9.30.2014

It needs to come to an end!

Okay .... I'm not one to write a post like this, but I feel it is very much needed!

There have been quite a few argumentative comments written .... and yes I have approved them, but I seriously thought that they wouldn't cause as much strife as they have.  There is not one comment that I receive that isn't argumentative .... okay, okay, there were two .... two out of six!!!

There is a new policy here at Alisha in Progress :
if any comments that are argumentative are awaiting moderation, they will not be approved.

I never thought I would have to have that policy, being that we are all (for the most part) young adults, seeking to be lights of Christ .... serioulsy!

The purpose of this blog wasn't to become a public debate forum, but merely a way for me to share with you my life, and how I am choosing to live it for Christ.  But lately it has (through the comments) become a place where strife and contention are beginning to take place.

I am not trying to be rude, bossy, or over-bearing ... but how are the argumentative comments shining the light our Savior, when all they do is seem to tear down, tell the other "you're wrong, and I'm right", and drive your point home?  I am simply attempting to be the peace-maker here and try to get the area of commenting back to where it once was.

If you have questions for me... then ask away!  If you have any insight ... then give it!  The comments should be a place where "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17).  New readers who read a post should be able to look at the comments and say "okay, I see where Alisha and the other readers are getting their view point" or "I wonder why Alisha stated ______ ?"

Again, the argumentative comments need to come to an end!  If you want your comment approved, all you have to do is follow the new policy stated above.

I'm sorry I had to do this, and I can't believe I had to!

Thank you all for your time!

In HIS grace, Alisha


9.24.2014

Covering your head

There are many views on the passage in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 ... the passage regarding head coverings.  Most people today believe that head coverings are only for the Amish, Mennonite, Muslims, or Jews.  But on the contrary, head coverings are for all ladies.

Let's walk through certain verses in this passage together, so you can understand my reasoning behind my statement head coverings are for all ladies.

"But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven." (1 Corinthians 11:5)

"Well there you have it Alisha.  If we are to cover our heads, it shouldn't be daily, but only for church."

Okay I see that reasoning, since the verse states prayer and prophecy.  However let me state this first before I move on:

"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

According to this verse, we are to pray non-stop.  Which means ... covering your head should be daily if you are to constantly be in prayer.  That's just something for you to think on.

Now here are a few questions that I've heard people ask others and questions that I've read:

:: Are head coverings only for Sabbath?
:: Will I be mistaken for being a Muslim young lady?
:: Is covering your head a Salvation issue?
:: Is covering your head another form of modesty?

Okay allow me to answer these questions:

:: Are head coverings only for Sabbath?

~ Head coverings can (or should) be worn daily or can be worn only for Sabbath.  Since it's not a Salvation issue, I say don't fuss over it and become legalistic.

I actually know a dear, sweet young lady who wears head coverings for Shabbat and Sabbath.  Why?  To set apart Friday night and Saturday apart from the other days of the week, in order to save something special for her Lord's day.  Is she legalistic about it?  Absolutely not ... it's her own personal conviction.

::Will I be mistaken for being a Muslim young lady?

~ I want to answer this question with a question:

Would you rather be known as a modest muslim young lady or a young lady of the world?

Being that the head coverings are different in the Muslim religion, I would say that you would probably be mistaken for a really conservative Christian young lady.

:: Is covering your head a Salvation issue?

~ Absolutely not!  I do believe however that covering your head is way to show your love to your Heavenly Father.  I love the verse in John 14:21:

"He that hath my [the Lord's] commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." 
(John 14:21)

"Alisha, covering your head isn't commanded by God, but Paul."

Technically Paul doesn't command covering your head, but addresses it to the church in Corinth.  However, Paul states in 1 Corinthians 14:37:

"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I [Paul] write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."

I think that Paul addresses his point clearly in this verse.

:: Is covering your head another form of modesty?

~ After covering my head for five days, I tend to believe that it is another form of modesty.  Individual young ladies are welcome to believe what they want in this regard.  

I know of five young ladies (all from the same family) who cover their head all the time.  Why?  For a modesty factor and because of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (for the reason I stated earlier).


Why do I believe it is another form of modesty?
Much like dressing in modest clothing challenges the men around us, the same goes for covering your head.  

There have been multiple times where a man next to me will rush to the door and open it for me.  Why? Well ... I can only point out two factors:
1. modest clothing  
2. my head was covered

And other times when I'm talking to a guy, he will respond in a respectful way, such as:
"yes ma'am"
"no ma'am"
"ma'am can I help you?"
"can I help you carry that?"

Okay ... even just wearing modest clothing, the guys would be like:
"yeah"
"nope"
"hey, you need help?"
"oh here, since your hands are full let me get the doors for ya."


Wow ... and I used to think that girls who covered their heads were exaggerating hahaha ... but they weren't.  Guys truly do show more respect and are indeed challenged when a lady covers her head.


For me personally, I am attempting to cover my head all the time.  I see it in Scripture and I feel as if God is calling me to this new found conviction.  Why?

:: it's a symbol of authority (1 Corinthians 11:10)
:: it's a way to show my love for my Heavenly Father
:: it's to be worn while I'm praying (which is without ceasing)
:: it's a way for me to be set-apart for Christ
:: it helps others focus on the beauty of my heart and not my physical beauty


Now don't get me wrong, I'm not covering my head for the respect factor, but it is a nice blessing to be respected the way a lady should be respected.  I'm doing it because I want to obey God's commands and show Him that I love Him in any possible way!

I'm not trying to push my new found conviction on you.  I'm simply writing this to get my two cents worth in.  Oooh and to tell you this, "if the pictures I publish on here show me in a head covering .... you know why lol ;)"

BTW: I get my head coverings from my dear friend.  Right now she doesn't have head coverings listed ... I think it might be hard to list head coverings while you're away in Israel (she and her family are helping with the harvest).

I pray you all have a blessed day!

In HIS grace, Alisha

9.21.2014

A sneak peak

I absolutely love when I have the opportunity to take people's pictures ... even if it's in my own family lol ;)

My mom and dad needed someone to take their pictures before they went on a nice date for their 15th anniversary .... so I told them I would snap the few pictures.

Here's a picture from the bunch (the rest will come this Thursday [Lord-willing])!


9.11.2014

The Alibee Photography website is up and runnin'

Most of y'all know that I love photography.  And those of you who are new to the blog will tell very quick that I love photography.

Well I'm pleased to tell you that the photography website is up and running ..... enjoy


9.03.2014

September goals

I always like making goals - buut sometimes my goals are a little far fetched (just a little).  Anyone else have that problem??

So every January 1st I write out goals that I would like to accomplish - buut many times my goals from the previous year will be included in the new list.  Am I the only one?

*a new blog design {that's still in the air}. I've been wanting a new blog design ... one that looks professional, but if it doesn't happen this month ... hopefully it will happen either next month or sometime early 2015 (maybe).

*post more.  does there need to be any more said on this one lol? ;)

*exercise 3-4x a week. I was doing great in accomplishing this task ... buut ... oh well ... time to start fresh again!

*finish reading 'growing up duggar'. this book is so good--talk about rich and encouraging!!

*memorize 1 Corinthians 13. i used to have this memorized .... buut i honestly have forgotten it =/

*get caught up on letter writing. allow me to ingnore the fact that I have a letter from my dear friend in MI and my friend in Maine that is about a month and half old =/ ... sorry T! sorry Emmy!

*get up early consistently. my schedule is different now that I'm not working.  but i want to create a habit of getting up early ... so I can be more productive.  but this means that I can't stay up too late at night if I want to accomplish this.  although I do wear my 'night owl' badge with much pride lol.  Anyone else a night owl?

*journal more. I have gotten much better at journaling more this year, but still don't do it as often as I would like.

*finish 3+ books of the Bible.  I set this goal every month - so as usual I will be trying to finish as many books of the Bible for the month of September (while not reading in vain, but to attain knowledge).

*a surprise project.  if it's a surprise why would I tell you lol ;)

*get rid of a whole bunch of stuff (thank goodness for Goodwill).  I've been wanting to do this for a while, but just haven't done it.  it just something that needs to be done :)

*pull staples from the sub-floor in my bedroom.  while I'm gone in October, Mom and Dad will be putting wood floor down in my bedroom {yaaaay}.  however, if I want them to do this, I need to pull all the staples from the sub-floor {all the staples from when the carpet was down}.

*Do a photoshoot or two.  I love photography - in fact I wouldn't mind taking classes to improve. so hopefully the Lord will provide opportunities for me to do a couple.  rhey is sick and tired of me doing photoshoots with her lol!

So there you have it ... my September goals!  At the end of this month I will do a recap and let y'all know what I got accomplished :)

Until next time ....

In HIS grace, Alisha