Claude Monet » Water Lilies
(Source: detailsdetales)
Happy, blessed, fat days of a 25yr old grad student in Philly & IU Jacobs school of music :) Made possible only by the grace of God.
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Soli deo Gloria ♡
hit counter • Ask me anything
Soli deo Gloria ♡
Barrs’s foundation for evaluating and defining great art lies in three key aspects. As he writes, “All great art will echo these three elements of Eden: (1) Eden in its original glory, (2) Eden that is lost to us, and (3) the promise that Eden be restored” (24). This nuanced approach to “creation, fall, redemption” begins with the assertion that all human beings are sub-creators. Creatures made in the image of the Master Artist will long to create. “In exercising dominion over God’s good creation,” Barrs writes, “we are not creators in an absolute sense, like God, but, rather, sub-creators at best” (18). To varying degrees, then, we are all artists who cannot escape interaction with the arts. Even though some argue the arts are unspiritual and worldly, we still find that “art is inescapably part of our lives. Anyone who thinks about the presentation of food on a plate or what colors of flowers to grow in their garden is acknowledging that human beings cannot escape the arts” (35).
http://thegospelcoalition.org/book-reviews/review/echoes_of_eden
“Why is it that humans have such a need for beauty and creativity in their lives? For Tolkien, as a Christian, the deepest explanation was theological: “we make in our measure and in our derivative mode, because we are made: and not only made, but made in the image and likeness of a Maker.” The Christian God creates the world, and as a creator, he is, in a real sense, an artist. According to this conception, all humans made in His likeness are also artists. We find happiness in beauty and creativity because we have our source in, and are ultimately oriented towards, Beauty and Creativity itself.”
FROM LEE IN TENNESSEE: Ever Received Grace Just When You Needed It? Jesus Wants To Change You Through It
When was the last time you were surprised and overwhelmed by the forgiveness of Jesus? Can you think of a moment where you were face to face with the darkness of your own heart and depths you are capable of reaching, only to be reminded of Jesus’…
In ancient times the pagans cried out in a noisy frenzy to their idols (1 Kings 18:25-29). In sharp contrast, the psalmist saw the wisdom of silence, because in quiet reverence God can be heard. In the stillness of the night under a starry sky, in a hushed sanctuary, or in a quiet room at home, we can meet the living God and hear Him speak. The psalmist’s words are relevant today: “Wait silently for God alone” (Psalm 62:5).
—Herb Vander Lugt
“You know, the Bible doesn’t teach us to be defensive in relationships. It doesn’t tell us to protect your heart and be extra cautious ‘cause you don’t know who’s going to betray you, who’s going to leave you, no it doesn’t say anything like that, it just says love. And it says love always trusts. And it always tells us to forgive; forgive means they’re going to wrong you first and then you’re gonna forgive. And then go back up and trust again. That’s what the Bible says about our relationships. It never says, ‘No, close your heart ‘cause you’re going to get hurt. Be protective. Protect your own heart.’ No, it never says that. It says, ’Get hurt, I will heal you, I’ll restore things, reconciliation is for you, and then get back up and love again. Trust again. Go belong to that group again.’ That’s how the word of God teaches us.”
— Myunghwa Choi, ”Loneliness Unmasked” sermon (via jspark3000)
(Source: loveunlocked, via jspark3000)
