Christ It Up 2015 New Year Issue

CHRIST IT UP

TM

Darnica Gordon

New Year 2015 Issue

MEET Ieesha Cheatham

Seeking A New Church?

Sister Doris Knows Best!

What Does YOUR New Year’s Resolution Look Like?

Content

On The Cover

In Every Issue

...The Rest

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Make this your year to do what God has called you to do!

*Vessel's Note *Prayer for Salvation *Couples In Christ *Coffee with Sister Doris *Bookworm *Words of the Lord

8| Writing On Purpose How writing has helped one woman with the pains of life.

10| Coffee With Sister Doris Before you go seeking out other churches check out Doris’ 5 guiding tips.

12| Cover Story Meet Ieesha Cheatham!

CEO & Founder of Church Girls Ministry, Author, and Youth President of Church Youth Ministry.

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Note

The New Year always brings “new” something else. Last year my “new” was to work on myself financially (after years of trying to work on my appearance). I have to say I didn’t do too bad of a job. I was able to say a whopping $130 (to date). I had more than that but it had to be used for emergencies. I was grateful that I had the cash I did tucked away. Having it allowed me to use it and not dabbled in money that was already scheduled for other bills. Anyhow, I plan on continuing my journey to saving and budgeting. You can share your money saving tips with us on Facebook.

Also, what were some things you accomplished in 2014? What do you plan on accomplishing in 2015?

The Word says to write it down, make it plain. Habakkuk 2:2 So let’s do just that!

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!

Happy 2015 Mz. CIU 1323 Superior Ave Pittsburgh, Pa 15212 412~478~8892 christitup@yahoo.com www.christitupmagazine.com 3|CIU New Year Issue

New Year? Resolution?

By: Author Kimberly Fairley

How many times have you made a New Year’s resolution? How many times has the new year brought you a new theme to live by? Now how many of us forgot, lost sight, or fell away from that resolution just weeks or months into the new year? It happens to us all. There’s not one of us that seeks to be stagnant in our lives.

There’s not too many that vow never to do or be better. I’m not asking you to conjure up yet another resolution or promise to yourself that you will most likely break, but what I want to do is provoke some thought.

This was a question someone asked me recently: What are you passionate about? What brings you joy? What brings you to life? Passion can be defined as: strongly and barely controllable emotion. In its origin of Latin the word passion is defined as pati or suffer. Jesus’ PASSION and means of suffering was to bridge the gap for every one of us that we would have the means to receive salvation and not become eternally separated from God. He went so far as to become a curse to lift a curse.

If Jesus was willing to go through those lengths for us, can I ask what you’ll endure in order to be reconciled back to Christ? Or further more to be the vessel that He uses to reconcile a family member, friend, or co-worker back to Him? What will you do in 2015 to complete the mission God seeks to accomplish through you?

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, (Colossians 3:23 ESV) Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Ephesians 6:7NLT) I used these two scriptures not to ask you for another resolution, but I want you to search your heart. What is God calling you to do? Walk in purity? Live a life of boldness? Lead by example?

Seek God. Seek His will. Don’t complicate it. Be willing to say yes. Whatever He’s calling you to do in this brand new year He’s giving you, like Nike JUST DO IT. Did you know Nike in Greek is victory?!? You’ve got the victory. Walk in it.

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. (Romans 8:18 NLT) May 2015 bring you all God has for you.

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Couples in Christ Advice Edition

WAIT ON THE LORD……..

Is what I say to men/women who desire a soul-mate. Waiting on God for a soul-mate is the best things you can do. Waiting builds faith, patience, trust, and ends with an awesome testimony of how God moved in your life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path……Proverbs 3:5-6 I can testify that I waited on God to bring me my husband. I was celibate for 3 1/2 years, pursued a great relationship with God, and wanted to be a great example to the young ladies in my church. I thank God for giving me the man of God that I prayed for and that was in God’s will.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:4-5 In your singleness, focus on the call that is on your life and the mission God has you to fulfill. In God’s time he will unite you with your soul-mate. Also, obtain a great relationship with God. Having a relationship with God is essential even after

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God unites you with your wife/husband. I realized that I need God with or without a husband, with or without a degree, with or with a fabulous job and with or without the “ring”. I need God more than anything. A relationship with Him is essential.

Seek the Lord and His strength, Seek His face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11 Last, if you desire to be married prepare yourself. I encourage singles to seek God when to begin to prepare for marriage. God knows the season in which he will unite you with your soulmate. All things happen in His time for, His timing is perfect.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9 I hope this article encouraged anyone waiting on the Lord. I pray God blesses you with patience, faith and strength in your time of singleness.

God Bless you.

Roni Payne

Building an Empire 24 year-old sets to debut faith based entrepreneurship book Graduate student, nonprofit founder, and business consultant, will debut her first book “The Fundamental Journey of Entrepreneurship Through Prayer” January 24, 2015. She is planning a launch in January which will feature readings from the book, book signing, and interviews with the press.

In this book, Yates takes you through her journey of what it takes to become a young entrepreneur. The book tells you of her personal experiences and how her faith, as well as power of prayer can help aspiring and current entrepreneurs. “The Fundamental Journey of Entrepreneurship Through Prayer” can serve as your leader and guide through the world of entrepreneurship.

Yates has accomplished much prior to reaching her 25th birthday. She is a current Trinity Washington University Masters of Business Administration student is set to graduate May 2015, founder of Endless Dreams Foundation, Inc. which is geared towards helping underprivileged youth set, pursue, and complete their goals. What else has she done? She has recently added business consultant to her resume. Recently opening her business consulting firm, Brittany Love Consulting, it provides services for those who are looking to start or improve their business. Now, she can also add author to her title.

Brittany Yates is taking the needed steps to build her empire.

“The Fundamental Journey of Entrepreneurship Through Prayer” is now available for preorder at www.brittanylove.com/book. To learn more, call 609-815-4055 or visit www.brittanylove.com.

Contact: Brittany Yates, 609-815-4055 Email: booking@brittanylove.com http://www.brittanylove.com

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Writing On Purpose Writing has helped me to channel all my emotions and feelings. I started out writing for myself while dealing with the issues of life, setbacks, disappointments, death, job losses, and etc. Writing became a part of my routine. It helped me come to terms with the deepness of my pain. I began to write about every struggle and moment of despair. Writing has been my form of counseling. Before the growing technology all I had was my notebook, which is where I confessed my deepest feelings. It heard my cry and pain and helped me sort out my feelings through my creativity.

When you are living in pain, it is when you are most vulnerable.

I chose to write about all my pains and sufferings because my soul was already open. I could not hide anything from my notebook. Writing through my pain forced me to be brave and look inside my soul. At times I saw a scared girl not sure of the greatness that was a part of me, because my story was pain for so many years. Writing has been my most effective outlet.

It has forced me to be honest and true to my emotional state.

Everything I write is genuine feelings from a moment in my life. Writing has been a form of healing for me, because I did not cover up or suppress any of my emotions on paper. I focused only on my state of mind.

My notebook is special to me, I still sleep with my notebook by my side. Whenever I am feeling any type of emotion I write it down. It may be one word, one sentence or three pages at the time. Writing has helped me to be aware of my current moment. It helps me to deal with the constant changes of life.

I wrote my way out of pain. It took me a while to realize the healing that was taking place through my form of release.

There was a time I could not be honest with my words. If anyone asked the question “how are you doing?” my response was always “I am doing well, I’m fine” But when I picked up my pen and began to write I was not fine, I was not doing good. Writing linked me to the greater vision for my life. It gave me revelation of my inner being. Through my writing I was able to connect with my inner being, the person I was created to be. I might be writing about my pain, while my inner being had overcome the pain. I began to focus on my true self, not the temporary frustrations that are so often apart of life. Writing saved me from myself, it allows me to be myself, my notebook listen to me and never judge me for my

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flaws. Writing also allowed me to be more honest with God. I use to be afraid to share my disappointments and issues with God, I did not want to say the wrong things. Now I am able to talk to God about everything. Nothing is off limits. It helped me connect with God on a deeper level. I feel him the most through my creativity, the gifts and talents he has given me draws me closer to him daily. When I pick up my pen to write, I am striped down baring my soul. If it was not for my writing I would still be hiding behind my laughter, and never would have faced the issues that was pouring out of my heart. My notebook is my mirror, I cannot hide who I am, it is my truest reflection. It is my truth. I decided to gradually release my notebooks to the world through my blogs. The pain, learning and growing on my journey. I know how it feels to want someone to understand what you are going through. How do you get over the hurt and disappointments without being bitter?

How do you release that anger in a positive constructive manner? God made each one of us different, that also means you and I do not process life the same. Some people choose to shut down and have no form of release instead they turn to substance abuse, depression, sex and become numb to their own emotions and feelings.

Whereas for me writing opened me up in ways that I would not have with a person at the time. After reading this I challenge you to find your form of healing and release. Yes, prayer is always an order. If we are to be honest, you are not praying twenty four hours every day. After you have prayed what is the next step for you to release those bottled up emotions and feelings. Do you talk to someone? The death of my mother caused me to bottle up a lot of emotions and feelings, I did not feel comfortable talking to anyone else besides her. God finally set divine relationships in place for me and I now have an outlet other than writing. One of the things everyone on this earth has in common is pain. You will feel it at some point in your life. God gave me the strength to journal through my pain. What is your strength that is pulling you through your pain? I gave all my pain a title, wrote a story about it and let it go. Sometimes the trauma of a situation will block you from feeling your emotions. I have learned the sooner you acknowledge your emotions the quicker you can be free from your past and enjoy your life.

-Tikeena Mason

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Coffee with Sister Doris Dear Sister Doris, I am thinking of leaving my church. I know that God placed me here, but I don’t feel like I am growing. I am not involved in any ministry work because nothing happens here. They say they want to do things but never do them. I want to go to a church that does a lot for the community. Plus everyone here gossips. I’m getting frustrated I just want a change.

Signed, I’m out I’m Out, Sweetie I am so glad that you stopped by so that we can chat.

Before we get started, do you need more cream or sugar in your tea? The tea is ok? Great! There are a few ways that I would like to address regarding your concerns. What you are saying is a very serious topic that leaves people outside of the church. If the Lord isn’t telling you to go to a new place, then the devil is trying to get you away from your church covering so that he can do destructive things with your life. So let’s try these few things and see what the Lord has to say.

1.

Pray, pray, pray The Lord gives us Pastors. So if you believe that God placed you in your church, then you have to know that if God wants you to go He will tell you. You need to talk to God. Also, your pastor should have been given a vision, from the Lord, for your church.

Your pastor maybe praying for people to get on board and you may have the gift. Before you talk to your Pastor, go to God and ask him what HE wants you to do. Then talk to your pastor and ask how you can be of service. Perhaps even, tell your Pastor what you are skilled at and ask what ministries could use your help.

Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV) And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.

3.

If the church lacks consistency, you be the consistent one Sometimes a group of people want to see something happen, but don’t know how. If you are able to show them what being consistent looks like, maybe they can learn that skill from you.

Begin to intercede using this scripture in prayer for your church family 1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

4.

Gossiping…

There is no church that is perfect. Before you decided to jump ship do two things 1. Make sure that you aren’t spreading gossip and 2. Pray that the gossip will stop. Here are some scripture that you can use in prayer for your church family.

Titus 3:2 ESV To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Proverbs 4:24 Message Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.

5.

Is there something else going on in your life?

Sometimes when there is something going on in our personal lives it makes everything else seem huge. Sit down with your journal and being to think about all that is going on in the church. Are you really upset with the church or are you upset 2.

Get involved with your life and projecting those thoughts onto the church?

Use your gifts for the up building of the Kingdom of God. If you Don’t let anything take your focus away from the real mission see that there is a gap talk with your leadership about becoming which is building the kingdom of God. part of the team.

Proverbs 4:25 25 Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all 1 Peter 4:10-11NIV Each of you should use whatever gift you sideshow distractions have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms Until next time, Sister Doris will be praying for you.

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“As young people we have allowed society to take our voices away.”

MEET Ieesha Cheatham Interviewed by: Darnica Gordon Introduced through Instagram, I am blessed to have been able to meet such a lover of Christ. This young lady has a story to tell; let’s listen!

Christ It Up: How did you begin your walk with Christ?

Director of Church Girls Ministry an online ministry reaching over 1,000 women daily and helping them grow closer to Christ. We have recently added Church Boys ministry a group dedicated to growing men of all ages as Godly men. I am very involved in my church as well as other church organizations. I spend a lot of my free time volunteering at the local nursing home in my community. Giving back is always important.

Ieesha Cheatham: I was brought up in the church as a pastor’s “Grandaughter” So I was always in the church. The word of God was in me. I was actually 3 years old when I began my walk with Christ. I had some downfalls and lost my way for a moment but God saved me from myself in the midst of all my pain and I rededicated my life to him at age 16 and from there I have been on the battlefield for him.

CIU: What do you want people to gain from your ministries?

CIU: I read on your website that you battle with scoliosis tell us IC: I want everyone to gain a personal relationship with Christ. a little bit about that; how and when were you diagnosed?

My goal is reach, teach and encourage teens all around the world to not give up. As young people we have allowed society IC: Scoliois is an abnormal curve in your spine that curves into to take our voices away. We have to understand that if we don’t an “S” or a “C”. Yes I have Scoliosis I was diagnosed with this stand for something we will fall for anything. We have to come condition when I was 7 years old and I was always told that together and shake the planet with our worship and praise to it wouldn’t progress and I was fine but when I turned 16 my God. normal life was turned upside down. I have had 4 spinal surgies and I am still fighting.

CIU: What plans do you have for the future; near or far?

CIU: Wow! And through all that birthed an author, you just wrapped up your second book. Can you tell us a little bit about IC: I just want to enhance my ministries and draw more your first book? How did your second book come about? people to God. I see more books for my future as well as a Talk Show for young people to learn more about Christ. Growing a IC: The first book is entitled “Bent But Not Broken: Prayer platform for Young Christians everywhere.

Changes things” The book follows my journey through scoliosis and how I get through it with a new outlook, as well as build CIU: How can people get in contact with you? a closer relationship with Christ. This book will help anyone who lacks confidence and are in need of learning their self IC: You can connect with me through my website www. worth and how valuable they are to God. My second Book is in Jakiacheatham.com as well as social media, Instagram: production as we speak “A Church Girl’s Testimony” outlines @churchgirllifestyle and twitter: @jakiacheatham my journey as a fatherless daughter and deals with the pain of Facebook:facebook.com/ growing up without a father. I also talk about my life and how I ieesha.cheatham have grown into the ministry leader I am now.

CIU: Ieesha thank you CIU: You have a lot of things that you are involve in or things so much for sharing with you’ve started. Can you tell about those things? us. You have truly been a blessing!

IC: When I was in the hospital the first time I had asked God to show me my purpose and I went through four surgeries to find it. So from their I have dedicated my life to serving God in any possible way I can. I first started a support group for scoliosis teens around the world to find the help they need. It has now grown to over 1600 members and counting. I am Founder/

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Book Worm The Home Experience

By Devi Titus

This is a great guide on how to make your home a safe haven. It’s important that we have a place of solitude and peace, and this book shows you how. From how to declutter your home, to recipes for dinner parties ,this book has it all.

Words of the Lord

By: Darnica Gordon

Hebrews 11:1 Faith is confidence in hope we cannot see.

Now we all know that God is not visible here on Earth and a lot of times that’s what cause people not to believe in him. But there are lots of things that we cannot see or touch that we know exist. For example your breath, the wind, and even your brain. We can’t see those things but we know they’re there. It is the same thing with God. He proves to us day in and day out that He is present. He allows us each day to open our eyes and take that breathe that we cannot see. To see the sun we cannot touch. He is constantly reminding us that we should have FAITH; confidence in Him though we cannot see him.

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Available on Amazon.com