Saturday, March 19, 2011

P31W: Purity Speaks Boldly

For those of you who may not be up to date on the P31W thing...here's the lowdown. I've been posting about Proverbs 31, taking the chapter verse by verse. We came to the verse that said, "She (the proverbs 31 woman) will do him (her husband) good and not evil all the days of her life." So, that sent me on a trail of HOW we can do our husbands good our WHOLE lives when we may not even know him yet.

The first and most obvious answer to this question is by remaining sexually pure. So today, we have come to secret #4 from Dannah Gresh's book, and the Bride Wore White.  

The secret is: Purity Speaks Boldly

One way to stay pure is to tell people about it. Don't be afraid to tell people what you're about and why you stand on purity's side. Not only will people be influenced and witnessed to by your boldness, but we will be emboldened ourselves.

I was having a job interview at Chick-Fil-A yesterday and Greg asked me if I was married. He asked because I wear my ring on my left ring-finger and it looks like his wife's. I got so excited (I love talking about my ring!!). After I told him about what it meant to me and the promise it represented his eye brows shot up and I was given a new serge of determination to wait and NOT to give in to pressures.

A fellow blogger was telling me about a shirt he wears that says, "Virginity Rocks!". He said that he gets questions about it too. I'm sorry, that is just awesome. Purity needs to speak BOLDLY WITHOUT FEAR.Yeah, sometimes talking to people who totally don't understand it, is...well, awkward, but it always makes me feel that much more determined. 

I'm getting this dreadful mental picture. Let me share. A girl, who wants to be pure, is questioned about it by her friends. She looks at her hands and shifts her weight from foot to foot. "Well, I dunno, I mean, it's safer...and I don't want my life to be ruined by a baby...and it's just...well, it's just right..."

It is okay if you have done this (we all have learning moments), but now is the time to KNOW why you stand where you stand. Don't just be abstinent because your parents told you (although it's a good reason) but be abstinent because you KNOW what it means to God, because of a promise you've made and because of your future. If you rub shoulders with non-Christians a lot, you are going to be looked down on, people are going to wonder what the heck is wrong with you, and you may be avoided, but for every time we are persecuted for Christ's sake we are going to be rewarded. Jesus said, "Blessed are the persecuted for they will inherit the Kingdom of God." O.O

Purity also speak boldly to protect (this was Gresh's point in the book). Dannah Gresh talks about how we need to have comeback lines. When you find yourself alone with a guy on a date...or whatever, it's good to know what to say to encourage one another. Maybe you think that's weird, but its a good idea to be prepared. She gives a few examples like, "Isn't it cool that God is watching us every minute?"

I hope that "my man" (heh) will really respect me physically (I can't imagine going with a guy who didn't). I want him to be strong. If we ever do have moments when we are really tempted or we are kinda trippin' or something...I want him to be able to say, "Hey, we need to get away from each other for a while because we are going to end up screwing up." or something. Purity speaks BOLDLY.

I want my guy to do that, so shouldn't I at least be that for him?

Girls, I don't know if you have read the whole chapter of Proverbs 31 but WHOA that woman is a go-getter. She knows what she wants and knows how to get it. She doesn't seem like a woman who won't stand up for herself. If ever we find ourselves in situations or in relationship that is pushing the physical, speak up. Say something. Get help. Have those "Tennis Ball" comebacks that Gresh talks about ready.

The other thing that it can build is accountability. Lord help me if I ever mess up, because I have established a HUGE group of people that now know about my commitment through this blog. The more we talk about it, the more people are going to realize that we are serious...and whether its a good thing or bad thing, the pressure of looking bad to others helps. In fact, its a driving factor.

Be a P31W who speaks boldly. To protect yourself and to strengthen yourself. If we push important decisions like that aside, they will collect dust and drop on our to-do list. GOD FORBID that we make that mistake.

20 comments:

Logan Vaughan said...

Another great post! I really really like this one! I've been thinking about this one a TON this week and feel the urge to blog about it myself! Agh, if my best friends' weren't sleeping over (Yeah, that's right; home schoolers do sleepovers on school nights! Rock. on.), I'd totally blog myself. Anyway, this post is yet another great encouragement by you, Ashley! I always feel so excited reading these posts because I love knowing there's at least one girl out there striving for purity and holiness. Keep it up! And which Chick-fil-A did you apply for and interview with??

Ashley said...
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Logan Vaughan said...
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Ashley said...

Haha. Yeah, hey, if you will give me gas money, I'll apply there, okay? Lol.

Logan Vaughan said...
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Ashley said...

HAHA! That so made me laugh. WOW! You are definitely passionate about where you work...which is a good thing. Everyone should feel like their place is the best. ;)

But, actually, I heard from them today and I have another interview on Friday....so, if they don't hire me, then I'll consider it, okay?

:)

Logan Vaughan said...

If you get a second interview, you'll probably going to get hired, assuming the operator likes you. By Tuesday, you outta have the job. I just wish you'd come work with me :/

Ashley said...

Aw...now you're making me feel bad. *cries*

Logan Vaughan said...

I am? Then it's working? You'll just apply today for my CFA????

Ashley said...

WHAT?! You're TRYING to make me feel bad? *tsk tsk*

So, I don't get it. Why do you want me to work THERE so bad? Lol.

Logan Vaughan said...
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Ashley said...

Aw, yeah, I'm not denying the fact. I'd be totally koolaid. But, I'm SO excited to start.

Ashley said...
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Logan Vaughan said...
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Ashley said...
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Logan Vaughan said...
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Ashley said...
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Logan Vaughan said...
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Ashley said...

WOW! You can? You must live right off the interstate. That's cool. We live far away from everything. The only civilization that isn't 250 miles away is a Dollar General and a po-dunk gas station. O.o Okay, well, I'm exaggerating...

*thinks*

Man, no fair! You probably don't have ot go far for anything.

Ashley said...

Hey, sorry. I had to delete some comments because they revealed location. I need to be more careful about that for my safety and, more importantly, the safety of my readers.