The City of Churches in the Festival State extends - on behalf of Our Creator of the Universe, the Master Artist Himself - An Open Invitation to All His Artists and Supporters to

In God's Company, (2nd) Arts Event SA for 3 unimaginable days, To Be Announced, Adelaide, South Australia

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Dear Artists


Dear Artists,

Titus 3:3-8

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Ephesians 2:4-10

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Amen

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Love's Fiery Intensity


The love of God and His ways are challenging.  Who can withstand Love’s fiery intensity and its breaking of perceived barriers?  A woman?  A child?  A macho man?  No, not even him. 
God’s passionate love is humbling, knee-bendingly powerful, awe-inspiring and all-consuming.  It is not for the faint-hearted to enter in, but for the gutsy.  God is calling His people out of the desert.  He is wooing them into deep waters. 
He is pouring out his love and we’re gonna need it with what lies ahead.  Soak it up, forsaking all others.  He demands to be first.  He is jealously wild for you.  Nothing can withstand Love’s fury – he fights for you, the Enemy lying destroyed at your feet. 
You are His prized possession – well-won.  You are His true love beyond comprehension.  He is to be marvelled in His mysterious depths of intimacy and all its facets.  He is to be gazed upon in wonder. 
Be joyous in your submission to Love’s heavenly flavour.  Be free in Love's glorious release from all earthly understanding.  His Love is bottomless and palpable and demanding.  This is the crucial engagement.  For without our devotion and adoration, we can never be the Bride. 

'You Are Such an Artist Today!'


Potentially the greatest compliment anyone could bestow on me, was truthfully said as if, ‘You have behavioural issues today more than usual!’ A comment like this can break you, if the timing is poignant.  It can also make you steel up and say to yourself, ‘You just don’t get it, do you?’   

On this particular “today”, I was internally wielding the beast of frustration.  Perhaps I was pushing a point too persistently and wanting a deeper level of achievement.  Why?  Because for weeks I had buried myself in tasks - all good and for the benefit of others – but I had forsaken the very creative impulses that made me an artist.  We are not our better selves when we deny our core design.  And many of us live with this cultural misunderstanding, sometimes daily.

What is it to be an artist?  I observe life.  I experience it.  I interpret and I express it in art form - and no art form is off limits.  I write character dialogue, descriptive prose, dense poetry or lively lyrics.  I sing, play guitar and dance, meanwhile emoting dramatically and/or comically.  I’ve created film, choreography, and drawings; acted and dared to dream.  Why?  Because I must.  Why?  Because God made me to.   

You are responsible for your own sanity.  It is not for anyone else to say what kind of artist you are, or whether you should even be one, or how one acts.  We all live with the mantel of being Christ-like, no matter what our role.  As long as our focus is on our Maker, and our heart is right before Him, what else matters? 

If you’ve been called an artist; an artsy-fartsy waste-of-space; a head-in-the-clouds good-for-nothing, put it in the too hard basket and hand it over to God.  You don’t need it and you certainly shouldn’t carry it around with you.  It gets in like poison, like it’s written on your skin, seeping into the bloodstream, with aim to taint the heart and brain.  Rub it out and don’t let it in.  How can we serve our God if we are so broken, we default to curling position?  What can we see from that angle except pain?     

I’ve also been labelled “temperamental”.  Again, it felt unjust.  Why?  Because I knew it meant misunderstanding – more of it – and always from your closest people.  Forgiveness is my garment.  I’m not interested in accumulating offence – it cripples inspiration, bringing death not life.   Why?  God breathes in, so as I breathe out. 

I used to be suspicious when called “special” – special as in weird.  Still, this is me years ago.  These days, I can’t see myself any other way.  Yes let me be seen as temperamentally special, if that means I am understood as artist.  I am an artist through and through - I always was and always will be.  God has placed a swath of melody in my soul.  He’s given me a language-impulsive brain and a heart for movement and drama potential.     

Don’t develop a thick-skin or you lose sensitivity.  Do learn to filter.  Words said are powerful, but only if we believe them, and what is untrue, we cannot afford to believe.  We let God down when we deny our artistic nature and believe the lies.  May I say we offend Him, wound Him even, by rejecting the very nature he custom-crafted from His own artist’s hands.  Do not fall into the same trap that ensnarled Adam and Eve. Beware hidden motives.

Why did God make me?  To love me.  What is my purpose?  To love others.  How do I do that?  By giving the world what God gave me to give – my artistry.

 

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

God is asking His Artists

God is asking His artists, 'Will you give me three days?  Will you let me raise your dreams and visions from the dead?  Will you come and give of yourselves to each other, all I have given to you to share?  Bring your sacrifice of praise; better yet, bring your obedient heart, for I first loved you.  Come unprepared, come afraid, come repentant; just come to me all those who are laden, for I shall give the weary and the thirsty my living waters to drink. 
If you do not believe, come and see it.  If you do not come, I will not give up on you, I have you in my sights.' 

Monday, March 12, 2012

At His Invitation

God has seen your dreams turn to disillusionment. He feels your momentary ecstasies and darkly prolonged struggles - the sparse understanding and endured obscurity. He knows the hours you toil away, unseen - selflessly faithful in your artistic giftings - honing them ready for His glory. As does He know the needs of the successful.

At His invitation, He welcomes you, every one - you are His expected guests. You are highly valued and crucial for His vision-fulfilled. You only need bring open hearts and portable tools of trade.

He is coming to your emotional rescue. Expect to be inspired.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The All-important Day of the Lord

The date!  We have the all-important date!  It is the 27th - 29th August.  We will come together with singing and dancing.  We will be the free spirits God made us to be.  Leave behind your intrepidation, forsake all that is past and troublesome.  Let us shine expressively and give glory to our gorgeous God.  

'Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace...  But you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.  And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.'  Malachi 4  part thereof

I can't wait to see you all, Love Sue.