Now here is the all time question. Many of us have heard the scripture quoted over and over and over again. Some of us have had it beaten over our heads by our church elders, ministers and brethren

The verse in question is 2 Cor. 6:14

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with “UNBELIEVERS”: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

This has been the center of controversy for quite some time. Some faiths have gone as far as to claim that “Unbelievers” are anyone who is not a member of their denomination.

That is absurd!!!!

How can a Christian be an unbeliever?

A believer is one who has accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ and has been baptized by immersion.

 (Now I will not compromise on this point. If Christ had to get baptized, then we too must go through baptism.)

An unbeliever is clearly one who does not believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ or in the divine plan of God. If two Christians who have accepted the Gospel message come together, how can they possibly be walking in darkness? They have both accepted the “Light” as their redeemer, their savior!

Jesus said: ” I am the way, the truth and the light”..If we have both accepted this truth, how can we be in darkness. I understand that some Christian Faiths have doctrines that differ drastically from others. However, we are all professing to have the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. There is only ONE message.

I think our churches need to take a closer look at their interpretations of the WORD in 2 Cor. 6: 14. God is clearly speaking of Christians marrying non-christians. These unions are not equally yoked because they differ in the very basics of the faith. How can one who believes in Christ yoke his or herself with one who does not even believe in God? How can that union be founded in God if one party does not accept His very existence?

I have been a baptized member of a particular Christian denomination for quite some time now and unfortunately, there are many aspects of their doctrine that I do not accept as biblical or salvivic. One of which is this very topic. I understand fully that their ministers will not perform marriages between two individuals from different denominations. However, that will not hinder me from receiving my blessing from God. I am a strong believer that as long as I am pleasing God and I am doing what is right in His sight I shall go forth and conquer.

My advisement to those of you facing heat for being with someone outside of your denomination, search the WORD, fall on your face before the Lord and invite Him into the relationship. Once you have covered these three important aspects, rest assured that God will bring you through the heat Victorious.

Remember a three-fold cord is not easily broken. God must be the center of your relationship.

Now for those of you who have already married an unbeliever, there is still hope.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the saving message of God is OMNI POTENT. I urge you to continue in prayer and fasting. Pray daily for your loved one’s salvation and lead by example. If your faith is important to you, he will see it by the way you live your life. Be a testimony for God in everything you do and everything you say. If you feel disheartened (as you will), remember that there is nothing too hard for the Lord to handle.

Keep your faith strong and remain meditated on Him.

Here is a website that I ran into for wives with unsaved husbands: www.childoflight.org

Stay Prayed Up!

Women, especially CHRISTIAN women, are not representing.

Now what do I mean by representing?

When you “claim” that you are a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N,  you are associating yourself with Jesus Christ, our Savior. It’s a sad reality that we need to really check ourselves.

Take a long, hard look at yourselves in the mirror. Look at what you’re wearing.

Are your clothes too tight?

Skirt too short?

Shirt too low-cut?

 If you answered yes to all then you are undressed.

If you answered yes to even one of them, you’ve still got a problem.

How do you expect to draw men and women to God when they can’t take their eyes off you? It’s not a compliment. How are they supposed to actually listen to your testimony for God let alone believe a word you have to say when you’re dressed like everyone else on the street? You are dressed like the world. You don’t stand out. You are unique. God made each and every one of us differently. We are skilled in so many ways but why do we all act the same. Why do we think the same? Wearing tight and short clothes, or not enough does not help your image.

Let me repeat myself, when you wear those clothes, you send out the WRONG message, attract the WRONG men, and misrepresent both yourself and your God.

What are you going to do about your self-image?

How are you going to upgrade your self-worth?

 Think about it!

K. Beaubrun – Kristiabeaubrun.wordpress.com

The bridal gown had been selected. The new home decorated. The bridal party booked. The invitations sent. She was getting married to the town carpenter. A respectable entrepreneur who worshiped the ground she walked on. She was destined to live happily ever after.

But………Yes, there is a but!

There was one major problem.

SHE WAS PREGNANT!!!!

Even worse, THE BABY WAS NOT HIS…

(Yes, I know the baby in question was God’s Anointed One, but that is not the topic here. The focus here is on the Injustice and scrutiny she faced from her community and her peers.)

What would she tell her fiance?

What would her family say?

What would her friends, church brethren and community think?

I could just imagine the plight Mary faced as a pregnant unwed young lady. How could she face her community without feeling like an outcast, a let down and a shame to her orthodox Jewish community.

Sadly, many women in our churches are living Mary’s experience. What baffles me is as the church rallies to make her life a “fiery furnace”, there is always one detail that remains unaddressed.

WHERE IS THE FATHER?

It’s funny that the very church that preaches about the “Injustice” faced by Mary, is the very church that is now delivering this injustice to hundreds of young women in our churches. Unwed mothers are put through the grind and stripped of the joy of bearing a child.

AND THE FATHER? NOTHING!!!!

HELLO!!!!!

The immaculate conception ONLY HAPPENED ONCE!

The church has been fostering a double standard that is driving many young women out of the church and right into the enemy’s courtyard. We as a church need to eliminate this double standard and hold the fathers just as liable as the mothers in these premature pregnancies. Until we do so, we are giving men the license to strip women of their dignity and get away with it.

Yes it’s a two way street and I understand that she willingly indulged in the act. However, since they both indulged they both should face the “fiery furnace”.

Sin is sin!

There is no sexism in sin.

There is no respecter of persons in sin.

Therefore, everyone should be held accountable for their sins no matter who they are, what leadership role they hold, or what societal class they are part of.

In God’s eyes, we are all the same and that should also be the churches point of view.

Once we start addressing both sides of these issues, we will stop seeing our churches in the 10 O’clock news. We will stop seeing our Ministers, Bishops, Priests and Elders in the courtrooms. Most of all, the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ will cease to be under fire and scrutiny due the cover ups and failures of the church.

Remember, Whatsoever is done in darkness will come into the light.

Think about it!

Who are you?

Wednesday, Dec 20, 2006

Today was education day at church and it was an absolute blessing to see children from the church school lead the days services. I was taken aback by the number of young children who have committed their lives to the Lord and His work. After service, my parents were called into a meeting which left me roaming in the back hallway until they were done. During my promenade up and down the hallway, I ran into a former acquaintance who just started questioning me left and right. What do you do? What are you up to? Where do you work? and as if they haven’t questioned me enough, they drag me to a private corner and ask me whether I had someone special. I said that I had someone in mind.

Now what do you think they did? You got it!!!!

They asked who? I said I was still praying about it…Now to others that is usually a hint that I did not want to reveal it until I was sure..but noooo this lady was persistant and would not let up until she knew who….She wouldn’t rest till I gave her somebody…

What is it with chrisitan folk? Why are we constantly trying to find out what is up with the sister or brother that sits across from us. We are just sooo nosy. A good friend of mine calls them “CCs”-Competing Christians. They just want to compare their blessings to yours. Now everyone that knows me knows that I am a private person. I am just fine speaking to my friends once a month. Afterall I am a pisces. We are very private people (atleast most of us are). I mean there is a difference between christian concern and downright NOSY!!  They question you soo much that at the end of the questioning you feel as though you are smaller that a grain of sand.

I went home and immediately felt a sense of depression. I wondered why am I in this wilderness and when would God bring me into the promise land. What did I do to Him that He has everyone advancing me in this game called life. Then it hit me. Since when do I need the affirmation of man to define me? I am a daughter of the Most High God and whether that is enough for church folk or anyone else shouldn’t matter. God has a plan for my life and there is a reason why He has me just where I am. He has a reason why He is keeping me here. God does not start anything that He will not finish. When faced with trials such as these and temptations that just seem to never go away, I should never tell God how big the trial or temptation is, but I should face the temptation or trial and tell them how big my God is.

I am somebody and God is still writing my life story. There is a song that says: Please be patient with me God is not through with me yet. When God gets through with me I shall come forth as pure Gold. That should be your source of strength when those around you want to tear you down. We must remember that our sole purpose for being on this planet is to serve and please God. Now this doesn’t mean that we are not to have aspirations, dreams or achieve great things. However, we must not let these achievements or the lack of them define us. Devote your life to the Lord and let Him know your dreams and aspirations then leave them there in His hands. He will bring them to pass according to His will and plan for your life.

Let God write your life story because if He writes it, you can rest assured that it will not fall apart. It will be built on a solid foundation that even the storms of life can not destroy. So get on your knees, tell God your dreams, bless His Holy name and leave it there. Now Get on your feet praise God for your current blessings and those to come and continue living this life that He has given you to live.

The next time some one questions you with Who are You? Take a deep breath, smile and say: I am a child of the King and I am highly favored and truly blessed, Happy Sabbath!!!!! 

Marriage Return Policy

Friday, Feb 9, 2007

Monday night I had an interesting conversation with a friend on the topic of marriage amongst the younger generation. Why are marriages amongst young people failing?

This is a topic I have pondered upon for a few years and have even counseled a few couples who are now married or engaged.  The sanctity of marriage has been violated and desecrated by the influence of hollywood as well as the vain, materialistic, and selfish characters of humans.

Young people are getting married for all the wrong reasons without taking the time to think it through, seek counsel, or praying to seek God’s answer. Day after day, I am hearing that marriages that have not even reached the year mark are already in court filing for divorce.

I have sat down with many engaged couples and their notions on marriage are just wayyyyyyyyyyyyy off. Then, when I get to the core of it all eyebrows go up and wheels start to turn.

I remember sitting my homegirl down and explaining to her that as a wife she must and is required to be submissive to her husband. ( Ladies? Don’t roll those eyes at me!!! Let me explain…) Now there is a big difference between submissive and subservient. Being submissive to your husband is showing him respect, seeking his counsel, having a dialogue with him on the important decisions and most of all letting him play the role that he was called to play in your life. The men in our lives have been placed there to play the roles of Priest of the household and leader of the flock. We may not like it, but that is what God wants. We need to step out of the way and let them do their jobs. Mothers? train your sons on leadership and Holy priesthood. Sisters? build up your brothers and remind them of their duties.

Wives? Get out of his way and let him be the man God has called him to be. Stop running him & let him be a MAN!!

Relationships and Marriages call for dedication, prayer and commitment to living with another WHOLE person. I place much emphasis on WHOLE because many people think that they can change their partners once they are married by manipulating them into what they want them to be. However, it is high time we realize that when we enter a union with someone else they are not going to change in an instant. People don’t change unless they want to change.

I know of a couple that are now speeding on the divorce superhighway. I must admit that I am not at all surprised. From as far back as I can remember, the issues that they are now facing were evident and a problem even when they were dating. She always had an issue with his introvert, stay home attitude. She was outgoing and well he liked his home. She wanted romance and well his romancing stopped once she agreed to be his girlfriend. Even with these issues, they decided to get married. Mind you not even because they loved each other but because he wanted to save her from some issues/challenges that she was facing at home. I remember being against it and letting them know that they were not ready and that their reason for marriage is not at all a good one.

Once I said that, the friendship between the then bride and myself changed suddenly. Well, they had a big lavish wedding…..a year later, I found myself having to counsel the supposed newlyweds on how not to downgrade each other…2 years later it was yelling and cussing in front of the children…3 years later…it was I am not attracted to you anymore…Now in 2007 it’s I am not in love with you..I am not happy…we should have never married. DING! DING! DING!! I could have sworn I told them so…but anyway, what upsets me the most about this situation is the fact that there are now two innocent children who did not ask to be brought into this world who have witnessed such hostility. They are truly the victims and if their parents had taken the time to seek God, they would have heard his blatant NO!!!

 I am not married and quite frankly by choice. I refuse to settle for mediocre when God has promised me his best. I will not marry for companionship, I will not marry for a license to sex. I will not marry to get out of my parent’s house. I will marry for LOVE. God describes marriage as an example of his relationship with the church. God loves the church so much that He sent Jesus to die for us all. Now if that isn’t love then I rather be hated. This is the love that needs to be reflected when others look at our marriages. Those on the outside should be able to feel the love that we have for one another just by looking at us. Marriages begin after the wedding. When all the fanfare and Glitz have faded away, the marriage begins. Are you ready?

Are you ready for his undies being all over the house? Are you ready for her nagging you about the toilet seat EVERYDAY? Are you ready for his friends coming over and leaving their mess all over the coffee table? Are you ready for her 1 hour excursions in the restroom? These are just minor issues in marriages. Yes I said minor. They do get worse. But my aunt who’s marriage I aspire to, once told me a very important counsel that I share with everyone.

“Do not marry someone you can live with, but marry someone you can not live without.”

If you follow this policy, you will pick up his undies because you can not live without him. You will see her nagging as genuine concern for your wellbeing. You will see things differently because you can not live without each other and you LOVE each other.  My parents have been married 37 years this year and they have had their ups and downs but the love they have for each other has seen them through. They are the true veterans of love. Love that surpasses all understanding. Love that withstands all. Love that is patient and kind. LOVE!!! That is what I wish for all young couples and singles. Now go out there and save your marriage! If you aren’t married yet, then sit down and draw up what kind of marriage you would like to have. Do you have all those qualities you have written down? If not, take your singleness and cultivate these qualities so that when God sends you your prince/princess he/she will find you a WHOLE person.

I am taken aback by the number of church leaders who still possess this notion of banishment when it comes to the sins of women. The story goes that Mary Magdalene was “Caught” in the act of adultery. I prefer to change that to “FRAMED” in the act of adultery. Why?

Well , the story goes that Mary Magdalene was coerced into the life of adultery by the very MEN that were leaders of the church. The same Pharisees that brought her to Jesus to be stoned, were the very ones who were committing acts of adultery with her. Then, when they had had enough and stripped her of her dignity, they took her to the gates to have her killed by a mob of hurling stones.

I must admit that I am not at all surprised. There are many leaders in the church whose sole purpose for being in the church is to pick on those less fortunate than themselves. They search for the most demeaning skeletons in another’s closet and expose them to the church in order to make themselves look righteous. PHARISEES!!!!!

Yes, I said PHARISEES!!!! They still do exist in the church today. Accusing, demeaning, degrading the people of God is their specialty. They just live for the next downfall. I just wonder what Gospel are they proclaiming?

The Gospel of Jesus is all about Mercy, Grace and Restoration. So, why is the Church of Christ excommunicating, destroying and shunning the children of God? Donnie McClurkin sings the message

“We fall down, but we get up. For a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up.”

This is the true message of Jesus Christ. It is not our job or right to hurl God’s children out of the church for falling down when we ourselves are still down and have yet to get up.

How dare we walk around with pompous attitudes when we have thousands of skeletons in our very own closets? We have no right to tell another that they should not frequent the house of worship because of their past or current condition. Who are you?

Jesus dealt with tax collectors, prostitutes, thieves, adulteresses, liars, fighters, etc. If He who is without sin could embrace these individuals with love and encouragement, who are you to shun these very people away?

The church of Christ needs to take a close look at their practices when it comes to sinners. The Bible states “We have all fallen short” ALL not some. ALL not one. ALL not you. ALL!!

It is my prayer that we look deep within our souls and seek God’s face so that He may change this attitude of POMPOUSNESS that we portray to the world as Christians. We are saved and that is something to be proud of. However, let us not forget, it is only the grace and mercy of God that has saved us and not we ourselves. So before you look down on someone else just remember:

 “HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN, CAST THE FIRST STONE!”

Think about it!