CIU 2013 Fall Issue

Christ It Up Darnica Gordon

Man on Fire...For GOD

Pastor Maurice Trent Jr.

Philly’s Own Eshon Burgundy

Beauty In Brokenness: Kimberly Fairley

Awaken Love

Living a life of

Purity

Fall 2013

Content Get acquainted with Philly’s own Eshon Burgundy Pg. 14

Conerstone TV’s Sister to Sister host Kimberly Fairley shares her testimony with CIU. Pg. 7

A man on a mission from God. Get to know Pastor Maurice C. Trent Pg. 10

Styled by Self Photographs courtesy of GPro Photography 2

Awaken Love Living a life of purity Pg. 13

Vessel’s

Note

Last year with Christ It Up I started 2012 off great.

The mag had a new look and I threw a launch party to celebrate. Then my family got hit hard in our finances when my husband, Christian Artist Churchboi, had to have a minor heart operation. I was not able to print out any more mags that year. I felt defeated. But I dusted myself off. Prayed to God continually and now I’m on the last mag of 2013! I prayed that I would be able to consistently put out issues. And I have been. My goal was to make sure 4 magazines were published and they were. Big ups to God for having this plan for me. I love you!

1323 Superior Ave Pittsburgh, Pa 15212 412~354~9423 christitup@yahoo.com www.christitup.wix.com/ciu1

Give your life to Christ If you have read past issues of this magazine or if this is your first time, I am glad to introduce, The Sinner’s Prayer.

Romans 10:9-11 (NIV) 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

To give your life to Christ, recite this aloud: Dear God, I come to you today as a sinner asking for forgivness. I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are Lord. I believe that you died on the cross and rose on the third day with all power in your hand. And today I accept you as my Lord and Savior.

In Jesus name, Amen!

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Leria Drowning

Your love for me Overflows from my heart And floods my soul.

I am overwhelmed by the waves of Your affection.

I’m sinking And I don’t mind Drowning In the ocean of your love.

Because even as I die, I live.

Mr. B A.Y.D

&

Mr. B explained that he was raised by a single mother. He got into trouble as a teenager and would later spend time in prison. His passion is fueled by his desire to impart into the lives of young boys and save them before they go down the wrong path like he did. He often shares his story with his boys and lets them know that he wants more for their lives.

Mr. B is a deacon at his church, The Lighthouse. He and his wife, Staci, recently celebrated 10 years of marriage and he is a proud father of too many to count, both biological and inherited. He has a huge heart and will give anyone the shirt off of his back, literally.

If you have a young son who is in middle school and would like for them to be a part of AYD and they attend a North Side area school, you can contact Mr. B at mr.b.ayd@ gmail.com.

(Top: Mr. B on the right) (Bottom: Mr. B on the left)

Mr. Dana Bose, Coordinator Allegheny Youth Development Middle School Program

Mr. B, as he is called by his students and the staff at Schiller Middle School, started working for Allegheny Youth Development (AYD) in the fall of 2010. He had just come home from working in Iraq and was trying to find a job that would allow him to pay his bills. He started as a part time van driver.

Little did he know but he was being set up by God to be an integral part in the lives of disadvantaged inner city young boys.

He quickly formed a bond with the boys. In the winter of 2012, he was promoted to Middle School program coordinator. In this position, is responsible for one on one correspondence with the staff at Schiller as well as with the parents. He knows the boys by name and by character. He is very hands on in the school as well as outside.

He’s also the Scout Master for AYD’s Boy Scout Troop- Troop 678.

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Couples in Christ Hello loves we are the McFaddens.

Darrena: Our testimony's start in 1996. We met when I was 11 we attended the same church, I had a crush on Brett but he never gave me the time of day.

Brett: We met at church and she used to follow me around the church smiling in my face. But when her family left the church I instantly felt a void in my spirit do to her absence.

9 years later Darrena: A little grown up and living on my own, at the same time I found myself at the lowest point of my life.

Battling with heavy depression I found myself at our child hood church. Searching for God for three weeks straight, I ran into Brett's mother. Starting with a simple hello was the beginning of a long interview. She asked me where I lived, where I worked, and how many kids I had; assuming that I had any. I guess I got the job/man she asked for my name and number.

Brett: Climbing out of my depression state I was able to focus on LIFE and what I needed to do as a man. I started attending college at CCAC and in that time God spoke to me, telling me that I was going to find my wife in college. My mother came home after attending church, overly excited, she's telling me about this girl named Darrena. But the way she's describing her isn't the way I remembered Darrena.

Confused, I called her in anticipation of wanting to hear if this was the Darrena that I once knew.

Us: We eventually got married a year after that and soon got pregnant, not once or twice but four times before we had our Darrena: Mind you I'm still in my mess waiting for God to show First daughter Lyniah McFadden. (A little mini me Brett says). A me a way out. I get a call from Brett and we set up a date for us to year later we ended up getting pregnant with twin Girls Aaliyah have lunch. I'm setting up the house lighting candles, and know and Caliyah McFadden. Sadly they couldn't stay long with us; the it was just for the scent nothing more... just saying! I started to Lord needed them for a more powerful reason. Losing our girls walk out to get something to drink for our lunch, when I see him was one of the most devastating times of our lives testing our standing outside. Nervous, I ran back into the house to blow out Faith, marriage, and lively hood. But through all of the children the candles and blew candle wax into my eyes. Telling myself to that we've lost we've always stayed focused on the Lord to see us calm down it's ONLY Brett. through, the same way He got us through our depression.

Let me tell you, the Lord is awesome and amazing. We took our Brett: We would talk on the phone for hours never wanting to vows for better or for worse, richer or for poorer; we've been hang up. So yeah we set up a day to meet. The day arrived, I through some storms with more to come. 7 years down still can't lie I was nervous it’s been 9 years since I've seen her. I went fighting with a tag team system staring God, Jesus, Brett, and through my whole day thinking about how things were going to Darrena. The Word says, “Who would stand against us?” Amen! transpire. My mother described her as a "Goddess", so you know Let no man/woman tear us apart. Amen! We are Excited to see the expectations were high. Surprisingly, she lived right down the Who! What! When! Where and How in our Future; stay the street from my school (how ironic)! I go over her house and tuned...... sat on the steps because I couldn't feel my legs.

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ley r i a F y imberl

K

I received salvation at the age of 13, but I really had not known who or whose I was. As a result I did not get very connected to Christ himself which lead to me having one foot in the church while I did all the THINGS I could do in the church and having one foot out and trying to get as much attention as I could.

At the age of 18 I made the decision to walk in sexual sin. I hadn’t realized my value and worth so I became more than willing to accept the conditional flattery from men in the world. Hey someone was paying attention to me and giving me attention and that’s all I needed. I did not play in this sin too much, but it really only takes that one time and as a result I became pregnant with my son at the age of 20. I was depressed and suicidal on many occasions. I couldn’t believe how my life could come to the place where I was at. I felt like a statistic, but wanted to be so much more. I felt worthless and just knew in my heart no man would ever want something “used” with baggage and so in my mind death was a better option, BUT GOD!

In spite of MANY struggles I hadn’t really gotten myself together until about 4 years after I had my son. I was still in the church doing everything possible (hence my nickname KimPOSSIBLE!), but I was missing something. I still felt this emptiness inside of me. All the while I had been practicing celibacy and I was determined that I would not be intimate with a single man that wasn’t my husband, but one thing I failed to realize was that there is a major difference with CELIBACY and PURITY. So yes I was and have been celibate for the past 6 years, but on too many occasions I entertained thoughts that were unpleasing to God; thoughts that lead me into sin with a BROTHER in Christ that I was comfortable enough to share in this sin with. It was our little secret.

All of this while counseling and encouraging young women to remain celibate and keep their bodies pure and pleasing to God.

There is something about reading the word of God, breathing in the life that He joyfully and willingly wants to give us abundantly. As a result of reading Romans 14 I decided that it was no longer ok to walk in sin while dragging a brother with me. It was not my duty to only read and preach the word, but to truly allow my life to be a walking example of what Gods word can do in our lives. Galatians 5:16 ESV states “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” This encourages us that YES our flesh will have desires, but as long as we make the decision to WALK by the Spirit and in obedience to it those desires will not be fulfilled. So yes I still have cravings and random crazy thoughts just like anyone else, but the difference for me is that I choose to catch them quick and cry out “Lord please refocus my mind” and it works EVERY TIME. One of my favorite songs says “I called, You answered, and You came to my rescue.” He surely does it every time.

Today I can testify that I am the strongest I have ever been in my walk. Being a single mother hasn’t KILLED ME!!! I accepted the consequence of my choice and have one of the most beautiful gifts God could’ve ever trusted me with. Its not easy at all, but as I celebrated my 27th birthday recently I couldn’t help but to thank God that I OWN my house, I OWN my car, I have a full time job, and belong to an amazing ministry that has truly walked along side of me through the ongoing healing process that I needed to be willing to walk through after some serious hurts I have experienced in order to truly be able to minster and help other young women through the hurts, habits, and hang ups I have overcome in my life. No, life isn’t always skipping through the lilies while in Christ after we fall from His grace, but He is always there, MORE than happy and willing to love on us if we are simply willing to be humble to run back into our daddy’s arms and under His covering. Always remember no matter what you have gone through THERE IS BEAUTY IN BROKENNESS.

10% off First Visit

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Book Worm Prodigal

By: Zaria Garrison I really loved this book. The funny thing is when I read the summary on the back cover it did no justice for the story. I was like, “this in no way represents Christ.” But I got it anyway.

Maybe I was wrong? I was! The story is a lot better than how it’s described in the summary.

The story is about twin sisters who obvious look alike but are their own person. Phylicia is quiet and into school, her twin, Phoebe is into fashion and boys.

They seem to always be in competition with each other even as adults. Phoebe moves away but comes back to their hometown when she finds out her mother is ill. Once home she is forced to deal with her past. And God is revealed to her. Great story!

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Joy

By: Victoria Christopher Murray This book showed me how much we’re supposed to lean on God; no matter what the situation. Aniya was a successful black woman who owned her own company. She ends up being attacked and is faced with a situation she obviously wasn’t prepared for. But in leaning on God she gets through it and is able to enjoy life even after being attacked. Very good book.

Coffee with Sister Doris Dear Sister Doris, I am a 34 year old married woman with a 2 year old daughter. I absolutely love being a mother. So much so that I want to have another child. The problem I am having is convincing my husband to have another. It always seems when it comes time to try to conceive he picks a fight or has 101 excuses to keep from doing so. I feel like I am running out of time and patience with my husband. I am beginning to get depressed that I have gone another month without being pregnant and I am starting to resent my husband for not giving this to me. What should I do?

Signed, Mother of an only child MOC, Sweetie, I am so glad that you stopped by so that we can chat.

Before we get started, do you need more sugar in your tea? The tea is ok? Great! So let's just dive into the issue. Your husband does not want another baby and you do. This is a very sensitive topic. It is hard for me to advise you because I don’t know your husband, and I do not know what he is feeling. So, we will hit a few areas. Take what you need, leave what you don't.

child to experience that -Poodin' pop, sometimes when a person is raised in poverty, they don’t want to repeat the cycle. If your husband is afraid that you don’t have the finances for another child, his argument may be valid. Perhaps he doesn’t want to scrape the bottom of the barrel to get by, get food stamps, apply for childcare assistance, or beg and borrow for pampers. Maybe he wants to provide for his family and knows that he cannot take care of 2 children. So pray for your finances. Make a plan. Don’t push your family into poverty on purpose.

4.

He isn’t sure where your relationship is headed -Snookums, your marriage is in a state of emergency and you want to throw an additional child in the middle of the debauchery, you call a marriage? Why? So that when you get divorced, you will now have two children that long to live in a peaceful home with both parents? Do WHATEVER IT TAKES to fix your marriage, then consider having another child. Or don’t fix your marriage, and still only have one daughter and live bitterly ever after. The choice is yours.

OR Honey, is he afraid that you will give so much time to the children that you will never have time for him. To you, alone time has now been defined as time when you and your husband are alone with the child. Or you and your child are alone. The thought of a date night with your husband or a weekend away with him is so far from you, because you would never leave your child that long, but you have left your husband. You are no longer husband and wife. You are roommates, and he can't imagine bringing another person in the house so that you can further ignore him.

1.

He never wanted any children and the one child was a compromise.

-Sweetheart, he told you from the start that he wanted no children. You convinced him to do it, he fell in love with this beautiful daughter that you guilted him into, and you think you Sweetie, let me leave you with this: Love your husband, honor can do it again. Be grateful for what you have. him, respect him, but don’t resent him. Resentment comes from a selfish, 2 year old, temper tantrum kind of place, and can only 2.

He only wanted one child bring destruction. If a baby is what you desire, Go to God give –Darling, if you and your husband agreed on one child and you Him your all. If your marriage falls apart because of this, your changed the total after you saw your baby girl, you cannot be daughter will ask what happened and your excuse will be that he mad at your husband. You didn’t think you could love a person wouldn’t agree to a second child. Do you REALLY want to dethe way that you love her. You underestimated your heart. You stroy your home for this? Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds need to go to God and ask HIM to either help you be content or her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers soften your husband's heart so that he will desire to have another down. child the way that you do.

I hope that our chat helped. Until next time, Sister Doris will be 3.

He grew up never having enough and doesn’t want his praying for you.

Have a question for Sister Doris? Submit it to christitup@yahoo.com

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Pastor Trent Man on Fire Pastor Trent, a husband, father, minister, friend, brother, counselor,....I could go on but I’m sure you see where I’m going. The Pastor of The Lighthouse, recently celebrated his 10 year Pastorial Anniversay so I decided to catch up with him to talk about the future plans of The Lighthouse and introduce you to the man that has had such an impact on my life.

Christ It Up: You were raised in church, but later deterred from because I didn’t want to lay in my bed and reflect on my life so I it. Why? drank until I passed out every night. God began to turn up the heat in my life it seemed as if everything in my life was spiraling Pastor Maurice Trent: I had no connection to the church I grew out of control. My relationship with my wife and children was up in. The church was spirit filled and bible believing but it was almost nonexistence, my friends were just as jack up as I was, geared for adults only. You have to understand that when you are people that I cared about were dying and it was no longer fun to that young and you are raised in church, you have a connection go to the club anymore and my drinking became my god. God with God based on the relationship that you have with your used the death of those I love and God used my broken marriage parents and your church. In other words we believe not based to draw me close to him. Everywhere I turned God would put on what we’ve been through but based on how our parents live someone in my path to witness to me. Through my pain God and how we are treated by our church. By the time I was in my began to show me himself. I had always known the God of my teens, my attitude was I can’t wait till I turn eighteen so I can mother and father but through my pain I begun to know God get out of here. My heart begun to harden and I don’t believe for myself. that anyone notice. I went through the motions for the sake of my parents because I loved and wanted to honor them. When I CIU: How long have you been married? turned eighteen I joined the military and tried to carry on with my relationship with God but there was only one church on the Pastor MT: I’ve been married to my lovely bride for twentymilitary base and the assistant pastor was gay and he tried to hit nine years. I describe her as lovely because she loved me through on me so I left the church vowing never to return. Two months my mess and she never gave up on us. She had every reason later I found myself in a club for the very first time and in that and every right to leave but she chose to stay and fight for our first night I took my first drink and smoked some hash. That was marriage even though she was fighting alone. God blessed me the beginning of a slippery slope downward. After the military I with a jewel. came back to my home town and out of respect for my parents I cleaned up put on my game face and went back to church, but CIU: What’s your number one marriage tip or rule? people knew what I was doing out in the streets so they shunned me when my parents weren’t around. They would see me in the Pastor MT: Never give up no matter how bad it looks! Nothing market place and would not speak and these are people that were is impossible with God! at the hospital with my parents when I was being delivered into this world. That hurt me to the core and I vowed from that day CIU: What was your first sermon? forward that I was not going to step foot in any church every again in my life time.

Pastor MT: If you can’t trust the messenger, you can’t trust the message. That one was birth out of my pain of people singing, CIU: What brought you back?

“Oh how I love Jesus”, then treating me and other young people in the church as though we were trash. If you are reading this Pastor MT: God began to pursue me and at the time I didn’t article please remember that young people are going to make a know it. Fourteen years had gone by and I was a heavy drinker, lot of mistakes, they don’t need you to tell them how screwed up I was mean and I didn’t care about anyone but myself. Although they are, they already know that. THEY NEED YOU TO LOVE I thought I was ok, I worked hard and gave my family a good THEM THROUGH THEIR MESS. life material wise but no love. I was the life of the party with all my so called friends; I was involved with politics so I felt I CIU: How much time do you spend preparing for a sermon? was doing my civic duty. But I was so empty inside and would not admit it to myself. I was afraid to lay down at night to sleep Pastor MT: Depending on the topic between one to two weeks Continue on pg. 15

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Offense

When you think about “Offense,” what are three words that come to mind?

Hurt, anger, defense By: Akita Donald mechanisms?

Offense (noun) - The act of causing anger, resentment, displeasure and afford. A violation or infraction of a moral or social code: a transgression or sin.

And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and deserts [Him whom they ought to trust and obey} and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue on another with hatred. And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24: 10-13 (AMP) Right now, think about a recent offense. Have you forgiven the person? Are you guilty of unforgiveness? If you have forgave, how long did it take to forgive the person? As Christians, we will be offended and we will offend others, despite our best efforts.

It is inevitable. But please understand the immense power of an offense. Offense often goes hand-in-hand with unforgiveness.

Offense is a strong tactic used by the adversary. The intent is to divide and conquer God’s people. Again, the Bible says that an offense will lead to distrust, betrayal, multiple lawlessness and iniquity, causing many to stumble and fall, while permitting the rise of false prophets. Wow! Are you following me so far?

Have you been so angry with someone that you rationalized your bitterness and unforgiveness? I have…..”I have the right to feel this way, she did me wrong! I don’t want to forgive her. Maybe later, but it’s not happening right now.” Guess what? I thought I was subjecting that person to misery with my unforgiveness but in fact, I had built a self-made prison. I was the one that was furious, with stagnant spiritual life.

For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order

Saving

Tips

There has been a lot of discussion about tips on saving money amongst me and good friends. It’s hard to save money especially if you’re not use to it. Or if it wasn’t taught to you.

Here are a few tips I use and some I plan to use in the future.

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that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. Mark 11: 24-25 (AMP) Someone has wronged you, violated you, and demeaned you so your feelings of pain and anger are valid. Perhaps you were abandoned by a parent, raped, abused, or rejected by a friend.

That offense is real. Just don’t stay willowing in the pain and anger. It is bound to fester into bitterness, resentment and hatred. I admire Joyce Meyer’s very much. She often describes the abuse that her father subjected her to and how for decades, there was great bitterness inside of her. It was only in Christ that she found peace and restoration. There are people, often referred to as victims, who go through life attempting to numb the pain with drugs, alcohol, sex and violence. Do you think that this is by chance? No way!

If you have offended someone, it is not too late to apologize. Yes, it requires courage, humility, and vulnerability. If you proclaim to be a Christian, show the world.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 One of the best readings of my life was The Bait of Satan: Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense by John Bevere. I learned a lot about myself. I was raised in a house where respect was extremely important. The world didn’t exhibit that principal; and I found myself offended, very often. I harvested some pretty ugly feelings. When I find myself offended due to disrespect, I pray.

I know that even the smallest offense can be a doorway for the adversary. I recommend that you purchase the book for either yourself or as a gift. Remember: Together we [Christians] stand, divided we fall. Always love, forgive and be free!!

If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive that one; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the presence [and with the approval] of Christ (the Messiah) To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (AMP) To God be the glory. Love you. Peace out (drops the mic) :)

Use coupons I know it may seem time consuming but coupons can save you a good amount of money.

401k You your job provides it, take advantage. Read over their policy. Most companies match your amount up to a certain percent.

Emergency Fund/Savings If you only have $10 to spare put $5 in each account.

Life Insurance If something were to happen to you I’m pretty sure your family would be distraught. It would be even more devastating if they had no money to cover your expenses with.

Cut down on unnecessary cost I know everyone loves their cable but if you have other plans and find yourself tight on funds maybe turn cutting down, or cutting out things such as cable, cell phone, or buying things you don’t need.

(Check www.christitup.wix.com for more on saving)

AWAKEN LOVE By: Sunny LaRaine

“She is worth far more than rubies…”

What woman doesn’t long to hear those words or something similar to them? As a woman who has never heard her earthly father call her “beautiful,” I still long to hear them. We can be real, can’t we? I don’t care if you are married… happy and content… a satisfied single… as a woman… we all want to be desired… needed… loved… cherished… We want to know that someone else values us more than we do ourselves.

I’m convinced that true satisfaction doesn’t come from being perfect, or denying your deepest desires and living like everything is ok. It comes from trusting in something or someone you know you can always count on. I know how I felt when I knew there was a man around who loved me. I felt that he wanted to cover me, protect me, provide for me, love me, and cherish me.

There is no greater feeling than the security I felt from a man wanting to be all these things to me. In response, I want to give him my all…

I’ll tell you this… I know my blood pressure significantly dropped! Ha! Hahahaha… It makes a total difference. As a woman, when I feel secure, I stop acting strange. Hahahaha…

You know what I mean when I say strange. I’m not weak, but I’m willing to be who I was created to be, and allow that man to be who he was created to be. I don’t try to be superwoman, THOUGH… I am a SUPER woman. I can buy, sell, trade, sow, cook, clean, delegate, instruct, supervise, create, imagine, envision, build, connect and relate. I use both sides of the brain.

I’m smart, talented, gifted and in control.

Then… why do I settle for less? Why do we, as women, regard our price as not being priceless, but worthless? Why is our sexuality always on a “street corner” to the highest bidder who has only brought a pack of bubble gum with him to trade?

(Yes, I exaggerated… heehehe) Why do we so willingly give away something that has more value than Bill Gates… more class than Oprah… more clout than Donald Trump?

The scripture tells us this: “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the

hinds of the filed, that you will not arouse or awaken my love…”

(Song of Solomon 2: 7, NASB)

A. B. S. T. I. N. E. N. C. E. … Abstinence. When was the last time you heard that word? Unless it’s coming out of my own mouth, I don’t hear it. (Hahahaha) As a woman who is still saving her gift for her husband… (Yes! I said it! I’m a virgin!

And, guess what??? I’m 38 years old. Ha! So, yes, I know that in 2 years, if not married, I will be a 40 year old virgin. I promise that I’ll produce my real life documentary at that time. Wait for it…

Wait for it… Hahahaha… I digress… ), I find it very difficult to maintain a level of pride of accomplishment among a generation of people who look upon me as if I’ve been hit with a plague. I had a male friend (previously dating), come to me and repeat something that an older woman, in his church, said to him. She asked him, “What’s wrong with her? (Talking about me) Why hasn’t no man never wanted to sleep with her?” (First, I said to myself, “What’s wrong with her English?” Hahahaha… Not nice.

I repented, and then laughed again.) For a moment, I really felt like this perplexed him, and was a viable consideration in his heart turning from me to another woman. This same gentleman also told me that he never wanted to be with a woman who didn’t have children. Ok… That’s “strike 2” for me. Or, is it?

My immediate reaction was to ask the old age question: What’s wrong with me??? I, quickly, had to shut that down. No, I’m not perfect. But, I have made the best choice for me. I know there are more people out there like myself. Ones who have chosen to stand for purity. Ones who are holding on… believing that they can walk into the right store, at the right time… and pick the perfect outfit… made just for them.

I don’t get into the whole belief that sex is like shopping for clothes. You have to keep trying on items until you find the one that fits you. That can take forever, and waste a lot of time.

Instead, I say, walk into the store knowing what you desire.

Know your size. Know the style that looks best on your body type, etc. There are experts that can tell you… help you find what will work best for you, just by looking at you. We trust them. We watch reality shows ALL DAY LONG, waiting to hear their opinion. Why not do the same with God?

He inspired the manual for life! The Holy Bible! As many have said, it’s our “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” So, why not follow it? Why not believe it? Why not seek to understand its truths?

My desire is not to preach to you on what you are doing and shouldn’t be doing. You’re grown! I want to encourage you that you do have another choice. You can choose to value the priceless treasure that is you. Value your sexuality, don’t prostitute it. You can choose to live an abstinent and celibate lifestyle until it’s time to awaken Love.

Continue on pg. 15

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Eshon Burgundy

for long periods of time. I was grateful to hear that’s the way they do it. So I’m coming into it without having to spend long times Christ It Up: How did you come up with the name Eshon away from my Burgundy when your given name is Anton Hairston? family.

I had the honor of meeting Eshon at the Club Escape Presents: Eshon Burgundy event the last day of August. He definitely came and rocked the house and ministered the Gospel.

Here is a little introduction if you don’t already know the man who started doing music at 8 years old.

Eshon Burgundy: Well Eshon is my middle name. At the time we thought my mom made it up. But apparently there are other Eshons out there. (He says with a chuckle) So Eshon is my middle name and Burgundy is to be covered in the blood of Jesus. So I just put them together.

CIU: How did you get into ministry?

EB: In 2000 I started serving at my local church. I was a youth minister there. So I was just serving really hard-I’ve been doing music since I was an 8 year old kid. Like ZI said on stage tonight, my mom gave me the Gospel as a little kid and I believed at that point but throughout my life I just exercised in the Lord you know and He revealed things and started to develop me. Si I started doing it through music for Him in the year 2000.

CIU: Are you currently working on any projects? Or do you currently have something out?

EB: Right now I’m working on, well hopefully it will be out within the next week it’s a mixtape called “For God’ Sake”. It’s good, I love it! I just finished two weeks ago and I hope everybody likes it. We’re gearing up for the official album on Humble Beast records which will probably come out the top of next year.

CIU: Where can we find out more about Eshon Burgundy and his music?

EB: Yeah, you can find out more about me at www. eshonburgundy.com. Find out all about me, download music for free. Just put a zero in and get it all for free. Or you can go to the label’s website at humblebeast.com. Find out more about CIU: I understand you’re married. How do you balance married me, download much and get put on to a bunch of other artist on life with ministry? the label- excellent artist.

EB: Well for me I always wanted to be the one who never spent CIU: Thank you Eshon for taking the time to talk, I really a lot of time away from home. Because I believe you have to be appreciate it. home to steward and shepherd you family you know, correctly.

So I never wanted to be the one that was gone for like months EB: No, thank you! at a time. I recently just signed with Humble Beast and I was pleased and grateful to find out the way their ministry motto works is they tour for about 10 days out a month and the other 20 days they’re home with their families. For me that was fresh air to know that’s the way they worked. So it’s just recently that I’ve been touring and being away from my family (Interviewed Aug. 31, 2013) Joshua 1:8 (NLT) Study this book of instructions continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

This scripture came to me right on time. God had been speaking to me about the bible having all the instructions I need. No matter what the situation. Then this scripture came up in my devotional and I was like WOW! You know how it is when God hits you with a two piece. So what He showed me was stop putting things together without the instructions! Hmmm. God provided us the information we need for any situation. The bible is: Basic. Instructions. Before. Leaving. Earth.

Examples: (And I have done these) • Want to lose weight? Read Daniel 1:12-15 • Need marriage advice? Check 1 Corinthians 7:14, Hebrews 13:4, Ephesians 5:21-33 (list goes on) • Need strength to continue doing things for people? Go to Colossians 3:23

Words of the Lord

And these are just a few things. The point is the Bible has the answer. Go to it!

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Continued from pg. 11

on average. Sometimes though God will sit me down and he CIU: What is something you want people to know about giving will start speaking and within a couple of hours the sermon is their lives to Jesus? formed.

Pastor MT: You are never too young to give your life to Christ.

CIU: The Lighthouse has gone from a tent with an outhouse to The devil wants to use you up while you are in your youth so an intact building; what’s next for Lighthouse? that he can steal your best days. Giving your life to Jesus will not make everything easy in your life but he will give you the Pastor MT: Lighthouse is getting ready to build the church so strength and power to go through whatever that situation is. You that the building that we are currently in can be turned over to have not even begun to live until you give your life to Jesus! the youth. We’ve only just begun this will be phase two of four phases.

CIU: Is there anything you like to add that we didn’t cover?

CIU: You are a very busy man. How do you balance both family Pastor MT: Yes make sure that your children can identify with and ministry?

God for themselves. It is important that they have a connection with their church, their pastor and their youth pastor. Children Pastor MT: I don’t separate the two. Ministry is a part of us and are going to go through some difficult situations while growing we are a part of ministry. When I do ministry my wife is along up that they will not share with us parents even though we like side of me, we spend time with each other while we are doing to think that they would. If they do not have that relationship the work of the Lord. When we get tired, we will take some time with the church, they will run to the streets for their answer and and get away just the two of us and come back and do it all over that will be their crossroad moment that can shape the rest of again. Ministry should be a reason to bring families together not their lives. pull them apart, but that takes to people loving the same thing and then maximizing it. Couples do ministry and forget about the fellowship part so ministry becomes a strain. Fellowship with other believers after church or an event will strengthen and encourage you in ministry.

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The perspective of the unpure girl.

Continued from pg. 13

By: Darnica Gordon

So real quick I want to give you all a little snippet of my background. I was an honor/high honor roll student. I loved school and had an A and B plan before High School. Plan A: Graduate from Duquesne and enroll in their law program.

Crush the bar and become a lawyer! Plan B: Journalism (go figure)! Around this time I started learning about sex and my body.

There was educational sex and parental sex. Educational sex taught us to practice abstinence but if that didn’t work make sure to use a condom. The parental sex (that I got) was it’s natural to have sex just wait til you’re older. I was under the assumption that having sex could only result in getting pregnant.

But as I learned in school there were STDs to worry about as well. I nearly had a heart attack when I had seen what different STDs caused.

What I should have been taught was to wait until I was married. That having sex was a sacred and special thing that

should only be shared with my husband. The problem with that, many people don’t believe that themselves.

School should stress abstinence way more than safe sex.

Aint no safe sex, how about no sex! This new section of Christ it Up is called “Awaken Love” There will be talk about how your body develops and changes, topics about staying pure, as well as the challenges and temptations! Feel free to submit questions to christitup@yahoo.com. This will be a place to come and let your hair down. Let us not be ashamed to speak up about staying pure, not having sex, and waiting until marriage. I look forward to this new beginning.

Check out Sunny’s FB page Awaken Love and again you can email your questions or testimonies to christitup@yahoo.com

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