a christian's creativity

i stumbled upon this quote from an author named Thomas Merton.

i wanted to share it because i think its a really cool reminder of how the gift of creativity (that we ALL have in some way, shape or form) works...

The way for sacred art to become more “creative” is not just for the artist to study new and fashionable trends and try to apply them to sacred or symbolic themes. It is for the artist to enter deeply into his Christian vocation, his part in the work of restoring all things in Christ. But this is not his responsibility alone. This is the responsibility of the whole Church and everybody in it.

-- Thomas Merton

we can study,

we can learn,

we can practice,

we can perfect techniques - 

but because the gift, the inspiration, the ability ALL come from God-

we can't do any of it without Him.

we can't create anything without Him.

we wouldn't have the gifts, wouldn't have the material, wouldn't have the ideas or the ability if He didn't give them to us.

so the only way to really grow in it or to know creativity to its fullest potential - 

is to know God.

it needs to be an overflow, a response to what God is doing in us.  

and the amazing thing about how God put it all together?

is that not only do we need to know God in order for our creativity to grow -

but once we make the time to be intentional about using our gifts?

we get to experience GOD on a whole new level.

its not just a gift we're tapping into - 

its God Himself.

and the rest is up to Him.  its amazing.

truly amazing to look at all that He is and all that He has done for us.

amazing.

-ALIVE

team art.

on the off chance you aren't familiar with the term

"team art"...

here is an example.

well... an example of our version, at least.  :)

you take 1 piece of paper.

split it into 10 (ish) parts.

and then each person fills in one section at a time.

and the next person has to build off of the other one - so all the lines need to be continued.

and then at the end - 

you erase all the pencil lines.

and it looks like one!

so this piece is a combination of 7 or so different people...

cool, huh?

and now we're working on one in color....

its a lot harder.

:)

so far only 3 people have worked on it.

and we've only used watercolor pencils.

so...

it is to be continued.

so if you want to fill in one of those remaining pieces - 

you are welcome to join us :)

love it.

:)

tonight we also talked about how God has given us the ability to create.

He's given us gifts.

and we use those gifts to show the world how we see God.

how we know Him.

how we see the world BECAUSE we know Him.

we have an ability to share what it is we see,

what we experience so deeply.

my prayer is that christians will use their gifts,

use their art to show the world what God has shown them.

how God has revealed Himself to them.

whether it be through words, painting, dance, drama, writing, whatever - 

but that it all directs the viewer and the artist back to God.

that you would be able to “see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, of the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!”

 Ephesians 1:18-19, (Message Bible) 

-ALIVE

a night at the art show

last week we took a week off from ALIVE because

Austin had an art show.

and i went to see the art show.

and its hard to gather everyone when there is no leader present :)

 

it was a 21+ venue so the team couldn't come :(

however - i am going to post some pictures so everyone can see!

 

it took place downtown at the Fine Line Music Cafe -

it was a cool venue with lots of artists showing their work.

the show was put on by Raw Artists.

 

Austin's spot was right next to the stairs so all the work was displayed on the wall.

 

the series of ink drawings show a picture of sin -

and different ways it can start to overtake us...

so the black stuff - is our sin.

and whether its filling our vision or coming out in the words we speak...

 

or if it's gotten to the point where we feel so tangled up in it, with no idea how to begin to get out...

 

its not over.

Because Jesus died- and because He now lives -

sin has lost its dominion over us.

 

it has the ability to overcome us and entangle us...

if we let it.

 

but the good news is that we have been set FREE from the certain dominion of darkness...

IF we choose that freedom.  if we choose Him.

 

as long as we are on this earth - there will be trouble.

there will be sin.

there will be darkness.

however...

 

"take heart!  i have overcome the world."

- Jesus (john 16:33)

 

 

 so although sin can seem so tempting and so worth it... its not.

its destruction disguised as peace, as "love", as satisfaction...

Jesus set you free.

EMBRACE that FREEDOM.

 

so thank you Austin for sharing your heart in your art :)

for creating a powerful visual for something that is SO present in our lives,

and that points us back to freedom.

 

so we got to see the show :)

and then we decided we were hungry and we had paid to park, so figured we'd take advantage of the time. so we walked across the street to a sports bar who - wouldn't you know it, was serving buckets of wings for $5 each... :)

why not?

 



 

yes, the waitress judged us openly.

yes the nachos were the best ever.

and yes we had lots of fun :)

 

my next goals?

learn how to use ink to draw.

and learn how to back into a parking space :)

-ALIVE

a morning with the kids :)

this past sunday we got to do something different :)

we spent sunday morning with the kids ministry!

the theme of the morning was that we are all an important part of God's plan.

that no matter how small or insignificant we might seem - we are an important part of His plan.

the group started off our time helping sing with the kids.

and then they did a drama called "KaBlinka".

it is about a machine that an inventor has built - 

and all the parts of the machine think that they are the greatest part...

except for one.

and the others make fun of that part.

but what they find out (dun dun dun..........) is that even though that one little part wasn't doing what it should - the machine didn't work.

sound familiar?

they did an AWESOME job.  so fun.

and then they did some arting.

this was something new - we'd never done anything like this before.

but we played the song "in your hands" by je'kob... love that song.

and then they lined up - each with their own piece of tracing paper and some pastels.

and kellie was set up with a marker.

and they went to work...

each coloring in their own, seemingly random pieces in blues and greens.

and then, as they finished - they piled the pieces of tracing paper on top of the others.

and once they were all put together - 

they formed a picture!

"you hold the world in Your hands".

:)

without any one of those parts being colored in... it wouldn't be whole.

so even when the parts seem insignificant, or like the details just don't matter...

they do.

because they are PART of the picture,

and its all working together.

God's got it all in His hands, He's the one with the picture - 

are we trusting Him to guide us?

are we actually doing our part?

or are we waiting for someone else to do it for us because we'd just rather not?

just something to think about.

:)

and then we got to talk a little about our jamaica trip that the kids gave their offering to :)

toward our construction project.

so cool

and we did another fun little drama,

and then the group went up onstage and finished off the morning with another song.

and oh man...

SO fun.

there was dancing and jumping and singing - 

amazing.

i need to worship with kids more often.

so much joy.

i LOVE it.

so our morning with the kids was a great one!

we had so much fun and we got to share God's message of how the body works together and how important it is that we all take responsibility for doing our part, doing what God calls US to do - 

and encouraging each other to do the same.

so thankful for people who pour into these kids all the time!!!

and so thankful that they let us come :)

and so grateful for a group that is willing to do the crazy things i ask them to!!!

and that they can have so much fun doing it.

i LOVE it.

it was a great opportunity to show the kids different ways that gifts can be used, too.

that art, drama, speaking, missions - all can be things that God can use.

and there is no end to all the different ways He can work...

so good.

our God is GOOD!  :)

:)

-ALIVE

calendar update :)

this coming sunday the ALIVE team has the opportunity to share with the Kids ministry at Edinbrook!

they are having a "Bring Your Gifts to God Day", where the kids can share the gifts God has given them - which is exactly where my heart is :)

so its exciting to be able to work with them!

 

we get to do a drama, some arting and share some pictures from Jamaica - so fun.

 

for those of you who will be in something that morning - make sure you know where you need to be when aka ask me.  soon. :)

 

there has been a slight update to the calendar -

we won't be working on the drama tonight,

but we will be working on the "arting". 

so you know who you are - i will see you tonight :)

 

for all the other cool ALIVE people -

we will be working on this tonight (per the calendar ;) ), but feel free to come hang out - the dungeon will be open for arting and there are always scripts/ brainstorming to work on ;)

 

thanks!

 

 



-ALIVE