Mary Mary and David Banner

I wasn't sure what to think when I heard popular US gospel group Mary Mary had recorded a song with American rapper and occassional actor David Banner. I don't want to come across as judgemental especially because I haven't heard the song in question, my initial thoughts on this though are not good.

Call me old fashioned but I don't think it's appropriate for Christian artists to record songs with secular artists. What glory does this bring God when clearly He said in 2 Cor. 6:14-17: "What fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?.... For we are the temple of the living God.... 'Therefore come out from them and be separate' says the Lord."

That's all I have to say on the matter.

Want to make a difference?

A proverb a day

Did you know that a sure fire way to grow in wisdom is to read a proverb a day? A good habit to adopt is to read the proverb for each day of the month; there are 31 books of Proverbs in the Bible and most months have as many days.

Brooke Barrettsmith

Does anyone else think Brooke Barrettsmith is amazing?

Love is not a fight by Warren Barfield

We're loving the powerful and life-changing song, "Love Is Not A Fight," by Warren Barfield. It's an absolutely beautiful song that defines what love should be all about, the way God intended it. So what do you think of the song? Do you think love is worth fighting for? Check out the video below.

Maria Sue Chapman, daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman, dies in accident at family home

Left to Right: Will Franklin, Maria, Steven Curtis, Shaoey, MaryBeth, Stevey Joy, Caleb, and Emily Chapman

Our hearts go out to the family of Steven Curtis Chapman for the loss of their five-year-old daughter, Maria Sue Chapman, who died yesterday May 21st after an accident at the family home. You can read the full story here. Please keep the family in your prayers at this time.

Beverly Crawford ministering “Peace Be Still”

Beverly Crawford ministering “Peace Be Still” on The Word Network at the Vanessa Bell Armstrong Tribute - Powerful!!!

Do you think you’re a good person?

Do you think you’re a good person? How do you see yourself? I think we all need a reality check. Go on and take the Good Person Test.

Youth Bible

So I received a review copy of Authentic Media’s NCV Youth Bible in the post last week. A quick flick through on the inside and I am impressed. This Bible looks seriously cool and it’s one of those things you can happily read without getting the slightest bit confused. It has short real-life stories in each chapter to help you understand the truth of God’s word in a totally down-to-earth way. Studying the Bible doesn’t have to be tasking, with this new look Bible you can dig right into God’s word and learn how to be a girl/guy on fire for Christ in today’s world.

Jesus take the wheel

I love Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood. That’s what I’m listening to right now. It reminds me how at the end of the day, when all is said and done, Jesus has the final say over what happens to us. So instead of trying in our strengths to make things work our own way, we should just give it up to Jesus and allow Him to take the wheel and take control. Too often in my life, when I have had issues and hard times, I sometimes forget that God is indeed greater than whatever I may be going through. There are times when I think, maybe if I try harder, or work stronger, maybe just maybe I can fix it. But in my own strength I can’t, only He can. That’s the beauty of the cross. If we allow Him to take control, He will be strong for us when we are weak.

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Teen mums and dads

I was reading a news item on the BBC website this morning. A 16-year-old Argentine girl gave birth to her second set of triplets recently. The girl, Pamela, had given birth to triplets first when she was 15 and before that she had given birth to a boy when she was 14. This got me thinking about teen mums and dads; I don’t know what you think but I think there must be something seriously wrong with the world if a girl at 16 already has seven children.

There was a discussion about teen parents on the STREETBRAND forum recently. Being a parent is not an easy task; it’s a 24-7 duty that takes over your life. Don’t get me wrong; having children is a joy but it is a kind of joy that comes with hardwork. If the sleepness nights, wet nappies, cries and wails don’t get you thinking. Perhaps thinking about the loss of youth might do the trick.

By ‘loss of youth’ I mean not being able to hang out with your friends as much because you have resposibilities now, having to drop out of school or put your studies on hold while you care for a child, having to grow up much faster and missing out on all the fun things that come with being a teenager, the possibility that you may end up a single parent if you break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend - having a child is serious business. It is so serious I think that it should be avoided while you’re still growing yourself. Save the babies, parenting and sex for when you’re much older and married; concentrate on being a youth of influence. Love yourself, love God and fulfil all that He has called you to be.

Should Christian music be free?

I came across a Christian group on MySpace giving away their album for free. Yes, their entire album. This is what they said on their profile:

Our passion is to see Christians “take no glory” nor receive praise from man, for what God has done. We have been bought with a price, and we are no longer our own, but Christ lives in us. Let’s not conform to this world, but let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

You might be wondering why we are giving our CD away for free and encouraging you to copy it and share it with others. When Jesus sent out His disciples to minister to people, He explained that they should do it all without expecting anything in return (Matt. 10:8-10). He was teaching them to trust in God for their every need. We know and believe that where God guides, God provides.

So what do you think, should Christian music be free? Do you think artists shouldn’t charge for the gospel seeing as the gospel of Christ is a free gift to us? What do you say? I’d love to hear from you.

For more info, go to the Take No Glory website

New STREETBRAND blog

Welcome to the all new STREETBRAND blog; where we talk about Christ, youth culture and being a youth on fire for Christ. The blog is a place where we can rant, rave, share our thoughts and experiences of being a young person in today's crazy crazy times. Our aim is to bring a positive message into the lives of young people that will counter the many negative and oppressive messages of youth culture. We are the resource for every young adult who wants an alternative; a place to go for the total youth experience as God intended it. You can find out more about us on our Christian youth magazine website - be sure to drop us a comment or email and let us know what you think about the all new STREETBRAND blog.