Stone Speak A symposium on worship, arts and the prophetic,
here and across the pond...

Living "in Christ" is full of surprises!

I have just begun to “unpack” my current art talent. Yet my creative juices began flowing early in life as a young gal growing up on a farm in the 40-60's. For me using ones imagination was the way of choice for adventurous fun and exciting play.

Curtains, old clothes, discarded dishes and just about anything else kept my sister Cathy and I busy for days on end. We were seldom board! Between the two of us we could imagine and improvise something to do out of practically nothing. Sparkie, my pony and I could be whatever struck my fancy on any give day. I had acres to claim as my domain for imaginary play and discovery. My great grand father, Ira was well acquainted with my building skills since his tools were easily accessible in the tool shed. I helped myself more frequently than Poppy approved of. However, he tolerated my borrowing. There were numerous trees on our property where my tree house designs were displayed.

In my teens the family moved to Kettering. My babysitting money was spent on art supplies from Fernandes art store at Town and Country Shopping center. I had a burning desire to express my self via art of some sort and for years I spent hours trying to teach myself and let out this energy of expression.

Before long my life was consumed with marriage, children, working and adult life in general. No time for art.

Gardening had always been an outlet for creation and expression for me. In my early empty nest years I became a master gardener and began working with a design/installing/maintenance group in the area. The creative energy began to flow. I was working with other creative thinking people. The seed of creativity was growing once again.

Last summer I began getting together with a few artist friends at the Vineyard.  It was exciting to be with people who “did” art. One friend was even willing to tutor me. My first assignment was to draw a circle and paint it to look like an apple or ball. Before long she suggested I take a drawing class. So I did.  My first art class ever!!! I was shocked! I could draw. Then I took an acrylic class and oh my, I could paint too. Praise God!!!! What a relief for me.

At the conference Graham Cooke spoke about giving our baggage to Christ in exchange for the opportunity to unpack the luggage God has prepared for us. I can clearly see that my new title as artist is one that God created me for. I spent much of my life dragging by baggage with no energy or time for unpacking the blessings God has for me.

In Christ I am discovering who I am and how He sees me. A part of His plan for me is to let out His creative energy of expression via art. My heart sings with joy to be able to share our, His and my, paintings with you. God bless you to discover what God has packed in your luggage, just for YOU!

Each time I try a new Chinese restaurant on my own, I start with my staple familiar dish; General Tso's Chicken. I know what good General Tso's taste like, and I can get a reasonable feel for how good the restaurant is by first trying a "control" dish. Once I have experienced this dish, I then feel free to become more adventurous.

When I try a new restaurant that serves more authentic dishes, I ask them for their suggestions.  Why?  Because often times the menu is completely different. After all, did you know that General Tso's was first invented and served in Manhattan? In a way, the common menu found at most Asian buffets is a counterfeit cuisine. It is predictable, it's safe and engineered to please us. This has a strong appeal. I can walk into a carryout almost anywhere in America, order my dish, and receive exactly the same dish as I would at one of my regular places. When I want something predictable, I can find it.  But why have the predictable, when the potential for a great experience is right in-front of you?

Last year my wife and I visited Hawaii. We were hungry and saw a Chinese buffet, but not far from there was a farmer's market. After some discussion, we opted to check out the market instead of the standard Chinese buffet. There, we found a guy standing beside a large bbq roasting boar meat; freshly hunted the day prior.  He made his own sauce from the local plants, and it came with a side of breadfruit...something that looked like a hybrid between a cantelope and potato.We took it back to our room and enjoyed one of the very best meals we have ever had in our lives.

Now that I have thoroughly made you hungry and pondering the comparison between wild pig and MSG goodness, I will get to my point.

Stepping out is worth it.

Worshiping God is a dangerous act. If you like safe worship, then you are missing the point and have settled for a form of MSG enhanced music. Is it wrong to enjoy takeout worship from time to time? No. But how will you discover new callings, new gifts, and new opportunities to glorify God without sticking your head out?  True, there are times when you might encounter a bitter taste or discover something is too sweet. But that is part of the adventure!

This adventurous spirit challenges us in why we believe what we believe, why we worship the way we worship, and who we are in the eyes of God. If something is bitter or sweet, it forces us to better understand why we believe, feel, or worship the way we do. God has created many venues, and each venue speaks to particular people, draws them in, and serves their purpose in the kingdom. The danger is to use this as an excuse for stagnation. The danger is to stick with your own General Tso's worship for the sake of it being predictable.

I was raised in a very traditional church. I loved it. To be honest, there were some of the most powerful movements in the spirit in absolute silence that I have ever felt. I remember the elders debating over the sanctity of a drum set in the sanctuary, and how that predisposed me to be skeptical of contemporary worship settings. I now have the privileged of worshiping in such a contemporary worship church. Had I not permitted myself to be challenged, I would have continued to be skeptical and rely on third party knowledge of how the spirit will and will not move.

I am glad I stepped out, and continue to do so.
I ask... when have you stepped out? What did you discover?