Learn How to Adore Your Wardrobe!

September 7, 2016 by

A few years ago I decided to stop being exhausted and start exercising and eating better. The lifestyle changes I made allowed me to lose 25 pounds, but more importantly I felt amazing!

While no one would have called me overweight to begin with, my weight loss meant that nothing in my closet fit me. NOTHING. Not even my underwear. (Just being real y’all!) I literally had to get rid of almost every thing I owned and start over.

Over the past few years I’ve built back up my wardrobe, but I’ve always struggled with finding clothes that look great, fit great, and don’t break the bank! I realized that before I lost weight I had a closet full of clothes but always felt like I had NOTHING to wear.

My friend Kelly Snyder from Redefined Mom was in the same predicament. But one revelation changed that forever… Fashion isn’t art. Fashion is:

  • science
  • math
  • proportion
  • balance

And now, she is on a mission to demystify fashion for women, transforming the way they think about, buy and put-together outfits…forever!

I wish she would have done this four years ago when I was replacing everything I owned! I probably would have kept me from making some shopping mistakes!

This month you can join her (and me- more on that later) on an amazing journey to allow you to finally Adore Your Wardrobe!

The Adore Your Wardrobe eCourse is a 30-day course that will change the way you think about fashion and your wardrobe. This nine module (and one master class) course contains videos, written overviews, and worksheets to help give you the skills to become a killer fashionista.

You’ll receive instant access to the entire course to enjoy the lessons when it’s convenient for your schedule.

Aren’t sure if the course is right for you? Check out this free lesson on the Rule of 4.

Every few days, you will receive an email from Kelly with an overview of the day’s lesson, as well as a mini-challenges to help build your confidence and feel successful in your ability to create a great-looking outfit.

Here’s what’s included:

  • Lesson #1: Getting Personal With Measurements
  • Lesson #2: Determining Your Unique Body Type & How To Create Balance and Proportion 
  • Lesson #3: Laying The Right Foundation Lesson
  • Lesson #4: Jeans – How To Find a Pair You Love 
  • Lesson #5: Anatomy of a Shirt – Necklines & Length Matter 
  • Lesson #6: 11 Items to Splurge On (And Four To Save On) 
  • Lesson #7: Create A Closet You Adore 
  • Lesson #8: Rule of Four 
  • Lesson #9: Putting It All Together
  • Masterclass: Discovering The Right Colors For You
  • PLUS: Exclusive access to our private Facebook group to connect with and encourage each other as we walk this path together!

Here’s the deal. The course costs $79. I know that’s A LOT of money! However, what if investing $79 now, meant that you wouldn’t waste any more money on clothes that don’t look AMAZING on you? I know that personally I’ve spent much more than $79 over the past ten years on clothing that I end up passing along to a friend because I see a picture of myself in it and think – UGH! THAT IS NOT FLATTERING AT ALL!!! 

Not only will you save money by learning how to buy (or shop your own closet for) amazing outfits but you’ll save time! Have you ever been late to church or a meeting because you tried on sixteen outfits trying to find the one that makes you look your best? (Guilty!)

This course is only open for a limited town, so don’t delay in signing up if you are interested. Kelly offers a 7-day money back guarantee, so you can purchase with confidence.

So, would you join me over the next several weeks? I’m going through the course too and I’d love to see you in the Facebook group or hear from you via email with updates on how you are doing!

Learn more and sign up today! 

This post may contain a link to an affiliate. See my disclosure policy for more information.

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Why You Should Care: A Discussion of Rap, Culture, and God Part 2

December 19, 2013 by

If you missed it, first read Why You Should Care Part 1.

by Curtis Allen

One of the most essential truths a Christian can learn is the difference between applying scripture and having a perspective that is scriptural. In fact, the majority of the secondary issues that cause denominational conflict to happen, happen because of a failure to distinguish between the two. And believe me, there is a big difference between these two perspectives. But sadly, many of us blur the lines and actually get confused ourselves.

Take for example Colossians 3:9-10 “9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” There are many ways people can view this passage. And depending on your understanding of scriptural commands, you may or may not see the point here.

But in reality, there is one real application from these two verses, and it’s found in the first six words. “Do not lie to one another.” Simple enough. Now, here’s the $10,000,000 question. Is not lying the perspective of the verse, or just a way to apply it? This is not a trick question, I promise. And though the question may seem confusing, I assure you, the answer will make all the difference in the world as it relates to your walk with the Lord.

Before I answer the question, I want to make sure you understand the significance of what I’m asking you. This simple question is the reason why there are different denominations, church splits, arrogance as it relates to the Bible, different pastors preaching the exact same message with a different emphasis, and why there was even a “rap panel” in the first place. The way people answer the question above and questions like it makes all the difference in the Christian life.

So, are you ready for the answer? Well, here it is. Not lying is the perspective of the verse, not just an application from it. Now you may be thinking, huh? That was it? You built all that up to say something that I guessed without a second thought? Gee, thanks a lot (dripping with sarcasm)! If that’s you right now, repent, and then let me explain.

There is a big difference between having your perspective come from scripture and having your perspective be an application of scripture. BIG DIFFERENCE! And surprisingly, many well meaning believers lose sight of this all of the time. There are many things that the Bible tells us to do, believe, think, and speak. And whenever we do them, we are not just finding ways to apply the verse. The verse itself is the application. Whenever the Bible tells us to do something, our action is simply following the scriptural commands. But, there are probably just as many things we do, believe, think, and speak, that are not Biblical commands too.

For example, many of you who are reading this probably homeschool your kids. And you probably have Biblical reasons for doing so. May I ask what verse in the Bible commands you to homeschool your children? Now whatever that verse is, look closely at it and the surrounding verses. Is that passage really telling you to homeschool? Or are you simply applying homeschooling to the verse(s) that you are thinking of? My guess would be the latter. And there is nothing wrong with that at all. Unless you start saying that every believer who does not homeschool is not pleasing the Lord. That would be a bold, yet Biblically unproven statement.

If you’re not a Christian and you’re reading this, you have to be wondering what this has to do with you. Everything! If for no other reason than because you make a lot of decisions for your family based on values. They may be cultural and they may be historical, but the way you are managing your family has a lot to do with how you interpret culture.

What social aspects do you allow your kids to participate in? What music is fine for them to listen to? Can they spend the night at a friend’s house? Why or why not? You are an interpreter, and your children will get the foundation of how to interpret life through your example, whether accidental or intentional. And in a rapidly shifting culture, you’re eventually going to have to rethink why you do some of the things you do. Especially if some of the people you respect go in a different direction than what you think is wise. So yeah, this means you.

It was important for me to lay this foundation because otherwise nothing else I say will make sense. Especially as it pertains to rap music and whether it honors God or not. In the next post, I will explain why those who oppose rap and those who accept it are both right Biblically speaking. As well as how Jesus’ death gives us an accurate Biblical lens through which to view all cultural differences.

Connect with Curtis online.

This post may contain a link to an affiliate. See my disclosure policy for more information.

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Why You Should Care: A Discussion of Rap, Culture, and God

December 8, 2013 by

A few weeks ago I noticed Facebook and Twitter blowing up about rap music and whether or not it was Biblical or God honoring. It caught my attention because I have children who like rap music, and I’m always trying to figure out what is God’s best for our family.

After reading numerous articles on the debate, I wanted to respond, but then I realized my own pastor had already written a book on this very subject so I asked if he would be willing to discuss it on the blog.

I realize it might seem a little different from our normal topics  here on The Happy Housewife, but in reality, it is probably something we should all be considering and discussing. Thoughtful comments are always welcome.

Why You Should Care

A Guest Post

You may or may not be aware of a recent panel’s comments about rap music at the end of an NCFIC conference. The 13:18 video was posted on Tuesday of last week and has caused quite a stir.

Basically, a question was asked of six panelists. “Any thoughts on reformed rap artists?” And each panelist weighed in, essentially saying that rap was not a God-honoring medium for the communication of God’s truths.

In some ways, no big deal. There are musical genres that I am not drawn to (Yugoslavian folk dance music and Russian Death Metal, to name a couple), and there is nothing wrong with disliking one kind of music or another. Had the six men on the panel simply said that rap was not their preference, you wouldn’t be reading this. But those men–all of them pastors, I think–said much, much more.

To me the most outrageous comments came from panelist Geoff Botkin, who said that Christian rappers are “disobedient cowards.” That one crossed the line. For various reasons.

As the video began to spread through various segments of the evangelical world, a frenzy of comments, tweets, and blog posts showed up–some supporting the panel, some objecting, and some simply outraged.

Words like racist, elitist, ignorant, and culturally biased were all over the place. Well-known commentators including Paige Patterson, Doug Wilson, Ligon Duncan, and Al Mohler crafted brief but effective responses in favor of “Reformed Rap.” Facebook and Twitter lit up with links and comments filled with shock, awe, and (I have to say) no small amount of sinful judgment. For some of us, it seemed like the whole world was focusing in on this issue.

Things are happening fast right now, but I think two of the panelists have apologized and asked forgiveness (you have to honor that!) and two more have tried to explain their remarks…not very successfully, in my view. And it looks like more is yet to come. Which leads me to the title of this post, now formed as a question:

Why should you care? 

Maybe, like these panelists, you basically detest rap. Maybe you think it can be fine for other people, but it’s not your preference. Maybe you have kids who listen to rap and hearing about this debate has piqued your curiosity.

I’m here to tell you that it really doesn’t matter what category you are in. You should care about this issue. Because while on the surface this issue is about rap, it’s really about much more.

The issue is about you and your children. It’s about decisions. The ones you will make for them, and the ones they will make because of what you teach them.

If you’re a Christian, the men on that panel claimed biblical authority (though no Bible verses were actually used to make their case), which means you have to examine their claims biblically, not culturally. This is important because as Christians we are trying to teach both ourselves and our children to obey God. We are trying to show them how to succeed in a world that gets more multicultural by the minute. Even if your world is somewhat isolated from other cultures, you cannot guarantee that your child’s world will be.

We all have desires for our children, but of course we don’t know whether God’s will for them is consistent with our hopes for them. We must teach them how to think about and live in a multicultural world in a way that honors God. So this isn’t just about rap music at all. It’s about God and culture.

It’s about Christians and culture, and what we do when cultural distinctions clash. Do we just react on the basis of our own culture and denounce those we can’t relate to? Or do we think a little deeper and truly consider what the Bible has to say about these things?

If you’re not a Christian this issue is important to you, too. Every day you make decisions, often almost automatically, simply because you are part of a particular culture. With our world changing as fast as it is, a big part of your job as a parent is to train your children to think critically about how to engage with other cultures.

What happens if your state legalizes certain drugs and one of your children’s close friends takes them? Is it enough to make another rule and say “stay away”? Is it enough to just hope that drugs and peer pressure don’t influence your kids? Or is it better to teach those kids how to engage a culture that they can’t escape from?

Whether you know it or not, you are already teaching your kids about how to engage with cultures other than their own. Do you understand the messages you’re passing along? Are those the messages that will best serve them in the future?

I have two more posts for you in this “Why You Should Care” series, and I’m going to speak from a biblical perspective. I will address rap, but because the issue is bigger than rap, I will show how the Scriptures deal with the clash of cultures. I think you will see that despite all the disagreements about Christian Rap over the past week, both sides of the argument are actually right, biblically speaking.

It just dawned on me that you have no idea who I am. My name is Curtis Allen. I am a Christian, a husband, a dad, a pastor, an author, and a (gulp) rapper. And, I am a personal friend of the Happy Housewife.

Last month I published a book with you in mind. It’s called, “Does God Listen To Rap?” The title may fool you, though, because the book is about more than rap. It is about how to view culture through the eyes of Scripture. And my hope is that the only side you find yourself on in this debate about rap is God’s side. Thanks for taking time to read this! Next post coming soon.

You can read the first chapter of “Does God Listen To Rap?” for free here.

Connect with Curtis online.

This post may contain a link to an affiliate. See my disclosure policy for more information.

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The Homeschool Mother’s Prayer Journal – A New School Year

September 26, 2013 by

Do you keep a prayer journal?

homeschool journal

Mom’s Mustard Seeds has released a fantastic resource for homeschooling moms, The Homeschool Mother’s Prayer Journal – A New School Year!

This ebook includes journal pages and scripture focusing on: Family, Schedules, Curriculum, Fear and Doubt, Depression, Anger and Praise.  In addition to the journal pages, I have also included some activities to help you identify ways you can increase your family’s focus on God and implement His will for your family.  This journal can be used  by the entire family to grow you closer, as a family to our Heavenly Father.

Grab your copy of  The Homeschool Mother’s Journal: A New School Year for only $2.99 today!

This post may contain a link to an affiliate. See my disclosure policy for more information.

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