bluebirduncaged for artists, Something to think about

the arc [/art] of storytelling

In our culture, he who tells the best story wins. Creating great narratives that produce epiphanies involves a particular talent that applies far beyond film and changes the way you write books, marketing copy, funding proposals, research reports, sermons, and so much more. Bobette Buster has built and sustained a long, respected career in the film industry by being the best at finding and developing epiphanies in some of the greatest movies we've all enjoyed.

Watch the Q video here

{I think this should be one of, if not the, main goals of the art we make -RKD}

 

bluebirduncaged Something to think about

Praying for Pentecost

For our own pentecost, we need then to pray for the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of depth, the spirit of courage, and (given the over-sophistication of so much of today's entertainment) the spirit of chastity…What pentecost needs to pour into us today is the spirit of resiliency, the spirit of forgiveness, the spirit of patience, the spirit of long-suffering, the spirit of understanding, and the spirit to not go jogging or bowling alone…Our hearts, unlike God's, are forever wanting to lodge in just one room. We need a pentecost to mellow us with the spirit of mildness, stretch us with the spirit of catholicity, and especially fill us with the spirit of hospitality so as to take us beyond the hardness that we rationalize as creed or cause…1 Corinthians 12, 7 suggests that pentecost is "the particular manifestation of the spirit, granted to each of us." We need to pray for such a particularized pentecost to happen.
                                                    -Ronald Rolheiser

Read the rest of the Q article here

bluebirduncaged for artists, Things I'm learning

a letter to Jesus following artists

…fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience…~1 Timothy 1:18,19

 

Dear Jesus following artist,

I know you’re at a crucial place in your career. It’s time to make a decision; is this what you really want to pursue? You think it is, you think this is where God is calling you. But it’s so dark, it’s messy, that environment is not entirely healthy. You’re wondering if you’re even ready to handle that. I mean, what if you fall away from the Jesus path? In other words, how do you keep your faith in the arts world?

Good question. Every Jesus following artist wants to know how to be in the world but not of it. It would be easy if we could condense it to a formula or three-step plan but learning to answer this question is part of the journey. Here’s a few things I’ve learned so far. 

First of all, Don’t let the fear of “losing your faith” keep you from pursuing what God has called you to do. If God is calling you into the arts, go for it!! Yes, it might feel safer and more comfortable to stay in our little, Christian bubble but would that be walking by faith? To put it bluntly, would it be obedient? We were put on this Earth to be lights in the world (Matthew 5:16). Know and live confidently in the promise that if He leads you somewhere He will equip, guide, and protect you on the journey while glorifying and drawing people to Himself (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Most importantly, keep your eyes on Jesus. Immerse yourself in scripture so that you will be ready for anything at any time (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3). Renew your mind with His Truth so that you will be able to distinguish what is wise and right (Romans 12:2). Also, constantly check your motives and goals. Ask Him to mold your dreams and desires to His (and be ready for this to be a painful process). Let Him be your ultimate goal and you will be fulfilled. 

I know sometimes it feels like we’re all alone. And as much as it sometimes seems appealing to be an island, we’re not meant to be. Surround yourself with like-minded community both in and outside of your environment (Hebrews 10:24-25). There’s something about being around other people that inspires, connects, and encourages us in our work. As the body of Christ, we’re instructed to work together to further the Kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Also, find a mentor; allow yourself to be vulnerable with and honestly accountable to someone. It really helps. 

Sometimes the lines can get a little fuzzy when we venture into the territory of standards. We often overcompensate with a bunch of rules when we should be listening to the Holy Spirit. Yes, our lives will look different from those around us but be careful not to major on minors. Let your life be different because of the work of the Holy Spirit within you, rather than the rules you follow. Ultimately, living out our faith is an individual process that looks different for everyone but whatever you do, do not compromise the standards God has set. Your career is not worth a conscious decision to live in sin (Titus 2:7-8). Remember that everything from our attitude to our actions represents Jesus (Phillipians 2:13-15)

I’m going to be honest. It’s a hard road. And it’s not always clearly marked. It’s a walk of faith being led by the Holy Spirit day by day. I know sometimes it feels like all the pressure is on us to rep Jesus well. But we have to remember it’s not, he can rep Himself just fine without our help.  Yes, we will make mistakes along the way but you know what’s beautiful? We serve a God of grace. A God who will equip and prepare us to handle whatever situation we’re brought through. He’s the One who will speak through us in our weaknesses and use our tiny, broken stories to invite people into His great big, beautiful story.

Be encouraged. Make your art. Be inspired by the Master Artist. Boldly proclaim His freedom. Confidently embrace the creativity He’s given you. Fearlessly pursue the dream He’s planted in you. Remember that you’re not alone and keep shining! 

…stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain ~1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

 

Standing with you,

Rebekah

 

 

bluebirduncaged Things I'm learning

the head, the heart, and middle school

I originally wrote this as a guest post for Caitlin's Keeper or Creeper series. Head on over to her blog to check it out.

Heart leaf

 

Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it ~Proverbs 4:23 NIV

For me, it started in middle school. Crushes, blushing, giggly sleepovers full of gossip as to who likes who, drama… you know what I mean. Those hormones kick in and we start to notice that maybe boys don’t have cooties after all, and we start picking out our outfits according to what “they” would think is cool. It all seems innocent until we let our imagination run away with our heart.

On my 13th birthday, my dad gave me a ring. Daddy told me the ring was to remind me of a few things, one of which was to guard my heart. And so began my journey of figuring out what exactly this meant and how to do it.

Our heart is our most vulnerable, sensitive, and fragile part of our soul. What we fill our hearts with determines what comes out of them (Matthew 6:21). And what comes out of them shapes our identity. Every choice we make sets a trajectory of how our hearts will respond in future situations. 

The condition of our hearts is evident in our everyday lives. Yet we don’t always realize how much of it we are revealing. Some parts are meant to shine through, yet some parts are meant to stay hidden only to be uncovered by one person. We have to find a balance between being real and vulnerable yet wise and discerning. But there’s also a thin line between fortifying the boundaries of our heart and locking it up in isolation to shrivel and harden. We have to keep our hearts soft and moldable, yet strong and discerning. 

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart,…For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks ~Luke 6:45 

Ultimately, learning to guard and focus our hearts is an individual process led by the Holy Spirit. We will never be able to shrink it down to a formula or step by step plan. But through wisely stewarding our actions, relationships, and emotional energy we take an active role in preparing ourselves for the future. In the meantime, here are a few things that have helped me: 

 

  • Find your treasure in Jesus
  • Know your identity is in Christ and who He says you are (not in someone else or their opinion/approval)
  • Combat wandering thoughts with prayer and the truth of scripture. Every time, a temptation or unhealthy train of thought enters your head, immediately counter it with a memory verse or prayer target.
  • Know your weaknesses and don’t put yourself in compromising situations
  • Journal it out. If that’s how you roll, getting it on paper helps organize thoughts and sift motives
  • Be vulnerable with a mentor. There’s something about being honest and accountable. 
  • Trust His timing. In other words, maybe stop looking.

When our hearts are in the right place, we are free to be who God made us to be. We become secure in our identity and live out our story without the fear or pressure of “making it all work.” Our confidence rests not in ourselves but the One who holds and forms our hearts. And when our heart is focused and fulfilled in Him, everything else falls into place.

How do you guard your heart?

 

bluebirduncaged Something to think about

Something to think about

When I am talking to somebody there are always two conversations going on. The first is on the surface; it is about politics or music or whatever it is our mouths are saying. The other is beneath the surface, on the level of the heart, and my heart is either communicating that I either like the person I'm talking to or I don't. God wants both conversations to be true. That is we are supposed to speak the truth in love. If both conversations are not true, God is not involved in the exchange, we are on our own, and on our own we will lead people astray
                                                        –Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

bluebirduncaged Something to think about, Things I'm learning

We have so much potential because we have Jesus! We have a greater story to tell, we have absolute truth to proclaim, we’ve found freedom. Not because we’re creating something but because we know the Creator. Because by sharing our story, we’re sharing a bigger story. A story of brokenness and shame overcome by redemption, beauty, and grace. A story of love and sacrifice for the undeserving. A story of majesty in the mess. And through our art we can invite people into this story, because they can relate to it. Because it starts and ends with Jesus. 

 

bluebirduncaged Something to think about

The Church must be committed to raising up disciple-makers, not conversation facilitators. It seems to me the church should be leading its disciples further into abandonment of their own pursuits to live abundantly with Jesus. Are the disciples of your church empowered and equipped to make disciples in the course of their daily lives? If, instead, the disciples of your church are great at leading small groups but are not actually making disciples, is anything more than furthering your ministry’s programs happening?…When I attempt to step out of that role – to speed up God’s work, to push the ministry forward in steady growth, or to satisfy my own version of “ministry success” – I step out of God’s peace and calling. He gives an inheritance. He multiplies. ~Tyler Staton

Read Tyler's whole article on Q Ideas here