The Crowd or Cross? by Vicki Courtney

Hi all, I was perusing Vicki Courtney's site last night looking for guidance on some stuff I've been discussing with my kids about modesty. You know, it's camisole and swimsuit season, and I have to approach the topic from two different angles with my teenage son and my may-as-well-be-teenage daughter. Then there's the 3rd angle...one of a writer and speaker to Christian women.

As I continue to process exactly what the Lord is leading me to communicate on this subject publicly, all I feel led to say now is, Moms, it's okay to teach our kids to live a set-apart life. And we can approach it as faith-filled, freedom-loving good news instead of self-righteous, rule-driven legalism. Vicki always does a good job of this, and it's something I'm still learning.

With her permission, I'm sharing this wonderful article she wrote awhile back. I'm going to use each paragraph as a daily conversation with all 3 of my kids at their different levels...finding out where they are, what makes this hard or doable for them...then pray with them on it. And while I'm at it, I'll be thinking through it myself. Right now, the self-esteem one is a praying point.

Hope this ministers to you and your family too!

Crowd or Cross?
By: Vicki Courtney

When it comes to making money, the crowd says: “Money makes the world go ’round!”
The cross says: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God! (Matt. 19:24)

When it comes to possessions, the crowd says: “He who has the most toys wins.”
The cross says: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matt. 6:19)

When it comes to illegally downloading music, the crowd says: “Who cares?! The record artists make enough money as it is.”
The cross says: Thou shalt not steal. (Lev. 19:11; Rom. 13:9)

When it comes to dressing immodestly, the crowd says: “If you’ve got it, flaunt it!”
The cross says: I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety… (1 Tim. 2:9)

When it comes to viewing porn, the crowd says: “Hey, pretty much everybody does it.”
The cross says: But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality. (Eph. 5:3)

When it comes to inappropriate talk, the crowd says: “We’re just joking around!”
The cross says: Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. (Eph. 5:4)

When it comes to sex outside of marriage, the crowd says: “Just do it!”
The cross says: Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. (Heb. 13:4)

When it comes to casual hook-ups, the crowd says: “What’s the big deal?
The cross says: Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. (Prov. 31:10)

When it comes to drinking, the crowd says: “everyone does it!”
The cross says: Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. (Eph. 5:18)

When it comes to homosexuality, the crowd says: “It’s a genetic thing! They can’t help it!”
The cross says: And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men…(Rom. 1:27)

When it comes to unplanned pregnancies, the crowd says: “Terminate it! It’s just a blob of tissue.”
The cross says: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb….your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13, 16)

When it comes to self-esteem, the crowd says: “Worth equals what you look like.”
The cross says: Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Sam. 16:7)

When comes to sharing your faith, the crowd says: “Don’t! You might offend someone!”
The cross says: Go and make disciples of all nations. (Matt. 28:19)

When it comes to heaven, the crowd says: “No worries! As long as you’re a good person, you’re in!”
The cross says: The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it. (Matt. 7:13)

When it comes to other faiths, the crowd says: “Many paths lead to the same God.”
The cross says: I am the way and the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Vicki Courtney is an author and speaker with a ministry that reaches over 150,000 girls and mothers a year through events, books, and online resources. A mother herself of three children, she seeks to provide tweens, teens, and their parents with the tools necessary to navigate today’s promiscuous culture. She's written  5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter, which is a top 50 CBA best-seller. Vicki is currently working on 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Son, which will release in late Spring, 2011.