Creativity
“I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”
Some thoughts:
This verse contains a really wonderful insight about creativity. It tells us that creativity comes out of silence and listening. The source of new things in our lives is all about what “creator-presence” is doing within us. As we take time to practice the art of stillness we will find ourselves dreaming dreams, seeing pictures in our minds, coming up with solutions for problems, …
Often we jump to statements about our inability. It is easy to do. For example, many people feel very inadequate with their artistic abilities. When asked to draw something we say, “I can’t draw.” The same is true with mechanical abilities, musical abilities and so on. We tend to jump to the concluding statement rather than allowing the silence to work a new thing within us.
In the pre-computer age few knew about double-clicking on icons so that a screen would appear. Now millions who never thought they’d have any literacy about the “new thing” called computers have quietly discovered that they are doing things they never perceived they could do! Enjoy the discoveries you make as creative wonder springs up within you!
A Prayer: Grace-giving God, when life seems dry, let me find living water in the wilderness. Grant me the creativity to fashion vessels that carry this water to others. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
09.14.11
Showing posts with label Creativity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Creativity. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Friday, September 17, 2010
Daily Devotion - Friday, September 17
Creativity
A lesson: Read Psalm 40
“God put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”
We conclude this week’s thoughts on creativity with this prayer by Roberta Porter. May you have a weekend filled with many creative expressions of love, peace and joy.
“A Prayer for Becoming” by Roberta Porter
“Lord,
may I live each day
creatively, in you,
beginning with thanks for life itself,
for life in you.
“May I find my gifts, knowing
in the searching I am becoming
who you created me to be.
“May I use these gifts
to serve each task
as serving you, seeing in the work
and in others
your face, your light.
“And, at the end of the day
may I rest in your grace,
always grateful.
Amen.”
--Ben Keckler
09.17.10
A lesson: Read Psalm 40
“God put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”
We conclude this week’s thoughts on creativity with this prayer by Roberta Porter. May you have a weekend filled with many creative expressions of love, peace and joy.
“A Prayer for Becoming” by Roberta Porter
“Lord,
may I live each day
creatively, in you,
beginning with thanks for life itself,
for life in you.
“May I find my gifts, knowing
in the searching I am becoming
who you created me to be.
“May I use these gifts
to serve each task
as serving you, seeing in the work
and in others
your face, your light.
“And, at the end of the day
may I rest in your grace,
always grateful.
Amen.”
--Ben Keckler
09.17.10
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, September 16
Creativity in the Quiet
“The discipline of solitude is one of the most powerful disciplines.
It is a simple, though not easy, way to free us from the slavery
of our occupations and preoccupations and begin
to hear the voice that makes all things new.”
--Henri Nouwen
Making All Things New, page 75
Now here is a major challenge for each of us – creating a space to be alone for a few minutes each day. Listening to silence is wonderful, but it can be tough to feel comfortable in silence. We are surrounded by distractions and interruptions, we are surrounded by noise and busy schedules, and in fact we’ve even created “surround sound”!
Oh for the moments of silence! I’ve recently returned from a visit with our granddaughters in Colorado (did take some time for daughter and son-in-law too!). They live near the base of Pike’s Peak in Colorado Springs. In between the care giving for our grandchildren, I was able to take some quiet time. Sitting in their living room and watching the wildlife graze in their front yard made quiet time pretty relaxing. The challenge now is to find ways to “be still” and know that God is renewing me day after day after day.
A prayer: God be near me as I creatively develop places of solitude. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
09.16.10
“The discipline of solitude is one of the most powerful disciplines.
It is a simple, though not easy, way to free us from the slavery
of our occupations and preoccupations and begin
to hear the voice that makes all things new.”
--Henri Nouwen
Making All Things New, page 75
Now here is a major challenge for each of us – creating a space to be alone for a few minutes each day. Listening to silence is wonderful, but it can be tough to feel comfortable in silence. We are surrounded by distractions and interruptions, we are surrounded by noise and busy schedules, and in fact we’ve even created “surround sound”!
Oh for the moments of silence! I’ve recently returned from a visit with our granddaughters in Colorado (did take some time for daughter and son-in-law too!). They live near the base of Pike’s Peak in Colorado Springs. In between the care giving for our grandchildren, I was able to take some quiet time. Sitting in their living room and watching the wildlife graze in their front yard made quiet time pretty relaxing. The challenge now is to find ways to “be still” and know that God is renewing me day after day after day.
A prayer: God be near me as I creatively develop places of solitude. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
09.16.10
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, September 14
Creativity Within Us
“I will sing a new song to you, O God;
upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you.”
--Psalm 144:9
Claiming your creative edge or edges can be a most energizing activity. You’ve heard someone say something like: “I’m not creative.” Possibly, you have even uttered those words. The reality is that each of us has creative potential within. Over the years, I’ve observed people display gifts I had no knowledge they possessed. They demonstrated the creative potential that was written in their spirit.
One way of discovering the creative genius within us is practice. A musician discovers the depth of their creative edge as they practice the basics of scales, chords, melody, harmony and technique. A gourmet chef develops their creative edge practicing with herbs and spices and then dreaming “outside the recipe box.” A gardener learns more and more about their creative edge by nurturing various plants and working in various soils. The more we practice the more we develop an inner confidence. With time we are ready to “sing new songs” and play new instruments of praise to our Creator. Having honed our skills, we are better prepared to listen with calm confidence to that inner voice that empowers us to create something unique.
--Ben Keckler
09.14.10
“I will sing a new song to you, O God;
upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you.”
--Psalm 144:9
Claiming your creative edge or edges can be a most energizing activity. You’ve heard someone say something like: “I’m not creative.” Possibly, you have even uttered those words. The reality is that each of us has creative potential within. Over the years, I’ve observed people display gifts I had no knowledge they possessed. They demonstrated the creative potential that was written in their spirit.
One way of discovering the creative genius within us is practice. A musician discovers the depth of their creative edge as they practice the basics of scales, chords, melody, harmony and technique. A gourmet chef develops their creative edge practicing with herbs and spices and then dreaming “outside the recipe box.” A gardener learns more and more about their creative edge by nurturing various plants and working in various soils. The more we practice the more we develop an inner confidence. With time we are ready to “sing new songs” and play new instruments of praise to our Creator. Having honed our skills, we are better prepared to listen with calm confidence to that inner voice that empowers us to create something unique.
--Ben Keckler
09.14.10
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