I am not much of a blogger, as I do not feel I have much in my day-to-day life that would be worthy of note to most people outside of my own family. I live a simple and uneventful life.
However, I have much to share, not so much about myself, or my little daily happenings, as about my personal journey to grow closer to God, and what I’ve been learning along the way.
I am a Christian, and I identify myself with the Seventh-day Adventist faith. The subject of why I am committed to that faith, and what it means to me, would make the subject of another post.
I believe God requires plainness and simplicity of appearance for those who are preparing very soon to meet their Lord when He comes in the clouds of heaven. I also believe in separation from the world and its entertainments, simple, economical living, Christian principles of family life, healthful lifestyle, and avoidance of participation in political parties or voluntary participation in war. (I believe if we are involuntarily drafted, we must still uphold the Ten Commandments.)
I have chosen to wear long, modest dresses, selecting plain colors and non-gaudy prints. I do not believe we should wear clothing that appears fashionable or stylish. I believe our hair should be left in its natural color. Gray or white hair is nothing to be ashamed of, or to be hidden. I believe we should avoid all jewelry, makeup, and decoration.
As a Seventh-day Adventist, I keep the seventh day, Saturday, as the Sabbath. I also believe we are living in the last days, and that Jesus is coming very soon.
It is my burden to encourage others to accept God’s truth, even those truths which have fallen out of favor with popular opinion. I want to encourage others to become part of God’s peculiar people, not conformed to the world.
If you are a likeminded Christian, I would love to hear from you. I enjoy corresponding with ladies who are serious about following God’s ways.
A Plain Path 
Posted by Gina on June 19, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Thanks for visiting my blog! I love to “meet” readers!
Gina
Posted by Debbie on March 29, 2011 at 7:50 am
I’ve been reading about dress and how God wants us to dress plainly. I don’t dress plain, i would say that i’ve been following the world’s fashion and style and as i’ve been reading the book Ministry of Healing i came across the chapter about dress and found out a lot of things that i didn’t know, it’s a subject that interests me and i have a million changes to do about my way of dressing. I want to follow God’s will for my life, and i know that i have to seve him in every little detail of my life, i’m still strugling about many things but that’s a part of our journey i believe.
I’ve been doing some research about the topic of dress, i’m still not sure about some things as wearing skirts and dresses all the time. I would like to understand why should we do not use trousers? If our clothes should be suited for service how can a dress or a skirt can be pratical in working in the garden, in running and doing any kind of outdoor activity? In what do you base your belief that we should wear it? Where is it written? Can’t trousers be plain, feminine and not tempting for anybody’s sight?
I’m sorry for asking you all this questions, but i’ve been asking some of the people i know and they can’t give me a solid answer. I would really appreciate if you could answer me those questions.
God blees you,
Debbie
Posted by Amy on April 11, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Dear Debbie,
Thank you so much for your comment at my blog. It is so encouraging to read
how God is leading you in your study of Ministry of Healing.
I appreciate your questions regarding reasons for not wearing pants. I will
share with you an excerpt from a study on modesty I have done, in hopes it
will be of help. The quotations are from Ellen White, but I have added the
italics.
One helpful website, from an SDA perspective, is http://www.remnantraiment.com . I
would especially recommend it.
You asked about how wearing dresses can be practical. I can say for myself
that I have found them to be fine for working in the garden. One can wear a
shorter dress, such as mid-calf length, with pants underneath. A skirt that
is not extremely full would also be more practical for outdoor work. It is
true that there are some activities, such as rock climbing, that a person
might need to forgo in order to stay in a skirt, but I personally believe
that it is a very small price to pay for the blessings that come with
following God’s plan for our dress.
Feel free to write again if you have additional questions. It may take me a
while to respond, as I have a new baby and we have also just recently moved,
but I am glad to be of help if I’m able.
God bless you,
Amy Pavlovik
Blurring the Distinction Between Men’s and Women’s Dress
“There is still another style of dress which will be adopted by a class of
so-called dress reformers. They will imitate the opposite sex, as nearly as
possible. They will wear the cap, pants, vest, coat, and boots, the last of
which is the most sensible part of the costume. Those who adopt and advocate
this style of dress, are carrying the so-called dress reform to very
objectionable lengths. Confusion will be the result. Some who adopt this
costume may be correct in their views in general upon the health question,
and they could be instrumental in accomplishing vastly more good if they did
not carry the matter of dress to such extremes.
“In this style of dress God’s order has been reversed, and his
special directions disregarded. Deut. xxii, 5. ‘The woman shall not wear
that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s
garment for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.’ This
style of dress, God would not have his people adopt. It is not modest
apparel, and is not at all fitting for modest, humble females who profess to
be Christ’s followers. God’s prohibitions are lightly regarded by all who
would advocate the doing away of the distinction of dress between males and
females. The extreme positions taken by some dress-reformers upon this
subject cripple their influence.
“God designed there should be a plain distinction between male
and female dress, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to
give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both
sexes would cause confusion, and great increase of crime. St. Paul would
utter a rebuke, were he alive, and should behold females professing
Godliness with this style of dress. ‘In like manner also, that women adorn
themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with
broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women
professing Godliness) with good works.’ The mass of professed Christians
utterly disregard the teachings of the Apostles, and wear gold, pearls and
costly array.
“God’s loyal people are the light of the world, and the salt of
the earth. And they should ever remember that their influence is of value.
Were they to exchange the extreme long, for the extreme short dress, they
would, to a great extent, destroy their influence. Unbelievers, whom it is
their duty to benefit, and seek to bring to the Lamb of God, would be
disgusted. Many improvements can be made in the dress of females in
reference to health, without making so great a change as to disgust the
beholder.” 2SM 478
[Notice “will be adopted.” This statement is prophetic of the women’s pants
movement. Remember that the “extreme short dress” was not a miniskirt, but
had pants under it. Some say that it no longer disgusts the beholder to see
women in pants. This is true. However, the first part of the statement says
that it disgusts God to see the distinction between men’s and women’s dress
removed. Although society is ever moving farther from God’s ideals, and
losing the sense of propriety it once had, this does not give us license to
fashion our dress in a way that the Bible declares an abomination.
Interestingly, the
wearing of pants is called an “extreme.” Although society does not see it as
such, if God does, we would be well to avoid it.]
“I saw that God’s order has been reversed, and His special directions
disregarded, by those who adopt the American costume. I was referred to
Deuteronomy 22:5: ‘The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a
man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are
abomination unto the Lord thy God.’ God would not have His people adopt the
so-called reform dress. It is immodest apparel, wholly unfitted for the
modest, humble followers of Christ.
“There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress
and appearance as near like the other sex as possible, and to fashion their
dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination. ‘In
like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and sobriety.’ 1 Timothy 2:9.
“Those who feel called out to join the movement in favor of
woman’s rights and the so-called dress reform might as well sever all
connection with the third angel’s message. The spirit which attends the one
cannot be in harmony with the other. The Scriptures are plain upon the
relations and rights of men and women. Spiritualists have, to quite an
extent, adopted this singular mode of dress. Seventh-day Adventists, who
believe in the restoration of the gifts, are often branded as spiritualists.
Let them adopt this costume, and their influence is dead. The people would
place them on a level with spiritualists and would refuse to listen to them.
“With the so-called dress reform there goes a spirit of levity
and boldness just in keeping with the dress. Modesty and reserve seem to
depart from many as they adopt that style of dress. I was shown that God
would have us take a course consistent and explainable. Let the sisters
adopt the American costume and they would destroy their own influence and
that of their husbands. They would become a byword and a derision. Our
Saviour says: ‘Ye are the light of the world.’ ‘Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which
is in heaven.’ There is a great work for us to do in the world, and God
would not have us take a course to lessen or destroy our influence with the
world.” 1T 421, 422
[It should be noted that the Bible pronounces abomination that
which “pertaineth to a
man.” Here, Sister White further clarifies this by saying that women’s dress
which is fashioned “very much” like that of men is abomination. If the full
bloomers of her day were immodest and mannish, what would be the tight,
revealing slacks of today? They originated with the movement for women’s
rights, and both they and it were totally opposed to the Seventh-day
Adventist message.]
“In wide contrast with this modest dress is the so-called American costume,
resembling very nearly the dress worn by men. It consists of a vest, pants,
and a dress resembling a coat and reaching about halfway from the hip to the
knee. This dress I have opposed, from what has been shown me as in harmony
with the word of God; while the other I have recommended as modest,
comfortable, convenient, and healthful. “ 1T 465
“We do not think it in accordance with our faith to dress in the American
costume….” 1T 424
Posted by Chuck Courtney on March 30, 2011 at 6:04 pm
I recently came across your blog/website after searching for “plain dress & Seventh Day Adventists.” I too am a Seventh Day Adventist and have recently come to realize by leading of the Holy Spirit that we are to dress plainly and live a simple life.
My wife and I are former Lutherans who are still somewhat new to the Seventh Day Adventist Church (we have been attending for about a year now.) We have one daughter who attends our church’s school and is in the second grade.
Grace and Peace,
Chuck and Carol Courtney
Posted by selena on March 26, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Thank you so very much for the encouraging words on head covering and modest dress. I draw a lot of strength from your board. Blessings, Selena
Posted by Eva Jane on May 16, 2012 at 7:09 am
Hi Amy,
I would love to be in contact with you. 🙂 Just email me. 🙂
Posted by Anna Biram on May 20, 2012 at 8:37 am
Just interested in your way of living. I am still learning these things. (:
Thanks for the post.
Posted by Brenda on February 4, 2014 at 7:48 pm
Amy,
I have some Adventist friends that have questions about headcoverings, as I and my daughter wear one. They do not believe we should wear them, and that 1 Cor. 11 was a cultural command. They said that Mrs. White wore a net just to keep her hair neat. What would you say to them? I shared that the greek word used in vs. 15 for the covering (peribolaion)womans hair.is different that the greek word used in vs. 6 and 7 for the covering (katakalupto) which means veil or hood. the two words were not interchangeable. i explained the God order in Gen. two. In vs. 10 angels were not a cultural thing. In vs. 16 it is implied for women in the churches, not church. So not just Cornith. It is an external sing of headship (vs.3), which is applicable today.
Posted by Amy on February 10, 2014 at 1:04 pm
Brenda,
I think it is good that you have been able to share with your friends some of the reasons that you choose to wear a headcovering. I too understand it is not a cultural issue, but rather based on the order that God established at Creation. And because it is commanded in Scripture, and is not part of the ceremonial law or theocratic government of Israel that was done away, I think we would be on shaky ground to assume it is simply a cultural thing. As for why Mrs. White is sometimes pictured with a hairnet, I do not know her reason, but whatever the reason may have been, I do not think this gives us a reason against carrying out 1 Corinthians 11 as the Lord leads.