elijahbowling

[elijahbowling]

“FAVORITE-BEST-ISISM” // 9.12.2019

I’ve been thinking about the idea of favoritism lately, not in the context of being partial towards people, but just the idea of having a “favorite” something in general. We all have a favorite style, color, outfit, place, food, movie, song, sports team, you name it. Often times, we also view these things in a competitive concept, ranking our “favorites” as the “best” in its respective category. We do this in sports a lot, where we defend our “favorite” teams as the “best” in the league. All arguments aside, we often tend to choose our favorite over what’s actually best, and even convince ourselves that our “favorite” IS what’s best. But what if our favorite things could also be the best things? What if our favorites could be factually best? I personally have a lot of different favorites, but my MOST favorite is Jesus, and He’s not just the best - He’s the best-est! He IS best, and He KNOWS best! And if you let Him lead and inspire your life, He’ll transform your favoritism into “favorite-best-isism” that’s unique to the amazing life He has for you. Your favorites and what’s best for you will become a singular experience. And the best part is that EVERYONE can be the best! “Best" doesn’t have to mean superior. I believe the word “best” can also mean “fulfilled the highest level” or “most fulfilling". You can be your best you that you are created to be! God has a massive, expansive, amazing life for each of us that we’re created to experience in its fullness. When we live our best lives in Christ, we can be our best selves in Christ, and it will ALWAYS be our favorite because it’s who we are naturally created to be. Living your best life and being your best you will be your favorite way to live. Let God take HIS best and make it YOUR favorite, and experience the fullness of His amazing/favorite/best life for you. Your BEST and your FAVORITE is yet to come!

[elijahbowling]

REDEEMED // 

Redemption is beautiful. Jesus redeemed us on the cross by His blood. We’re no longer slaves of sin, but free in Christ. The MOST important thing about redemption is not that we’re redeemed /from/ something, but that we’re redeemed TO something! We’re redeemed from sin, but redeemed TO Christ and our BEST life in Him! SO many times we focus on what we’re free FROM that we re-enslave ourselves to it again and again and beat ourselves up for it. You can’t live your life focusing on “not sinning again”, because you’ll absolutely sin again and obsess over it. Colossians 1:13 says we’re “conveyed INTO the kingdom”. We’re not just freed from sin and left to aimlessly live life by will-power. We’re freed INTO the Jesus Life. Focusing on the Jesus Life instead of the sinless life will lead to Christlikeness - transformation from the inside out. Focus on what you’re redeemed TO fam. Jesus is the ultimate redeemer. The Jesus Life is not only your BEST life; it’s the ONLY life worth living. Your BEST is yet to come 🤩 // Ft. REDEMPTION + Creative Vibes 🖋🤙🏻

[elijahbowling]

PASSION // 

Jesus’ life could be summed up in 1 word: Passion. He lived a life of Passion. His Passion was in His purpose, and His purpose was love. He was so passionate about love, that He died for it - resurrected to give love forever. He was Passion personified, and we’re celebrating His passion in this season.

I want to live a life of Passion - passionate about my purpose. My purpose is Jesus, and I want to be indescribably passionate about Him. I want to live each and every day with a new passion, love, desire for more of Him. I want a Kingdom worldview - seeing life and reality with a Kingdom perspective and letting the Kingdom motivate my thoughts, words, and actions.

People say millennials lack passion (which may be true for some), but if one of US gets passionate about something, we live for it. You see this in our culture everywhere; from civil rights activists to the feminist movement to the LGBTQ to college basketball fans to NFL fans and beyond. Every successful movement the world has ever seen consisted of Passion more than anything else.

What if our generation became passionate about Jesus? What if the church became Passionate about Jesus on a new level - a unique level of Passion that I believe God created THIS generation with that’s even greater than the 1st-century church? Satan is working his HARDEST to take advantage of the capacity for Passion God has created us with and the secular community is vibrant, thriving, alive, and influencing the world because of it. My vision is for our generation to surrender our capacity for Passion to Jesus, and see the Church of our generation reach the ultimate levels of vibrancy, liveliness, and have influence that changes the world and crowds heaven. 

We have the potential to be the greatest generation this world will ever see! I believe we have a capacity for Passion that’s greater than all generations past, and if we surrender it to Jesus, He will change our lives, our world, and grow His Kingdom exponentially through our Passion for Him. Let’s be the most Passionate Jesus generation ever fam. The BEST is totally yet to come! // Ft. Creative + PASSIONATE Vibes 🤙🏻🖋

[elijahbowling]

SERVE // 

Jesus was a servant. He was all about serving people. Jesus didn’t “come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many”. Jesus personified servant leadership better than anyone else.

People often think of servanthood with a negative connotation. Being a servant implies having a master, and submission isn’t a friendly idea to us. Believe it or not, we submit to something every day - either God, or Satan, and we naturally tend to go with the latter. But Jesus happens to be the best boss out there. His burden is light. His compensation is unbeatable. And He’s just so so good.

Those of us who serve weekly in Church, serving is what we do. It’s who we are. But it can become old at times when you throw life and busyness in there. Sometimes we get lazy with our service, and we do more harm than good. But Paul says in Ephesians 6 to “serve unto the Lord, not unto men” always. Doing His will from your heart, knowing God will reward you. God is not a God of favoritism or partiality. He’s also not a communist. He’s a great master, and in the kingdom, there’s room for EVERYONE to be great! We can all live our best lives in Christ to receive the greatest reward.

If you’re a person, start serving like Jesus. If you’re a servant, start serving like Jesus is your leader - giving it your very best. If you’re a leader, SERVE! Serving is the most important and effective way to lead and be successful. Jesus was the ultimate servant, which made Him the ultimate leader. Let’s Serve and Lead like Jesus fam! // Ft. Servant-Leadership Vibes + Creative Vibes 😎🖋🤙🏻

[elijahbowling]

PSALMS 37:4 //

“Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” I love this verse. We all have heart’s desires, from universal desires of love to the unique desires each of us have, personal to us. I believe there’s more to this verse than it might seem though. Here’s what I mean:

Some people interpret this verse from a perspective of receiving ones own desires, originated in their hearts by themselves. And I believe that God absolutely gives us things that we just like because of our personality - like a specific gift you’ve always wanted - but I don’t necessarily think that’s what He means here.

I believe God wants to give us His desires for our own hearts. He wants to create those desires that are in our hearts, and then fulfill them in extraordinary fashion. It might not be crazy simple at first thought, but this idea of delighting in God - opening your heart for His work, being impressed upon by Him, and being blissful in His presence - is where He gives us (places in us) the desires (His desires He created according to His plan for your life) of our heart (a heart that has been unified with His heart).

I don’t know about you, but I want God’s desires for my heart way more than I want whatever I can come up with. Because in Jesus, there’s revelation and fulfillment. If you seem lost in life or don’t really have much vision as far as your life’s purpose, I want to encourage you to delight in the Lord and focus on Him. He’ll reveal the unique greatness He’s called you to and begin leading you on your journey. His desires will be natural to you because they were always meant for you, and you’ll experience so much joy and fulfillment when you pursue them. Your best is totally yet to come fam 🙌🏻 // Ft. Blissful Jesus Vibes 😇📸

[elijahbowling]

LOVE // 

February is apparently the “month of love”, and Love is a word used every day, though never fully understood. For me, Love is Jesus - Jesus is Love - it’s as simple and complex as that. Love is ultimately what we all live for and desire so desperately, it’s a spiritual need.

I’ve never been in a relationship. I’ve only pursued one girl (early 2018), and to me a relationship with her was a dream that was too good to ever be true. Despite how great and close our relationship became, it quickly ended up turning into just that - a dream too good to be a reality. She never did a single thing wrong by any means, I just wasn’t the king she really deserved, and I lost her entirely. You could say it was a heartbreaking experience, but for someone who dreams of loving someone but always deemed himself as unworthy of a relationship due to insecurity, it was almost depressing. It felt like a confirmation of my unworthiness. As a teenager, I was exposed to some terrible things and struggled with lust. For years Satan had me convinced that I was unworthy to ever be loved by a girl.

I still struggle with that idea sometimes. Jesus freed me, healed me, and redeemed me from lust years ago, but it’s so easy to think “A Christian girl would never want to even talk to a guy who’s viewed girls with perverse thoughts before, let alone be romantic or intimate with one.” And when you feel like you’ll never be good enough for a girl, Satan will tell you that you’re only good enough for the screen. That can lead to 2 things; diving back into sin, or closing your heart off and giving up. Despite losing a few low-moment battles in recent years, I’m winning the war against the sin in dominant fashion. However, I definitely closed my heart. I convinced myself to stop wanting something that in my mind I couldn’t have. As someone with a giant heart and a desire to be extremely sweet, that was hard and painful. I was still nice and made girls feel special (out of genuine kindness, not flirtation), but with an unhealthy mindset that disabled me from accepting any kindness from people because of my self-deemed unworthiness. Over the years all of these stressful mentalities and cognitive changes have of course led to bad decisions, unnecessary messes, hurt feelings, a not-so-great reputation, and several mental burnouts. Not surprisingly, I spent WAY too much time and mental energy trying to solve/fix myself rather than investing myself in Jesus. Then everything changed.

Since turning 20 in July 2018, I’ve fallen in Love with Jesus more than ever before. My purpose - to Live + Love + Lead like Jesus - came into focus. My calling to Influential and Creative Leadership came into focus. The name + renown of Jesus really became my soul’s burning desire more than anything else, including a relationship. I’ve pursued becoming a Faithful person. But most of all, Jesus has revealed True Love to me, and that I (and anyone) will always be worthy of Love from Him, a girl/guy, and anyone else because of His indescribably perfect Love for me.

Love is not a kiss, it’s not romance, it’s not affection, it’s not appreciation, those are all products of Love but not Love itself. Love isn’t a hole in our heart for a guy or girl to fill. Love is the person we’re created to worship. Love has a name, and His name is Jesus. We long for Love because we’re created to Love; because we’ve always been Loved our entire existence by Love Himself. God is Love, and He Loved us enough to send Jesus to die on a cross for our sin. We’re unworthy, Lord knows I am. But if you look at the cross and think anything other than “Woah, I’m so loved”, out of humility, gratefulness, and passion, you’re missing Jesus. So many times I look at the cross and my sins, and I wonder why He would die and Live for me, a worthless sinner. If that’s you, I want to encourage you (and me). The whole reason God sent His only Son is BECAUSE you’re beyond Priceless, not worthless. Love is not something that is bought by worthiness, Love is freely given. Love is a lifestyle, and Godly Love is worship. Living in Love means living in Jesus.

We’re created to Love Jesus completely. When we fall in love with Him, we’ll be able to Love our significant other the way they deserve/need to be Loved - with the Love of Christ. Plus, we’ll be able to Love people as Jesus Loved people, with a passion to Lead others to encounter Him. When you fall in Love with Jesus, you begin to Love like Jesus.

You are so Loved fam, so go Love people like Jesus Loves you. // Ft. Love Vibes ♥️

[elijahbowling]

FAITHFUL // 

My word for 2019 is Faithful. I want to be a Faithful person - as a believer, friend, and leader. Here’s what I mean:

I want to be Faithful in my relationship with Christ. I want it to be 2-sided, and pursue the same intentionality He pursues in me. I don’t want the things I’m /doing/ for Jesus interfere with my /relationship/ with Jesus. I’m a church servant. I’m a creator. I influence people. I’m a big brother. But before anything else in life, I HAVE to be 100% in my relationship with Christ. Believe it or not, sometimes us church servants (people who serve deep in the church weekly) get so lost in what we’re /doing/ for Jesus, that we miss Jesus Himself. Like Martha did in Luke 10, when she was so caught up /serving/ Jesus that she missed out on actually /worshipping/ Jesus. “One thing is needed.” That relationship has to take precedent over everything.

I want to be a Faithful friend, but I also want to make more friends. I do need/want more close friends and community (big time), but that’s not where it ends for me. I want to make friends like Jesus made friends - loving ALL people. I want what I do to lead others to Jesus and win souls. I don’t want to spend 2019 just pursuing the found, I want pursue the lost. I want to be a friend to the people who dislike me, more so than just the ones who agree with/believe everything I do. I want to be their friend.

Then I want to be a Faithful leader/influencer. The world is FULL of counterfeit, fake, knock-off brands, products, and even people. The world needs Authenticity. I want to be Authentic in my public life, my influence, and my leadership. Maintaining an image of your best-self isn’t worth the work. I do want my success (aka what GOD does through me) to inspire people, but I also really want my weaknesses to connect/relate with people. People would rather follow a leader they can trust, instead of a leader who is always right.

Let’s be faithful people in 2019, and let’s pursue greatness. Because God calls EVERYONE to greatness, and in the Kingdom of God, there’s room for EVERYBODY to be great. Let’s get it fam 🤙🏻 Your BEST is yet to come 😎 // Ft. FAITHFUL + CREATIVE VIBES 🖋

[elijahbowling]

HEY!

I'm Elijah Bowling. I'm a follower of Jesus, Filmmaker, Photographer, Creative Director, Musician, and Influencer. My passion is to Live in Authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, Love people just as He does, and Lead them into an Encounter with Him. The name and renown of Jesus is my soul's desire.

I have a deep passion for Creativity, in every visual/audible form. Creativity is one of the greatest attributes of God, and I'm in awe that He gives it to us. I can't think of a better way to use my Creativity than for Him.

I also have a deep passion for the Church - the global body of Christ. I believe the Church of today is in a New Season. The Spirit of Division is evaporating, being replaced the Spirit of Unified Diversity. The Church is healing internally, so it can go and heal the world - in perfect timing. The new generation will be unstoppable, and the Church's best days are ahead.

I believe the purpose of Life is to Worship Jesus - in spirit and in truth through our thoughts, words, and actions. God gives us Life and our worshipful response should be to give it back to Him, and let Him Lead and use it for His uniquely perfect purpose for our lives. My favorite scripture is found in Psalms 150...

"Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord!"

PSALMS 150:6

God has amazing things for each of us, so let's immerse ourselves in Him so He can fulfill His purpose in our lives. Live in Authentic Relationship with Jesus Christ, Love people with Genuine Authenticity, and Lead into an Encounter with Him. The best is yet to come!

​

Elijah Bowling

Filmmaker // Creative Director

[elijahbowling]

12.30.2018 // Last shot of 2018. It’s been a good + crazy one. Swipe to see my TRUE 2018 reaction (caption it for me 🙏🏻😂). Today has been great. Super stoked for 2019. Big things are coming - the best is yet to come! // Ft. A GREY Garage Door + Sunday Best + 2018 Vibes 😎🤙🏻📸 • • • #agameoftones #artofvisuals #canon #canon_photos #createexplore #exploretocreate #huffpostgram #justgoshoot #liveauthentic #livefolk #moodygrams #winter Christmas #pmgridchallenge #pursuepretty #socality #stayandwander #teamcanon #travelstoke #uoonyou #visualsgang #visualsoflife #wanderlust #sf #vintage #Creative #Photography #Lightroom #Hello2018 (at Raleigh, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsBrde2HRgc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=134ert76dwufl

[elijahbowling]

MERRY CHRISTMAS // Happy Birthday to the greatest gift of all time, Jesus Christ. He’s love. He’s worthy. He’s amazing. And He’s my Savior. He loves us so much. He loves you so much. I pray everyone had the merriest Christmas ever, and that this season has been filled with love + joy + peace. Merry Christmas Fam 😇 // Ft. Christmas Vibes + A Charlie Brown Christmas (MY FAVORITE) 🤙🏻❄️ • • • #agameoftones #artofvisuals #canon #canon_photos #createexplore #exploretocreate #huffpostgram #justgoshoot #liveauthentic #livefolk #moodygrams #winter #Christmas #charliebrown #pmgridchallenge #pursuepretty #socality #stayandwander #teamcanon #travelstoke #uoonyou #visualsgang #visualsoflife #wanderlust #sf #vintage #Creative #Photography #Lightroom #Hello2018 (at Raleigh, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/Br1G_p9n-DJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tlqy3mokotlu

[elijahbowling]

12.19.2018 // This little girl (I guessed that wrong at first) found herself in our yard the other day. Anyone who knows me well knows that I’m a husky person, and they’re my absolute favorite. I love them. God created a beautiful dog when He created huskies, and my eyes are thankful 🤩 // Ft. Sophie the Husky + Winter Vibes + Slight Dog Fever 🐕🤙🏻❄️ • • • #agameoftones #artofvisuals #canon #canon_photos #createexplore #exploretocreate #huffpostgram #justgoshoot #liveauthentic #livefolk #moodygrams #winter #Christmas #pmgridchallenge #pursuepretty #socality #stayandwander #teamcanon #travelstoke #uoonyou #visualsgang #visualsoflife #wanderlust #sf #vintage #Creative #Photography #Lightroom (at Garner, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrlT_N8H-uV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qnb3sghtuign

[elijahbowling]

12.19.2018 // This little girl (I guessed that wrong at first) found herself in our yard the other day. Anyone who knows me well knows that I’m a husky person, and they’re my absolute favorite. I love them. God created a beautiful dog when He created huskies, and my eyes are thankful 🤩 // Ft. Sophie the Husky + Winter Vibes + Slight Dog Fever 🐕🤙🏻❄️ • • • #agameoftones #artofvisuals #canon #canon_photos #createexplore #exploretocreate #huffpostgram #justgoshoot #liveauthentic #livefolk #moodygrams #winter #Christmas #pmgridchallenge #pursuepretty #socality #stayandwander #teamcanon #travelstoke #uoonyou #visualsgang #visualsoflife #wanderlust #sf #vintage #Creative #Photography #Lightroom (at Garner, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrlTnFSn-9h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12t2fk0sy8aex

[elijahbowling]

12.16.2018 // It’s all about Jesus. Especially at Christmas, which calls for red and white (green is overrated). Sunday’s are the best days fam 🙏🏻 // ft. Christmas Threads + Smiles + Holiday Vibes 🤙🏻🌲❄️📸 • • • #agameoftones #artofvisuals #canon #canon_photos #createexplore #exploretocreate #huffpostgram #justgoshoot #liveauthentic #livefolk #moodygrams #winter #Christmas #pmgridchallenge #pursuepretty #socality #stayandwander #teamcanon #travelstoke #uoonyou #visualsgang #visualsoflife #wanderlust #sf #vintage #Creative #Photography #Lightroom #Hello2018 (at Raleigh, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrduH2SnnmT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e6auojdh7a95

[elijahbowling]

12.11.2018 // I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas lights, especially the exterior ones. They can be so pesky, but so visually pleasing. Pro Tip: NEVER shoot a staple through the wire using a metal staple gun on a ladder without wearing gloves - being electrocuted 30+ feet up is terrifying. It’s still worth it tho 👌🏻 // ft. Christmas Lights + Craziness 🤪📸 • • • #agameoftones #artofvisuals #canon #canon_photos #createexplore #exploretocreate #huffpostgram #justgoshoot #liveauthentic #livefolk #moodygrams #winter #Christmas #pmgridchallenge #pursuepretty #socality #stayandwander #teamcanon #travelstoke #uoonyou #visualsgang #visualsoflife #wanderlust #sf #vintage #Creative #Photography #Lightroom (at Garner, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrQYLHSH9XA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=sou2sts20u7x

[elijahbowling]

12.1.2018 // ‘Tis the season. Christmas, winter, cold, white and blue, all the vibes have arrived. After taking a quick break, I’m excited for the most wonderful time of the year and ready to capture all the moments and visuals God has in store - it’s gonna be mega great 🤩 // Ft. The Snowy Christmas Tree + Winter Vibes ❄️🌲📸 • • • #agameoftones #artofvisuals #canon #canon_photos #createexplore #exploretocreate #huffpostgram #justgoshoot #liveauthentic #livefolk #moodygrams #winter #Christmas #pursuepretty #socality #stayandwander #teamcanon #travelstoke #uoonyou #visualsgang #visualsoflife #wanderlust #sf #vintage #Creative #Photography #Lightroom #Hello2018 (at Raleigh, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq2i1ZAHhsC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wahlzsm8iuln

[elijahbowling]

BE BACK SOON // Unplugging. Click the “Text” or “Email” button on my profile if you need me. Stay blessed fam 🙏🏻 • • • #DoNotDisturb #Hello2018 https://www.instagram.com/p/BqoBnW7H9qA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15di81eyx44yt

[elijahbowling]

THANKSGIVING // I’m thankful for too much to write. It all starts with Jesus, Life, Family, Church, and Friends. I’m grateful for the past year - in all its mountaintops and valleys - and excited + expectant for what the future holds. The best is truly yet to come. “Give thanks to Him and praise His Holy name.” - Psalm 100:4. Happy Thanksgiving fam 😊 // ft. The Simple Dinner + Vibes of Thankfulness 🙏🏻🦃📸 • • • #agameoftones #artofvisuals #canon #canon_photos #createexplore #exploretocreate #huffpostgram #justgoshoot #liveauthentic #livefolk #moodygrams #fall #autumn #pursuepretty #socality #stayandwander #teamcanon #pmgridchallenge #travelstoke #uoonyou #visualsgang #visualsoflife #wanderlust #sf #vintage #Creative #Photography #Thanksgiving #Hello2018 (at Raleigh, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqfw3arnr9_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1k05d6ichi8lt