Ukraine, Polycarp, the draft... and a poll!

[steve-in-kville]

Vote and discuss. Don't worry ladies, I have a poll coming up just for you

[barnhart]

Umm... My wife would care and she is not "no one", so it's hard to vote for that option.

[mike]

[steve-in-kville]

Umm... My wife would care and she is not "no one", so it's hard to vote for that option.

Didn't think of that angle. But my wife does certainly let me know when its time to get the clippers out

[JimFoxvog]

I like the patriarchal look. Jews in Jesus' day didn't trim their beards, so I expect he didn't either.

Others in our church have other preferences. We are good at giving freedom to one another.

[Sudsy]

I do believe God is interested in how we appear outwardly but more so on why we do what we do in our appearance. Jesus especially spoke to the Pharisees about their outward appearance and said what was most important was the condition of their heart. He especially put down trying to appear religious by their dress and public praying. Paul also wrote about how a believer should be known for their good deeds and not what they put on their body to attract attention.

What do the unsaved primarily see in us ? Our outward appearance to attract attention to our flesh and/or a religion or to a godly spirit zealous of good deeds and genuine desire that they receive eternal life ? Is the fruit of the Spirit obvious in us ?

I can adopt the latest style of men's hair in the area where I live but am I doing it for the same reason Paul did ? 1 Cor 9:20

When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.

There is a certain degree of 'fitting in' with the culture we live in to reach the lost. If we are not sure how far to take this, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in the way that we should go. Do we all consult the Holy Spirit which Jesus sent to be our guide or not ? Sometimes it seems quite obvious that some are not attracting attention to Jesus but rather to themselves and/or their specific Christian groups standards. These often don't 'catch any fish' for Jesus. YMMV.

[Heirbyadoption]

Untrimmed beard always struck me as an oxymoron...

Our group still requires beards for elected brothers (ministers, deacons) but allows lay brothers to make their own choices. Per "style", the group encourages the traditional beard format (ie. without mustaches) but allows mustaches for those convicted thereof. It's not something that ever gets formally handled. Shadow beards, on the other hand, are rare and discouraged.

Steve, is that enough "great detail"?

[steve-in-kville]

Shadow beards, on the other hand, are rare and discouraged.

Like the "5-o-clock shadow"?

[steve-in-kville]

Sometimes it seems quite obvious that some are not attracting attention to Jesus but rather to themselves and/or their specific Christian groups standards. These often don't 'catch any fish' for Jesus. YMMV.

That's a whole thread of its own

[Heirbyadoption]

Shadow beards, on the other hand, are rare and discouraged.

Like the "5-o-clock shadow"?

More or less. Just thick enough for young Anabaptist lads to say they actually complied with the regulation to wear a beard...