Over the weekend me and a few other young adults from my church had a chance to attend an Abstinence Conference in Burlington, NC. The conference just one of many was hosted by the one and only Chrystal Buckrham of Greensboro, NC. The theme of the conference was “Adamant about abstinence” as young adults who are striving to lead a life of holiness, and one pleasing to God we wanted to take the opportunity to learn how to navigate this road to purity with the culture, pressure of peers, and the first night focused on {A people for possession}, the second day of the conference focused on {Identity Christ-(is)} with a foundational text from 1 Peter 2:9.

Day one: A People for possession

There were a variety of speakers this night, each speaker focused and taught on a particular subtopic that was very interesting and informational.

Caitlin Fontaine was our first speaker, her topic was “Spoken For” she spoke from a few scriptures that allowed us to see and view ourselves from the way God sees us practicing biblical abstinence. From a vein of confidence here and sanctification she touched on God keeping us if we want to be kept when we give ourselves over to Him. Our validation comes from God and because of that we are spoken for already by God living through his grace and beauty. I identify as spoken for and a kept woman, chosen and apprehended by God not by happenstance.

(Scripture references Jer 29:11, 1 Peter 2:9, Jude 1:24, Ps 84:11, 2 Tim 2:22, Rom 12:2, Ps 139:13, 2 Cor 10:5, Phil 4:8)

Next, Tiffany Gattis explored the “Kairos vs. Chronos: God’s timing” it was here that we learned that everything is perfect in God’s perfect timing, so even in our waiting season we don’t have to wait in a way that is restless, unproductive, or even unsatisfied but in a way that allows us to press into God in a new way, that we wait both patiently, and gracefully, that we dedicate ourselves unto the Lord with our time and in our service as we seek him. She spoke on her personal experience in her single season and how she was led by the Lord in what to do next, and how to prepare for what He has for her. While exercising her faith and her trust in God even in this season.

Following, we were introduced to Brian Shackleford, who spoke about “MVP- Man of valor and purpose” we got to hear the perspective of a man who stands on the purpose and promises of God. He explained a man of valor to be strength of mind or spirit, trusting od to brin victory, but in a biblical sense. … serving od in totality as our passion is the purpose placed inside each of us. He spoke on toxic masculinity in the current climate of the world

Five points of a Man of Valor

Man of Prayer: full dependence in God
Putting flesh to death, exercising self-control, positioning and posturing oneself with God
Overcomes fears, story of Gideon did is scared giving up His will for gods will. Boldness and restraint in serving
Recognizes the need of support, not always self-sufficient, Accountability is key from community
Perseveres in adversity and difficulty without worldly gain. Understands it’s about recognition, but for God’s glory.
(Scripture reference: Judges 6, John 15:5, Proverbs 24:16, Judges 7:4-7)

The last speaker in that lineup was Pastor Harvey “Chip" Rice, this guy was funny, and he spoke on “A Worthy Pursuit” exploring how intentional we should be in our pursuit choosing a mate. We only do wat we believe, so they must be aligned. Here are some things to consider when being pursued:

Does He know God? We should see a god influence over his life, is there reverence and respect.
What has he gained? Look at his rapport in business, education, other relationships, does he have a respectable name.
Does he have growth potential and mindset? Is there seed that can grow?
Will/does he work toward things; family, children?!
Are you compatible with one another? Do you want the same things
What is he giving to, what is his character?
Can you go where he’s going? Submit to leadership
Does He govern himself accordingly?
We have to learn as women to relinquish control. The primary need of a man is respect and the primary need of a man in security. God will get started with us right when we get finished doing what we do.

Day two: Identity Christ-(is)

Day two started with a beautiful breakfast hosted by beautiful people, which was followed with a praise and worship session. This day we got the chance to hear from a few more speakers who showed up and out.

First up, Triniyti Clark this beautiful soul spoke on her testimony and the topic “Who Am I?”. Startin with Chosen generation, royal priesthood, Holy Nation, and peculiar people. She discussed many of us are called and the chosen are those who can carry the weight of your calling. Even when we don’t understand and trust God, it shows Him that we can handle it, because if not we pose the question “Are we really an asset to the Kingdom?”. We know that od honors His words so if we do what we are supposed to do and remain obedient, He will bless us as he is obliged knowing He will do it exceedingly. Royal priesthood speaks to ‘belonging’ to a kingdom, dignity and having power. We are to act in relation to od knowing. As Representatives we are to exude strength and act in relation to knowing God, we can’t represent Him in fear. If we don’t understand the authority, we have through Him we are subject to every spirit and nasty spirit we encounter. As Holy Nation we are God’s very own, we are to honor Him and allow our bodies to be a dwelling place for the spirit of God. We must be a sacred place and be mindful as a living sacrifice. We are responsible for we allow and consume we must keep a clean mind, heart, etc. Now, as peculiar people we are made in God’s likeness and image. We have to be intentional staying in the will of God because it’s not in vain by any means.

She ended with a hefty prayer + decree. Whew!!!!!!

(Scripture reference: Matthew 22:14, Philippians 4, John 15:16, Luke 10":19, Malachi 2:7, 1 Cor 6:19-20, Romans 12:1-2}

Lastly, we were met with Pastor Jason Davis and his focus was “Holy, Healthy, and Whole” in Christ. He spoke from the topic “I am too valuable to act ordinary”. We have been clothed differently in new garments. Righteousness isn’t something we work too or toward but it’s already been imparted in us, we walk differently when we know Who we are in God. We are the righteousness of God, chosen from our mother’s womb, we are not ordinary, perfect or average; we are different. We are set apart therefore, we are to act that way. He explained that our purity is not God’s punishment, neither is our restricted lifestyle in his will or isolation. God is preserving us, in sanctification for the right thing he has prepared for us. He’s not isolation us, we are being reserved. Lastly, God is keeping us for presentation, our isolation is our protection in presenting something to the world in how we show up because of who our Father is. We have to make sure God is ultimately getting the glory out of our lives, we have been unkept, but God keeps keeping us. You see me being kept, and persevered, and in sanctification all glory belons to God. The jealousy of God is preserving us for purpose and presentation; we’re set apart we aren’t for everybody.

(Scripture reference: 2 Timothy 2:20, Jude 1:24,)

Disclaimer: It was up after this, you just had to be there the way we experienced God.

Abstinence Conference

“A letter to God”