Much Fruit

My brain is bursting with creative ideas today! We're 2.5 weeks away from the Launch Your Vision conference and book release, and while my team and I are brainstorming and planning the final pieces, and I just had to throw in a short film into the mix! Our cast and crew are a tribe of beautiful people who are rallying to create an epic short film about raising up warriors who run with their purpose. Lots of beauty! 

The title of this week's photo is “much fruit,” and speaks of using different ways to honor Christ. To start, I'd like to dispel myth that is often spoken to creative people: “You can only do one thing.” I remember interviewing Church Girard, a pioneer of Jesus Music during the 1970's, who challenged artist in this idea.

“You need to do all God has called you to do. Maybe you're called to music, but perhaps God has also called you to pastor a church or do some other type of ministry. You're responsible for everything He has placed inside of you!”

We see this played out in the creative industry right now: no longer are published authors only expected to write books. They also write blogs, create photos for social media, record podcasts, and use various forms of media to communicate their message. The stereotypical view of a “singer” or “author” who only does one thing doesn't work any more in our culture, and unless you have a huge team to do it for you, it's your job to do multiple types of media.
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For me, this viewpoint has been liberating. I have a lot of creativity, and I love to use it in different ways! Now the challenge is to partner creativity with intentional focus so that I'm meeting some goals. With that in mind, I challenge myself: Do everything that is in your heart, as long as you can do it with excellence. This is one step closer to seeing fruit for God's Kingdom come from our creative work, as we do everything to the best of our ability as an offering to Him.

Maybe you're like me, and you love to create. Maybe instead of waiting for a huge budget, you can figure out ways to create a plan and invite people into it. It can be so much fun! This month I'll have my hands on cameras, linen fabric, herbal tea bags, microphones, and marshmallows... all in an effort to create something beautiful that tells a story of God's love.  We get to partner with Him in many ways!
Jesus told His disciples that He loves us to bear MUCH fruit: maybe that happens as we ask Him for creative ways to communicate!  What would happen if we asked God to help us do ALL He created us to be?
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I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Prayer: Lord, help me not to confine You to one thing in my life, when You have given me more than one gift or talent. Show me how to abide in You, and bring forth much fruit for Your Kingdom.
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​IN THE NEWS
​My new book, “Launch Your Vision” is now available for pre-purchase!  It's my most raw, honest, vulnerable book to date, as I share about times of deep frustration as an artist and feeling "stuck," and also points of liberation where I was able to shift my mindset and embrace freedom to follow God in my creative gifts.  It's divided into three parts:

Ready: Prepare your Heart
Aim: Build your strategy
Fire: Release your Vision

Each chapter has 10 questions and spaces to journal as you craft your personal creative strategy! Check out the link to see what others are saying about the book, and how those who have previewed it have stepped into a new place of freedom.  Pre-order your copy today!

Launch Your Vision