Rachel Jackson Newsletter / Blog

When your world feels like it is all falling apart.  Trust God.   This past two months of my life have been the hardest ever. So many things have happen that I have no control over and have changed things forever and will never be the same again. My only hope is God will take all this and use it for good.  I see how he is already.  Things that were not completely right but had been pushed aside and not looked at as a big problem are now being made right.  It is amazing how those little things effect more than we realized.  Things that didn't seem like a big deal or staple to the big picture that have now been addressed suddenly have changed the look of our future. Through I do not believe God makes evil happen to bring out what is righteous.  I believe without a doubt that for will use was intended for bad for his good. Genesis 50:20 “ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Life is

At the beginning of March, I was so blessed to get to go with Retrospec Films on our annual vacation.  We have gone to Colorado for the past.........gezzz....so long I cant remember for sure.  I would have to ask my brother.  Something like 8 years. Anyway it was a fun and relaxing time!  I have some pictures on my facebook to see.  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200661872299336.1073741825.1536493160&type=3 We stayed in a 5 story cabin that didn’t spare any expenses.  It was decked out!  I have never stayed in a place so nice.  We eat alot of nice places, shopped in Aspen, and Breckinridge. Snow and hot tub, movies, sleeping in.  It was amazing! I am so thankful that every year my sweet husband lets me go.  Of corse he is always invited but leaving our two kids for 10 days has never worked so he has always stayed behind for them.  He is a great dad! Im blessed, proud, and thankful to be working with Retrospec Films. http://www.retrospecfilms.com

On the side of being a singer/writer.  My job that I actually make a living doing is being a Graphic Designer, Website Designer, Photographer, and Video Editor.  My website is http://www.diverseenvisions.com / I love and enjoy getting to go on site with my clients and be involved in helping produce something that captures success and help them further in what God has called them to do. Me & Kelvin Edwards Me & Guy Earle I was so blessed to get to go to Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas to listen to my good friend and client Guy Earle preach and minister to people!  He introduced me to Kelvin Edwards a former Cowboys Football player.   We recorded a testimony given by Richard Martinez about how Guy Earle’s book Transformed Through His Thoughts has changed his life. http://youtu.be/pLZV4UhcUaA You can purchase book from his website.  http://www.guyeearle.com/ Filmed & edited by me -  http://www.diverseenvisions.com /

Tomorrow is the last day of March!  Time went by so fast!!!!  Alot has happened in a month!  I am going to start with this and write more later. Taken 3.29.13 Gavin & Aliyah Jackson.  Two of my most favorite people! I am so proud of my kids!  In all I do I have to say that watching my kids reminds in of the things that matter the most in life.  Family is so important.   The memories we make together, the unconditional love we share. I love seeing them as they grow in deeper thought and make goals.  Jared and I support them in their pursuits, and encourage them in the talents we see already instilled inside them.  Gavin is a straight “A” student, enjoys sports, and music. For Christmas he asked for a guitar and has been practicing. He plays almost all sports well. He did soccer on a team last summer and thinking about basketball when that session comes. He is young enough to just try out all these things and decided which is his favorite to stick with.  But most of

I have been singing at a few nursing homes with some good friends of mine, Pasty & Billy O’brain.  They got me involved.  For years on Thursdays almost every week they have gone to minister and sing for fun at the nursing homes around Sulphur Springs, Texas.  They have a full band of people from different churches. A group of our church members come as well. They do a little country and some gospel.  This is something that is kinda out of my element but I joined in.  I just picked a few songs that I thought they would know and enjoy then went after it. lol. I loved seeing the faces of joy of the resistances and them praising God.  I sang some Johnny Cash and some good old hymns like How Great Thou Art, Victory in Jesus, and others and enjoyed myself. There is a video below of part of Amazing Grace.

So I am turning 32 on February 16th!  Gezzz. Time goes by so much faster when you are older.  I don’t feel any different and think it is hilarious when people ask me my age.  I totally realize I look and maybe even act younger. I probably get it from my mom!  Me & my Mom (Barbara Burks) At concerts I have sang at, people have came up to Jared to tell him how much they loved his daughters music!  Jareds like, "she is my wife and actually older than me. lol"  So many people when first turning 30 struggle feeling old, frumpy, and start talking about.... remember when life was more fun and we were young and free.  Its good to look forward to the future. My heart is always excited about what God is doing now in my life and what the future holds. When I have talked about my birthday coming up to the older people in our church, they laugh and say you are still so young. Age ain’t nothin but a number and I don't really think about it much. No midlife crisis here. 

Jared Won 2 tickets to a Seventh Day Slumber concert than came to our town!  I had never seen them live and they were really good!  I loved the preaching the lead singer did at the end!  He was so good and clear of his message of Gods redemption!  Many people were touched and prayed that night asking for forgiveness and new life!  Jared gave his ticket to a girl in our youth group that enjoys that style of music and is a new believer.  So me & her went and had a blast together! I was thankful to be able to minister to this sweet girl by hanging out with her and showing her some cool christian music.

What a blessing my son has been in our lives! Gavin turned seven years old this past January 25th, 2013.  For his Birthday we had a party for him at his favorite place to eat Pizza Inn. I talked with him about what he would want for his birthday and he stated he would like his know full version Bible and would like to be baptized. It blesses my heart and blows my mind sometimes the mind of a young child.  We sat with him and made sure that he fulling understood what he is proclaiming in the act and that he truly believes with all his heart. We are so proud of him!  Family came down to celebrate with us and we are so thankful!  

With all the troubles in this world some need a little help. We were never met to do this life on our own anyways. Sometimes it can just be that you feel stuck and unable to successfully change your feelings, thoughts or behaviors. It is likely that you are being affected by experiences from your past.  Any experiences that continues to exert a negative influence is traumatic.  Not all traumatic events are horrifying or tragic.  Sometimes traumatic experiences are remembered, but often they are repressed or forgotten.  I would like to introduced you to Guy Earle.  Guy Earle is a certified counselor in Rapid Resolution Therapy. He is also author of “Transformed Through His Thoughts.” and “Purpose is a Decision, Discover, Develop, and Disseminate the riches within you”.  Guy is the director of Counseling for Dr. Tony Evans at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship  ( http://www.ocbfchurch.org /).  Guy is a speaker, trainer, author, and life coach.   If you are in need of some strengthening

Some people have spent there whole lives striving to be good enough for God.  To easer the mistakes you have made in your past.  But Jesus says I give you rest cause I have purchased that for you.  This is a whole different basics of approaching God.  Yes we work hard for God, Yes we do good things for God but it is not because you are doing it to gain favor with God. You do those things cause you have the favor of God!  It is favor given to you as a gift which includes rest from Christ.  You don’t have to prove yourself. So many people live their lives trying to prove themselves to somebody.  Your dad, your colleges, your brothers and sisters, the world, and anybody that will listen.  But in Christ, you have the approval of the only one who actually matters.  The highest being in all the universe could not regard you with more affection.  When you understand that the creator of all, loves you more than you can imagine, that releases you from the captivity of always trying to make ev

I was invited to Florida Music Festival ( http://www.floridamusicfestival.com /)  to be considered for a prize package that includes a main stage performance slot, VIP passes for all members, and a meet-and-greet with 2013 Florida Music Festival keynote speakers. Over a span of more than decade, the Florida Music Festival has helped gain industry exposure for then great unsigned artists like Taylor Swift, Flyleaf, Manchester Orchestra, The Academy Is, and many more. I was honored but at this time I know that my life can not fit what could happen with this.  I don’t want to go alone and leave my family to start tours and travel. I am praying for direction and seeking what God wants me to do. I still am shocked I get these offers.  But if God has this for me then everything will work and will not cause me to sacrifice my family.  So I do what keeps us together.  We do see this at some point in our lives but in Gods timing. Please Be in prayer with us!