Read Your Bible, Change Your Life. Interview with Kylie Bisutti & Giveaway with Rachel Lee Carter & Shari Braendel
NOTE: The winner of the hospitality gift basket is: Jenn M.
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I love reading stories of lives changed because of Christ.
Whether it is the apostle Paul, who once persecuted Christians, turning into a bold believer or my son’s new friend David (whom he met at a gas station) who recently left a life of drugs and sin for a life lived scouring and devouring his new Bible and learning about God in church each Sunday.
Young Christians excite me.
They are eager.
They are fearless.
They are authentically fresh.
They haven’t been trained to give “Sunday School” answers or rattle off a list of legalistic “dos and don’ts” without having a clue what the Bible really says about them, only what they have been told “real Christians” believe.
They also seem to have a genuine quality about them that I find incredible— and sadly often lacking in the lives of believers who have walked long with Christ–(me included!) It is this:
They read the Bible and it changes their life.
The woman, a new believer, who reads that adultery is a sin–and then promptly moves out of her boyfriend’s home although she has no placed to go.
The once tax-cheating businessman who reads God’s word one day and becomes so convicted that he figures out how much he owes the IRS by his cheating and pays it back.
I stumbled across one such person recently.
First I saw her on the national news.
Then my friends Courtney and Clare were able to have dinner with her.
Last week, she and I met (via email) and I discovered a bold young Christian who recently one day read her Bible and it changed her behavior.
She read that her body was to be for her husband’s eyes only. (Perhaps not a verse too hard for a middle-aged mom like me to obey. You know, make sure my summer shorts aren’t too revealing and such.)
For her, however, reading this scripture with the intention of obeying meant she would need to walk away from some activities in her life.
Oh yeah, and from a LOT of money.
You see she was a Victoria’s Secret model.
She’s not anymore.
Meet Kylie Bisutti:
Kylie– how did you first get started modeling?
I first started modeling at age 14. My mom any out some headshots of me to local agencies and I got picked up by one. They sent me to Thailand, Japan, and I moved to New York by myself at age 16.
What caused you to begin to think you might want to stop taking on certain jobs that you felt were in conflict with your faith?
God works in His children in His timing. I wasn’t even convicted about certain jobs five years ago that I’m convicted about now. He is just continuing to mold me and shape me into His image and it’s a daily thing.
Christ opened my eyes to the fact that I wasn’t honoring Him or my husband by modeling in lingerie and other things. He showed me through His word how to change and He completely reshaped the desires of my heart that were not centered on Him two years ago.
How have others responded to your decision– both those in your family and circle of friends and those in the industry?
All of my friends and family love my decision and are so thankful to God that He has changed my ways.
I have gotten a few negative responses from people in the modeling industry, but no matter what choices people make in life there will always be someone out there who doesn’t agree.
I know you’ve said publicly that you want to be a role model for young girls. What is the most important piece of advice you want to relay to them?
Christ is the ultimate role model, so I’m just striving to live in His image and hope that other girls will see what that looks like. I want girls to see themselves as Christ sees them, for their hearts; their inner beauty and not their outward appearance.
WOW! Kylie’s decision has rattled the modeling world.
As I have viewed some of her on-air interviews, I have been impressed with how she says that reading her Bible was what made her leave behind modeling articles that were too revealing.
Some people who say they are believers, when finding out she has been a Christian for a few years but only recently became so convicted she walked off the runway of immodesty, have chosen to criticize; to finger-point or slam publicly with cutting comments on websites.
I actually was very convicted by her actions.
How many of us who have been believers for YEARS do what she did–read our Bible and then make a change let alone one that costs us friendships, status or money?
No, we read about having a gentle tongue…..and then close our Bibles and a few minutes later snap at a family member with a cutting tongue instead.
We read we are not to gossip…and then we hop on the phone to “discuss” another person with a friend, cloaked cleverly as a prayer request of course.
We read…..but we don’t always change.
This gal read and then was changed.
When I grow up, I want to be more like her!
Since I am featuring Kylie today, I have asked two friends, both in the fashion industry, if they would offer a giveaway of their books and they agreed.
The first is Good Girls Don’t Have to Dress Bad by fashion expert Shari Braendel
The second is Fashioned by Faith by model Rachel Lee Carter of Modeling Christ.
To be entered to win a signed copy (we’ll give away a couple of each book), leave a comment of encouragement or a prayer for Kylie here (she has been under attack big time!) or tell us what your greatest fashion challenge is.
Mine currently is trying to fit the pant legs of my jeans into the trendy boots my daughter got me for Christmas. She told me I need to lose the boot-cuts and get me some skinny jeans!
Ok—leave your comment!
Please note: We kindly ask that you keep your comments to the areas specified above. We realize that there are still many pictures out floating on the Internet that Kylie wishes she could remove but she simply can’t. And remember please, we are talking today about letting the Bible alter our actions not debating definitions of modesty. Thanks!
Wow! Praise God! It’s so amazing to see God at work! What an inspiration to even thoughs of us who are already walking with the Lord. Your story is such an awesome testimony!!
Thank you first of all to Jesus for allowing you to ‘see’ and a big THANK YOU to you for obeying His voice. May God use you mightily!!!
Blessings,
Cindy
Lord Jesus, we ask that you would wrap Your arms around this girl, YOUR daughter, strengthen her, encourage her in this stand she is taking in Your name. Lord, we ask that You continue to use Your word in her life to teach and direct her, and give her the faith and strength to continue to boldly follow you. Please comfort and protect her from the shameful attacks of others and help her to have a heart of forgiveness and mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I am grateful for our sister Kylie! I will continue in prayer for her! Dear Lord, You are such a gracious, good, God. Lord, I am so thankful that in Kylie YOU are fashioning yourself and revealing yourself to her and others. May she continue to be transformed by the renewing of her mind and may she be protected against accusations which are not from you but from the enemy of OUR souls. I trust that you will continue the good work that You, yourself have started in Kylie and that You will complete that which you have planned for her, in, by and through YOUR Spirit- Not by power or might! You will be exalted and Kylie will remain in your Everlasting and Faithful arms in full confidence in your purposes for her life. I pray that she would wear her Spiritual Armour to protect her from the arrows of attack, I pray that she would continue in your grace and truth while being upheld by those who love You, Lord. I pray that you would bring her encouragement when she grows weary, strength when she is weak, and love when she is afraid or fearful. Let her keep her eyes on you, for You, Lord will never cast them away from her. May she fight the good fight in Your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Thank you Lord.
Kylie – what a great role model in Christ you are., there is no better model to be! Stand tall, stand firm in your beliefs.
Mary
Kylie– you are such an inspiration <3 Thank you so much for sharing your encouragement with all of us! I've already shared your story with other girls I know. It's such a powerful testimony when someone lays down the things most dear to them for the sake of Christ.
My greatest fashion challenge? Bathing suits! I actually stopped swimming for a few years because my desire to dress modestly finally overrode my desire to join in what everyone else was doing. I began to think "modest swimwear" was an oxymoron. I didn't even feel comfortable with the more "modest" bathing suits– the more midriff they covered, the more leg they would show. Then I discovered… swim dresses! It's like a one-piece with a little longer skirt than you would otherwise find. They do exist– just takes some hunting. Back to swimming for me :)
Oh sweet, beautiful Kylie. What a strong & amazing woman you are, made in God’s own image. I thank you for sharing your story. It is such an inspiration to me. God is working in each of us daily and asking us to throw away the old and pick up our cross & follow him. You did and I know He responded with Well done, my good & faithful servant. I can’t wait to see the wonders He has in store for you as you follow Him and share Him with others.
Today is our youth night at church and I am sending this blog post to our youth leaders right now.
Thank you & God bless!!
I think it is great what you have done! Your a wonderful role model. With much going on in the world with modesty it is good to see somebody stand up for Christ and lead by his example!
Kylie – Thank you for your obedience to God’s Word, and your example to the rest of us. I feel encouraged to apply His Word in this area of my life as well as other areas He has been gently nudging me about. I pray your husband will encourage you to keep with your commitment and give you so much love in return that it will encourage you to continue on with your conviction. Ignore the world, they’re blind to what is real.
Kylie, thank you for having the courage to letting go of the “wordly”. May you and all Christians never settle for anything less than Gods desires.
Kylie, some people will never understand how you could give up your dream job and all the money that went with it but the people that matter the most will see your bravery and outstanding example and think to themselves “if she could be so brave, how could I not also be brave for Christ”. I applaud you for standing up for your beliefs and convictions.
It is so refreshing to read about this model. I’m always encouraging my 16 year old daughter to dress modestly and she always looks cute and fashionable without showing too much skin.
Kylie,
Thank you for your story. It is a difficult thing when we had planned out a direction to go and God changes things for us. I pray that you will keep reading the Word and doing what you have learned. I pray that your marriage may continue to be strengthened as you and your husband continue to follow the Lord. Thank you for your witness that there are things that are more important than money and fame. And thank you for being willing to let God change your dreams as He molds you into the image of His Son.
Blessings,
Amie
I am so proud of you, Kylie! Choosing to obey God, even when it changes our lifestyle, is always the right thing. As you hold open hands up, God removes what does not belong, and is then free to bless us with those things that He knows are best for us!
The world will always look on the outside, but God sees the heart. Thank you for being so strong in your convictions and standing up for what you believe.
Praying for you, Sister.
Jenn
{tears} God is good!! God is good all the time. Can’t wait to share this post with my daughters. May people be drawn to our God because of your stand, Kylie. May God surprise you with something even better than a modeling career. . .may He just blow your socks off!! Can’t wait to see what is in store for you!!
Kylie,
You are such an inspiration to so many. May God bless you!
-Kailynne
Way to go Kylie!! I have a teenage daughter that has always been very modest.. There were lots of times that she was picked on, left out, made fun of, all because of her beliefs and the stand she took. Being a cheerleader it was hard sometimes because she was stereotyped. Those that were supposed to be her friends treated her as an outcast at times. It was very difficult to deal with those people, but it was not difficult for her to continue to stand for her convictions. She allowed the Lord to work thru her and FOR HER as she fought against the enemy. Stand STRONG Kylie!! You have blessed many people and may your life be a shining example to young ladies and may their lives be changed as well. Thanks for stepping on my toes…. because sometimes when I read….. I do not act!!! The tongue is powerful and can discourage!
Kylie, thank you for not letting the world dictate the jobs you should take. Thank you for letting the Bible dictate how you live your life. Thank you for being an example of a repentant woman and allowing us (the public) to follow you on the journey. Thank you for being an example to a young girl, my daughter. Your story is one that I can share with her and show her how all of us make mistakes but can still be repentant and know that God will still love us. Thank you for showing my daughter that modesty can still be fashionable.
Kylie,
I was so encouraged when I found out that you had walked away from your livelihood because of your convictions! You are already a great role model! God has great plans for you. Keep up the good fight!
What an amazing story! I can’t wait to share this with my own 2 daughters, but also my 5 teenage nieces and my 15 girl scouts- praying Kylie stays strong in the Lord…God Bless!
The other comments are all so great! I pray that Kylie will feel the encouragment of all these ladies and that it will more than make up for negative comments from others in the “industry”. I know God has big, really big plans for Kylie and I pray that the media take notice of the success that Kylie will have because she has chosen to follow God.
Blessings to you Kylie and your husband!
Dear Lord,
Thank you for giving Kylie the courage to make a bold step of faith for you. I pray that you continue to give her strength for the challenging days ahead. Thank you for all christian role models who uphold modesty. Help me as a mother to instill modesty in my 13yo daughter. Thank you too for Karen and her blog and all the lives that are touched through your words through her.
AMEN!
Thank you so much for the inspiration. I am struggling right now with my 13-year old daughter on this very topic. She thinks we have different styles in clothes, but they are really similar. I am just trying to teach her modesty. This book would be helpful in that it is an opinion other than moms. Thank you for just one more way to teach God’s word in our everyday surroundings.
What an awesome testimony you have, Kylie! Young girls need role models like you. Well, one of my biggest fashion problems is that I have no fashion. After two kids and losing weight, nothing fits and I need a new wardrobe. I want one to glorify God!
Blessings on Kylie for her stand! I have Shari’s book but would love to have Rachel’s. My problem is living in the NW, life is more casual than most books recommend . . . yes, even the Christian ones. I would love to have a local personal shopper help me big time – ha!