Dannah K. Gresh - And the Bride Wore White Companion Guide. Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity

2007 by
DANNAH GRESH

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English Version. Copyright 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked TNIV are taken from the Holy Bible, Todays New International Version TNIV. Copyright 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

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Cover photo: J & A Photoraphy
Author photo: Steve Smith

ISBN: 978-0-8024-1289-8

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1 AND THE BRIDE WORE WHITE
Deciding to Live a Lifestyle of Purity

2 SATANS BIG FAT SEX LIES
Learning to Recognize the Truth

3 SATANS BIGGEST, FATTEST SEX LIE
Resisting the Lure to Sin

4 SATANS SECOND BIG FAT SEX LIE
Hiding Behind the Fig Leaves

5 BREAKIN UP IS HARD TO DO
Breaking Off Sinful Relationships in Three Easy Steps

6 SECRET #1: PURITY IS A PROCESS
Defining Innocence and Purity

7 SECRET #2: PURITY DREAMS OF ITS FUTURE
Envisioning a Godly Husband

8 SECRET #3: PURITY IS GOVERNED BY ITS VALUE
Part A: Discovering Your Value in Gods Eyes

9 SECRET #3: PURITY IS GOVERNED BY ITS VALUE
Part B: Demonstrating Your Value in the Eyes of Others

10 SECRET #4: PURITY SPEAKS BOLDLY
Preparing Your Tongue for Dates

11 SECRET #5: PURITY LOVES ITS CREATOR AT ANY COST
Pursuing a Love Relationship with Jesus

12 SECRET #6: PURITY EMBRACES WISE GUIDANCE
Inviting Your Parents into Your Love Life

13 THE TRUTH ABOUT SEX: ITS OUT OF THIS WORLD
Understanding the Heavenly Purpose of Sex

14 THE TRUTH ABOUT SEX: GETTING DOWN TO EARTH
Preparing to Enjoy the Earthly Gift of Sex

15 NOT YOU AGAIN, SATAN!
Facing the Consequences to Find Healing

16 SECRET #7: PURITY WATCHES BURNING FLAMES
Finding M.O.R.E. to Help You

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Recently, after a long week of events in which I spoke to masses of teen girls like you, I was sitting in the airport ten miles from my home having just realized that my car keys were lost. I was trying to call my husband, Bob, on his cell phone to pick me up, but couldnt reach him. I was exhausted and so close to home and yet so far. As I put my phone back in my bag, I looked up. And there, coming through the revolving doors with a dozen red roses in his hand, was my hero! Hed decided that morning to pick me up and spoil me.

Since we first released And the Bride Wore White fifteen years ago, my marriage has aged. At the time I wrote the paragraph above, wed been married seventeen years but now its been twenty five years! I feel historic just saying that, and sometimes I feel a little okay, a lot less cool than when I first started writing with the voice of a big sister. And, if Im truthful, there are even days when I feel way too battered and bruised by this worlds whims and ways to invite you into a passionate and pure marriage relationship. Bob and I have endured so much. The world has come at us so hard. And aging is simply not a pretty thing! Who in heaven thought up cellulite?

But hes still bringing me flowers.

My heart longs for more marriages to have what we have. I know youve seen too few that reflect passion and romance, let alone staying power. I think I might scream out loud at Satan if I hear one more of you approach me to say, Im not sure if I want to be married. Im scared of it. Ive never seen it work. It seems to be one of the most common questions I answer these days. Sadly, many of you have never seen a healthy marriage.

Why?

Because Satan knows what is at stake.

He knows more than you do how powerful marriage can be. How passionate. How comforting. How soothing. How playful. How hopeful. How fun. How selfless. How loving. It was meant to be all of this and more. And for that very reason, when God looks down on this earth to find just one picture that helps the world understand His passion and love for us, He chooses marriage. With all its imperfection and rawness. With all its bouquets of flowers and love notes, which, by the way, have transcended technology. They may come by way of instant message, blogs, or e-mail, but theyre still coming. Love letters.

Gods Word is one big love letter for you and me. And in it He romances us to Himself much like a man romances a woman.

My friend, if this is the picture your marriage can be to a spiritually dying world, let me ask you something.

How motivated do you think Satan is to see that picture destroyed?

He is motivated.

Are you?

Id like to arm you and motivate you to be romanced like crazy. The book And the Bride Wore White has changed many lives. However, there seems to be a common denominator to the lives it influences the very mostthose whove experienced tremendous healing or those who are living in amazing marriages today. The common thread is that these are my friends who