Now, per this issue of Jesus clothing (not including the controversial shirts of course), and by Jesus clothing do understand I don't mean a burlap tunic or purple robe, I must for once, speak as some one not too far from high school graduating age. Humor me for a moment...This is 2004, and I am 22-years-old. I've never been to a club in my entire life (I suppose I should say, I've never been in a club, I tried once when I was 14, very unsuccessfully). I am a virgin. I can probably count the number of times on one hand that I've ever cursed or used profanity. Okay, two hands. I've never had a drop of alcohol in my entire life. (With the exception of rubbing alcohol, but that was at the Dr.'s office, and it's not consumable anyway). I actually like and respect my parents. I dress modestly (most of the time). I read my Bible in high school. Publicly. I've never smoked. (Of course with the exception of tea. My sister and I rolled it in paper once and smoked it in the garage back when I was 12, she was 8. It was Earl Grey okay, and I didn't inhale.) I do not say all this for cool points or the accolades of men. These were all choices that I made only by God's grace and I still somehow managed to sin then and even now each and every day. Point being, I am perhaps the most imperfect example of a modern-day square, who by all standards in the world am a relatively good kid, yet I've completely deprived myself of all things "good" and "carnal" in the world, and if you challenge me for wearing a Jesus t-shirt, I just may be forced to thrash you. If I want to wear a hoodie with the name of my Savior on it, dangit, let me be.

There. Now that I got that out, let me further explain. I represent a generation that desires to champion a cause. I think it's important that we realize the language of the up and coming generation. Clothing is a powerful medium to spread a message. The t-shirt slogan industry is booming now more than it has over the last couple of years. More than that, it is both an unfortunate, but true reality that much identity can be associated to clothing. Come to think of it, that concept is also Biblical. (That's another post) Now maybe that's not you. Maybe you're not into paraphernalia and such. I know I'm not. I think we should all recognize that no object or garmet of clothing will save or transform an individual. Only God can do that. I also understand Christians taking issue with non-believers raking in a profit in the name of Christ. It's almost modern-day exploitation. So why do we complain so gosh darn much instead of getting in the game and making something happen? I've had a million different clothing line ideas; a few of which, I intend to start in my lifetime. Speaking of paraphernalia, I remember when my sister gave her life over to Christ a year or so back. She's was completely consumed by the work He did in her life. She went to the closest Christian bookstore and stocked up on these little tacky stickers that said things like "Pray Hard" and "Jesus Loves You" and whatnot. She plastered them all over her laptop, binder, and school books. I could've made fun of her. I could have told her how capitalistic the makers of those stickers were. That was truly where she was in her life. Those stickers were an expression of a true reality in her life. It was an external representation of something internal, and I respected it.

I stand in the gap for that 16 year-old kid who just wants to serve God and doesn't want to rock "Sean Jean", "Pure Playaz", "Ecko" or "555 Soul" (not that there's anything against those brands). I stand in the gap for the kid that just wants to be identified with Christ. Man, can the kid just have Jesus' name on his t-shirt? My best friend has a jersey that says "Christ First" and it's hot. It's made by believers of course, and everytime he wears it, he gets compliments. Here locally in Seattle, there's a brand of urban wear called "Adonai". It's hot. I'd wear it if I wasn't such a girlie girl. I love my generation. I love our passion and loyalty. I love our fashion sense (when it's modest). I love our desire to bust out of the mold. I realize that my being a part of my generation means that I have to be just a little bit rebellious. And trust me, I embrace this role with open arms.

Some Non-Cheesy Christian Clothing Wear Sites
One Truth Clothing
Alleluia Wear
Sword of the Spirit Clothing
Holy Cotton