“It is finished!” John 19:30
Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com
The Antique Rocking Chair
The carpenter is not disappointed
by the ruined finish or the broken arm,
loose spindles, failed glue joints.
Cup of Blessing
by Matt Durbin (C) 2011
mattdurbinart.com
“Later, knowing that all was now completed,
and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled,
Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’”
– John 19:28
Drink
The fount of living water
bellows drought. I want
to lift a ladle, cold and pure,
so you could be relieved.
But I’m deceived with ease.
“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned (forsaken) me?” Mark 15:34
Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com
Fear
I taste the juice of forbidden fruit
dripping from Adam’s mouth.
[Jesus] said to [Mary], “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” John 19:26
Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com
Mary at the Cross
I am not old. A bewildered mother
since conception who stored up
each moment. Now I will recall
the way you reached for me, a babe,
“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com
Note: the broken way in which this poem is formatted is purposeful. Imagine the broken, jagged breath of the criminal on the cross next to Jesus… gasping for every breath… just to simply form sentences.
Breath
Jesus, why are you
up here
with me, why
is our blood
mixing with dirt,
why do our lungs Continue reading
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Matt Durbin (c) 2014
mattdurbinart.com
The People Stood Watching
Come, see a man who told me everything
I ever did. A man who healed my eyes,
fed me bread he multiplied, poured my cup
of wine, washed my feet, called me out
Several years ago our church creative arts ministry offered an event called “7” — a self-directed art-walk focusing on the last seven words of Christ spoken from the cross. Similar to a prayer-walk, an art-work utilizes art to help you prayerfully meditate while walking through a series of stations. There were seven stations and at each was a banner with the words of Christ, a poem by author and poet Sarah M. Wells, and a painting by artist Matt Durbin.
We will be re-creating a “virtual” version of “7” through the Create-A-Day posts with poetry by Sarah and artwork by Matt paired with songs. Our hope is that these posts will prepare your hearts for Resurrection Sunday, help you consider the cost of Christ’s priceless gift, and worship Jesus more deeply during this blessed season. Continue reading
Today enjoy artist Kerry Jackson of Drawing to the Rock Ministries at work at he paints to Isaiah 53:
The story of the events surrounding Christ’s death and resurrection found in the Holy scriptures has inspired artists for thousand of years. Here’s a small sample of some classical and contemporary artwork and the scriptures that inspired them.
The Last Supper
Leonardo Da Vinci
1494-1498
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:14-20 Continue reading
As we move closer to Easter, won’t you take moment to reflect on the forgiveness offered to you in Christ’s death on the cross?
Then press play and as you listen to Bach’s Mein Jesu (My Jesus) from Leopold Stokowski’s Symphonic Bach, head over to read this powerful story of forgiveness, about a young widow offering the forgiveness of Jesus Christ to the killers of her husband who was serving the Libyan people in Benghazi as a teacher. There’s also a news report video worth the watch there.
The Stations of the Cross (or the Via Dolorosa), often done on Good Friday, represent a spiritual and physical pilgrimage to commemorate the Passion of Christ. Most often practiced in Roman Catholic Churches, today I will refer you to “The Cross as Journey: The Stations of the Cross for Protestant Worship” by Dennis Bratcher. The article provides historical description and background material, as well as a simple Service of Worship with preparations, supply list, the liturgy and song suggestions.
paradosiballetcompany.com
Paradosi Ballet Company shares the Love of Christ through dance, drama and personal witness. The first professional ballet company in the Pacific Northwest, they serve under the direction of Joel and Tennille Carver.
This is the company performing “Amazing Grace” in Avignon, France. I love the backdrop of BEaUtiful architecture behind them!
Creative Lenten Worship is a blog with creative worship ideas for the Lenten season, Holy Week, and Easter for pastors, worship leaders and creative arts teams. There are ideas for decorating your altar space for worship (with photos), as well as a reading for four voices for communion. There are also ideas for visual reminders such as Lenten nail pocket reminders and bags with thirty pieces of silver for family devotions. Instructions included for everything offered.
Let this spoken word piece by Oraia deepen your devotion, inspire your week, and remind you of His amazing grace!
“Death Could Not Exist in the Same Skin as Him”
Need some fresh ideas for Easter at your church or for your ministry? Here’s a list of Creative Worship Settings and Elements from The Worship Closet: The Place for Creative Worship Ideas. It also includes ideas for Mission Projects. Lots of great ideas! Happy hunting!
worshipcloset.com
Want to make Easter something more than just another commercialized holiday for the children in your life or the children you serve in your ministry? Want to make Easter about Jesus? Then check out Christ-Centered Easter Ideas for Families from Erika {sweeting} Dawson. She has links to ideas and devotionals and crafts and books and more! She’s sifted past the springtime Pinterest posts and found creative resources centered on Jesus!
erikadawson.com
ShareFaith has a variety of videos for use in your Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter worship services. Watch this example:
Dese’Rae L. Stage is an artist on a mission—a mission to save lives through her innovative project called Live Through This. Often times as artists we forget that our work has power to heal and bring hope and life where there is darkness and death. This photographer is not only bringing healing, hope and life but also awareness to a problem that affects far more people than we could ever realize.
http://www.livethroughthis.org
Dese’Rae L. Stage
From now until Good Friday, I will be posting resources and inspiration geared towards Easter. Perhaps you or church will be inspired to do something creative to help others experience the breadth and depth of the Easter season.
Journey to the Cross is an interactive prayer walk focusing on the stations of the cross. It was done by the worship arts ministry of Level Ground Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, BC. The entire service with participant directions, readings, audio and video walk-through instructions is posted on rethink worship.com. If you’ve ever wanted to do Stations of the Cross but wasn’t sure where to start, everything is all laid out for you.
It’s another Facebook Friday!! CHRISTIAN ENTERTAINERS-Authors, Actors, Producers, Comedians, Screenwriters is a group for professional Christian entertainers.
Nurturing the Creative Spirit Within 