Created to be Creative

the concept of creativity

What does being creative mean to you? Often people have a tendency to stereotype the concept of creativity and limit it to drawing or painting and singing or playing an instrument. During the process of writing my book, I talked with a lot of people about this subject and it was fun to glean ideas from those who were using their talents. But it was also sad to hear so many people say, “I’m not creative.” What they probably meant was, “I can’t draw and I can’t play an instrument.” The fact is: we were all Created to be Creative.

My Book starts with this paragraph: “All creativity begins with God, but it does not end there. Genesis 1:27 tells us we are created in the image of God. Through this divine connection, creative potential passed from heaven to earth, from God to man. By doing so, our Creator established a way to interact with humanity, making us partakers of His nature.”

Quilt by Nancy Vossman

This is profound, and yet, simple. Profound because it’s amazing to realize the omnipotent God, the Creator of heaven and earth, would choose to form us in such a unique and matchless way – in His image. Simple because He put us in an environment where we can take on His creative nature. Where we have the ability to express ourselves in endless creative ways. The choice is ours, whether we will act upon these innate creative desires and gain from their experiences, or let them remain dormant with no constructive results.

Card by Jay Jennings

Taking creative action is invigorating in much the same way runners get an adrenaline rush. They feel better even when not participating in a race; the run alone brings a degree of physical and emotional fulfillment. Also, just as runners become stronger and can endure more the longer they run, so our creative abilities can grow and become better with practice. We can challenge ourselves to push past familiar boundaries.

Clay work by Terri Ross (these wings, 100 in all, are for a donation to the Hart House in Wellsville - Part of my personal gift back mission!

Clay work by Terri Ross
These wings, 100 in all, are for a donation to the Hart House in Wellsville NY – Part of her personal gift back mission!

When we purpose to learn new things and experiment with different creative outlets, not only do our skillsets improve, but we gain confidence and become more productive. Open your heart, as well as your eyes to see what ignites a spark of interest. If you already have a creative outlet, don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to just that one. Sometimes trying new things ends up rejuvenating your creative desire and output.

Artsy Photo by Karen Buell

dessert cups to dress up a children’s tea party

Through what outlets do you express your creativity? This is a great question to ask yourself, and a good one to dig deeper into if you are unsure of the answer. The thought process alone can motivate. But also be sure to take action, because like most things in life, if we don’t faithfully work at our objective, it will quickly lose its appeal. Seeing progress on the other hand, cheers us on to complete creative projects and start new ones!

Gardening: beautiful and yummy

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to discover your creative side and start this amazing and fulfilling journey.

Photos added to give ideas and help motivate.

I’m the author of Created to be Creative
to purchase my book Click Here
eBook available

movement with grace – the dance of life

by Arleen Jennings

Have you ever heard the expression, “You are like a bull in a china closet?” I remember hearing that often as a child; my mom would say it to me as I rammed through the house, or if I knocked something over. Learning to slow down and grow in grace has been a long time coming. Not only was it the pace at which I moved through the house, but it was how I approached everything. Quick to react. Quick to answer. And, at times, lacking grace.

That’s not to say we shouldn’t have or express our opinions. It’s more about the delivery of our words or the expression of our attitudes. To speak and act in such a way that what is said or done will have the most positive and effective influence on others. Colossians 4:6 encourages, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Sometimes it’s more about how something is said than what is said.

Movement with grace gets people’s attention. It could be as simple as adding a smile. Graciousness may not be as noticeable as harshness, but it’s often more successful.

Proverbs 15:1 tells us that, “A soft answer turns away wrath: but harsh words stir up anger.”

A soft answer does not have to be a weak answer. A soft answer doesn’t have to compromise. Gracious does not mean passive. A soft answer can be truthful, even firm. It might still hurt, but, if it’s presented with grace, the outcome will be different. Ask yourself: does the person you’re talking with know you have their best interest in mind? Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

I thought of this idea, “movement with grace – the dance of life” because it went well with this photo and I wanted to inspire thought; but then I realized living this concept is not always so easy. We must learn to dance, to have grace, to be beautiful on the inside so we’re fluid on the outside. So that grace will flow freely to those around us.

“But Grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

Growth is something that Jesus expects. It’s part of the process. It takes effort. I encourage you to pay attention to the dance . . . for in Him we live, move, and have our being . . . grow in grace.

the sound of productivity

by Arleen Jennings

As a young lady entered my print shop, she took in a deep breath and declared, “I love the smell of fresh ink.” Striking up a conversation while we waited for her job to finish, I told her, “I must be used to the smell because I didn’t notice it, but I do enjoy the rhythmic sound of the running printer.” The student’s exuberant reply caught my attention: “Ah yes, it’s the sound of productivity.”

The smell of fresh ink. The sound of productivity. This student’s passion for all things positive actually motivated me.

As a person who likes being busy, I thrive on productivity and it feels good when I see results. So why did I need motivating? Because, sometimes I get lost in the doing and forget the purpose for working in the first place. For example, depending on the volume of jobs I have to do, the rhythmic sound of the printer can become dull or tiresome; I no longer hear the sound of productivity or see the fruit of my labor. I lose sight of the purpose: a helpful and needed service to my customers.

Hearing her say, “It’s the sound of productivity” was a refreshing reminder that at times I need to see things differently. I hadn’t realized my attitude toward labor had become one of necessity more than appreciating the value of my efforts. This student unknowingly encouraged me to look for purpose when routine and fatigue had set in. To take pride in productivity instead of becoming drained by responsibility.

I find the same challenge when working on projects at home. My optimism toward labor at times wanes and I’ll close the door, ignoring what’s behind it. But after a few days break, if a productive attitude doesn’t return, then I need external encouragement to push me forward.

Have you ever felt this way? Have you found your labor to be more tiring than gratifying? Does the positive sound of productivity need to ring afresh in your ears?

Remember, productivity goes so much further than our daily jobs or responsibilities, bringing with it rewards beyond a paycheck and the material realm. A good work ethic strengthens us emotionally and spiritually. It adds value to our lives, enabling us to have a positive affect on those around us.

A number of things can help to improve our attitude toward labor, whether they be smells, sights, sounds, or simply encouraging words. That is, if we willingly pay attention and take action. Breathe deeply, look attentively and listen optimistically. You might just be surprised by how these things can help you to keep your purpose in focus and live a cheerful and productive life.

I’m the author of: Created to be Creative
to purchase my book Click Here
eBook available

the enemy is sly

by Arleen Jennings

The enemy of our soul is very sly. Tripping us up by our own belief systems. First, many Christians have been drawn into a Faith where God’s only purpose for salvation is to “bless us” and if we’re not blessed, we think God hates us. Of course we want to be blessed, but at what cost? The “bless me gospel” has made the Church in America weak. This mindset keeps us from being a warrior and maintaining an overcomer mentality. It keeps us from an unwavering faith that trusts God has a purpose for all we go through. Because of this all about me faith, we also want to close our eyes and ears to all that is uncomfortable; like the fact that Christians are being persecuted and even murdered for their faith in many parts of the world. We might feel like there is nothing we can do, but God does hear and answer prayer.

Secondly, the enemy gets us to pick up offenses so that we work against ourselves. Why are we so “thin skinned?” Why do non-eternal things become eternal? Not only is this a result of the bless me gospel, but it also shows an unwillingness to die-to-self, or as Jesus said, “To take up our cross daily.” This usually coincides with a lack of respect for others which hurts relationships instead of making them stronger. Plus, the problem is getting worse because it’s starting at a very early age. Children have been taught to always get their own way and that there are no consequences for their actions. My concern is: those children are coming of age. Entitlement and the “it’s all about me” mentality have flooded our society, and unfortunately, this attitude is increasingly noticeable within the church. Remember, the enemy is sly! All the more reason we should help encourage one another to look beyond ourselves to represent JESUS well.

Thirdly, the enemy gets us to compromise what we believe by using God’s Word against us. For example: “God is love.” Yes, God is love, but that does not negate the fact that He has laws, standards and even consequences for sin. He expects us to live by and uphold these laws and standards as well. Though most of us live what we believe, we often want to avoid confrontation, especially if standing up for what we believe brings reproach or persecution. This sly tactic has silenced much of the Christian voice and positive influence on society. The enemy mocks our lack of backbone as we justify our actions by taking scriptures out of context. I dare say this does not please God.

Ex 34:12 says, “Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, (where you live), lest it be a snare in your midst.” The snare is to accept everything in the name of God’s love. But, does this kind of “love” draw people to repentance and salvation? Are lives changed and made better because of this acceptance of ungodly lifestyles? Absolutely not. In the church at large, there is a lack of conviction when it comes to sin; a lack of willingness to be better, to be holy, to be thankful for God’s love instead of abusing it. Yes, we must love the unsaved. But, just like parents, we must love them enough to tell them the truth. God’s truth. To pray for them that their eyes be opened to a salvation that will set them free. A salvation that might not take all their problems away, but will give them a hope and a future, and most importantly: eternal life.

I’m the author of: Created to be Creative
to purchase my book Click Here
eBook available

time to perform a self check?

by Arleen Jennings

I have a printer in my office that randomly sounds like it’s running. Familiar with this sound, it usually gets my attention, especially if I haven’t sent a job to the printer. Because the machine is fairly new, I’ll look to see what’s happening. The screen will read this message: “Time to perform a self check.” It will also quit in the middle of a big job and say the same thing. After a minute or so, it continues printing.

Performing self-check. My printer is programmed to check every-so-often to make sure it’s working properly. If not, it will give me an error code and I’ll know it needs maintenance. This message caused me to think of my life and question, “When was the last time I did a self-check?”

Jesus tells a parable in Luke 18:9-14 about two men, the one a Pharisee, the other a tax-collector. Their self-checks were performed in opposite ways. The Pharisee was self-righteous and proud. He boldly proclaimed to God how good he was and gave a list of his accolades. He even compared himself with others, thankful he wasn’t like them!

The tax-collector on the other hand would not so much as lift his eyes to heaven, but beat upon his chest saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner!”

The stark contrast between the two men is undeniable. The point is crystal clear. The one who performed an honest self-check saw the reality of his flaws and repented. Jesus said, “This man went home justified.” The one who evaluated his life through rose colored glasses did not see the error of his pride and was not justified.

2 Corinthians 10:12 admonishes: “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”

There are two printers in my office; the one does not compare itself to the other one and say, “I’m better than you because I print in full color and you don’t.” No, when performing a self-check, it evaluates itself against the manual standards.

God has made us and given us a very thorough manual: the Bible. If we will read it and be mindful to compare our lives against that standard, we will function at top quality and even recognize the error message when we’re not.

Phil 3:14-15 tells us, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.”

I like quality, be it in the products I use, the art I produce, or the work I do. How much more should I want to represent the Lord well in every area of my life? I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s time for a self-check.

I’m the author of: Created to be Creative
to purchase my book Click Here
eBook available

maintaining creative desire

by Arleen Jennings

Creativity on any level – be it observation, thought, or action – can positively affect our lives. If some of you never had a creative outlet or let one slip away without regret, you might not understand the importance of finding time to think and act creatively. For others, including myself, we sometimes need a reminder or even a gentle push to get us moving again. Maintaining creative desire takes action.

It’s easy to get so bogged down with everyday activities that we don’t even realize we’ve stopped thinking and acting creatively. It’s sad to admit that the last painting I completed was in December 2013. I could give you a list of whys and all the things I’ve accomplished since then, but that’s not the point. The fact is, much of what I completed didn’t come with a deadline, nor was it urgent to start something new. So why do I push myself to finish all these projects over enjoying some quality time in my studio? Why don’t I make time for creative activity? Passion for anything dissipates if not kept active.

How about you? Do you ever get so busy that your creative endeavors lose their appeal? Or you wish you could get back to them, but it’s hard to make it a priority again?

In my book there’s a story about a schoolteacher who told me, “Only two more years till I retire, then I’m going to play the organ and the piano and do all kinds of fun stuff.” She was so excited about the prospect of unleashing her creative cravings. I thought, “Why wait?” Her kids are grown and gone, and she has the time now, if she would only make it a priority.

I had the opportunity to speak with this woman recently and realized it had been eight years since our last conversation. With anticipation, I asked her about playing the organ and piano. I wanted to hear her story, now that she’s retired. Her answer was sad; she said that she doesn’t do either. When I asked her why, she said she just never gets around to it. No action was ever taken. The spark of creative desire was gone.

Time, or should I say, the lack thereof, is one of the biggest hindrances people have in finding creative fulfillment.

When someone or something is important to us, we adjust our schedules to make time. Why, then, do so many of us feel it’s wrong to set aside a block of time to work on creative things? Releasing artistic expression increases our emotional and physical energy levels and helps rejuvenate our ability to meet responsibilities with a better attitude. We should never put our creative desire on a shelf, or keep it locked away within our souls, nor should we save it for a future date when we think we’ll have the time.

That time might never come, or we may end up losing interest. Yes, it takes effort to keep creativity alive, but the rewards are worth it. So, now that I’ve motivated myself, it’s off to start a new painting. Whatever your creative outlet is, I hope you will join me.

I’m the author of: Created to be Creative
to purchase my book Click Here
eBook available

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