The Amish and Legalism

Having been raised in a strict Amish home, I was also raised with the bondage of legalism. I was afraid of almost everything. I was afraid of being rejected, of saying the wrong things, of doing something that would break the church rules and my list went on and on.

The way we dressed was about the biggest factor. As the only Amish-clad child in a public school setting, I often wished to wear the lovely colors of pink, red and yellow the other girls wore. I longed to wear a skirt, blouse and matching sweater, but then felt guilty for wishing for something so worldly. 

The fact that I adhered to the church laws, rules and regulations, did not quiet the guilty conscience within me. The harder I tried to please those imposing the law brought me under more bondage of fear and depression. I missed many days of school due to my distraught attitude.

Today I am thankful for the revelation of Galatians 5:13 which tells us that we are called to liberty, but we are not to use our liberty for an occasion to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Romans 13:14 also commands us not to make provision for the flesh to fulfill its desires.

Let me ask you a question: In today’s world, when the designers of our clothes are coming up with new patterns, are they designing them to cover the body or to reveal as much shape and flesh as they can and still sell their product?

You already know what the answer is. Sensuality, lust and seduction are behind their efforts. Their evil minds are always conniving ways to allure their victims, be it youth or the aged. This trap is set to get the consumer to buy their less-than-modest apparel.  Clothing that show cracks in the behind and in the bodice tops are NOT modest.

Let me ask you another question: Does the professing Christian in the church world today really dress differently from those who don’t darken the doors of our churches?

Again, I believe you know the answer to that question.

So in conclusion I would like to make an appeal to everyone who professes to be a born again Christian to dress as one. I am not being legalistic here. I am standing up for modesty. I am appealing to those who see this and who can forward it, to not give the Amish more fuel for their legalistic philosophies which will lead them to a dark death of not knowing God’s love and grace.

Watch for my blog “The Benefits of Being Modest.”

The Most Difficult Becomes the Best

By Lydia Chorpening

The hazy skies pressed their relentless heat upon me as I left my familiar world of San Antonio, Texas. Heading into Wisconsin’s northern zone left me less than excited. I was leaving, not only my familiar, my past, my three teen-age daughters, but also what I thought was a call of God.
Needless to say, although I left skid marks from my emotional heels digging into Interstate 35 all the way north, this was the place that God had brought me to—a place of being stripped bare of my identity, my glowing crown of being an overseas missionary. I had no beautiful daughters to push ahead of me as I stepped into a new world and into a new church.
Of all the many moves we had made prior to this one, none seemed as difficult to me. Leaving Iowa, living in Missouri, owning a home in Florida, the on-campus life in Texas and even the moving about in the Philippines had not prepared me for this challenge.
Russell, my husband, saw the job opportunity and the privilege to get out of the big city. I stepped unwittingly into the opportunity of working with developmentally disabled adults. Even though it took me years to respect and embrace this new ministry it proved to be a God-place.
During this time period God begin to pry open my heart to the clutter I held onto. As I was released from the bondages of fear, legalism and a failure mentality, God miraculously showed me new avenues of ministry. One of those is through writing. God has given me many pieces of poetry and so far two books to write.
The first book, The Seven Robes of Joseph, Steps to Fulfilling Your God-given Dreams, helps the reader find himself in the life of Joseph, leading them into Bible study and finally into the reality of their destiny. The book is now translated into Spanish and can be ordered online.
Bigger than Impossible shows the passing vapor of impossible, while establishing the God-possible. It is an incredible read, packed with personal experiences. It helps the reader turn their impossibilities into God-possible! This book can be obtained by contacting the Author: Lydia Chorpening.
Summing This Up: when you’re at the end of your road in God’s Kingdom, you’ll find that you’re at the beginning of God’s brand new opportunity.

America, the Beautiful

This writing has been modified by Lydia Chorpening and adapted from the great works created by Katherine Lee Bates. The music was produced by Samuel A. Ward. As a child I would sit in our shabby front yard in the Missouri countryside and sing the words of this song heavenward. I now sing them modified and through tears. Sing it again with me and turn it into a heart-felt prayer.

Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,
For purple mountains majesty, above the fruited plain.
America! America! God shed his grace on thee...
But you have turned your face from Him-denied your liberty!

Oh beautiful for pilgrim feet. Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness
America! America! Amend your every flaw
and turn thy soul again to God and His eternal law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy hearts refine
Till every soul, in righteousness, bow to Christ's cross divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years
Thy alabaster cities dimmed, by sinfulness and fears
America! America! God shed His grace on thee
He calls for us to follow him to Calvary's rugged tree.

Let your voice be heard for liberty and life!