Ranchgirl’s Weblog

For: The Institute of Contemporary And Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephens University, Essentials Blue Online Worship Theology Course with Dan Wilt

In reflecting upon the last week of study, I must say that this week has been quite a journey.  Since I have not been in a “formal classroom” in 30 years, I have had several challenges before me, not the least of which was navigating through Facebook, ITunesU, and blogging!  It is a positive thing to be forced to THINK, examine, and to evaluate, but it has not been easy.  One thing I do know is that God has put me here and I am up for the challenge.

I have struggled with the thought of songwriting for many years, believing that it resided somewhere deep  within me.  On several occasions I have had prophetic words confirming that belief, but nothing would ever surface, which has left me frustrated. 

One of the most  exciting and liberating writings for me this week has been Dan’s article, “Living Creatively In The Image of God.”  Since we are created in His image, or “tselem,” we are actually more than a likeness or resemblance, but more accurately his “progeny,” which denotes that “a child’s physical, social and psychological image genetically reflects the image of its parent.”  Because I am His progeny, his DNA of creativity lives in me.  The article states, “When Jesus indwells us, He revives our deadened souls, stirs the water of our creativity and becomes the pneumatological impetus and eternally ordained focus of our expression.  This is true whether we are storytelling, feeding the poor, caring for a neighbor or leading people in worship.”

Dan challenges the creative to not remain “self-indulgent, but to breathe life into the community.”  I’ve always believed that our gifts should go beyond the church building.  How are we salt and light if only in the confines of the church? 

Dan concludes with this: “Live creatively, directing your life and others’ lives toward God.  Worship with your creativity, serve others with the language of the soul God has given you, and allow Jesus to “draw all men” to Himself through the sacred ingenuity He has placed inside of you.”  That’s what I want! AMEN, and AMEN! (Truly, truly, let this be manifest among us!)