unbranded beauty

Rachel

2009-06-29T23:53:00.000-07:00

Rachel

Rachel is a junior in high school. She is very creative and expresses her creativity through her unique fashion sense and free spirit. She is an LJ3 leader and enjoys shopping, going to the park, and hanging out with friends.

What do you think beauty is?

“I think it’s God’s love and personality shining through us.”

When do you feel beautiful?

“I feel beautiful when I help people and they appreciate it.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“Sometime’s I get self conscious, but one of my friends told me to just be God conscious, and think of how He sees you. He says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. That helps me.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“God made you how you are and that’s how your suppose to look and be. Don’t try to be other people because there is no one like you.”

Darla

2009-06-29T23:44:00.000-07:00

Darla

Darla is a high school junior and an LJ3 leader. She enjoys doing “girly things,” like drinking tea and having picnics.

What do you think beauty is?

“I think beauty I what comes out of you. Beauty is genuine, it’s what is in you, your character.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“In the morning you can wake up and say, ‘I am so ugly,’ but you need say, ‘It’s me and it’s how God made me, and I am beautiful like this.’ I can’t try and be other things, I am who I am and if I am myself, I am beautiful.”

When do you feel beautiful?

“When I wear a cute little spring dress, a skirt with a nice top, or certain jewelry, I feel that I am, in a way, wearing treasure, and that it’s a prized possession. It makes me feel special.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“I think it use to effect me more than it does now. I use to think they (girls in magazines) are so skinny, they have the best tans, they have the nicest hair, the cutest clothes, everything. But now I think, ‘Whatever!’ God made me and I don’t have to impress a guy or other people, because God has everything planned out; who I am going to marry, who I am going to be friends with, my entire future. So I can just be me.”

Chelsea

2009-06-28T22:58:00.002-07:00

Chelsea

Chelsea is in 7th grade. She is very busy and involved in many activities including swimming, karate, and music.

What do you think beauty is?

"Beauty is much deeper than your outside appearance; it focuses more on who you are on the inside. Pretty and hot are used to describe your outer appearance, but beauty holds more meaning."

Do you think your beautiful?

"Yes, I do. I know I am because my Father says I am. He sees the me no one else sees sometimes; not the girl with frizzy hair. I am beautiful in His eyes, and that’s all that matters."

When do you feel the most beautiful?

"I feel the most beautiful right after I wake up in the morning. I feel refreshed and better than I do when I am all dressed up."

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

"I think God finds being in a relationship with Him beautiful. The closer you are to Him and the more you know Him, the more beautiful you are."

Lindsay

2009-06-28T22:58:00.001-07:00

What do you think beauty is?

The Bible says that "A happy heart makes the face cheerful" (Proverbs 15:13). I think that couldn't be stated better. Inward peace with God creates outward beauty.

When do you feel the most beautiful?

I feel most radiant when I am at peace with God. There have been times when I was serving overseas and hadn't showered in three days but still felt beautiful because I was at peace with God. There were other times when I spent enormous amounts of time on my appearance but felt less attractive than ever because my trust was in the wrong places.

What do you wish woman knew about real beauty?

That beauty cannot be bought, fabricated, or applied in front of a mirror.

What do you think God finds beautiful in a women?

Above all, a pure heart.

Sherry

2009-06-27T23:04:00.000-07:00

Sherry

Sherry has been married for almost 22 years and is the mother of three children. She is a high school teacher at Calvary Christian Academy, where she coaches the varsity cheerleading squad. She loves shopping, coaching, and eating junk food.

What do you think beauty is?

“Beauty comes from within. Someone that has a kind a heart, a sweet spirit, is easy to be entreated, is not afraid to show their faults and failures, is beautiful. They aren’t trying to be beautiful, it’s just who they are.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“I want to be beautiful, but I don’t think of myself as beautiful. I like myself and I am beautiful because God says so, but not necessarily according to what the worlds standards are. He made me and He made me specifically. Each feature was designed specifically, so because I’m His creation, I’m gorgeous. I’m learning how to accept what God has done, because living in this world it’s a temptation for women to compare themselves with one other, models on TV, and what the world says beauty is. The closer I get to the Lord, the more I can appreciate who I am and that if I weren’t here, there would be a big hole in this world.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“I wish that women knew that they are beautiful because God created them and they are unique for a reason. There is nobody else like them and they don’t have to compare themselves to anybody else. If they tried to be somebody else, we would miss out on who they are, and the impact that God intended in having them here.”

Jewell

2009-06-27T00:54:00.000-07:00

Jewell

Jewell is currently a student at Montgomery community college, where she is studying to be a graphic designer. Jewell enjoys being creative, photography, working with computers, and being with her friends.

What do you think beauty is?

“Beauty comes from inside. Integrity is something I find very beautiful in a person. Someone who is able to act right and be themselves around other people and has the same personality when other people aren’t looking. It’s hard to find these days.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“I think I am beautiful because I like who I am. I’ve noticed that I can make people happy very easily. I seem to bring out the best in people, and I like that.”

When do you feel the most beautiful?

“I feel the most beautiful when I am with my friends. They know me inside and out, and I can just be myself around them. They laugh at everything I say. When I am around them and see they are happy because of something I did or said, it makes me feel really good.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“I wish women realized it’s really not about being beautiful on the outside. You can take the most outwardly beautiful person, but if they are snobby and immature, it just makes them look ugly. I wish people realized how you act and how you present yourself makes you beautiful or ugly.”

Lydia

2009-06-25T23:08:00.000-07:00

Lydia

Lydia is in 10th grade at Calvary Christian Academy. She enjoys playing sports and spending time with her friends and family.

What do you think beauty is?

“Beauty is your heart and what you do to glorify God, because God looks at your heart.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“Yes, because God created everything beautiful.”

When do you feel the most beautiful?

“When I am thinking about how God made us, how He made us beautiful, I feel the most beautiful then. Or when I am really dressed up.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“That God is looking at your heart and you should just do everything to glorify Him. Because that’s what’s most beautiful to Him. That’s all that matters.”

Nancy

2009-06-25T23:03:00.000-07:00

Nancy

Nancy was born and raised in Miami, became a Christian at 19, and has loved working with Jr. high ever since! She has 5 kids and has been married 29 years.

What do you think beauty is?

“God as Creator created everything beautiful and any beauty we have is just a reflection of His beauty. We should try to keep it (our beauty) as clear of ourselves as possible, so it’s really reflecting Him.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“I think when I am thinking kindly and walking in the Spirit then, yes, otherwise, no. It has a lot to so with the Spirit.”

What is the effect of our culture’s definition of beauty on women?

“The focus is so much on being small, tiny, and thin. Being large boned or being heavier just doesn’t fit in to America’s idea of beauty. The kids that are made fun of in my class are often those that are heavy. It’s very sad.”

When do you feel the most beautiful?

“I feel beautiful when I am worshipping. I forget how I look, so when I am finished it’s like, ‘Whoa, I wasn’t even self-conscious there for a few minutes’.”

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

“A quiet and gentle spirit. Gentle is not rewarded in our society at all. People who are kind and gentle or quit spirited are overlooked in our society and looked as though they are weak.”

Anya

2009-06-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

Anya

Anya is a nurse and has been married for two years. She likes to sing, write, read and go to the movies. Anya is always looking for different ways to express her creativity.

What do you think beauty is?

"Beauty is defined by many other words: lovely, funny, humble, kind...but none of the words describe beauty are related to the physical. They refer to exuding other positive qualities that are not related to any outer "beauty". Beauty can look like anything, but the positive qualities that define it are individual and unique and can vary person to person."

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

"The culture definitely confuses me in my thought processes. I see what our culture glorifies in terms of beauty, and it usually is related to not only being attractive on the outside, but promoting a much more sexually charged image. It can cause even myself to consider things 'beautiful' that I wouldn't normally."

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

"That real beauty also equals real worth. It would be impossible to feel and acknowledge that you are beautiful if you don't also realize that you are WORTH something. Usually, women link being physically attractive to having worth...but what if you're in an accident and left disfigured? Or if you become poor and unable to keep up with "trends"? Feeling beautiful God's way usually translates to feeling like you're worth something more than just material things and an outer appearance, which also gives confidence and peace in who you are."

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

"God sees things we don't see in our lives. He must see all the weaknesses we might have as woman, but sees them in a perfected form. He sees us as His daughters and, because of the cross, we're perfect."

Pamela

2009-06-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

Pamela

Pamela, who grew up in Argentina, is a Spanish teacher at Calvary Christian Academy. She loves teaching Spanish and serves with her husband in the Spanish ministry at Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia.

What do you think beauty is?

“A reflection that comes through your eyes because of what you have inside. It’s more then just what you look like on the outside, it’s a combination of the inside and outside. A full reflection of Christ.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“I do, not in an egotistical way. If you go back to Genesis, when He was creating everything, on the seventh day, He saw everything was good and beautiful.”

When do you feel the most beautiful?

“I feel beautiful when I am feeling fulfilled and accomplished. When I have a really good class and I taught what I was suppose to teach. Then I feel beautiful.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“There are choices and decisions that women are making right now, based on worldly immature thoughts on beauty, that can effect their future. And, sometimes, you cross certain bridges and it’s very hard to go back.”

Megan

2009-06-22T21:36:00.001-07:00

Megan

Megan is a Jr. High student. She likes to act, go on the computer, play field hockey, and go over friends house.

What do you think beauty is?

“A lot of it’s from your heart, and it show’s in how you act. But it’s also from the outside. You don’t have to look like a model in a magazine, but you should take care of yourself.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“I do. I feel beautiful. When you think about, the Creator of everything, the entire universe, wanted to make you just the way you are. That makes you beautiful.”

When do you feel the most beautiful?

“I feel the most beautiful when I am reading the Bible and I see verses that say God created you.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“That your outward appearance isn’t everything. A lot of times, in Jr. High especially, a lot of girls they want to focus on their outward appearance, and they don’t really care about what’s in their heart. Your outward appearance isn’t the only thing that beauty is.”

Meg

2009-06-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

Meg

I am a pediatric nurse, but I also enjoy writing and photography. I love traveling and missions work, and spent a year in Liberia as a medical missionary on the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, with the Christian charity, Mercy Ships. In July, I am returning to the Africa Mercy to work in the communications department.

What do you think beauty is?

“Beauty is a glimmer of eternal perfection, woven through our fallen world, which leads us to acknowledge and glorify it’s Author and Source. When I see something beautiful, in a person, a piece of art, a conversation, or a place, it awakens a longing in my heart for heaven.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“When I remember I am precious to the Lord, and so loved by Him, I think I’m beautiful. Otherwise, I feel unconfident, insecure, and fearful of being rejected by others. When I feel this way, I am unable to be vulnerable, with God and people, and I miss out on the intimacy and love which vulnerability creates. I am learning how to find my confidence in Christ, and realizing I can fully be myself in Him, without any fears.”

When do you feel the most beautiful?

“When I am driving fast down the highway with my windows down, the wind is blowing through my hair, and I am singing loudly to song on the radio. I feel free, unrestrained, and completely uninhibited to be myself.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“That ‘beautiful’ and ‘sexy’ are not the same things. Sadly, even amongst Christians, those terms are used interchangeably. Sexy means, ‘intending to arouse sexual desire,’ something that’s encouraged and applauded by our culture. We can be sexy through our attire, what and how we say things, our body language, and our attitudes. But beauty is much deeper and very different than that. It’s a unique expression God seen in an individual that arouses a desire for Him in others. It’s not an attitude that can be put on and off, it’s a structural component of a someone’s essence. On any given night you can walk into a club in any city in the world and find dozen’s of women who are ‘sexy.’ But to meet a woman who is truly beautiful, is a rare encounter. And when you meet her, she is easily recognizable.”

Kathy (my Nana:)

2009-06-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

Kathy

Kathy is a mother of four and Nana of fourteen. She is the financial administrator at Calvary Christian Academy. She enjoys gardening, cooking, painting, and being with her family.

What do you think beauty is?

"Beauty is a kind face and a sweet smile and a person who really cares about others. Soft words, encouragement. It is a call from a friend just letting you know that they truly care about you and whatever circumstances you may find yourself in at that particular moment."

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

1 Peter 3:3-4

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

What is the effect of our culture’s definition of beauty?

"Our culture is obviously sending out the wrong message to our young women regarding true beauty. It is not how thin you are or what kind of clothes you wear, but what God has planted in your heart."

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

Proverbs 31:30

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised".

Sara

2009-06-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

Sara

Sara has a gracious heart and a confident smile. She wants to be a missionary and is currently attending Bible college in Hungary.

What do you think beauty is?

“It is true beauty to see a person grow in their walk with the Lord. To see a heart that is pure towards God, truly is the most beautiful attribute a person could have.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“I can believe that I am beautiful, because I know that God has made me. The world certainly does not tell me I am beautiful, but I know that God see’s me so much differently then the world. Feeling beautiful is feeling accepted in the eyes of those who are most important to you. When Christ is the center of my life, when my satisfaction comes from Him, I can feel completely beautiful because the only eyes that matter are His.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“I have been overweight my whole life. The world told me that fat was ugly, and skinny was beautiful. I thought that I couldn’t ever be beautiful until I lost weight. I crash dieted all I could, but I found that I never reached that point of being satisfied with myself. It was easy for me to compare myself to my friends, and think that I will never be pretty because I can’t get as skinny as them. This is a dangerous process because it breaks down your confidence. I realize now that it isn’t ever possible to reach that point because the worlds idea of beauty isn’t real.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“That the inner beauty we develop from serving God can totally outshine all of our outer imperfections. God has created us how He wants us to be, and when we embrace what He gave us, that is when we are beautiful.”

Kim

2009-06-19T21:25:00.000-07:00

Kim

Kim lives in Willow Grove and has been working with Crosswalk for 6 years. Kim enjoys reading, going out for coffee with friends, and traveling to Ireland.

Do you think your beautiful?

“It depends on what day it is. Yes, there are definitely days when I feel ugly, whether it’s internal or external. But there are definitive times and places, I would say times in the Spirit, when I know I’m beautiful. When you stop gauging who defines your beauty and you start realizing Who really defines your beauty, that’s when you feel beautiful.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“Most of the time I just think it’s dumb, so it’s okay. But there are some parts that do effect you, and you think, ‘I’m never ever going to measure up to those people.’ But at the same time, you know people who are like that, and you know what they are really like. I think the culture is trying to replace true beauty with something you can just make up. It’s dumb.”

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

“I think God thinks people are beautiful just by being themselves. He wouldn’t have created us if He didn’t want us. And when He sees us excelling or He sees us doing the thing we always wanted to do, and doing it well, I think it makes Him happy.”

Naomi

2009-06-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

Naomi

Naomi is 12 years old and in 7th grade. Naomi likes sports and music. She plays basketball, softball, soccer, guitar, drums, and saxophone.

What do you think beauty is?

“Purity and how your heart is. Not on the outside, but on the inside, coming from your relationship with the Lord.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“I don’t think it has really effected me, but I know how it effects other people. People want to be hot, and girls put themselves out there for everything in the world, and the world has a completely different definition of beauty.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“I would encourage them to have a relationship with God.”

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

“Your relationship with Him and the purity in your heart.”

Mary

2009-06-18T22:16:00.000-07:00

Mary

Mary has two great kids, ages 12 and 10, and spends most of her time going to practices and games. She has been working at Calvary Chapel for 6 years and walking with the Lord for 20 years. Mary was married to a wonderful man, but the Lord took him to heaven about 6 ½ years ago.

When do you feel beautiful?

“I feel beautiful when my whole self is submitted to Jesus and I am allowing the fruits of the Holy Spirit to flow through me. When I feel so close to Him, and I know He’s using my life to help and encourage others, that’s when I feel the most beautiful.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“There have been times where the perfect image portrayed by the culture has made me feel physically unattractive or inferior, but I have to remind myself of the Truth. Some of the most physically attractive people, are some of the worst role models and most miserable people of our society. They truly aren’t beautiful and I think deep down they know it.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“The truth; it’s so contrary to what our culture is telling us is beautiful. What we can nurture, regardless of how our bodies change, is our relationship with God. That’s what will endure and last. I wish all my sister’s would recognize that it is really the heart that makes a woman beautiful. Loving the unlovable, showing kindness, going the extra mile, and giving out of your own need, that’s really what beauty is.”

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

“Our complete surrender to His Lordship. You can search the whole world and try everything out and you will always come back to Jesus. Nothing compares to knowing Him as your friend. He really is the most beautiful one in the world. In His presence is fullness of joy. Not partial, not half fullness. When we have that we lack nothing.”

Debra

2009-06-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

Debra

Debra is an accountant in New Jersey. She loves being with her family and teaching LJ3. She has been a Crosswalk leader for 7 years.

What do you think beauty is?

“Your as beautiful as you yield yourself to God. The more yielded you are, the more beautiful you are. The more yielded you are to His will, the more you shine.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“As a parent it’s distressing to see girls try to fit in the mold. I see my girls and they don’t fit that typical picture that you see on a magazine. But what I try to say to them is that I don’t care how beautiful you are on the outside, if your ugly on the inside, that’s what comes forth.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“The only conforming you need to do is into His image.”

Jessica

2009-06-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

Jessica

Jessica is a senior in high school. She loves to sing and is an LJ3 leader. Next year she will be attending Westminster choir college of Ryder University

What do you think beauty is?

“Beauty is your personality and the way you present yourself. You could be what the world sees as not an attractive person, but if you have a shining personality, I think that is the most beautiful thing in the world.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“As a teenager it had effected me, but as I get older, I kind of leave that whole childish I-need-to-be-this-weight type of behavior behind, and just be myself. I think for me, that kind of beauty is overrated. Beauty is really just who you are as a person.”

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

“Their faith and trust in Him.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“Be yourself, don’t be afraid to be different. Don’t be scared to be you, and do what you want to do.”

Nikki

2009-06-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

Nikki

Nikki is currently studying to become a pediatric nurse. She enjoys painting, sewing, cooking, and spending time with her family. She loves expressing her creativity through her clothes, and has created her own unique style.

What do you think beauty is?

“I think that beauty is expression. When someone expresses themselves by what they wear, I think that’s beautiful. Also, when girls express themselves in things they love to do, show their personality in it’s truest form, and are secure enough to use the individual gifts that God gave them.”

When do you feel beautiful?

“On the days I wake up, put on what I want to wear because I love it, and I do my hair the way I want to because I love it, and I don’t sit myself in front of the TV or a magazine, and look at the girls who fit a cookie cutter image. Those are the days that I feel beautiful.”

What does God think about beauty?

“In God’s eyes, we are all beautiful. We’re created in His image, and He is beautiful.”

Lynne

2009-06-15T04:43:00.000-07:00

Lynne

After raising three children on her own, Lynne is pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse, and is currently taking college classes. She enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her family.

What makes a woman beautiful?

“When a woman is just an average looking person, but they have the qualities that the Lord calls beautiful, a giving spirit, being loving, giving of themselves to other people- it just makes them look completely different to you. To me, that’s what beautiful is. Also, I think that women who have confidence are beautiful. When your confident in yourself, your fine with who you are and with what you look like, that in itself is beautiful. That makes women attractive.”

How does our culture effect our idea of beauty?

“It’s shoved in your face, all the time, in movies, in magazines, everything you look at, there’s this image of what we’re suppose to look like. And if you don’t fit this image, it causes so many women to have a problem with their self esteem and how they feel about themselves.”

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

“If I can share of myself with other people, if I can help other people, if I can share God’s love with other people, that’s what He’s looking for.”

Alissa

2009-06-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

Alissa

Alissa recently celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary and enjoys spending time with her husband, Carlos, and son, Evan. She is currently becoming a certified pilates instructor.

What do you think beauty is?

“Beauty is a countenance that you portray that comes from within. It has to be something that emanates from inside of you. And you can’t hide it. It’s all encompassing. It implies that there is something shining from the inside.”

When do you feel the most beautiful?

“I feel the most beautiful when I have read the Bible, played with my son, served my husband, and taken a shower. It all comes together when those things happen.”

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

“I love Proverbs 31. I feel that description is God’s description of a beautiful woman. Somebody who is known in the street, is outgoing, is working with her hands to provide for her family, and is praised. She is a picture of what God is pleased with in anyone women. It talks about so many different aspects of a women, and each women has different gifts taken from that.”

What do you wish woman knew about real beauty?

“Strive for that countenance and fragrance of Christ, and be joyful with what He’s given you. Because there is no point in striving for what you think other people are putting on you to be beautiful. Save yourself the hassle and accept who the Lord has made you and use that unto the Lord, and that will give you really peace.”

Evelyn

2009-06-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

Evelyn

Evelyn has been a registered nurse for 8 years and currently works in the ICU at Abington Hospital. She enjoys biking, coffee, and spending time with her family.

What do you think beauty is?

“Beauty is so individual. I think we need to focus on our individuality and what our gifts are, so we can be free to share them. When we are feeling and knowing that our approval comes from

God, we are beautiful to Him.”

What effect does our cultures idea of beauty have?

“It’s very skewed, you have to be skinny and your body has to be perfect. It’s hard, because kids are indoctrinated from the time they can watch TV on how they should look, what’s going to validate them, make them beautiful, and make them successful.”

What do you think God finds beautiful in a women?

“Their willingness to serve, be vulnerable, share their love for Him.”

Emily

2009-06-12T00:16:00.000-07:00

Emily

Emily is in 8th grade. She loves music, enjoys listening to her Ipod, and plays the violin. She also loves sports, and plays softball and soccer.

What do you think beauty is?

“Beauty is what you think of yourself. If you think that you don’t look good, you won’t see yourself as beautiful, even though you are.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“Sometimes I feel beautiful, and sometimes, when I sin, I feel dirty. It’s like, ‘eeeewwww, why’d I do that?’ ”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“People make a mold, and say, ‘This is how a relationship should be, and this is how you should be.’ But, you have your own mold that you fit into. Some people don’t want to be who they are suppose to be, and try to be somebody else. But it’s not comfortable. It’s a good feeling to be comfortable as yourself. Just be yourself, because people will love you for who you are.”

Elaine

2009-06-11T04:55:00.000-07:00

Elaine

Elaine is in 7th grade. She loves music, writing stories, guitar, cello, and being creative.

What do you think beauty is?

“Beauty is being yourself. Everybody in themselves is beautiful, so if your yourself, you can be beautiful. Who you are in the inside is what makes true beauty.”

When do you feel the most beautiful?

“When I help somebody and they come and thank me, it makes me feel so good. That makes me feel beautiful.”

What effect does our cultures idea of beauty have?

“I think it’s shallow when girls try to fit our cultures idea of beauty. It’s like, if your pretty on the outside, everybody will like you and it doesn’t matter how badly your hurting on the inside. If your look pretty on the outside everything is okay.”

What do you wish woman knew about real beauty?

“Physical beauty is only skin deep and that’s not what kids our age should be worrying about. They should be worrying about who they are inside. When Jesus cleans the inside, the outside becomes beautiful. If you change yourself inside and allow God to mold you into that person He originally wanted you to be, then people will look and say, ‘Wow, she really is beautiful, generous, kind, and anyone can go and talk to her.’ I think that’s what girls need to learn about, that’s what they need to see and understand.”

Linda (my mom :)

2009-06-09T22:51:00.000-07:00

Linda

**this is my mom...she is rather fabulous :)

Linda runs a kitchen cabinetry business. She has been married for over 26 years and has three children. Linda enjoys cooking, entertaining, gardening, and being with her family.

Do you think your beautiful?

Only when I am reflecting Christ...Because I was created to magnify Him.

How has our culture’s definition of beauty affected you?

It is easy to get sucked into my exterior instead of focusing on my "interior". When I do, I become very insecure.

When do you feel the most beautiful?

I feel most beautiful when I am selfless, serving, and when the supernatural occurs in my heart and being. When God pours into me and I (not in my flesh or my own strength) share that filling with others. For example, when we go out to Coatesville and minister to those kids, I am grimy, sweaty, usually have a baseball cap on and very little make up...not looking my best. But when I can love those kids with something that is totally beyond me, I truly feel beautiful. Because I am shining from the inside the way I was intended to reflect my Father.

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

There are many things on this earth that are pleasing to the eye. Women being one of them. The standard that Hollywood sets is so unrealistic and unhealthy. I wish women would look beyond those standards and see what truly makes one beautiful. Her spirit and her ability to be a yielded open vessel for God to pour into.

Stephanie

2009-06-09T07:28:00.001-07:00

Stephanie

Stephanie has been employed as a Social Worker for 22 years at Bethanna Christian Services. She is also employed part time at Calvary, where she has the absolute pleasure of serving in Crosswalk Jr. High as Gil's ministry assistant.

What do you think beauty is?

When I look at pictures of who the "world" considers to be beautiful, there are so many times that I do not see real beauty. I see hardness and lonely eyes staring at me from the picture. Without airbrushing, they look about average. Then I see a person who the world might consider to be average or below, but there is something that comes back from the photo that is warm, loving, and beautiful. It could come from their eyes or from their gentle smile, and you know that this person is at peace with themselves.

Do you think your beautiful?

There are times that I can be beautiful, and those times are when I am walking in the Spirit. People say to me all of the time that I am such a nice person. And I tell them, that is only because of Jesus, trust me!! I can be "really ugly," when I am operating in the Flesh, which is usually when I am not in the Word, not praying on a consistent basis, or when there is a Full Moon, and I begin to howl!!

When do you feel the most beautiful?

When my walk with the Lord is solid, and also when I am being disciplined in other areas of my life, such as dieting and exercise, and I see positive results to my efforts.

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

Beauty does not come from the being able to receive affirmation from others. Beauty does not come from the attention that we receive from the male species. Don't get me wrong, I think we all like a little attention sometimes, and we enjoy receiving compliments, but actively seeking that type of attention is not healthy. When we have the joy of the Lord, and the other gifts of the Spirit operating, it shows through on our faces, and we look awesome.

Hannah A.

2009-06-08T01:42:00.000-07:00

Hannah

Hannah is in 7th grade. She likes reading and playing the saxophone.

What do you think beauty is?

“Being beautiful is when your different. You don’t follow the crowd or the popular people, and try to be what they think is beautiful. It’s being yourself.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“It’s hard to be in 7th grade because, the thing is, you have to be a size two, and have the newest styles, and if you don’t have those things, sometimes you get talked about.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“You don’t need to be skanky to be pretty. A lot of people think you have to wear skin-tight paint-on pants, and really low shirts, but no one really wants to see a girl dressed like that.”

Hannah R

2009-06-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hannah R

**Hannah also graduated from high school yesterday. Congratulations : ) !

Hannah is a senior in high school. She loves reading books, drinking tea, and spending time with friends. Hannah hopes to be a missionary in the future.

What do you think beauty is?

“When you are confident in who God made you and that‘s who you try to be all the time, it shows, and you look beautiful on the inside as well as the outside.”

When do you feel the most beautiful?

“Honestly and truly, I find myself more attractive to myself when I have been in the Word and I feel like Christ is showing through me. Otherwise, I find myself complaining about my hair, or my skin, or my body, and things like that.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“When I neglect to wake up in the morning and read my Bible, and not center myself and my thoughts on what Christ thinks of me, it’s very easy for me to walk my school halls and think, “Wow, there’s something missing with me, I’m not measuring up to some invisible standard that’s set, and it’s hard. I grew up always hearing that your dad is one of the most important male figures in your life, and he’s the one that should always confirm in you that your beautiful. Growing up and not having a dad at one point, especially during those first teenage years when I feel like it was really necessary, it really made me struggle a lot.”

When do you feel the most beautiful?

“When I know I am pleasing Christ and doing what He made me to do.”

Grace

2009-06-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

Grace

***Grace is graduating from high school today and is the valedictorian of her class!! Way to go : )!!

Grace is a high school senior. She enjoys reading and being outside. Grace plans on studying nursing in the fall.

What do you think beauty is?

“Being beautiful is being who God made you to be, and being happy with who you are. Everyone is beautiful in a different way and it’s cool to see God in everybody. You don’t have to be the model or what they show you on TV. You can just be who you are.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“Once upon a time, I had a problem where I didn’t eat anything and I lost thirty pounds, and that was dumb. I wasn’t like, ‘Oh I want to be a model’, but you weigh 30 pounds less and your close fit better and you think, ‘Oh, this is nice.’ But it wasn’t worth it. When I realized that, I thought, ‘Forget this, I should have eaten that pizza.’ God is good, and He turned things around, and I’m totally fine now.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“Jesus loves us, loves us, loves us, loves us, and to say, ‘I don’t look good,’ is to insult the way He made us. My favorite biology fact is that out of like 70 trillion gene combinations, you got the one you got. And Jesus picked it.”

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

“He is beautiful, and when you are like Him, He is beautiful in you.”

Jenna

2009-06-05T04:30:00.000-07:00

Jenna

Jenna is a multi-talented woman. Her talents range from jewelry making to working a soundboard to cooking. She recently spent time in Brazil, but is currently living in Bucks County.

What do you think beauty is?

“As Christians, we realize that beauty comes from God, and it’s a reflection of who He is. The Lord defines beauty, He’s the Ultimate beauty. Anything on earth you would call beautiful is coming from Him originally. We are God’s creation too, and any beauty we have comes from Him.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“Yes and no. I think all humans are beautiful. I wouldn’t ever say that anyone was completely devoid of beauty, because their God’s creation and there is always something good about them to find. I definitely struggle with “Am I pretty or am I not pretty?” but I think every girl does.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“I tend to rebel against a lot of our cultures traditional beauties. Honestly I look at beauty pageants and I feel like throwing up. Miss America has never really looked attractive to me, ever. I kind of rebel against the cookie cutter-ness of our country.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“Modest is beautiful. Actually, it’s really kind of ugly to show to much of yourself, it’s kind of gross. It’s much more intriguing and mysterious to be modest. And I don’t think we need to chase every trend of fashion, because a lot of them are really stupid, and in five years we are all going to be like, “Why did we all wear that, that summer?” Fashion is not beauty.”

Anita

2009-06-04T03:09:00.000-07:00

Anita

Anita is an elementary school teacher and a pastor’s wife. She and her husband Gil have been married for 24 years. They live in Willow Grove, PA, with their three children.

What do you think beauty is?

I think beauty is being confident in who you are made to be, when you serve the Lord. It’s easy to pick out your flaws, but to be secure with the inner beauty that God shines through you is comforting.

Do you think your beautiful?

I do think that I’m beautiful, now. I didn’t always. I’m beautiful because I know that I’m full accepted, loved, respected, and honored by the Lord.

When do you feel the most beautiful?

I feel the most beautiful when I’m alone worshipping the Lord in song.

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

I wish that women knew that real beauty does not “come in a box” or in a manufactured store. Real beauty comes from within your soul and is reflected out by Christ.

Becky

2009-06-03T01:29:00.000-07:00

Becky

Becky is a senior in high school. She sings on Calvary Chapel’s worship team and is an Jr. High leader. Becky plans to study psychology in the fall.

What do you think beauty is?

“Not so much the outside appearance, it’s inward. I think what makes a girl beautiful is her personality, her heart, and a love of Jesus that shines through her. That’s totally beautiful and attractive. When a girl has a really bad personality, even if she’s pretty on the outside, she’s not attractive.”

Do you think your beautiful?

“Yes, I think I have a good heart. I like to serve people, be there for people, and help people in whatever ways I can.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“It’s hard seeing all the celebrities on TV. There is this image put out, that you have to be perfect in every way. You have to put so much make up on and have all the right clothes, or else, your not cool, your not equal. And I am definitely effected by it. I feel like I have to fit in all the time and it shouldn’t be the case. God made us all beautiful just the way we are and we shouldn’t have to conform to anyone else.”

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

“Their heart and their willingness to serve. Also, qualities like patience, humbleness, and other fruits of the Spirit. I think that’s what He finds beautiful.”

Lydia

2009-06-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

Lydia

Lydia is a mother, grandmother, and wife. Last year, her husband of over 50 years passed away. She enjoys cooking, talking, and gardening.

What do you think beauty is?

“Beautiful life, beautiful children. I’m not thinking of a beautiful person, I’m thinking about how beautiful everything can be.”

What do you think is beautiful in a woman?

“Cleanliness and always looking upward for a better life. She should think about the meaning of life. It would help a lot if she would think life itself is beautiful. I would like to live another 20, 30, years, if I could. I’m going to try my best to stay that way.”

TIffany

2009-06-01T06:34:00.000-07:00

Tiffany

Tiffany, 20, lives with her grandma and is her daily companion. Currently, she is taking online Bible college classes. She loves knitting, crocheting, sewing, and gardening.

What do you think beauty is?

“Beauty is a reflection of God. God is beautiful. We are beautiful when we reflect Him, His love, His Mercy, and His grace. Physically, we are all beautiful because we are made in His likeness and He is beautiful.”

How has our culture’s definition of beauty effected you?

“Our culture’s definition of beauty has effected me a lot, especially this past year. Our culture says that beauty is how much you weigh, what you wear, and what people think of you. I’m not a size zero, I can’t afford the latest fashions, and I’ve never had a guy tell me I was beautiful. This last year, it’s been more precious than ever for me to go into the Word, to seek God, and to have Him, through His Word, say, ‘I delight in you, your precious, and your worthy.’ He tells us that we are beautiful.”

What do you wish women knew about real beauty?

“I wish women could see that God created beauty, He created us, so He gets to define it. He sees it differently then we do.”

What do you think God finds beautiful in a woman?

“I think God finds holiness beautiful in a woman. There are so many verses about beauty, and God describes the beauty of holiness. The world doesn’t see holiness as beautiful, but God does.”