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Tag Archives: art

The Power of the Black Madonna

I call Her the Sacred Black Feminine. She is the God who is with and for Black women because She is a Black woman. Continue Reading The Power of the Black Madonna

Finding God in the Arts: Weekly Summary

Finding God in the Arts Saturday, August 21, 2021 Week Thirty-Three Summary and Practice Sunday, August 15—Friday, August 20, 2021 Sunday Until we can experience each thing in its specific “thisness,” as artists so often do, we will not easily experience the joy and freedom of Divine Presence. Monday Beholding happens when we stop trying… Continue Reading Finding God in the Arts: Weekly Summary

Art as Service

Finding God in the Arts Art as Service Friday, August 20, 2021 Few of us feel called to be formal or fine artists, but all of us are called to be creators. Each of us is called to bring creativity, purpose, and passion to our vocation, no matter what it is. Artist and author Julia… Continue Reading Art as Service

Receiving Images

Finding God in the Arts Receiving Images Thursday, August 19, 2021 Artist and author Christine Valters Paintner explores how we might reconsider traditional approaches to photography. Instead of “taking” pictures, she asks us to “receive” images similar to how we might welcome the presence of God in contemplation. Contemplative practice is a receptive practice. We… Continue Reading Receiving Images

A Theology of Making

Finding God in the Arts A Theology of Making Wednesday, August 18, 2021 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me. . . . She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.” (Mark 14:6, 8) I am struck by the deep… Continue Reading A Theology of Making

The Artistry of the Blues

Finding God in the Arts The Artistry of the Blues Tuesday, August 17, 2021 My friend Barbara Holmes describes the creation of blues music as an act of radical critique that can bring its listeners into a contemplative and holy space, far closer to God than we might be otherwise: Some sacred spaces bear none… Continue Reading The Artistry of the Blues

We Are Called to “Behold”

Finding God in the Arts We Are Called to “Behold” Monday, August 16, 2021 When we look at art, we are usually quick to judge its value according to our own preferences based on style, color, size, location, and even country of origin! However, there is another invitation—one that goes beyond our likes and dislikes—and… Continue Reading We Are Called to “Behold”

An Appreciation for Art

Finding God in the Arts An Appreciation for Art Sunday, August 15, 2021 I’ve always loved beauty and art. When I was on the road and I would have an afternoon off after a conference, I would almost always go to the local art museum. It was a contemplative practice and something I could do… Continue Reading An Appreciation for Art

Moving beyond Conventional Wisdom

Wisdom Moving beyond Conventional Wisdom Thursday, February 25, 2021 Here are the three further “ways of knowing” that can allow us to access greater wisdom: Images: Imaginal knowing is the only way that the unconscious can move into consciousness. It happens through fantasy, through dreams, through symbols, where all is “thrown together” (sym-ballein in Greek).… Continue Reading Moving beyond Conventional Wisdom

Come and See

Mary Magdalene Come and See Friday, July 24, 2020 At our Universal Christ conference in 2019, artist Janet McKenzie shared her paintings, including her work “Jesus of the People.” In her presentation, she shared how rewarding and difficult it can be to disrupt people’s preconceived notions of who someone is and how they should behave.… Continue Reading Come and See

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