How to Find Peace and Perspective in Pain

January 17, 2013 — 1 Comment

I recently met a friend for coffee who was seeking peace and a greater perspective for his life. Like a lot of people I know, maybe you included, my friend was struggling in his relationship with God. It wasn’t that things were necessarily going bad or that he was making poor choices. He was just wrestling with uncertainty and frustrated with the same issues resurfacing in his life. Issues that he thought “should” have been resolved long ago. In essence, he was “should’ing” all over himself. My friend was in a rut. You have ruts. I have ruts. We all have ruts. Read on…

Doyouneedpeaceinpain How to Find Peace and Perspective in Pain

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If You Were This Man, Would You Jump?

January 15, 2013 — Leave a comment

If you were this man, would you jump? What would you be thinking? Feeling? Praying?

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Joey Passes Out, Hits Head on Curb, Doesn’t Die

January 14, 2013 — 4 Comments

If I’ve been a bit radar silent here on Art, Life & Faith for the past week or so, I have a really good doctor’s note. You’ve just read the Cliffs Notes version of my past week: Joey Passes Out, Hits Head on Curb, Doesn’t Die. Has all the makings of a bestselling book, doesn’t it? After two and a half days in South Coast Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach, I have a whopper of a story for you. It all started with that wee little flu bug that’s going around… Read on…

joeypassesouthitheadoncurbdoesntdie e1358195515651 Joey Passes Out, Hits Head on Curb, Doesnt Die

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3 Creative Focus Questions for 2013

January 4, 2013 — 5 Comments

For the past several years, focus has been a key theme in my life. In juggling several large writing projects and running The Grove Center for the Arts & Media (a non-profit ministry for artists), I’ve often struggled with where to focus my best energies during the day. In 2013, I am asking myself, “What is my creative focus for 2013?” (You can read my answer in the Comment Section below.)

As you move into these first few weeks of 2013, I have three simple questions that I believe will make a tremendous difference in your creative life. Asking these questions and regularly revisiting them will lead to a more fulfilling, meaningful and productive year. I recently read a Steve Jobs interview where he talked about the importance of focus… Read on…

3creativefocusquestionsfor20131 3 Creative Focus Questions for 2013

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Top 10 Art, Life & Faith Posts for 2012

December 31, 2012 — Leave a comment

Thank you for your support and encouragement on Art, Life & Faith in 2012. I want to share with you the Top 10 posts for 2012 read by you and the rest of my friends. This past year, I saw more visitors and new subscribers to Art, Life & Faith than ever before. In writing about God, creativity, faith, the arts and the daily challenges of life, I hope you were inspired and encouraged to live a life of deeper meaning, creativity and purpose. Here’s a peek at the 2012 Art, Life & Faith posts that you and others enjoyed the most. Read on…Top10Artlifefaithpostsfor2012 Top 10 Art, Life & Faith Posts for 2012

 

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After Advent: What’s Ahead in 2013?

December 26, 2012 — Leave a comment

Now that Christmas is over, you might be asking yourself, “What’s ahead in 2013?” As we consider the coming New Year, I want to encourage us to ask ourselves, “How are we to live in these days after advent?” Though we are loading up our trashcans with torn Christmas wrapping, I think it’s critical we just don’t blow by Christmas. 

My friend and art colleague, Cam Anderson, the president of Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA), wrote this thoughtful Christmas reflection that has much to say about the coming new year and how we live in the hope of the Christ’s coming Kingdom. Cam’s letter reminded me, though Advent celebrates the anticipated arrival of Christ at Christmas, as followers of Christ, we are to daily live under the rule of Christ as we anticipate His final coming.

I hope you enjoy this guest post by Cam. Take a few minutes to remind yourself whose you are in Christ and whose Kingdom you really belong to. Read on…

afteradventwhatsaheadin2013 After Advent: Whats Ahead in 2013?

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A Christmas Story: Play Your Best for Him

December 24, 2012 — 4 Comments

As I was sitting in a Christmas church service yesterday listening to a powerful rendition of “Little Drummer Boy,” the one lyric that caught my attention was “I played my best for Him.” It reminded me how Joseph, Mary, and the entire cast of unlikely characters in the Christmas story really did play their best for the newborn king. Earlier in the service, my wife Krista and I watched in awe as our best friend’s daughter, Kara, performed a beautiful Christmas dance to Mary Did You Know. Kara’s in eighth grade and she worked hard choreographing her Christmas dance that she not only performed at her school, but all three Sunday morning services. As I thought of the worship-filled movements of Kara’s Christmas dance and now the challenge “to play my best for Him,” I was moved by the simplicity of the Christmas story inviting you and I to offer our very best in all we do in worship of God. As artists, creating our best for him in our art-making is a gift of worship we can offer Him this Christmas. Read on…

achristmasstoryplayyourbestforhim A Christmas Story: Play Your Best for Him

Large Nativity with Joseph by Wayne Forte

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Are You in Awe of the Aching Beauty of God’s Creation?

December 4, 2012 — 11 Comments

When was the last time you soaked in the aching beauty of God’s creation? Or let me ask you, how does the aching beauty of God’s creation move you? I hope it does. God’s creation could be the very heart monitor you need to check the condition of your spiritual life. The music of God’s creation is all around us and this past weekend, I had a deep soak in the visual artistry of God. A long drive through vineyards, past California oaks, and the Pacific Ocean along Santa Barbara tunes you into the frequency of God’s love like no other. If there is one thing that renews my spirit, it is the beauty of God’s creation. I have a sneaking suspicion that God’s creation does the same for you. Let me share a story. It may inspire you to go for a slow walk or long drive this coming weekend. Read on…

 AreYouinAweoftheAchingBeautyofGodsCreation Are You in Awe of the Aching Beauty of Gods Creation?

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Question of the Week #6: How do you handle interruptions, distraction or lack of focus?

November 28, 2012 — 1 Comment

Welcome to the Art, Life & Faith Question of the Week #6: How do you handle interruptions, distraction or lack of focus? Okay, I know that may be a risky question for some of you, so I’ll go first. I’m not going to lie to you. As a writer, producer and executive direction of a non-profit organization, I frequently wrestle with interruptions, distraction and lack of focus in my work. Did you hear that? Frequently!

artlifefaithquestionoftheweek6 Question of the Week #6: How do you handle interruptions, distraction or lack of focus?

I can’t claim that I suffer from ADD, ADHD, or TBI (traumatic brain injury), though I do know several people who do. I don’t think I’m alone on this focus issue. Artists and creative people aren’t the only ones who have to deal with interruptions, distractions and lack of focus. Read on…

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Pray and Take Action for Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

November 21, 2012 — Leave a comment

For the past five years, Ken Straw (my screenwriting partner) and I have been researching and writing about the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). I typically don’t write posts of a political nature, but today’s Art, Life & Faith post is about preserving life. Call it exercising faith through prayer and action. First, I want to ask you to pray for the safety of the people in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. I have very dear friends who are leaders living, working and ministering in Goma, whose names need to be kept anonymous for their safety. In the past few days, the situation in the Eastern Congo has gone from bad to worse with the M23 rebels takeover of Goma. According to reports, their next goal is the takeover of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province on the other side of Lake Kivu. The chance for M23 conscripting child soldiers is high. To take action, read on…

PrayandtakeactionforGomademocraticrepublicofcongo Pray and Take Action for Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

 

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