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ANGELIC DECEMBER2ù16 JESUS. MUSIC. FASHION.
OUR STORY MAGAZINE IS A MONTHLY PRINT AND DIGITAL PUBLICATION THAT BLENDS MUSIC, FASHION AND THE REAL STORIES OF PEOPLE SEEKING TO LIVE FOR JESUS. WE BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013 FEATURING CONTENT SOLEY FROM THE SOUTHWEST OF THE UNITED STATES AND SINCE OUR BEGINNING, WE'VE SPREAD TO NOW FEATURE EDITORIAL CONTENT FROM THE PACIFIC TO THE ATLANTIC, AND BEYOND. WE HAVE READERS ABROAD COMING FROM PARTS OF EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA, ASIA AND AUSTRALIA. ANGELIC HAS A MAGAZINE NAME BUT WE ARE A MINISTRY FOCUSED ON FEARLESSLY PROCLAIMING JESUS. WE SPOTLIGHT MUSICIANS AND BANDS WHO HEARTS STRIVE TO BEAT WITH HIS. WE FEATURE FASHION PHOTO-SHOOTS WITH PHOTOGRAPHER'S, STYLISTS AND MODELS WHO DESIRE TO PROFESS THEIR FAITH IN HIM. OUR ARTICLES ARE GUIDED BY THE BIBLE. WE HIGHLIGHT ORGANIZATIONS AND MINISTRIES WHO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. THE TESTIMONIES WRITTEN ARE FILLED WITH WORDS OF REDEMPTION AND GRACE. WE DESIRE TO STEP INTO THE WORLD AND BRING THE WORLD BACK TO JESUS. WE ARE NOT A RELIGIOUS MAGAZINE. WE STAND FOR JESUS.
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Comfort zones are safe, but a life of walkin leave your comfort zone in order to experien Are you prepared to leave your comfort zone In Matthew 14 Jesus’ disciples saw Him disciple Peter called out to Him, “Lord, if it’ Matthew 14:28 “Come,” Jesus said. Peter had two choices: water to Jesus. Put yourself in that moment. Visualize it. Y you to come to Him. Not swim or float to Him Do you have enough faith to get out of the do? The impossible is possible with Jesus. P towards Jesus but when he saw the wind he sink. It was when he took his eyes off of Jesus the boat and take that walk of faith, keep you Fear will try to shake you. Fear will try to boat. But Jesus is waiting for you to come. PRA
Lord, give me bold faith to get out of the b eyes on you as I take my walk of faith to yo want to come to you. Jesus, I pray that ever infused by faith to run after you. I am grac walking on water type of faith.
TIONAL
C MAGAZINE
F THE BOAT
ng with Jesus is a life where you’ll have to nce the abundant life He has in store for you. e behind? m walking on water. In their fright, Jesus’ ’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Stay in the boat where it’s safe or walk on
You see Jesus standing on water and He tells m, but walk to Him on the water. e boat and trust what Jesus has asked you to
Peter got out of the boat, walked on water e became afraid, lost his focus and began to
that he became afraid. When you get out of ur eyes on Jesus. Stay focused on Him. o distract you. Fear will tell you stay in the YER
boat when you call me. Help me to keep my ou. I don't want to stay in my comfort zone, I rytime you call, that my spirit is ignited and cious and thankful that you are giving me a
Love PHOTOGRAPHY BY M ADELINE M ETCALF M ODELS: AUDREY & TYLER LOCATION : PORTLAND, OR
FALLING IN LOVE WITH HER EVERYDAY GUY OPINION
"IF THE GREATEST ACT OF LOVE IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND IS SACRIFICE, THEN THIS IS HOW I SHOULD LOVE HER"
I
B Y JES S E ANAYA
can lust after her and desire her. But do I value her? I can pursue and woo her, but do I stop after I get her? Because was it really her, or was it just the chase that kept me coming? Love. They say it is patient and that it is kind. It is not easily angered. That it always protects and always trusts. As a man I have a responsibility, a command, a calling by God to be a faithful and to love my wife with patience, with kindness, no anger and to protect her in mind, spirit and body so that she can always trust me. I can lust after her and desire her, but did I ever value her heart? Because if I value her heart, her mind and not just the wilting of her flesh -- I will become connected to the gentleness of her soul. I will be faithful and committed to her every day. The waitress at the restaurant who flirts with me as I watch the game with the guys, I will not accept that. The girl at the beach with the tiny bikini, my eyes will not be attracted to that. Because my eyes are only for her. My heart is with her and she will always know she can trust me. This is true love. So, how do I do this? How do I fall in love with her every day when the days become routine? How do I pursue and woo her when I already call her mine? Jesus died for us as a sacrifice, as an act of love and as a part of His will from God. And God’s word says that we men should love our wives just as Christ loved us. (Ephesians 5:25) If the greatest act of love in the history of mankind is sacrifice, then this is how I should love her each day; with a spirit of sacrifice because when something is done out of love, you never count the cost. When our newborn awakes in the after midnight hours and needs a bottle, I get up and make it because I know my darlin’ is tired. When I really want that new guitar but know she’s been talking about wanting highlights in her hair, I hold off and save the money for her because my love for her is greater than my own wants. True love is sacrifice. We glamorize romantic love without acknowledging the honest meaning of it: to choose to be selfless for someone else before the stars fall asleep and after sun arises each morning. I want to be selfless for her so that I can experience -- so that we can experience the kind of love God created for a man and woman to feel, cherish and honor Him with. I will fall in love with her a little more every day.
MADELI NE METCALF
PHOTO BY DAWN CHARLES
PHOTOGRAPHER TESTIMONY PORTLAND, OR
"I AM MORE IN LOVE WITH JESUS THAN EVER BEFORE AND I HAVE BEEN RADICALLY CHANGED BY HIS GRACE. " grew up going to church with my mother and sister. I fondly remember the animal crackers and the nativity scene made of felt. But I didn't have a firm grasp on the character or promises of Jesus until I was a sophomore in high school where I attended my first Younglife club. Younglife is a non-denominational Christian ministry where students are joined by volunteer leaders once a week to chat over a meal and hear about Jesus. I was accepted, loved and poured into in a way I never knew I needed. I ended up fundraising my way to camp where I truly discovered who Jesus was and the call on my life to accept Him. I understood that by saying yes to a life with Christ, my journey would not become less difficult nor would I discontinue a life of sin. But I saw how Jesus was changing people and I wanted whatever they were having. I was baptized in the summer of 2008 and my life was immediately flipped upside down. I remember exactly where I was when I got the call from my sister. It was late in the evening and I was waist-deep in junior year algebra homework. Books and eraser dustings strewn across my parent's dining room table. She could barely speak. The news that she was about to deliver would change my life forever. This was news only meant to be shared while holding my head in her hands and drying every single tear as it fell. News she could only imagine sharing as she wrapped me tightly in her arms, protecting me from the blow. But this couldn't wait. With a heavy heart and shortness of breath, she told me that our mother was addicted to narcotics and had been for some time.
I
A shockwave went through my entire body. My brain physically felt as though it was spinning out of control. I found myself sitting on the dining room floor, completely unraveled. My head resting against the table leg, motionless. Only after the numbness wore off was I able to pick up the phone and call Catherine, my Younglife leader. She was the first person to hear me acknowledge Jesus as my Lord and Savior only a few months prior. And that night, she willingly committed to join me as I entered the most unfamiliar territory my feet have ever traversed. These past six years have been arduous and they have been stretching but they have also been the most transformative and triumphant. It was during this time that I discovered the small creative spark that resided deep in my heart. A spark that quickly fanned into flame as soon as I held my father's 35mm Minolta camera in my hand.
I had to beco I beg asked t possibl Thro love w I am
many to disp would
no knowledge or framework to advance my dream into motion but I had a head full of curiosity and nothing to lose. I wanted ome a professional wedding photographer and I locked my gaze on this goal. gan building a website and had friends ready and waiting to be my muse. I reached out to photographers whom I admired and them about their stories; how they started, how they reached the place they were currently and offered my assistance wherever le. I wanted to know the in's and the out's of the business and my extroverted tendencies expedited that. ugh a myriad of coffee dates and newfound friendships, I completed my first wedding season in 2013. I fell head over heels in ith this craft and the Lord assured me I was right where He wanted me. m more in love with Jesus than ever before and I have been radically changed by His grace alone. I am grateful for the
platforms that have invited people into the most intricate workings of my heart while simultaneously allowing me play my favored images. I am who I am today because of Jesus Christ and my prayer remains that His glory d endlessly radiate through my words and my photographs.
ANGELICMUSIC
F O S T E R S O N
UNITE P H O E N I X R E C A P
ON
NOVEMBER 18TH
CONCERT
,
ANGELIC MAGAZINE HELD A
AT A THEATER IN DOWNTOWN PHOENIX
TO UNITE THE CITY IN JESUS
'
NAME
.
M usic is universal. Every culture has it. It brings people together.
Melodies and lyrics have power. Instrumentation is its ally. The tool of music has the ability to unite people of all walks of life, and this was the vision for UNITE Phoenix. What if we could put on a concert that brought together musicians from across the city who each had different styles, whose lyrics were different, whose melodies weren't all the same, but come together for one purpose: to unite in Jesus' name. Six different music acts: Catie Spade, Matthew and Missy Schwartz, Jesse Anaya, Josh Caballes, St. Nick & the Sounds and Fosterson stepped foot on stage on November 18th, 2016 to perform their own self-written music and be a part of the unification of Phoenix. In between each music act, ministry leaders from the city addressed the audience and spoke about the importance of coming together as a city -- to Unite. The UNITE Phoenix concert wasn't about Angelic Magazine, it was about the community coming together to build bridges between musicians, ministries and the citizens of the valley of the sun to create relationships for unity to be built.
Along with the musicians performing on stage, ministries and organizations from across the city were invited to take part in this night. Attendees of the concert had the opportunity and were encouraged to get plugged in with each ministry as every ministry in attendance that night had getconnected tables set-up to be able to build relationships with the heart of the city. So, was the night successful? Was unity built? Or was this just another event, another thing that will be forgotten as the weeks and time passes? Only time will tell if Unity was built -- but for one night, some near twenty ministries came together, six different musicians acts who belong to their own outreaches and ministries came together -- this in and of itself is a success. An audience built from the community came out to take part in this night. This is a success. But a one-night concert won't bring change, it is just a start. Community happens when there is unity and UNITE Phoenix is the first step towards unity being built and for the entire metropolitan area of Phoenix to unite in Jesus' name. Unite Phoenix was the first city Angelic Magazine planned to reach. In 2017 we fully intend to put on UNITE concerts in cities across America.
J O S H
C A B A L L E S
J E S S E
A N A Y A
S T
.
N I C K
A N D
T H E
S O U N D S
C A T I E
S P A D E
The Lord is
s my refuge.
I
ALLOWING GOD TO WORK THROUGH YOU B Y ALYS HA MILLER
won’t soon forget the watery eyes of that lost looking man some months ago. I first saw him as I was driving to get lunch. He was on the corner of the crossroads near my apartment. His hands shaded his eyes from the noon day sun, as though he was watching for something or someone. After 10 minutes had passed and I had grabbed lunch to go, I drove the same way home which I don’t always do. I saw the same man, a little further down the road but he was now sitting on the curb with his red and purple checkered button up unbuttoned, probably to get as much air flow through as possible. It was a blistering 100 degrees outside. I caught all of that in my glimpse of him as I zoomed by in my air conditioned car with my $9.00 acai bowl on the seat next to me. I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit tell me, “This man needs water”. I recognize this tug on my heart because this isn’t the first time this has happened — where there is a desperate need and it seems I’m the one being called to fill the need. I began to think, “What if this man’s faith is teetering on one simple act of kindness?” “What if he is pleading with God to send him someone to prove He’s real and loves him very much?” I don’t know what choices this man had made in his lifetime. I don’t know if he’s been to prison, if he’s cheated on his taxes, if he is having an affair or if he’s running away from the responsibilities of being a father. In that moment, none of that mattered. God knows all of his mess yet still loves him and was asking me to extend that love. Colossians 3:14 came to mind, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds us all together in perfect unity.” I sped through the gate of my apartment complex, parked and prayed he’d still be there in a few minutes. I began deliberating how I could bring this man water. My roommates and I usually only have big, rigid 5 gallon reusable water jugs. But as I set my acai bowl
" I RECOGNIZE THIS TUG ON MY HEART BECAUSE THIS ISN’T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED — WHERE THERE IS A DESPERATE NEED AND IT SEEMS I’M THE ONE BEING CALLED TO FILL THE NEED"
in the fridge I noticed a smaller gallon of water, only 3/4 of the way full but it would be enough. I quickly walked back to my car, hurried through the gate and drove back in the direction of that man. He hadn’t moved. A truck in front of me raced by him as I began to slow my car down and roll down my window. I prayed he’d see my cross hanging from my rearview mirror and know that I was no hero but that this water was from the Lord. That he would understand the love of Christ through this action. He was motioning to me for water. I noticed he had a cut on his forehead. His brow was sweaty and his face was beat red. He had black hair and dark eyes. I reached out my passenger side window and handed him the cool container of water. His dark eyes began to fill with tears and his hands trembled as he reached out to take the water. He was definitely in a state of peril. Where he was going, where he was coming from I probably won’t ever know. All I know is that I was only responsible for those 30 seconds our paths crossed. I hope having another human being acknowledge him and help him gave him the energy to get up and get to some shade. I asked him his name. He said, “David”. I told him, “My name is Alysha. I’ll be praying for you. God bless you!” He said with a shaky voice, “I need it.” I could see in his eyes the thanks he felt but couldn’t express. How wonderful to know we have a Father in Heaven who meets us in our times of greatest need, who knows us each by name (Isaiah 43:1) and who “came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
MAKING THE MOST OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON
"THE REAL BEAUTY OF THIS TIME OF YEAR OFTEN COMES LIKE JESUS DID; UNDER THE RADAR, IN PLACES ONE MIGHT NOT EXPECT TO FIND SUCH A THING."
O
BY EMILY SENFF
ne of my favourite Christmas songs has the line, “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light”. This season can be so many things to each person. For some, it really is the most wonderful time of the year; for others, it can bring up a lot of things that are difficult to deal with. It has been my experience that it can be challenging to live with light hearts in a season that brings such complexity with it. I think Immanuel is one of the most beautiful names for our Jesus. Jesus came to be with us, as we are. The real beauty of this time of year often comes like Jesus did; under the radar, in places one might not expect to find such a thing. Whether it’s singing Joy to the World with everything you’ve got or taking a quiet stroll around the block with your headphones in, you can trust that He is right there with you. Here are three ways to make the most of the holiday season, whatever this one looks like for you. Make a Christmas Bucket list. Do you want to go skating this season? Drink hot chocolate? Learn the dance to “All I Want for Christmas is you” and perform it for your family at Christmas dinner? Build a blanket fort and watch Hallmark movies with your cat? Whatever it is, write it down. And then - do it! Put together a holiday playlist. Thanks to music streaming, we have almost every Christmas song known to man at our fingertips. Whether you’re the Mariah Carey or Joni Mitchell type, there are songs just waiting to be added to the mix. Give Back. At Christmas, there are dozens of ways to serve your community. Ask around or do a quick google search, and you’ll find ways to engage that suit your schedule, your personality and your passions. One of the best ways to experience Immanuel this season is to literally be with others. What does this season look like for you? We hope it is a season full of light, joy, and a sense of God’s presence. To get you started, head to https://open.spotify.com/user/angelicmagazine for our holiday-inspired playlist. Merry Christmas!
Happy PHOTOGRAPHY BY LYNDSEY S MYTH M ODEL: ABBEY H OTCHKISS LOCATION : LEXINGTON , KY
Happiness “HAPPINESS IS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED. ” C HRISTOPHER MCC ANDLESS B Y LAUREN PRATHER
T his quote comes from a man who sought out a life of solitude, away from material things and human interaction.
In the midst of the holiday season, McCandless’s words surfaced in my mind. Over and over, “Happiness is only real when shared. Happiness is only real when shared.” And I saw the image of the Facebook share icon with the little arrow and everything. What kind of happiness are we sharing? We are determined to not only share our happiness with those around us, but to literally inform almost everyone we know what we are doing to make us happy. Does that make it more real? For shared happiness to solidify the happiness in reality, I think it must cause it to grow when shared. To reverberate among all those who come in contact with it and for them to be infected by the happiness. Anything less just inspires that which is not of happiness at all. I’ve read several Christian articles that compare happiness to joy. Most seem to somewhat discredit happiness and place it in a lower ranking to joy. Not to say that isn’t true, but it plays a very important role in our lives. It’s the sprinkles on your already glazed donut. Not 100% necessary, but it certainly adds a little colorful something that nothing else can. I’ve also felt guilty because I was happy. If I received a gift I told myself I didn’t deserve it, or that there are less fortunate people that deserved it more. Even when I started dating my husband I felt guilty for people who didn’t have someone. If it wasn’t ok to feel happy, then not a single person would experience it ever! You have to be happy to make someone else feel happy. Sometimes I feel like we can get so happiness deprived, that we tend to try and reserve the supply and not share it with anyone. As if to share will somehow take away what you already have. “There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. “ Proverbs 11: 24-25 If there is any happiness at all that can be lost by sharing, then it probably wasn’t much of a loss. To share is to multiply and we choose what we share. This holiday season I hope that happiness is abundant in every aspect of your life. When I receive happiness, I hope to not manipulate it in to anything the world tends to shape. To not turn it in to jealousy, or keep it all to myself. I want to accept it for the gift that it is and realize that sharing it will only make it more real. When the time comes, I hope to arrive at heaven’s gates with absolutely no happiness left to share. No joy to bring, on my knees ready to be filled in the presence of my king.
My God is
s with me.
josh caballes singer songwriter
I want to build a personal rela everyone who hears my music
JOSH CABALLES I B Y ANGELIC EDITOR
met Josh when he was maybe seventeen, eighteen years old. He sang on the worship team for the youth ministry at the church I went to. He seemed cool, young and you could tell there was an authenticity about him. Years passed before I saw him again, five years to be exact and I reached out to that kid who used to go to the same church as me, but he wasn't a kid anymore. He was a worship pastor now, going to college and writing as well as recording his own music. I asked him if he wanted to perform at Angelic Magazine's UNITE Phoenix Concert. He said he was in. Prior to the concert I met up with Josh at a coffeeshop in north Phoenix to catch up, and hear the story for who God made him to be today. ANGELIC: What's new Josh? Caballes: I just released my first EP and have been working hard at putting that together. ANGELIC: How would you describe your style of music? Caballes: Well, people who know me as a worship pastor would expect me to make and write music like that. But my personal music is more of a creative expression and I write and sing about all things. I want to build a personal relationship with everyone who hears my music. Music for me is to connect with people so I want to make music that all people can listen to. ANGELIC: Who were your music inspirations for the EP?
Caballes: Bobby Brown is definitely one of my guys. I just took a lot of my musical influences through the years and developed that into my own style. ANGELIC: So, what's on the horizon for you with music? Caballes: I have some shows coming up, the UNITE show being one of them and I want to build a following. Not a following for my ego or myself in that kind of way, but to be able to connect with people and write music they can feel. I want to release more EP's and build that audience who gets to know me personally. And outside of that, I just want to have fun and create. On the night of the UNITE Phoenix concert, Josh walked into the theater with a full piece band. When he stepped on stage, his vocals were on point and the energy he had on stage was rare, and unique. He was truly one of a kind. Listening to Josh speak about what he wants to achieve and seeing him actually displaying that on stage was a blessing for me personally. I was proud of him because he's grown from that teenage kid into a man, a true artist and musician. You can listen to Josh's music at www.joshcaballes.com
ationship with ANGELICMUSIC
THE DAY JESUS WAS BORN, A
WE OWE OUR LIVES TO YOU, HELP US TO REMEMBER TH FOR YOU AND HEAVEN ARE OUR ULTIMATE
B Y CLARE TUCKER When I was a kid, Christmas was so magical and comforting. Like I knew that no matter what was going,
whether anyone had been tense or mad, none of that mattered on Christmas. On this day, everyone was going to show up and be joyful and bounding with peace and love. My dad died when I was little and I longed for those same Christmases that he was here. As a young girl, I knew what was going on even when adults didn’t take the time to explain things to me, thinking they were shielding me from more grief. I knew he wasn’t coming back. I knew the night I overheard my uncle on the phone saying, “he’s gone” was the night that the love and security that held our world together slipped away into the dark night’s starless sky. My dad and I had so many plans and things we were going to do together. There were so many things he was going to teach me, he would excitedly tell me about it when it was just us. Things about life and love. Things about rollerblading, driving a car, finding a sport I actually liked, balancing a checkbook and learning about money like an esteemed “big girl”. We’d talk about everything. I knew that he knew how smart I was, when very few people around me did. He knew the things of substance were what I was made of. So when he was gone, it seemed that all that left with him. I felt alone and misunderstood. No one knew our language. But on Christmas day, it seemed that more people than usual spoke my native tongue. The air was light and cheery, the days feeling like a Hallmark Christmas movie. The pressure was off to do anything but enjoy each other, and we all conversed about things of substance, like with my dad… bright dreams of the future and joyful memories of the past. I believe that Christmas has this effect on us all for no coincidental reasons. We received the most amazing gift on the very day that this holiday represents, one that none of us could ever afford with all the money or good deeds in the world. “’For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NLT “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” Galatians 4:4-5 NLT Celebrating this is joy-inducing. It makes the stresses of life come into perspective. Priorities shift to what they should’ve been all along. The bigger picture seems attainable. It doesn’t have to be like this only around Christmas time. God gave us the gift of His son to enjoy every day of our life. He brings with him gifts of blessings, peace and joy through all of our days, the good and bad ones. When God showed up by sending his son in human form, every star in the sky was brighter. Everything was light and filled with awe and amazement. No one could believe this was happening or how. This night in Bethlehem, despite what might’ve been going on before, this night when Jesus was born, everything was ok.
AND EVERYTHING WAS OK…
HAT ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE. KEEP OUR GAZE ON YOU, GIFTS AND NOTHING WILL EVER COMPARE.
“But the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior...yes, the Messiah, the Lord...has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others...the armies of heaven...praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:10-20 NL He gives us the gift of his protection and being able to trust in something when the world and people make us question if we ever can. And he shows us mercy when we lose our way, just because He is good like that. It’s literally the gift that keeps on giving. “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John1:14 NLT Revel in these gifts you receive from your heavenly father. He gives them from a heart of true love. He wants to you receive them with open arms, knowing full well that despite not deserving or earning his great gifts, his love for you has covered the costs. Your life and sin was paid for in full because of his birth and that, we can celebrate all year long. Because of Jesus, everything’s going to be ok. Prayer: Beautiful heavenly father, happy birthday to our king. We are so happy that you sent your son to be born to make a full and fruitful life possible for us. We are so gracious that you give us gifts even when we don’t deserve them. We thank you in advance for all of the amazing plans you’ve made for us that we’ve yet to even see. Your mercies are new every morning and we have reason to celebrate you so much more than once a year. Life with you feels like Christmas every day. Thank you Jesus, for your life. Thank you for agreeing to come to earth for us to pay our way out of the debt of sin. We could never afford it without you. We owe our lives to you, help us to remember that above everything else. Keep our gaze on you, for you and Heaven are our ultimate gifts and nothing will ever compare.
WHEN IT'S NOT THE MOST
WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR "A ’ , , , , LTHOUGH IT DOESN T FEEL LIKE IT PAIN EMPTINESS LONELINESS RESENTMENT, AND DEPRESSION, IS ALL TEMPORARY" B Y KAYTIE GAUS
S taring at my beautifully lit Christmas tree in the
corner of our brand new apartment, I thought to myself, this is Christmas? It was so quiet I could hear the faint hum of cars passing through on the nearby street. I was left alone with my thoughts, and alone with that Christmas tree I spent hours decorating by myself. This was supposed to be the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” wasn’t it? The recollection mentioned, still pains my heart as I think back to that season. A 22 year old newly married bride, sitting alone in a beautiful apartment, with only my thoughts to keep me company. Before my husband and I had gotten married, we agreed that we didn’t need internet or TV in our first place together. We had imagined long nights together, filled with laughter, conversations, exploration. We thought there was no way we needed Instagram or Netflix to take up time that we could use getting to know each other better. But sitting in the light of the Christmas tree with not even enough data left on my phone plan to turn on a Christmas Pandora station, I sat alone and thought to myself, “So This is Christmas.” A month after we were wed, and just a few weeks before this night, my husband and I’s world was flipped upside down. Our lives had changed completely from a 1 minute phone call. My husband’s only brother, had been taken quickly, in a motorcycle accident. As a new bride, I didn’t know how to tread through these waters, I asked myself, how do I remain strong so I can let my husband grieve? My husband unintentionally drifted from me to find closure and to care for his family and friends, but in my eyes, he seemed to find comfort anywhere but our home or with me. I hadn’t allowed myself to properly work through my own emotions as I was trying to remain strong for everyone else.
I tried so hard that Christmas season to make our home somewhere warm and inviting, somewhere he would want to be and somewhere he could find comfort, and when it didn’t turn out the way I thought, I took it personally but ultimately, I took it to God. I allowed God to heal me in this time of solitude and when I got to a point of healing with little resentment or anger in my heart, I prayed for God to work in my husband’s heart to give him the peace he deserved. And that He did. Every Christmas since then has been more joyful, because of the work God was able to get done in both of our hearts. I tell this story because I know there are people who are hurting this holiday season. Maybe you are a wife in a similar situation as I once was, or an overly tired mom who looks at the lights on the Christmas tree after everyone has gone to bed who feels she has had enough. Maybe you are newly single, not getting back on your feet after a hard breakup. Maybe you are going through a divorce, or the loss of a spouse. Or maybe you are the girl longing for a relationship, but no one seems to come your way. As you stare into those lights and think “So This is Christmas?,” remember how much you are loved. You are so loved by a God who sent His Son to this world for US! For the lonely, for the broken, for the depressed, for the one eating a bowl of brownie batter because she is sad (ahemme), for each and every one of us who believes in Him. Although it doesn’t feel like it, pain, emptiness, loneliness, resentment, and depression, is all temporary! I am going to end with one of my favorite Christmas Hymns as it reminds me of that Christmas night I spent alone, staring into the lights of my Christmas tree. Silent night Holy night All is calm All is bright. Jesus came on a silent night, and He will come be with you again.
Bree Marie PHOTOGRAPHER
WWW
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WWW
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FO BREEMA FO BREEMA
R R R R
BO IEP BO IEP
OK HO OK HO
INGS TOGRAPHY INGS TOGRAPHY
.ORG .ORG
Laura Walsh COUNTRY SINGER
L
ike an open book, You watched me grow from conception to birth; All the stages of my life were spread out before You, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day. – Psalm 139:16 MSG I used to think my testimony began around 3-5 years old. I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 5, exposed to Him since birth. As far back as I can remember, I recall God whispering a dream into my heart – to be “a famous singer”. I thought He was crazy (or maybe I was) because I was just an average girl, incredibly insecure, with no connections, training, or knowledge of the music industry. But actually, my testimony started before I was even born. I discovered recently that my parents had picked an interesting life verse for me before they knew anything about me: I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. – Psalm 89:1 When I learned this – instant chills. Not only does this verse identify with the unshakable passion for singing that has lived in my heart since before I could ever live it out, but also my passion to reach people on a large level – using that “fame” factor to point to Him. One thing I find so fascinating about God is that He speaks to us all in our own language. He made me incredibly empathetic, so He reminds me of stories in the Bible that apply to my current situations, and that He is just as faithful now as He was back then. In high school, I was terrified to admit my dreams; they seemed impossible! That was when God reminded me of the story of Moses. Moses, much like me, responded to God’s calling on his life in doubt saying, “I can’t speak.” God’s reply to Moses is the foundation of my faith in my dreams and constant reminder that I can’t do this without Him. His reply: “Who made your mouth?” Due to insecurities/fear/lack of faith, I didn’t fully pursue my dream until after high school. It wasn’t until I voiced the dream God gave me that opportunities started falling out of the sky – all coming at the start of my career. It makes zero sense how a girl like me – self-deemed “unqualified” – has shared the stage with more big names than I can count on my hands (Hunter Hayes, Alice Cooper, Matthew West and more), to sing in front of up to 50,000 people at festivals and pro-sporting events, receive 3 “YES” votes to Hollywood on American Idol along with some treasured compliments from Harry Connick Jr, Keith Urban, and JLo, and release a fully-produced album (working on #2). My testimony isn’t done yet, but has thus far been absolutely and undeniably all because of God’s faithfulness, even in spite of my lack of trust in Him at times. He promises to give us the desires of our hearts when we choose Him first, because after all, He’s the one who created those desires within us. He is the best Father one could ever dream of, and He works in mysterious, incredible ways as the brilliant orchestrator of our lives working all things (our good and bad choices and things outside of our control) together for the good of those who call Him Father.
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LAURA WALSH PHOENIX, AZ
ANGELICMUSIC
"MY TESTIMONY ISN’T DONE YET,
BUT HAS THUS FAR BEEN ABSOLUTELY AND UNDENIABLY ALL BECAUSE OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS"
HOW CAN I BEST GLORIFY GOD? "MY ACTS FOR THE L ORD WILL BE EMPTY IF MY HEART IS NOT ON FIRE FOR HIM. "
Iand’veaskneverit. asked myself this question before, but I feel a prompting within to look myself in the mirror B Y JES S E ANAYA
We build identities from the things we do and it’s in these identities that others come to know us by. If you have children, your identity becomes that of a parent. If you sing in church, a part of your identity is being that of a singer. If you have a sense of humor your identity becomes to be known as someone who’s fun to be around. So, I ask myself what is my identity in glorifying God? Maybe you’re not certain what I’m specifically asking so I’ll explain. On the surface my identity could be the editor of Angelic Magazine, a magazine that releases 100 pages of Jesus, music and fashion content every month that seeks to bring Him glory. What is it that you do for Him? Are you a pastor? A women’s ministry leader? A writer? A photographer? Do you do your works so that it can bring Him glory? Identifiers get placed on us by our works that communicate our desire to share God and do ministry for Him, but I am realizing this is not our identity in glorifying Him. Our works and titles give us glory from people, but not from God. Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” I met someone recently who was active in serving in their church, and this particular person communicated to me that they are spiritually dry at their church and the only reason they serve is because they enjoy the community relational aspect of serving. You could sense and feel the spiritual dryness of this person’s aura as they did not communicate any zeal or joy for serving the Lord, rather there was an element of bland routine and emptiness in their commitment to serve. Do I create Angelic Magazine each month out of routine? I am realizing my acts for the Lord will be empty if my heart is not on fire for Him. Where is your heart at today with God? Our identity in glorifying God is not in titles or works, our identity in glorifying Him is in our daily relationship with Him. I can prophesy and cast out demons, but if God doesn’t know me, it means I don’t Him, and if I don’t know Him my works for Him are empty because God desires a relationship with me. A burned out pastor does not bring glory to God if his or her pastoring is done in vain. Where is the glory in that? A small group leader does not bring glory to God if it is done out of obligation rather than a passion and commitment to fostering a community for people to experience Jesus more. I can best glorify God not by making a magazine or writing an article, but having joy as I seek and serve Him. I can best glorify Him by having a sincere and glad heart as I walk with Him daily. Our greatest glorification to God will be in passionately pursuing Him every day, and it's then that are our serving of Him will be made complete.
BEING
A LIGHT
"AND IN THIS SEASON OF STRESS AND RUSH AND HURRY, WE ARE CALLED TO NOT ONLY SEPARATE THE DARKNESS BUT RATHER ELIMINATE IT."
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B Y ANDREA MARLOWE
ave you ever noticed how graceful the sunrise moves? Predictably graceful. And it sets the sky ablaze like a wildfire. Predictably graceful wildfires embark over the horizon and break through the silhouettes of the tree branches or the mountains or the buildings that separate our view from its flames. And its flames continue outward and upward and beyond our sites, dissipating into the expansive space whose majority rests unchartered. The skies appear limitless. Perhaps they are. Thus the sun’s ambiance explores regularly where we cannot see, where we cannot reach; even where we cannot go. And even still, as far outward and high as the light reaches; it just as often reaches downward towards us. So much so that even when we attempt to create barriers, blocks and hideaways from the light, it follows. It creeps into and seeps through to find us, providing light and sight. Providing life. I sat watching the shadows of the tree branches dance across the floor as the light shown through the open window. The graceful dance created within the darkness, only made possible by the light. And through this image, I noticed how the light and dark play amongst one another. I took note of how light separates the darkness, and the two do not mix but rather co-exist separately of one another. And only the light may overtake the darkness, control the darkness, and eliminate the darkness. Light’s source is powerful, exuberant, and evident, while darkness comes from only the absence of light. Darkness is dependent on the light’s movement in order to take presence. Thus nightfall only comes with sunsets and the graceful dance of the wildfire before it returns the next morning. A concept many confuse, and many distort. Yet, there is grace within the light, life within the light. For even a tree stretches high towards the sun, and our bodies yearn for the light and cannot go on without it. And in this season of merriment and joy, we are called to not merely mimic the light but rather become it. As the Father leans in to listen to each of us, He brings light. He brings life. And in this season of stress and rush and hurry, we are called to not only separate the darkness but rather eliminate it. If we are ever present as the light, there is not room for darkness. There is no position or geographic coordinate in which the light does not show and cast out the darkness. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
Noel PHOTOGRAPHY BY J OY WARREN FLORALS BY CORRYN FROM VINTAGE M EADOW WHITE TULLE SKIRT FROM LOFTY LIVING M ODEL: KIMBERLY CAMPBELL LOCATION : VANCOUVER, CANADA
joy warren
PHOTOGRAPHER// VANCOUVER, CANADA
"THIS PAST YEAR THE LORD HAS REALLY SLOWED ME DOWN. HE’S TAKEN ME TO A PLACE WHERE HE’S SHOWING ME HOW TO REST IN HIM"
“So tell me about you. What do you like to do for fun?” My mind used to scramble to find an answer whenever this question came up. "Fun? What do I do for fun. I… drink a lot of coffee? I.. I guess I like music. My friends are really great?” I didn’t have a real answer to this question. That piece of my life wasn’t a priority to me. I was too busy - I had too many important things on the go to spend my time hiking or playing music or going to the beach. I enjoyed my life, I really did. I loved the things that I was putting my hands to, and I would throw myself into any project that I dreamed up. I loved the people in my life and I wanted to show up for them; I wanted to be what they needed. I spent a majority of that season of my life in youth ministry. Even before I was part of a formal youth group, I spent most of my free time with the girls that I mentored. I loved being part of their lives and watching them grow has been nothing short of a gift. Eventually, however, it got to the point where I would rarely even spend time with my friends. If you looked at my phone, every single one of my text messages were conversations with people who were 4+ years younger than me. I lacked balance. I had few close friends who were my age. I didn’t make time for fun. I had too many important things to do - and I honestly loved every moment of it. See, my relationship with God eventually grew to a place where my sense of worth was dependent upon how much I could do. I felt like I was doing well. I felt that I was walking in obedience - and I don’t doubt that I was to an extent. I do believe that the Lord had called me to that season of ministry, but I don’t believe that He loved me any more or less because of it. This past year the Lord has really slowed me down. He’s taken me to a place where He’s showing me how to rest in Him and what living in healthy community looks like. He has planted gifts and dreams within my heart and He desires to see them grow; He believes that I’m worth the investment. Even if I never become a world-changer, I would still be worth His time.
I don’t think I believed that about myself for a majority of my life. I always saw other people as worth my time, but I didn’t believe the same of my own story. And I’m still learning. I still have to speak truth to the lies that try and tell me that I’m worth less because I’m doing less. That’s just not the logic that God operates out of. God’s love really is constant and steady, regardless of how I serve Him. If you had told me a year ago that I would be pursuing photography, I probably would have laughed at you. “With what time? With everything I’m doing, there’s no way.” It’s crazy how much can change in one year. Just last December I was taking my first photos on my new camera, with no intention of starting a business. As time has gone on, I have spent hours investing into this new skill and have developed my style. I don’t believe any of those hours were wasted, and I have no need to feel guilty. God doesn’t love me any less because I’m not in ministry full-time. His love doesn’t work that way. Going into this year, God showed me that He wanted to slow me down and invest in me. He wanted me to discover the things that make my heart come alive. See, the Lord plants dreams and gifts within us, and His heart desires to watch us grow. Time invested into your gifts is not time wasted. You are worthy of your time. Your God-given dreams are not extra, they are part of His will for your life. This December, as you reflect on 2016 and look ahead to a new year, take some time to ask yourself what you do for fun. What makes your heart come alive?
Je Ana
esse aya
S I N G E R
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S O N G W R I T E R
P H O T O G R A P H Y
B Y
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ANGELICMUSIC
MY STORY
THE CREATOR OF ANGELIC MAGAZINE S HARES HIS STORY OF MUSIC FOR THE FIRST TIME B Y JES S E ANAYA
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close ofday; Rage, rage against the dying ofthe light.
There’s a feeling of un-humility that whispers to me as I write this. I created Angelic Magazine, and what you are reading right now isn’t one of my articles or a feature I’m writing on someone else, but what you are about to read is my feature; a skimming of my story and this is why I feel sort of vain. My voices of doubt tell me to stay quiet, but the voice in my heart says do it, proclaim Him. My faith is tugging at my heart. Angelic Magazine celebrated its three year anniversary in September and I’ve never featured my story or my face in the magazine before, until now. Before Angelic Magazine released its first issue, I was a post-college struggling DJ and fashion photographer living along the coast of north San Diego, CA. The beaches were sunny and the setting was serene, but I was in a season of confusion as I sought my purpose in declaring my faith in God. More than merely mixing beats on turntables, I made beats with drum machines and synthesizers, and had dreams of traveling the world playing my music in venues from London to Paris. I recorded a full length album with the lyrics on the beats created by computerized voices. In my computer, I’d type what I wanted the computerized voices to say and would record the rhymes of these lyrics over the music I created. My little kicker though, was that the lyrics were inspired by the Bible. I sent my music to every record label that owned a website and had a contact email address.
Secular record labels turned a cold shoulder to me and the feedback I received from Christian record labels was that my style of music didn’t have a place in the Christian music world. After years of trying and praying for a record deal, I self-released my debut album “I See My Dreams” in May of 2013. I was twenty seven years old at the time and what people didn’t know was behind the scenes I was quietly working on a separate project -- Angelic Magazine. For the last three years the only doors that have opened for me are the doors of Angelic Magazine and the magazine has become my central focus in declaring my faith in Jesus. Lost in the shuffle of iTunes was my album and for the last three years I hadn’t recorded or even placed my hands on any of my music gear. My dreams with music had gone quiet. Last fall, I decided I wanted to learn to play the guitar just as a self-accomplishment, so I bought a cheap acoustic guitar, and for nearly 5 months that guitar mostly sat there collecting dust. On May 14th, 2016, Angelic Magazine held a singer-songwriter showcase in Lexington, KY and something stirred inside of me while I was in Lexington for the event. Each musician performed their own self-written music with just a mic and a guitar, and while sitting there watching them -- I silently wondered, what if I could do that? I didn’t grow up singing or still even fully know how to play the guitar – but something lit inside of me that weekend in Kentucky. As I boarded my red eye plane from Lexington and flew back to the west coast, I knew within I was going to give it a try; I was going to sing and play the guitar, and perform the music that lived inside of me and there would be nothing that could derail me. (continued on page 98)
" LEAD I DO ,NOT KNOW WHERE MY JOURNEY WITH MUSIC WILL BUT I AM EMBRACING AND ENJOYING MY WALK WITH JESUS AS I SEEK TO FEARLESSLY PROCLAIM HIM." Upon arriving home, my mind and spirit was made up for what I knew I had to do. I began watching YouTube videos on how to play the guitar and every night I would practice into the early hours of the morning. My dreams of music had awoken and they would not go gentle into the night. I made it my deadline that I needed to perform on stage before my next birthday. On November 18th, 2016 – a month before my 31s birthday, nearly 6 months from the day when I stepped off of the plane from Kentucky, I stepped foot on a theater stage with a guitar in my hand and sang into a mic for Angelic Magazine’s UNITE Phoenix concert. I’ve never sang in public before and I’ve never played the guitar in front of an audience, but I stepped on stage that night and fulfilled a dream. The Christian record labels told me that my electronic music didn’t have a place in their world. So, this time, I wanted to write music that a Christian audience could identify with but still keep the originality of my soul in what was created. These last 6 months have reminded me that God is always by my side. As I would practice the guitar these months, I could imagine a drum beat playing beneath the riffs and could hear the melodies of vocals over the tones. It was as if God was beside me, staying up late with me, whispering me ideas as I started to piece this new music together. These months brought me back to being that 16 year old kid who would DJ with his headphones on in his garage, practicing for hours and envisioning, dreaming of things to come. I’m growing further away from being that 16 year old but in many ways I feel like God has been preparing me this entire time to do what I’m doing musically for Him today. I feel as if DJ’ing and make music electronically was training for a unique ear and skillset unlike most -- to create the music I’ve written for God today. I have a suitcase I’ve made into a drum to kick my beats as I play the guitar, and I’ve upgraded from that cheap acoustic guitar to now owning a deep collection of guitars. My style of music today is kind of folkish, kind of old school blues-ish, kind of hillbilly acoustic sounding with a backbeat and I humbly say it’s nothing like you’ve ever heard before. My lyrics are written to glorify God. The name of my new album is called “Open Road”. I do not know where my journey with music will lead, but I am embracing and enjoying my walk with Jesus as I seek to fearlessly proclaim Him. JESUS. MUSIC. FASHION. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. – Dylan Thomas
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