Finger Paint Worship

So in youth group we all gathered, in a hardly lighted room, sat on the floor...Music was put on, and  we were supplied finger paint. And so the Youth Pastor encouraged all of us to face the walls and use painting/ drawing as a time of Worship Expression. This is what I painted. It was my firs time finger painting, so that was great :) I enjoyed it a lot. It was also pretty cool, when we flicked the lights on and we could actually see what I had painted haha. Well I came back a week after we had painted, and found the Youth Pastor had hung my finger painting near the entrance....

Direction In Art

An Art of the Heat Matter:

Right now the thoughts that are rushing through my head are questions and concerns.
To get down to the heart of it; I'm trying to figure out, and am asking God to show me the balance between using my talents and gifts to make money, and using them as a ministry. I've never really believed that ministry and making money are supposed to go hand in hand. Actually I seem to be quite a separatist when it comes to this topic. Because, I am the "go hard" kind of person, when it comes to beliefs. I don't like mediocre. I don't like inbetweens. Give me sit and I will sit, give me run and I will run, but please don't give me jog. Yeah, that kind of person. And for me it's not really a physical thing with me, as it is a mental thing. It's because I want to be able to be passionate about someone or something, to give my heart to it.
So, right now I'm asking God. "What would you have me do?"
The world pushes careers, the world pushes jobs, the world pushes 'making something of yourself'.
I'm not too taken in by it's lies, or by the pressure to 'make something of myself' or 'promoting myself' at this time. But I am a bit concerned when it comes down to what disgraces God and what wastes my talents.
I suppose I believe that Talent and Gift are actually two different things/categories. Sometimes a person's talent is also their spiritual gift, but not always. I want to use the gifts I've been given to glorify God.
I just don't want to slip up. I don't want to sell out on 'giving it all' on a few bucks, or any amount!
I don't know about you, but I put up dividers in my creativity. And right now I'm trying to figure out, what dividers are of God, and which ones I've put up based on false evidence, fear, or laziness.
You see, I've always thought that if I used something I have given to God, or has been personal between me and God, for my own gain, or on stage, than it's like I've failed.. But more curious, is the fact that I'm cautious in sharing some of my God given gifts with others who are 'skill' minded. First reason being, In the past...I've not tried to be 'talented', or 'skilled' in my worship, and I don't plan on 'making my worship skilled'. I just want it to be 'God focused', and not 'my ability focused'. And also, I think it's because I don't want to use anything that I find to be my form of worship, and sell it, market it, or draw attention to myself with it. Make sense? I don't want to 'do' for the eyes of man firstly, but for the eyes of God.
But then again, I am in a pickle, because I want to share the gifts God's given me to serve. It's nice to have a special form of worship, or some worship that is only between me and God. But, I need to reach out beyond that line as well. Am I prepared? Am I ready? Am I willing; on a bigger scale?
God you know what you have created me for. You know my personality, my talents, my gifts, and everything that I hope for. Please put me where You'd have me. Please lead me according to Your world, and Your will.
I know that God gives freely. He has given to us all freely. I want to also want to share with others about Him freely...It's been my dream, my hope. But sometimes I know we have to walk beyond our own plans, and do what we have to do. I just don't want to let God down, I don't want to get caught up and become the center of attention. Please Lord, guide me in the balance.
I just don't see how anyone who wants to really serve the Lord, can be satisfied with going to work every day doing something they don't enjoy doing, for the sake of money.  Even if I liked what I do, I still have a wall up towards a future of using my gifts for a career. And I'm aware it's made up of many elements. Personality, Fear, Laziness, and strong will. I just want to serve God, and do good in His sight .I must have been made of ministry, because I don't see how I could be happy not being able to 'go hard for Christ' in whatever I do.   But I don't want to box myself in, and tell myself  "things must only be this way" in order for me to share what God has given me.

The truth is we all need guidance. No matter how well we think we have things under control, or know what we want in life...We could all freak up our lives, if we aren't in submission to God. I plan to pray even more about this sort of thing. To pray what "God" would like for my life. Just because I may "think" things should be a particular way, doesn't mean that I have it all together. The scripture says "Trust in the 'Lord' with all your heart, and 'lean not' on 'your own' 'understanding'. In all your ways, 'acknowledge Him...and He shall direct Your paths...Direct my Paths Lord. I belong to You.

And I pray also Christ will calm your own fears, doubts, and fill you with courage. May He guide you, as you seek His will..  God knows the very center/ the heart of every individual. He has given many amazing gifts and talents to many amazing people. I pray You will let Him use you as well.

Acceptance (Intro)

You sit to paint a picture, but your art is insecure, the lines define a confusion and an inner desire to be known... You walk the sidewalk holding your camera; stirred from the ache inside yourself. You take shots of random passerbys and ponder what you've been told "that you must make something of yourself". At first you just attempt it. You make your way over the the bench and stare out at the park. You finger the shutter, and then take the shot. Again you try it out, this time on a different subject. You tilt your camera for another angle. Suddenly it hits you, you feel the shot, like a rush of adrenaline. You review. Something changed inside. For all you know, is this might be your chance, your way, to make something of yourself, to be significant...You'll let your artistic expression lead the way.

                                                                            * * * * *
Do I feel accepted for who I really am? Do I feel understood? What about my future? Who will I become? Do you ever ponder these questions? Or if you asked them to yourself now, would you be satisfied with the answers?
I figure each one of us is looking for acceptance, or love for who we are, or who we 'think' we are.
No matter how we view ourselves, we want to be accepted and admired in the eyes of others.
Our actions prove the fact that either we feel accepted, or we do not. Whether we show it in the way we hold ourselves, in the pictures we paint, or the videos we create.
It doesn't much matter if you don't feel you have any creative ability, what I hope to discuss in the following chapters in topics that are not only relevant to the Artist, but to every human being.
We all, big and small are effected by the "influence" of someone or something. And that influence can greatly effect the way we view our Purpose, our Future, and our Faith.
Each of us wants to not only find ourselves, but be found. Each of us wants some sort of assurance for the future, and encouragement for who we want to become. Most times though we are in need of direction for our futures and our lives...Art is good projector of the heart, and soul.
Because as much as some folks try to hide themselves behind their art, or find their identity there; art reflects what the artist believes and what is inside his or hers heart.
I'd also like to make clear, that in my opinion art can take both men and women to different stations. It is my own belief that both men and women have a different role to play in terms of career and presentation in the area of art, but not excluded to only it. Yet, I do believe that the 'ultimate' purpose for the Creative and even Non-artistic human being, ( both woman and men),  is united with the same Eternal value and Destiny.
So I'm gonna try to find a perfect balance in the following chapters between views on creativity goals, and desires, for both guys and gals.

Introducing: Topics for Writing: Art of the Heart

So I thought I'd take a look at what I've got for chapters and topics in my book.
I don't think that the topics will stay in this exact order, but at least you can
all see what I've got in mind :)

Chapters: Sections:

(Intro) Acceptance
Being Known
Love
A Purpose in Christ


Identity (Art vs. God)
Inspiration (Motivation to create)
Eductation
Worldview
History of Art
Counterfiet Reality (examples)
Conformation (to world's stamp on art)

Fullfillment (The desire of the artist)
Surrender (to Christ)
Focus
What you have to share
Dedication (to a King and Cause)
What you Worship
Fear
Living Creating,
* Today
* Tomorrow
Destiny
(the hope of eternity)

Needtobreathe - The Reckoning

LYRICS:

Going to California suitcase in my hand, never run away a boy when you
can walk away a man,
Friday comes to find you in your hopes and in your dreams,
like a thief that tells his lover he has one last thing.
 - Cause I can see the shadows at the foot of my door, I can see the faces
that don't doubt us anymore, and I can see it coming I pray I don't go blind,
in the middle of our reckoning time.

Easy is a refuge, it's an easy place to be, but when the sun shines on you,
what will the whole earth think?
 - Cause I can see the shadows at the foot of my door, I can see the faces
that don't doubt us anymore, and I can see it coming I pray I don't go blind,
in the middle of our reckoning time.  In the middle of our reckoning time...

Each of us is broken, spirit of the chosen, we stand alone, journey through the
purpose, waiting with the worthless, no scars shown...
In the middle, of our Reckoning time.

Going to California, suitcase in my hand,
 Never run away a boy, when you can walk away a Man.

Lack of Inspiration (=) The Death of the Artist

The lack of inspiration leads to the death of Artistic Expression...Or does it?
Sitting here thinking about how I was at loss for words, brang along this
poem...with a totally different outcome than expected.

                                                The Death of the Artist
I was looking through some pages, of paintings of the past,
I fingered through the images until my eyes recognized a path
worn by time and different point of view, I stopped and pondered on
what looked to be a clue.
I was reading through some pages, of writings of the past,
I fingered through the lyrics until my voice recognized a path
sung by time and different point of view, I stopped and pondered what
had happen to me... and what was it that could I do?

Time takes a certain toll, and changes us a bit. It takes all of our courage,
 all of our hope and strength. Time takes a toll on us, that words fail
to describe, it wares at our strings, and stacks up with our tries.
You never know how it will effect you, you never know where it
will take you. It's a mystery, and only it will tell.

I was looking through the crowd today of faces from the past,
I squinted through the images and tried to recognize a path,
lived by time and a different point of view, I stopped and pondered
why I couldn't find a clue.
I was reading through the pages of my writings of the past, all my
questions clearly showed, and answers proved a path,
sung with passion and in a different time and place, I stopped
and wondered where I could fall back into that grace.

Time takes a certain toll, and changes us a bit. It takes all of our courage,
all of our hope and strength. Time takes a toll on us, that words fail
to describe, it wares at our legs, and makes us crack up and dry.
You never know how it will effect you, you never know where it
will take you. It's a mystery, and only it will tell.

I took my imagination and thoughts to the cross. I knew it was time
to regain what was lost. Perhaps it was just time, perhaps just to
perceive... the beauty of His inspiration coming back to me.

I crossed my fingers and sighed so deep, that I could feel my imagination
falling asleep. The lack of inspiration weighs so hard, I could cry,
without it an Artist feels she will die!

Standing Strong Art

I came across this blog today and honestly, was inspiried...

http://standingstrongart.wordpress.com/