I became familiar with photographer Hal Moran via Facebook. His photos have a ethereal quality about them, and it’s obvious they come from a deep place within. According to his website, Hal says this about his journey into creativity, artistry and beauty:

My aim is to “make images that matter.” When I capture an image, I’m really capturing the metaphors and untold hidden stories in creation that are often missed by casual observation. Why does that matter to me?

I grew up with and still struggle with Tourette Syndrome, ADD, and dyslexia. That makes the visual world around me of great importance. Seeing is how I learn. And, it’s how I communicate.

(c) 2015 Hal Moran http://halmoran.com/wp/?p=1564

When I read that and when I meditate on his photograph above, God speaks to me. I’ll try to articulate what he’s saying. I see the juxtaposition of the brilliant stained glass windows against the old abandoned church. I see the empty pews laden with dust. I see the water stained walls. It reminds me of empty places within me. Yet . . . I also see the windows. Shining in all their glory. Light from another Source shines through them. They are beautiful. God is saying:

As artists and creatives you often have this misnomer that “beautiful” artwork comes from “pretty” places within. I have witnessed some of the most “beautiful” artwork come from broken and hurt places within. Creativity helps heal the deep places within. This “wrestling” and your journey of healing are reflected in your artwork—people see, recognize and resonate with art created out of those places. They too are hurt. Your creativity helps them heal, as well. You are beautiful—I help you bring beauty to the world as I shine through you.

Yes, Lord, may your glory be revealed in and through us! Visit HalMoran.com today and may God bless you as you view his BEaUtiful photos! Allow God to direct you to a specific one, and then  . . . let Him speak.

Blessings of ARTistry, CREATivity & BEaUty, Jody

P.S. Missed previous posts? Click here.

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What is Create-A-Day?  Just as One-A-Day® Vitamins help restore the nutrients we deplete in our bodies, so too do we need to refill, replenish and renew our creative souls. In 2015, watch for daily* posts to undergird your ministry; lead you to resources to nurture the creative spirit within; and draw you more deeply in worship of Jesus Christ. My goal is to provide you, the creative Christian, with over 250* resources to help you develop your ARTistry, CREATivity & capacity for BEaUty. Books, worship arts ministries, video series, websites, conferences—all geared towards artists, creatives, worshipers and people serving in worship and creative arts ministries. So, visit my blog every day* to see what creative resource I’ve hunted down for you. You can stay connected by following me on Twitter or Facebook. Or better yet, sign up to receive email updates by clicking the button to the left. We’ll watch the resources pile up as the year unfolds!

* I am a proponent of family time and Sabbath rest so don’t look for posts on weekends or Holidays.

Jody Thomae is the author of God’s Creative Gift—Unleashing the Artist in You, a devotional book with Bible studies to nurture the creative spirit within and to serve as a resource for creative Christians, artists, musicians and worshippers. She has been involved in worship arts ministry since 1997, coordinating artistic involvement in church services and regional worship events through dance, drama, poetry and fine arts and has had the opportunity toperform, teach, choreograph, preach, coordinate and leadworkshops in the area of creativity, spirituality and embodied prayer. She has also recently released a devotional CD, Song of the Beloved. Her passion is for the revelation of God to be made more real through the prophetic use of the arts in church and formational ministry. It is her desire to portray the message of Christ’s desperate and unfailing love for His people to help sustain the hearts of the broken and weary. Life scriptures include Psalm 27; Isaiah 50:4-7; and Zephaniah 3:14-17.