Hi Alex and Brett! Very interesting blog you have here. It's so encouraging to read. I also noticed that in your recent entry post about "A real man..." you used one of the pictures from the OIL 2006 conference that I had recently attended. Your brother Josh Harris was a wonderful guest speaker and the messages he spoke were truly convicting. It's no surprise that his twin brothers are also fervent in their faith! Witnessing both of your religious and intellectual stances in your blog gives me hope that our generation is not lost after all--that there are young people out there who care for future generations. The OIL retreat messages were mainly focused that and prayer for our present and future members of society. Well, if you had looked through the pictures I should be in one of them towards the end next to a girl in a red shirt, but there's like a gazillion pictures... my description's a little vague... :[ but anyways, keep up the goodness that you have going here! It's such a blessing! I'm definitely going to tell my siblings about it.

God Bless~
Diana Cheng | 02.01.06 - 12:12 am | #

This, too, is a great list...we have a high calling (or, is it "extreme"? ;) ), and it's not always easy to live up to it...but it's encouraging to think that there are young men and women in our generation striving to live up to these goals and standards. Thanks so much...
Carley | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 4:47 am | #

Wow! This is a wonderful list! I have a lot to strive for!
Anna Lofgren | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 6:00 am | #

I would like to say that these traits in a woman are very possible. Take courage woman of God, rise above the world, obey these demands of our one Heavenly Father, and through Him we can conquer the world for His crown and country!
emily walker | 02.01.06 - 7:51 am | #

wow, that is a great personal check-list for being a Godly woman!!!! I deff. have to work on a several of those areas, but it is wonderful to be reminded that this is how God expects us to live!!! Thank a lot!

abby
abby berg | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 7:54 am | #

Whoa! What a list. I have not yet met one woman who meets every requirement perfectly. I don't think there are many out there.... And for that matter, there can't be many perfect men either... :)
MVB | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 11:37 am | #

whew. i'm printing that out, for sure!
but, it's impossible, really.

....except for God's grace.
hallelujah!!
jacqui | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 2:17 pm | #

I really appreciated both of these lists because they are both broad and narrow. They are broad enough to include people of all personalities, talents, interests, and cultures. Yet, they are so narrow that only a handful of men and women live up to their standards.
Karen Kovaka | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 2:44 pm | #

Isn't it great how God doesn't allow for complacency? "Be perfect, as I AM perfect."

Our hope is not in achieving holy perfection, but in constantly growing, stretching, and maturing towards the likeness of Christ!
Brett Harris | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 2:57 pm | #

Thanks for posting this.
Natalie Emmons | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 5:37 pm | #

Oh man, there are some high expectations up there! Thanks for this you guys.
A scurring lemur... | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 6:09 pm | #

Wow. Great list- I need to work on some of those!
Lindsey | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 6:29 pm | #

Yet again...excellent. I am going to print this out and put it where I can see it to remind me of my role as a woman. Do you think you guys will go into relationships between guys and girls in any of your posts?
Lauren | 02.01.06 - 7:51 pm | #

That's great, Lauren! I'm glad it inspired you.

We most likely will post more about guys and girls in the future... But we have touched on it little already. Recently, in fact. You'll find some a good article, question, and a lot of great discussion, by reading this post.
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 8:19 pm | #

Wow...this is really challenging! I have a lot to work on. Thank you for posting it...I too will have to print it out :)
Spunky Jr. | Homepage | 02.02.06 - 10:27 am | #

What a lovely and encouraing post, brothers.

I am a fan of following concrete examples in women who have LIVED these traits, lest I manipulate such lists in their abstraction. Looking to concrete examples also produces a greater sense of charity and expectancy in the VARIETY of ways that God can form such graces in women's hearts.

Some of my paradigms include the Virgin Mary, who said an ultimate Yes! to her Lord; all of the women whom St. Paul praises for their courageous work in the early Church; Florence Nightengale, ardent healer; Clara Barton, who did the same; Susanna Wesley, who raised revolutionary leaders for the Church; and Jesse Benton Fremont, who helped her husband by fighting for his honor and contributed greatly to our nation's expansion...
MM | Homepage | 02.02.06 - 11:44 am | #

That's awesome!

We have a lot to strive for to be in the imiage of Christ. :D
Vevy | 02.02.06 - 11:54 am | #

As I was reading William Prescott's History of the Conquest of Mexico, I found in the appendix a document written by an Aztec mother (before Cortes) giving advice to her daughter about being a real woman. I give you the link both for historical interest and to prove that a sense of godliness transcends time, space, and cultures.

http://www.oldandsold.com/articl...mexico- 24.shtml
Nathan Straub | 02.06.06 - 8:48 am | #

Commendable qualities for Christian women!
I was just wondering who posted the pictures to go along with the article?
One of the virtuous qualities a woman should have is modesty, as so eloquently stated, "A Real Woman…portrays chastity, modesty and reverence in her manner, and wears the ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is her true beauty. (1 Peter 3:3-4, Titus 2:4-5)". Does the bare-shouldered bride picture that is posted with this article reflect or contradict this truth? Current fashion trends of the world embrace bare shoulders (and spaghetti straps) in wedding attire. As our culture is very sensuous, so are its fashions. Bare-shouldered dresses seem to suggest a state of partial undress. And yet, many Christians have jumped right in and compromise Christian modesty for weddings and reveal more of their bodies than would be fitting for the " real woman" who bears the name of Christ. "Real men" would admit that bare-shouldered dresses are very sensual and provocative and challenge them to be even more vigilant to guard their thoughts and eyes. “Real women" would be wise to save the unveiling of their bodies for the marriage bed instead of tempting the male attendees of their weddings to lust after her. Should not a bride clothe herself first to please her God, and then to honor her groom by keeping herself for him alone? Should not a Christian bride’s beauty be enhanced by discretion and modesty rather than cheapened by vanity and immodesty? Proverbs 11:22 says, “Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.” Should not a Christian groom desire his bride’s modesty to extend to every area (and occasion) of her life? Should he not begin to cherish her as his own body, covering her and protecting her even as they celebrate in the wedding ceremony?
Mary | 02.07.06 - 11:22 am | #

Thanks so much for posting about "A Real Woman." I'll be sharing this!
Sue | 02.11.06 - 6:13 am | #

This is a very good reminder of what we are striving for.I think that the goal here is not to be perfect ,because we will never achieve that on earth,but to improve.To push ourselves to grow spiritually more and more each day.Only when we see Jesus face to face will the work in us be perfected.
Cristina Irizarry | Homepage | 08.09.06 - 12:29 am | #

I guess I've got some work to do. Thank you so much for posting this!
Sarah | 03.14.08 - 8:32 pm | #

wow. I don't know anyone who could meet every requirement, but it is definitely something I will work on!
Taylor | 05.02.08 - 1:59 pm | #

Wow!!! I'm thrilled to find your blog. Praise God for young people who pursue Jesus and love His word! I'm a 34 y/o wife, mother, and homemaker and this is one of the most concise and excellent posts I've ever read on this subject!

Great job! I'll be linking to you guys and passing you on to my teenage nephews.

Sheila
Sheila | Homepage | 07.01.08 - 4:20 pm | #

"…does not wallow in self-pity or make a habit of voicing complaints, but radiates cheerfulness and joy. (Proverbs 15:15, Proverbs 17:22)"
I think that in a way, this describes me. But I have a question: is it taking this too far to not share your troubles with others in fear of burdening them further? I'm the type of person who pastes on a smile whether I'm happy or not, and I just simply don't tell other people my troubles, because I don't want to burden them. Is that wrong?
Stephanie Joy | 09.28.08 - 12:46 pm | #

Man, I love this list. I really need to work on some of these...:)
elizabethm | 12.27.08 - 5:27 pm | #

WOW, this is awful

you guys definately did some work and definately took some time to put this together and a lot of it is really good but I pity you guys because you portray the thought that a woman is to be submissive and subservient to her husband which that (though the words are used) is not what the Bible actually calls us to, I go to Bible college and want to be a pastor and struggled with the verse saying my wife is to submit to me because I DON"T WANT A SLAVE!!! she is my partner not my servant, and there are a few that I am adamant about not following, or desiring or in anyway want in my wife
Lucas Robb | 12.28.08 - 6:48 am | #

This is a great list for guys and girls alike to attempt...of course I know perfection is impossible but it is nice to know that we have a few particular things that we can work on...if that made sense :)
Caroline | 05.04.09 - 5:37 pm | #

This sounds offtrack but I dont agree with the use of one of two words regarding "A real woman."

Firstly, I think that western culture relating to womens roles and rights etc are far different from that of the 1st century. Im am proud of the work women have done in the past to ensure treatment that shows healthy respect for the role of womanhood. Im not a fan of the word 'submit' as it has especially been used negatively in the past. Instead let it read in comparison to the word 'respect'. Submission should be mutually and consistently used by both partners in marriage. In other words I call this compromise.

Secondly, I think that the phrase "...characterised by a... quiet spirit" should also be read differently. I dont think anyone should expect women to be one type of person ie quiet. That is so silly! Im not going to be quiet! I want to encourage, and lead, and provoke (in a healthy way not a negative way). I want men to respect me because of the fact that I speak up not because I dont say anything. But in doing this, I will learn to have self control over my words and tone and also when and how I speak. To know when my verbalisations are needed and also when to shut up and listen. I will be gentle when giving constructive criticism but I am not afraid of appropriately showing anger and passionately speaking out.
Im am an extrovert. That is not going to change. Jesus was definitely an extrovert in the temple the day he chucked tables and beat up merchants. Woop woop!

Otherwise, I love the rest!!
Melody | 05.25.09 - 11:08 pm | #

I totally agree with every thing that was put there. As a sixteen year old, sometimes it's hard to always respect what my father wishes me to do. But reading those things was an encouragment to me. And made me want to be a real women! Sometimes not acting in a sugestive way in front of a guy can be hard..even if you don't mean to. But the end result is way worth it! Thank y'all so much for the blog! It's awesome!
Dara McLine | 07.08.09 - 9:10 am | #

Wow, this is ... amazing. That's the only way I can describe it!
I'm definately printing this off and hanging it on my wall!
Sapphire | 09.17.09 - 10:23 pm | #