Spiritual Things: Why I Am Against Hunters

I have been without a camera for a while, so time for a non-fashion post! It is about something this Blonde is very Zealous about: anti-hunting. But not for the usual reason. 

I know I am opinionated. I don’t care about sports, I like zombies and cats, etc. God is the King and Jesus is the Lord. And I love animals, but not all animals. Mostly cats. I don’t care about squirrels or even dogs, or monkeys being used for research. I don’t write letters about the abuse of circus animals and I’m definitely not a vegetarian. But I have developed a conviction about people who hunt.

When I moved to the southern state I live in now, I was surprised that people here hunt deer and boar. A lot of people. For fun. They take off work, they buy all kinds of gear, they share stories and photos. They plan big weekend trips. Even people at church, they make a big deal out of it. I really didn’t think people hunted anymore, or I thought it was small groups of people.

Now believe me when I tell you, I don’t care about deer. I don’t care if they die, or get hurt, or if the forests are overpopulated. I have no sympathy for deer, fish, pheasant, or wild boar. 

Let me tell you what I care about: YOU, the hunter. I care about YOU.

And because I care about you, hunter, that is why I am against hunting. 

Living here, I have heard all the reasons why people say they hunt. Let me outline them off the top of my head:

• it gives them a reason to be outdoors, and they love being outdoors, it helps them feel closer to God.
• it is a bonding experience with other hunters. 
• the thrill of the hunt, the chase, and the capture is exciting and real, possibly addicting. Maybe like a video game, but in real life.
• it makes them (even women) feel more “manly”, builds their self-esteem.
• it makes them feel powerful.
• it makes them feel like they are providing for their family.
• because someone has to prevent the wildlife from overpopulating.
• because that’s what everyone does, it’s a rite of passage.
• because it puts food on the table.

And after I hear all these reasons, I want to ask a hunter, in a low, clear voice: “But as for you, why do YOU hunt? Really?”

And I wait for an Answer that will never come. Because it is in such a deep, dark place, the part of the heart that we all want to keep hidden. Who would want to admit it? To face a sin so ugly?

The Answer: “I hunt because I enjoy killing.”

And hunting is a socially-acceptable way to kill another living being.

The heart of hunting is killing. The goal and aim of going out into the forest is to kill something. And if you didn’t enjoy it, you would pass and leave that responsibility to others. You would find other ways of being outdoors with God, alternate methods of bonding with others. You would find other thrill-seeking adventures, like paintball or skydiving. And if you had to hunt to put food on the table, you wouldn’t glorify it or brag about the fact that you had to kill that animal. But I haven’t met any hunter who hated killing, or even felt bad about it. 

I eat meat. When I eat, I know that I am responsible for the death of that cow, chicken, or pig. But I don’t brag about it. I don’t rejoice in the animal’s death. I don’t make plans and spend money to go out and kill animals so I can eat them. If I enjoyed killing, I would gladly go out and wring that chicken’s neck and cut that cow’s throat. Instead, I pass that responsibility to others, because I can’t stomach it. When presented with a dying animal, no matter what animal it is, I have compassion and sympathy for it. I hurt over it.

Some may call me a hypocrite. But the difference is the enjoyment, the desire to kill. That is what I fear and object to.

This week, a 45-year old schoolteacher kidnapped and killed a 10-year old girl, a girl he did not know. He just drove by and snatched her, and within a few hours, she was dead. The newspaper article interviewed friends of the man. One said he was an “animal lover”. Another said he was an “avid hunter.” That stood out to me. Being a schoolteacher, people might say he “loved kids”, and yet this man will be convicted of being a child murderer. I am not surprised by this, because this is a spiritual issue. He simply enjoys killing.

And until each hunter can face the truth in his or her own heart, and turn from his or her evil desires, he or she will continue to be the same.

Vibrant Magenta

blouse by Missoni for Target, sweater from Anthropologie, pants from Banana Republic, Cole Haan pumps

Surprise! I'm back! I know it's been a while, but can you blame me: until we changed the clocks, it's been dark in the mornings, and too cold outside for outfit posts. And many days, I think: Blogging? Ain't nobody got time for that! 

Today's outfit is all clothes you've seen before, no new pieces to show. 

Spiritually, I have been thinking about humility, accountability, discipline, and priorities. Does it matter what priorities you say you have, when you don't have the discipline to put those important things into action? Spending time with God, serving the needy, and taking care of my body and spirit are all priorities that require more than lip service. Who is holding me accountable to my priorities? And when I don't spend my time like I should, do I have the humility to tell my friends I need help? 

Just A Little Walk With Thee

There is a lot of talk about having a "personal relationship" with God these days. And no wonder, for the post-modern generation, those who are presently in their late teens, twenties, and early thirties, relationships are everything. Community, causes, and people are very important to them, affect them, and inspire them.

I read a book recently that stated that the Bible does not say that we are to have a "personal relationship" with God. The author says those words are not in the Bible. And it is true, those words are not there. However, as I was reading recently, the concept is there. The Bible calls it "walking with God" and "friendship."

Abram, Issac, David, Enoch, and Noah. These men, the Bible says, "walked with God." Often for their entire lives. It indicates some sort of close relationship that takes place when you journey with someone towards the same destination.

Abraham was also called "God's friend", according to 2 Chronicles 20:7 and James 2:23. Jesus also uses this term to speak of his disciples. He says, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." Does that term not indicate a personal relationship?

Any Biblical concept, however, can be twisted and abused. I have heard some people say that their relationship with God is "personal", and have used this term to explain why they don't need to go to church. It can be used as an excuse to not open up and talk about God. It can be used to shut others down, like they and God are in their own bubble and nothing else is allowed in.

However, an even more prevalent concept in the Bible than friendship is that of community. Worship was done in a group. Confession of sins, and the sacrifices in the temple for those sins, were public. When prophets prayed to God, they most often prayed for the community, the nation of Israel, not for their own personal relationship with God. It was their job! Israel rose together, and it fell together.

Even in the New Testament, the church acted as a whole. Jesus addressed, and judged, churches in John's revelation, not individuals. As a whole, we are the body of Christ. We all need each other.

So for me, I understand my relationship with God on two levels: I walk with God as an individual, and I belong to a church community that can hold me accountable, that I can worship with, and do more for Jesus with than I can do alone. I praise God for his perfect plan, and all his love!

Modesty Part 1

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
1 Timothy 2:8-10

Now here’s a controversial topic: modesty! I never thought this was a big deal until I started reading modesty posts on other fashion blogs, and, let me tell you, it’s a hothouse of sensitivity. People really get up-in-arms over this simple topic. Why? Because there are people who do not want anyone to make a judgment on what they wear. Or what they eat. Or about their health. Or pretty much anything else.

So let me get this out of the way: I am not telling you what to wear. So, relax, chill, and let’s look at what the Bible says about modesty. Really, it can be refreshing. There are a couple of definitions of modesty, one is dressing with humility. The second is not dressing in a sexually alluring manner. Today’s post will be about the former, then in another post I will approach the latter.

Let’s start with the foremost, and really the only New Testament scripture that specifically mentions modesty in women, 1 Timothy 2:8-10, above. The context of it is propriety in worship, how to participate in church gathering in a respectful and orderly way. The summary lesson from this scripture is that instead of dressing in a flashy way, to draw attention to themselves, women should be more focused on how they can serve God with good deeds. It is a practice of humility rather than arrogance or pride. It is thinking of other people as more important than yourself.

I also understand from this scripture, and from other scriptures, to dress in a “decent” manner. I define “modestly” and “decency” to mean in a non-sexually alluring manner. But that is another post!

When I go to worship God at church, my attitude is to look and give my best for him. I do wear my best clothes, I take care to not be sloppy or casual. I think of the priests under the Law of Moses, who had to carefully prepare themselves inside and out, before approaching the Holy of Holies, where the ark of the covenant, and God’s presence, were. How I dress is more a reflection on who God is than a focus on who I am.

I am coming at this topic from my viewpoint of loving God and putting him first in my life. I do not expect others who do not wish to have a relationship with God to put these principles into practice, and I do not condemn them.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Being Content

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:7-8


I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12


Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,
because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5

I want a grey belt. I want a new pair of black pants. And a black puffer coat? Yep, it’s on the list. And the more I think about my list, the longer it gets…camel turtleneck, red silk blouse, and on and on… who said something about the more we have, the more we want?

So these scriptures on being content, no matter what our circumstances, bring me back to center. Being content is not a goal. It’s a way of life. It’s what we are as we work towards our life goals. It’s an appreciation for what we do have. If all I have is God, he is enough. He fills up my heart, where material possessions can continue to make holes.

My friends, do not be vexed as you window shop, look at the runways, or compare your wardrobe to others. Because being content is only a decision away, and it’s one we can make every day.

Opinion: My Wounds Cry for the Grave

Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months
and have set limits he cannot exceed.
Job 14:5

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm 139:16

Have you ever had a near-death experience? Perhaps you have been in an accident, or had a medical problem, that you are amazed that you lived through. I know people with incredible stories; people who say they should have died, and are mystified at why they are still here.

Or how about this: have you ever known someone who was supposed to live, but did not make it? Some seemingly inconsequential illness, or random action, resulted in death, and those familiar with that person are left in shock.

I have a theory. I’ll try not to get all Final-Destination on you, my friends. But my theory is simply this: we each have a set number of days to live, and there is nothing we can do to change it.

This theory is based on scriptures like the ones above, and a belief that though he gives us free will, God is in control.

I cannot prove this theory. Perhaps it is a simplistic view of life that conveniently resolves questions as to why one person survives a plane crash, while another dies while sitting in the safety of their living room. But I like to think that no matter what I do, whether I wear my seatbelt or not, whether I exercise every day or not, whether I jump out of a window or not, if it’s not my time to go, it's just not my time to go.

I often hear about unsuccessful suicide attempts. I often hear of athletes who are in perfect health--dying. People often call it a stroke of luck, or a freak accident. But what if it is neither of those?

I am not advocating reckless living here, please understand this. However, instead of exercising and eating right and going to the doctor to prolong my life, I do these things to increase the quality of it.

This theory could release some people who carry a guilty burden with them, who wonder if they could have prevented the death of someone they love, perhaps someone they are responsible for, like a child or family member.

And it becomes more difficult to believe this theory when a large group of people die at the same time, due to genocide or epidemic. I don’t have an answer for that.

But as for me, it helps me not worry about how I am going to die someday. It helps me not worry about my loved ones when I die. It helps me to live life freely and focus on my relationship with God, because I will die some day and stand before him. I may not know the day, but he does, and my security will rest with him.

What is Beautiful

Beauty inspires. Some of my favorite beautiful things:

- An evening thunderstorm
- Hans Zimmer’s “Vide Cor Meum”
- The taste of flourless chocolate cake
- The smiling eyes of my husband
- The purr-and-snuggle of an affectionate kitten
- My brown patent Circa Joan & David pumps
- Isaiah 49:16
- John Williams’ “Princess Leia’s Theme”
- Snow falling at night on a silent street
- Edward Hopper’s painting “Morning Sun”

What are yours, my friends?