U R Crazy Brave (when we are not afraid to talk about sex)

The moms chatted while the girls got their pictures taken. When he was filming, I noticed our videographer had a tattoo on the inside of his forearm:

“Behold, I make all things new,” it read.

When we were filming the women for my new book, 21 Myths, he said a few times, “It doesn’t escape me that I’m a 30-year-old guy, and you all have lived so much, and it seems like I don’t belong here, but I do. I belong.”

My husband was there too: the Cowboy, driving the women around his parents’ Legacy 8 Ranch in his big bad truck, in that southern-gentleman way I fell for 16 years ago — making us feel cared for, protected, safe.

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That’s what 21 Myths is about: how we can feel safe. How safe sex is married sex. How God loves us and wants to protect and heal our hearts. The women bore their hearts one-on-one and in front of the camera that weekend.

It was hard and it was healing. And it rained the whole time.

Yesterday I read this review:

As someone who did not turn to follow Christ until my early 20’s I live with years of sexual shame from my past. I have been working with the Lord on this, knowing in my mind that He has forgiven me, but still not truly forgiving myself. It has been my biggest struggle and affects many areas of my life including dating (how can someone love me when I can’t love myself or accept God’s love for me in the area of past sexual sin?). Jennifer’s book 21 Myths (Even Good Girls) Believe about Sex has been the most eye opening blessing. I am learning the steps to be free of this shame and guilt, and move forward knowing that I am forgiven and so truly loved by our Father.

The last night of the filming, all the women burned pieces of paper marked with the residue from our pasts, and we watched the embers eat alive the things we were never meant to carry on our own.

“Behold, I make all things new.” – Revelation 21:5

Three days later, the weather report read clouds.

Yet the shone over the teenage girls we filmed that Sunday evening.

The sun came. Yes it did.

The sun warmed us when the Cowboy and I walked across the field.

And the girls felt beautiful and knew they were part of something bigger than themselves, and it showed on their faces.

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The videos are coming soon.

If you live in the Dallas Fort Worth area, we’d love for you to join us at our 21 Myths (Even Good) Girls Believe About Sex release event. You can register by clicking on this link.

Love,

May 25, 2016

Author: Jennifer

Categories: Courage, Sex, Marriage, & True Intimacy

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About the Author: Jennifer

Jennifer Strickland is a wife, mom, TEDx speaker, and former professional model. She is the author of Girl Perfect, More Beautiful Than You Know, and Beautiful Lies, among other books and Bible studies that teach women their worth in God’s eyes. Since leaving the modeling industry, she founded URMore.org, a non-profit ministry that provides resources to hurting women and girls. Her favorite moments are found working on the family ranch with her husband, who she calls “the Cowboy”; in her kitchen, concocting a new version of her famous spaghetti; or spending time with their three precious children.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

At the age of 18, I was recovering from an eating disorder, cutting, and suicide when I read Jennifer Strickland’s book Girl Perfect and it changed my life. At the age of 33, as I travel the world reaching youth for the gospel, this is the only book I recommend to girls who are struggling. The Lord has truly anointed Jennifer’s words through her story, not only to address the struggles of today’s generation of girls, but also to walk them through the healing necessary for victory.

Christina Boudreau

Jennifer is a captivating speaker. She keeps the listener hanging in wonder of what’s coming next! Her presentation is not only absorbing, it reveals the truth of God’s power to heal a wounded spirit.

Barbara Brown

Barbara Brown, Former Stonecroft Ministries Regional Representative, San Diego, CA

“The ‘P’ word [perfection] may be the heaviest burden women bear. All the misguided things we do to attain it can keep us away from what we need most – the unconditional love of God the Father. The Girl Perfect Study Guide gives you a map to the wholeness you were created for.”

Nancy Ortberg

Nancy Ortberg, author and former teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church

“The Girl Perfect Study Guide shatters the lies girls and women believe and points to the ultimate truth, which really does set us free. I am confident that this study will help thousands discover a beauty, purpose, and worth that truly lasts. Thank you Jen for exposing the ‘perfect life’ and inviting girls to experience God’s ‘perfect love.'”

Allie Marie Smith

Allie Marie Smith, Founder of Wonderfully Made

One of the best testaments to what Jennifer is doing for the young girls and women of today is a comment from my eleven-year-old granddaughter: “Grammy, I want to read this book and hear her again. She’s good and I learned a lot.” This is exactly what I experienced from a grown-up perspective when I was introduced to Jennifer Strickland’s amazing story. Read it and see if you don’t get the real story from an icon model and a powerful speaker of truth.”