Surf 8 Christians finished its new studio in February 2022. We relocated from a storage warehouse without any electricity. We faced challenges when designing this new space. There were many “Jesus redirects” with furniture, design, and final color schemes.
The finished product is so much better than we imagined (which is a bold statement since I consider myself a creative). Being led by the Holy Spirit will result in God’s best!
Thank you, Jesus, for this wonderful studio office.
Jesus Corner
When you walk into the Surf 8 Christians studio, the first thing you see is the Jesus canvas hanging on the wall. You are greeted with His image. I can even see His white robe in the darkness before I turn on the lights. I know Jesus lives in me and is with me always, but seeing this canvas brings so much warmth and love when you enter the room.
The original Prince of Peace was painted by Akiane almost two decades ago when she was 8 years old. It is the best rendition of what I believe Jesus will look like when I see Him face to face. His image lights up the room even though the canvas is in the darkest part of the room. His image alone represents the entire Holy Bible.
Jesus prepared His disciples to be fishers of men. The Prince of Peace canvas along with the fish cabinet represents Him being the Jesus fish and the people, that is smaller fish, who love Him. On the cabinet, there are 32 fish and Jesus is the 33rd fish in this design.
Thirty-three is significant to many promises in the Bible including the ultimate sacrifice of our Savior’s crucifixion on the cross when He was 33 years old. Another interesting fact is there are 8 fish on each drawer, and 8 is significant in both the Bible and the founding of Surf 8 Christians.
Did you know that Jesus' Name adds up to 888 in the Greek alphabet?
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 (NKJV)
God is love. There are so many scriptures and examples in the Bible that showcase His love. The love tabletop sign represents His love. Surf 8 Christians aims to spread the love of Jesus Christ.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
1 John 4:16 (NIV)
The snake plant is symbolic to Exodus and recognizing all of God’s promises. Jesus does more for us than we can imagine. He is always working for our good even when we don’t see it. It is important to remember His provisions and always give thanksgiving.
The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.
Numbers 21:7-9 (NIV)
The Lord is constantly molding us for His purpose. We have a purpose in His plan. It isn’t easy to go through all our changes, but His glory is so beautiful. The clay vase on our cabinet illustrates that we are clay which is molded by His hands into something beautiful and purposeful.
Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)
The clay vase is filled with holy anointing oil. Holy anointing oil is frequently used to anoint a priest or other spiritual leader. Jesus Christ is our highest priest.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV)
The oil also represents the widow’s oil. She only had a small jar of olive oil, but God multiplied it to overflowing to fill many jars. This gave her enough to sell and pay off her debts. God wants us to be prosperous, too.
Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few… When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.
2 Kings 4:2-3,6 (NIV)
Jesus is the light. Satan is the darkness, but he will never overcome the light. The lantern reflects this light and how only God can bring light into your life. The only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5 (NIV)
Jesus is the living water. The watering can is a way to demonstrate that you will never thirst when you have Jesus. It serves a dual purpose, too, since it is used to water the snake plant.
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.
John 7:38 (NIV)
Bookcase
The bookcase includes many scriptures, but all three shelves incorporate hope (bottom shelf), faith (middle shelf), and love (top shelf). Love is on the top shelf since it is the greatest of these three.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
Hope Shelf
In the Bible, there are many references to the ocean, sea, fishing, waves, boats, and more. It was amazing being able to include ocean and nautical pieces that captured the meaning of the scripture. Surf 8 Christians was inspired by the heart of a surfer, so it was a perfect fit in the design.
Hope is one of the major attributes in being a Christian. Regardless of your tribulations, there is hope knowing Jesus is with you. The bookstack and anchor picture holder illustrate hope.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain…
Hebrews 6:19
The water buoy has the number 3 on it which represents the Holy Trinity. It is a fun accessory to bring in the significance of the Holy Trinity while using the nautical theme.
For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
1 John 5:7 (NKJV)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NIV)
If you have seen the TV series, The Chosen, you may have heard that God does impossible math. I don’t believe Dallas or Amanda Jenkins coined this phrase, but it is part of their testimony with the show. However, there are many scriptures that show us how God provides, and He provides to overflowing.
The two fish on the hope shelf represent how we only need God and He will take care of all our needs. Jesus took two fish and five loaves to feed 5,000 men, but it was actually more with the women and children. That sure is impossible math!
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Matthew 14:17-21 (NIV)
Faith Shelf
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is having complete trust in God. The faith shelf highlights this and focuses on the Word and prayer. They are both vital in our faith.
When I found this Bible cover, I knew it was perfect for our studio. It was navy and rose gold which are two colors in the office decor. It has one of the most inspirational scriptures on the cover. With God, all things are possible! Surf 8 Christians is only possible because of God. This Bible cover holds the Holy Bible I use when I am at the studio.
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26 (NIV)
The Word and prayer are essential in faith. The Word is alive, and you need to keep it in your heart. Reading the Bible keeps our Spirit full and overflowing with God’s Word. Prayer helps us stay close to Jesus. The PRAY bookends make it easy to see this, and they surround Holy Bibles, that is the Word.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Love Shelf
The top shelf, or love shelf, displays a few books that are meaningful to different steps in your spiritual journey. Your purpose is greater than this world because you are part of His Kingdom. As you grow in Christ, lean on Him for your strength and guidance.
Jesus is the greatest gift, and the reason we can receive His gift of salvation. The Salvation Journal and God’s Gift Bible exhibit His ultimate love. Becoming a Christian is such a wonderful, rejuvenating experience. Accepting Jesus Christ into your heart as your Lord and Savior is the best decision you will ever make.
…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10: 9-10, 13 (NKJV)
Getting baptized is a major milestone in your walk with God. Jesus was baptized. When you get baptized, you are showing that you have been raised from the dead through the glory of the Father just as Jesus Christ. The Baptism Journal reminds us of this step in our spiritual journey.
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
Matthew 3:16 (NIV)
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Romans 6:4
Your relationship with Jesus is personal, and only He knows your entire spiritual journey. Every person’s walk in faith is unique, but God is always with you. The Spiritual Journal is a reminder to put on the full armor of God. His Word is powerful.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
God is first, and should always be #1 in your life. Praise Him forever. Journaling is beneficial in your spiritual growth. The journal with the Psalm scripture is being used to write the next Surf 8 Christians book.
I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 146:2 (NIV)
Jesus & Coffee Cart
The Jesus & coffee cart does not incorporate scripture per se, but it is worthy to include. Our coffee cart was added late in the design, but we found this ideal sign that reads, Fueled by Jesus & Coffee. We are avid coffee drinkers, so it was perfect to honor Jesus every time we get a cup of joe.
Did you know that "cup of joe" was coined by sailors in 1914 after Secretary of the Navy Josephus "Joe" Daniels banned alcohol from the Navy ships? Coffee became the strongest drink on the ship.
Desk and Seating Area
The gold mountains business card holder serves two purposes: 1) to remind us that we can move mountains with our faith, and 2) that God will get us through the high and lows of life. He will get us through all tribulations of this world.
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth. The stay salty pillow is a visual reminder that we need Jesus to stay salty. Don’t lose your saltiness, and spread the love of Jesus Christ.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
Matthew 5:13 (NIV)
The Bible is the foundation of our faith. Scripture feeds your spiritual hunger. You need the Word to keep Jesus close in your heart, and to keep His light in the darkness. Having scripture immersed in the Surf 8 Christians studio brightens each day.
You can watch the YouTube Studio Office Tour.