GUEST POST: Pure Worth by Nikki Washington

GUEST POST:  Each month, we will have a Guest Post from a leader with a passion for purity and teens.  Keep watching for it the last Friday of the month.  This month, we welcome Nikki Washington.  Enjoy!

She boasted, “I told him all about you!”  In her best southern accent, she squealed, “I told him you’re saved, sanctified, spirit-filled and never touched by man’s hands.  That’s right honey, I told him you’re a virgin!”  I’ll never forget when a church friend and mother came to me after a gentleman expressed some interest in me.  I know she meant well, but it was simply an awkward moment for me.  In short, she was selling me to this male suitor like I was some shiny new Geo Metro.  I could hear the commercial, “Brand new! No miles! All credit is approved! Everything must go!” Okay now I’m being silly, but you get the picture.

Early in my walk with God, I began to learn about my worth as a woman in Christ.  I began to understand what my mom couldn’t teach me and my dad wasn’t there to say to me.  I found my value far exceeded any monetary amount.  I learned I was a gift, and my body, a temple.  I was too valuable to give “it” up in exchange for dinner and a movie, or sly grins and whispers of sweet nothings.  I learned how to honor God with all of me so that He would receive glory.  And don’t get it twisted, I’m not saying it’s always been easy… but it has always been worth it.

Let me challenge you to begin to study and find out what God says about you.  Don’t let someone who didn’t create you define you.  Knowing who you are in God comes with endless benefits.  When you know your worth, you won’t give away what God has ordained for your spouse.  When you know your worth, you won’t allow someone to treat you with disdain or disrespect.  When you know your worth, you won’t settle for less than God’s best for your life.  Make a decision today to not give yourself to anyone who’s not your spouse.  Wait for God to unite you with the one He has for you.  I know it’s easier said than done, but I’m talking about what I know, not just what I’ve heard.  Even if you haven’t waited, you can make a decision to give all of yourself to God.  Try it, and watch Him wipe the slate clean.

The old saints use to say, “God will keep you if you want to be kept!”  I can attest to that.  Truthfully speaking, there were times God kept me even when I didn’t want to be kept (thank you Jesus).  And it doesn’t matter if you’ve made mistakes in the past, the wonderful thing about God is that you can start over again.  Sis, you don’t have to give yourself away anymore, you’re too good for that.  When God made you He made you fearfully and wonderfully.  There’s something to be said about the glow of a woman who has been in intimate worship with the Father.  Allow God to give you a different type of afterglow.  Take it from me, a 33 year old virgin: purity’s so worth it and you are too!

Nikki Washington is an abstinence advocate and the founder of thechastitybelt.org, a blog site dedicated to purity.  For more information, you can contact Nikki at thechastitybelt2010@gmail.com.

Thanks Nikki for sharing your heart with us this month.  I love the challenge you issued to our girls to search for their true worth.  Great message!

When Necessary, Use Words

Recently, the question was asked about “teen pregnancy and generational curses”…very deep stuff to think about for this analytical mind.  By no means do I have all of the answers, but after some discussion and prayer, I do believe teens make decisions of their own free will that create consequences.  Some families struggle in certain areas of weakness where others may not.  Some consequences are deeper than others.  Some are easy to disguise, while others cannot be hidden.  All families have struggles; don’t be fooled.

Regardless of your family history, the best defense you have as a parent is to equip yourself.  Dig into God’s Word daily and talk often with your child.  The discussion of purity is not an “ok, we had this talk. Now you know.” kind-of discussion.  Please do not expect one chat to equip your child for life in today’s anything goes society.  Today’s young people need to see their parents walking out what they speak daily.  Share your journey with your child, tell them about some of your struggles (not all…don’t unpack your whole life on them) and your goals, and encourage, encourage, encourage them.  Be their biggest cheerleader, and pray for them daily.  Remember, someone is speaking the opposite of purity to your students 24/7 (TV, internet, friends, social media, etc).  It’s our job as parents to make sure they hear the truth about life and purity, and to equip them with the tools they need in life.  Put your students in a safe atmosphere (connect groups, youth ministries, church, etc) where they can be fitted with the gear they need for life.  However, it’s ultimately up to them to put these tools into practice as teens and young adults.  Sadly, some will choose not to and face serious consequences, but don’t let that be an excuse to look the other way.

YOU ARE the best teacher your student will ever have regardless of what anyone says.  Every day, your child is learning something from you through your actions.  If you feel your life isn’t a good example, don’t give up…you can change that.  It doesn’t mean perfection. Set a goal to improve.  Simply make the changes you need to make in your life and be honest with your child in your journey.  Make the best of your situation.  Ask God for help.  Find a good devotional or Bible study, get connected in a local church, and surround yourself with a support network.  Improving your child’s view of you is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.  As Francis of Assisi would say, “If God can work through me, He can work through anyone.”  I feel that way every day.  Lead your child by your actions and when necessary use words.  You’ve got this!

For more encouragement, see the PARENT link at www.conniefirmin.com.

Sparkle Pledge July 23, 2011

Our Sparkle Tribe gathered together July 23, 2011 to celebrate one of my favorite events of the year: Sparkle Pledge.  During June and July, this amazing group of girls studied, shared, read God’s Word and learned about purity.  We discussed things like dating, what to look for in Mr. Right, filling up on the right things, purity, quiet time, and so much more. This final event for the summer was an all out celebration of 22 girls making a decision to live a lifestyle of purity.  I love it!  Family and friends came from different places to join in the fun and support these young ladies.

As each family arrived, we had them take a family photo with the backdrop created by our Leaders-In-Training.  We visited for a little while, blessed the food so carefully prepared the night before, and made a dash for the table.  Smiles and laughter filled the room as chocolate covered strawberries & pretzels, sandwiches, fiesta dip and Darelle’s famous rainbow cupcakes were quickly consumed.  First the parents & caregivers pledged to the girls to stand by them and walk with them in this journey. Some girls received rings while others received necklaces and still others received bracelets.  Next the girls pledged to their parents and to God to make purity a priority in their daily lives and to strive to be what God has created them to be.  What precious girls they truly are!  Finally, the girls and their parents had a few moments together as they and their mentors signed certificates to seal the deal.  Erin closed out the afternoon, and we headed downstairs to the backdrop for a quick group photo.

Those girls simply radiated Jesus to everyone around.  Such joy for me to see them so happy and proud.  They really sparkled!  What a great time we all had.  I’m looking forward to what God has in store for these amazing girls, and for our fall events.  So precious!  Until then, enjoy some photos of Sparkle Pledge 2011.

Oh, and before I forget… A special thank you to Eric Velarde for taking all of these amazing photos for Sparkle.  And I’m so grateful to all of the amazing leaders we have. Without each and every one of you, Sparkle wouldn’t be what it is today!  Love you!

Click here to view photos

Finally Time to Sparkle

Sparkle has finally arrived. What a whirl-wind of activity these books bring with them.  The first shipment arrived just in time for the kick-off of Sparkle Tribe where we have 28 amazing girls participating in this girls-only connect group and a dozen incredible leaders.  Such energy and passion!  I love it!

Pre-release copies of Sparkle are now available for purchase.  If you are in the Baton Rouge area, you can get copies from me, or you can have it ship to your door by visiting online at www.conniefirmin.com.  Construction of the official website is well under way, and so far, so good.  In fact, I think it’s pretty awesome.  It’s difficult for me not to release the website right now, but I know that all good things take time.  This one is no different.  Regardless of where you fit in the puzzle (teen, parent or leader), you will find great information on the new site.  It’s not just some link to sell books…it’s going to be a tool to help you live out a Lifestyle of Purity.  I think you’ll love it too!  You can comment to let me know what you’d like to see included on the site.

So many great things are happening.  Healing Place Church will be hosting a chat.live online event to talk about what’s going on with Sparkle on July 7th.  The book will also be featured in Healing Place’s Mission Cafe in July and available for purchase there soon too.  You can see a recent review of Sparkle on Jennifer Maggio’s blog.  A workbook/leaders guide for Sparkle is also in the works.  Things are moving along quickly.  Keep watching! Details will be coming soon on all of these events, the website and more.  Don’t forget to leave a comment.

Here’s some of the things being said about Sparkle already:

“Just finished your book and wanted to let you know that I absolutely loved it! It really opened my eyes to some things and challenged me to continue on the path of purity throughout my life!”  -CB

“This book is a must read for every teenage girl! It not only demonstrates the values of a pure life, but also how to live that life for God.  It highlights the challenges teens face and solutions to these problems through God’s Word. I highly recommend it to every teenage girl, like myself.” -JF

“The thing I like most about this book is it isn’t all about not having sex before marriage.  Yes, that’s important, but it talks other important things like dating, what to look for in a guy, self-image, and much more.  I like that!”  -RV

Enough Said

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” Phil 4:8-9

This pretty much sums it up. Nothing left to say, except maybe Amen!