Frazzled Fridays!

Dressing with the Armor of God
The Body Armor 

I pray you all had a Merry Christmas and are making plans for your New Year's celebration whether it's with family and friends, or quietly at home.  I have some exciting news about the New Year that I will share in just a few minutes. 

Today's post will be the second installment of my series on dressing with the armor of God from Ephesians 6.  If you missed my earlier post click here.

In Ephesians 6:14 (NLV)  it says, "Stand your ground, putting on ... the body armor of God's righteousness."  The New International Version terms the body armor as the breastplate of righteousness.  So how do we "put on" God's righteousness?  Because God sent his son Jesus to live the perfect life on this earth and then die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and then was raised from the dead breaking the power of eternal death and separation from God, those who believe by faith in Jesus Christ and trust Him as Lord and Savior of their lives HAVE God's righteousness infused into our very being!  Now, does that mean that we are perfect?  No.  Does that mean if we make a mistake or sin that we are going to be separated from God forever?  No! 

But the enemy whispers lies to us all day long making us doubt that we are loved by God and are saved by His grace.  But the Bible says in Romans 8, "Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

And in Romans 10, the Bible says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." 

Can I just get an "AMEN"!!!  That's the real TRUTH folks!!

Is there any better way to start the new year but with a new bra?   Not sure how to segue righteousness to wearing the proper bra - but stay with me here...  wearing a professionally fitted bra can make all the difference in an outfit.  Much like protecting ourselves from the enemy's lies and firey darts by learning and ingesting God's truth from His Word (the Bible).

The bra is the most important piece of clothing we own!  Yes, it is true.  Having the proper fit of your bra could very well make you look 5 pounds lighter.   Does that get your attention?  If you have never had a professional bra fitting, I strongly encourage you to contact a department store or specialty shop and make an appointment to be fitted by someone who has been trained.  I would recommend Dillard's or Soma Intimates.  They both have trained staff to properly measure and fit you.  If you are uncertain, nervous or otherwise, take a friend with you!

Bra experts recommend that we have at least three bras in our wardrobe.  The one you are wearing, one waiting to be washed and one in the drawer waiting to be worn.   I found this very interesting... when you wear a bra two or more days in a row, you run the risk of the elastic stretching out which causes the bra to wear out sooner.  And you know that these things can be quite expensive.  But the way I look at it, we wear them everyday so they are worth the money!  Giving a bra a break by not wearing it a day or two allows it to regain its shape and last longer.

Other tips and tricks:

• A flesh tone bra is the best color, although you can add other colors.

• The best way to care for your bras is to hand wash them.  At times you could put them in a lingerie bag with the clasps done and close the bag and put into a hand wash cycle.  Make sure to dry them flat, cup side up.  Do not allow them to hang on a doorknob or hang off a drying rack.  This pulls on the elastic and causes it to stretch out.  Below is an example of what not to do with your bras!

• Your "girls" should sit halfway between your elbows and your shoulders.  Take a side look in the mirror.  Where do yours sit?   The band should be even all the way around your chest.  Does that help?  If not, you need to be fitted immediately!  Try tightening the straps or loosening the clasps/back.  You may need to go up a cup size or down a band size.

• To keep "the girls" from stretching out and losing their elasticity, it is very important to wear a sports bra when exercising so they are not bouncing around - seriously!  And, just as important, you should wear a bra to bed!  Wear a comfortable one of course, but one that does not allow drooping or sagging.  In the summer I get tank tops that have built in bras or wires or shelves to wear to bed.

• If you've had a mastectomy, ask your bra specialist to show you how to insert gel pads as there are lots of pretty bras that will fit you.

• If you have "spillage", check to see if you are getting full coverage.  You may be in the wrong style of bra and/or you need to go up a cup size.

OK - NOW for my exciting NEWS!   As a certified image consultant, I am offering everyone the opportunity to host a "style party"!  What is a style party you ask?  Invite up to 4 or 5 friends to get together for a fun time learning about body types/frames, accessorizing, developing a needs list for your wardrobe and a FREE color analysis!  I will be working to bring in a professional bra fitter as well.   At the party I will have color swatch kits available as well as copies of Shari Braendel's book "Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad".  The cost will be minimal and you and your friends will learn valuable information including your dominate color characteristic, discover the best way to dress your body shape, and learn to be intentional in your shopping.

As the hostess with the most-ess, you will receive a free color swatch kit to use when shopping to ensure you are purchasing clothing in the right colors, and right shades that look best on you!

You can contact me either by phone or email: 

(704) 821-5399 or dawntugman@windstream.net

Blessings,

Dawn