by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
May is “National Date Your Mate Month” but we’re going to add our own creative spin (pun intended) to the mix.
This month, I’ll be sharing a variety of ways to date—but not just our mate. I’ll be using these two main resources, along with anything else the Lord lays on my heart to share:
- Playdates with God, by Laura J. Boggess
- Artist Dates, by Julia Cameron
We’ll explore what it means to spend time with God in fresh and unique ways through Laura’s book and through Julia’s, we’ll learn how to nurture our God-given creative selves through one-in-one dates.
I’m excited about our May dates. How about you?
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:9-10
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
So here we are on the final day of our April theme and the one post I didn’t want to write refuses to loosen its grip.
Truth is, I selfishly chose this subject because I feel like a total failure when it comes to exuding joy. I look at others who seem to naturally tap into that particular fruit of the Spirit with such ease and wonder why it seems more difficult for me. Is it because I’m a bona fide melancholy introvert?
While preparing to kick off the April series, I said to a friend, “I’m not a naturally joyful person.” And there it was — my answer.
There’s nothing natural about biblical joy.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds… James 1:2
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…1 Peter 1:8
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Be joyful always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Biblical joy isn’t grounded in a particular temperament
or swayed by outward circumstances.
It is the supernatural manifestation of Christ
that flows in and through us.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. There’s still much exploring to do on the subject of joy so maybe we’ll pick it up again another month.
Coming Up in May…
In the meantime, let me give you a sneak peek into May’s theme: Save the Date – Engaging God and Your Creative Senses. You may just be surprised by the ideas that unfold next month. The new posts begin Monday, May 4th. Hope to see you there!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all
means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” -Vincent van Gogh
Granted, Vincent probably didn’t have paint-by-number kits in mind when he said this, but I sure did.
The last time I matched colors with a number I wore pigtails and Gilbert O’ Sullivan’s Alone Again (Naturally) was topping the Billboard chart. So when I spotted the tiny print below this vintage travel trailer saying it was available in a paint-by-number kit the ten year-old within wanted to break out a wax whistle in celebration.
And then I hesitated. My “voice within,” as van Gogh put it, wasn’t saying I couldn’t paint (it’s a paint-by-number for goodness sakes!) but rather, I shouldn’t. My adult self raised every excuse it could muster as to why I had no business buying such a thing—but the ten year-old won this battle.
So what’s the point in all of this? Play time is a good thing. It boosts creativity. It helps us be more productive. It’s not a waste of time, like I once thought.
You can’t teach creativity; all you can do is let it blossom, and it blossoms in play. -Peter Gray
If you’re not into paint-by-number kits, consider these ways to silence your own cannot’s:
- Doodle
- Sing
- Knit
- Learn how to play a musical instrument
- Write songs
- Get crafty (the glue-based kind, of course)
- Explore your city
- Break out the Play-doh!
Your turn! (Because we share on this playground): What’s your favorite form of play?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
While giving a book review on Twyla Tharp’s, The Creative Habit, at this month’s writers’ meeting, I pronounced creatively
as if it was a five syllable word: cre-a-tiv-e-ly. I caught it before
it left my tongue but by then it was too late. Let’s just say the review
quickly morphed into comic relief. I’m still getting emails from group
members saying how much they enjoyed it. As comedian Mark Lowery used
to say, “I just wanna be a blessing!”
Not so long ago, questions like, What kind of writer mispronounces such a common word? Will my peers think I’m stupid? would’ve pummeled by conscience for days. Truth
is, I’ve been creating “new” words, sharing Southernisms (common words
for Southerners, not so common to others), unintentionally reversing the
order of well-known phrases, and mispronouncing your favorite words for
years. (Brian has kept a running tab of my new,
funky and mispronounced word choices for the past twenty-five years, just for the fun of it.)
A number of touch-points in recent months, however, have given me a NEW way of approaching my silly blunders, and that is to ask myself the question: So what?
Do I care what others think? Of course I do, but it’s when I become overly concerned that the hissing of self-judgment slithers its way to my heart, leaving it vulnerable to the enemy of lies.
Bottom line, if God isn’t offended by my blunders, I shouldn’t be either. Oh the joy that comes in knowing that the Hard-Wirer of my soul loves me, my quirks, my endless blunders—and dare I say, my comic relief?
Your turn! When your words or actions fumble are you quick to recover? Please say you do these things. 🙂
For
we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which
God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Okay, so Monday mornings may not be the most ideal time to share a creative idea but I know we can do it! Especially if there’s an extra shot of espresso involved.
You know I’m a huge fan of Myquillyn Smith’s blog, The Nester. Her mantra immediately won me over:
It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.
Okay, back to crafting. Can you believe this wreath consists of cone-shaped book pages? Visit Myquillyn’s post from 2011 to see the tutorial. I’m blown away that she created this 36″ marvel in less than an hour. I may host a DIY wreath time at my house next year, but in the meantime, let’s find a book, remove the pages, and start curling those babies.
|
| The laurel wreath on the right was created from plastic spoons. |
If you have your own wreath ideas to share, you’ll enjoy linking up on Myquillyn’s blog, The Nester, December 2nd. Hundreds of creative beings will share their beautiful {imperfect} masterpieces. Read more about it here.
I’d love to see yours there. Me? I’ll simply be scouting for ideas. You’re welcome to join me.
So, how does your {imperfect but beautiful} creativity find its own way to flow?
