Lately I've encountered very critical comments from Christians about the quality of "Christian" art, whether it is movies, paintings and more, that put down the artists, the art or both. While I am guilty of the same thing- I am trying to break this pattern. Here is why:
 
There are many levels of quality in any art form. Why not encourage and build up those who are trying their best to do something well, though they are in process, rather than criticize them? It takes courage and hard work to even get as far as they do. I've met several arfists of faith who are behind Christian projects and try to engage, encourage and bless as many as I can. They are doing what they can to shine a light in the darkness. Please join me in praying for them, that the Lord would bless their efforts, help them improve their craft as well as struggles, and that their projects will have a positive impact for the kingdom.

May we be careful to not judge the outward appearance of the results, since it is their offering to Him and He looks at their heart. May we all set a good example in our craft by striving for excellence, yes, but love and encourage our brothers and sisters in the industry who are trying to make a difference at incredible personal risk and cost. Better yet, let us jump in and lend a hand rather than point fingers. We will all have to give an account one day, not about how our projects turned out, but how we treated each other and served Him by doing so.

Time is short. Let us use it wisely.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:28-30

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25.

Last year just about broke me. A dream I had for over ten years ended in heartbreaking disappointment. Also, a retinal disease I've had since childhood was stealing my peripheral and night perception. I was literally developing tunnel vision and not able to see the big picture around me. The loss was expected. The choice to stop driving added a sense of despair to the grief. With all the fabricated maturity I could muster, I prepared to attend a training program for the blind. The icing on this bitter cake? The only bus route nearby had to cut most of its trips. I had to walk or carpool anywhere I wanted to go and my son did as well. My Provider was generous, but my spirit felt numb.
 
Solitude, depression and confused prayer followed. Then the Light pierced my darkness and called me out of that disillusionment into victory. I needed a mountain moved, so my will yielded, and my prayers got much bigger. I implored that if He wanted me to serve Him legally blind, I would. If I was to travel, speak and be active in the community, He alone could move my Everest. Through a steady diet of Scripture, His comfort, and a healthier lifestyle, my vision and heart condition improved. To drive again is to spread my wings anew, to desire to encourage others is my new mission. You see, my perception was wrong due to my perspective. Oh, the power of perspective over perception! It is a vision of a different kind entirely.
 
 

 

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:6-7
 
These two verses jumped out at me like never before. The Holy Spirit began to stoke the passion He originally gave me for this ministry. The passion? To help creative people become all they can be and engage people with the arts for God's glory and their own edification. If you look on the homepage of this site you will see the purpose statement He led me to for this calling. The groundwork is laid, every detail is prayed over and things are starting to happen. The embers are burning slow and steady; lives are touched. All praise goes to the Master Creator. I just get the feeling He wants to infuse and propel this thing with more of His holy oil.
 
Anointing oil in the Bible often represented the favor or Presence of God. Think back to the accounts of the building of the Tabernacle and Temples. The structures needed to be finished before the Shekinah, or the Presence of God could enter into them, though it could also manifest as a cloud leading the way or sheltering the Israelites from harm. Well, the Word tells me that my body is the temple of the Holy Sprit. I believe this ministry is a vehicle He wants to use as well. He will indwell it as He did those structures-it is just a structure of a different kind. if I want those this ministry touches to be passionate about creativity in worship and life, I'd better be saturated, infused and fully controlled by the Spirit of the Master Creator myself.
 
As I thought about this, my eyes zeroed in on the word "power" and I purposed to look up its root. It isn't that I'm timid about my gifts, this ministry or my God. I know He has given me a spirit of love and self-discipline and these things are being developed in me.
 
A spirit of power. There's more to that one.
 
What kind of power are we talking about? I looked at a few commentaries on the shelf at a bookstore later that day. One said the root of the word is dynamis in Greek. That's where we get the word dynamite and means that something is characterized by power and energy. The same Spirit that fell upon the disciples in power at Pentecost, the same Spirit that raised Lazarus from the dead, and the same Spirit that turned Paul the author of those verses, a vehement persecutor of believers, into a passionate convert, lives in you and I if we have asked Jesus to come live in our hearts. Not a little party popper, not just a firecracker, but a prisoner-freeing, bone-gathering, soul-saving DIVINE DYNAMITE activated by the Supreme Super-Being Himself.
 
He's given me the fuel of His Word, His Spirit is the Fire and He will provide the avenues for great-no, spectacular things to happen to His glory! In fact, He has been creating a revival in the arts for some time. On November 21st,  500 world-renown artists gathered together in the Vatican for a summit to revive the creative arts as a catalyst for a renewal of faith. That's the biggest thing to happen there since the Renaissance, In fact, it is a type of Second Renaissance (that part of this ministry, by the way, came way before the Vatican event was advertised. God is moving this way all over the world right now!). The Pope called for this  summit. How I would have loved to be a fly on the wall on that day! Ah, but I can do my part right where I am. So can you.
The Spirit of the Master Artist is fanning the creative flame word-wide and is telling me to get busy. Okay, I thought. What exactly do I need to do from here, Lord?

It didn't surprise me when He led me to pick up a nearby book named The Power of Vision by George Barna. I could almost hear Him say with a slight laugh, "Glad you asked!"
"That was quick!" I whispered under my breath.
While I can dial God's line directly through the work of Jesus on my behalf, I seldom get such fast answers to prayers like that one. It confirmed that He wanted to add fuel to the fire already in my spirit. I got the feeling this little spark was going to turn into a raging, holy fire of creativity as more doors open, more people join in and our faith is strengthened when we see Him move powerfully!
 
I will keep you updated. Perhaps you would like to join me by reading the book also (it has a study guide). Ask the Lord to ignite the fire of vision in your life as well.  Let us look to His Word and Spirit for guidance, perhaps be led to a selective fast (check with your doctor) and believe that He will do incredible things. Then we can expect some HOLY DYNAMITE to explode in our lives! I got a taste of something like this last month and He brought healing, deliverance, salvation as well as dreams and visions into my life and the lives of others in my circles. Trust Him. If you seek Him with all your heart, soul and mind His Power is the limit and that says it all.
 
For more inforamation on the New Renaissance Rising, a separate organization focused on the above movement of God, please go to their site: http://thenewr.org/
 
 
The Power of Vision: Discover and Apply God's Plan for Your Life and Ministry by George Barna
: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=747283&item...
 

I just joined the Facebook madness and hope some of the people I connect or reconnect with come here for a visit. In this economy, a virtual vacation is better than no vacation at all. Hopefully they are just around the corner and will pull up shortly.
 
Getting back in touch with people is an intersting phenomenon. Funny how we go through seasons in life when we want to just get on with our future, then get married and start a family or settle into a specific way of life. I feel like I've lived several different lives and lifetimes-each with interesting circumstances and lessons learned. Because I value good, solid friendships, it was important to me to find some of the most important ones I've been blessed with to see if there was still some potential for further relationship. 
 
It's the same with God. 
 
He longs for relationship with us and pursues us. No matter how many years it takes...He will continue to send you messages in one way or another.  It took me a long time to "confirm" Him as my friend. That was twenty-one years ago and I don't regret a second of it.
 
Imagine getting this special invitation in your inbox:
 
Revelation 3:20-21 New International Version- Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. ²¹To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
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John 6 44 (New International Version)  "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day."
 
He's sending out the ultimate Friend Request to mankind in hopes that all will Confirm and accept His unbelievable invitation.
 
 
One day, those of us who have confirmed a personal relationship with Jesus will get "uploaded" and have the biggest reconnection party of all time. Facebook and other social platforms online these days are but a shadow of the great reunion which will take place in the sky as we are caught up together to be with Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith. Have you lost a loved one and long for that mysteriously glorious day when you will see them once more? It may not be very long at all!
 
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (New International Version)
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.
The trumpet call of God will most likely be the sounding of a shofar, or ram's horn used in ancient Bible times and in the Jewish celebration of Rosh Hashana, which coincidentally, begins at sundown on the 18th of this month!
All the precious people from each season of our lives who know Him will be there. We will know them because they will still look like their own selves. But they will have the robe of righteousness that God has given to believers, will be healed of any disease and will be completely whole, at peace and full of His joy. Constantly. No more divorces, no more wayward children, no illness or depression. Not a tear in sight, weary reader, they've been saved and safeguarded in heavenly jars never to be unstopped again. It may not be visible, but the tapestry of Christ's work will weave us together in perfect unity once and for all. No more regrets, apologies, misunderstandings, unmet expectations, hurtful words or mistakes. The past will fade away in an instant and our relationships will be made perfectly whole again, without our sin to get in the way. Oh, sweet day! That is one event I am glad to be invited to and willingly accepted the invitation.
 
Need encouragement today? If you know Him, keep your eye on the sky and your heart in His hands! The catching away of the Bride, the Church, could be at any moment based on the latest prophecies which are coming true in these days! If you don't. I encourage you not to wait on that Friend confirmation. Contact me for help with the how.
 
My hope and prayer is that He will bless this page as new friendships are formed as well as deepened and that old ones renewed and restored. After all, we don't know how long our earthly connection will last and we can start early. Soooo...
 
 You have a Friend request and He can't wait for your confirmation. After all, who knows when we will get uploaded? It could be any time now...
 
For a fascinating clip on the relevance of Rosh Hashana to modern-day believers, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiF8VuR7GiE

Has this ever happened to you? A word keeps popping up everywhere and it brings back such a negative feeling that you rather not hear it or read it ever again?
 
For me that word is the word inspiration.
 
It started off as a word which was postive; a happy and exciting word. By definition, it is something I still love to have happen to me and which I love to give to others. Then, due to an devastating experience which involved its repetitious use, the word not only lost its luster, inspiration did exactly the opposite to me that it should have and it took on a very draining, negative and painful association. Once the experience ended, the word began to feel like a taunting spirit that would not allow me to move on completely. It could have very well been a spirit of betrayal, hurt or grief prowling around me incogito.
 
After prayer, much of the damage from that situation was healed and I conveniently left "the word" out of my vocabulary for the next several months to avoid feeling the sting in now carried with it.
 
That is, until the last three weeks, when it began to appear everywhere. It was on websites I went to, in books I read or even glanced at on bookstore shelves, in articles in magazines at the dentist's office and more. Are there not enough words to go around that this had to happen? I felt like the character in The Phantom Tollbooth as he makes his way through the world of words or Alice trying to return to reason.
 
At this point I realized it was a heavenly memo from God and asked,
"What are you up to here, Lord?"
I could almost see a smile on His face in heaven. Moving on wasn't going to be enough.
Today I read it again. This time in a secular book on blogging.
"Ok, Lord, this is time number what,...twenty this month alone?  What is going on?"
"Glad I got your attention, child."  I could sense a playful tone as He spoke to my spirit.
"Look it up. Maybe it means something new now." 
 
And so it does:
 
My new favorite meaning of the verb form of the word inspiration is: "to guide or affect by divine influence" 
(Source: Websters II New Riverside Dictionary)
 
Just like that, He gave me a fresh perspective on a favorite word. He reminded me that it is what He has called me to do for His kingdom, no matter what interfered with it in the past.
 
Do you have a word or words which need to be redefined by the Master Author? Heed the heavenly memo about it and be set free to love that word again. No word is too small for His healing touch, my friend. He can replace any negative memory associated with it. Great words should not be allowed to be stolen out of our writing or artistic toolkit by the enemy of our creativity.
 
After all, He is the original Word:
 
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
John 1:1-3 (New International Verson)
 
 

This article was featured on the Christians in Theater Arts site
during the month of August 2009.
 
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 

Ephesians 2:19-21 (New International Version)
 
For those of us in theater, “the house” usually means our second home, the venue we work in at any given time. To operate well, it must be built on a good foundation, run in a wise manner and maintained in good repair. As believers in the arts during turbulent times, we play a crucial role which impacts the world around us in an eternal way. Throughout the process, however, it is crucial that we often look inside our own “houses” to ensure they, too, are ready for service to the Master Director. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 we are admonished to consider our bodies the residence of the Holy Spirit. These three-part homes (soul, mind and spirit) are the venue the Creator uses to appeal to those in the light and to those in the darkness. His fragrance of restoration and hope flows from every pore of our lives to draw those who are perishing and those who are being saved (2 Corinthians 2:13-15). Our physical homes will also be a reflection of our inner home or heart condition. What's in yours and what's it built on?
 
Turn back the pages of history with me to the Old Testament. Let's pick it up in Ezra chapter three just as the Israelites were granted passage by King Cyrus to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. He functioned as the executive producer of sorts for this project and commissioned them to carry out the work with his blessing, just as we have been given the Great Commission with the Lord's blessing. After arrival and roll call, the Israelite exiles made sacrifices before starting the foundation, though they were still in fear of those in the area who opposed them. They also made sacrifices for the feast of Tabernacles or Booths (shelters or temporary homes) to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt. Their intentions were good and their efforts noble. Once the foundation for the temple was completed, they celebrated with musical accompaniment, bittersweet weeping and joy which were heard for miles. This was one grateful orchestra and crew who understood what the foundation meant for the nation. Soon, however, opposition came against the project. It came from those who didn't believe in what the exiles wanted to do in order to regain God's protection and favor. It is an interesting parallel to our present day circumstances as artists and as believers in this nation.
 
Fortunately the construction resumed and the temple was completed by the workmen and artisans. They again took part in a ritual cleansing before celebrating the Passover. They comprehended the necessity of maintaining the outward practices, though they overlooked some vital issues. Everything was supplied for the job, the leadership, crew and location were secured and the venue for God's work was ready. Now the preparations could be made for the most important part of all: the actual practices and worship within the Holy Temple.
 
Enter Ezra in chapter seven. He was a priest and well-respected teacher of God's law who was given a very nice set of departure gifts and provisions for the new House of the Lord by King Artaxerxes. God was blessing this effort in every way and gave Ezra authority in the region. Ezra wisely initiated a prayerful fast and requested military protection. The king granted the protection and Ezra traveled to Jerusalem strengthened, focused and safeguarded. Once he arrived, more joy and sacrifices were offered in praise and thanksgiving to God for His provision. It seemed that things couldn't be better. You know what they say about appearances, though.
 
The not-so-small snag was that some key Israelites had let down their guard. Spiritual cracks had formed in this “foundation” of the house of Israel. Ezra found out that the Israelites had intermarried with foreigners, which was strictly forbidden by the Almighty One. What was worse, the leaders and officials had led the way by sinful example. Ezra immediately understood that God had graciously provided in spite of this great sin and, after he recovered from the shock, prepared to clean Israel's spiritual house by implementing a new production plan: Repentance and Recommitment for Restoration and Revival. Simple obedience would be required in order to be set apart and effective. This would pave the way for the cup-bearer turned governor Nehemiah to successfully continue the work of rebuilding the city after he, too, took some time to repent and pray. All the sacrifices the Israelites had made were no substitute for obedience (1 Samuel 15:21-23).
 
As a result of these events, the temple stood unprotected until the walls were completed, much like we become if we invite the enemy in by not safeguarding our hearts and lives. Those of us in ministry know the enemy wants to disable God's work in us and through us in any way possible. The saboteur will try to damage our personal lives, misguide our stewardship, and trip up our creativity or discount our leadership. He also knows we can call on our Defender at a moment's notice, though, so he tries to distract us from the Truth any way he can. We have the high calling to ensure that our hearts and homes are built on the strong foundation of the Word and are in the best order possible for the King if we are to face the challenge of creating for His glory during this time in history. In these days of intense opposition and an all-out assault on the moral values given by Master Architect Himself, may He fortify our foundations and cleanse our homes for His use. Take courage and strengthen your stance on the Rock of Ages who is our High Priest. Ask Him to build up those healthy, protective walls of your heart and home with the knowledge and practice of His Sacred Script, fellow colleagues in the arts. He will fill both your personal house and the one you are working in with His heavenly light and presence. The show must and will go on until He calls us home after the final curtain is drawn on sin once and for all. And I believe our heavenly home and His kingdom here will be places that allow for much creative expression. After all He gave us the gifts we have and loves variety! Think about it: what if this life is a dress rehearsal for how we will worship Him in eternity?
 
Standing by with you,
Selah the Scribe
 

I am so glad you came up the stone steps to peek in the stained glass windows of the Chapel. Here you will find more in-depth Bible devotions, essays and studies. You can also submit prayer requests here by replying with a comment or using the contact page. Indicate if they are "Private" if you rather your request not be posted in the form of a prayer. I can also keep names and situations anonymous and offer a general prayer for you that way if you prefer.
 
Creak open the door, experience the warm glow of candlelight and know this is a safe place that beckons you to unload your cares, feast on the Word and receive His blessing as well as His encouragement.
 
 
The Art of Romance or Romance of Art
My semi-inquiring mind wanted to know: What does romantic relationship have to do with a creative person's craft?
 
Art and romance have some things in common. Think about each at different times. Are they friends or foes or both?  Do you find yourself fighting to improve one, either or both?

And when we er-politely disagree...(o.k, argue) with our romancee...isn't that a bit like struggling with a project we can't seem to bring to life? We want to make it one thing, but it isn't cooperating so we either keep trying to make it just so, compromise or give up and walk away. Been there, done that in both settings. No pre-fab solution or easy way out. In a scene in the movie The Impressionists, by the BBC (excellent, by the way), the character of Cézanne is painting up on a high hill and gets so frustrated with his work that he throws the half-finished canvas high over a stone wall. All of us have gotten fed up during a discussion with a loved one. Have you ever stone-walled your loved one or your project? Is the romantic relationship, then, like a piece of art we are trying to develop and mold into our ideal? How many times have we walked away during an argument with them, exasperated or pouted in a corner when the "project" didn't go (or react) our way?
 
What do art and romance have in common that causes all this artistic and relational angst?
 

My guess would be...passion.
 

 
Why else would we fight for the right results? When we can't get what we see in our mind's eye as the perfect ending or feel in our hearts as what could be perfection...the passion can lead to frustration. Now if the relationship is going well, there is a light, fulfilling contentment much like completing the perfectly executed project. Perhaps, then, these two have more in common than we realize. They both take dedication, devotion, time, discipline and even ingenuity. They both share problem-solving, highs and lows as well as "dry" spells. Just the same, they also share the euphoria of a beautiful moment, like when I first gazed upon the perfect iridescence of the iconic tile and glass pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany on display at The Met in New York. Since I had admired his work from afar my whole life, I could scarcely believe I was standing there in person, taking it in. 
 

 Stained Glass Panel by Louis Comfort Tiffany
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
 
 
Where are you in your love affair with your art?