The Need to Create

Inspiration

I absolutely love it when an artistic or creative idea comes to mind. I never really considered myself a very creative person growing up, but I was also very lost. Lost in society and in knowing who and whose I was. There wasn’t much that inspired me, but now inspiration comes often.

As a Christian, I believe that humanity has been made in the image and likeness of God. So then, if we have been made in His image and He is the creator of the heavens and Earth, then that means we have an amazing ability to create. I would even go as far to say that we have a need to create.

Edith Schaeffer said, “Encouraged, we recognize the importance of living artistically, aesthetically and creatively as creative creatures of the creator.”

Francis Shaeffer said, “Art is a reflection of God’s creativity, an evidence that we are made in the image of God.”

Vida Dutton Scudder said, “Creation is a better means of self-expression than possession; it is through creating, not possessing, that life is revealed.

How do you like to express yourself creatively? Where does your inspiration come from?

From Death to Life

Have you ever considered what it means to live? Did you know that the Greek have three words for our English word, ‘life’? I just recently found that out.

Bios: Physical or biological life.

Psuche: Psychological life of a human. Soul, mind, emotion, will.

Zoe: Absolute fullness of life, spiritual life, the divine life uniquely possessed by God.

Isn’t that amazing? The Greek words go so much deeper. It makes me think about how the physical, psychological (soul, mind, emotion, will) and spiritual are all interconnected. It also seems to answer certain questions I’ve grappled with in the past. Questions about life, death, meaning, purpose, fear of death and what happens when a human dies.

What do you think about these three Greek words, and their meanings?

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Photo taken in Ouro Preto, Brazil

Blood

Can you imagine a body without blood? Kind of a strange question, isn’t it?

This week I was reading the lyrics to an old hymn, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus”. I’m not a big fan of old hymns, but in the past few months, this hymn has struck a chord with me. Mainly because I was questioning certain aspects of my faith.

I decided to do some research in google on the ‘whys’ of blood and it’s function. Did you know that blood is absolutely essential for life? It carries water, nutrients, proteins and hormones to the parts of our body that need them. It also carries carbon dioxide, toxins and waste along so they can be disposed of. Without blood we can’t keep warm, nor cool off. Blood helps fight infection, bacteria and viruses too.

If you are not of the same worldview as me, you may not be able to fully appreciate how there seems to be a strong analogy between the physical and the spiritual here. I find it fascinating, and quite revelatory.

If you’re interested, this is a great version of the song by Sarah Hart Pearsons.

Have you ever thought about the complexity of the human body, and how it’s different systems work?

Freedom & Slavery (double cinquain)

Do you think that allowing yourself to be enslaved to someone kind of goes against the idea of freedom?

As a Christian, I believe that freedom comes from living within boundaries that were made for my protection. I used to think Christians lived such boring lives. I also used to think that they were just religious freaks, following a bunch of rules, and having no fun. Little did I know (at the time) that I was the one that was imprisoned. I believed a lie.

I believe I have freedom now. Freedom to be all that I was created to be. Freedom to say no to that which will harm me. Freedom to live within healthy and safe boundaries. Ahhhhhhhhhhh.

What does ‘freedom’ mean to you? Do you believe that boundaries are needed to truly be free?

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The cinquain poetry form is a 5-line, unrhymed poem. It contains 22 syllables and each line has a different syllable count: 

Line 1=2 syllables, 2=4, 3=6, 4=8, 5=2.

The photo was taken in Ouro Preto-MG, Brasil.

Security

Today is thanksgiving in the USA, and I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a great husband and two beautiful children. We are all healthy and happy. I live in a warm sunny place that does wonders for the serotonin levels in my brain. I’m thankful for my home, friends and faith. I’m thankful for my purpose in life and the deep contentment and peace in my heart.  And…… most of all I’m thankful for my life. Today is my birthday.

I am no longer a spring chicken. The days of my youth have passed. And you know what? I’m ok with that. No problem at all. My security and contentment do not rest in what others make of me. It doesn’t rest in how I look or what I can do. It lies in something far deeper than passing things. It lies in something eternal.

Do you struggle with insecurity? Are you content with who you are? Where does your worth and security lie?

A huge Happy Thanksgiving to all of you beautiful Americans. I am thankful for you.

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Yes, the photo is of me. It was taken during a performance when I was still dancing.

 

These Sticks, This Tree

I’m super excited. I have joined a faith-based arts community on-line, because I really like mixed-media art and want to learn how to do it. I also have this crazy urge to just create, so this gives me the opportunity to learn and grow. The above picture is the first I’ve done since elementary school I think. It is the first piece I’ve done of a five-week course offered within this online community. Once I was finished, I was inspired to write the poem.

Ok, I know it’s no Picasso, but there is really something exhilarating about creating something yourself and seeing the end product.

Do you like to create? What are your creative outlets?

Come away

What do you like to do in the morning?  Where do you find peace and strength?

With Emotion (Monotetra)

Let’s make sweet music, you and I
Stirring the soul, touching the sky
Rhythms and notes to abide by
Affeto will fly, affeto will fly

Inhaling love, exhaling hate
transforming mind, beautiful fate
No more twisted paths, only straight
Right to the gate, right to the gate

Once I was lost, now I am found
So goes the song, old yet profound
Distorted mind has found new ground
Spirit is sound, spirit is sound

(Affeto: Music terminology meaning, ‘Affect’, and to do so with emotion. So then, ‘with emotion’)

Recently I have been dabbing into experimenting again with poetry forms. My blogger friend over at My OctPoWriMo is to blame for this. Please, if you haven’t checked her out yet, hop on over there and read some of her amazing poetry. If you would like to challenge yourself to write within the boundaries of various poetry forms, check out her page, “Poetry Forms”.

The above poem is a ‘Monotetra’, which consists of four lines in a stanza, each line being eight syllables long. Each line must rhyme and the last line is a repeater, being four syllables x four syllables. If you’re up to it, give it a try. Then let me know how you found it and share your work.

Is there anybody/thing that you can relate this poem to? Is there anyone/thing that makes you want to say, “Let’s make music together? Let’s do it with passion and emotion?

Offerings

Missionaries of lies,
Sewing darkness disguised
as truth
twisting words to suit
selfish lust
but you must
give to receive
down on your knees
begging please
notice my sacrifice
you must give back thrice
do I entice
you with my offering.

I love the following video:

Would love to know your interpretation of the poem.

Pure Intoxication

I am going to take my liberties and offer a few quotes from the amazing author, “Sarah Young“. Almost every morning I read her devotional book, “Jesus Calling” and I love it. Because I am a Christian, The Bible is very important to me. I’m sad though that so many people look at it like a ‘religious’ book, rather than a love letter. I think that often times it can be misinterpreted or misunderstood. Sarah Young’s book really inspires me, because she brings it all back down to how it is meant to be – Relationship. One of the most fundamental needs of human beings – Relationship. To me, being a Christian is all about that – Relationship.  Relationship, and not religion.

“…My joy and peace. These intangibles slake the thirst of your soul, providing deep satisfaction.”

“The glitter of the world is tinny and temporal. The light of my presence is brilliant and everlasting”

I have to give a quick shout out to my lovely blogger friend and talented poet, Frederic at poems & poèmes. The second last line is inspired by him. I love how he always says ‘Ah’ when he feels for something.