How Long Should Christians Date?

Welcome back to the Be Still Podcast! This whole episode is about Christian dating. I'm single right now, and Brett and MJ dated seven months, were engaged seven months and have been married ten months, so we got into all of it: how long is too long, how fast is too fast, whether you should date someone for their potential, and a round of "to date or not to date" that got a little out of hand."Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome to episode 70:41 The Christian dating episode2:06 Seven months dating, seven months engaged2:30 How long is too long, how fast is too fast?3:04 Brett: praying for my wife5:26 Caleb's new soundboard button5:43 Attraction and chemistry7:07 How many dates should you give it?7:45 Marry your best friend9:39 Checking some of the boxes, not all10:19 Matchmaker shows12:12 Compatibility and future vision14:52 Caleb's checklist15:40 Humor and lightness17:27 You two against the problem17:45 MJ's monster20:51 It always comes back to selfishness21:36 You don't know how much of a sinner you are until you're married23:11 When do you start dating like you'll marry them?25:24 Why is Christian dating so hard right now?29:11 Should you date someone for their potential?32:16 Doubting their work ethic32:44 To date or not to date33:51 She's a 10, but no work ethic35:39 She has a bad laugh37:12 Overly competitive37:53 Rival teams38:57 He likes to sports gamble39:54 Paid fantasy leagues: where's the line?40:52 Same faith, different churches44:13 Brett and MJ came from different churches47:15 Don't be stubborn48:20 Dating today vs. Bible times49:16 Dating isn't in the Bible (neither are phones)50:56 Quality time and quantity of time53:06 Test compatibility54:41 Love spurs on your vows55:42 Arranged, or four years of dating?56:49 Weddings don't need to cost $30K57:24 Wrap upWHAT WE TALKED ABOUTTheir timeline: Brett was 23 when they met and MJ was 19. Almost 20, as she'll remind you. Seven months dating, seven months engaged, and ten months married.Praying for his wife: Brett spent years waiting and praying for his wife and for a relationship that would finally work. Within the first weeks of knowing MJ he was a hundred percent sure. People always say when you know, you know. He didn't know for about six years, and then it was the most miraculous answer to prayer.You two against the problem: MJ opened up about how hard it is when her emotions take over. They call it her monster. Brett can look at her and know it isn't his wife who's mad at him, and pull her out of it. Make sure it's always you two against the problem, never you against each other.Married to another sinner: MJ's line to her unmarried friends is that you don't realize how much of a sinner you are until you're married to another one. Marriage at its core is a reflection of Christ and His church, and He treats His bride with grace no matter what.Dating for potential: as soon as MJ said potential, my brain went nope. If you aren't okay with the person as they are today, you're dating for their potential. And if you doubt their work ethic, you're cursed from the jump.To date or not to date: she's a 10 but she has no work ethic. She has a bad laugh (a toucan, and I'm a penguin). She's overly competitive. Your teams are rivals. He likes to sports bet. And we finally settled where the line is on a paid fantasy league: $35.50.Same faith, different churches: talk about everything, take it to Scripture and to the Lord, and don't be stubborn. It's okay to change your mind. Brett and MJ started out on different ends of the spectrum and now go to the same church.Love and vows: a quote MJ heard in premarital counseling. At the beginning, love spurs on your marriage vows. There will be times when your vows spur on love. That's how Christ loves His church. He made the vows and He's not going to break them.YOUR TURNHow long is too long to date before getting engaged? And would you date someone with a bad laugh? Let us know, and tell us if you want a part two.HOSTSCaleb Weidner, founder of Forty-Six TenBrett Fleming, sales and partnershipsMJ Fleming, warehouse manager and customer careABOUT FORTY-SIX TENForty-Six Ten is a Christian apparel company named after Psalm 46:10. Every order is picked, packed and shipped out of our warehouse in South Jersey, the same place we filmed this episode.Shop: https://fortysixten.netInstagram: @fortysixtencoTikTok: @fortysixtenBe still and know. We'll see you next time.#BeStillPodcast #ChristianPodcast #ChristianDating

Welcome back to the Be Still Podcast! This week Brett, MJ and I finally have boom arms, one of which immediately falls off. Then we get into a big one: should churches be singing hymns, modern worship, or a mix of both? We close with a hate comment about what our blanket is made of, which turned into a real conversation about fear, convictions and the internet."Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome to episode 60:37 The new boom arms1:04 The boom arm falls off1:30 Twins2:06 Should churches sing hymns or modern worship?3:20 Hymns: rich, but a little stuffy5:16 MJ's church background7:14 Modern worship: easier for a newcomer8:00 When you're not feeling it9:05 Who is worship really for?9:53 Modern takes on old hymns10:53 What will worship look like in heaven?11:45 Hymns were modern once13:35 Preference or disagreement?14:35 So what does Caleb prefer?15:56 Our "sponsor" and a Christmas album17:08 God wrote the greatest story18:13 Christmas hymns everyone knows19:39 A pop song in a church service21:04 Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs22:49 Does the songwriter matter?24:56 What should kids be singing?27:29 Philippians 1:15-1828:30 A 9 a.m. and an 11 a.m. service29:59 Why we do a hate comment segment30:54 Hate comment of the day: polyester32:32 Where do you draw the line?33:28 Fear and going non-toxic36:00 Your convictions aren't everyone's36:41 MJ stole a blanket37:59 What the blanket is made of38:27 Would the Bible support 100% cotton?39:52 Anyone can have a platform now40:45 Don't die on every hill41:17 Wrap upWHAT WE TALKED ABOUTThe boom arms: Brett and MJ don't have to hold their mics anymore. I put the arms up the same day we filmed this, so of course Brett's started falling off about a minute in and I had to crawl over and fix it live.Hymns: Brett started us off. Hymns are theologically rich and they've stood the test of time, like Amazing Grace, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Be Thou My Vision and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. The downside is they can feel a little stuffy, and when your head is down in a hymn book you might not be as fully present in worship.Modern worship: MJ has been in very charismatic churches and now goes to a church with a hymnal and an organ, so she's seen both. Modern worship can be easier for a newcomer to get into. It can also be very emotionally driven, and if you're not feeling what everyone else is feeling, you can start asking if something is wrong with you.Hymns were modern once: nobody wrote one in the 1700s and had everyone agree it was perfect. And Scripture itself talks about psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, so there's room for all of it. We'd be belittling God to think there's only one way to worship Him through song.Does the songwriter matter: what if you deeply disagree with the person who wrote the song? MJ's take is that if the song is true and honoring, it's still an opportunity to worship. I read Philippians 1:15-18, where Paul rejoices that Christ is proclaimed even when the motives are bad. God doesn't need a perfect vessel to do His will.The hate comment: on one of our ads, someone asked "No chemicals what kind of material?" and someone else replied that it's 100% polyester, which is actually plastic. I replied asking if they require their car not to use polyester, or their local ice cream shop. MJ called me out on being very honest in my replies, which is fair.Fear and convictions: MJ got on her soap box. If you want to go non-toxic, go for it, it's your house. Just don't do it out of fear, because God is in control, and don't try to scare other people into it. Your convictions are great, but they aren't the reason someone else has to do the same thing.The blanket: yes, it's polyester. That's what most soft plush blankets are made of. If you want a 100% cotton blanket, go for it. MJ already stole one, and it's in her washing machine.YOUR TURNShould churches sing hymns, modern worship, or a mix? And would it change how you feel about a song if you found out who wrote it? Tell us where you land.HOSTSCaleb Weidner, founder of Forty-Six TenBrett Fleming, sales and partnershipsMJ Fleming, warehouse manager and customer careABOUT FORTY-SIX TENForty-Six Ten is a Christian apparel company named after Psalm 46:10. Every order is picked, packed and shipped out of our warehouse in South Jersey, the same place we filmed this episode.Shop: https://fortysixten.netInstagram: @fortysixtencoTikTok: @fortysixtenBe still and know. We'll see you next time.#BeStillPodcast #ChristianPodcast #ChurchDebate

Welcome back to the Be Still Podcast! Episode five already, which is wild. This week Brett, MJ and I get a first look at some new samples, start a brand new debate segment, read one hate comment of the day, and talk about the Be Still Cube and the Be Still Blanket.We open with how work went (we hired two new people, so we're about to be a consistent team of six), Brett wearing his favorite shirt as a shout out to our haters, and a first look at samples Brett and MJ had barely seen: a Be Still mock neck, a new colorway that we could not agree on the name of, and a lamb hoodie that's still in progress. Then the debate: is it okay to leave church right after the sermon, before the last worship song, to get ahead of traffic? That one turned into a really good conversation about going to church alone, small talk anxiety, and actually being yourself at church. We finish with a DM about paying extra to get a hoodie by Christmas, why our cube says 4610 instead of having a cross on it, the 500 blankets MJ thought I was crazy for ordering, and someone calling all of it a cash grab."Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome to episode 50:32 How was work today?1:24 Brett's fashion statement2:57 Caleb's day and the soundboard3:57 New mics and our "sponsors"5:45 First look: new samples10:22 Lavender or light blue?10:54 The blue or purple hoodie at the festival12:57 The Slow Down collab14:03 The lamb hoodie sample16:20 Debate: is it okay to leave church early to beat traffic?21:03 Going to church alone24:29 Being yourself at church27:05 Hate comment of the day: $20 to get it by Christmas29:04 Why we make simple pieces31:23 The Be Still Cube and early Black Friday deals33:28 Why the cube says 4610, not a cross36:38 We ordered 500 blankets39:04 "A cash grab"42:00 Minimal pieces that start conversations43:54 Wrap upWHAT WE TALKED ABOUTThe What a Friend beach tee: Brett wore his as a shout out to the comment that called it bad quality. It's garment dyed, which means it's made to fade naturally as you wash it. His started out a dark blue and it's a light blue now. It's almost a living shirt.New samples: a Be Still mock neck in 100% cotton that got a nine and a half on the softness scale, a new colorway of a design we already have (is it lavender or light blue? Technically it's light blue), and a lamb hoodie with "I lack nothing" embroidered on it. The design is supposed to look like a quilted patchwork of meadows with a river running through them. We're still tweaking it. The colorway debate also brought back the stepdad and daughter at a festival in September who argued about whether our royal blue hoodie is blue or purple. MJ got canceled over that one.Leaving church early: MJ's take is that it's probably okay once in a while when life happens, just don't make it a habit or a routine you start rationalizing. For me, if I'm not looking forward to church and I'm hunting for a reason not to go, that's when I need to check myself. Brett pointed out that the 20 minutes after the service is church too, because church is about community. And MJ said it best: all things are lawful, but not all things are edifying. If you leave early, you're not getting all you could out of church, and you're not blessing other people with your presence as much as you could be.Going to church alone: I'll be honest, I hate going to church alone. It gives me low level anxiety, mostly the expectation of small talk. MJ talked about how hard it is to get plugged in when you're new and traveling a lot, and how easy it is to become a different version of yourself in a conversation. You can only bless people with your presence if you're actually being yourself.The DM: our embroidered hoodies (Be Still and Know in heather gray, What a Friend We Have in Jesus in dark gray) sold through on pre-order before we could even place another order, and the next shipment doesn't come in until January. The only way to get one by Christmas is for us to air ship it, which costs us $15 to $20 more, so we offered that option for an extra $20. If we covered it ourselves, we wouldn't be making anything on those hoodies. They're simple pieces with a reminder on the wrist just for you, Isaiah 41:10, "I am with you," and a reminder on the chest for everyone else to see.The Be Still Cube: I'm a cube connoisseur, so we went through a lot of samples. Some were sticky, some left residue, some were too squishy or got dirty fast. These are the best ones I've ever felt. Someone asked why we didn't just put a cross or Jesus Saves on it. We put 4610 on it because it points to Psalm 46:10, and when someone asks what it means, it starts a conversation. Once someone is curious, they're already halfway to being open to you sharing the gospel with them. Also, it is not food. Please do not eat it.Early Black Friday deals: right now you can earn a free Be Still Cube in your cart once you hit a certain amount, plus free shipping, and a free I Love Jesus tee with any hoodie or zip up.The Be Still Blanket: MJ thought I was crazy for ordering 500 blankets. 500 was the minimum I could order. They just landed, we packed 35 in one day, and we're already down to less than 350. Brett never doubted it."A cash grab": some people said the cubes and blankets are just us profiting off the trends. We were founded on Psalm 46:10, and from the beginning our goal has been to promote mental health awareness and our faith at the same time. The cube gives your hands something to do instead of picking your nails, and the blanket has a patch that reminds you to be still and know that He is God. We donate 10% of our profits to Christian mental health causes, and we want to make things that physically help people, not just hoodies and t-shirts.YOUR TURNIs it okay to leave church early to beat traffic? Tell us where you land. And should we keep doing a debate every episode?HOSTSCaleb Weidner, founder of Forty-Six TenBrett Fleming, sales and partnershipsMJ Fleming, warehouse manager and customer careABOUT FORTY-SIX TENForty-Six Ten is a Christian apparel company named after Psalm 46:10. Every order is picked, packed and shipped out of our warehouse in South Jersey, the same place we filmed this episode.Shop: https://fortysixten.netInstagram: @fortysixtencoTikTok: @fortysixtenBe still and know. We'll see you next time.#BeStillPodcast #ChristianPodcast #ChurchDebate

Welcome back to the Be Still Podcast! Last episode was just me reading hate comments, and Brett and MJ had so much FOMO that they came in two days later to do it with me. So this time I brought two lists, our worst website reviews and our worst TikTok comments. They hadn't seen any of them, so you get their real reactions.We start with a free mystery tee someone really did not like, why pre-orders sometimes run late, a one-star review about white text on a yellow shirt (I reply to it live), whether our oversized tees are actually oversized, and "the lowest quality shirt I have ever seen." Then the TikTok comments get heavier: you can't profit and call it faith-based, mental health and religion, church hurt, why "it's not a religion, it's a relationship" doesn't sit right with me, and a $44 shirt "in this economy.""Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome to episode 40:41 Halloween weekends and our accents3:54 Our worst website reviews6:28 "The free shirt was useless"7:28 The story behind the Walk by Faith tee12:05 Pre-order delays and missing stickers17:36 "White text on a yellow shirt"19:50 Replying to that review live23:05 "It says it's oversized, but it's not"25:42 Doubt the math or the self-awareness?27:09 "The lowest quality shirt I have ever seen"30:27 Gum, pens and the erasers from school33:13 Our worst TikTok comments34:56 "You can't profit and call it faith-based"38:57 "Saved her from rational thinking"40:08 "Mental health and religion go hand in hand"41:22 Church hurt and Hosea43:03 "It's not a religion, it's a relationship"48:31 "$44 in this economy"50:37 Buy it once, wear it for years54:14 "No one's holding your toes to the fire"56:43 Wrap upWHAT WE TALKED ABOUTBad reviews come with the territory: we're blessed to have enough customers that we get bad reviews at all, and these are a tiny fraction of them. Most of you are amazing and leave five stars. Good disclaimer, humble brag.The Walk by Faith tee: it sold out the first time we dropped it, but when we restocked it, it just sat on our shelves. We all agreed it wasn't really our branding anymore, so it went into the free mystery tee you got with a hoodie. Still a great fit, still 100% cotton, just a particular taste. Brett also told the story of the day someone looked at that exact shirt and called it corny. That one comment basically retired it. Add it to the graveyard.Pre-orders: a pre-order lets you claim your spot instead of hoping you catch a restock. Our supplier gives us a date, but one step in the supply chain can slip and a shipment comes in 10 days late. We send email updates and offer refunds on late pre-orders, and going forward we're adding a two-week buffer to what our supplier tells us, so you get it by the date we promise.Missing stickers: we hand pack every single order in our warehouse, and on a restock day with 1,000+ orders going out, a sticker can get missed. If that happens, email MJ and she'll make it right.White ink on yellow: we screen print some of our shirts in-house, and we only run white ink. Some people love contrast and some people love the minimal monochrome look. Both are okay. I replied to the review live, smiley face included.Sizing: there's a sizing chart and a find-your-size feature on the site. Our oversized tees really are oversized. MJ gave her dad one for Christmas, and it was still oversized on him.Quality: Brett has had his What a Friend tee for two and a half years, he still wears it every week, and it's the shirt he was wearing when he met MJ. You can't tell him that's a bad quality shirt.Profit and faith: it's not about a profit for us. We've seen the impact our clothes have, and that's why we'd rather pour our work into this than a paycheck somewhere else. When a comment like that comes in, MJ said she pauses and asks if it's accurate, and she comes back to whether we're glorifying God to the best of our ability with what we have. He is 100% in charge of this.Mental health and religion: there's usually real hurt behind a comment like that. The beautiful part about Christianity is that it's not about you, it's about Him, and there's a loving God asking you to run towards Him. Church hurt is real. The church is imperfect people trying to serve and worship a perfect God. If a church hurt you, pray for one that will lift you up and disciple you, and get plugged in.Religion vs. relationship: Jesus was the most religious person ever. If what you mean is legalism, say legalism. Words matter, because people on the outside looking in are listening.A $44 shirt: a piece that lasts you five or ten years costs less over time than cheap ones you blow through, and you're supporting a business that gives proceeds back to Christian mental health ministries. Our pro tip: if the price is stressing you out, sit on it. If you're still thinking about it fondly a day or two later, it's a great purchase. And if you ever buy something and realize you can't afford it, email us and we'll cancel and refund it in full.YOUR TURNWhich comment should we answer in part two? Drop it below. And if you got a mystery tee that wasn't your style, tell us who you gifted it to.HOSTSCaleb Weidner, founder of Forty-Six TenBrett Fleming, sales and partnershipsMJ Fleming, warehouse manager and customer careABOUT FORTY-SIX TENForty-Six Ten is a Christian apparel company named after Psalm 46:10. Every order is picked, packed and shipped out of our warehouse in South Jersey, the same place we filmed this episode.Shop: https://fortysixten.netInstagram: @fortysixtencoTikTok: @fortysixtenBe still and know. We'll see you next time.#BeStillPodcast #ChristianPodcast #HateComments

Be Still Podcast, Episode 3Welcome back to the Be Still Podcast! This one is a solo episode. I'm Caleb, founder of Forty-Six Ten, and before heading to my family's Halloween dinner I sat down in the warehouse to go through some of the hate comments we get on our videos. Not to dunk on anyone, but because a lot of them are fair questions, and the way we answer them can show people Christ's love.We start with the yearly debate over whether trick-or-treating is a sin. Then I play a few of our TikToks and answer the comments under them: why we sent Ella Langley a box of our stuff, why we can't approve every free sample request, whether we actually care about mental health, why our hoodies cost what they do, a rainbow video that got called judgmental, and a hoodie that "peeled off after the first wash.""Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome to episode 30:44 Why I read hate comments1:32 Is trick-or-treating a sin?2:11 The box we sent Ella Langley3:17 "Sending millionaires free stuff"3:57 Why we can't approve every sample request5:10 "Y'all don't care about mental health"5:27 A comment that deserves more than a quick answer6:20 "$70 is ridiculous"7:22 Knockoffs, and why we went patchwork9:11 "Make it affordable for all"9:54 A Christian shoemaker makes good shoes10:10 June is for rainbows10:51 "Jesus sat at a table full of sinners"12:29 Someone's wearing 4610 in the wild13:05 "The hoodie was ironed on"14:11 Wrap up: wisdom teeth and Halloween candyWHAT WE TALKED ABOUTHalloween: I don't think this is a cop-out. I really think it comes down to the heart posture behind it. If you can't wait to dress up as a demon and watch something dark tonight, I think that's wrong. If you're hanging out with family while your little cousins dress up and get candy, I don't think that's sinning.Free stuff for celebrities: Ella Langley bought one of our Jesus Is King light green camo shirts and posted it without us even knowing. We didn't find it until about nine months later, so MJ packed her a box of basically everything else we have. We're not sending it because she can't afford it. We're sending it because she wasn't going to buy it, and supporting a big musician with a big audience could help us spread our message of faith to more people.Sample requests: we get thousands of sample requests a month from creators, and we send out maybe 100. When we don't send you one, it doesn't mean we don't like your content. We have to steward our stuff well and keep inventory for the people spending their hard-earned money with us.Pricing and knockoffs: a lot of people are used to cheap, mass-produced, drop-shipped stuff. When we did all screen print, our designs got knocked off fast, sometimes with our own photos. That's a big reason we moved to patchwork and stitched designs. A cheap knockoff wears out within a year. One of our hoodies should last 15 to 20 years if you take care of it. And like the quote MJ shared last episode, a Christian shoemaker doesn't make Christian shoes by putting a little cross on them. He makes really good shoes.Rainbows and judgment: the rainbow is God's sign of His promise that He will never flood the earth again, and that He is faithful. Taking it back isn't us putting ourselves on a high horse. Brett, MJ and I have all struggled with sin like everyone has. We use God's standard to check ourselves first.Dupes: our Jesus Saves hoodies are stitched and embroidered. Nothing on them is ironed or printed on, so nothing can peel off. If you see one online for $30, it's not us. Buy from our actual shop.YOUR TURNWhat hate comment should we answer next? Brett and MJ want in on the next one, so drop it in the comments. And tell me what candy I should eat tonight with a torn up cheek.HOSTCaleb Weidner, founder of Forty-Six TenABOUT FORTY-SIX TENForty-Six Ten is a Christian apparel company named after Psalm 46:10. Every order is picked, packed and shipped out of our warehouse in South Jersey, the same place we filmed this episode.Shop: https://fortysixten.netInstagram: @fortysixtencoTikTok: @fortysixtenBe still and know. We'll see you next time.#BeStillPodcast #ChristianPodcast #HateComments

Be Still Podcast, Episode 2Welcome back to the Be Still Podcast! This is the conversation we teased in episode 1. I'm Caleb, founder of Forty-Six Ten, and I'm back in the warehouse with two of my best friends and teammates, Brett and MJ Fleming.Does a song, a movie or a hoodie have to mention God to be Christian? We get into Christian art and how much creative liberty is too much, the non-Christian movies and music that have pointed us back to God, and what actually makes 4610 a Christian business. Brett shares the prayer walk he does through the warehouse every morning, we answer the "you're profiting off of Jesus' name" comments, and MJ brings a quote about a Christian shoemaker that sums up the standard we want for everything we make."Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome to episode 21:15 Does art have to mention God to be Christian?3:10 How much creative liberty is too much?4:06 The kids' movie that changed how MJ saw Noah's ark6:12 Always go back to the source of truth8:33 Do we picture Jesus as the actor on screen?9:50 God's fingerprints in secular books and movies12:09 Witchcraft, wizards and fantasy stories14:31 When non-Christian art glorifies God more16:20 Music that reminded MJ of life before Christ17:22 Movies that broke our hearts for people20:23 Why MJ cries differently at the same songs now21:49 What makes 4610 a Christian business?23:55 Brett's morning prayer walk through the warehouse25:38 "You're profiting off of Jesus' name"27:38 Is pointing people to Jesus enough?30:25 The last strand before someone comes to faith32:01 A Christian shoemaker makes good shoes33:58 Staying a Christian business as we grow38:31 You will know them by their fruits40:04 Never stop asking if we're doing it right41:34 Has a hate comment ever made us think?44:09 Why not just work hard at a secular job?45:53 Wrap upWHAT WE TALKED ABOUTChristian art: MJ thinks a piece of art is only Christian if it glorifies God, His character and His kingdom. Having Christianity tied into it, even biblical characters or stories, isn't enough on its own. Adaptations that take liberties can shape how people see the Bible for years. MJ grew up with a kids' movie about Noah's ark that said God didn't want to flood the earth, and she had to relearn the real story later. Artists making Christian art carry a real responsibility, because people who don't know Jesus, or whose faith isn't rock solid yet, are listening. Brett's advice: always go back to the source of truth, and when you read a children's Bible with your kids, point them back to the real thing in Scripture.God's fingerprints everywhere: Brett read classic secular novels all through school and still found Christian themes in them: courage, sacrifice, good triumphing over evil. Maybe a hot take, but some non-Christian art glorifies God more than art that calls itself Christian. You don't go stargazing looking for Christian stars. You're just looking at God's creation.Art that points us back to God: MJ talks about music from before she was saved that now reminds her of what God has done, Brett's mom's playlist that walks from life before Christ all the way to salvation, and movies that broke our hearts and had us praying for people we've never met. "These lyrics of hopelessness and desperation and pain, that was me, and I'm so glad that I have Christ now."What makes a business Christian: it's not the fact that we put Jesus on our clothes. It's how you treat people and the decisions you make. Brett comes in early and prays over the warehouse every morning, and if God took it all away tomorrow, we'd say what an amazing opportunity that we even got to do it. On profit, the Bible talks about money and work all the time. What matters is stewarding it well and the heart posture behind it. MJ pushes it further: the goal isn't only pointing people to Jesus, it's glorifying God in every business practice, from the design to customer service to how we treat and pay the people we work with. "A Christian shoemaker isn't a Christian shoemaker because he puts little crosses on his shoes. He's a Christian shoemaker because he makes really good shoes."Staying faithful as we grow: keep Christ first, keep asking whether we're doing this the right way, and hopefully have many more three-hour conversations about whether something is good or not. And as Brett was reminded, a piece of clothing might be the last strand before someone comes to faith. We might never see it on this side of heaven.YOUR TURNDoes art have to mention God to be Christian? Tell us what you think in the comments, and send us any questions you want us to answer on the show.HOSTSCaleb Weidner, founder of Forty-Six TenBrett Fleming, sales and partnershipsMJ Fleming, warehouse manager and customer careABOUT FORTY-SIX TENForty-Six Ten is a Christian apparel company named after Psalm 46:10. Every order is picked, packed and shipped out of our warehouse in South Jersey, the same place we filmed this episode.Shop: https://fortysixten.netInstagram: @fortysixtencoTikTok: @fortysixtenBe still and know. We'll see you next time.#BeStillPodcast #ChristianPodcast #ChristianArt

Be Still Podcast, Episode 1Welcome to the very first episode of the Be Still Podcast! I'm Caleb, founder of Forty-Six Ten, and I'm joined by two of my best friends and teammates, Brett and MJ Fleming. (Yes, they're married.)In this one I share how 4610 started as a college class project I almost said no to, and why we named it after Psalm 46:10. Brett and MJ introduce each other, from Salt Lake City and a 13-hour phone call to a January wedding in Philly and both of them ending up full-time at the warehouse.Then we get into what it actually looks like to go into business with your friends, why work can never be king, a sermon length over/under that got a little heated, and how scrolling can be the way we run from being still."Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome to the Be Still Podcast0:19 How 4610 started3:31 Brett introduces MJ6:38 What MJ does at 46107:26 Engaged in June, married in January8:37 MJ introduces Brett10:53 Brett goes full-time at 461014:40 The 47-page plan Brett wrote in college17:07 1 a.m. at the warehouse and the cost of building something18:55 When a job is more than a paycheck21:10 Should you go into business with friends?22:52 Why business partners are a lot like a marriage26:39 Why people say "don't go into business with friends"27:59 Work can't be king29:50 Looking up to each other32:24 The questions Brett and MJ didn't see coming34:18 Sermon over/under: how long is too long?37:33 Why Brett said 70 minutes40:17 Expectations and attention spans41:37 Listening to sermons at 1.7x speed42:27 We've lost the ability to be bored43:49 Quiet makes room for God44:32 Scrolling is running away from Jesus45:58 Take it to Jesus, even when you don't want to47:15 Wrap upWHAT WE TALKED ABOUTHow 4610 started: I was a junior in college when my roommate needed a partner for his entrepreneurship final. The top teams had to pitch on stage in front of the school, and honestly I was scared to do it. Once I made the logo I was all in. We picked Psalm 46:10 because it was one of my post-it note verses, the one that reminded me God was in control no matter how crazy college got. None of this was my plan, but God has led it every step of the way.Brett and MJ: MJ grew up in Salt Lake City, did missions work, and went to college in Florida, where she met Brett on a work trip. Less than a week later they were on the phone for 13 hours straight. They got engaged in June, MJ moved to New Jersey in August to become our warehouse manager, and they got married in January. If you've ever emailed us, it was most likely MJ answering you. Brett grew up in South Jersey, was homeschooled, graduated with a 4.0, and spent three and a half years in corporate sales and marketing before joining 4610 full-time to run sales, partnerships and wholesale.Business with friends: People say don't go into business with friends. We think that advice usually comes from a fear mindset, and from a worldview where work becomes the main thing. When God is at the center, work can't be king. What makes it work for us is vision alignment, hard conversations early, owning it and apologizing fast, no ego, and actually looking up to each other in the areas where we're not as strong.The sermon over/under: What's the absolute maximum length for a sermon before it starts losing the congregation? We all held up our answers at the same time and landed on 50, 60 and 70 minutes. You'll have to watch to see who said what, and why one of us was trained by 70-minute family devotions at 12 years old.Being still: We've lost the ability to be bored. Try a 30-minute walk with no phone and no music and see what comes up. A lot of us scroll so we don't have to face our own thoughts and fears, and in a way that's running from Jesus. You're not stopping your brain, you're not being still. The better answer is to take it to Jesus, even when your prayer starts with "I don't really want to be talking to You right now."YOUR TURNHow long is too long for a sermon? Drop your number in the comments.We also teased a future episode: what's the difference between a Christian song or movie and one made by a Christian? Does art have to mention God to glorify Him? Let us know what you think, and send us any questions you want us to answer on the show.HOSTSCaleb Weidner, founder of Forty-Six TenBrett Fleming, sales and partnershipsMJ Fleming, warehouse manager and customer careABOUT FORTY-SIX TENForty-Six Ten is a Christian apparel company named after Psalm 46:10. Every order is picked, packed and shipped out of our warehouse in South Jersey, the same place we filmed this episode.Shop: https://fortysixten.netInstagram: @fortysixtencoTikTok: @fortysixtenBe still and know. We'll see you next time.#BeStillPodcast #ChristianPodcast #Psalm4610

My business, Forty-Six Ten Apparel Company, has been going through some crazzzzy scammer trials. I talk about how the Bible says we are to deal with thieves and things in life that aren't just. When things aren't fair, what does God say to do? I jump into Psalms and Thessalonians to find His answers! I pray this heart posture check will encourage you in times when things in your life just don't feel fair. God bless!

I discuss the hymn "He Will Hold Me Fast" (the Shane & Shane version) and give some thoughts on how Jesus holds us fast and not vice versa. Lyrics: When I fear my faith will fail Christ will hold me fast When the tempter would prevail He will hold me fast I could never keep my hold Through life's fearful path For my love is often cold He must hold me fast He will hold me fast He will hold me fast For my Savior loves me so He will hold me fast Those He saves are His delight Christ will hold me fast Precious in His holy sight He will hold me fast He'll not let my soul be lost His promises shall last Bought by Him at such a cost He will hold me fast He will hold me fast He will hold me fast For my Savior loves me so He will hold me fast For my life He bled and died Christ will hold me fast Justice has been satisfied He will hold me fast Raised with Him to endless life He will hold me fast 'Til our faith is turned to sight When He comes at last He will hold me fast He will hold me fast For my Savior loves me so He will hold me fast He will hold me fast He will hold me fast For my Savior loves me so He will hold me fast He began to work on me He began to work on me You'll complete the work on me You'll complete the work on me Ooh-ooh-ooh

Today I sit down and talk about the second part of the Forty-Six Ten Apparel Co. story from my perspective! I hope you see the ways in which God was completely faithful throughout the entire journey. He intricately put every obstacle and person and piece in place for His ultimate glory.