Spiritual Tool -- Art

This will be last of my series on Spiritual Toolbox! Art.

For many people art is an excellent means of worshipping God. The Christian Church has gone through phases of creation, abuse and even destruction when it comes to ‘art’. There was a time called the ‘Iconoclast’ movement when misguided followers thought that others were worshipping the items of art as idols that were opposed to God, instead of using the item as a way to better connect to God. Today, I believe that we have a better understanding of icons, as means of support for our expressions of worship.

I would offer two ways of trying this ‘tool’. First, you can find a piece of art that you are interested in, maybe because of it’s beauty or maybe because it challenges you. As you study that piece of art, talk to God about how the art glorifies God. Maybe it is an ancient picture of Mary and the baby Jesus. It could be a weaving of multicolored threads. Or, maybe it is a piece of sand art. It can really be just about anything that helps you to talk with God.

The second possibility is to create your own piece of art, all the while praying and asking for God’s help in the creation. After hours of work on your own little masterpiece, knowing that you prayed all the while, you can feel a wonderful connection to God within your very own icon. Every time you see the piece, you reconnect to that feeling. It is not about how good it is or how creative. It is about how the art helps you to worship and glorify God.

Good luck with your toolbox of spiritual ways to add to your devotion. I pray that you keep your spiritual toolbox in good shape as you use these ideas regularly.

Spiritual Tool - Journal Writing

This month for our “Spiritual Tool Box” we take a look at journal writing. Keeping a written record of your spiritual thoughts can help you to enter into a more disciplined approach to your Bible study, prayer life and meditation. It doesn't really have to be like the old horror days of the teenage diaries! Instead, you can have a notebook where you write down what you are praying for, what you are reading and what stands out in that reading, or maybe what you are learning and giving thanks for. This can be a wonderful expression of your life that you can save and review for years to come.

Some people keep a "Go to Hell Journal" (I know pastors shouldn't say that!, but it is an honest feeling that real people have and despite what others say, Pastors are real people too!). This kind of journal can be used as a way of working on anger management and personal development. First you write down:
*What happened, then
*How you felt (physically and emotionally), and finally
*Evaluate who you were really mad at.

I've found that I'm usually really mad at myself. After a while you start to recognize the 'triggers' that can set you off and you can learn to stop the reaction.

This year, try keeping a spiritual journal. You don't have to commit to a year, maybe just a month and see how it goes.

Writing is healing!