This morning, I just want to share a paragraph from N.T. Wright's recent book, Surprised by Hope.

It is, I believe, part of being made in God's image that we are ourselves creators or at least procreators. The extraordinary ability to bring forth new life, supremely of course through begetting children but in millions of other ways as well, is central to the mandate the human race receives in Genesis 1 and 2. To make sense of and celebrate a beautiful world through the production of artifacts that are themselves beautiful is part of the call to be stewards of creation, as was Adam's naming of the animals. Genuine art is thus itself a response to the beauty of creation, which itself is a pointer to the beauty of God.

Labels: beauty, creativity

"It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance and I know no substitute for the force and beauty of its process." -Max Eastman

Labels: creativity, everyday art

Yesterday I mentioned that God has great purposes for our imagination. Today I'll share a little more on the topic. I found an exert in the Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard that intrigued me.

There are ways in which we may present God to others, as well as ways by which we individually may seek to fill our minds with him. Through them, the lovely God wins the love of the disciple. He comes to us (1)Through His creation, (2) through his public acts on the scene of human history, (3) though individual experiences of him by ourselves and others.

Now in light of Dallas's suggestion that God comes to us through His creation, take a look at the first definition of art in the American Heritage Dictionary.

Art:Human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature.

To continue, consider this quote... (link to entire text)

We normally say that God relates to us through God’s power of love, of compassion and so on -- and of course that is true. But if imagination is the capacity to envision the existence of something that does not yet exist -- the clearest instance of this being the artistic imagination -- then it makes sense to speak also of the divine imagination.

The author goes on to remind the reader of God's incredible imagination throughout human history...guiding some runaway slaves through the desert, establishing Israel despite seemingly insurmountable enemies, the incarnation of God in human flesh, the destruction of death's finality and the inclusion of gentiles into the Abrahamic covenant. All of these are examples of God imagining and setting into motion those things which were inconceivable beyond even our wildest stretch of the imagination. If we are faithful readers of the stories of these imaginative acts, we will find our own imaginations expanded and transformed. Thus scripture claims us and gradually forms us into a new people.

In light of all these bits of information, I cannot help but believe that the capacity I have to imagine is from the same part of me that is able to believe God for better. I guess you would call that faith.

Faith: Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. (American Heritage Dictionary)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Recall from yesterday our definition of imagination...The ability to confront and deal with reality by using the creative power of the mind.
If art is the human effort to imitate nature and God is the creator of nature, then art is the human effort to imitate God. As we seek to imitate God, we can do so fully as we engage our own imagination in the creative process. Our creations will produce beauty to the extent that they respond faithfully to the imaginative power of God.

Take some time to glimpse at the creation around you. Try your hand at expressing a response. The east Texas pine trees always remind me of God's faithfulness somehow. Their height makes my jaw drop every time I stand under them and look up.

He is awesomely creative.

Labels: creativity, dallas willard, everyday art, hope

Creativity is contagious. Recently, my friend Robyn, who is a creativity fanatic came to visit me and left me inspired to further develop my knitting talent. She explained to me that she finds a lot of inspiration for her sewing through blog entries. We have discovered a whole world of inspiring people. I love to read about how other knitters are exploring their creativity. I learn about different expressions of the craft that I didn't even know existed. Take a little time to find some people at the top of your hobby online. eBay is a great way to find people who sell their products and they almost always have a link to their website. Then from the website you can usually find the blog which is where all the thoughts behind the projects are.

I still feel a bit overwhelmed because I see the skills I lack. I start one project and find a glitch in my stitches. It is easy to quit for the night, but it is a rewarded discipline to figure out what went wrong and I move ahead. I recently read this article that encouraged me to take on the challenges... Mindful Knitting by Tara Jon Manning

I think I'm making my way out of a creative standstill and I am full of joy!

Labels: creativity, hobby, Knitting