God's Creative Gift--Unleashing the Artist in You

Description: God's Creative Gift is an in-depth study for the creative Christian. It is intended for both professional and lay artists, for the casual crafter and hobbyist, and for those in both sacred and secular settings. It is for those who see things where others do not and for those whose imaginations cannot be confined by religious dogma and tradition. It is for musicians, singers, painters, sculptors, dancers, dramatists, writers, poets, carvers, weavers, film editors, photographers, filmmakers, architects, designers--anyone who finds inspiration in creativity. Focusing on the creative spirit within, it is designed to help you draw your inspiration from a Deeper Source. It is deeply rooted in Scripture--for the creative Christian must enter into the Word of God on a regular basis in order to know the choreographer of her steps, the crafter of her designs, the author and perfecter of her faith, and the sculptor of her creative heart, soul, mind, and body. And to know Him intimately. Endorsements: ""God's Creative Gift is, simply stated, a beautiful gift for the people of God. Integrating Scripture, experience, and insights from a broad spectrum of scholars and practitioners, Jody Thomae provides a pathway to freedom and well-being available through creative expression. She reveals that we, the creative gift of the Father, hold within the potential to unleash beauty and healing creative gifts as acts of worship to God and healing to one another. An amazing thought!"" --Terry Wardle, Ashland Theological Seminary ""In God's Creative Gift, Jody Thomae emboldens every artist--amateur and professional, aspiring and accomplished, bold and hesitant--to embrace the power and potential of creativity in all its forms as a mode of worshipping the Creator. Through enriching chapters and devotional studies, artists will grow in deeper understanding of themselves and God's relationship to their creativity. A necessary book for every creative spirit!"" --Sarah M. Wells, author of Pruning Burning Bushes ""This is a wonderfully insightful book [of] excellent theological and biblical reflection that invites its readers to know themselves as created in the image and likeness of God, the Divine Artist. The 'Digging Deeper' sections, which enable readers to embody the various themes of the book, add style and grace to her work."" --Robert VerEecke, SJ, Jesuit artist-in-residence, Boston College About the Contributor(s): Jody Thomae has been involved in worship arts ministries since 1997. Her passion is for the revelation of God to be made real through the prophetic use of the arts in our churches and ministries. She is a graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary and lives in Ashland, Ohio, with her husband and two children.