Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 5

This week’s Kintsugi of the Soul features a man many of you have probably already heard about, Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms or legs. The first video is him speaking at Saddleback Church. It’s a long video so if you don’t have time to listen to the whole thing this week, at least tune in for the first six and a half minutes. God is using him to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to millions of people worldwide; protect the unborn; and influence those in powerful positions. His goal is to preach the Gospel to everyone across the globe… 7 billion people! To this point over a half million have put their faith in Jesus Christ through his evangelism efforts!! Praise God!

Note: in his intro video he speaks about John 9, which is one of the Bible Studies in chapter 7 of my most recent book, The Creator’s Healing Power—Restoring the Broken to Beautiful.

Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 4

From artist and storyteller Pamela Jacques, who uses creative mediums to serve those that some might call un-redeemable, un-restorable and un-worthy:

“In you is beauty to share,
purpose to unfurl,
and destiny to fulfill.
Always remember.”

Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 3

This week’s edition of Kintsugi of the Soul directs you to the story of a woman who used the creative process of writing to help her transcend her identity as “patient” and bring healing to herself and others.

I started writing my first memoir “Penetrating Madness,” about my long struggle with severe and persistent mental illness during my last psychiatric hospitalization — in early 2007 on an eating disorder unit. Usually when I was in the hospital, I kept a journal, but during this hospitalization, journal writing had become repetitive and mundane. I needed more from my writing. Wanting to share my story, I wrote so others wouldn’t feel as alone as I was feeling, and because there was a desire from the writer within me who was struggling to emerge.

Read how writing and the desire to share her story brought about wholeness to writer and licensed social worker Gerri Luce in The Healing Power of Creativity: the ability of creativity to transcend the patient identity online at Psychology Today.

She ends her testimony with these powerful words:

The path to creativity has the ability to heal wounds, to soothe pain.

Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 2

This week’s Kintsugi of the Soul features the story of Emma Bennett and A Step Ahead Prosthetics, a story of redemption I write about in chapter six of The Creator’s Healing Power. This prosthetics company adapts American Girl dolls so that every child can have a doll that looks like them… making them feel both special and “normal” at the same time. Watch the touching story here:

Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 1

Our first edition of Kintsugi of the Soul features Two Blind Brothers, two brothers who have created a clothing line based primarily on the sense of touch. Watch below how these two men can say with confidence:

Visual impairment
has given more to us
than it’s taken away.

There are several amazing things about this redemptive story: 1) they use their “impairment” as an impetus for their clothing line; 2) 100% of their company profits go back into research to find a cure; and 3) their clothing is “manufactured” at Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind. Their entire mission is based in HOPE, and they give us this wisdom:

Your greatest challenge IS your greatest gift.

Kintsugi of the Soul: a Year-long Project of Redemption, Healing & Wholeness

Several years ago I embarked on a year-long project called Create-a-Day. Like a One-a-Day Vitamin, it was designed as a daily dose of creativity, in order to inspire others and to direct viewers to people and projects where creativity was making a difference in the lives of others. With the publication of my second book in the Bible Studies to Nurture the Creative Spirit Within series, I will again be undertaking a year-long project starting September 4th to coincide with the release of my new title, The Creator’s Healing Power—Restoring the Broken to Beautiful. This project will be called…

“Kintsugi of the Soul”

Practicing the Presence of God through Creative Prayer Stations

“Practicing the Presence” was created for a Healing Care Ministries seminar called The Essentials. The essence of this seminar to help those in caregiving ministries understand how to position people for lasting, healing change, particularly through engaging the right hemisphere of the brain through creative spiritual practices. “Practicing the Presence” was done each morning in lieu of traditional worship. Each day is spent focusing on one member of the Trinity with the following themes: Creator God, Christ our Royal Redeemer, and Holy Spirit, Flame of Love.

Included here are resources, coloring pages, accompanying scriptures and photographs so you can recreate this for your own church or ministry. Hand-outs are provided and can be used with permission by leaving the website and copyright information intact at the bottom of each page. Coloring pages were created by Pauline Mae Blankenship (©2018) for “Practicing the Presence,” and if you have The Creator’s Healing Power—Restoring the Broken to Beautiful, you will recognize these coloring pages from the book. She has graciously offered them for our use, and you will find links within each section below.

Each day we started in silence, which was broken with Lectio Divina. Then participants were released to explore creative prayer stations. Every day, one station included a cross with artwork to create a space where folks could kneel and pray, and another included the coloring pages at two large tables with coloring supplies:

EMBODIED :: Postures of Prayer & Praise #7, Hands Clapping

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Hands Clapping – Restoration & Victory

Psalm 47:1-3 – Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. He will subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.

Christ the King is our victory. As we shout praises and clap our hands, he stands up against injustice and rights the wrongs in our lives. Let us use a voice of triumph — one that speaks truth, victory, restoration and freedom — even in places of our lives that do not appear victorious. God is in control. Christ is on His throne. Continue reading

7 :: “Into your hands…”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Week 7

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46

Enough

Here I am, my son.

Your struggle is over.

It was near impossible

to keep from turning

toward your cries.

I felt each lash,

wailed as they

drove the nails.

I blacked out the sun

so as not to see

your suffering.

Come to me now,

let me bandage

your wounds. Drink

from the spring

and rinse clean, rinse

until the water

runs clear. This part

of the journey

is finished. Continue reading

EMBODIED :: Postures of Prayer & Praise #6, Hands Flat

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Bowing Low, Prostrate with Hands Flat – Submitting

I Chronicles 29:20 – Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the LORD your God.” So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king.

I Kings 18:38-39 – (Elijah) Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD – he is God! The LORD – he is God!” Continue reading

7 :: “It is finished!”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Day 6

“It is finished!” John 19:30

The Antique Rocking Chair

The carpenter is not disappointed

by the ruined finish or the broken arm,

loose spindles, failed glue joints.

He checks the chair for its rhythm,

rests carefully in its solid seat and tests

the sway, hums an ancient hymn,

feels the wind that wore away the finish,

drove the rain between the grains

and diminished the lacquered polish. Continue reading

EMBODIED :: Postures of Prayer & Praise #5, Hands to Heart

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Hands to Heart – Pondering/Treasuring

Job 23:12b – I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Luke 2:16-20 – Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Treasuring and pondering means taking time to remember all God has done in your life, to consider what He has planned for your life, to look at those gifts/talents that are uniquely yours to do that which God has uniquely designed you for. It is being still and quiet before the Lord. Continue reading

7 :: “I am thirsty”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Week 5

“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.

My cup is sour, dilute

the wine from dirty

cisterns. Nothing I

can offer satisfies.

Are you glad you chose

to filter septic water,

offer your body to be

my purifier? How I love you. Continue reading

EMBODIED :: Postures of Prayer & Praise #4, Hands Together

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Hands Together – Prayer

Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Colossians 4:2 – Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

When we are anxious, our hands are wringing, but notice the attitudes of thankfulness and watchfulness that are to accompany our prayers. It’s not about what He can give us, but acknowledging and being thankful for what He has already given us and being watchful to see how He will answer our prayers, sometimes in ways we don’t expect. Continue reading

Mirroring: You Know Me

Attendees of Healing Care Ministries Spiritual Formation & the Art of Spiritual Direction Cohort often ask me for an outline of motions for a mirroring demonstration I do to the song “You Know Me” by Stephanie Gretzinger. I’ve been asked to videotape it but I hesitate because it is often a profound experience of the participant being felt and known by God. I feel videotaping is an intrusion of that experience. In the photos above you find me mirroring with my dear friend Sarah.

Mirroring is done to face-to-face and is most powerful with high levels of attunement and empathy from the “minister” to the one being ministered to under the power of the Holy Spirit working through you. It is often used in Dance/Movement Therapy but I have found it to be a powerful tool in spiritual direction and in teaching embodied prayer.

Crotched Mt Continue reading

7 :: “My God, my God, why…?”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Week 4

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned (forsaken) me?” Mark 15:34

Fear

I taste the juice of forbidden fruit

dripping from Adam’s mouth.

And in my hand, the dagger

that killed Cain’s brother. My arms

are sore from building Babel.

Abraham’s fear rolls in my gut.

I cling to Sodom as it burns, connive

for the birthright at Isaac’s bedside,

stand by as my sons slaughter a city,

hear the roar of weeping women Continue reading

EMBODIED :: Postures of Prayer & Praise #3, Palms Up

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Hands Extended Palms up – Receiving

Ezra 9:5-6 – Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God and prayed: “O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.”

Ezra is asking for grace and mercy from God. Verse 5a indicates that he is in mourning because of his sin. As we seek forgiveness, we receive forgiveness from God. With palms open before the Lord, we can fully expect to receive what God so lavishly pours out upon his people. We can also receive from others by allowing them to be the hands and feet of Christ when we are in need.

I Peter 5:7 – Cast all your cares upon him because he cares for you. Continue reading

7 :: “Dear woman…”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Week 3

[Jesus] said to [Mary], “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” John 19:26

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,

and only see your outstretched arms. Continue reading

EMBODIED :: Postures of Prayer & Praise #2, Palms Down

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Hands Extended, Palms Down – Blessing

Leviticus 9:22-23 – Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down. Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.

As God gives to us, we give to others—we extend our hands to give to and to bless others. As Moses and Aaron blessed the people, the glory of the Lord appeared—as we bless others, we reveal the glory of God through the generosity of our actions. We are the hands and feet of Christ.

Luke 24: 50-53 – When Jesus had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

As the resurrected Jesus ascended to heaven, where he was seated at the right hand of the Father to rule and reign over heaven and earth, he extended hands of blessings to his followers to bless them. This blessing brought them great joy—joy that kept them continually in the presence of God. Continue reading

7 :: “Today you will be with me…”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Week 2

“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

Breath

Jesus, why are you

up here

with me, why

is our blood

mixing with dirt,

why do our lungs

heave out as if

we have

the same spirit

in us

begging to be set free?

Why do we keep

breathing,

each inhalation,

a gasp.

All I want to do

is breathe out

a final time. Continue reading

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“In you is beauty to share, purpose to unfurl, and destiny to fulfill. Always remember.”

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The path to creativity has the ability to heal wounds, to soothe pain.

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Visual impairment has given more to us than it’s taken away.

Your greatest challenge IS your greatest gift.

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“Kintsugi of the Soul”

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Postures of Prayer & Praise are “outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Hands Clapping – Restoration & Victory

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“7” Last Statements of Jesus Spoken from the Cross: Week 7

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Postures of Prayer & Praise are “outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Bowing Low, Prostrate with Hands Flat – Submitting

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“7” Last Statements of Jesus Spoken from the Cross: Day 6

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Postures of Prayer & Praise are “outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Hands to Heart – Pondering/Treasuring

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“7” Last Statements of Jesus Spoken from the Cross: Week 5

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Postures of Prayer & Praise are “outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Hands Together – Prayer

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“7” Last Statements of Jesus Spoken from the Cross: Week 4

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Postures of Prayer & Praise are “outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Hands Extended Palms up – Receiving

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“7” Last Statements of Jesus Spoken from the Cross: Week 3

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Postures of Prayer & Praise are “outer representations of an inner reality”

Exploring: Hands Extended, Palms Down – Blessing

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“7” Last Statements of Jesus Spoken from the Cross: Week 2

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“In you is beauty to share,
purpose to unfurl,
and destiny to fulfill.
Always remember.”

Visual impairment
has given more to us
than it’s taken away.

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Week 7

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Day 6

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Week 5

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Week 4

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Week 3

Postures of Prayer & Praise are
“outer representations of an inner reality”

“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Week 2