Read:

Chapter 2, Reflect (pages 19-33).

Based on the comments from our first video, I can tell Emily’s message in A Million Little Ways is resonating with our Bloom community.  If anyone approached the book questioning their own artistry, she provides an accessible definition as a foundation for the remainder of the book:

“…being an artist has something to do with being brave enough to move toward what makes you come alive.

Art means believing that the God who created the world with words alone creates with words still, through us–whether it be on a stage to thousands or in a corner with one….

Art is what happens when you dare to be who you really are.”

And it was at that point that I might have stood on a chair and shouted, “Yes!”  (anyone else?)

 

Watch:

{Subscribers, please click here to view video.}

 

Discuss:

“So this is our job, to carry out the inner desire of Christ.  And the inner desire of Christ is to bring glory to the Father….

At the most basic level of our identity, your job and my job is to be a poem, the image bearers of God, made to reflect his glory.” (pp. 26-27)

Q. As Emily explained, the word “masterpiece” or “workmanship” in Ephesians 2:10 is a translation of the Greek word poiema, where we get the English word poem. How is this changing your perspective or understanding of your identity?

“As long as there are people on earth, the world will have glimpses of God.  He chooses us to move through.  He chooses your personality, your spunk, your passion, your strengths, and your weaknesses to work in and through and with.”

Q.  Jessica and Angie spoke to the universal fears we have regarding our desires; the fears about what comes from us versus God, or perhaps that we’ll mess things up…or maybe that we won’t find our art at all!  Can you think of examples (like a football player or groundskeeper from the video, or Emily’s example from the book of a train maker) that express art in season?  How does the quote above extend freedom to you?

This chapter was so full of challenge and inspiration, and we’ve barely scratched the surface!  What else got your attention?  Let us know in comments below or on our Facebook page.  There’s a Holy fire kindling as we hear evidence of changed lives to the glory of God…beautiful.

 

Share:

On Friday we’ll have a guest post from an amazing artist in our incourage community:  professional photographer Kelly Sauer who reveals beauty at every turn.  It is abundantly clear she has found her artistic calling–her work is stunning.  Do not miss what she has to say (you’ll get a sense for who she is by reading her personal blog).

THANKS to all of you who have already begun adding photos of living art/making art to Instagram or Twitter.  Creating weekly collages from your work is going to be fun, so please give me lots of images to work with!  ONE SLIGHT CHANGE:  in addition to using the #inbooks hashtag so I can find them, please also add #amillionlittleways.  Others also use the #inbooks hashtag and sometimes I’m not quite sure what to use for Bloom.   If you don’t have room for that many letters, you can use these two in combination:  #inbooks #AMLW.

 

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Helpful links and reminders:

• A Million Little Ways book club schedule.
  
• NEVER miss an update by signing up for exclusive emails for Bloom (in)courage!
• Need a book?  Pick up A Million Little Ways for only $9.99 at DaySpring.com.
• Join Bloom (in)courage on Facebook!  We’re trying to grow our community there, so we’d like to see YOUR smiling avatar.
• Tweet your thoughts about our study!  When you use the#inbooks hashtag, we can find you!
• Emily’s site, Chatting at the Sky
• Jessica’s site, The Mom Creative
• Angie’s site, Bring the Rain

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I leave you with a question that’s been burning in my heart and head since I read it at the end of this chapter:  “What full glory does my life labor to reveal?”  I’m on my way to uncovering answers for this season in my life; I pray that you are, too.

With love and joy,

robin

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