MySpace.com - Zach and Sarah - CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Christian / Pop

Well, at long last we've got some new music up... Our new CD, OVERWHELMING, is here! We'd love to know what you think of the music - our hope is that God would meet you in new ways as you listen... Have a listen and shoot us a comment if you get the chance.

In John 12:32, Jesus says "I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." Our heart and vision is to lift up the person of Jesus Christ, believing that as we take Him at His word, He will draw the lost, the lonely, and the hurting to Himself and set them free to really live. Without any kind of hype, we can honestly say that Jesus Christ is the best thing that has ever happened to us, and we are in love with the One who has rescued us and shown us what it means to have a purpose and a hope.

If you are looking for something real, we pray that the music and the message on this page will draw you to the One who your heart was made to love. Jesus Christ is the answer to every need and the cry of every heart, and we hope that this site will stir you and encourage you in your pursuit of God.

We're the worship and student ministry leaders at River of Life in Cedar Rapids, IA under the covering of best-selling author and international speaker Francis Frangipane. Our vision and passion is to see the presence and power of God released in every nation of the world.

Zach is a regular speaker at River of Life, ministering with a particular passion to see people introduced to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and to see people radically ignited with a hunger to pursue Jesus and fulfill His call on their lives.

We acknowledge Jesus Christ as the cry of our hearts, the rescuer of our souls, the meaning behind our existence, and the source of everything wonderful in our lives.

If you'd like to contact us, please email us at info@zsblickens.org! Thanks and God bless you!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Beautiful Irish Music Current mood: triumphant Category: Music

OK, so we posted the video in our "videos" section - cause that's where videos go... we got goofy one day and came out with this - yeah, I'm a nerd, but we laughed so hard we cried... It's everything Irish we could think of - from Lord of the Dance to Lucky Charms (and a bit more...)

You can also find it on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSZScfsxFqM

Album comes out in March, btw...

God bless you guys!

In Jesus, Zach

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Friday, February 08, 2008

Studio - "Overwhelming" - Day 5 Current mood: grateful

We're done! Praise God! Thanks so much to all of you for praying - God met us in great ways today. We got the lyric changes we needed, finished extra vocals, recorded the "secret" song (shh - just a hint - it may be just the girls....) Spent some time recording the "outakes" video... Rend the Heavens was in the studio today - thanks to everybody who recorded the sweet vocals - you guys are awesome! We'll try to get the pics and video posted next week - right now we're all a bit tired. I just want to say - Aaron Sternke is the man - just brilliant. Seriously. Praise God for everything - thanks everyone for praying and reading - see y'all soon!

In Jesus, Zach

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Thursday, February 07, 2008

Studio - "Overwhelming" Vocals Day 4 Current mood: contemplative Category: Music

OK, so we finished all the major vocals today - praise God! Sarah did her song and sounded awesome, although it was a bit nerve-wracking for her at times. My one challenge that is stressing me out a bit is this - I'm having trouble finalizing vocals for a song called "Friend of God." So... prayers to hear God's heart would be much appreciated.... I just really want the words to be His... Tomorrow is a big day - a lot of extra vocals, one "hidden" song (shh...) and some sweet video footage of the goofy stuff we came up with for "Sweep Me Away..." , and perhaps a few notes from the trusty Irish low whistle, as long as it doesn't sound to much like Riverdance... (not that Riverdance is bad - just not what we're going for here...) It'll be a good day, though - I also turn 35 tomorrow so it'll be a great day no matter what... (shameless self-promoting birthday plug there..) So... praise God for everything - voices are still strong - good times to be had by all - praise Jesus - He's awesome. Maybe we'll even be able to post some video/pictures tomorrow...

Anyway, God bless y'all - you guys are awesome in God...

In Jesus, Zach

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Studio "Overwhelming" Vocals Day 3 Current mood: grateful Category: Music

Wed – started a bit late… recorded lead vocals for "See You Now" and "Overwhelming" – we were a bit more picky today – felt like these songs were particularly important… (they're all important, but you know what I mean…) Weather was 65 and sunny for much of the day – sorry, friends in Iowa… Had a great time worshipping – God is awesome… Sarah did BGV's for both songs – she tracks so fast on harmonies – it's pretty impressive... Talked a bit more about our "outtakes" from "Sweep Me Away" – we'll probably try to do the funny stuff on Friday – maybe even a little Myspace video footage to come, we'll see… Rewrote lyrics on several songs – that's probably been the most challenging stuff to date – the rewrites – but it's so worth it when they're what they should be… Recorded lead vocal for "Rise Up," – it went surprisingly well… praise God! Anyway – it was a great, productive day – thanks so much for all of you who are praying… again, praise Jesus for everything – He's awesome.

Oh, one more thing – on the way home I got pulled over for going WAY TOO FAST… would've gotten a ticket but for the mercy of God - turns out the officer had forgotten his ticket booklet – note to self: police officers in Tennessee can be a bit suspicious of speeding Yankees, no matter how polite aforementioned Yankees try to be…

God bless you all – praise God for everything – may God have His perfect way – goodnight!

In Jesus, Zach

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, February 05, 2008

"Overwhelming" vocals: Mon-Tues Current mood: grateful Category: Music

OK, so I'm not much of a blogger - can't even seem to return emails in a timely fashion, but here goes...

Sun - Brutal weather for the first three hours of the drive to Nashville - got better as we got farther South - pulled into town at 2 AM tired but much warmer than when we left... Mon - Hit the studio at noon-ish (musician's work hours are awesome...) Listened to some of the tracks - amazing - Aaron is a genious - no, seriously, I really think he is... Recorded lead and BGVs on "We Lift You Up" and lead on "Shine Down." Both a lot of fun - again, due in part to the Aaron being a genious thing... Had a great time just chilling, worshipping Jesus throughout the process. Still using our "magic" mic. Tried Sarah's song but she's still feeling a bit under the weather - we'll try again later in the week... Overall, awesome day - praise God for everything.

Tues - Started at 10 AM (again, musician's hours) - did leads and BGVs for "All I Can Say" and "Sweep Me Away," and BGV's for "Shine Down." Four songs pretty much done - praise God! Aaron's production really helps me, draws me into worship - I may be kind of a freak, but I'm just having a great time worshipping Jesus, even though I have to sing the same stuff 4-10 times in a row... Sierra did harmonies for "Sweep Me Away" - pretty awesome - her voice always adds this awesome sweet quality to the music... I got stuck on one lyric line in "Sweep Me Away," and messed around for about 45 minutes until deciding we only needed to change one word... I laughed so hard I actually cried today - Aaron and I were coming up with alternate lines... 'nuff said... We might put them in the "outakes" and post them on Myspace or something.... The bottom line is just this - praise Jesus for everything - He's given us such awesome grace throughout this process so far, and I just pray that He sings through this and just fills it with His Spirit and His presence. He's really the only thing that matters, and I pray He has His way...

More tomorrow (hopefully!) God bless y'all and thanks for taking the time to read this...

In Jesus, Zach

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