This isn’t a contest but it’s a way to give a little attention to God through art and creativity and maybe explore for ourselves the meanings and purposes of grace (which should take a lifetime but we’ll settle for a few weeks).

Two things up front:

1. You are creative. You may not be an artist, but you are creative. Anyone designed by God has creativity in their soul. You have no choice. It’s there. How you are creative is what makes us all different (and amazing).

2. Here’s a quote from one of my favorite books, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield:

Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.

So here’s the idea. First read Romans 8. If you want a fuller picture read Romans 6-8, but at least read chapter 8 (in various versions). Then in your own way show me what it means to you. Write a poem, rewrite the chapter in your own words, sketch, paint, sing…whatever. Use all or part of the chapter. You have freedom in Christ and in this.

I’ll put a out a deadline of August 1 but if you need more time let me know. To submit an “entry” just send an email to b@holaway.com. If you wish to be anonymous be sure to tell me. If I get anything from anyone I’ll post them for the world to see. God will have already seen the work.

Let’s see what you can do!

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Follow me on Twitter | Original post on brianholaway.com

I’m going to begin here with a series of messages about creativity. Better said, I will begin a series on creativity as I have had it gifted to me. If you don’t think this will be for you I have to say, “Try it.” I’ve heard too many people say that they don’t have a creative bone in their body and can’t disagree more. You are inherently creative because of who made you. You may not paint, you may not produce films, but you are creative in one way or another. The problem is that we simply don’t know how to explore the creativity with us.

I heard Lauralee Farrer speak a few years ago. She discussed the artist as an intercessor between God and man and how it is not only our purpose but our duty as artists to communicate God to others in our own unique ways.

Rob Bell mentions the ongoing creation of the world and asks if we are participating in it. Sometimes I have to answer no to the question. But most of the time I think I’m there, doing my part, although sometimes my part seems horribly inconsequential.

I never spoke to Lauralee when she finished speaking. I was a mess. I had nearly given up when I entered the room. I was ready to quit my job for the wrong reasons – a job provided by a church for the purpose of communicating God in creative ways. But though I couldn’t speak to her afterward I still know what I would say. “Thank you for saving my life.” Sounds extreme, but I’ve never been the same.

I can’t say these entries will do the same for you. But I hope they will.

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I’ve got no real plan for where these entries will go. But for now I plan on spreading some encouragement that I have received over the years, talking about brainstorming (you’ll be surprised), and then the nuts-and-bolts to what I do (programs I use, church communication, basic presentation tips, film editing, cameras, developing a website, etc). Most of it will be focused on churches, but a lot of it should also bleed over into personal and professional use.

I also have plans to hold a training day or two. If you want to learn Photoshop, Lightroom, iPhoto, computer basics, design basics, etc., please reply here, email me or send me a message on Facebook (syllabus coming soon). It won’t be free training but it will be affordable and worth it. Right now I only have plans for a basic course but I can offer more advanced and specialized training by request (also comes with a reasonable fee).