{"id":275,"date":"2023-08-25T13:49:22","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T17:49:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/butfirstjesus\/?p=275"},"modified":"2023-08-25T13:55:07","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T17:55:07","slug":"being-a-creative-and-a-christian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/butfirstjesus\/2023\/08\/being-a-creative-and-a-christian\/","title":{"rendered":"Being a Creative and a Christian"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>
Image by Robert Armstrong<\/a> from Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
Being a Creative and a Christian is the most natural pairing in the world. Unfortunately I\u2019ve heard a few, dare I say unscriptural persons caution against such \u201cworldly\u201d things as song, music, painting, writing.\u00a0<\/span>This breaks my heart. Our God is a creative Himself! He is in fact the Master Creator!<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (<\/span>Genesis 1:1<\/a> NIV)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n \ \u00a0<\/p>\n \ So regardless of what you may have heard before as to whether being an artist and creative is biblical, I will say an adamant yes, yes, and yes! Please make and share what you feel led to.<\/span><\/p>\n \ \u00a0<\/p>\n \ Key word above is led. We want to, in all things, make sure we are honoring God.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \ \u00a0<\/p>\n "\nSo whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (<\/span>1 Cor 10:31<\/a> NIV)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n** ** \u00a0<\/p>\n ** I love how the NLT translates Proverbs 3:9 \u2013 \u2026 with all we produce.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ** **\u00a0<\/p>\n "\nHonor the <\/span>Lord<\/span> with your wealth<\/span><\/h3>\n**** \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and with the best part of everything you produce. (Proverbs 3:9 NLT<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n**** ** \u00a0<\/p>\n ** I feel that this translation takes it beyond the traditional money\/tithing context we typically hear and covers everything we put our hands to. For art \u2013 whether we dance, paint, write, sing, etc. these are things we are producing from the spirit of creativity which God first gave to us, so the works produced should be offered to God, in praise and thanksgiving.<\/span><\/p>\n ** \u00a0<\/p>\n ** Time to unleash your inner artist! Allow your voice to belt free (even if not pitch perfect). Swirl and whirl on the dance floor. Move those paint brushes and pens. But always make sure to ask yourself a couple quick questions.<\/span><\/p>\n ** ****\u00a0<\/p>\n \nWhat would Jesus say upon seeing \/ hearing this?<\/span><\/li>\nWhat would your church family say?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\nDoes this encourage others?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\nDoes this increase the good in the world?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\nIf still in question or doubt, it\u2019s a great idea to talk to your pastor or a church elder about what you\u2019d like to pursue to get their opinions (which should also be backed with scripture).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n**** ** \u00a0<\/p>\n ** I want to call out #4 especially. Don\u2019t forget that we are entreated by Paul to always be mindful of what is holy, pure, and good, that we leave no foothold for Satan.<\/span><\/p>\n ** ****\u00a0<\/p>\n " Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable\u2014if anything is excellent or praiseworthy\u2014think about such things. (Philipians 4:8<\/a> NIV)<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2026 <\/b>and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.<\/span><\/p>\n Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:27-29<\/a> NIV)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take time this week to delve into the art we\u2019ve been gifted and, I\u2019ll further encourage you to <\/span>share with others whom it might brighten their day.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n "\nShout for joy to the <\/span>Lord<\/span>, all the earth.<\/span><\/h3>\n**** \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Worship the <\/span>Lord<\/span> with gladness;<\/span><\/h3>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>come before him with joyful songs.<\/span><\/h3>\n Know that the <\/span>Lord<\/span> is God.<\/span><\/h3>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>It is he who made us, and we are his;<\/span><\/h3>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:1-3<\/a> NIV)<\/span><\/h3>\n******** ** \u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n ** To kick off the share \u2013 here is a poem I wrote during one of the few warm days we\u2019ve had here in the northern north east this summer. I hope it makes you smile! <\/span><\/p>\n **
** Poem by author<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ** Please tag me in your creations. I would love to see them!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ** ********Being a Creative and a Christian is the most natural pairing in the world. Unfortunately I\u2019ve heard a few, dare I say unscriptural persons caution against such \u201cworldly\u201d things as song, music, painting, writing.\u00a0This breaks my heart. Our God is a creative Himself! He is in fact the Master Creator! \u00a0 In the beginning God […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5061,"featured_media":278,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[149,146],"tags":[167,164,158,15,170],"class_list":["post-275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-biblical-living","category-christian-living","tag-art","tag-being-a-creative","tag-biblical-living","tag-christian-living","tag-creativity"],"yoast_head":"\nBeing a Creative and a Christian<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Being a Creative and a Christian is the most natural pairing in the world ... Our God is a creative Himself! 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