"Every genuine inspiration contains some tremor of that 'breath' with which the Creator Spirit suffused the work of creation from the very beginning. Overseeing the mysterious laws governing the universe, the divine breath of the Creator Spirit reaches out to human genius and stirs its creative power. He touches it with a kind of inner illumination which brings together the sense of the good and the beautiful, and he awakens energies of mind and heart which enable it to conceive an idea and give it form in a work of art" (John Paul II, Letter to Artists).
Study Audio

LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. This week’s LOVE the Word™ exercise is according to a Franciscan* personality approach.

Listen (Receive the Word)

What is your favorite piece of art or music? What does it say to you? What does God say to you through it?

Observe (Connect the passage to recent events.)

Which of these works of art speaks to you most? What thoughts and emotions arise as you study this painting? What do you think the artist wants to say about himself? What do you think he is expressing about God through his work? What do you want to express about Him through your own work?

Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)

Talk to God about your feelings about your work and what you desire to express about yourself and Him.

Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)

Maybe you want to offer thanksgiving for the gift of co-creating with Him.
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*LOVE the Word™ exercises vary weekly according to the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Ignatian, Augustinian, Franciscan, and Thomistic. These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types.
Episode Resources
Madeline L'Engle - Walking on Water, Reflections on Faith & Art

John Paul the Great's Letter to Artists

My newest book with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers: Ignite, Read the Bible Like Never Before, available for pre-order with a 30% discount using code SPARK here.

Ignite will be out August 17.  Get a preview of the introduction and first chapter here. 
Read the Transcript
You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Kristie Hynniman, who does our transcriptions for you.
Ask Me Anything, (Most) Wednesdays, now on YouTube

 

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