CIU 2013 Winter Issue

Christ It Up

Darnica Gordon

Are you a “Christian Christian”?

Pg. 8

Winter 2013

You may know him as a rapper, but he’s also a n entepreneur Pg. 11

Interview with Author Staci Bose Pg. 6

Cover: Melvin Jones Photographed by: Gary Coleman Styled by: Himself...literally!

Cover Issues: Getting to know Melvin Jones. Pg. 11 Is your worship looked down upon? Pg. 8 Indepth with Author Staci Bose. Pg. 6

Vessel’s Note Hello everyone! Hope everyone is doing well. I know I’m excited for CIU. The last issue was our one year anniversary issue, which I was really excited about. We celebrated by throwing a launch party. (picutes available on CIU website) It was an awesome experience and I had a great time. I’m looking forward to what’s in store for CIU. To God be the Glory! ~Darnica Gordon

www.christitup.wix.com/ciu1

christitup@yahoo.com

Dear GOD

By Leria Felix Dear GOD, to know you is to love you.

But how can I know you?

How can I love, When I don’t know what love is?

Dear GOD, what is love?

Love is patient and kind.

Love is humble. It doesn’t envy and isn’t proud.

Love allows sacrifice.

Love covers a multitude of sin. It is the most excellent way.

Love, perfect love, cast out fear.

Love endures all things.

Love is without hypocrisy. Unconditional.

Love does no harm to a neighbor.

Love is owed to others.

Love never fails.

Dear GOD, You are love.

GOD is love.

All who live in love, Live in GOD, And GOD lives in them.

As we live in GOD, Our love grows more perfect.

If we love each other, GOD lives in us And his love is brought to full expression in us.

To know love is to know you. To know you is to love To love, dear GOD, is you.

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J.R. Miah’s Debut Album “FROM HERE TO CANAAN” AVAILABLE NOW

Interview with Mrs. Staci Bose Staci is a woman that I look up to, and who knew she was an author! I’m not sure how we met but I know she’s definitely been an influence. From being a woman of God, Mother, Wife, Sister, and friend she has her plate filled. She works as the administrative assistant at our church, Lighthouse Cathedral, and was a dancer on our praise and worship team. Now she spends her time in school earning a degree in Psychology. The name of her first book is, “My Journey Into Egypt.” I loved the book; I read it in a few hours. So let’s talk to Mrs. Bose about her first publication.

Christ It UP: When did you realize you had a story?

Staci Bose: I started writing this book when I was about 18 years old. Writing has always been very therapeutic for me.

I kept journals throughout my teenage years. Writing helped me cope with the craziness that was taking place in my life.

CIU: Was it hard to be transparent?

SB: LOL...it was very hard to be transparent. There are things that I included in the book that only my best friend knew about. It was also difficult at times to relive those events. I took pauses and almost did not finish the book because I got too emotional. But then I remembered why I was writing the book so I pressed myself to finish. But it was definitely difficult at times.

CIU: Your characters remind me of people that I grew up with, including myself.

Was that the point?

SB: Yes. I wanted my readers to be able to read the book and feel like they were a part of the story. I wanted people to be able to relate to my characters.

CIU: Do you have any advice to girls who are lost looking for love?

SB: Yes...don’t be like me. I was looking for love because during my parent’s divorce, I felt that no one loved me. I wanted anyone to love me. So I searched for love in all the wrong places. I equated love with sex. Love and sex are not the same thing. Sex truly should be for marriage only because a teenage girl or boy is not ready for all the emotional stuff that comes with having sex. I went through a lot of heartache. I was suicidal. I had no self-esteem. It was not worth it.

CIU: How does it feel to have a book published?

SB: It is still surreal. I wanted to do this for so long, so to have it come to past is really a dream come true. I thank God for this opportunity. My husband, my kids, my sister, they all pushed me to finish and I appreciate them so much.

CIU: I know that this is the first book in a three part series. So when is the next book going to be released?

SB: My next book, “Let My Sister Go”, will be released in September 2012. It will show my deeper downward spiral into sin. I hope that these books will help a young person who is facing some of the same difficulties that I faced, understand that even when we feel that God has left us, He is right there with us. I thank God for sparing my life. I believe that my story will make a difference. If one person is changed by one of my books, then I have accomplished my goal.

Get your copy of “My Journey Into Egypt” at Barnes and Nobles!

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Coffee with Sister Doris Dear Sister Doris, I know that normally only women question you, but I have a concern. I am a Christian man that wants to marry a Christian lady, but I can’t find one. Either they want me to have sex with them, which I don’t, or they are celibate, and so afraid that they will fall that they don’t want to be in a relationship.

What should I do?

Signed, Single Christian Male Dear SCM, Thank you so much for taking the time out to talk to Sister Doris. However, since you are a gentleman, I’m going to have you talk to Brother Derrick. Let me get the pot off the stove then you men can talk.

First, let me say that I’m glad that you are maintaining your celibacy. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost, who is in you, whom you received from God. So we must keep our temple holy. Amen? Amen! Second, there is no way that you are a Christian man trying to order your own steps. We know that a righteous man’s steps are ordered

by God. What are you thinking? Ok, man, let’s go to the Word. There are many stories about men finding their wives.

A servant said this prayer, as he was looking for a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s son.

Genesis 24 12And he said O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. 13Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.

We know that the servant did find the woman and that Isaac did marry her. You should really read the whole story.

I don’t know if you have a father or a spiritual father, but I would suggest talking to him. A father can see things that the son can’t. And, if a woman says that she wants to have sex, does that mean that you have to or that she isn’t saved. Pray for her, because even though she may not be your wife, she is still a Christian woman and needs your prayers. I hope you are not sitting back waiting for the perfect Christian woman because there are none. However, there is a perfect woman for you. I believe that God will send her to you.

Until next time, we will be praying for you all.

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Are you a Christian Christian?

See the thing is I have been asked, when told I was a Christian, if I was a Christian Christian. And of course I had no idea what that meant. And when I asked what that was the female I was talking to said, “You know, a person who goes to church, reads the bible, lives how God wants them to.” So what’s a Christian is the question? I have to be a Christian Christian to be identified as Christ like?

The thing is everyone is watching us, “Christian Christians”, to see if were doing what we are suppose to be doing. So how do you know if I’m doing what I’m suppose to? My worship may be different from the sister sitting next to me. She may be very loud and jumpy, but see me I’m more subtle. You’ll catch me in the back with my arms raised eyes closed and lips moving

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though you may not be able to hear whats coming out of them. Does that make my worship any less authentic?

It took awhile for me to feel comfortable raising my hands, or saying amen with the rest of the congregation. I had to feel comfortable in what I was doing, and not just doing it because everyone else was. I recently just started shouting Hallelujah to be honest. I would say it more as an agreement than a sign of worship. But now….woo!!!!!!

HALLELUJAH! I know this is giving God the highest praise and that’s what he deserves from me. I thank Him for allowing me to be here worshipping Him.

Pittsburgh’s Own

DJ Uncle E Check out D J Uncle E live @ www.ustream.tv/ channel/radio2gbg And also on 92.1fm WPTS 5PM-7PM every Friday

Melvin Jones Photographed by Dali Bugatti

I

f you read the last issue of CIU you were privileged to get a taste of “Clean Clothes by Melvin Jones, LLC”. This 30 year old has started a company that began from a night of God pouring out idea after idea into him. To the point where he couldn’t sleep! CIU talks to him about starting his business and about his music.

Christ It Up: In our last issue we did a snippet about “Clean Clothes”, what has been going on since? CIU: Let’s talk about your music for a minute. When did you start doing music?

Melvin Jones: Well since we last spoke I’ve been working really hard at creating some new designs, networking and MJ: I started writing around 12 or 13, I started brainstorming a strategic plan to grow Clean Clothes. arranging music when I was around 16, I started recording music around 19, I started writing Gospel CIU: Well once you realized, “this is it!” what were some music when I was about 23, I started recording when I of the steps you took to get “Clean Clothes” off the ground? was around 24 and I got up on the stage when I was 24.

MJ: Well first of all, I worked really hard at creating CIU: When were you saved? my designs and logo and“I see Clean Clothes making sure that they were very MJ: I was saved 6.29.03 really growing from creative, unique and relevant. strictly PittsburghCIU: So you had to transition After I had about 8 really solid designsa I went to some close friends and hadcompany to a nationally,from secular music to gospel? internationally, them pick their favorite 4 designseven and I took the most popular ones.recognized and supportedMJ: I didn’t really transition from Next I spent 9-12 months garment secular to gospel. When I got ” Clothing Company. shopping, looking for the perfect saved I gave music up completely. shirts to print on i.e. very soft, nice fitting and fashionable. My mindset was, how could I dare rap after God Then I researched all the local printing places in my area. saved my soul? That would be like spitting in his face.

And most importantly, I incorporated my business, got It wasn’t until many years later after God tugging all my credentials, my wholesale license and everything at my heart and convicting me to use that musical else I needed to legally run a legitimate business. gift for him that I actually accepted the calling.

CIU: Where Clothes” going?

do you What are

see your

“Clean CIU: Alright so you have been around for a while, tell me goals? some places and people God has allowed to impact you?

MJ: I see Clean Clothes really growing from a strictly MJ: I’ve had the honor of having ministry Pittsburgh company to a nationally, even internationally engagements in Buffalo, Bronx, Manhattan, recognized and supported Clothing Company. Greensboro, Raleigh, Wheeling WV, and Ohio.

I’ve worked with artist such as Trini Massie, CIU: What advice do you have for James Zeigler, and Travis Malloy to name a few. someone starting their own business?

CIU: Awesome! So where do you see yourself in 5 years?

MJ: I would say, if you feel that this is what the Lord has willed for your life then you should take it extremely MJ: 5 years from now, if I knew I’d tell you...lol serious, work very hard, cut no corners, make quality But wherever it is, I pray that I’m a better person, less a major concern, push yourself to the limits as far as sinful, more effective, and more fruitful in ministry creativity is concerned and make sure every element of and that the Lords still smiles when he thinks of me. your product i.e. the design, the printing, the garment www.cleanclothesbymelvinjones.com your printing on, the color scheme, the creativeness etc. www.facebook.com/six2903 @iammelvinjones 11

Words of the lord

1 Corinthians 10:13 (New Living Translation) The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

I love that I know that no matter what I’m going through God has a way out for me. I’m learning that temptation is not limited to the things that are usually preached about; drugs, alcohol, fornication, etc.

I personally don’t struggle with those things. So I would think to myself what could I be tempted by?

I was reading Joyce Meyers I believe and she was talking about temptation and she made me realize that temptation goes beyond the basic things that are constantly talked about. Like if you like eating sweets and are trying to lose weight, trade in your cookies for cantaloupe. Are you an over spender?

You see that purse in the store window, or them shoes, and you just got to have them. You know you need to pay the light bill but…oh well. The lights will have to wait. Instead wait until pay day to get them or when you go out take either the exact amount you need, or just a few dollars. When you rather watch TV then do things you need to do. These things may seem trivial but they can be temptations as well. Thank God He always gives us a way out no matter how small.

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Book Worm

I really enjoyed this book. I love how God showed up in Sheila Rushmore’s life and turned it around. The people He placed around her that supported, loved, and guided her. She lost a lot and gained it back plus so much more.

In this book Sinners & Saints two first ladies of two highly respected pastors are fighting for their men to be the president of one of the largest religious organizations in the country.

This fictional tale was full of scheming, back bitring, and catfighting. It was an entertaining and funny story. I enjoyed it!

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Couples in Christ

By Charles & Raynel Grayson

Approximately six and half years ago (summer 2005), I was a single mother of a one year old child. At that time, I had just ended a stressful relationship and I was not searching for love. I was working at Allegheny General Hospital and had been employed there for about a year. Then one night I went to the cafeteria, to get a snack and I meet this handsome young man and he asked me if I wanted any fries. Every day I continued to go to the cafeteria to talk to him, there was just something about him. He would walk me to my car, and we would just share long talks and then one day I asked him to take a walk with me around the park(our first date), we walked around Riverview Park and just got to know one another better.

I have to admit that at this time in both of our lives we didn’t have an intimate relationship with GOD. WE had confessed salvation, but we were living sinful lives. We moved into together and about a 1 1/2 later we had our first child, Isabella. We did not realize at the time how we were being disobedient to GOD in how we were living our lives. We had constant battles over our financial situation, parenting our children, employment, friendships, and family involvement.

We had problems managing our money and paying our bills, and were evicted by two landlords. In the midst of this drama we decided that we wanted to be together forever. One night I came home and there was a ring sitting on my dresser waiting for me. I went to Triedstone Baptist Church, to secure a place for our wedding, but GOD had another plan. One month after attending the church I rededicated my life back to GOD. But the problem was that my fiance wanted nothing to do with the church, every Sunday I asked him to come to church with me and the children. I came to the point that I got tired of asking and started praying and being a living testimony. We started marriage counseling and we thought we were prepared to get married and so we married, summer 2007. We thought we knew what it meant to be in love, but we had no idea. The first 15

three years of our marriage were trying times; there were days when we contemplated divorce. GOD was not the center of our marriage and we allowed all these eternal forces to control our marriage. But it finally came to the point that we looked at each other and said divorce is not an option. We realized that we were having some money problems in our marriage, because our individual relationship with GOD was broken and once we reconciled with GOD; then our union would be blessed. At the same time, we watched the movie Fireproof and our Church started to learn about GODs agape love; we started to apply that to our lives. We learned that no matter what GOD is always first in our lives.

We have two beautiful children, Mannie age 8 and Bella age 5 and we will be welcoming our third child in April. It’s so amazing that through the transformation in our lives that our children will know what love is and what it means to live for GOD. March 25, our daughter was baptized.

We could not be happier to know that our child wants to have a relationship with Christ. Now my husband is in training to be a deacon and I’m an associate minister. It’s just so amazing that GOD can take two people like us and use to transform our families, our community, and our world.

The closer we get to GOD, the closer we get to one another. GOD is the head of our marriage. We don’t have the perfect marriage, but we are striving to be the best that we can be.