WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT
And the Bride Wore White:
Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity
Human sexuality is at the center of most of the bitter cultural struggles being waged in our day. Far too many young women dont know right from wrong when it comes to their bodies and their minds because they have bought into the low moral standards promoted on television and in contemporary movies and music. In a friendly, personal manner, Dannah Gresh helps her readers understand that sexuality is a beautiful gift from God and that He intends it to be reserved for marriage. I highly recommend And the Bride Wore White to any young woman who wants Gods best for her life.
Richard Land, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Host, For Faith & Family radio
Dannah has a fresh way of sharing important truths we need to hear. In an age of moral decline even among our church youth, this message is needed now more than ever. Give Dannah your ear. You wont be disappointed.
Anita Lustrea, host/producer, Midday Connection
I admire Dannah Gresh in so many ways. Her ministry is moving; her writing is relevant; she is a role model to women of all ages and seasons of life. As a survivor, speaker, and author on the topic of sexual abuse, I constantly see and hear firsthand the pain of the sexually broken and I understand the deep need for Dannahs message. The rerelease of her bestseller And The Bride Wore White is an answer to the cry of our culture. This book is a timeless classic that will bring healing and hope to all generations.
Nicole Bromley, speaker and author, oneVOICEenterprises
I first read And the Bride Wore White when it was an unpublished manuscript and I was a freshman in college. I devoured it in a single setting, and the lessons I learned made a huge impact on my life. As a woman who has now been married more than a decade I still remember and cherish the lessons Dannah presents in this book. Dannah does what other authors do not by moving beyond Gods call to purity and outlining a plan to make waiting possible and desirable. This book gave me the blueprint to build a pure marriage, a gift that I am eternally grateful for. Consider And the Bride Wore White a must-read for every girl whos ever dreamed of a pure and holy marriage.
Erin Davis, author of Beyond Bath Time
The loss of virginity is not simply a physical state of being, but affects the emotional, mental, and spiritual lives of every girlwhich is why I appreciate Dannah Gresh and her passion to see girls not only value their virginity but why they ought to do so. With vulnerability, humor, and grace, this book provides girls with the tools they need to take ownership of their bodies, minds, and hearts.
Crystal Renaud, author, Dirty Girls Come Clean
I cannot think of any book more beautifully inspiring than And the Bride Wore White. My daughters loved Dannahs insights, her humor, and her call for a life without regrets. I am deeply grateful for the realistic role model she is for my daughters . She has changed their lives, and in doing so she has changed mine.
Tammy Maltby, author
What a pleasure it was to read this book . Dannah helps walk us down the aisle of a pure lifestyle!
Leslee J. Unruh, president, National Abstinence Clearinghouse
This book is a great field guide for any teenager who wants to become serious about sexual purity and rise above the defeats of the past.
Greg Stier, president, Dare 2 Share Ministries
AND THE
Bride
Wore
White
SEVEN SECRETS TO
SEXUAL PURITY
Dannah Gresh
MOODY PUBLISHERS
CHICAGO
1999, 2004, 2012 by
D ANNAH G RESH
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version.
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Edited by Cheryl Dunlop
Interior and cover design: Julia Ryan / DesignByJulia.com
Cover Image and chapter photos : J&A Photography
Author Photo: Steve Smith
All websites and phone numbers listed herein are accurate at the time of publication but may change in the future or cease to exist. The listing of website references and resources does not imply publisher endorsement of the sites entire contents. Groups and organizations are listed for informational purposes, and listing does not imply publisher endorsement of their activities.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gresh, Dannah.
And the bride wore white : seven secrets to sexual purity / Dannah Gresh.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-8024-0813-6
1. Sexual ethics. 2. Sex--Biblical teaching. I. Title.
HQ32.G617 2012
176.4--dc23
2012010904
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To my princess, Lexi
When I first wrote this you were toddling around
and just getting your legs. Now you are about
to use those legs to leave us. I couldnt be more
proud of the woman you have become. You wear
embroidered garments interwoven with gold.
To my China doll, Autumn
When I first wrote this you were far from me.
Now you are near to my heart. Thank you for
becoming my daughter. You are Gods princess.
All glorious is the princess within her chamber;
her gown is interwoven with gold.
In embroidered garments she is led to the king.
PSALM 45:1314
Contents