Christian Family inspired Articles
"Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement." - W. Clement Stone
"Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement."
- W. Clement Stone
Many Christian men get a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment from their faith, but some find that they have a hard time keeping their faith in mind during busy and hectic days out in the secular world. Spending a long day at work or getting stuck in traffic can drive any such motivating or encouraging quotes straight out of your mind, and you definitely do not feel spiritual when confronted with such stresses.
One great way to give yourself a constant reminder of your faith and of God's presence in your life is by wearing a cross necklace. The problem is that many men view accessories such as necklaces as feminine, and, as a result, they usually prefer to stick to the one personal adornment that they think is considered acceptable: watches.
But there is no need to limit yourself in this way. There are perfectly acceptable and tasteful ways for men to wear the right kind of cross necklace. Cross necklaces are not only simple enough to go with pretty much anything, but they offer a way for you to remain connected with your faith as well.
But before buying and wearing a cross necklace, you should consider...
1) The right chain length
Before even considering the type of cross to wear, you should give some thought to the length of the chain. If you want something that hangs closer to the neck, then go with a chain that is 18 or 19 inches long. For a chain that you can fit comfortably around a shirt collar, you will want one that is closer to 22 or 23 inches long.
2) The right style
There are so many different styles of cross necklaces to choose from that your final decision is going to depend on your personal tastes.
You cannot really go wrong with a simple cross on a simple chain, as it can be worn on almost any occasion. Oversized cross pendants also work great for men, as do cross-engraved dog tags for a more casual look. A gothic cross can also give you an edgier and more masculine look.
3) The right materials
When picking a cross necklace you will be faced with having to choose between gold, pure silver, sterling silver, stainless steel, wood, and many other materials. The truth is that any of these materials can work, and you should consider having a few different types. The real trick is to properly match the material with your clothing and other accessories.
4) The right way to match with other jewelry
If you are going to be wearing your cross necklace with other accessories such as bracelets, rings, cufflinks, or watches, then there is one simple rule you need to keep in mind: you should only have one metal tone going on at once. For example, if the rest of your accessories are silver, then your cross necklace should also be silver.
5) The right way to match with clothing
Finally, here is a quick and handy guide to some common cross pendant materials and the clothing it goes with best:
- Gold necklaces go well with deep blues, dark greens, and earthy tones such as brown.
- Silver necklaces are very versatile. They go well with black and gray, but can also be worn with lighter colors.
- Wood necklaces are great with more casual clothing. They will go well with white, earth tones, and almost any color that is not too bright.
Spiritual Prayer
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”