Christ It Up Summer 2014

CHRIST IT UP YOUTH

EDITION

FUN

YOUNG& SAVED

Content On the cover from left to right Zanasia Harden Breonna Thorne Imani Downing Tanusia Trent Amanda Quartermaine Genevieve Johnson Zaneen Harden

From left to right; Top Will Ralston Same as cover photo Deonna Fletcher Kylah Mitchell Amanda Quartermaine Breonna, Imani, Deonna All youth styled by themselves Photographed by: Standback Media

Cover Story pg. 8

Aaron Donald’s Testimony pg. 12

A collection of testimonies from the youth.

A story of the 1st round draft pick from the perspective of his sister

Girls of Royalty pg. 6 A Christian Ministry-Based Network for Women of all Ages!

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My Youth Issue pg. 15 Drawing by: Stevi Thompson *Heart of a Lion*

A tale of how one woman’s perception of teens was turned around.

Note

Standback Media

So being saved (and 30!) I’m a little detached from the youth. I speak to my family and chop it up with the youth at my church but I realized I don’t really know a lot about what’s going on with them or what they go through. See I didn’t get saved until I was 24 so I didn’t deal with the pressures of being a teen and being saved.

I went to Youth Night at my church recently which doesn’t happen because it’s for ages 1217. But this particular night my pastor (Trent, who was featured in our 2013 Fall Issue. Check christitupmagazine.com for past issues) had invited all ages because the Word was going to be that serious. He was so on fire about the Word that he was given to deliver and I was excited to hear it. He spoke on drugs, sex and weapons (and that’s just the surface of it). He went in! See it was on my heart to do an issue that was centered on the youth well before that night. But that night showed me why it was necessary. For teens to have an outlet to share what they’re going through and ask questions they may not normally ask. I pray that this issue is a blessing to everyone. Young and…younger :). That we’re able to see that the youth needs us.

They need us for wisdom and guidance. Let’s be the Light God called us to be!

Mz. CIU

Give your life to Christ

Vessel’s 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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A Man By: Stevi Thompson

I desire a man who reflects the heart of Christ One who finds life in His life A man that will display compassion When the weight of the world decides to rest upon my shoulders Doing everything it can to make me colder I just pray that he would understand A man that is not afraid of commitment Because he is first deeply committed to Jesus Dedicating his entire being to the purpose of worship of the one true living God A man that is merciful in all his ways Because Lord knows I have my days Where graciousness will be greatly needed A man that is patient with me Because he understands how patient the Lord has been with him One who trust solely in God’s timing A man that is selfless One who gives with no limits Because he has witnessed Christ do the same for him by dying on that cross Understanding that nothing was lost But gained Eternal love

I am the Habari gani menta, I speak for the youth!

By: Kymberly Harper

In ancient Africa, prior to the time of the Greek and Roman invasions, when a child was born, each village shared the responsibility for raising and educating the child into the customs and traditions associated with that village. While the child had contact with every member of the village, there was always one older child (not a family member) who would be assigned the responsibility to ask questions and listen carefully to the younger child. In Swahili (one of the oldest languages on our planet), this questioning person was called, "Habari gani menta" which, in English, means, the person who asks "What's happening?"

Historically, American children are a blessing to our families, communities and places of worship. We have rituals to assist them in their future decision making and helping them be safe. We want nothing more than our perfect bundle of joy to grow into perfect adulthood unscathed by life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Then they become teenagers!

One hundred years ago, a teenaged boy was trained by his father to become a man. He was taught a trade and education was not very consequential for the masses. On the other hand, the teenaged girl was trained to be a wife to a much older man. She was taught how to take care of him and their children…no trade or education.

In the midst of civil rights movement, women’s movement and other freedoms, we emancipated our youth and called it adolescence.

We now protect this time of growth and development. They are to go to school seven hours a day for five days a week. They are no to engage in sexual intercourse until they are married and they are not to become married until they are adults; which is now eighteen instead of twelve.

But, what about the children?

All of these changes ideally happened in regard for our youth to make them safe. However, there are innate characteristics of their development that seem bizarre to adults that are just remnants of their historical DNA. Teen pregnancy is not new it is re-categorized because girls are now having sex with young men their age without being married and training from their mothers. Young men are unemployed, because they have no male role models in their lives to explain the importance of vocation. It is our fault, we have failed our children.

Now that we have upset their lives, we have to be the change that we want to see for them. We can no longer place blame on our young people without standing by their side and being a support system for their constant crisis. When was the last time you just hugged a young person, just because? When was the last time you gave wise counsel to a young person that you would have taken yourself? We have underestimated our country’s future because we have not taken into consideration it’s past.

As a young person you were important. There were people in your life that took the time to talk to you, embrace you…care for you.

Now you are an impactful adult. You have responsibility to understand passed what you see, to be non-judgmental, to a fault, to be water in the desert and covering in a storm. You don’t have to have the answers to everything you just have to be willing to listen to them and speak for them to be their Habari gani menta.

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Girls of Royalty As told by Genesis Dorsey

Esther was an orphan. Rahab was a prostitute. Ruth was an idol worshipper.

Mary was pregnant out of wedlock. They were all used by God to do His will. I didn’t know that God had picked me because I was walking in fear and not my purpose.

in another person’s life. Esther made me realize that you may not have the perfect picture life. However, God can’t use perfect pictures because He could never get the glory from it. I began to write about how I was seeing God in my life. All of the knowledge that I had acquired from reading the Word of God was being written down day by day. I started to spend time with God more and more. All of the past mess, the current family situations, and the day to day struggle became less important and God began to have dominance in my life.

On November 5th, 2012, I wrote my first article Girls of Royalty. Girls of Royalty was a vision God gave me to fulfill on this earth. It is a Christian ministrybased network for women of all ages.

The year is 2012. Imagine a 19 yearold young woman from Delaware that was broken and confused about her destiny. I was raised up in the church.

My grandfather was a pastor for decades and my parents had been pastors ever since I was in middle school. I had heard that when God anoints the head of the family to lead, the anointing also falls down to the next generation. I was involved in church and knew that God had something amazing for me but I was struggling with myself internally which transferred to my daily actions. The year of 2012 hit me so hard that I was on the ground spiritually for months.

Yes, I attended church. Yes, I knew God. However, I was not experiencing God. Then the Fall of 2012 came and everything changed. I had lost so much in my life from family, friends, to the passion that I had to pursue my dreams.

I thought I was a lost cause. However, when God has laid His on you, that’s it. It’s up to you whether you choose to accept the calling or not. I did in October. I was reading the book of Esther and my spirit began to wake up from the deep slumber it had been in for months. My purpose was birthed from realizing the power of God’s hand

Girls of Royalty serves as a movement to inspire women of all ages to cast down the spirit of fear and pick up the plans & purposes that God has for them. The motto of Girls of Royalty is “No Fear. All Purpose”. I have come to know that God has a main purpose and an individual purpose for our lives.

The main purpose for anyone that believes in Jesus Christ is to proclaim the Gospel and the saving grace of our Savior and to win souls. Our individual purpose lies within that main purpose. I believe that God gives us gifts and talents that are meant to ultimately glorify Him. Those gifts and talents lie within our individual purpose. For instance, my purpose was to use the gift of speaking and writing to create Girls of Royalty. I also believe that God has several purposes for His people if that is His will. However, whatever

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your purpose is, you need a network of women who love God and will be your spiritual support in your life. That is where Girls of Royalty comes in.

However, it did not start out as a network. I thought it would just be a blog for women to visit and read from time to time. It turned into something greater than I could have ever imagined and it is still in its beginning stages. After I started writing articles, I began to teach online live videos in a bible study like setting. After one year, God told me to create a team during the winter of 2013.

As of now, we have not only expanded to have a team but we have currently 22 team members with 8 teams. We have a prayer team that prays over all prayer requests that are emailed to them and we also have an amazing social media team that has grown our reach from just 100 followers to over 3,000 through social networks. We now have opened up to have official membership with Girls of Royalty and have almost 500 women registered with women from not just the United States but from Europe and Africa.

We now have local chapters in cities such as Philadelphia, Houston, Richmond, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Detroit. We just opened up a chapter in Tallahassee, FL. Besides weekly online bible study and prayer, we have also expanded to have a mentoring program and a new network group for teenagers called RoyalTeenz. We also have an amazing writing team called “CROWNED” that produces great articles for our ladies to read. All of this came to fruition and I just thought that it was just going to be a Continue on pg. 15

Couples in Christ Meet JB and Shari wilson Our marriage was born out of true friendship and obedience to God. No one is perfect but you can definitely strive to be right in God’s eyes. My husband, JB, and I met at church one summer and so it began! We didn’t even know it yet, but our introduction began a friendship that would last forever. Some people date for a while with the intention of getting married at some point but for us, our friendship was the foundation for our marriage. JB used to always say that a marriage is like a home and what’s a home with out a solid foundation? When my JB and I became friends our worlds changed forever. We were both in the music ministry at our church and had only one thing in mind and that was God. Our main focus was on Christ alone! We wanted to do what ever it took to please God and nothing else would do! We were so focused on being in love with Christ that before we knew it, we began have feelings for one another. The biggest thing for us was being “real” with each other and sensitive to the Holy Spirit and what He wanted, not just what we wanted. With that said, we were able to strengthen each other in Christ whether it be confronting an issue or a fault in each other, or lifting each other up in Christ; it was all done in love. We labeled our friendship as having a Jonathan and David covenant; a friend that is closer than a brother. That covenant was that of Divine friendship, just focusing on being a good friend to one another and genuinely caring about one another’s well being both spiritually and naturally. During this time we noticed that as we were running for God individually we were running at the same speed. In other words, we were equally yoked. We immediately prayed and sought counsel on whether to act on the feelings we had and date or to wait until we felt at peace with dating. We chose to wait to date and we ended up waiting a year before we dated because I attended a ministry internship and we were not permitted to date while in the program, and I was committed to staying in the program.

Photo courtessy of VYP

a constant give and take. No marriage is going to look the same as another and comparing one marriage with another will just cause issues. I honestly believe that nothing will help someone grow in loving others like marriage does. When you’re married you truly have to love with the love of Christ. You have to have true love for one another, true forgiveness, and true patience. A wise woman once told me that my home was my first ministry, so I began to pray over my home and our little family. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy and it’s very important to pray for protection in the home and against any plan of the enemy because all he needs is just a little way in to the home to begin stealing what God gave you.

Our marriage isn’t perfect and we’re not prefect either but our goal is to love one another as Christ loves the church and nothing less. Our marriage is still very much a work in progress but it’s a life long journey that we will share together.

The only advice I really have on marriage is, one, community is necessary. Spending time with other Christian couples young and old will strengthen the marriage. Two, don’t be After the year was over we looked forward to our new afraid to seek counsel. The Bible says that wisdom is found in a relationship. Our first date was pretty awesome! We were no longer friends we were boyfriend and girlfriend! Our courting multitude of counsel, so why shouldn’t that apply to marriage as well? Getting counsel in marriage is neither a bad thing nor relationship was long distance and by far, one of the hardest something to be ashamed of. Getting counsel is pretty much seasons we’ve been through together. I can honestly say that with out God our marriage wouldn’t have been possible! We got marriage school where you can learn how to be a better wife engaged 9 months after we started dating and 6 months later we or husband, from those who have already been in your shoes. I love being married! I love the man God has given me to be my were married; which was the best day of my life! husband, and I look forward to worshipping God through our We’ve been married now for a year and a half and we love being marriage in the many years to come! married! If I can be honest though, marriage is hard work! It’s Shari

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It’s been on my heart to see what’s been going on with the Youth. So I decided to dedicate an entire issue to them. Here are their thoughts, ideas, and dreams….

Welcome to their world!

Hello! I’m Genevieve Johnson and I was raised in a Christian home with both parents and six other siblings that I almost never got along with. I remember growing up with my dad teaching us the Word of God but never understanding it and not applying it to my life like I should have. Around the age of 12 I began dating not knowing what it meant or what it would lead to. I ended up losing my virginity at the age of 14. I didn’t even realize that that happened because I knew nothing about sex. I was basically taken advantage of because I didn’t know how to stop it or prevent it. Almost a week after I lost my virginity I began having extreme pains in my stomach, to the point of not being able to walk. After two days of not knowing why I had the pains, and it becoming worse, my parents took me to the hospital. We found out that I needed immediate surgery to remove my appendix before it ruptured, because if it did I would’ve died. But by the grace of God and my family’s prayers I pulled through. God chose to save me for a reason that I later found why. Between the ages of 15 and 17 I was extremely rebellious and disrespectful so I never got along with my parents so it came to a point where they wanted to disown me and put me in foster care. I didn’t want it to get that far so I started going back to church and that’s where I found the love and truth about our Lord Jesus Christ.

That’s also where he saved me again and made me into a brand new person; a person that I never thought I’d be.

Now I’m apart of the Praise Team at my church and also in training to be a Youth Worker. I thank God every day that He came into my life to save me because if it wasn’t for Him I wouldn’t be here today. He didn’t have to save me but He did, because He loves me and that’s what helps me to keep pursuing Him. Thank you all for your prayers!

I’m Reggie Moorefield and I was born with a disability that the doctor said was going to kill me in hours. He told my parents to prepare to lose me and my great grandmother refused to believe that and my mom said she started praying in the hospital waiting room, and by the grace of God I pulled through. I still was going to need several surgeries to fix my sight and to fix my spin and legs. At 2 they pulled the muscle in my eyes and legs. Then in 2000 I had a surgery to put 2 metal rods in my back to fix my spin. The doctor told me that I had a great chance to die on the table but my faith in God gave me the Power to say to my parents and the doctors that I know God will get me through. After all that God showed me how powerful He was and allowed the doctor to test my faith by telling me that I was going to lose my leg. But God healed that!

He has allowed me to be ordained as a Deacon, which took place in December of 2013. I thank God that He has showed me so much favor and grace in my life!

Growing up as a preacher’s kid was tough. Everybody expected so highly of me whenever something came upon me. It came down to a point where I didn’t care anymore so I started to do my own thing. It was all fun and games for a while until things got bad. By me getting involved with the wrong people there wasn’t a day that went by when I didn’t fear for my life. I was trying to get my act together because I seen what my behavior was doing to my mom...but the day that she died it seemed like my whole world ended. I was 15 years old and both of my parents were dead. I just hit a wall and crashed hard...I moved up here to Pittsburgh with my family still doing the same stuff that got me into trouble. My Senior year I met my best friend Genevieve and she lead me back to Christ. It was a struggle to leave my old life and still today in some cases it’s still hard. But there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t thank God for what he has brought me through because if it wasn’t for him I would be dead. I also I wouldn’t be here to be a living testimony!!

-Amanda Quartermaine

Journey to Christ I first started attending Lighthouse back in 1999; I was 14 at the time. What attracted me to want to stick around was their Youth Ministry. I started attending Friday nights and Pastor Maurice Trent Jr. was the youth pastor at the time. They always had fun exciting things for us to do. By the time I was 16 Pastor Teco was ordained youth Pastor and his assistant youth Pastor was Pastor Marcus. They were very creative with the Arts: plays, mimes, dances, singing, rapping, and spoken word. I loved the fact that you could use these various forms to learn about the God that I did not know at the time. Once I became a young adult I continued to attend youth night and became a youth worker trainee. I was honored because I knew that the youth ministry saved me from a life of destruction. I was headed down the wrong path and youth night turned my life around. By the time I was 18 I was fully functioning as a youth worker, it was a very serious commitment. I had to be available for spending time in God’s Word, Friday nights, meetings, field trips, and one on one time with the youth. I didn’t always feel effective because we had lots of issues that seemed unfixable happening with the youth including myself. I was learning as I went and didn’t always get it right. As time went by the generations of youth came and went. Some were saved and changed their life around, some gave up and went back into the world. What I learned over time is that as a youth worker we are to do our best planting and watering seeds in the souls (people) we come across. They may not seem reachable or even seem like they hear or see your effort, but I was once there, and the more you minister pass the appearance, the closer you get that soul to Christ!!!!! Now I am 29 years old and married to the youth Pastors of Lighthouse! Never would I have thought I would be in this position in ministry, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. As we minister to the youth of this generation I think back to when I sat in that seat feeling lost, confused, unloved and unwanted. I think back to how the youth workers poured out love and showed me a new path. So I keep pushing and pushing never giving up but assisting them in their Journey to Christ!!!!!!

God Bless Sis Tanusia

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Hi

God Is A Deliver! So Why Be Stuck?

My name is Maurice Trent (LC) and I’m the Youth Pastor of The Lighthouse. I’ve been the youth pastor since Dec 31, 2013. I’m one of the Pastors sons so I’ve been a part of Lighthouse my whole life. I started out as one of the youth growing up going to youth night and different events our church was having. Growing up I always knew I was called to be a youth pastor because I always wanted to show kids that being a Christian was fun and you can still serve God doing it, but I would try to run from it. I always had a heart and a passion for the youth no matter how old they were I just thought my plan God had for me was something else. I was a very good athlete so instead of walking in my calling that God had for me I was chasing a NFL dream. I thought I was supposed to fulfill it so I played semi-pro ball for 2 years and God closed every door. That’s when I knew I couldn’t run from my calling anymore. I sat and learned how to be a youth pastor for 2 years by Pastor Marcus Potemy and Pastor John Wilson; two powerful men of God that got me to where I am now. Today I thank God and my father, Pastor Maurice Trent Jr., for allowing me to care and serve for the youth in today’s world. These children are lost and they’re crying out for attention and help. They need positive influences and role models. Also it’s a chance to show them that you can be young and except Jesus in your heart, and Christians can have fun and turn up for God!!!!! So I say all that to say I thank God for being the youth pastor because it’s the greatest calling God ever gave me. The youth are special to me and I care about their future and if they get an opportunity to expect Jesus in their hearts.

I was 13 when I decided to date. I wanted to feel loved and have a cute relationship like every other girl.

But little did I know I was wanting to be loved and was trying to grow up too fast at a young age. I made many mistakes and felt stuck. I meet my first love at 13. When we broke up like every other relationship doesn’t last like fairytale endings at young ages when God isn’t the center or miscommunication, arguments and one spouse wanting more control and or having lustful desires or even if things were rushed. Any of these things can cause relationships to fall apart even other girls interfering. But what I learned is how can you love others or want a relationship if you don’t have these things with yourself or God? Do you love yourself? Do you have a relationship with God? Think and ask yourself! Why be stuck and in depression, sad and sobbing when you can be delivered! I’m a living example you may miss the past but it’s time to move.

Every relationship doesn’t work. However it’s better to be happy then stuck! God helped me and I’m happy now. It’s not easy at all so don’t think that, just pray and read your Word as much as you can. Just ask yourself do you want to be stuck in life?

-Kylah Mitchell

Thanks, Pastor Maurice Trent (LC)

“He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he who guards the cause of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair every good path for wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Direction will protect you, and understanding will guard you” Proverbs 2:7-11 Time is ticking life is Not a clock We are routing in our own skin our own sin forcefully aggressively waiting for someone to hear our call someone to answer our questions that we never got answers to Why can’t we work together as one fill in the spaces I’m losing the function of my brain cells We are wasting time lives are being thrown away like it’s nothing Respect what happened to respect did we forget that we are living freely

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God chose His only son to die for our sins and this is what it is coming to Sleepless nights I had a couple of those when you feel alone, misunderstood You think No one knows you’re there that’s how I felt every time I smiled I pictured the past and after a while it wasn’t there anymore I love who I am and who I have become but I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t blessed Time is ticking life is Not a clock I used to hide behind makeup and silence the stare in my eyes all I could ever do was cry I used to let people tear me down brick by brick I felt worthless I felt it was my fault I was the only one that could fix it But here I am sixteen today thanking God for taking all my pain away Just believe and you will see living right will get you eternity Time is ticking life is Not a clock -Imani Downing

Note to the Youth

as having few words became explosive on the football field. Yes, he was undersized for his position as a defense tackle, but he managed to overcome this hurdle. He won award after award and earned national recognition. Often times, he’d say to the camera, “God is good.”

My brother is Aaron Donald. On May 8, You see when God has a covering over you 2014, at age 23, he was a first round draft and a calling for your life, those naysayers pick. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams. won’t deter or defeat God’s plan. This is The photo below captured the epic moment more than, “Oh he just plays football”.... when the world learned that Aaron was this is evidence of God’s promises. This is welcomed to the Rams nation. (Go Rams!) evidence that God can do big things with a little diligence, trust and obedience. The The night of his draft party, a childhood beauty is: God does these things with every friend and I spoke of Aaron’s commitment day, ordinary people. The amazing thing is: to greatness. Aaron was different from most this is just the beginning. Whatever God people, including myself. We (myself, and has placed into your heart, do it! Yes, it’s younger brothers, Archie and Aaron) grew going to be hard! Yes, when you try to do up in the hood, Lincoln Lemington to be exact. So if you’re familiar with the area, you know that the community is rippled with violence and drugs. In my youth, I strayed from the path of rightness. But Aaron didn’t…there were so many things that he could have gotten himself into but he didn’t. It wasn’t always easy for him to do “right.” He went to high school and worked really hard, playing football and right wrong happens (“…he that departs maintaining his academics. In his senior from evil makes himself a prey…” Isiah year of high school, he learned that not 59:1)! But God will deliver you. The Bible many colleges were interested in him due says, “Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear to his size. He was considered small. When not nor be in terror before them, for it is the he was offered the chance to play football Lord your God Who goes with you; He will for the University of Pittsburgh, he accepted not fail you or forsake you” Deuteronomy the offer. He took between 4-5 classes at a 31:6. Trust him! time, while playing football and traveling There are some things that I wish I knew to and from games. The stereotype, “dumb growing up. Perhaps, if I knew these things jocks” is a fallacy. Athletes work really hard. my life would have been a little different If they don’t maintain a certain grade point and I could have walked in God’s favor average, they can’t play their sport. Aaron sooner. I’m going to share these things with went out on the field and was disruptive. you and it’s your decision to accept or reject the wisdom. “For wisdom is a defense even Unfortunately, not many thought he was as money is a defense, but the excellency good enough to go to the NFL. Aaron didn’t of knowledge is that wisdom shields listen. He worked even harder. He exercised and preserves the life of him who has it” while others slept, he studied footage of Ecclesiastes 7:12 upcoming competitors, and he held tight to 1) Trust God!!! He will deliver. He the notions that my father installed into our will protect. He will provide. heads: o “Jesus said to them, “I am the • “Hard work pays off ” bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not • “Nothing comes to a sleeper but a hunger, and whoever believes in me shall dream” never thirst.” John 6:35 • “Anything in life worth having, is 2) Delay does not mean denial. (This takes worth fighting for” some spiritual maturity) Yes, it would have been easy to quit when o “For you have need of steadfast naysayers said, “The kid’s good…but not patience and endurance, so that you may good enough.” The guy that many know perform and fully accomplish the will

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of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised” Hebrews 10:36 3) Education is one of the most powerful tools. Knowledge is power. Equip yourself with this tool. o “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver” Proverbs 16:16 4) The world tells you that good is evil and evil is good. God is the victor. Join the winning side! o “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:2021 [Woe- grievous distress, affliction, or trouble]

5) Believe that you are everything that God said that you are. o Powerful o Wonderfully made o The head and never the tail o Blessed and highly favored 6) Watch your company! Surround yourself with like-minded people. Once you pray for God to remove anyone out of your life that’s no good. Be ready. God will do just that and it may hurt but God has your best interest at heart. o Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” 1 Corinthians 15:33 Oh here’s something that you won’t hear about in any other magazine (sssshhhhh) When Aaron was younger he’d get mad and tell us he was running away. He’d pack his book bag full of snacks.

Then he’d disappear outside. I’d peep outside and guess where he’d be? Right on the front porch, eating his Twinkies, Ho-Hos, and KitKats and drinking his Huggies.

LOL I have some super awesome, amazing little brothers!! :) God is good! I love you my mini kings and queens! XOXO Kita

Coffee with Sister Doris Dear Sister Doris, I’m a 16 year old teenager. I gave my life to the Lord a few months ago and I am having a very hard time. My parents aren’t saved. I hear a lot of Christian kids say their parents don’t let them do unchristian things, but my parents let me do whatever I want. They want me to go to parties. They listen to non-Christian music in the house. I hear the pastors talking about coverings and how we should listen to our parents because it protects us, but I don’t have that. I am so sad because I don’t have what I think God wants me to have. I feel depressed sometimes. Maybe I should have not gotten saved so that I can fit in with the family again. No, I don’t mean that. I like being a Christian.

I don’t know what to do. Can you help me?

Signed, Christian teen Christian teen,

think that we need people to tell us to do the right thing, when we already know that what we want to do is wrong. There are Sweetie I am so glad that you stopped by so that we can chat. things that parents should want to protect us from, but if you Before we get started, do you need more cream or sugar in your don’t have that, God is your father and He will look after you. tea? The tea is ok? Great! I want to make sure that I address all As far as coverings go, God will place you in a spiritual (church) of your issues. family where someone can speak Godly wisdom to you until your parents are able to be the covering that you need.

I’m a 16 year old teenager. I gave my life to the Lord a few Psalms 68:5-6 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he months ago.

First, congratulations on giving your life to the Lord. That was a leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. huge step and the best decision you can ever make.

1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in I like being a Christian.

I am glad to hear that you like being a Christian. It is great life, in love, in faith and in purity.” knowing that we are in right relationship with the Lord.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, My parents aren’t saved.

Rejoice When you are dealing with a family member who isn’t saved, you have to pray and ask God for the words to say to them and live a Christian life in front of them. Many children have lived I don’t know what to do. a Christian life in front of their parents and their parents have You do know what to do. You go to the Lord in prayer. You live a Christian life, and you don’t shove Jesus down anyone’s throat. joined the faith. We will continue to keep the faith about this.

But remember being a Christian doesn’t mean that you do not You are strong and more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. God is going to do amazing things in the life of your parents. I am so have to obey your parents.

Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this happy for you and proud of you.

Philippians 4:6-7Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray is right. about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for I hear a lot of Christian kids say their parents don’t let them all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your do unchristian things …. I am so sad because I don’t have hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus what I think God wants me to have…. I hear the pastors talking about coverings.

You don’t absolutely have to have parents to guide you in your I hope that our chat helped. faith walk. The Holy Spirit will guide you in the things of Until next time, Sister Doris will be praying for you.

Christ. If these kids are trying to do ungodly things, they are not listening to the voice of the Lord, and it is great they have parents telling them to do the right thing. A lot of times we Have a question for Sister Doris? Email us at christitup@yahoo.com

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Book Worm Get You Good

By: Rhonda Bowen This was an awesome story of a woman who lost her father, and like a lot of us, has family issues. But the one thing that brings immense joy to her life is her father’s Bakery.

See she’s worked there since she was young and has taken it over since her father has died. The only problem…it was left to her brother who wants nothing to do with it. You are in for a treat as you watch God work everything out in this woman’s life.

Great book!

Lost & Found

By: Sarah Jakes This book was an absolute awesome testiment of how much God loves us and will never leave us.

Go on this journey as Sarah Jakes takes you from her childhood into adulthood and through all the mistakes while God continues to love her the same.

Words of the Lord 1 Timothy 4:12 NLT Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, in your faith, and your purity.

Let’s first start with the first line. “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young”. Now don’t jump the gun. You must always be respectful to those older than you, but understand that God calls on whomever He chooses; no matter the age. He has placed something in you that is to be used for the Kingdom, that people may give their lives to Christ. Understand that God can and will use you to do things and don’t be afraid because you think you’re too young. If God is calling you to do something and you may be confused or uncertain about it, talk to your pastor or someone older from your church that you may trust and is able to counsel you in a Godly manner. Older Christians are meant to share their wisdom and experiences with the youth. It is so important that you read your Word, pray, and attend church. It is also wise to maybe find a mentor. Understand that God loves you and has a plan for you. And once you have decided to follow Him it is your duty to reflect Christ as much as possible. It’s up to us daily to fight our flesh, meaning denying ourselves of the things we want. Things like, not cussing people out, doing the right thing when no one is looking, being a servant, not having sex outside of marriage...the list goes on.

Be Christ-like no matter your age!

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Continued from pg. 6

blog for women to read from “time to time”.

Girls of Royalty is still in the beginning stages.

People have told me repeatedly that most start-ups of any kind usually fail within 3 years. However, when God is involved, 3 years is nothing. Because of the expansion that happened quite suddenly, we are in process of finalizing our non-profit status. My goal is to make this network something that lasts even after my generation passes on.

I also desire for RoyalTeenz, our new group for Teenagers, to soar and to become a go-to network for teenagers. Most importantly, God has emphasized the saving of souls in this network.

I think Girls of Royalty is unlike many networks because of all that we offer and the weekly consistency that is provided. I know that the next level is to create a team of women that will help any woman who desires to be saved. The team would take them through the process and explaining to them what it means to be saved and the basics of Christianity. The team would also connect them to local churches in their area. This is a vital next move that I know God wants Girls of Royalty to do.

God is truly amazing. He will always take you where you never dreamed. You just have to let go of fear and hold on to God knowing that there is a purpose for you to fulfill.

I would like to thank Darnica Gordon for reaching out to Girls of Royalty. This is another reason why I love Girls of Royalty because we are able to connect with amazing people doing amazing things within the body of Christ. On behalf of myself and the Girls of Royalty team, we would like to thank ChristUp Magazine for this amazing opportunity.

In order to get in touch with Girls of Royalty, you can visit our website: girlsofroyalty.com To connect with us socially, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest: @girlsofroyalty. You can also find us on Facebook.

In order to get in touch with me personally, you can visit: about.me/genesisdorsey To connect with me socially, you can follow me on Instagram & Twitter: @gigihepburn

My Youth Issue

by Leria Felix

Teenagers made me sick. I could not stand them and they knew it. Along with that, they didn’t like me, and I was okay with that.

Honestly, I did not care. I thought all teens were disrespectful, disobedient degenerates, and to them I was the mean lady. Like I said, I really didn’t like them.

So why would I continue to be a member of the Youth Department at my church? How did I manage to participate for over 5 years since our youth group focuses on kids 12 years old and up? One answer: GOD. GOD wouldn’t let me quit. One night, I got mad and was about to just walk out. I was tired of it. Every Friday, I was subjected to hot headed, rude, loud-mouth, can’t follow directions, try to fight you teens. I was done. I had decided that this would be my last night. Towards the end of services, there was an altar call.

And the teens went up one by one.

I remember standing in the back of the sanctuary, looking forward and realized that this is why GOD wouldn’t let me quit. This was the safe place for these children. And I was a part of it. I started praying for them, as a whole. I realized that the children that I thought were rude and never going to be good, kept coming to church and going to the altar for prayer. This was the safest place for them to be and what we got on Fridays was a result of what they dealt with all week.

The church is where they came for refuge. This is their safe place.

They chose to go to the altar. Many with tears streaming down their faces, young men and women, seeking prayer and answers to what was happening in their lives and their families and friends lives.

They requested prayer for their parents and friends to be saved, for loved ones who had died or were dying. They asked for prayer for them to be strong enough to overcome life’s circumstances. They cried because they didn’t know what to do but they believed us, the youth leaders, when we told them that Jesus was the answer to their problems. They believed us. They believed me.

So, who was I not to love these children, His children? The Bible says in 1John 4:20-21, “If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.”

GOD softened my heart, I allowed him to. The teens, they weren’t bad, to be written off and thrown to the world of wolves that we lived in. They needed people to love them. And we were just the people to do it. We showed them that GOD loved them, and that being a Christian didn’t have to be boring or weird. We showed them that there was strength in Christ and that they had people they could depend on to get them through tough times. We would pray with them and help them with their problems. They could trust us. That we were real people, just like them, with real issues, like theirs, but that we really love GOD and that they could, too.

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