This topic has come up several times this past week.  Thought I would share this tid bit of information.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15       (good to memorize)
(NIV)  Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or 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?

According to Webster Dictionary:
Yoked (verb) - to join in/with, to attach to something, to become joined or linked
(noun) - a clamp or similar piece that embraces two parts to hold or unite them in position.  Servitude, tie, link, marriage. (sounds like a relationship to me!)

Other versions of 2 Corinthians 6:14-15
(New King James) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

(NLT) Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

(Message Bible) Don't become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That's not partnership; that's war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God's holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives.

(Amplified) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

Hope that helps.  KJ

Hey China Girls...

How are you all holding up after camp?  I hope some of you are still using xanga b/c this is the easiest way to contact you all.  I found a great worship CD that I've had for awhile.  It's a compliation of different stuff.  I know some of you mentioned you wanted peaceful worship to sleep to.  This CD would be great.  The only one I remember for sure wanting one was Keena.  Let me know if anyone else wants a copy.  I'll try to have some Wednesday night.  We'll see if I can get it done. 

I was so pleased to hear that some of you hung out Saturday night. Sounds like you had good clean fun.  See...you can still have fun while living a "right" life.  You all need each other.  You need to encourage one another to live right and to grow in Christ.  You need to pray for one another and challenge each other spiritually.  Find prayer partners that you can share your heart with (not gossip) and know that person will genuinely pray for you.  It's hard to live this life alone.  Amy has been my biggest spiritual support.  Our friendship is based on encouraging one another. We talk for hours on the phone about what God is revealing to us, teaching us, how he is using us and challenging us.  It is the most uplifting conversation.  You can have that too. 

One last thing...I want your email addresses.  Everyone is all over the place with their online journals.  Some are with xanga, some with myspace, some with facebook, etc.  I can't keep track and I definitely don't have the time to participate in all the online journals.  I can barely find time for this one.  Which I hear is phasing out of popularity. So I hope you all get this.  So go ahead and email me so I can get your address: mrskareyjones@yahoo.com.  This way I can talk to you individually or as a group without sharing it with the world. 

Be praying our house sells. We have a potential buyer looking at it today.  The sooner we buy it, the sooner we can remodel our new house, and the sooner we can have a SLUMBER PARTY! 

Love you girls and PLEASE don't lose what you got at camp.  You all are great!

Karey

PRAISE REPORT:

So my dad has been coming to church every Sunday since Easter. This is huge!  Keegan and I, among many others, have been praying for him for years (since I was a little girl and understood prayer).  He has had a lot of anger built up towards God from the experiences in his life and his heart has been slowly healing over the years.  It seems like when you've been praying for something for so long, you can't imagine it actually happening even though you are believing for it. Our miracle has finally come and we are thrilled that Dad is in church.  Maybe now he can meet a nice lady friend!

Even bigger praise...
This Sunday we gave him his very own Bible for his birthday and he grinned from ear to ear saying it was the best gift he could receive.  And on Sunday he raised his hands to worship!!!!!  God is performing miracles right before our eyes.

In addition, my cousin and her husband have officially left the Mormon church and are worshiping God with my aunt at a Vineyard Christian church.  They live in Idaho.  I never thought I'd see a breakthrough in my Mormon family like this. 

Never doubt God.  He is always working on our behalf behind the scenes. 

Many years ago, maybe 7 or 8, Keegan and I had an encounter with God at the alter regarding my Dad.  I knew then that God had promised me Dad would come to Him, but it would be in His timing, not our own. We have waited some patiently all this time. I always said that b/c God promised me this, I knew the rapture wouldn't happen until Dad had accepted Him as Savior.  So watch out.  In my opinion...the Lord could come back any time now!

Praise the Lord!!!

Okay...I'm a total reality tv junky.  However, I've limited myself to a select few because I just don't have the time to indulge in them all.  So American Idol is on my list.  I'd have to say that all of the contestants are really good this time around.  Not a big Elliot fan like some are, but my favorite girl is Catherine and my favorite guy Taylor.  Chris is good, but a little too cocky.  I'm playing on the Internet at lunch and I visited AmericanIdol.com.  I checked out the exit interviews and you have to watch Mandisa's.  She is one classy girl.  She has some great stuff to say about her faith, her personal image, and more.  She is a great example of how you can be beautiful, an amazing singer, have an opportunity like American Idol and not compromise your faith.  She took a chance by expressing her faith and God is honoring her.  She talks about all kinds of opportunities she now has.  She's a cool girl.

Not much going on here...okay...I lied, a ton is going on!  I have such a busy week...something every night.  Tonight is a baby shower for Lisa Estelle. I'm super excited.  It will be fun.  And only 9 1/2 days till my cruise!!!!!!  I can not wait.  Amy and I are so thrilled. We keep emailing each other about what to pack and what we are buying for the cruise.  The planning has been almost as fun as the cruise will be.  I will be sure to share pictures when we return. 

I have a praise report!!! 
My dad has been coming to church on his own accord this month.  I think we've received our breakthrough.  I've been praying for him for 12+ years.  He's come to church for holidays or special occasions, but never on his own or out of his own interest.  This is a huge turning point.  It also shows that things happen according to God's plan and his timing.  But he still answers prayers.  Don't give up if you are praying for something big.  It just may not be the right time now. So hold onto that faith.  God will answer your prayers. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend.  Love ya!

No UNITED tonight.  So let's plan the movie for another time.  That way more people can go like Bri!  We will still do something fun with the girls soon.  I promise!  Have a great weekend.  Love ya.