this country. The problem is that we all too often have socialism for the rich and rugged free enterprise capitalism for the poor. That’s the problem.

The Purity Myth Trailer from Media Education Foundation on Vimeo.

After reading a friend's blog on The Purity Myth (a documentary), I started thinking about my own experiences with this whole "purity" thing.  I have watched the documentary, and I'll say straight up -- it scared the crap out of me.

The documentary presented the idea of "Purity Balls" as being something essential to society. Girls would come, accompanied by their fathers, and have a great dinner, and then dance with and for their fathers, and would "give" their purity to their fathers. Their fathers would then commit to taking care of it and treasuring it, and that they would commit to helping their daughters find their Prince Charming. They would also be given roses which they would lay at the foot of a wooden cross -- oh yes, did I mention this is an extreme Christian view? More Here...