When I want to create something, which is often, I gather my paint brushes, acrylics, watercolor pallets, canvas...then, I turn on my spotify to set the creative mood. If you are a creative like me, or just want to create, it can be hard to settle into making something when you have work, to-dos, chores pounding down the door of your thoughts. Music changes the atmosphere of my spaces and takes me into creativity. Here is what’s been on rotation for me lately:
Better Than I Used To Be - Mat Kearney River and Roads - The Head and The Heart Therapy - Brooke Fraser Still Rolling Stones - Lauren Daigle Intro - The XX Comes and Goes (In Waves) At the Table - Josh Garrels Fear Not - Kristene Dimarco Four - Sleeping At Last Young Blood - Noah Kahan Not Today - Hillsong United Something Just Like This - The Chainsmokers and Coldplay Step Out - Jose Gonzalez Two of my favorites on my list right now are: Sticks and Stone - Kings Kaleidoscope It begins one way: simple, focused, clean. Then, it changes into chaos of cymbals and horns and crashes. The song feels important, important because of what’s being created through it. It ends in a raw yelling of “paint the beauty we split!” The anthem part of the song draws a clear line between art and struggle, but there is a deeper meaning to this song that draws me in. The Beauty is Jesus’ love on the cross and I split His beauty with my sin. So, I call on Him to paint the beauty within me as I paint on canvas and page. Awakening - Amanda Lindsey Cook I connected instantly with Amanda Lindsey’s words in this song. The calmness of the opening gives breathing space, allowing me to reflect on, not only what I am making, but why I am making it. Awakening is a clear crossover story of going from one place to another and art helps me find the path on that road. Here are a few words to the song that I love: This is my awakening That while my heart was fast asleep You were resurrecting me I thought that I would never breathe I thought the pain would never leave But You're redeeming everything I honestly could get creative anywhere if I have my playlist. From airplanes, to crowded coffee shops, I can escape into my art journals. I am an extreme introvert with the power of intense focus. Chaos could be happening all around me but if I have headphones I can block it all out. Typically you can find me sitting at my kitchen table or in my backyard painting abstractly. Not only are these songs escape for me but they ooze creativity themselves. I feel inspired by them, and I hope you do, too. Get out there and create! Tag @globalpassion and @onmissionwithmarissa in your creative endeavors on Instagram to let us know what you’re working on.
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Local missions is a great ministry. Last month I got to help lead a small team of ladies from Eureka,CA on a missions trip to Sacramento,CA. On April 3rd I met the team from Bethel School of Supernatural Discipleship (BSSD). Before this trip started, the missions trip started. What I mean by this is the night before we were to meet in Sacramento while they we enjoying dinner together their rental got broken into and everyone got something stolen. Not a great start to a missions trip I will admit. Luckily all important things were inside with them and no one got everything stolen, oh wait expect one gal and did I mention it was her birthday week! Still with the craziness between police reports, new rentals, and last minute Walmart run to recover all the stolen toiletries. Yet, this team never let the thieving shake them from their purpose. We met the following day and I found smiling faces eager to jump into serving. We partnered with Trinity Christian Center in Sacramento to pass out groceries to local neighborhood, Trinity's Youth Ministries hosted Global Passion as they focused a missions and giving to missions. The next two days the team would revitalize two new church plants by pulling weeds, deep cleaning, and power-washing. To finish their week they volunteered at the Northern California and Nevada's Fine Arts Festival. I was only able to join he team for a portion of the trip but in my time with them I was reminded how there is such a need EVERYWHERE in the world including our own backyard. More importantly there is something that we can always do to serve the world around us. It could be as simple as looking around your community as seeing what needs there are and then filling them. I am praying today that you and I have fresh eyes to see the world around us. Pictured from left to right. The team is praying of the leaders in Sacramento, pulling weeds at a church plant, and a team member giving her testimony at a youth service.
I started podcasting (that’s a real word don’t question me) about two years ago during my 45 minute commute to Sonoma State University. But I have stayed a podcast listener for the hilarious and thoughtful personalities I have met along the way.
My favorite these days is a speaker, author, and professional podcaster from Nashville named Annie F. Downs with the That Sounds Fun Podcast. Annie colors her podcast with whimsy and depth, glitter and tears. On her bi-weekly podcast she gives a full hour interview with A) someone who is real life friend or B) someone who she is a MEGA big fan of and wants to be friends with. Her podcast remind me more of eavesdropping on two good friends at the table next to mine at a local coffee shop. If you are new to the That Sounds Fun Podcast, here is where you should start. There are a total 4 different episodes with Eddie Kaufholz and all are gold. Three of the four Eddie episodes are featured as the Christmas Party at the end of each year. Eddie and Annie are dear friends who cover a random assortment of unplanned topics from sandal etiquette to what it means to be he-qual/she-qual. I will basically go to any pod featuring Eddie for a good nonsensical laugh and you should too! On the other side of the spectrum in terms of seriousness, I would turn to Annie’s interview with pastor John-mark Comer on Sabbath. This teaching changed how I viewed the commandement entirely. John-mark outlines the biblical importance for keeping the Sabbath in such a clear and eduating way. I think this topic is extremely important for me but also our society. We have been taught that the busier you are the more productive/successful you will be. But instead we see people running to escapism or living in a pattern of busy until burn out. I have randomly scrolled Annie’s podcast of the past 4 years and rarely do I find one where I am not later Insta-stalking that person to learn more about them. She has quality people on and she creates quality conversations. I hope you have as much fun as I do with thew That Sounds Fun Podcast! |
Hola!My name is Marissa Deraya; Global Worker with Project Rescue serving women and children of Spain. Let's Stay Connected!Subscribe to My NewsletterCategories
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