JESUS.
MUSIC.
FASHION.
ANGELIC JANUARY 201 7
@ANGELICMAGAZINE
ANGELIC JANUARY2ù17 JESUS. MUSIC. FASHION.
DREAM BELI PRAY B 201
MBIG IEVE BOLDLY 017
OUR STORY A
MAGAZINE IS A MONTHLY PRINT AND DIGITAL PUBLICATION THAT BLENDS MUSIC, FASHION AND THE REAL STORIES OF PEOPLE STRIVING 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 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 PHOTOÂSHOOTS 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. NGELIC
WWW.ANGELICMAG.COM
JESUS. MUSIC. FASHION.
ISAIAH 54:10 "MY FAITHFUL LOVE FOR YOU WILL REMAIN. MY COVENANT OF BLESSING WILL NEVER BE BROKEN"
PRAYER REQUESTS
we want to pray for you
submit your prayer requests
MATTHEW 18:20"where 2 or 3
u.
s to angelicmag.com/prayer
gather in my name, there i am with them."
we want to gather in his name for you.
ANGELIC
WWW. ANGELICMAG. COM/PRINTCOPIES
Bree Marie PHOTOGRAPHER
WWW
.
WWW
.
FO BREEMA FO BREEMA
R R R R
BO IEP BO IEP
OK HO OK HO
INGS TOGRAPHY INGS TOGRAPHY
.ORG .ORG
WWW.ANGELICMAG.COM
/ADVERTISE
REACH
CONNECT YOUR BUSINESS WITH OUR C OAST TO C OAST AUDIE NC E , AND GROW
READERS WWW.ANGELICMAG.COM
/ADVERTISE
REACH T H E
T V G OUR
V I N T A G E
G U I T A R S
CONNECT YOUR BUSINESS WITH OUR C OAST TO C OAST AUDIE NC E , AND GROW
READERS
SHOP ONLINE
:
THEVINTAGEGUITARS
.COM
REACH OUR CONNECT YOUR BUSINESS WITH OUR C OAST TO C OAST AUDIE NC E , AND GROW
READERS WWW.ANGELICMAG.COM
/ADVERTISE
REACH
T V G OUR
CONNECT YOUR BUSINESS WITH OUR C OAST TO C OAST AUDIE NC E , AND GROW CREATIVE WEDDIN G + PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY SERVING THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA AVAILABLE FOR TRAVEL WORLDWIDE
READERS ALYSHAMILLER.COM
Devot
B Y ANGELIC
TO BE STI LL OR W
“The LORD will fight for you; you need onl “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor How do you know when to be still or to w you and to walk by faith requires you to tak where the path may lead. To walk by faith requires something very i promptings given to you by God. You beco still and listening to God. In Exodus 14:14, God tells Moses He will telling Moses, I’m going to do what you ca While Moses was still, God gave him instruc so that the sea will part, and it was only aft from God and raised out his hand that his sea To be still is to connect with God. Listen t it’s in our stillness that He prompts us to walk The sea didn’t part when God told Moses to with God, walked by faith and believed what made clear. PRA
Lord, give me the clarity when you want me can walk by faith. In my stillness with you, r with you, reveal yourself to me. Help me to f are fighting for me. Remind me that when I my sea so I can find my way.
tional
C MAGAZINE
WALK BY FAITH?
ly to be still." Exodus 14:14 rinthians 5:7 walk by faith? To be still requires nothing of ke the first step even when you don’t know
important of you; to have faith and trust the me prepared to walk by faith by first being
fight for Him, just be still. In essence, He’s an’t and I’m going to come through for you. ctions in Exodus 14:16 to stretch out his hand ter Moses was still, received his instructions a was parted. to Him. Hear His voice. Seek His face. And k by faith. o be still. The sea parted after Moses was still t God instructed Him to do that His path was YER
to be still and give me your instructions so I reveal yourself to me. In my walking of faith focus in my stillness and remind me that you I walk by faith you are leading the way. Part
Chosen
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE SALLEY MODELS: KIM AND SCOTTIE LOCATION: DENVER, CO
PHOTOGRAPHER TESTIMONY
DENVER
,
COLORADO
"HE CAN HANDLE AND UNDERSTAND MY EMOTIONS AND THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART. HE IS MY MAKER. I BELIEVE THESE THINGS TO BE TRUE. I AM - WHO THE I AM - SAYS I AM."
T
his last year I have been experiencing more freedom from comparison and the lies that have slipped in along my journey. As an introvert, I find myself in constant internal dialog about how I can improve or where I might have lacked. I’ve realized the importance of reminding myself of what is true and in knowing my identity in Christ. I have a few memories from when I was younger where I made “agreements” or “vows.” For example, I didn't necessarily grow up in a Christian home, but we did have particular traditions around Christmas. Going to a candle light service, opening one gift on Christmas Eve, looking at lights. One year, I was probably 15; my dad said, “screw it” to all those traditions. I cried. And for the umpteenth time my dad said I was “too emotional.” I remember feeling like he was right, and wanted to disconnect myself from all further traditions in order to protect myself from feeling let down (vow). My identity became the middle child who was too emotional. Fast forward to age 22. I’m standing in the bathroom with five other bridesmaids helping my dear friend get ready for her wedding day. She looks around with emotion in her voice, “I just never thought my life would start so soon.” I immediately made meaning (unintentional or not) about the importance of marriage. This meaning stuck with me as friend after friend married and I continue my single life, now comparing my life to theirs. “Will my life ever start?" “Am I even good enough for marriage?” Fast forward again to age 30. I meet “the one.” He loves Jesus and has a radical faith I admire. He has seen the world and has a heart for missions and justice. Before we get married, we decide to have his sperm tested since he had AML leukemia when he was younger, and may not be able to have kids. The results - no sperm. Zip. The lies start creeping in. “Maybe God doesn't think I would be a good mom. I'm not worthy of being a mom. I lack faith in a miracle because I am sad…. and well… too emotional.” Continuing to compare my life and believe in the lies kept me stuck from the full life God had for me. Thankfully He’s a patient God. So this last year, with encouragement from my husband, I addressed the lies and the things that felt true… and began to writing out my identity statement of what’s most true. I read it when the usual lies seek to attack. I even read it out loud sometimes…and I'm telling you, there’s power in declaring The Truth over yourself. Sometimes what’s feels true: the vows, the agreements, the old lies… isn’t what’s most true. So in practicing my own vulnerability, by inviting you into my story, I want to share with you my “I am statement.” My name is Kate Salley. I am named by God. Adopted. Chosen. Wanted. A part of a royal family. A daughter. I belong. I am brave enough and have courage. Jesus loves the things and the people that I love. He has made me unique. (continued on page 24)
My power and authority come from Jesus, which allows me to take risks. I will see miracles. I a comparison, I have a spirit of encouragement. I am hospitable. I am a peacemaker. I invite people in. M feel judged. I have a desire for traveling and cultures the Lord will use to further his kingdom and will be magnifie and I have what it takes. I am a refuge for my husband. A safe place. He is the perfect partner for me him. I am worthy of being a mom. God speaks to me and I hear him. He has gifts for me and I am not left out. I trust Him. I have th adventurous spirit. He rejoices over me with singing. He can handle and understand my emotions and th I believe these things to be true. I am - who the I AM - says I am. -- Kate
am authentic and creative. Instead of a spirit of My grace frees people to share their stories and not
ed with my marriage to Nathan. I am a good wife . Full of grace and patience and I am better with
he gift of faith. I am joyful. Jesus delights in my he depths of my heart. He is my maker.
Drea THE BIBLE TELLS US WE PERISH WHEN WE HAVE
DREAMS MATTER. THEY AR
eam NO VISION FOR OUR LIFE. SO DREAM BIG. YOUR
RE YOUR REALITY IN WAITING.
JANUARY THIS YEAR, INSTEAD OF LOOKING FOR MORE THINGS TO CROSS OF YOUR TO DO LIST, RESOLUTION LIST, OR BUCKET LIST, TRY FINDING TIME TO JUST REST.
January.
B Y KAYTIE GAUS
- @KAYTIEMAY_
The month where we begin to write out our long list of to dos, or don'ts, in hopes of becoming (or appearing) to be a better person. Work out more, volunteer more, go to church more, clean my house more, journal more, work more, blog more, decorate my space more, and the list of "mores" goes on and on. Have you ever noticed when you tell (or rather complain) to an acquaintance or friend of how your to do list seems endless, it starts a competition of "who is busier"? What is it with people, women in particular, to have the need to be or appear to be busy? Is it our desire to feel like we are doing something with our lives? Or is it that we feel we will be judged if we have an ounce of free time? This year, instead of looking for more things to cross of your to do list, resolution list, or bucket list, try finding time to just rest. To rest and listen to what The Lord really wants you to do with your time this year. You may raise eyebrows when you tell others you have a free weekend with no plans, or that you don't have a workout class to rush to after work, and then spend hours meal prepping, and finally solving world hunger before you sleep for 3 hours. Why do we care about the worlds perception of how busy we are when God has told us our salvation isn't dependent on being "busy"? Take some time out of this busy month to listen to God. Listen hard, and if he is calling you to be busy, be busy for Him. But if He is calling you to be still for a moment, well, take advantage of that and find your rest.
GOD'S TIMING B Y JES S E ANAYA
SOMETIMES THE HARDEST TEST IN LIFE IS THE TEST OF WAITING.
T
here’s a desire in your heart. Something you’re praying for. Something you’re waiting on God for. Maybe you’re in a season of waiting and maybe that season has turned into years. But God is faithful, do you believe this to be true? Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope” Sometimes the hardest test in life is the test of waiting. Waiting is silence. Waiting is not knowing. Waiting is trusting. Trusting that what you hope for will find you. So, while you’re waiting, if His word is where you put your hope, do what His word says. God’s word never says wait and wallow. God’s word tells us to walk by faith. God’s word tells us to proclaim the gospel. God’s word tells us to be holy. While you wait, God is working. And while you wait, grow in your faith. While you wait, seek Jesus more. While you wait, glorify God. Because it’s in waiting where you grow. The desire in your heart you’re praying for, waiting and trusting in God for, it will find you in God’s time. God won’t bring you something too soon or too late, His timing is perfect. Do you believe this to be true? While you wait, become the person God has called you to be for Him. In your waiting know that God has not forgotten you. God stands in our yesterday's, today's & tomorrow's. He sees all. And He knows the perfect way to prepare our hearts for His timing. Isaiah 64:4 "For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!" PRAYE R
Lord, in my waiting, stretch me. Grow me so I can grow in who you've called me to be and so I can grow in my faith. Help me to understand in my waiting that you are preparing me. Help me to remember in my waiting you are working. I pray and ask that you calm my heart and remind me that while I wait, you're shaping me so I can be fully prepared for when my time of waiting is over.
Young Harbor P R A I S E
A N D
N O R T H
W O R S H I P I D A H O
ANGELICMUSIC
B A N D
Q&A INTERVIEW
"OUR INSPIRATION FOR MUSIC COMES FROM THE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE AROUND WANT TO BE ABLE TO FULLY COMMUNICATE THEIR STORIES , IDEAS , PERSPECTIV
1. What is your style/sound of music? We all come from different backgrounds of music; if you put alternative rock, indie, and folk into a blender the result would be Young Harbor. 2. What inspires you to make music? In day to day conversations, communication can sometimes lose clarity and the things we are really trying to say can get overlooked or miscommunicated. Our inspiration for music comes from the stories of the people around us who are misunderstood or not heard; we want to be able to fully communicate their stories, ideas, perspectives, and wisdom in light of our loving God. 3. What do you hope to achieve musically in 2017? Musically, we plan to produce a brand new EP which is currently in the works. For 2017, we also hope to be able to play at Creation Festival Northwest in the Tri-Cities; we got the chance to play there this past summer and it brought the band closer together and God opened up some awesome opportunities. Throughout the year we also hope to be able to play multiple gigs around the Pacific Northwest and possibly even get the chance to tour a little up and down the West Coast. 4. As a band, what advice would you give to others thinking of creating their own band? We think that you should consider those around you: invest in them, love them, and never give up on them. As a band we serve God first and each other second. If you believe starting a band is worthwhile, then the people you play with have to be worthwhile even more so. 5. What can our readers be praying about for Young Harbor in the New Year? There is so much happening for each of our families. Pray for wisdom, guidance, and energy as we all work multiple jobs to provide for our families. Pray for us as we enter the studio this January for a smooth recording.
W
D US WHO ARE MISUNDERSTOOD OR NOT HEARD; WE VES , AND WISDOM IN LIGHT OF OUR LOVING GOD."
ANGELICMUSIC
Julianna Whipple FAS HION PHOTOGRAPHER LA, CA MODEL: ELLIANA AVERY
PHOTOGRAPHER TESTIMONY
LOS ANGELES
,
CA
JULIANNA WHIPPLE "I NEED JESUS MORE TODAY THAN THE DAY I GOT SAVED. I LOOK TO HIM IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AND SITUATION. HE TRULY SAVED ME"
I m beginning to feel like I always knew God. He was ’
far-fetched and silent but a piece of me knew Him. I just didn’t know He was what I was looking for all along. But once I sought Him out, I found Him and in Him everything else. I graduated high school in early 2015 and was so ready to get out into the world and live my life. I had just gotten into my second choice school and planning to leave home to find myself in New York City. I had been photographing and working with models for about a year and so excited for my new adventure post high school. Unfortunately for me I left high school a lot differently. After all the graduation parties had ended strangely enough so did my friendships. No one called or texted. I had a falling out with a guy I had been seeing that just about tipped me over the edge but I was strong enough to hold my own. As we do we move on, and a few days after graduation I met the most amazing guy. A month in of us constantly talking he invited me to church and boy did I not want to go to church. But I was beginning to fall for him so I went. A few worship songs in I felt something in me shift. As if all the emotions I had been hiding were about to erupt. I started tearing up and almost felt ashamed, I didn’t want to admit I needed help much less God. After service I connected with some of this guy’s friends and felt loved in a way I'd never been before. About a week later at a worship service, the emotions I felt bubbling up previously had erupted. I was on my knees seeking God in the mess of my life. As always God has impeccable timing. I was about to leave to New York City to go to fashion school and the night before, I surrendered my all and accepted Jesus as my Savior. Moving to New York was one of the hardest seasons of my life. I had wanted to go most of life to pursue my dreams in fashion but suddenly my world was flipped and I had to figure out how to live reborn. I stayed in touch with my community back home but mainly with this guy I had been talking to.
After four months I decided to leave my beloved New York to pursue God’s call on my life in Southern California. Being back home gave me access to community and a life-changing trip to Bethel in Redding, but also this guy I had fallen in love with. However, over all these months our relationship became toxic. I relied on him for emotional fulfillment and to pull me closer to God. My tie to him became unbearable to the point where I became emotionally unstable and that’s when I clearly felt God speak to me to break all connection with him. I uprooted myself again but this time spiritually. I cut communication with him, moved communities and felt one of the biggest transitions of my life. Over the course of a month of healing, my soul ties were broken and I felt like I truly met God for the first time. It was breathtaking, life-changing and heavenly. Since then I’ve been chasing harder after God than I ever have been. He has been teaching me about my selfworth, identity and pursuing my dreams. I can’t imagine a life without Jesus. I have a new hope and desire for intimacy with my creator simply because of who He is and now a desire to bring others into what I experience every day. I feel specifically called to fashion to bring a flame into a very dark industry. I can honestly admit I need Jesus more today than the day I got saved. I look to Him in every circumstance and situation. He truly saved me in every way possible and continues to save me every day. I’m so thankful for the cross.
Love me true PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEYTON RAINEY BRIDE AND GROOM: SHELBY AND TAYLOR LOCATION: OKLAHOMA CITY , OK
REACH OUR CONNECT YOUR BUSINESS WITH OUR C OAST TO C OAST AUDIE NC E , AND GROW
READERS
A Tender Love GUY OPINION
Love me tender Love me true All my dreams fulfilled For my darling I love you And I always will
B Y JES S E ANAYA
"I WRITE AND OPEN UP TO YOU SO ON THE DAYS YOU THINK ABOUT LEAVING, YOU CHOOSE TO LOVE TENDERLY. "
ten·der: showing gentleness and concern My parents met when they were nineteen years old, and I’m the youngest of their five children. And seventeen years ago they divorced after twenty two years of being together. They once loved each other true. I don't speak aloud of their divorce as the remnants from the wound that was created from it still evoke a silent pain I haven't quite mastered or am able to fully describe with words. I’m 31 years old now, and a question I’ve asked myself in these years is when did my parents love for each other fade away? Because my dad had an affair and I’ve never understood how a father of five and a husband of over twenty years could knowingly hurt his family. I’ve never understood how my dad could hurt my mom by having an affair with her best friend. So, I write and reveal a part of my story – a hidden part of my life to you hoping that it'll remind you to love with a tender love. A tender love is gentle; it shows concern and it doesn’t hurt anyone. To love tenderly is to cherish the hearts of those you've been entrusted to protect. So, I’m asking you to be true to your spouse and children because their love for you should never hurt them. I don’t see my father often and it’s become less and less as the years go by but I saw him a few months ago. I drove to my hometown, a quiet town on the central coast of California; a place I I haven’t lived since I graduated high school.
He gave me a big hug when he saw me and was surprised by the color of my facial hair. My facial hair has a subtle reddish tint to it, just like his. Most of his memories of me are of that fourteen year old boy he once knew. My tire on my car was giving me trouble so he began helping me with it. My dad is one of those guys who has every tool in his garage and knows how to fix most things. I drove away that day with a sadness in my heart because I wondered what else he could’ve taught me in these seventeen years that I had to teach myself? Little things like shaving, to the bigger things like what college I should’ve chose. I’ve grown to hate lust because my father was seduced by it. There is no God in infidelity. I write and reveal scenes from my life to you hoping you’ll remember the importance of the meaning of the words “I do.” I write and unmask shades of my heart to you so on the days you think about leaving, you remember to love tenderly. My parents would be approaching 40 years of marriage soon had they never parted and it’s a bittersweet thought. One the one hand I wonder what would’ve been and on the other hand my life’s lesson inspires me to love my wife tenderly. To be true and faithful. And to love my children with all my heart. Love me tender Love me dear Tell me you are mine I'll be yours through all the years Till the end oftime – Elvis Presley
perfect things can never grow BY EMILY SENFF
A
- @EMSENFF
"THE SEEMINGLY SMALL CHANGES WE MAKE EVENTUALLY LEAD US TO WHO WE BECOME."
nd just like that, it’s 2017. I always find that these natural new beginnings- new months, new years- make me more reflective than normal. We’ve made it through what was a difficult year on many levels. Globally, nationally, and personally, 2016 was filled with some unforeseen challenges that have left many of us saying, “Is this really all there is?" On the tail end of a year like this, what is so different about today? In the face of these challenges, it can be difficult to see hope. If our hearts are still so burdened with what has happened in the past, there is no space for us to hold on to the joy that is coming our way. Whenever I get distracted by the world, I look to Isaiah 43 - God says to us, “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” How thankful am I that our God is focused on the new, not the old; it means that what has happened in our day, our year, and our lives cannot compare to what lies ahead of us. I heard recently that ‘perfect things can never grow'- I’m not sure where this article finds you today, but I know that I want to grow this year. I want to fix my eyes on Jesus this year. Instead of perfection, I want to conquer the mountains I always thought I could never climb. I want to rise above the mess and see the good, the kind, the hope in our humanity. So how does that happen? I think we have it turned around when our sole focus is on arriving. Instead, I’d like to think that the hope comes in the minute, seemingly insignificant moments of our everyday lives. Every choice we make determines where we will go. Day by day, moment by moment. The seemingly small changes we make eventually lead us to who we become. Today is different simply because it is a new day. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). As people, we are in a constant state of change and growth. What new things might God be growing in your life this year? May we never be people who underestimate the power of the day to day. This moment, right here and now, matters. What will you do with it, and where will it take you?
I
TRIGGE
have been dealing with a lot of t Seems like when I'm happy and most con triggers start to bring about doubt and co a coward. Posts from friends in the same graduate conversations from other co-workers and willingly closed the door on… every da about how it was the best thing they ev they only have a few semesters left and consciousness. They're posting study guides and boo and reading. They’re saying they're nervo come my way. I would've killed it. I was I spent seven years building a portfoli thinking skills; personality traits and a w drooled over. Because they did. I nailed scenario and wrote out a plan of care patients, all off of one X-ray and a half-pa I crushed that essay where I so sharp orders should be null and void during didn't I walk this path when it was offere to the University ofAlabama Nursing An The dream I had worked so hard towa But I said no. I declined my seat. After this very moment. All the literal blood, sw The sixteen hour night shifts making su of not making it if it was the last thing I not eating or going to the bathroom. The hundred and fifty pounds of dead weigh always clean and pressure wound-free, ev life by a thread [or plastic tube and bag o much more to chronicle, I could go on. And do I believe myself that all of obedience of choosing God over this spec ask me to give up a dream that was a des ways are not my ways and He knows wha deeper than that one. So, what do I do with that? I'm still wo
ERS OF A BROKEN DREAM
triggers from the world around me. ntent with where my life is going, the nfusion in me, because the enemy is
e school I forfeited; constant random d colleagues about the very career I ay it seems that someone is talking ver did. How they're so excited that d thing like that. Persistently in my
oks I always dreamed of completing ous for tests I couldn't wait to dare to made for anesthesia. o: über intelligent and quick critical work ethic that any panel would've that interview. I diagnosed that case that would've saved the sickest of age history and physical. ply proved why “do not resuscitate” surgery. So why didn't I go? Why ed to me so easily? ‘You're accepted nesthesia track!’ I was ecstatic. ard was finally here and I was ready. years of pruning my entire self for weat and tears...of my own. ure that patients didn't have a chance I did. The sleepless weeks. Hours of muscles conditioned by holding two ht just to make sure the patient was ven though they were hanging on to of man-made solution rather]. And so
f my blessings now are due to the cific grad school? Yes. Did he really sire of my heart? Yeah. Because His at desires lie within me that are even
orking through it but I'll never forget
B Y CLARE TUCKER
- @CTUCKY
"I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH A LOT OF TRIGGERS FROM THE WORLD AROUND ME. SEEMS LIKE WHEN I'M HAPPY AND MOST CONTENT WITH WHERE MY LIFE IS GOING, THE TRIGGERS START TO BRING ABOUT DOUBT AND CONFUSION IN ME, BECAUSE THE ENEMY IS A COWARD. "
what I heard my Jesus say the night I pleaded with Him not to ask me to turn down that of which I had always dreamed. I heard Him say: Of course you got in. Of course you killed it. I made you special and you take your assignments in life very seriously. I'm going to use that to change the world, daughter. You won't know how and it'll be a long time before you understand what I'm doing. But I'm giving you the choice because I care so much for you. You have two paths that are open to you but only one will you walk down FOR me and our Kingdom. I'll be with you on both. But I only NEED you to do one of them. I trust you daughter, to choose the one your heart is pointing to now. Trust yourself as much as I do, and so many amazing rewards will be lined up all the way down the path that's mine. You'll know it when you get there. I chose His path. I can't explain it yet. I don't know what's to come. I know it's heartbreaking not going down the other. But I know, I can feel that this particular heartbreak is set upon selfish and prideful foundation and it’s not a heartbreak from disappointing God. I can live with that but could never live with the latter. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” {Galatians 5:16-18 NIV}. I can mourn. I can wonder and I can ask why. But God has already replaced the importance of having those answers with peace in Him. Faith is something I asked Him to strengthen in me long ago. And living by faith is literally walking where you can’t see what’s ahead of you all the while believing that it’s where He is telling you to go, with no tangible reasons why. Faith is exciting, but its definitely an adjustment. I cannot wait to see all that He is building me up for and I am thrilled to get Home to Him and hear His voice || Well done, my daughter, I am so proud of you. || And I’ll take my first dance with my Father. No regrets.
TALK TO GOD. YOUR WORDS DON'T
Pra
T GO UNHEARD. GOD CARES ABOUT YOU.
raY
Prepare your heart PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE SALLEY ENGAGEMENT SESSION: DANIELLE AND TIM LOCATION: DENVER, CO
PREPARE YOUR HEART
E ACH CHALLENGE IS PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR WHAT G OD HAS IN STORE.
J
- @THES TYLIS TLAUREN anuary is a time to analyze, reflect, and prepare. Take a moment and evaluate the current state of your life. Now consider what God has in store for you specifically. When given a glimpse of God’s plan for you, what do you feel? Full of strength, boldness and righteousness? Or rather, more than a little unprepared? To follow Him we must step out of our comfort zone. We are built up by the promise that is on our lives, and step boldly out in faith. Just as soon as it doesn’t go exactly as planned, we are sent scurrying right back in to our comfort zone. Our faith takes a hit, and we begin to doubt. Although it never feels amazing when things don’t go as planned, don’t take it wrong. Each challenge is preparing your heart for what God has in store. Each seemingly failed attempt to fill His shoes, makes your feet bigger to do just that. Difficulties that before having a relationship with Him would have hardened your heart, now instead has made it more moldable to His ways. A pliable bit of clay, back to how we were originally formed. Instead of looking at this as failure, or letting the “Maybe I just wasn’t meant to do this” thought take control of your heart, look at it as progress, as preparation. The groundwork and training for what your heart could contain. “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help.” Job 11:13-19 What’s the first step? “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer!...” Remain in a constant state of surrender to Him. Do not surrender to fear, to doubt, or to shame. Do, however, be His moldable child throwing all insecurities into the water that is flowing away. “Even darkness will be bright as morning.” These are your failures, your hardships, your seemingly impossible obstacles in life. The good news is that God does not stop with failure. His love doesn’t end there. The devil will lead you to failure and leave you there to wallow in it, to continue down the dark path of misery. But never God, He will pick you up and only lift you higher. Prayer: Lord when I fall allow me to rest in the cradle of your hands as you prepare me for Your best. Let me never stop seeking You and your guidance in everything that I do. Give me eyes that see past the veil of doubt and fear and may my failures only make me stronger. Prepare me and make room in my heart for me to faithfully do Your will. Amen. B Y LAUREN PRATHER
Amanda Guillory
PHOENIX
,
AZ
" SHE FELT THE HOLY S PIRIT TELL HER SHE NEEDED TO PRAY FOR ME CONTINUED TO DECLINE. AFTER A FEW NUDGES I ALLOWED HER TO DO BUT MY ATTITUDE WAS TO " JUST GET IT OVER WITH".
Iweek.grewMy upmomin wasa smallverytown in southern California always going to church multiple times a strong in her faith and how she raised us.
My brothers and I were always involved in church activities, plays, choir, etc. So church to me was a "normal" thing. So the foundation of Christianity was built throughout my whole childhood, which I am grateful for. I began singing in the choir as a child and joined the choir at school, but it never was a passion of mine at the time. Church for me was just a routine. Something I did because that’s what I was raised doing. It was normal for me. If I didn't go to church, I wasn't going to make it to heaven, type of mentality. I did not know what it meant to have a relationship with Christ, I only knew religion. As I got older, I got married, and after being married, my husband and I pursued a career for me in the secular world. To most it would seem I was having success, but I was never fulfilled. I was working with some of the top producers, and even won a competition that put me with a major recording artist at the time. I was doing shows, opening up for big acts, making moves, working hard at it. And every time a big opportunity came, what I thought would be a dream come true (at the time), it would get so close to happening and then it would fall through. My husband and I worked hard on it day in and day out, only to have no results in the end and at the time it was very disappointing. But I am grateful for that season of my life though, because although I didn't know it then, the Lord was teaching me something. I learned so much about music and the process of it all during that time, and little did I know, I was going to use what I learned for future things in singing for Jesus/Yeshua. It wasn't until I was in my mid-twenties that the Holy Spirit touched me in a tangible way. At this time in my life I was very broken, I was in the process of being divorced from my husband, and my two children and I were living with my brother. The stability of a family was gone for me. My girls didn't have their daddy and mommy together anymore and my heart was broken for them above anything else. I struggled with the fact that my daughters had to go through this, I mean, I was an adult and was able to try and cope and I knew time would heal, but they were so little that they didn't even understand what was happening to their family, their home. It broke my heart. It was during this time of brokenness and living at my brothers that one day my mom and two of my cousins came over and had a bible study. My attitude towards it was very nonchalant; I didn't really have any interest in being a part of it at the time. My cousin told me she felt led to pray for me, I declined. She continued to push and say she felt the Holy Spirit tell her she needed to pray for me, I
E, I O SO,
continued to decline. After a few nudges I allowed her to do so, but my attitude was to "just get it over with". Little did I know that God was going to touch me in a way I had never been touched by him before. As she began to pray, the Holy Spirit came over me and I began whaling at the top of my lungs and just weeping. Now I don't know if you believe in deliverance, but I am telling you, I am a living proof of it. I was delivered that day. From what exactly, only God knows. But from that day forward my walk was different. I felt different. I was lighter in a sense. I had a desire for him, a new found love for him that I never experienced before. I actually wanted to go to church to learn about him and be in his presence and not just because it was something I was supposed to do. Church for me became a place where I was actually being filled. It was so new and so awesome! After being steady at one church for a bit, I was asked to be the worship leader. Now mind you, I had no experience as a worship leader and I looked at the pastor like "you want me to what?" haha! But by the grace of God I took on that role. The only way I could describe my first time leading is that it was very robotic lol. It was quite the new experience for me. Singing came natural, leading did not. I had to learn the many aspects of being a worship leader. How to lead the people into the presence of God, and how to allow the Holy Spirit to use me and the team to do his will in worship. And the responsibility and the accountability of that role was a huge part in my learning to be a leader. As i progressed as a worship leader the Holy Spirit took me to new heights, new realms and experiences I had never experienced before. Even my vocal ability changed for the better. It was like a sleeping giant inside of me woke up is the only way i can describe it. I continued on my journey in leading worship and it was incredible to see lives changed and hearts touched through the power of the Holy Spirit through worship, and to know that God was using me in that way didn't seem real. Don't get me wrong, it was not an easy transition for me, there were many days I didn't even want to be up on that stage because I didn't feel worthy, or I was going through this or that. But one thing I learned is, when you worship in your brokenness and get passed your emotions, God shows up in an incredible way. Fast forward about five years, God has restored my marriage! Something I am so incredibly grateful for. And now he and I are again working on music together, but this time for all the right reasons.
RYN TOMLINSON ATLANTA
I
’m a southern girl from Tuscaloosa, Alabama that has always known that the Lord had big plans for her. I grew up dancing & pouring myself into my studies. I’m a former pageant girl with five younger sisters, an Auburn fan who grew up in enemy territory, & a mama of a dingo that sings on command. I have a deep love of all things interior design. I’m a dreamer, a writer, & a fierce champion of my people. +++ I met Jesus when I was four years old in the parking lot of a Food World grocery store. Through high school I was known as a goody two shoes of sorts based solely on the fact that my faith meant so much to me. I remember having a letter passed to me from my friend Kelli in middle school that said, “Well, I would say a cuss word but I know you wouldn’t appreciate it.” My dad found that note & went on & on about how much it meant to him & how proud he was of me for being a role model & positive influence on my peers. Having grown up in the church it came as quite a surprise that my faith & identity fell out from under me as soon as I walked onto my college campus. I grew up in a family of divorced parents but what that really meant for me was just extra holiday parties & extra love. They loved me so much & ensured that I was always involved in the things I wanted to be involved in & that I was always involved in church. +++ When I walked onto campus, almost simultaneously my mom & step-dad of 13 years decided on a divorce that would take quite a while to settle. Almost all of my friends had left to go to schools far from my hometown & the ones that hadn’t were in serious relationships with the men that would become their forever loves. While I couldn’t have been happier for them, it was hard navigating this big new world of higher academia while my normal was being obliterated. My normal had changed completely & the foundation on which it was built was the only thing I had left & that was Jesus.
,
GA
"I WENT FROM NOT THINKING ANYTHING
MATTERED TO REALIZING THE FULL TRUTH OF HOW MUCH I MATTERED TO THE GOD WHO CREATED ME & REALIZING THE RELATIONSHIP THAT HE WANTED WITH ME. JESUS IS MY FREEDOM"
I’ll never forget the day I misplaced Him. I was standing on my Grandmother’s porch under the weight of a familial separation that would eventually end in divorce &, as I looked into a beautiful blue sky I felt my heart say, “What if it’s all just fake? What if God isn’t really real?” For two years or more I completely lost myself because I had completely lost the One in whom I had placed my faith. All of my teachers were atheists & there was so much that I questioned. The dark night of my soul lasted for what seemed like forever & the darkness got so intense that I remember talking to people & thinking, “You’re just a bunch of atoms put together & I’m just imagining this conversation.” I remember being so numb that I thought to myself, “I can’t wait until winter, maybe I’ll feel something again.” Moral relativity settled into the chambers of my heart & suddenly nothing mattered anymore. I began finding my worth in those I dated & eventually dated a guy for three years that was secretly dating another girl the whole time. The Lord has captured his heart since & he actually ended up being a significant influence on my pursuit of Jesus. +++ By the grace of God, I was lifted out of that deep, dark pit & reminded of His love & for the past several years He’s been walking me into truth & freedom. I went from not thinking anything mattered to realizing the full truth of how much I mattered to the God who created me & realizing the relationship that He wanted with me. Jesus is my freedom & because of what He’s done in my life, people in my family are realizing their worth. In the past year, three of my five sisters were baptized & the best part is that Jesus isn’t done yet! Life from death, beauty from ashes, purpose lifted out of the pit. The resurrected King has resurrected me & life has never been better.
MINISTRY Q&A
1. What is your vision for seeing the women ofAtlanta impacted & connected for Jesus? — Throughout this year the Lord has really started breaking down walls for me to be able to connect to other people. He has successful shame, & guilt as a ploy from the enemy to keep God’s children isolated & through it all He has really shed light on His goodness wh confess our sins to one another so that we might be healed. As a girl who excelled in isolation for years, I know how lonely isolation is & that pride is at the root of isolation. My heart & my vision is to see the women of Atlanta & cities all over the nation recognize the valu pride & allowing their hearts to be loved. Creating safe places with hearts that are so aware of God’s love that they choose to partner redemption process for themselves & for others, & using that space to foster community in an ongoing way. I pray that through m engagements, & YouTube channel, girls all over Atlanta and surrounding areas will see just how much they’re loved and that it would c community and into their purpose.
2. What types of organizations, ministries or outreaches are you a part of? Explain a little about them. — This year I have had the beautiful pleasure of being a part of three incredible organizations that are changing the game for hearts a beyond. Amy Boland, founder of The 61 Exchange, has invited me to be a part of her incredible organization that focuses on individua stories of God bringing beauty from their ashes. It has been such a joy to share my story & see the Lord use it to let people know that the that there is hope. The 61 Exchange is a traveling ministry that hosts events in different cities & invites real women to share their real change.
Marquè Modest Apparel is a clothing company that I have had the amazing opportunity to model for. Allie Shirley prayerfully started h being called at a young age to start a clothing company that highlights & establishes modesty as a mindset. Marquè exists to see lives cha full understanding that John 3:16 means “You Matter” to God.
Another organization that I’ve had the joy of being a small part of is Roya Productions. Sabrina Joseph, a beautiful friend of mine, star 2016 & has seen the Lord do incredible things with the company. Roya Productions partners with churches, businesses, artists & visio world to transform brands into experiences & spaces into stories. A few of the projects that they’ve had the joy of being a part of include: “At The Movies, 2016,” EQUIP & John Maxwell, AT Summit, & Leadership Open 2016 at Pebble Beach Resorts: John Maxwell & EQ leadership, creativity, vision, authenticity, integrity, honor, excellence & empowerment.
3. Community. Why is it important in one's walk with Christ? — At a concert earlier this year, the lead singer of Tenth Avenue North made a point that I had never heard & will never forget. “God community with each other because He is in community with the Son & the Holy Spirit.” It was incredible to think that God could be su loving leader that He would choose to set the tone for us in the pages of Genesis 1. Our connectedness to each other is directly corr intimacy & connectedness to Christ. Our ability to be raw & authentic in our relationships without fear is empowered only by the Spirit o know that our people are a safe place for us to operate with full transparency, we are reminded that Jesus is safer still. Moreover, we scripture that in this world we will have trouble & that Jesus has overcome the world. Jesus uses our community to remind us that He h pain, purpose in our position, purpose in our process, & most importantly, He uses our people to remind us that He is FOR US & not again is a conduit of hope that Jesus longs for us to plug in to. There’s healing there, friends. Let’s be brave enough to be seen.
4. What advice would you give to someone wanting to get involved in ministry? — First of all, I would applaud you for recognizing the desire of Christ to spread His kingdom & invite others into His heart! This year I ha full time ministry & the Lord has continued to remind me that my ministry is in every moment & situation that He walks me into. The advic someone wanting to get involved in ministry is to start by being present where you are & seeing people through the eyes of Christ. He w you to see exactly what He is calling you into & He will open the doors that He wants you to walk into. Remember that ministry can’t just four walls of the church if it wants to bring the Kingdom to a lost & hurting world. Be willing to be obedient & joyful in the spaces that prayer about where the Lord is leading you. Take baby steps toward your goals & the Lord will multiply your efforts beyond your w Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is He who has called you, He will do it.” And He will, friend. I can promise you that.
ly “outed” blame, hen He asks us to & I also know how ue in surrendering r with Him in the my blog, speaking catapult them into
all over Atlanta & al women & their ey are not alone & stories about real
her company after anged through the
rted Roya in early onaries around the 12 Stone Church, QUIP. Roya values
wants us to be in uch an incredible, related to our true of God. When we e are promised in has purpose in our nst us. Community
ave felt called into ce I would give to will begin allowing t reside within the you’re in & be in wildest dreams. 1
P H O T O S
B Y
M Y L E S
B E R R I O
New Beginnings PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATELYNN CONN M O D E L : AB B Y LOCATION: LEXINGTON, KY
RYANN LINDSEY ,
PHOTOGRAPHER TESTIMONY
PHOENIX AZ
"B EING ABLE TO BE A PART OF
SOMETHING SO SACRED AS MARRIAGE, TO WITNESS THE FEELING OF LOVE IN TWO PEOPLE’ S LIVES , IS ONE OF THE BEST GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN ME."
L
ike love, faith is not always something you can see; rather it’s a feeling, deep within each and every one of us who believes in it. I chose to be a wedding photographer because my original career path led me down a road where I faced conflict with my faith often. For nearly a decade, I have surrounded myself with children and adults that are battling cancer. Some survived, some sadly did not. After experiencing so much death, I, like many of my patients and their families, questioned my faith. I often asked why…why believe in a God who can in an instant, take away a child. I always believed we were here for a reason, and we go for a reason. But after witnessing so many families losing their loved ones, I began to disbelieve. I made the decision to find a hobby, which led me to become a wedding photographer. As a wedding photographer, I get to experience the joyous moments, the love, the passion, and mostly… the presence of faith and belief. I began to slowly give back my heart to the lord and realized a few things. Life is short - in an instant life can change. We should never take for granted those we love, those that love us, or the moments we are alive on this earth. God only gives us what we can handle. And although it’s easy to blame him when things go wrong, life is worth so much more when you believe that it will all work out how he wants and intends for it to. As the bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” I have found a balance in life by being a wedding photographer and an oncology nurse. While it is easy to be jaded by the things I see in front of me, the feeling is what stays with me. As a nurse for patients with cancer, I feel a sense of gratitude and honor. How incredible is it that God gave me the gift to make a difference in peoples’ lives during hard times. That He trusted me to be a healer for Him. My favorite part about being a nurse is knowing, that while I cannot control the outcome, I can help change the feelings the patient has the day I care for them. Like being a nurse, being a wedding photographer provides me with a feeling of joy and honor. Being able to be a part of something so sacred as marriage, to witness the feeling of love in two people’s lives, is one of the best gifts God has given me. It reminds me that having faith in happiness and love, here on earth and eternally, makes the hard times worth it.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYANN LINDSEY BRIDE AND GROOM: KENZIE AND DYLAN BRIDESMAIDES: RACHEL AND BRINDE LOCATION: PHOENIX, AZ