Latest Release on Amazon!

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Introducing my most recent book O My Soul: Bringing the Psalmist’s Cry to My Movement, My Meditation & My Mat, which reached #1 New Release in Old Testament Meditations during the first two weeks of its release ! A BIG SHOUT OUT to all my readers and supporters — YOU did this, not me!

In O My Soul, we bring the psalmist’s cry to our practices of movement, breath and stillness. This cry of the various writers of the Psalms is a specific cry — one that includes the phrase “my soul.” Over and over throughout the Psalms we hear the cry of “my soul” — we will explore 44 of those in this book. Like my previous release Jesus In My Practice, each passage is explored through a brief summary and explanation of its context, relevant cultural notes, thoughts to ruminate as you consider the psalm, ideas for your practice of mindful movement, a short breath prayer and poem, and songs to accompany your movement practice, if desired. Also includes white space and journal prompts to write about your experience with the material.

This is a great resource for anyone who is interested in bringing their bodies to their study and experience of scripture. It can be used individually or in groups and is also a useful resource for teachers of movement, dance, meditation and breathwork, as well as somatic workers and body-based therapists. Available in hardback and softcover editions.

Check out this and all my other resources on Amazon today! All my resources are designed as explorations of discovery… of scripture… of our BEaUtiful embodied selves… of all we were created to be! Come explore what it means to live a whole-hearted, fully-embodied life… the kardia καρδία life!

If you’d like to learn more about embodying your spiritual life consider joining me at Rooted & Reaching Lakeside studio on the shores of Pleasant Hill Lake in North Central Ohio for a Rooted & Reaching Embodied Care (RREC) REtreat or the RREC Certificate Training Program.

Blessings of Artistry, BEaUty & Creativity, Jody


Jody Thomae is a graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a doctorate in spiritual formation and relational neuroscience at Western Theological Seminary. Her passion is for the person of Jesus Christ to be made more real through the revelation of creativity, embodiment and worship. Find individual examples of her Bible studies at www.jodythomae.com. She is an embodied spiritual director and hosts retreats through her ministry Rooted & Reaching Embodied Care. Sign up here to be notified of retreats, trainings and workshops geared towards creativity, embodiment and spirituality.

Embodied: I Wish You Would Dance

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I wish you would dance
As though you knew I loved you from the start.
As though I smiled with delight
As I imagined you into being.
Oh how I wish you would dance
As though you know that your whole being was intended
And your every movement was a celebration
Of your uniqueness and belovedness.
I wish you would dance
Like you caught a glimpse of how I see you.
How I always saw you
And it enlivened your soul and you could do nothing but dance.

Oh how I wish you to dance!

I wish you could feel this aching inside of me
This deep love I have for you
Which formed mountains, galaxies, and blood pulsing veins in you.
Which holds space in its vastness
And holds space in the heart of you.
I wish you could feel the aching I always had for you
Before you were you, yet still I knew you.
An aching that led us to that tree
Formed to bring suffering
Yet somehow transformed to bring life to the least of these.

Oh how I wish you to know…

Written by Rebecca Baxter
Picture found on pinterest, credit: Mary Southard
Originally appeared on The Sanctuary Prayer Space on Facebook.

If you’d like to learn more about embodying your spiritual life consider joining me at Rooted & Reaching Lakeside studio on the shores of Pleasant Hill Lake in North Central Ohio for a Rooted & Reaching Embodied Care (RREC) REtreat or the RREC Certificate Training Program. Sign up HERE to be among the first to know about retreat, workshop, trainings and other gatherings focused on living a fully embodied, whole hearted life!

Blessings of artistry, creativity, worship & BEaUty, Jody
Shine Brightly!

Jody Thomae © 2020 All Rights Reserved

If you’d like to learn more about embodying your spiritual life consider joining me at Rooted & Reaching Lakeside studio on the shores of Pleasant Hill Lake in North Central Ohio for a Rooted & Reaching Embodied Care (RREC) REtreat or the RREC Certificate Training Program.


Jody Thomae is the author of several Bible studies including O My Soul, Jesus in My Practice and Voices of Wisdom in the Body. Jody has been involved in worship arts ministry since 1997 and is a lecturer on creativity, embodiment, and spirituality with Healing Care Ministries. She is an embodied spiritual director and hosts retreats through her ministry Rooted & Reaching Embodied Care. She is a graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a doctorate in spiritual formation and relational neuroscience with a focus on embodiment and trauma-informed care at Western Theological Seminary. Her passion is for the person of Jesus Christ to be made more real through the revelation of creativity, embodiment and worship. Enjoy other Bible studies here. If you’d like to learn more about embodying your spiritual life consider joining Jody at Rooted & Reaching Lakeside studio on the shores of Pleasant Hill Lake in North Central Ohio for a Rooted & Reaching Embodied Care (RREC) REtreat or the RREC Christian Embodiment Training. Sign up here to be notified of retreats, trainings and workshops geared towards creativity, embodiment and spirituality.

JodyThomaeCDcoverart_FA_print

All her books are available through Amazon. Contact Jody at jodythomae@gmail.com for pricing on bulk amounts for your creative ministry team or group study. Enjoy a creative spiritual journey through her devotional CD, Song of the Beloved, available through most music outlets including YouTube a

Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 27

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She’s a professional dancer… she’s a physicist!! Wait! Which is she? She’s both! Today’s Kintsugi of the Soul* features Merritt of the BBC show The Greatest Dancer. Check out this young woman’s determination and strength!

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Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 24

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Today’s Kintsugi of the Soul* will warm your heart and make you smile!

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Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 13

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Today’s edition of Kintsugi of the Soul features a profound TedTalk from performance artist Natalia Duong. She touches on mirror neurons, service to others, and the healing power of a listening community. A must-watch!

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Mirroring: You Know Me

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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

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's avatarHealing 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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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #253 — Heart of Courage

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Our last post of 2015!

 

Let me leave you with this message of courage as you walk the path God has placed before you for the year ahead.

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
    which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what Simeon said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” ~ Lk 2:29-35

Imagine hearing this blessing over your child and then those very last words. Just as Simeon is pouring out this wonderful worship of the infant Christ, he ends with this warning to Mary. Women of Ancient Israel longed to give birth to the promised Messiah, the One who would bring hope, healing and restoration to their nation. Yet few would understand the cost of this “gift.”

What gift has God entrusted to you? How will you work with God to bring it to fulfillment in your life? Will you press forward even when the road ahead gets tough? Even when your soul is pierced? Will you still say yes? Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #251 — Nativity Shadow Dance

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Screen Shot 2015-12-05 at 11.44.45 PMWe are nearing the end of our Create-A-Day 2015 posts. As we wind down, I want to leave you with a shadow dance to “O Magnum Mysterium” sung live for CHRISTmas Eve 2013 at Northland Church in Longwood, Florida. Such BEaUty!!

“O Magnum Mysterium” written & arranged by Morten Lauridsen

Original Text:
O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Christum. Alleluia. Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #227 — Benediction Dance

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As we have focused on Advent resources, let us keep our eyes fixed on Christ

Matt Durbin (c) 2010

Matt Durbin (c) 2010

If any of you want to walk My path, you’re going to have to deny yourself. You’ll have to take up your cross every day and follow Me. If you try to avoid danger and risk, then you’ll lose everything. If you let go of your life and risk all for My sake, then your life will be rescued, healed, made whole and full. Listen, what good does it do you if you gain everything—if the whole world is in your pocket—but then your own life slips through your fingers and is lost to you? Luke 9:23-25 The Voice

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #222 — Dance of the Trinity

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Won’t you join me on the dance floor today? This is going to take some artistic license and creative choreography, but I hope you will join me with open mind, heart and eyes.

When I first watched this dance to Luminus on So You Think You Can Dance (2015), I was immediately taken with what I saw as the image of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three dancers dancing and creating together in unity and beauty. Let me describe what I see in this dance. You can follow along with the times throughout the video indicated.

To set the stage, Derek Piquette (left) represents God the Father, Gaby Diaz (middle) dances the Holy Spirit, and Moises Parra (floor) represents Christ. SYTYCD 2015 2From the very beginning of the dance, we see three persons from one God. The smoke creates an ethereal mist and the stars an image of space and time being created. Just as the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the earth so too do they (0:33) as the three work together to create all of earth and mankind. Then God steps forward as the Great I AM (0:35+), Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Next the Holy Spirit steps forward (0:42+) bringing artistry to the Tabernacle through the Spirit-filled artist Bezalel, the gifts of the Israelite people, and the worship of the Levites, revealing the beauty of God (0:49). Then as they dance in unison, we see them working together to demonstrate God’s faithfulness and sovereignty throughout the history of his people. Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #215 — Down to the River Dance

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Keone & Mari Madrid

Enjoy this remarkable piece by Keone & Mari Madrid, a husband and wife duo that loves to tell stories through dance and choreography. This piece is called Water.


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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #191 — Books for Worship Dance

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jodythomae.comContinuing our focus on books for creatives, artists and worshipers, I want to look at a variety of books today all geared towards those in worship dance ministry or who use dance as a personal way of worship. There are many, many books for dance so I want to consolidate some of them here.

First, Lynn Hayden of Dancing for Him Ministries has a full variety of books and instructional DVDs. I featured her awhile back, and you can refer back to that post here.

Here is a list of several more books I recommend: Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #174 — Bring Your Praise Dance

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FBIt’s another Facebook Friday!!

Today’s group is Bring Your Praise Dance, administered by Prissy Cosme.

Here’s the group description:

We have created this group so we can all come together and share our best praise dances. Feel free to post any praise dance video groups. Please share any tips that will benefit for groups that are starting out. Those tips will be saved on this page for future reference.

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #162 — Dancing In Your Calling

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I love this inspiring story from the Dance Theatre of Harlem. It reminds me of the story of Gideon. While he was hiding from Israel’s enemies, threshing wheat on a winepress, the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Gideon responds, “Pardon me, my lord, but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about . . . But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #154 — 4ever Praise Dance Network

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FBFacebook Friday once again!!

Today’s group is 4ever Praise Dance Network…True Worshipers. Administered by worshiper, teacher & dancer Roxi Arthur, the group description reads: Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #147 — Imaginare Performing Arts Ministry

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Imaginare Performing Arts Ministry is a creative arts ministry based out of Puerto Rico and Florida that uses a combination of dance, acrobatics, aerial dance, and physical theater to portray the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Imaginare Arts 2“Anointed to impact this generation,” their performances are powerful and prophetic!

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #142 — Artists in Christian Testimony

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actinternational.org

actinternational.org

A.C.T. International (Arts in Christian Testimony Intl) is a remarkable organization helping artists take their witness to the world. Founded in 1973 by Byron Spradlin, the organization has artistic ministries in over 15 countries. According to their website: Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #134 — Christian Dance Facebook Groups

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FBIt’s another Facebook Friday! Let’s network together and make His praise glorious!

International Christian Dance Fellowship is an organization of Christian movers and dancers that exists to mobilize the movement arts in ministry and mission. It is an international networking and resource for people involved or interested in dance and movement expressing faith. Find out more at http://www.icdf.com/. They have two groups on Facebook:

International Christian Dance Fellowship (ICDF) – public

International Christian Dance Fellowship (ICDF) – private

ICDF

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #123 — Illustrate a Sermon Through Dance

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Mary & MarthaThis is a great example of an illustrated sermon. The story of Mary and Martha is told through dance. And dance alone. No lyrics, no words, no dialogue. Yet it beautifully illustrates the scripture passage found in Luke 10. Continue reading