Worshipping God through Our Creations

I first discovered my love to create when I was a toddler. Every time I was bored I would ask my mom, who was an art teacher, to lead me into a new craft. The stirring to create grew each time I completed a new project that consisted of finger-painting, play-dough, or even making a doll out of paper and stuffing it with napkins (my mom didn’t help me with that one ;)).

However, when I was three, my desire to make crafts transformed into a new desire to create stories when my mom suggested that I write a book. I began filling pages and pages with illustrations, dictating my stories to her.

That drive to create never faded. Throughout my childhood, a thrill rushed through me every time I sat down with a new set of blank pages and a pen, ready to watch a story come to life as I wrote.

I believe God has given each of us a creative spark, whether it is in writing, dancing, or even science and math. {Continue reading on Katy Kauffman's blog}

In The Midst Of Worship

Churches have changed quite a bit over the past decade. Which is great, of course. But one thing that does bother me about this change is how the worship services have shifted a bit in some churches. It often seems a little more like a concert than anything. And I'm not talking about the loud music or the awesome lights, but just the fact that everything is so scheduled and rehearsed rather than simply allowing the Spirit of God as he wishes. It's almost like watching a short little Christian concert just before the pastor comes up.

This month, my boyfriend decided to turn his college ministry, Scope, into a worship service gathering that meets once a week. We've only had three meetings, but so far, they've been amazing. Despite the small amount of people that have showed up.

(Praying before the first worship service of Scope)

Why did he decide to make Scope into a worship gathering? Because, worship is the time when we are changed drastically. It's when we set our eyes on God, forgetting what's around. It's when our spiritual eyes are open, when it's just you and your Father. You can't experience his presence and deny that His existence, nor can you

just "imagine" his presence, his healing love, his overwhelming sense of peace. Because it's nothing of this world.

One of my favorite verses on worship is Psalm 84:10~

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousands elsewhere."

This message translation gives a good visual of this verse, stating that~

"One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches."

It's during then, during that time of worship when we realize just how tiny our life here on earth is, and how it's not and never was about us but entirely for Him.

In his presence is when we receive strength to face each day. And it should not be just a once-a-week thing, but every moment of every day we should be worshipping our Father, studying His Word, and living our life to reflect His glory.

We experience oneness with our Father, a spiritual cleansing and renewing, the moment we allow him to take over during worship.

That very moment when we lay our burdens down at his feet and he replaces them with his grace, his love, his mercy, his peace. And it's then, only in the midst of worship, when we are truly changed.

David Crowder Band (Only You)

How To Avoid Boredom This Summer & Spend Time Wisely

Have you ever gone to sleep one early June night, looking forward to all the possibilities that the summer could bring—only to wake up one August morning, wondering what happened to the amazing summer that you had planned? So have I. It’s easy to allow the freedom that summer brings to cause us to become lazy and watch summer just pass by.

Instead of having the same thing happen again this year, I’ve decided to go ahead and take action with what I’d like to pursue this summer. No, I’m not talking about hanging out at the pool with my friends and watching chick flicks until early morning. I’m talking about choosing to be productive rather than bored or lazy this summer by using my time wisely and creatively, while at the same time expanding my horizons.

For instance, instead of only focusing on my writing this summer, I’ve also decided to take ice skating lessons, study the art of acting and learn how to make journals. As teenagers we need to get our feet wet in many areas so we can find what it is that we're gifted in and have a passionate for. All of the things we take on eventually create who we are and can also be used as a form of worship.

Stretch yourself to your full potential this summer. Take on different responsibilities and branch into various activities. Take a step out of your comfort zone to take risks and try things that you would normally never try. You may be surprised at what you discover about yourself. If you aren't sure where to begin, here are a few suggestions:

• Learn to play the guitar.
• Try out different forms of writing, such as short story writing, song lyric writing, poetry, etc.
• Study the art of photography.
• Make jewelry.
• Learn to bake.
• Take swimming classes.
• Make scrapbooks.
• Be more involved in your church and/or youth group.
• Learn to sew.
• Get a summer job.
• Volunteer at homeless shelters, nursing homes, charity organizations, etc.
• Learn how to make blog templates.
• Read more books than you normally do.

Now that you have a few things in mind that you'd like to get started in this summer, how can you take action rather than just fantasize?

1. Make a list of these things. It doesn't matter how long of a list you write or how far-fetched those things may be. You can’t achieve something without first having the idea. The more you can think of, the better.
2. Put a star next to the ones that you would like to try out the most, or the activities that would involve more of your focus, such as volunteering.
   
3. Prioritize. Do you have some school that you need to finish or work on this summer (like I do)? Be sure to focus on your priorities first and do these new things only in your spare time.
4. Set goals. What are the things you’d like to spend most of your time pursuing, and how can you excel in that area? By setting goals you will give yourself something to strive towards. Allow yourself some space to stretch to your full potential rather than be stuck in your comfort zone.
5. Discipline yourself. Although these things may seem fun to do, think of them as something that must be done. Discipline yourself by setting aside a certain amount of time each day to focus on your goals. This can be great practice and useful so that you won’t waste the summer away.

Since summer could be classified as the “in between” stage (in between last school year and next school year), I believe it’s the most perfect opportunity to prepare for the upcoming school year and pursue the things that you have always wanted to try, especially if you're a teenager. You have almost three months to venture out into various areas of art and different forms of physical exercise. To discover yourself, be creative, prepare for tomorrow, pursue new things and grow in your relationship with God. And no matter what new activity you envelop yourself in or whatever new responsibility that you commit to, be sure that you are doing it all for the glory of God. (1 Corin. 10:31)

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life."

~Galatians 6:4-5

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Have you ever felt as if the summer ended before you were ever able to take advantage of it? What new things would you like to try out this summer that weren't mentioned in the above list? What actions have helped you in the past in achieving your goals rather than allowing yourself to become lazy?

Take A Break From Your Creation & Spend Time With Your Creator

“Each one of us is God’s special work of art. Through us, He teaches and inspires, delights and encourages, informs and uplifts all those who view our lives. God, the master artist, is most concerned about expressing Himself - His thoughts and His intentions - through what he paints in our character… He wants to paint a beautiful portrait of His Son in and through your life. A painting like no other in all time.”

~Joni Enreckson Tada

All artists need a little rehabilitation at times. Some refreshment. So much energy is poured out of us into our pieces of work that after a while this passion of ours becomes a tiring and dreadful task. At least it has for me recently.

Why not give yourself a break this weekend? Spend some time with the Lord. Refocus. Refuel. Allow God to do some changes through you before you try to make some changes to your current project. Take a small break from your creation to spend some time with your Creator. He's the one that you inherit your creativity from, anyway. We are his character. Let him continue to paint us before we continue to paint our characters.

Don't just take a break, though. Allow God's light to shine in you so that it will shine through your story and into the life of your reader. Spend more time with him than you usually do and replace the music that usually inspires your creativity with a few worship songs. You may not be finished with your current project, but God isn't finished with you, either. Allow him to mold you into a "beautiful portrait of His Son" before you continue to mold your story and characters. You must always put your passion for God above all other passions.

We may get weary from working on our creations, but God never gets weary from working on his creations.

“If we are to write fiction that will touch hearts & change lives,

we must be God’s.”

~Karen Kingsbury

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Do you often feel as if your creativity gets drained from working so much on your current project?

How often are your "artist rehabilitations" and for how long?

What are some ways that you enter into the presence of the Lord so that he can mold you into the person he wants you to be?

We Were Made To Worship

Notice the title says “We Were Made to Worship.” Not “We Were Made To Worship God”. We were made to worship, period. The way you live feels in the blank. Each and every one of us were born with a desire inside of us to give something or someone praise.


Unfortunately, many of us fill this desire by worshiping things other than the One who created us. John 4:23-24 says “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit… that’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship… those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves…”. It’s what you say, the way you act, and your love that reflects what’s in your heart – and your heart reflects who or what you live for.

If you’re a teenager, then you’ve probably caught yourself drooling over a guy/girl and craving to give in to peer pressure. Or maybe you’ve caught yourself raising your hands at a concert or a football game. We live for what we love. Are there any desires in your heart that you have subconsciously put before your Heavenly Father? If so, ask him to remove those and replace them with the desire to worship him only.

“The secret things in their hearts will be made known.

So they will bow down and worship God…”

~John 4:23-24

You were made by God. You were made for God. But are you living for him?