If God has our hearts, it will be expressed through our art.
Out of the heart, artists create.
Out of pure hearts, comes pure art.
Keep your heart pure for out of it are the important things of life. (Proverbs 4:23 NLV)
Monday, June 8, 2015
Monday, September 22, 2014
Silenced, Stagnant or Shining?
If the enemy can't influence you to perpetuate his ideas and his agenda through your art or your life, he will try to silence you or stop you from using your artistic gifts or talents, or doing anything that points others to God. The enemy wants to devour, and steal, kill and destroy your artistic gifts too! (1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10).
Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Step up today, son or daughter of The Most High and shine on!
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Don't bury it - share it!
As long as creative and gifted Christian artists continue to bury their artistic talents, passions and dreams, art that truly inspires the heart to desire to know and worship the Master Creator and our Heavenly Father will continue to be rarely expressed and experienced.
Are you burying your gifts and talents, or are you using them for God's glory and purpose? God is worthy of our time, our talents, and our treasures. If He has your whole heart, He will have (or be expressed through) your gifts and talents as well.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34)
"For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen." (Romans 11:36)
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and they exist because You created what You pleased.” (Revelation 4:11)
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Can they tell?
While education and training are important, those who desire to bring radical change to our culture through God's light, love, healing, freedom, and joy need His power overflowing through us. If we desire to share all that Jesus offers, we have to spend time with Him, receive from Him, and then His power and light will be clearly seen above our education and training or lack thereof.
Can people tell you've spent time with Jesus?
Acts 4:13 (Amplified Bible) Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Can people tell you've spent time with Jesus?
Acts 4:13 (Amplified Bible) Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Pass the Dream Test
Character is always tested and proven before the fulfilling
of a God ordained dream or vision.
Psalm 105:19
Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Discipline is a Good Word!
Discipline defined in the dictionary as: activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training; the rigor or training effect of experience, adversity, etc.
At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. Hebrews 12:11 (The Message)
The art form of ballet is one of the most disciplined forms of dance. In order to really dance ballet well, it takes years of dedication and discipline in dance class, at the barre, stretching, learning terminology and various choreography combinations, rehearsing, etc. A good example of the result of years of disciplined commitment and training in the art form of ballet was clearly demonstrated in the recent performance of Ballet Magnificat's "Snow Queen" on tour here in Birmingham, Alabama. All of the dancers were wonderful (from the young to the old), and the dedication to their art form was inspiring to observe. It was quite amazing as well to witness the Artistic Director (Kathy Thibodeaux), after many years of dancing, still demonstrating her beautiful skills at a professional level. Her performance made it clearly evident that she has not become complacent in relying on how beautifully she could dance years ago, but instead her technique revealed that she has continued in the required disciplines to perform at this level. As a result, she is continuing to experience the joy of dancing and performing for the purpose of ministry, while also blessing many through her leadership and the continued use of her gifts.
Especially for dancers, in order to just simply maintain the level they acquired in their earlier years (much less grow and progress), there is an intentional and very
"disciplined" effort required. Furthermore, those who desire to dance professionally at any level and especially as a ballerina must exercise both discipline and commitment (often perserving through injuries as well as the disappointments of not being cast in particular roles or pieces). This is still true even for those who have a truly God-given gift in this area. I like using Ballet Magnificat as an example, because these dancers are not only disciplined in their art form of dance, but they are also disciplined in their study of God's Word. As members of a Christian ballet company, they are dedicated not only to their ballet training, but equally dedicated to growing as disciples of Christ.
In order to grow as a disciple and follower of Christ, we must exercise spiritual discipline as well. We need to establish and be devoted to the daily disciplines of prayer and the study of God's Word, along with cultivating a desire to live by what we have learned. Additionally, we need accountability, fellowship, and to be a part of consistently worshipping within the corporate body of Christ, in order to fully mature in Christ. It is the disciplined followers of Christ who grow into maturity as a Christian. We have all been given the gift of salvation through faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the "gift" of God, not of works, and none of us can boast of having earned this gift.* However, there are many believers who remain as babes in Christ, because they have never moved beyond the basics of Christianity 101.*
Those of us who desire to use the gift of dance (or any artistic gift) to minister, must desire to be disciplined both spiritually and through training in our respective art forms.
Just as it is the well trained and "disciplined" believer who find themselves mature in their relationship with God, it is the well trained and "disciplined" artist who is able to display their beautiful talents and skills for all to enjoy. Just because someone has a God-given talent or gift, they do not automatically transform into an amazingly skilled artist, and, likewise, there are no "short cuts" to becoming a disciplined follower (disciple) of Christ either.
Becoming a mature artist requires discipline and becoming a mature believer, requires discipline.
Discipline is a good word!
*Ephesians 2:8-9 - God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
*Hebrews 5:12-14 - You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
*2 Corinthians 13:11 - Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
*1 Timothy 4:8 - Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.
For more information on the ministry of Ballet Magnificat go to: www.balletmagnifcat.com.
At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. Hebrews 12:11 (The Message)
The art form of ballet is one of the most disciplined forms of dance. In order to really dance ballet well, it takes years of dedication and discipline in dance class, at the barre, stretching, learning terminology and various choreography combinations, rehearsing, etc. A good example of the result of years of disciplined commitment and training in the art form of ballet was clearly demonstrated in the recent performance of Ballet Magnificat's "Snow Queen" on tour here in Birmingham, Alabama. All of the dancers were wonderful (from the young to the old), and the dedication to their art form was inspiring to observe. It was quite amazing as well to witness the Artistic Director (Kathy Thibodeaux), after many years of dancing, still demonstrating her beautiful skills at a professional level. Her performance made it clearly evident that she has not become complacent in relying on how beautifully she could dance years ago, but instead her technique revealed that she has continued in the required disciplines to perform at this level. As a result, she is continuing to experience the joy of dancing and performing for the purpose of ministry, while also blessing many through her leadership and the continued use of her gifts.
Especially for dancers, in order to just simply maintain the level they acquired in their earlier years (much less grow and progress), there is an intentional and very
"disciplined" effort required. Furthermore, those who desire to dance professionally at any level and especially as a ballerina must exercise both discipline and commitment (often perserving through injuries as well as the disappointments of not being cast in particular roles or pieces). This is still true even for those who have a truly God-given gift in this area. I like using Ballet Magnificat as an example, because these dancers are not only disciplined in their art form of dance, but they are also disciplined in their study of God's Word. As members of a Christian ballet company, they are dedicated not only to their ballet training, but equally dedicated to growing as disciples of Christ.
In order to grow as a disciple and follower of Christ, we must exercise spiritual discipline as well. We need to establish and be devoted to the daily disciplines of prayer and the study of God's Word, along with cultivating a desire to live by what we have learned. Additionally, we need accountability, fellowship, and to be a part of consistently worshipping within the corporate body of Christ, in order to fully mature in Christ. It is the disciplined followers of Christ who grow into maturity as a Christian. We have all been given the gift of salvation through faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the "gift" of God, not of works, and none of us can boast of having earned this gift.* However, there are many believers who remain as babes in Christ, because they have never moved beyond the basics of Christianity 101.*
Those of us who desire to use the gift of dance (or any artistic gift) to minister, must desire to be disciplined both spiritually and through training in our respective art forms.
Just as it is the well trained and "disciplined" believer who find themselves mature in their relationship with God, it is the well trained and "disciplined" artist who is able to display their beautiful talents and skills for all to enjoy. Just because someone has a God-given talent or gift, they do not automatically transform into an amazingly skilled artist, and, likewise, there are no "short cuts" to becoming a disciplined follower (disciple) of Christ either.
Becoming a mature artist requires discipline and becoming a mature believer, requires discipline.
Discipline is a good word!
*Ephesians 2:8-9 - God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
*Hebrews 5:12-14 - You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
*2 Corinthians 13:11 - Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
*1 Timothy 4:8 - Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.
For more information on the ministry of Ballet Magnificat go to: www.balletmagnifcat.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)