Intentionally Creative

 Many of you know first hand that I am a pretty passionate person. Whether thats expressed through my many ridiculous obsessions (books, musical instruments, Apple Products, Starbucks, scarf making) or unashamed attempts to cook, bake, sew, or even captivate an audience with my natural charm.


Over the years some have asked how I can so easily and flawlessly be okay with being described by some as ridiculous. Well, it's because I appreciate and embrace my creativity and let those internal promptings ultimately lead me too what I've decided to live my whole life pursuing, God's glory. Sure, sometimes the wires crossed but who doesn't. ;-)


Steve Jobs once said, 

"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That's because they were able to connect experiences they've had and synthesize new things." 

When that creativity is intentionally pointed towards the only person deserving our pursuits, I strongly believe that we can create even more amazing things than Apple. In the bible we are told that we can move mountains, break through the darkness of this world, and shine a light that can change the world by simply asking the Holy Spirit. So, if Steve Jobs can change the way that we look at technology without acknowledging the strength and wisdom from the Holy Spirit, how much more can those that are filled with that Spirit truly do? 

As we all are intentionally creative and asking the Spirit to give us wisdom on how to change this world, we'll start to see a world that God has intentionally filled with children intentionally designed with all kinds of gifts and creative talents. 

"And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze" Exodus 35:31-32 

So, I would like to personally challenge you to be intentionally creative with the Lord today. Pick up a pen, a pencil, a hot glue gun, a measuring cup, or even some lipstick and eye shadow to create your masterpiece. Don't settle for someone elses expression of creative, intentionally create with the Lord a life that is painted with all kinds of adventures. It's worth it! 




Living Life Intentionally Creative, 


Brandy 

Glory in the Highest

Glory
If asked what the word Glory makes you think of, would you first think of a song, a film or television show, a ship, a game, an Australian football, a wrestler or even a comic book character? For most of us that hang around in Christian circles the word Glory may bring to mind phrases like "the Glory of the Lord", "show me your Glory", "tell of His Glory among the nations", "for the Heavens are telling of the glory of God." But with all of these different connotations of one word how can one reconcile its true meaning.


Dictionary.com defines this word as followed:

glo·ry

   [glawr-ee, glohr-ee]  Show IPA

noun, plural glo·ries,

1.

very great praise, honor, or distinction bestowed by common consent; renown: to win glory on the field of battle.

2.

something that is a source of honor, fame, or admiration; adistinguished ornament or an object of pride: a sonnet that isone of the glories of English poetry.

3.

adoring praise or worshipful thanksgiving: Give glory to God.

4.

resplendent beauty or magnificence: the glory of autumn.

5.

a state of great splendor, magnificence, or prosperity.

6.

a state of absolute happiness, gratification, contentment,etc.: She was in her glory when her horse won the Derby.

7.

the splendor and bliss of heaven; heaven.

8.

a ring, circle, or surrounding radiance of light represented about the head or the whole figure of a sacred person, as Christ or a saint; a halo, nimbus, or aureole.

verb (used without object), glo·ried, glo·ry·ing,

10.

to exult with triumph; rejoice proudly (usually followed byin): Their father gloried in their success.

interjection

12.

Also, glory be. Glory be to God (used to express surprise,elation, wonder, etc.).

Seems to me that with so many different definitions it's even harder to truly define this world. So when we talk about giving or bringing glory to Christ what does that mean? What does it look like?


The word glory is found 339 times in the bible. From Genesis to Revelation we see a common theme when this word appears, God's glory. Whether that's seeing His glory or bringing Him glory, there's definitely something trying to be communicated to us throughout the bible about His glory. The old testament spoke of people seeing God's glory in the clouds, on the mountain top as a flame, and at several different tents of meeting. Moses prayed that he would be shown God's glory, Aaron was told to wear a tunic to bring glory and beauty, and Joshua begged Achan to not hide his sins from God because it wasn't glorifying.


Later in the old testament we start to see passages that talk about how great our God is:

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.

1 Chronicles 29:10-12  

This scripture not only depicts how we are encouraged to bring the LORD glory, but so are the stars and animals found in the sea.

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters.Psalm 29:2-4

Take a look at this video....

Isn't that awesome! There's this overwhelming sense after watching this video to sing How Great Is Our God.


Just thought this was cool... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glory_(optical_phenomenon)




May we all see His glory in everything that we do and live our lives as a reflection of truly understanding how mighty and strong our LORD is. His glory is what Christmas is all about and may we go into this season singing along with all of creation.

Thoughts on Transformation

One really really good blog by one of my favorite artists.

kelly rae: thoughts on transformation: Butterfly ornament clips - Available here. I believe it's a time of transformation but I recognize that unfortunately, I won't wake up o...

Open Your Eyes

Just heard this song on Pandora. You tubed it and this video came up. It's super good.