JESUS.
MUSIC.
FASHION.
ANGELIC M A R C H
2 0 1 6
ANGELICMARCH 2첫16 JESUS. MUSIC. FASHION.
CONTENT 20 30 40 41 44 54 58 64 68 69 70 80 81 82 90
FASHION: BREE WRIGHT PHOTO-SHOOT JESUS: BEHIND ENEMY LINES JESUS: HAVE YOUR WAY YAHWEH JESUS: KAYLA NORD TESTIMONY FASHION: TIFFANY SOUDERS PHOTO-SHOOT FASHION: ARIEL KURTZ PHOTO-SHOOT FASHION: CHRISTA OLSON PHOT0-SHOOT JESUS: PORSCHE JADE TESTIMONY JESUS: COMPASSION JESUS: THE HOUSE ON BROWN STREET FASHION: HANNAH HICKS PHOTO-SHOOT JESUS: NEVER WILL HE LEAVE YOU JESUS: SECURE YOUR OWN OXYGEN MASK FASHION: EMILY THOMAS PHOTO-SHOOT FASHION: CHRISTINE WOZZ PHOTO-SHOOT
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 PROFRESS 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.
A
NGELIC
WWW.ANGELICMAG.COM
JESUS. MUSIC. FASHION.
ROMANS 8:37 WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US.
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
ORDER THIS ISSUE IN PRINT WWW.ANGELICMAG.COM/THEMAG ORDER SINGLE ISSUES OR SUBSCRIBE YEARLY
LEX, KY
WE BUILD CUSTOM WOOD FURNITURE FROM RECLAIMED AND RECYCLED WOOD. "THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU..." EXODUS 14:14
EXODUS WOOD FURNITURE DESIGNED l CREATED l RESTORED EXODUSWOODFURNITURE.COM SHOP ONLINE
CONNECT WITH US @ANGELICMAGAZINE www.ANGELICMAG.com
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS ANGELICMAG.COM/ADVERTISE
REACH OUR READERS RATES STARTING AT $150
LEX, KY T H E
C H U R C H
+
C O M M U N I T Y W H E R E
W E
L E X I N G T O N
L O V E
+
E X P E R I E N C E T O G E T H E R
You're Invited COMING SOON
WWW.THECHURCHLEXINGTON.ORG F I N D
@
U S
O N
I N S T A G R A M
T H E C H U R C H L E X I N G T O N
W O R S H I P J E S U S
EDITOR LETTER KEEP GOING.
DWe’reon’t walking give up. God is fighting for you. He believes in you, and He is for you. into spring. Sunshine is about to erupt. Warmth is near.
And so too is God. He is near. This month, March 2016, remember that with every breath you experience, God is breathing with you. In your dreams, in your hopes and in your fears, give them to God. Don’t give up. People need you. God needs you. And He needs you to fulfill the calling He's placed on your life. You're talented. You're equipped. And you're ready to meet the world because the world is waiting to meet you. Go. And keep going. When you think about turning around, remember that God is waiting for you. He'll give you the confidence that you need. The boldness you're praying for. A spirit not of fear but of love, and power and a sound mind. Don't give up. You have something amazing to offer to the world.
-- Jesse Anaya
Blessed BY BREE WRIGHT
PHOTOGRAPHER INTERVIEW BREEWRIGHT PHOENIX
"I CHOOSE JESUS BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER WAY FOR ME." 1. How did you get into photography? My chronic illness led me to photography! Well, God, but through my illness. I got extremely sick doing missions in South America two years ago. When I arrived home I still had chronic pain and realized I couldn't work a full time job or sit at a desk all day long. To make some extra money my father asked me to take some head shots for the people in his office; he even offered to buy a camera for it! I quickly accepted and the rest is history because the camera became my best friend and I've never stopped shooting since! 2. Why do you choose Jesus? I choose Jesus because there is no other way for me. Daily, I'm faced with the reality that I cannot rely on myself. The pain I experience every day wouldn't be bearable if I didn't have the assurance that Christ has a plan and that I'm living this life for a purpose. 3. What is the best part about living in Phoenix? The best part of Phoenix, by far, is the community. Since becoming a photographer, my eyes have been opened to an amazing group of people I never knew even existed. They have welcomed me with open arms and I have made the most incredible friends in this artist community we have. 4. How would you like to see Phoenix become more united for Jesus? I would love to see less judgment. I know that's a sin problem, and not just a Phoenix problem, but if we could start that here, we'd create a revolution. I strongly believe that everyone is fighting a battle we cannot understand unless we have similar issues. Many people can't understand my lifestyle because of my chronic pain, just like I can't fully understand the struggle of immigrants, single moms/dads, the LGBT community, the homeless, or other religions/races. If we judge others based on our experiences from the lifestyle we lead we'll never be invited in to other's lives to share about Jesus. 5. What would you like people to know about you? Oh this one is tough! I have the best husband and I'm his biggest fan. He seriously tells the best jokes. We both are bilingual and lived in Mexico and are hoping to move back to do long term missions. I also really like carrot juice, I drink about four juices a day. It actually tastes better than you think, I promise. And, I love new friends! If you happen to see me out and about in Phoenix or want to connect through Instagram, please do!
P H O T O G R A P H E R H A I R M O D E L
/ :
M A K E U P
: :
M A R I S S A
L O C A T I O N
:
B R E E
W R I G H T
V I C T O R I A R A H M
P H O E N I X
M C R O Y
INDIA: BEHIND ENEMY LINES
JOURNALIST AND PHOTOGRAPHER, JESSICA B ILLS, DOCUMENTED HER RECENT MISSION TRIP TO INDA FOR A SPECIAL FEATURE FOR ANGELIC MAGAZINE. I am writing this to the Church, the worldwide assembly of Christ believers, as a report from trenches of India. There were only a few moments when I understood the power the enemy has over the territory of this Asian country. I saw what I’ve only read about in the New Testament of healings and demons being casted out. I wrestled for a few days as to why we don’t see these miracles stateside. And even personally, what was my faith’s reaction to seeing such things? “For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened” Mark 6:52 Hardened hearts. So if we are shocked, befuddled, amazed, surprised, perplexed, or even astounded at a miracle, does that mean we have a hardened heart? And even more, where is our faith at if we have hardened hearts? Take heart dear American Christian, do not be enticed to feel guilty for where your faith is at. Guilt never grows us. It is a favorite tool the enemy uses to craft us into being stagnant or back sliding. I believe we are hardened because of a lack of experience, and much of that is due to our cultural differences. My pastor on our team explained that he believed healings happen in developing countries because they do not have the same kind of access to the healing of medicine. This thought left me seeing God’s providence through medical advances here, as well as providence through faith in India. Praise the Lord. During my time in India I realized that the enemy’s presence can be felt, can be seen, can affect us, but can never destroy us. Jesus’ last words while hanging on the cross were “it is finished” or in the Greek, “tetelestai.” (John19:20) Tetelestai comes from the verb teleo, which means "to bring to an end, to complete, to accomplish.” This word is incredibly significant to our time in the midst of spiritual warfare, whether more tangible in India or more subtle in America. The reason being “tetelestai” is in the perfect tense in Greek. The perfect tense is used when an action has been completed in the past with results continuing into the present. The future tense says, “this could happen.” The past tense says, “it has happened.” But the perfect tense says, “this happened and is still in effect today.” Essentially when the slaughtered Lamb of God cried out in his last breathe “Tetelestai” He was affirming the present and future believers that he successfully completed the work he came to do. He offered Himself to be an atonement for our sins, to redeem our fallen Adamic state, to show us how to have a relationship with God in the midst of trials/temptations, and to make a way for us to glorify God through our sanctification. Like Paul says in 1 Corinthians, “I planted, Apollos water, but God gave the growth.” Some of us are planters. And many of our brothers and sisters in India are the waterers. But ultimately our God will be the grower. The waterers are dealing with daily threats on their lives for the sake of the kingdom growth. And though they can be discouraged, they are not dismayed. They hold to the promises Jesus said. But that doesn’t mean we can’t encourage them. What we can do from our comforts in America is pray for our family that are in the trenches all around the world.
Have your way, Yahweh. "IT IS NO SECRET THAT GOD WILL HAVE HIS WAY, WHETHER WE DECLARE IT OR NOT. HE WILL CARRY OUT HIS WILL . NO MATTER WHAT I MUST GIVE UP, WHAT HE TAKES AWAY OR WHAT I MAY BE CALLED TO DO, I FEAR NOTHING BUT BEING SEPARATED FROM MY MAKER. "
W
B Y RHEA S TARNS ould you agree that the punchline of a good story is only funny in hindsight? Surely you, like me, have gotten yourself into some crazy situations and laughed about them when they were safely in the past. However, sometimes the craziness doesn’t stay behind us, it continues to resurface and all we can do is try not to drown. (Hopefully, I’m not alone in this.) Is it true that we could be our own worst enemies? I think so. This bothers me because Satan gets to rest easy when it’s me against myself, and you against yourself. Surely, surely there are greater battles to fight than those against mediocre distractions and self-destruction. ‘But me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do. I’m waiting for God to make things right. I’m counting on God to listen to me.’ From the deepest parts of my heart I scream, “FATHER! Can you hear me?!” A moment later my soul more quietly pleas for answers to life’s biggest questions, and for forgiveness and direction. I know you’ve been here too. Some of us dare to come often. More than anything I find myself begging the Lord to search my heart, desperately hoping that if He were to find anything good inside of me that He would not give up yet, “Lord, don’t let me go.” ‘I’m down, but I’m not out. I’m sitting in the dark right now, but God is my light… He’ll turn on the lights and show me his ways. I’ll see the whole picture and how right he is.’ It is no secret that God will have His way, whether we declare it or not. He will carry out His will. No matter what I must give up, what He takes away or what I may be called to do, I fear nothing but being separated from my Maker. In the absence of light, we blanket ourselves with fear, self-doubt, confusion, guilt, and much worse. But this isn’t us, we weren’t made for this! We were designed for an abundant and purposeful life. Can you feel that? Something has shifted. Winter is gone and Spring has come. My heart is overjoyed! That sting of what is gone, and the relief of a weight that has been lifted is so freeing. “Oh, that will be a day! A day for rebuilding your city, a day for stretching your arms, spreading your wings!” Micah 7 Although we will innately continue to rise and fall until His Kingdom comes, I will continually say, “Have your way, Yahweh.”
ANGELICTESTIMONY
KAYLA NORD lexington, ky
"I CALLED MYSELF A CHRISTIAN, BUT HAD NO RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST. I PRETENDED THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE" At nine years old, I had it all figured out. I was baptized and made a commitment to Jesus that he was my Lord and Savior. For me that was that. I understood what it meant and I knew I loved God, but I didn’t know how much at that time. I was young and innocent, but I believed in a God that saved me and I loved Him. The next seventeen years would bring many ups and downs and change me in more ways than one. My high school days were always God filled, but not God centered. I lived in a way that was “Christianly,” but there was always something missing. I told myself that I would grow closer to God when volleyball was over… or in the summer… or after I took the ACT, but there was always something else that came up that I had to do instead. I never had enough time to truly and fully commit to the Lord. I was playing three sports, hanging out with my friends, spending time with my boyfriend, and filling up every possible second doing something. I went to church every Sunday, but this just seemed like another thing that I added to my already filled schedule. I always told myself that I would give more time to prayer and reading the Bible, but then would just fill my time with more busy-ness. College came and went in a big mess of even more busyness, but this time I filled my schedule with partying and shameful worldly behavior that I swore I would never associate with. At this time I was still a “Christian,” but told myself that I was just “doing what everyone else was doing” and that I was “finding myself”; knowing full and well, that I was completely lost. I was surrounded by people at all times, living in a destructive way, all the while feeling empty and vacant. My behavior led me to continue to fill the void with more things to take up the time, so that I wouldn’t notice how alone I really was. I graduated from college and immediately got a job teaching art at an elementary school. It was a tough transition for me to be thrown into the real world of being at work before the sun rose every day and the exhausting hours of being surrounded by children. At this point, I was still trying to live my college lifestyle of
staying out too late and surrounding myself with people whose lifestyles were not pleasing to God. Months and months went by of living a double life. I called myself a Christian, but had no relationship with Christ. I pretended that everything was fine and that I was still doing better than most people, but in reality I was more lost than they were. I knew the truth and I knew who my Savior was, and yet I was choosing over and over again to not obey him or seek a relationship with him. I’m really not sure what finally clicked, or when the big ahha moment happened for me, but I finally starting slowing down and listening to God. I stopped filling my schedule to the brim, and I finally started to crave the quiet and the stillness of doing nothing. I began spending more time reading the Bible and praying and everything started to settle down. I finally felt at peace and able to breathe again. Not long after, I met the man that would become my husband, and together we started seeking God. We knew that if we wanted a successful marriage, God had to be the center of it. We are helping each other grow into people who follow Christ whole-heartedly, but we are still sinners. I am still a sinner. I try and I fail. I am not worthy of the love of Christ, but he loves me anyways. He has been with me all along, protecting me and guarding me, even though I have not followed him like I should. He never left me and I have been covered by his Grace my entire life. In the years that I strayed away from Him, He was still there for me, waiting patiently for me to come back home. I am now on a journey to become more like the innocent, nine year old girl who first accepted Jesus. Each day I spend with Him, I can see Him working in my heart and changing me. I am so thankful for this journey and that I am loved by a God as accepting, loving, and forgiving as ours.
ANGELICTESTIMONY
Tiffany Souders MODEL TESTIMONY. S AN DIEGO, CA.
"GOD SHOWED ME NEW THINGS FOR MY LIFE. DURING ONE OF THE TESTIMONIES, I STARTED TO SEE AN ACTING CAREER WAS POSSIBLY PART OF GOD’S PLAN. "
W
hen I was a kid, I loved performing. Whether acting in a play, giving a short flute recital for family on Christmas or doing a puppet show for the kid next door, I was happy entertaining others. Something about it made me light up inside and that was a lot for a naturally shy and withdrawn kid. Born into a Christian home, I was raised by parents who taught me the Word of God not only through words, but by their actions as well. Things weren’t always easy, but I had a family who loved me and good friends, both at school and church. Despite this, I harbored many insecurities and doubts. I wasn’t good enough, wasn’t smart enough, wasn’t pretty enough and the list went on. Too often I compared myself to other kids and always believed myself lacking. I did find joy in learning music, however. Though I wasn’t the most naturally talented flutist, I stuck with it from elementary school through college. Opposition came in the form of teachers and fellow students at times telling me I wasn’t good enough. It hurt, but really didn’t matter. I loved music and wanted to pursue it as a career. I graduated with a music degree, but not long after college I gave up my dream of playing professionally, focusing on teaching instead. Finding little success at home in California, I accepted an offer to teach music at a private school in Indiana. It was a huge change for me, leaving family and everything I knew behind, but I needed to do it. My time there was short and after three years I moved back home. With the opportunity to start new, I had no clue what I should do. Eventually, I began working for my dad part time and when needed, helped take care of my young nephews and nieces. Though I was happy to be a help to my family, those feelings of inadequacy overwhelmed me from time to time. I wanted to do more with my life, not just for myself, but for Jesus.
That’s when I began to consider acting. I’d always enjoyed it, but didn’t believe I was meant to actually be an actor. However, God knew what I wanted in my heart and had a plan for my life I’d not ever considered was possible. I prayed for acting opportunities and little by little, God gave them to me. They were small things all done at church, like playing a princess for outreaches or acting in Christmas plays, but it was a beginning. By my second play I was ready for more. Two years ago, I attended a women’s conference, where God showed me new things for my life. During one of the testimonies, I started to see an acting career was possibly part of God’s plan. After, an alter call was given for those called to the entertainment industry. I stood on a threshold in that moment. Should I stay and do nothing, or follow the urging I felt in my heart by taking a step of faith? It wasn’t easy, but I took that step, which became the first of many towards something new and exciting. Since then God has given me opportunities I never thought I’d have and has blessed me with a community of fellow performers who love and support me. People who share similar goals and want to be a light for Jesus just as I do. Sometimes, I’m still amazed God has a purpose for me as an actor and model. Though I know who I am in Christ, those insecurities and doubts from my childhood try to come creeping back. In those times I think,“Really Lord, me? I’m just Tiffany, nothing at all.” But that’s when He reminds me who He is. “No,” He says, “you are something, because I created you.” Just as it says in Ephesians 2:10, we are all His workmanship, created to do good things for Him. And that is what I hope to do as I step further into God’s calling on my life, sharing His goodness with others.
P H O T O G R A P H E R M O D E L
:
M A K E U P
:
C A L L I
T I F F A N Y
:
S T Y L I S T
M E L I S S A
:
K A T
D U N C A N
S O U D E R S E D W A R D S
W A R D
HOW IS JESUS REFLECTED IN YOUR PHOTO -SHOOT? PHOTOGRAPHER CHALLENGE. ARIEL KURTZ. SACRAMENTO, CA.
W hen I look back at 28 years of life, I see so clearly how present Jesus has been. I’ve felt just how
alive He is, alive in those who have cared for me, especially my husband, Dane. Jesus committed the most selfless act in history when he gave up his own life so that I might find mine. But the reality of Christ’s sacrifice became so much more tangible when a man chose to give his life to serve, love and lead me voluntarily. It brings tears to my eyes when I think of how this man, my husband, wants every day, every memory, every trial and every triumph to happen with me at his side. I can be so stubborn (usually without good cause) and so selfish, yet after fights when I’m in the wrong, I am quickly met with a consistent and sweet “I forgive you”. When I want to put up a wall of pride he says, “We are best friends, we need to talk it through. I don’t want us to stay fighting.” He is a man who fights for us instead of fighting to be right, and it never fails to points me back to Jesus. In these moments when I don’t deserve to be forgiven but my husband chooses grace, I realize the Gospel. Once again I come face to face with the power of unconditional love. As Dane follows the example of Christ, our marriage is always led into greater health. I can’t imagine what our marriage would be like without Jesus, without His sacrifice, without our mutual need for Him, and without my husband’s steady choice to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. Marriage is in no way easy, but with the Holy Spirit’s voice of guidance and comfort, there is hope and help. It’s the only way we can truly be unified. The times I genuinely step out in faith and trust the Holy Spirit to lead Dane, the times I let Dane lead and trust that he will make the decision to listen have been the most unforgettable moments.
"A FULFILLING MARRIAGE TAKES INCREDIBLE INTENTIONALITY. GREAT MARRIAGES REQUIRE AN INTENTIONAL LIFESTYLE THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM KNOWING JESUS"
Moments I truly feel Jesus is taking care of and refining both of us at the same time. It has taken a lot of detailed heart work and hard work to get to where we are, and although we are nowhere near perfect, our marriage has been (by far) the most fulfilling thing in both of our lives. When I think of how Jesus loves us, how He speaks about His love and pursuit like a marriage, it isn’t a surprise to see how tense the battle is to keep it holy. If God himself places such a high value on marriage, doesn’t it make sense that the enemy would try and tear it down? A fulfilling marriage takes incredible intentionality. Great marriages require an intentional lifestyle that can only come from knowing Jesus and following the abnormal and unpopular life He lived. Great marriages depend upon the kind of intentional living that aims to speak life into the others’ life, protects the commitment made on the wedding day, and sacrifices the flesh for the sake of the Spirit. In so many ways Dane’s love reminds me of Jesus’ love. From the beginning of our relationship Dane had a vision of the marriage he wanted. But he didn’t stop at a vision, Dane was willing to see his vision become a reality. He fought for what we have today. I live with an incredible sense of peace knowing Dane holds a vision for our life that he is determined to see through. No matter the trial, he stands strong and stays present. To be loved this well by a man is a true blessing, because it makes the Father's love for me that much more tangible. If a man’s love is this fulfilling, how much more fulfilling can the love of God be?
P H O T O G R A P H Y : C H R I S T A O L S O N M O D E L : P O R S C H E M O R R O W L O C A T I O N : L E X I N G T O N
CHRISTA OLSON PHOTOGRAPHER TESTIMONY
CAPTURING THE LIGHT
To understand my story is to understand the contrast of light and darkness in my life; Jesus being the light and Satan being the darkness. Christ has been pursuing me my whole life, but it took me a while to figure out whether or not I wanted to pursue Him in return. I struggled with trusting Him, receiving His love, and forgiving myself for a dark past. Thankfully He is a very patient Father, and stayed with me through it all. He still does to this day. Thank you Jesus. Thank you for your patience. Growing up I was totally dependent on others, especially my twin sister. Being a twin was a huge blessing, but also a huge challenge for me because I could never establish my own identity. Somehow I always found myself putting my identity in others, like my twin sister, or in other things. Middle school, high school, and college I turned to the world to find my identity and purpose. To this day, some of my closest family members and friends don’t even know of all of
the dark places the Lord has redeemed me: alcohol, drugs, sex, suicidal ideation, abuse, broken relationships, deep depression, and severe anxiety. You name it, Satan tried to use it against me, and stow me away in the darkness. My long story short, I’m thankful Christ loves me unconditionally and continually pursues me out of the darkness, and into His beautiful light. Before my relationship with Him I had never experienced that kind of love, especially from a Father. My parents divorced when I was five years old, and growing up my father was in and out of my life due to a combination of things. As a child I longed for a Father, but it wasn’t until my junior year of college that I finally found one. My junior year the best thing happened, I was forced to live in a dorm room alone. What I thought was going to be the worst year of my life, turned out to be the best. The Lord did the unordinary, and instead of surrounding me with people, He used His word to pursue me alone in my dorm room.
Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. I craved His word and I craved Him. Jesus quickly showed me, that was great, but I couldn’t just sit in my dorm room and read scripture forever. He wanted me to do something with it. So, I applied for Winshape Camps for Communities. For the next two summers I traveled to different communities across the Southeastern U.S. sharing the gospel with first and second graders. At the beginning, I thought, “who am I to share the gospel, especially with first and second graders?” Fear, the enemy, and the darkness tried to hold me back. But Jesus, doing what He does best, continued to capture my heart and pursue me with His beautiful light. Over the next two years Jesus sweetly reminded me (and still reminds me) I was equipped to share the gospel all along. Why? It’s simple: I am a child of God, He loves me, and His power lives in me. He just wanted me to do something with it and follow Him. Is He worth following? Absolutely. Is it easy? Absolutely not, but John 1:5 is a sweet reminder of why I do: to reach the hearts of those still living in the darkness, and to pursue others like Christ continually pursues me. “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 This verse not only serves as a reminder of why I follow Christ, but why I take pictures. For me, photography has always been more than just taking pictures. God’s children, their lives, their hearts, and their stories are what draw me behind the camera lens. To be able to capture their hearts and see the light of Christ working in their lives through a lens is beautiful thing. Why? Because I know from experience, Christ redeems us from some of the darkest places, and to be able to capture that is a beautiful thing.
"I TURNED TO THE WORLD TO FIND MY IDENTITY AND PURPOSE. TO THIS DAY, SOME OF MY CLOSEST FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS DON’ T EVEN KNOW OF ALL OF THE DARK PLACES THE LORD HAS REDEEMED ME: ALCOHOL, DRUGS , SEX, SUICIDAL IDEATION, ABUSE, BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS , DEEP DEPRESSION, AND SEVERE ANXIETY."
-- CHRISTA OLSON
PORSCHE MORROW MODEL TESTIMONY
Imy wholewishlife,I could say I have walked the straight and narrow but if that were true, I wouldn’t be able to say I
know Jesus the way I do. Growing up, apart from Easter, I only went to church when I was visiting my dad and grandparents in Tennessee. When I was 13 we went to a heaven and hell haunted house that a local church put on. I remember walking through the hell side of it and having what was supposed to be the exorcism of Emily Rose reach up and grab me from a hospital bed. At the end of it my step sister said, “I’m glad I’m saved and don’t have to go to hell.” I had no idea what that meant, “being saved.” I did know I wanted to do whatever “that was” in order to avoid going to hell. The next day we went over to a family member's house, I repeated “the prayer” after them, and all I could think was, “I’m golden. Now I just have to follow all of the rules in the Bible in order to get to heaven.” For years, it was repetitive: being human, messing up, laying down at night, and going down the entire list of all of the things I did wrong each day, asking for repentance. In middle school that was easy; you can’t mess up too much when you’re too awkward for life. High school, it got a little harder: more influences and trying to find my identity. Then there was dating. My first relationship didn’t begin until high school was about to end. Several months into came the verbal and emotional manipulation. “You’re fat, worthless, never going to amount to anything, etc,” became the norm. The relationship finally came to an end, but me believing the lies about myself didn’t. Junior year of college I spent rebuilding myself. I remember thinking, “I followed most of the rules, and repented for the ones that I broke. So why wasn’t this Jesus person there to protect me?” A part of me you could say stopped believing in Him during that time and that’s when I turned to other means of help. I spent a lot of nights drinking with friends at parties. At 3 o’clock in the morning I would find myself coming home and going to my apartment gym; I would get on the elliptical because I still believed I was “fat, worthless” and the other lies that remained in the back of my head. I would go to bed about 5 in the morning, wake up, go to class, and repeat.
//
LEXINGTON
,
KY
"I AM BEAUTY, NOT ASHES. I AM GRACE, NOT PUNISHMENT. I AM FAITH, NOT FEAR. WHEN THE ENEMY HINDERED I WASN’T GOOD ENOUGH TO SHARE MY STORY" ANGELICTESTIMONY Junior year of college was probably my darkest and most destructive year. Then a friend invited me to fall retreat. The morning before we left I was standing in front of the mirror getting ready and I remember looking into it and thinking to myself, “I don’t even know this person looking back at me anymore.” It was almost like a black cloud blurring out my face. On the second night of Fall Retreat, everyone was waiting in line for prayer from a man known as Pastor Tim. I waited in line and at 4 in the morning I was finally able to pray with him. All I said was “Hi, my name is Porsche.” He started praying, “You look in the mirror and you don’t know who you are anymore. Someone has put lies into your head that you can’t stop believing.” He goes on and then ends with, “You’re looking for a fatherly figure here on earth.” By that point I was in tears and completely freaked out, thinking “who is this guy?” Was he standing in my bathroom this morning? And does this mean this Jesus guy might actually be real? Since 2011, I have been rebuilding myself in the identity of Jesus Christ and what He says about me. I am beauty, not ashes. I am grace, not punishment. I am faith, not fear. When the enemy hindered I wasn’t good enough to share my story -Angelic posted "Fear says don’t do it. Faith says do it afraid.” So here I am. Trying to find a way to reach young girls who don’t know that their identity is in Jesus Christ and nothing else. For me, it's all about my relationship with Christ, and not concentrating on what I’m doing wrong, but what I can do in this world to be more like Him.
Compassion (To Suffer With) "SEE WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES WHEN YOU REALLY ALLOW COMPASSION TO FILL YOUR LIFE. "
B P F -@ S uffering with someone. Having compassion and sympathizing with someone is not the same thing. The root Y AIGE ERRARI
RAGAMUFFINWRITER
of compassion is compati. Suffering with people. It's not an "oh I am sorry you're going through this" text when you happen to think of that person. It is getting in the nitty gritty of life with that person and fighting with them and for them. I look at the people in my own life and look who I really suffer with. Who do I lay my life down for? Scripture brings us to the story in the Gospels where Jesus is traveling town to town visiting homes bringing crowds of people in his wake. There in this town there was a man who was paralyzed. His friends picked up his mat and carried him to Jesus. The crowd was as thick as dust. The friends could to get through. The friends carried their crippled buddy to the roof to the home that Jesus was in and TORE THROUGH THE ROOF. Just to get a glimpse of this man. The friends went through a roof to get their friend to just see Jesus. That is faith. That is dedication. And that is joining someone in the trenches of their life to merely assure them that they are loved and that they are not alone. We need two things in life. To know and be known. So when those around us are suffering, they want to be known. They want to know that there is someone willing to go to battle with them. Someone who is willing to get down to their level and not just say some sappy thing that isn't really going to do any good. People need to hurt together. Cry together. Laugh together. Process together. It is good for the soul. Someone to be in the thick and the thin. Someone to suffer with them. That is true compassion. I experienced the embodiment of compassion with the appropriately named, compassion International, as I journeyed to one of their many sites around the world to help release children from poverty in Jesus' name. This trip pretty much turned my understanding of poverty into a whole new dimension. It’s not that I was oblivious to the realities of poverty, however pictures don't give you any scope.
Numbers past a certain a point become mute. So instead of seeing a home that was build of sticks and bricks in a 4x6 photograph. I got to duck through the shrunken doorway. Take two steps to the left and hit the side of the house and if I took a few more steps forward I would be in the "bedroom" which was a hutch that held clothing and a hammock that stretched the long of the room. That was the scope of the house. There was nothing more. Nothing left to the Imagination. There was nothing in my mind where I could make the assumption that behind the photographer was a huge empty space that the kids could play in. There were no assumptions. Just the reality of poverty. These churches that compassion programs run through in these communities, come alongside these families and children through the struggles of life, through the suffering, and makes sure that they are not alone. These families know that their church is there for them. That the staff is there for holistic support and care. THAT is what true compassion is. I have one question for you, how are you displaying compassion in your faith communities? Your friendships? Your families? Because I'm going to be honest with you for a moment here, after getting a slap of harsh reality I am realizing that I grumble and pout when it comes to caring about my communities....about my most dear relationships. Some of them are easy. The relationships that can give back to me are easy to care for. But the ones that are not so good, or the ones that are more difficult or ugly, or hard, or take more effort....those aren't done with a happy heart (at least for me). My prayer and hope is that this challenges you. I pray over these articles because each word has a bit of my soul poured into it. I pray that this convicts your heart to reach out to your neighbors and communities and see what the Holy Spirit does when you really allow compassion to fill your life.
THE HOUSE ON BROWN STREET
T
B Y KAYTIE GAUS - @KAYTIEMAY_ his is a silly story- but I love this story. I had this “dream” house in my mind. If you have seen the show Fixer Upper on HGTV, you know what I mean. Something that looks like a blast from the past on the outside, but when you walk in, you are greeted with central air conditioning and a chic bathroom instead of an outhouse. Well this dream of mine was tangible, we planned on buying a house soon, but not within the next 6 months, and I figured we just might live close enough to the hometown of Chip and Joanna Gaines, to actually get them to come renovate a property for us. One day- this “house on brown street” flashed on the newly listed page of a realty website and I told my husband that even though we weren’t looking to buy just yet, I had to see it. I know we aren’t looking to buy, I won’t get attached, I won’t envision myself living there, I promise- were all things I told my husband. Men- I’m sure you can relate to the way my husband felt when he saw my eyes light up when I saw this house. He knew we were in trouble. Well he was right- I walked in, told the realtor exactly where I would put my Christmas tree, I stood in front of the sink, looking out of the window and thought that maybe I would love to do dishes if I lived in this house. I imagined my dream of my own “fixer upper” becoming a reality. After a day of prayer and conversation, my husband told me we could put an offer on this house. We put in an offer and the next day we were signing contract papers. I say this story is silly, because it was about my dream to own a house, but it was how quickly that dream came true in a matter of days is what makes it unbelievable to me. But in those 72 hours, I put my energy, my thought, my prayers, and my hopes into a realtor to makes this a reality.
"A LOT OF TIMES I FEAR I AM INADEQUATE IN THIS WORLD, I AM TIMID, AND I AM WEAK. BUT GOD TELLS ME OTHERWISE. GOD HAS PROVEN TO ME OVER AND OVER THAT HE HAS A DIVINE PLAN FOR MY LIFE" This makes me think what if I put my hope and energy into the life plan God has for me. Do my eyes light up when I open the scripture and hear God challenging me to get out into the world to do His work like they lit up when I walked through the front door of my house? I can be honest and say a lot of times I fear I am inadequate in this world, I am timid, and I am weak. But God tells me otherwise. God has proven to me over and over that He has a divine plan for my life, it is up to Him to reveal this to me, but it is in my Hands to serve and act accordingly. Many people argue that they are unsure of what God’s plan is for their life. God has told us in order for this to be revealed, we need to offer ourselves as sacrifices, not conform to the world, and commit ourselves to the Lord and then his plan will be revealed. (Romans 12:1-2) How many of us can say we have done this? Too often I know I find myself too consumed with the world and what others are doing around me with the plan that God has revealed for them. Refer to Jeremiah 29:11, God has plans for us. He promises to give us a future. How refreshing is that when we are trapped in our inadequacy? Ask yourself this what would you consider you “little house on brown street” dream? Would it be your dream to serve a mission overseas? Would it be to start a shelter in your community? Would it simply be to serve within your church? Friends, if you have yet to feel like you have been called to do something bigger than yourself, commit yourself to the one above and He will reveal His dreams and plans to you.
Hannah Hicks Photographer Testimony. Morgantown, WV
"I’M NOT A PERFECT CHRISTIAN AND I DON’T BELIEVE THERE IS SUCH A THING. BUT I DO BELIEVE IN LOVING PEOPLE, NO MATTER WHAT, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT I BELIEVE HE DOES FOR ALL OF US. "
G
rowing up I was raised Christian. My family went to church and my siblings and I attended Sunday school almost every week. There was never really a question whether I believed in God or not. I knew I believed in Him. I knew there was something greater and I knew of the promises that came with living a faith-filled life, but I never felt like I had experienced any of those moments where I just knew that God was present… The problem was that I knew of God, but I didn’t know God. I didn’t pray and I didn’t have a real relationship with Him. That is until I began my freshman year of high school when my friend, Erin, invited me to attend Young Life club. If you’ve never heard ofYoung Life, it’s a non-denominational Christian ministry that reaches out to adolescents through volunteers, staff, club meetings, and camps by building meaningful relationships, and it was a complete game changer for me. I was involved in everything Young Life had to offer and my leaders quickly became some of my best friends. Throughout my four years of high school, I never missed a Monday night Young Life club and with each new week, my faith only grew stronger. I began to build a relationship with Him and started praying multiple times in a day. As a worrier, praying gave me peace, and I finally understood what it was like to “Let go and let God.” A lot of things changed for me after I accepted Christ into my life: my priorities, my entire mindset, and the way I made decisions. Those promises I’d heard about in Sunday school became real to me. Most of all, I felt a constant peacefulness in my heart. I’ve been so lucky in my life to have parents that love me unconditionally, siblings to call my best friends, and friends that are more like family. I thank God every day for His grace and continued blessings over me and the people I love. Along the way there have been some incredibly trying times when my faith was tested, but also made stronger. My life is certainly not perfect but it is wonderful. I know that I was made to create, and I have been so blessed through my photography. I wanted this shoot to reflect peace and grace and beauty, because those are the words I would use to describe what it’s like to live a life with God in the center of it. I’m not a perfect Christian and I don’t believe there is such a thing. But I do believe in loving people, no matter what, because that’s what I believe He does for all of us.
P H O T O G R A P H Y M O D E L D R E S S
: :
:
P A I G E
H A N N A H M A D D E N
O L I V E R I O
L O C A T I O N
:
O L D
H I C K S
’
S
T O W N
P R O M
&
B R I D A L
A L E X A N D R I A
,
B O U T I Q U E V
a
NEVER WILL HE LEAVE YOU
G
HIS LOVE IS THE ONLY ONE WE WILL EXPERIENCE IN OUR LIFE THAT WON'T FAIL US.
B Y CLARE TUCKER - @CTUCKY ive thanks to the Lord and praise Him because His steadfast love endures forever. Twenty six consecutive sentences in the 136th chapter of the Psalms state "...for His steadfast love endures forever." I remember in grade school when one form of punishment was writing some sort of lesson to be learned out of getting into trouble over and over again on a sheet of paper or the chalkboard. The objective of this form of discipline was usually to make the misbehaving kid have to continuously write out and thus not forget, the way in which he/she actually should have acted. You write your “lesson” over and over again, and consequently you should learn the lesson and become a better behaved kid. This reminds me of the discipline David felt compelled to place on himself when staring at this chapter through the lenses of a 12-year-old me. When the psalmist here experienced troubles, he had to remind himself that the only soul-calming thing to do is praise the Lord…give thanks to Him, even when it's the opposite of what we want to do in hard times. His love is the only one we will experience in our life that won't fail us. Our human nature during hard times is to complain, cry, allow anxiety and confusion to infect our minds and choices and feel sorry for ourselves that we should have to even endure troubles. But who do we really think we are that we should never struggle? We live in a world full of believers and non-believers and the enemy has control on earth regardless when we fail to intentionally invite Jesus in and live for Him. The struggles we face are inevitable because of sin and that’s okay because through Christ, we can do all things. We can and we will get through it … and probably learn some big things along the way. When things seem to be falling apart, it’s really just things falling into place when you live a life close to God. God goes before us. He establishes our steps if we let Him. He has our picture on his refrigerator. He remembers us all by name. He knows how many hairs we have on our head and He does hear us whenever we call out. He doesn't always answer within the timeline we give Him, because our thoughts are not His. His power is bigger and His thoughts go beyond what for we can dream. Thank Him for that. His love endures forever. God doesn’t have to love us but He loves us anyway. And God always will love us. It says so in His Word, which will never die nor fail us. You can trust Him when you can’t trust anything else around you. Twenty six times back to back we claim and we sing to you Father giving thanks and shouting praises, “…for Your steadfast love endures forever.” We’re going to make it. With You, we can.
SECURE Y OUR O WN OXYGEN MASK "take the time to first love yourselfand practice compassion and kindness with yourself" B Y KAREN HIGUERA " Secure your own oxygen mask before securing that of another." Have you ever heard these words or something similar when flying on a plane? They really mean that if you can't breathe, then you can't help someone else. So make sure that you can breathe, and then help others. I think it's important to stop and think about this in our daily lives. One of the main ways that we can show our faith to the world is through kindness and compassion - especially when we mostly see hate and violence all around us in the news. We can talk to others about our Father's love and acts of kindness or compassion that was shown to a person in need but then if we turn around and demean ourselves, what are we really saying? What are we really showing? If someone makes a mistake and you say, "That's okay. We all make mistakes. Now let's figure out the solution." Then later that afternoon you yourself make a mistake and you say, "I'm such an idiot. I've ruined everything." What do people truly believe? Do they believe that you are caring and understanding or do your actions show them something different? We can talk the talk all day long but if we don't walk the walk then it means next to nothing. So take the time to first love yourself and practice compassion and kindness with yourself. You'll likely find you're much happier and your kindness flows more freely. Once you can truly engage in these acts, share them with everyone! I'm not saying be mean to people while you figure out how, just make sure you are walking the walk and not holding yourself to a hypocritical standard because people will remember your actions more than your words. Secure your oxygen mask and then secure them for everyone around you.
P H O T O G R A P H Y M O D E L
:
:
A M E L I A
L O C A T I O N
:
E M I L Y
T H O M A S
G I A N C A R L O
L E X I N G T O N
EMILY THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHER INTERVIEW LEXINGTON
,
KY
"I WOULD WANT ANYONE TO BE ABLE TO COME HERE AND TO SEE MY CITY LIFTED UP THROUGH HIS POWER AND THROUGH HIS VISION."
1. Why do you choose Jesus? I choose Jesus because He chose me. Choosing to let His love flow through me onto other people has been extremely freeing and comforting, something that is limitless and easy to express. 2. How does He influence you as an artist/photographer? A sweet friend once told me that I had a gift from God to capture beauty. Hearing that summed up to me what I always wanted to be known for as an artist. To use my gifts to let others see beauty in the world is letting him move through me to move other people. 3. What type of equipment do you use? I use a Nikon D7100 and switch between my 35mm, 50mm and 85mm lenses. My personal preference is natural lighting and golden hour goodness as much as possible! 4. What is your vision for seeing Lexington united for Jesus? I hope to see Lexington move even furthur past where it is to see even greater things that it would become. I would want anyone to be able to come here and to see my city lifted up through His power and through His vision. 5. One day when your legacy is fully written, what do you want to be remembered for? I want to know that my work was used to inspire others to dream more, thinking deeper and live for what we have been given on this earth!
P H O T O G R A P H Y M O D E L
:
:
A M E L I A
L O C A T I O N
:
E M I L Y
T H O M A S
G I A N C A R L O
L E X I N G T O N
HOW IS JESUS REFLECTED IN YOUR PHOTOSHOOT? PHOTOGRAPHER CHALLENGE. CHRISTINE WOZZ. LAKELAND, FL.
D
ocumenting couples stories is my passion, I eat, sleep, and breathe it! There is something about capturing couples love for one another that brings a warmth to my soul and reminds me of how much my creator loves me. I believe that God has uniquely created each person in his or her own way. Because of that, no two of my shoots are the same. I love to capture the natural moments within a shoot, when the couple looks into each other’s eyes, in those moments a breath-taking image is being created. Every time I receive a request from a couple that is newly engaged, I see that as a new friendship forming. I desire to be more than just a stranger holding a camera, just snapping away. Taking the time to get to know the couple is extremely important to me. By doing so, I am able to cater to the needs of the couple. There is a beautiful God ordained story unfolding before my eyes how could I not take the opportunity to get to know it. When I got the change to document one of my best friend’s love story I was thrilled! This shoot was so dear to my heart, because as much fun as it is to discover a couple’s love story, it was that much more fun already knowing this love story and seeing it blossom into a beautiful marriage! My friendship with Nicole has been centered on Christ, because of that I have seen her faithful in waiting for her husband. Nicole’s life has been such a testimony to other woman around her, Mannie was her first boyfriend and is now her husband. Their relationship was one full of being passionate and waiting for Gods timing. While talking with Nichole recently she said something so beautiful about her marriage: “It definitely wasn't love at first sight but as time went on I realized that he was the perfect match for me. As we continue our love story as a married couple, we just love doing life together. I see his heart for the Lord and for ministry on a magnified level and I love it!” Knowing Nicole and her morals, and seeing the faithfulness of her love for God develop into a beautiful love story with Mannie, was something so striking and rare to witness. Making this shoot very unique! We came to agree upon a natural outdoor landscape around sunset, to fit their personalities! The different orange hues of the sun setting turned out stunning! In one of the images within this shoot Nicole had the idea of bring her journal that was full of notes written to Mannie before they dated. She also brought his Bible, their hat collection, and shoe collection. Lastly we ended on the water, in a canoe! Throughout the shoot we were talking about the future dreams they have, what their wedding is going to look like, and how much they love one another. This shoot was one for the books! It reminded me of why I am so passionate about documenting couples love stories. It is very fulfilling for me to see the expressions on my client’s faces when they see their love story come to life through photographs. It is a constant reminder, not just that they made an eternal convenient, but a reminder of the reason they chose to commit their lives to one another. Hopefully every time they look back at these images, it brings them back to the reason why they fell in love in the first place.