12.30.2008
12.28.2008
12.16.2008
Dream
So, I've written a post about this book before, but seriously, if you've ever felt like you have been called to do something great with your life (and in my opinion everyone has) then I would like to encourage you to pick up a copy of Erwin McManus' book Wide Awake. He has some great insight into dreams being realized and fulfilled.
You see, I'm a dreamer. I have been my whole life. I can remember practically living in my own world throughout most of each day. And I'm not talking about having some sort of crazy ADD sort of thing. I was just a little boy who used his imagination quite often. It just so happens that I get to do that on a weekly basis now, as I dream, brainstorm, and develop creative ideas for worship services at my church. I find that it is a wonderful fit for who God has designed me to be.
Have you ever felt that God was calling you to open your eyes in order to live out a dream that you've had for quite awhile?
What is holding you back from pursuing that dream?
I fully believe in the potential that I believe God has given everyone in order to further His Kingdom. In the book of 1 Corinthians (12:11-13), Paul writes to the dysfunctional Corinthian church and uses the analogy that we are all members of the same body. however, we are all a different part of the body. We have different functions, different gifts that God has given to us...different dreams. And it is imperative that we understand, assist, and aid each other in realizing that our dreams must align to the furthering of God's Kingdom.
"Have you ever found it interesting that while our imagination is not limited, our thinking often is?" (paraphrased, Wide Awake, pg.5)"
"What would the world look like if our best dreams became the world we lived in?" (pg.5)
Interesting food for thought huh? There is a quote that is often associated with being said by James Dean: "Dream as though you'll live forever, live as though you'll die today."
Live out your dreams. Live as though you aren't promised the next second, or minute or hour. As James wrote in the Bible, man is like a mist that is here today and gone tomorrow. We are not promised the next day.
Dream wide awake.
12.04.2008
Creativity in Worship
This morning I was doing a devotion and spending some time with God. I recently have been personally evaluating my ministry and how I can humbly look for ways in which God is trying to show me ways to grow as one who, on a weekly basis, leads others to His Throne in corporate worship. The obvious facets and factors in life can sometimes make us unresponsive, callous, and uncreative when we come to times of worship, and I certainly am no different from anyone else. Bear with me as I explain a little more.
In my ministry we try to bring the creative gifts/talents that God has given us as offerings to God as well as offerings to the body of Christ as we try to communicate to others the Glory of God in ways that sometimes aid and sometimes have the ability to surpass that which words cannot describe. At the same time, as with all artists, there are moments or spells in life where we feel creatively drained (the good news is that we are the CHURCH and have other brothers and sisters who can help pick up the slack when we find ourselves in this kind of "funk"). I am so incredibly grateful to have people surrounding me who are blessed with amazing creativity. To be completely transparent, there creativity often surpasses my own, even when I am having a good day! (creatively speaking).
I was reading an excerpt from a book called Inside Out Worship by Matt Redman (and friends). It is a truly wonderful book filled with tons of wisdom from prominent worship leaders, pastors, and authors of our day. I was reading an entry from Matt Redman called " The Adventurous Pursuit of Creativity" and to say the least, it really spoke to things that I have been thinking about lately.
Redman writes,
"Creativity in its purest form is a reflex-- a flash of inspiration coming forth from the artist who has glimpsed the splendor of the Divine. Putting that into the context of a church worship service, creativity does not come from a desire to be musically clever, or to do something new just because variety, as we say, is the spice of life. Instead, it's an imaginative and heartfelt response to the received revelation of God. As we see more and more of the goodness, greatness, and majesty of God, we find ourselves responding ever more imaginatively with creative expressions of joy, thanksgiving, and reverence. As well as being a response to God, creativity is also a reflection of Him." (Inside Out Worship, pg. 70)
Creativity is extremely important to the Body of Christ. It assists ever so greatly in how we proclaim, respond, and reflect what God has done for us. It's something that as Redman states, "...is a mind set that needs to be actively developed-- especially if we have fallen into the 'this is the way we do things' trap." (pg. 73) It can thrive or die in very fine circumstances; we must constantly be encouraging to those who are seeking creative ways to communicate the awesome Works, Glory, and Splendor of our God. Whether or not you are an artist and you just happen to be stumbling upon my blog, we are the Church, let us lift one another up, and together worship and serve this truly magnificent God.
Blessings,
Brennan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
