As we enter a new year – 2010 – we set goals and resolutions.  It’s a time of year to reflect on the past, and plan for the future.  As we enter into this new year with a new building – I wonder what we will do creatively?  Most importantly – will we think “outside the box”.

I was reading an article this past month in Relevant Magazine about how the walls of our building speak to us.  Even if we do nothing – something is being said.  We can’t do much with the bricks and motor, walls and ceilings (they are somewhat permanent) – BUT what we do inside of them should speak to us.  I’m hoping we can capture this new opportunity and really get creative inside our new space.  Creativity “Outside the Box”

What about in your life?  Will 2010 be “just another year”, or will you think outside the box as you express your creativity.

The first time I came across her writing was in March of this past year.  I’ve been reading her blog ever since.  She still posts thoughts and statements about her life (like a regular blog) but she also posts her writings… Poems… Expressions…  Worship…  I can see worship in her writing.  It’s a clear expression back to God of a gift that He has given her.  Her worship pours out through pen and paper (and computer word processing), and inspires me to write more.

I’ve asked to share one of the first posts I read when visiting her site.  I hope you enjoy it, and I REALLY hope it inspires those who God has given a gift to write to start doing it more, even if it’s just in a personal time of worship with you and God.

my own grand canyon

there is this hole that exists

People have asked me before “what is like to write a song”.  Many of us share in this gift – but some of us don’t really understand the whole process or even know where to start.  Why write a song?

In Psalms, it describes for us a “new song” – “He’s put a new song in my heart,  I will sing to Him a new song, I will present to Him a new song”.  Don’t worry if you are not a “songwriter” this still applies to you.  It can be a phrase, a thought, a prayer, or a WORD that springs up in your soul as a result of what God is doing in your life.

As for Lorraine Conrad, she does get more than a word.  She loves to write songs.  Some are poems, some are thoughts put to a tune, and some are expressions of her faith joined with a melody that reflects the heart behind the words.  As for most of us that write music, 99% of what we do is sometimes is not seen or ever heard by anyone else.  Maybe we don’t have a venue to do it, or maybe they are too personal and meant for us to just use in our own time of personal worship.  However, sometimes we share them – and that takes a great deal of courage.  

Our art is like our child.  We feel the angst of birthing new ideas. We slave to craft them.  We feel the innocence of how people view our art (are they going to laugh, pick on, tear apart our effort – or will they encourage, support, enjoy our hard work).  It’s a hard thing to share your art.  

After talking with Lorraine about the following song, she expressed some of the thoughts she had when writing this piece.  She loves to use the words that express an eternal devotion to her Savior .  She felt tears in her eyes as she reached the bridge “and He was there for me, when things were sad for me”.  It’s clear that this song was born in a place of thanksgiving from Lorraine.  On the recording, you will hear Lorraine playing keyboard, violin and BGV, Jacob on the acoustic guitar, and Kristin singing the lead.

We won’t always be able to play our original songs on Sunday morning, and we can’t probably record and feature every songwriter in our Creative Arts Community, but every once in a while, I would like for all of us to rally around our songwriters and encourage them to keep writing.  Keep producing those “new songs” to God.

To hear Lorraine’s Song, please visit www.thejourneyonline.com/Media/BlogAudio/ForeverYours.html

If you were to ask Ryan, he would simply show you his growing portfolio of images and creative pieces he has accumulated over the past year.

What once started out as a fun trick to cut out the head of a friend and put it on another body – has turned into a rich expression of worship as he works through the digital transformation of objects using color, texture, and filter to create an image he desires for you to see.

After seeing this image (to the right) I told him I wanted to use it in this blog.  He entered a magazine contest to take an existing photo (just a generic old town house with two doors) and transform it into something else.  I love the imagery of his final product…

Two doors. Two paths.  Two choices.  Two options.  Only Two.  The Ultimate Two.

As seen in Genesis, when it says that God shaped every creature from the earth, you see a creative God at work.  Using his hands to take one thing (dirt) and shape it into what he wanted us to see (an elephant!).  This heartbeat to transform and create with our hands, lies in the heart of some of His creation.  Those gifted to sculpt, draw, chisel, and yes – move a mouse and software in such a way that shows the art of transformation – those gifted are using God given talents to exercise a driving force in their lives.

I hope that Ryan’s pictures encourage you as an artist, a worshipper.  Use your gift.  Show it off.  Use your expression as a platform to show others what you want them to see.

This last image is the second picture he entered in that same contest.  If you like his work, comment on this page encourage this artist in our community.

We believe creativity is a gift.  It comes in all sizes, forms, packages, and smells (yes, I said smells).  It is our God graced ability to create, form, re-arrange, and manipulate works of art out that express the yearning of the soul.  Creative expression is not alway encouraged – sometimes we feel it is not the time or place.  Well…. this blog is ALWAYS the time and place to discuss and debate all forms of our creative worship.

I hope enjoy and will visit often.