What’s the difference between a preface, a foreward and a prologue, you ask? Let’s ask Tamika Hall! I’ve referred you to Tamika earlier this year (check that out here) and I’m sending you there again to hear Tamika discuss the differences on her podcast:
I’ve posted a piece from author and poet Sarah Wells before (see: Field Guide to Resisting Temptation and if you haven’t read this transparent piece yet, I highly encourage you do).
We also spent the week and a half before Easter with Sarah’s poetry, taking us to deep places as we considered the Passion of Christ (see: 7 Virtual Art Walk for links to all those deeply touching posts).
I wanted to post another great article from her today, this one with simple and practical advice for writers! Continue reading
Today’s post is dedicated to my daughter Maddy in celebration of her birthday. You are Madelyn Ruth, Magnificent Companion of God! You are my BEaUtiful daughter, ablaze with adventure and life!
I’ve posted the work of artist Colleen Briggs of Fragments of Light before. Want to direct you there again! This artwork and her accompanying story will certainly bless your day. As you read the story, you will quickly see it is an analogy for something much larger.
colleenbriggs.com
So click here to head over to her post entitled Blaze, and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you as you read and enjoy her work.
Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore. Continue reading
photo by Joe Pelletier
Today’s post is dedicated to my son Evan in celebration of his birthday! You are Evan Godfrey, Young Warrior of God’s Peace! You are my amazing son! You are GOD’S amazing SON!
I connected you with Tamika Hall Ministries back in January with a devotional podcast on 1st Peter. Wanted to share another of her podcasts today: How to Write & Publish a Devotional. Continue reading
In this wonderful article, Mic.com compiles 17 words of advice for struggling writers, from the famous writers who’ve been there. Advice in the form of quotes from the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Anne Lamott, Anton Chekhov, and Stephen King.
It’s another Facebook Friday!
Today’s group is Christian Poets & Writers administered by Mary Harwell Sayler. It’s group description is as follows:
The CHRISTIAN POETS & WRITERS group exists to encourage each other in our Christian faith and improve our writing in all genres to draw readers to Christ and up-build the church in Jesus’ Name.
What is a Meandering Book? is the question posed and explained by blogger Jessica Hollowell, Owner of JessCreateIt.com.
I love this creative idea! It would be great for art journaling, Bible art journaling, and scrapbookers. Perhaps you want to create a reminder of God’s faithfulness; a book of your favorite scripture verses; compile pictures of people and missionaries you pray for; or have a reminder of a mission trip you went on. I think this meandering book would be a great option for all these ideas and many more.
As a Christian artist or creative, it is important to consider the redemptive value of your work. When viewed from a worldly perspective, we think of art in terms of monetary value—have we sold original pieces, prints, copies, songs, albums, scripts, . . . ? And we limit the value of our work to units sold. However, when we open ourselves as creatives to a heavenly view of value, we come to realize a whole new commodity. Are we changing lives, healing hearts, revealing beauty, seeking justice, claiming hearts for Our Creator? We begin to realize that there is a greater redemptive value to our work.
Bringing you another amazing TED Talk from Jarrett J. Krosoczka. “How a boy became an artist” is a great story about how Jarrett became an author and illustrator of children’s books. This is why arts education is so important!!
God has spoken into the heart of many creatives I know saying “2015 is the year of CREATIVITY!” Today features one of those people!
Creative Awakenings is the blog of preacher, teacher, pastor and author Bernard Boulton. On his blog, he offers encouragement and wisdom to artists and creatives of all mediums and forms. With the heart of a pastor, Bernard is committed to helping build the kingdom of God in and through His creative people.
Today’s post is for writers of all types: authors, bloggers, script writers, playwrights, songwriters.
Christian Creative Writers offers two sets of writing prompts to help get your creative juices flowing:
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
Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com
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
“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
Breath
Jesus, why are you
up here
with me, why
is our blood
mixing with dirt,
“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
Nurturing the Creative Spirit Within 