Books, Blogs & Pages

Creative Expressions Summit

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Inviting you to this FREE event!!
Register TODAY!! 

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Do you feel called to arts and entertainment? 

Sign up NOW for the Creative Expressions Summit
Offered FREE on
February 7, 8 & 9th

Why are you waiting before moving forward into the gifts and calling you have received?
Where are you going to release the creativity deep inside that you feel compelled to let out?
How are you able to navigate the day to day with your creative gifts and passion and yet don’t feel connected to others who are also creating beauty?
In this hour, the enemy’s deep darkness rears its ugly face everywhere in the realm of art with debased imaging, distorting God’s image and His wonderful creation in humanity. We see it in the entertainment culture–bringing more confusion and cynicism to our identities and a deceptive narrative the enemy wants us to take on as our own story. Many have continued to walk in the current predominant influence of the realm of arts and entertainment which subtly numbs our hearts and minds to the underlying sinister agenda at work in our world.
However, we have entered a new season in 2020 where God is making another clear call to artists, dancers & creatives to rise up and display the beauty of Jesus and His amazing Kingdom on the earth.
Creatives are moving forward into the heart of God with a renewed vision which the Holy Spirit has been revealing concerning the sons and daughters of the Most High.
All mediums of creative expression are a battleground in the Spirit to capture the attention and imagination of the Beholder.
Dance is bringing freedom and deliverance for audiences.
Paintings are conveying the brilliance and significance of His creation in light of His redemption.
We believe that now is the time to come together as the body and link arms together in unity for encouragement and a collective inspiration.
Join us now in our collaboration to bring professional and spirit-filled creatives together for a Creative Expressions Summit that will empower you to release the prophetic expression in and through you!
Learn from those experienced in the arts who have traveled the long winding road in the sphere of visual arts, dance, acting and more. Believe for a shift in your understanding that will unlock your destiny and divine assignment of creative expressions in this world.

You can watch the The Creative Expressions Summit for FREE on February 7, 8 and 9th.

And purchase life time access to the Summit!
Early Bird (until February 9) $97
Full price (after February 9) $147

artists

Speakers include:
Phillip Ortiz, Graphic Designer and Illustrator, Peel Creative
Andrea York, Designer & Owner, Catch the Fire Worship Flags
Lynn Hayden, Founder, Dancing for Him Ministries
Dr. Pamela Hardy, Founder, Eagles International Training Institute
Jeff Davis, Painter, Add to the Beauty Arts
Josephine Calvo, Actor, Instructor, Artist
Ilse Kleyn Jordaan, Prophetic Artist, Art of Kleyn
Nabiyah Baht Yehuda, Founder, BHN College
Lydia Backer, Prophetic Artist, Noble Beauty Blog
Amy Tang, Founder, Worship Dance Ministries
Megan Leigh Kasper, Prophetic Artist, Inspired Art
Jody Thomae, Author/Teacher of Creativity, Spirituality & Embodiment

Join these amazing artists HERE >>>>> Creative Expressions Summit 

DON’T MISS OUT! SIGN UP TODAY!

BONUS SAVINGS: Order The Creator’s Healing Power—Restoring the Broken to Beautiful from my Square Store on February 7, 8 or 9th, and get a FREE copy of my CD, Song of the Beloved.

 

Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 39

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The school year is over which means this is our final Kintsugi of the Soul*. I hope you’ve enjoyed our stories of healing, redemption and hope. Our final story is that of Kevin Hines, the man who jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge and lived.

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Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 19

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Today’s Kintsugi of the Soul* is the powerful story of NHL hockey player Theo Fleury, as he shares his story of trauma and healing through writing and sharing his story with others. (Warning: the very beginning is a little graphic so if you are sensitive, you might want to skip the first minute or so.)

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Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 12

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This week on Kintsugi of the Soul* I want to direct you to a website of jewelry artist and blogger Kenetha Stanton called A Kintsugi Life. This site is packed: blog articles, jewelry, links to kintsugi resources, and if you sign up for her email list, a free ebook called Living a Kintsugi Life. See, I’m not the only one taken with this trUly BEaUtiful metaphor for healing and restoration!

According to Kenetha:

“I use the metaphor of kintsugi, with its brokenness, healing, and subsequent gold, as a means of inspiring and supporting others through my artwork and writing.
I experienced a period of intense losses several years ago that affected every aspect of my life—relationships, career, identity, spirituality—that resulted in deep transformation that has changed me profoundly in many ways. It was during this period that I discovered the art form of kintsugi and found it to be a powerful guide and encouragement for what I was experiencing.”

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Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 10

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On today’s edition of Kintsugi of the Soul*, I am referring you to a trUly BEaUtiful blog called Beauty Beyond Bones and a specific post called Glorious Wounds. The Beauty Beyond Blog shares the story of a young woman as she chronicled her battle with an eating disorder. Calling herself an ED Warrior, she writes openly and transparently about her fight for survival. The author admits her blog posts can be very graphic. However, she hopes that by shedding light on the dark battle she fought, it will help guide others (and their loved ones) on the path to recovery from disordered eating.

Beauty Beyond Bones writes:

“Jesus endured the greatest suffering of all: the Cross. And when He rose again after the third day, He greeted His loved ones and showed them the scars on His hands where He had been pierced. Thomas even put his hands in the holes. His wounds weren’t infected, but glorious and glowing. They were a victory.”

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Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 7

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This week’s edition of Kintsugi of the Soul features artist, author and encourager Matt Tommey. Matt is the author of several books that are “must-haves” for creative Christians including Unlocking the Heart of the Artist and Created to Thrive. He is also a wonderful encourager of creatives and artists through The Worship Studio, an equipping resource for artists and a place for creative Christians to connect and Created to Thrive, his mentoring program for artists.

In this video, Matt reflects on his healing journey with God. He talks about the “movie” that would play over and over in his mind… the negative self-talk that sabotaged his creativity. And yet… as he aligned his thoughts with Christ’s “kingdom thoughts,” he found that God supernaturally began to open doors of favor and provision in his life.

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Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 6

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In this week’s edition of Kintsugi of the Soul I want to share The Movement of Healing: a deep and soul-packed blog of Susan Cochrane. I’ll allow her to tell you about herself in her own voice. She writes:

“I’ve practiced law, practiced the piano, practiced creative writing and practiced meditation. I practiced with specific goals in mind:- success, mastery, achievement, enlightenment.

Now I practice letting go of goals.

After thirty-plus years practicing family law, including eighteen years on the family court bench in the busiest district in our state, I abruptly ended my law career to focus on a health crisis. After 10 cancer-free years, I found out the cancer was back and I was given a terminal diagnosis.

So I’m letting go of the old idea of writing books. My focus now is on positive, uplifting and inspiring people, ideas and stories. I’m embracing the opportunity to curate a blog that features short pieces I find particularly moving.” ~Susan Cochrane

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Poem ‘She dances’ ~ Lilly Hope Lucario

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My next book is all about healing from trauma using the creative process. This poem is a perfect example of it. And it is…
So incredibly powerful… so trUly BEaUtiful….
From blogger Lilly Hope Lucario at
https://healingfromcomplextraumaandptsd.wordpress.com/

Healing From Complex Trauma & PTSD/CPTSD

Sad Ballet

Ballet, dancing – was my saving grace, while enduring child sexual abuse by an old man paedophile, for several years ending at approx age 12.

She Dances ~ Lilly Hope Lucario

Childhood
In her garden
Of evil

Of gods and monsters
Evil presides

No safety
No protection
No rescue

Scared
Frightened
Silenced

Deep pain
Seared into
Her fragile soul
Unable to cope
Verbally suppressed

She dances

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Painted Presents and the Art of Christmas

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Don’t ever be “too busy” to give your gift of ARTistry, BEaUty and CREATivITy…

The Secret Kingdom

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It’s hard to paint with a cat in your lap.

Many years ago I painted a portrait of my sister

for her Christmas present.

I am a slow painter.

If I remember correctly…

I started that painting

many months before Christmas

giving myself time

to linger over my work.

“Portrait of Sherry” by Michele Bledsoe

This Christmas

my sister asked for another portrait.

Not of herself,

but one of her beloved cat, Munchkin

who passed away this year..

leaving me 6 days to finish the painting.

6 days.

As of today, it is 5.

Did I decline her request?

Did I make excuses?

Did I explain that I simply had too many other things to do before Christmas?

No.

I just grabbed a blank canvas and started painting.

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #252 — Visioning the Invisible

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VisionAs we wind down our year of creative posts,  I want to direct you to a blog post from my friend Dave Weiss of AMOK Arts entitled “Vision… Can You See it?” This post is a short but powerful word of encouragement to artists and creatives about moving forward in the dreams, callings, visions and destinies to which God is calling you.

It is my prayer that as this year unwinds you will seek the Lord’s guidance and will for the coming year. What creative destiny has He placed on your heart? What has He called you to for the season ahead? Make yourself “present” to God and seek what he has for you in this present moment! Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #244 — More Advent Resources!

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LEAD Advent Resource Artwork by Vonda Drees

LEAD Advent Resource
Artwork by Vonda Drees

Directing you to LEAD: Living Every day As Disciples to yet another creative Advent resource! Look for Advent & Lenten Resources (under the “Resources” tab) which includes contemplative prayer liturgies and accompanying creative experiences for your use during Advent. Free printables for coloring, downloadable liturgies for bulletins, links to videos — everything is there for you! This is an amazing resource for use in your church, ministry or family!

Another resource added 2018: a free online resource from Brenda Warren of Saintsbridge. 40 Days of Advent devotionals called “Celts to the Creche” is inspired by Celtic and Anglo-Saxon saints. This pilgrimage to the creche in Bethlehem begins November 16.  Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #240 — Christmas Devotional Experience

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Mary and Jesus by Podi Lawrence

Mary and Jesus
by Podi Lawrence

Today I want to direct you to a Christmas Devotional Experience from Soul Shepherding. It can be adapted and used in a variety of contexts, including personal devotions, small groups, family gatherings and worship settings.

According to Soul Shepherding:

In this Christmas devotional we take a journey to welcome Christ to be born anew in our hearts. There are Scripture meditation and prayers to help you identify with eight different characters from the story — including some surprise characters that you wouldn’t have thought of! You can pick one character for the season and keep returning to related Scripture meditations and prayers or you can pick a different one each day. What a blessing it is to companion these characters as they adore the Christ child!

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #236 — Worship Groups on Facebook

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FBIt’s our last Facebook Friday for the year!! And we have two groups featured today!

Our first group is At His Feet Ministries and is administered by Kristina Collins, Founder & Director of her ministry of the same name. Here’s the group description:

This group is for the arts! If you are a dance instructor, choreographer, dancer, artist, designer and you would like to network, advertise conferences, exchange advice and ideas, and get to know other artists, stay in fit condition in the journey God has you on… We welcome you to participate, and encourage each other. If you have art share it! A conference coming up… share it! Health tips… share it! We just want to expand the tent pegs!

A little about AHF: At His Feet Ministries is a non-profit 501-C3 organization founded by Kristina Collins. Rooted in the arts, AHF is a unique ministry geared towards creative outreach. Through music, dance, drama, art and teaching, AHF strives to train, equip and release the creative giftings of God into the hearts and lives of many.

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #228 — The Advent Door

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S x wreathThe Advent Door is the blog of artist, author and minister Jan Richardson. For several years now Jan has posted weekly Advent meditations with her artwork and poetry. The meditations are based on each year’s lectionary cycle. You can sift down through the posts and be inspired by her BEaUtiful artwork and thoughtful poetry, just make sure you hit ‘older posts’ at the bottom to continue down through the posts she has made over the years. She has much to share to take us through the CHRISTmas season. Resource ideas for corporate or personal worship — a great way to prayerfully and intentionally move through the season. Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #221 — Why Advent is Important to Artists

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S x baby hand

“My encouragement to all artists of faith is to see every creative act you do during this Advent season as a breathtaking remembrance of God’s loving incarnation to us.” ~Manuel Luz Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #216 — Advent Illustrated

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Sara laughedI LOVE the idea I’m sharing today! Sara Laughed is a fun and creative blog and this year she is doing a Bible journaling challenge called Advent Illustrated. Throughout the Advent season (from November 29th to December 24th), Sara will share a Bible verse, starting with Genesis and extending to the nativity story. She will also provide creative prompts for folks who need a little bit more inspiration. Everyone is encouraged to share their art journal project on her Facebook page or on Instagram with the hashtag #AdventIllustrated. Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #214 — God’s Creative Gift

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National Book MonthAs we wrap up end our tribute to National Book Month, I would be remiss if I didn’t introduce my own book. “Last but not least” as the saying goes!

I wrote God’s Creative Gift—Unleashing the Artist in You in obedience to God’s calling in my life. Frankly, many of the topics I wrote about were thoughts and ideas that wouldn’t leave me alone until I had gently guided them onto paper. It is designed as a Bible study and devotional, great for individual or group study. It is not just for artists but creative folks of all forms, mediums and venues.

The Word of God is vital to our lives. It has much to say to all of us, and more than that, it has much to say to artists and creatives! Discover what God’s Word has to say to you as his masterpiece, his poem, his BEaUtiful creation! If you click here, it will lead you to my store where you can purchase a copy of my book signed with a personal blessing just for you! You can read more about my book here.

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #213 — The Seventy

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National Book MonthAs we wind down our focus on books for artists, creatives and worshipers, I want to direct you to a new book that came out just this month!

The Seventy: A Movement of Creativity in the Earth by Pastor Bernard Boulton is based on a prophetic prayer he spoke over his congregation in 2009.

SeventyThis book announces a movement of creativity rising in the earth during the second decade of the twenty first century. The God of creativity who created the heavens and the earth and created mankind in His image is raising up and sending out a remnant of creative artists who have seen God with a pure heart and have a call on their lives to release the love of God through creative expression.

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #211 — Arts Ministry & More!

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National Book MonthNational Book Month is winding down! And we have THREE books—all for artists and creatives in church ministry! I know many creatives feel like the church has let them down, but these books help artists AND pastors walk through the process of starting a worship arts ministry together. All three make a strong case for the use of arts in our churches. Here they are and what others are saying about them!

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