What's on your mind?

I'm not opposed to anyone dressing up. But to say I'm not being reverent before God or just don't care because I'm wearing jeans is ridiculous because that is judging my heart based on how I'm dressed and it's wrong.  If that's important to you to do, then that's awesome!  Nothing wrong with it.  But if a church kicks someone out based upon what they're dressed like, that's wrong.

Again, I worship God every day.  With my life, with my song, with prayer.  Should I dress up in the morning before reading my bible?  Or before praying? How about when I listen to a sermon online?  Because I'm the church.  Not some building.  The Holy Spirit resides in me.  

I just can't see how wearing a nice pair of jeans is so bad compared to khaki pants.  And to say one isn't serious or just doesn't care because of the kind of fabric they choose to wear around their legs is completely and absolutely wrong.

And what's so hard about dressing up on Sundays is that not everyone can afford to buy nice dresses, slacks, dress shoes, etc. Especially when you're on the larger side. I know I only own a pair of jeans and I've had the same pair for two years. So should I just not go to church because it would cost me $300 to buy a suit? It doesn't mean one isn't respectful or reverent.

I'm not saying you have to wear a suit... just go to Wal-Mart... or even Goodwill... and get a pair of khakis, and a shirt with a collar... it's the thought that counts.

Walmart doesn't have my size. I gotta shop at big and tall. And everything is twice or even triple as expensive there.

Well, fudge.

it sucks to be a giant. Though it's cute when little old ladies ask me to get something for them at the store haha

Small group was nice. The couple running it is originally from Tennessee. Also there was quiche.

LOL that's funny. yeah it happens a lot. It's why I have a bad knee and clothes are expensive, but it's nice sometimes. I don't think I'm THAT tall though.

I love Jesus and He loves me and I wear jeans to church.

At my church people dress ranging from jeans to suits. Whatever they are more comfortable in.
You can look dressy in jeans.

One thing I do agree with is people should dress modestly for church.. in fact christians should dress modestly being in public at all.

I dress modestly but there are some things I would wear day to day that I would not wear in church due to modesty and not wanting to offend anyone.

I do think that people if they can should at least bathe before coming to church - but if they don't.. why should I judge them. I might not want to sit next to them though.

I guess I understand where people are coming from (I would wear a skirt to attend a wedding or funeral out of respect) though I don't really agree with requiring people to dress a certain way for church.

If I was visiting a church that required it's members/visitors to dress up then I would be less inclined to want to go. I would feel self conscious about the way I'm dressing and I don't really see how that is a good thing. When there are a lot more important things to be thinking about than how fancy people look.

I don't know why but I have a feeling of dejavu making this post. Though I usually don't make such posts.

It's a good post Dandy.  Thank you for sharing.  I agree.  I guess it's just the way some people are raised.  They were always told it's a reverence thing.  But how much time do we spend with God in person?  Worshiping?  Praising?  Do we always have to dress up for those moments?  

We are the body of Christ.  We are the church.  Wherever 2 or more are gathered in His name is a congregation and He's in our midst.  It can be a family sitting around a table for a bible study or a couple friends praying together.  Not some building.  There shouldn't be a dress code.  There shouldn't be anyone saying you don't care about God or aren't trying if you wear jeans.

All that is, is tradition on your part.  It's not biblical.  If it was biblical, then I can understand taking the high road on that, but it's not.  My church likes to have that close family feel and make everyone welcome, regardless of what they're wearing. If it makes you feel more religious, then that's fine.  But there's nothing that says God cares either way as long as you aren't causing another to sin.  

So all I'm saying is that it's very hurtful to think someone doesn't care when they may not be able to afford dressing nice or their church culture is different from yours.

^ im in total agreement with what you just said. thats pushing the boundry there. Christians shouldnt be dressing like that period much less at church. i suppose i got defensive when it was suggested even wearing jeans shows you dont care. i can look very nice wearing a pair of khaki shorts with a belt and nice dress shirt. i shower and shave and clean up very nicely. i only really wear pants if its winter or expected out of me. like an interview.

if i happened to come visit on a sunday and you wanted me to come to church with you and you asked me to dress nicely...i would have no issue with that. im not opposed to dressing up. its nice to do.

I don't think a church should force people to dress nicely any more than they should force them to give offering. But I would think we would want to give God our best.

It is not important HOW we go, only WHY we go.

I believe a man/woman in ratty weekend clothes looking to be closer to the Lord is better off than the man/woman in the nicest of clothes only there for the image/going through the motions.

If a church turns away those who have a true dedication to the Lord over their dress style would make me look long and hard at that church and its members.

Dressing nice is done for human/self approval, NOT for God's approval.

I will look nice, but I will NOT dress nicer than I normally do to put up a false image. If that means I don't care, then I guess on my day of judgement He will question my clothes but I doubt it will come up.

I survived my first set of parent teacher conferences yesterday. It is so different sitting on the other side of the table, and talking to the parents.

It's funny, no matter hoooow bad the child behaves in the classroom, there is always so many positives to tell the parents as well. I was happy that all the parents were really attentive and so proud of their kids. They should be.

Going along with the conversation being had over the past couple of pages, I guess I feel that one can wear goth-y clothes to church with a reverent and regenerate heart, while one can wear a nice suit and tie with a wicked heart. I would rather have people who are just trying to figure the Christian thing out in my church who aren't afraid to admit that they are sinful and need Jesus than people who believe that they are saved because they don't swear and dress up to cover up the real sin going on in their life that they refuse to repent of.

Agreed Paulie.  I also like what Toro said about dressing up is for human/self approval.

So I really do agree with ya'll about going to church in a presentable fashion.  I personally do it because it makes me feel good. I just don't think it matters to God really and don't look down on anyone if they don't.

Winter is here.

Well thanks to working later than normal yesterday. I have today off..... that along with staying awake all night. It has given me the chance to start a netflix watchathon. I never saw this show leverage before. It's been a bit predictable so far, but the Toro is intrigued enough to at least watch one more.

It also gave me a chance to hang my sword wall mount..... I didnt have any dry wall anchors so.... I pray I don't have a "Final Destination" moment and wake up to swords falling on me..... that would certainly ruin my night, day, or whatever time I would be laying under it.  

I rigged it with a random piece of steel I screwed into the wall for a little saftey measure..... but.... here is hoping.... sleeping by the swords, don't mean I die by my own.


Also..... a moment of silence for my dearly departed butterfly knife....... I had it since I was 8 and now..... it is no more. I flipped it and flipped it readying to open a box and one of the metal flappy things broke off.....  

I shall miss ye ole trusty box opener and general sitting around doing nothing "toy" to keep my hands busy......

Toro wrote:

also gave me a chance to hang my sword wall mount..... I didnt have any dry wall anchors so.... I pray I don't have a "Final Destination" moment and wake up to swords falling on me..... that would certainly ruin my night, day, or whatever time I would be laying under it.  

I rigged it with a random piece of steel I screwed into the wall for a little saftey measure..... but.... here is hoping.... sleeping by the swords, don't mean I die by my own.

It would probably end your life, not just ruin your day. I wouldn't feel safe sleeping with a sword not properly attached to a wall above me head.

Its not above my head, its towards the foot of the bed.

Might lose a toe or cut my leg, but in all honesty. If they were to fall, I would likely be more worried about the damage to the blades than myself (they would likely fall straight down and I have about an inch or so between that side of the bed and the wall.)

The one that really could do some damage to me is pretty stubborn in its sheath (or saya if you will) so.... IF it DID open, wouldn't likely be enough to hurt me. Besides, I have rigged up more with less.

The only blade I WOULDN'T hang near my bed is one of my broad swords.... that thing wouldn't have to be sharp to hurt like crazy. Not to mention it's point is aimed down, so anything under it would be skewered..... just ask my pour acoustic.... it has a "boo boo" (Although it didn't fall because of the wall mount, it fell cause I thought it was on the mount and I let it go, I was mistaken) .

Now that I've been given the okay, I'm going to start going back to the gym and budgeting better to get healthier foods. Ramen noodles and frozen dinners have given my blood pressure a hit I'm not comfortable with. I had great momentum going and need to get back at it.

It's rainy today and my siblings came over and set up my wii. We're gonna have in n out for lunch. ^_^ Good day so far.

As far as the clothes thing for church I do think it is for human approval. And that isn't nessarily bad except when we value what others think more than what God thinks.
God looks at the heart. He doesn't value us more or less based on clothing.

I'm slow to post. Sorry for bringing this up again.
I do dress for church in consideration for others. So staying extra modest though not really fancy. When I was younger we'd wear dresses to church every Sunday. I remember one Sunday when I was younger we invited my grandma to my church and she wore dress pants because that's what she had. It wasn't until later years that wearing more casual clothes at my church became a common thing. People still wear suits though. If I went to a church that casual dress wasn't really done then I would somehow get some nicer clothes to dress up with. But honestly I'd be doing it for the other people - to fit in and not offend.