GROW IN CONFIDENCE. KNOW YOUR IDENTITY.
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FOR GIRLS OF FAITH
The leaves on the covers of our Brave & Beautiful Series represent the leaves from the tree of life that are for the healing of the nations. We pray this Brave & Beautiful Journey will bring healing and life to you as well as to the nations of the world.
BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL Copyright © 2022 Releasing Generations Published by Releasing Generations Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. All articles, art, and photographs have been published and printed with the permission of their creators.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society. Art Direction and Graphic Design: Ahava Design, LLC. Photos by Unsplash and Pixabay.
BRAVEANDBEAUTIFUL.WORLD Brave & Beautiful is a publication created by Explicit Movement, a Christian faith-based movement that heals and empowers youth and young adults to walk in sexual integrity and healthy relationships as they embrace their God-given identity and God's beautiful design for sex. We provide faith-based resources that equip youth, young adults, parents, and church leaders to have conversations concerning healthy dating and navigating sexuality issues with confidence, leading the way for young people to thrive in relationships. CREDITS COVER Floral pattern: Maria Galybina. 4-5 Photography by Luminous: Emily Ganiko and Unsplash. 10 Louisa Wendorff/Austin Lord Photography 12-14 “Brave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, /brave. Accessed 17 Apr. 2021. “Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, /beautiful. Accessed 17 Apr. 2021.
Dear Readers,
It is a fact that girls who believe they are important and have value, who are confident in their identity in Christ, who have a strong sense of hope, and who have goals for a positive future…are less vulnerable to falling victim to damaging and even dangerous situations. Having such positive attributes will help keep you from falling into the wrong hands, keep you from becoming a victim of sexual violence, and becoming a victim of predators. Therefore, the reason for this publication is to build and lift you up to thrive! Knowing your identity will help you walk out your God-given purpose! May each page impart encouragement, wisdom, hope, and practical tools for you to be emotionally healthy. You have a unique story. You have a unique design to who you are. We want to celebrate YOU during this time despite where your journey has taken you up to this point. God cares about your joys, your pain and suffering, your loneliness, your heartbreak, your loving moments, and your victories. Your Master Craftsman and Miracle Worker - your Heavenly Father desires to weave it all together into something brave and beautiful that can change the world. This is what He does. SO! Jump in and be fascinated by your discoveries!
Blessings to you! Michele Okimura, Executive Director Explicit Movement
Brave & Beautiful. Take a moment to ask
What is my name? What am I known for? Am I hidden in shame? Confident or Much Afraid. Lonely or Sad. Sunshine or Nervous. Rejected or Mad? God changes your name. He makes you brand new. Renewing your heart To be perfectly you. It’s time to ARISE! Beloved One, now. Finding your sparkle, He will show you how. New visions of life, You are created to see. Born Brave and Beautiful! You are destined to be.
REAL TRUTH.
REAL LOVE.
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Bave Beauful Jurney
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SHE IS BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL
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SHE RELEASES
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SHE DISCOVERS
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SHE TRUSTS
30 SHE ACCEPTS
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SHE CRIES
40 SHE BELIEVES
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SHE BLOOMS
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SHE PERSEVERES
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PORNOGRAPHY
20 SHE LOVES
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SEXUAL ABUSE & TRAUMA
30 SHE GIVES
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SEX TRAFFICKING
40 SHE DREAMS
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VOICES OF FREEDOM
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We are Explicit Movement. We know that youth and young adults around the world are hurting with insecurities about their identity and are often confused when it comes to the topic of sex and how to have healthy relationships. The struggle is intensified by distorted views of sexuality and relationships promoted by the media, school curriculum, pornography, and the entertainment industry that reject God’s design for sex to be a beautiful and amazing gift reserved for marriage between one woman and one man. Explicit is a movement that heals and empowers youth and young adults to walk in sexual integrity as they embrace their God-given identity. We engage in real and relevant conversations to prepare young people for healthy relationships in God’s timing and design. We provide faith-based resources that honestly explore and equip teens, young adults, parents, and church leaders on topics concerning healthy dating and navigating sexuality issues. We care deeply about the issue of sex trafficking and want to empower youth with the awareness, knowledge, and practical tools to protect themselves.
OUR APPROACH
Join the Movement! Together we can
We seek to • Help establish people’s identity in Christ and their relationship with God. • Heal hearts from hurts and shame with God’s power, love, grace, and truth. • Equip people with tools to protect their sexual integrity and to
visit us at ExplicitMovement.org
live out healthy relationships.
Our leadership team has decades of combined experience working with and supporting teens, young adults, parents, and church leaders within many denominations...and over the past several years has witnessed the transformation of thousands of young people in Hawaii and across the world. You are not alone in your struggles.
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BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL
VOLUME 01 – PART 1
Embrace who you really are!
She is Brave & Beautiful She Discovers She Accepts She Believes
What is of utmost importance is to know and embrace your
Welcome to the first section of this Brave and Beautiful Journey.
identity in Christ. You must not define your worth and value
This section will lay a solid foundation for you to build on. There
by what others say or even what you say about yourself. Your
are incredible things to discover about yourself that may even
foundation must be built on who God says you are.
surprise you! You will learn to accept yourself as a uniquely designed individual that was never meant to be compared to
It is from that place of identity that your values are formed and
anyone. You are a standalone masterpiece. You were designed
from where decisions and choices are made.
to reflect specific facets of God that have never been revealed
For example, if a girl believes she has little or no value, is not
in history and will never shine upon this earth again.
good enough and is unlovable, then you can imagine what
The challenge for you will be to not just know what God says
kinds of choices she will make in life and the dangerous traps
about you, but to believe it. This section was created just for you
she can fall into. She has the potential to become vulnerable
to help truth to make its journey from your head to your heart.
and fall prey to predators. These people commonly disguise themselves as loving and caring but are filled with malicious
Enjoy your trek on this pathway of discovery and don’t forget
and selfish intentions.
to smell the roses along the way! If you open your heart, you will never be the same as you encounter the God of miracles
On the other hand, if a girl believes that she has incredible,
who has a passion for you and pursues you even now. Some
infinite value—not with a prideful heart, but with a healthy
of His most profound miracles are the miracles of the heart!
self-love—then she is in position to fulfill God’s divine call and destiny for her life with strength, love, and confidence. She
This entire Journey was His idea from the start. His gift to you.
will make a difference in this world by touching and impacting lives for good along the way.
Will you begin this journey with child-like curiosity and wonder?
Ready. Set. Dive in beloved! 9
Brave Beauti s i e sh
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BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” PSALM 27:14 NLT
B RAVE & B EAUTI FU L JOU RN EY: SH E IS B RAVE & B EAUTI FU L
“Wait patiently for the Lord.
& e
JOU RN EY 01 • CHAPTER 01
tiful.
Brave brave
adjective. \ brāv \ braver; bravest
1.
having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty : having or showing courage
2. making a fine show : COLORFUL brave banners flying in the wind 3. EXCELLENT, SPLENDID
“Living a brave life is not easy. We trip, stumble and fall. It is the rise from the falling that makes us brave.” BRENÉ BROWN
How is Being Brave Like a Volcano?
H
ot lava seeps up from deep within the earth. In a similar way, the courage of God erupts from deep inside, from God’s Spirit within you! As God sets your heart ablaze for things of His Kingdom, passion and courage becomes a stronger force that begins to melt away fear and intimidation because you know God is for you and with you.
Red is often associated with war, strength, power, determination, passion and love.
The vibrant colors of red, orange and yellow combine in a dance of fire over your heart that heaven notices.
Yellow can stand for freshness, positivity, clarity, honor, and loyalty.
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BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL
Orange combines the energy of red and the joy of yellow and is known to represent enthusiasm, fascination, creativity, encouragement and success.
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” DEUTERONOMY 31:6 NLT
Painting by Francis Oda
These attributes can describe the facets of bravery God is calling you to have to fulfill your God-given purpose.
God urges you over 100 times in the Bible to be brave, be courageous, and to fear not!
Lava also flows and creates new land, new ground. In a similar way, God is calling you to not only reclaim ground that was stolen, but also to make new ground and enlarge your territory and influence!
You are His Brave-Heart!
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Beautiful beautiful adjective. beau·ti·ful | \ byü-ti-fəl \
1. having qualities of beauty : exciting aesthetic pleasure 2. generally pleasing : EXCELLENT “You are beautiful, my darling, beautiful beyond words...” SONG OF SOLOMON 4:1 NLT
Know you are a beautiful bloom in the Kingdom of God!
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How is Being Beautiful Like a Field of Flowers?
U
niversally, flowers are considered beautiful and are used to decorate and adorn people and places. There are literally thousands of various kinds of flowers in this world.
Flowers come in almost every color imaginable: shades of white, red, blue, yellow, pink, purple, green, and
orange! The shapes, sizes, and designs of flowers around the world seem limitless—yet they are all beautiful in their own unique way, just like God’s Beloved Daughters! What is your favorite flower? Tulips? Roses? Lilies? Sunflowers? You, beautiful you, are also unique in design and color, gracing the planet with your very being. Many flowers release a sweet fragrance! May your life release a sweet, pleasant,
"God gave us eyes to see the beauty in nature and hearts to see the beauty in each other."
refreshing, aroma of Jesus wherever you go!
“
For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved…” II COR 2:15 NKJV
One bloom is beautiful, but the scene of a field of many colorful flowers blooming together creates a breathtaking feast for the eyes! Bold and delicate, vibrant and pastel, all swaying in the breeze on a moonlit night.
ANONYMOUS
Lastly, God thinks a field of flowers is more beautiful than the most elegant of royal attire:
“
Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” LUKE 12:27 NIV
Painting by Danielle Iranon
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