Archives For Creativity

Creativity people, ideas, events, and happenings.

What Haven’t You Done in a Long Time?

May 10, 2013 — 19 Comments

whathaventyoudoneinalongtime What Havent You Done in a Long Time?

What haven’t you done in a long time? I recently asked myself this question. I surprised myself with what popped into my mind. I haven’t been to the mission in a long time. The mission I’m referring to is the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Founded by Fr. Junipero Serra in 1776, the “Jewel of the Missions” has long held a special place in my life. It is a timeless place filled with beautiful gardens, amazing old architecture and ruins, quiet fountains and high-quality art. It has been a central place in my quest of cultivating a beautiful life. Raised Irish-Catholic, I used to feed the pigeons there as a kid. Returning as an adult, I came for altogether completely, more urgent reasons. Read on…
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Have You Seen The Grove’s New Website?

May 8, 2013 — 2 Comments

visitthegrovewebsite Have You Seen The Groves New Website?

For the past eleven years, I have led a ministry called The Grove Center for the Arts & Media. I have the incredible privilege of working with a lot of creative and amazing artists: writers, filmmakers, musicians, singer-songwriters, visual artists of all kinds, poets, dancers, photographers and just about every kind of artist imaginable. The mission of The Grove is to cultivate the spiritual growth and creative work of artists. We do this through Grove Gatherings, Getaways, and Generosity.

Here on Art, Life & Faith, I haven’t told you much about The Grove because I wanted to wait until I could show you in a visually compelling way what our ministry with artists is all about. So now, ta-dah…I’d like to invite you to visit our brand new website. I’d love your thoughts and feedback. If you really like it, I’d like to ask you to consider sharing it on Facebook, Twitter, your blog…whatever social media sites you favor. Read on…
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Art Has Failed to Humanize Our Country

May 7, 2013 — 2 Comments

arthasfailedtohumanizeourcountry Art Has Failed to Humanize Our Country

I recently read A Global Perspective, a fascinating interview in the LA Times with theater director, Peter Sellars. Sellars is an UCLA professor of world arts and culture where he teaches Art as Social Action and Art as Moral Action. ​

When asked, “You’ve said that ‘art over the past 25 years has failed to humanize the country.’ How do think it can accomplish that?”​ Read on…

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Then they said to one another, “Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit…We shall see what will become of his dreams!” Genesis 37:19-20

The Sixth Commandment says, “Thou shall not kill.”

Do you have a lurking dream killer in the darkened closets of your heart and mind? The voices of well-meaning (and not-so-well-meaning) parents, friends, colleagues, and critics who squash your artistic dreams in favor of pragmatism.

Beware the lurking dream killers in your life.

You are not alone. Joseph had a whole family of dream killers.

Revisit your dreams today. Re-engage your imagination.

Dreaming and your imagination are gifts from God.

Dream today in massive, biblical proportions.

 

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Do You Have a Lurking Dream Killer?

Posted on April 23, 2013 In Creativity, Spiritual Formation , , ,
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Are You Leaving All Outcomes to God?

April 22, 2013 — 4 Comments

20130422 110203 Are You Leaving All Outcomes to God?

In my desire, struggle and journey to cultivate a beautiful life, one of the most helpful things I’ve learned to bring me peace is this simple truth: Leave all outcomes to God. In our work, life and relationships, if we want peace, we need to let go of our illusions of control and leave all outcomes to God.

Thomas Merton, one of my favorite spiritual writers, drives home this point when he writes about work and play. Read on…

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What you believe matters and what you believe can lead the way to cultivating a beautiful life. If you want to lead and inspire others to action, you need to revisit “Why” you’re doing what you’re doing. Read on…

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Posted on April 19, 2013 In Creativity, Posts, Spiritual Formation , , , ,
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My Top Faith-Based Arts & Culture Groups on Facebook

March 20, 2013 — 4 Comments

If you’re on Facebook, you just may want to check out my Top Faith-Based Arts & Culture Groups. You’ll find 16 wonderful organizations listed below. Many of these arts groups and ministries are led by friends of mine whose artist essays appear in Create: Transforming Stories of Art, Life & Faith. I hope you’ll visit and share these arts & culture groups with your friends. One of our goals with The Grove Center for the Arts & Media is to expose artists to fellow arts & culture groups who are leading significant conversations in art, faith and culture.  Now’s your chance to engage with these arts and culture groups on Facebook. Share it with your friends. “Like” them. Read on…

mytopfaith basedartculturegroupsonfacebook My Top Faith Based Arts & Culture Groups on Facebook

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3 Ways Artists Can Cultivate Faith over Fear

March 13, 2013 — 1 Comment

As an artist, is fear kicking your butt? Maybe you’re not an artist, BUT you struggle with worry, fear, and anxiety? As an artist, I’ve found that fear is the number one obstacle to creativity, innovation, growth, focus, and artistic success. This past Monday night at our monthly Grove Gathering, Roy Cochran, my friend and co-worker, shared with forty-five artists the importance of cultivating faith over fear. I know this struggle of faith over fear well. If you’ve read my free book, The Longing: Embracing the Deepest Truth of Who You Are, you know that I had a ten-year wrestling match with chronic pain, fear and anxiety. I’ve learned a few lessons over the years that just might help you cultivate faith over fear. Read on…

 3waysartistscancultivatefaithoverfear1 3 Ways Artists Can Cultivate Faith over Fear

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Top 10 Art, Life & Faith Blog Posts for Feb. 2013

March 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

Here are the Top 10 Art, Life & Faith blog posts for February, 2013. As I meet with artists and art leaders from across the country, I see a growing intentionality among artists to cultivate their spiritual growth and the creative gifts God has given them. As artists pursue the beauty, truth and goodness of God, the natural outflow influences their creative and imaginative gifts. I’ve seen an enthusiastic response of artists spending more time on Art, Life, & Faith watching the artist interview videos, reading and posting comments. Last month, the average time spent on the site was 21 minutes per visitor…the highest ever. Most important though, is helping you cultivate a deeper relationship with God and how to pursue excellence in your given craft…all to the glory of God. Read on…

artlifefaithtop10blogpostsfebruary2013 Top 10 Art, Life & Faith Blog Posts for Feb. 2013

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Cultivate Your Creative Calling

February 28, 2013 — 1 Comment

If you’re an artist and you’ve been discouraged by setbacks, wondering if it’s all worth it, I want to remind you that it takes work to cultivate your creative calling. One of the pure tests of whether you’re an artist or not is questioning your creative calling in the first place. Being an artist is not a fixed and static reality like a math equation: 2 + 2 = 4. Okay, we get that. In pursuing your art form, you will face challenges, questions, hardship, financial struggle, heartache and doubt. Read on…

cultivateyourcreativecalling Cultivate Your Creative Calling

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