Receiving

I love receiving gifts. Recently my husband and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary and he had a beautifully wrapped gift for me. I couldn't wait to see what he carefully and lovingly picked out - he knows me pretty well! I opened it, only to find many things wrapped up together, several little gifts inside one larger gift. It was so fun to explore and see that my husband actually listens to me! (haha). I loved every single gift received and he was so pleased that I enjoyed them all.

Receiving a gift is wonderful. But there are a few steps to take in order to do it right.

1. Accept it

2. Open it

3. Use it

Did you ever get a gift that was, well....not really your taste? So you smile and graciously thank the gift-giver while thinking, "I'll never wear/use this!" Suddenly you have a something to "re-gift." Uh yeah, I've never had that experience either.

We can easily accept and open a gift, but not always are we willing to use it, right?

Several years ago, I realized that God had given me a gift. I didn't want to accept it, and I certainly didn't want to open it! He kept pointing to that dusty gift that had my name on it, but I'd turn my head or pretend I didn't hear Him. As my spiritual life deepened through certain prayer practices, such as silence and solitude and sacred listening, it became clear that He wanted me to fully receive His gift, open it up, and use it with all my heart. Finally, I stopped resisting Him and opened up this beautiful gift that is just for me. Now I'm exploring it with His guidance. I can feel His pleasure.

God has given each one of us a unique gift. Is yours sitting on the shelf, collecting dust? Maybe you've opened it but feel it's not a good fit so you put it back on the shelf, all alone.

Do you have a sense that the Gift-Giver is gently nudging you to take that gift off the shelf so you can explore it completely? He picked out this gift for you even before He created the heavens and the earth...

Imagine His pleasure as you fully receive the beautiful gift He's given to you...

Grace & peace on the journey ~ deAnn

With Him

All of life is spiritual. Every single piece. There is never a time when God is not with us. But often we are zooming through our well scheduled days and God is just holding on for dear life! Of course He’s with us, but are we really with Him?

It’s easy to approach our art that way too. Sure, we may pray before or while we are creating, but God is still just tagging along trying to keep up. Instead of simply asking God to be with us as we create, how about making the choice to be with Him as we create. Can you consider how that creative experience could be different?

What would it look like to move into your art as a time to be with God – listening - and creating whatever bubbles up from within?

There are times when we are on a deadline to complete a project and we feel pressure just to “get the job done.” How can you join with God even under those circumstances?

grace & peace on the creative journey ~ deAnn

Photograph taken by deAnn Roe (c) 2009 Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Consolidating

I was driving home from work today wishing I had time for a bike ride. But the sky was so dag-gone pretty I also wanted to set out for some photo taking. I was perplexed - then remembered a hilarious scene from Jim Carrey's movie, "Yes Man." You see, Carl (Jim's character) met a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants girl named Alison (Zooey Daschanel) who had a running photography group, yes - they would take photos while running. In one famous scene Carl has just pulled an all-nighter and was all hopped up on Red Bull when his friends dropped him off at Allison's running photography group. Click here for a full laughter experience from the Red Bull scene of the movie.

For what ever reason, I have many interests and finding adequate time to give each of them is rather impossible. So I'm left to choose. As I drove home, I got to thinking about riding my road bike with my big dSLR hanging around my neck and I almost had to pull over due to erratic giggling. Shifting gears and clicking the shutter all while climbing one of York County's great hills would be something to see! Then there's changing the lens while constantly peddling. Sounds a bit dangerous.

Sure, consolidating interests is a "good idea" but not realistic. Besides, one reason why I love photography so much is because it causes me to slow down and really be where I am and see what's before me. It's a very contemplative practice, interacting with God's creation and listening to what He may have for me in it.

Although, I just may have to take my dSLR on my next run and see what I come up with. I'll let you know how that goes.

grace & peace on the creative journey ~deAnn

Colored Lines

I could never become bored with the beauty of the Northern Lights. The mystical ribbons of color dancing gracefully below the heavens, in rhythm with unheard music. Only on television and in images have I witnessed this amazing event. My heart longs to stand under the wide night sky and witness their dance - in person.

Admittedly, I know very little about longitude and latitude, only what I can remember from Junior High. I grew up in Redding, California - the very top of the CA valley and surrounded on three sides by significant mountain ranges. This area is way Northern California (most people say Nor Cal is San Fransisco. Yet, Redding is about 220 miles north of there.)

When I was around four years old, I recall my mom and dad saying good-night to friends who came over for dinner. They stood in the driveway as the cool night air rustled the leaves from the towering sycamore trees that lined our quaint and quiet street. I was supposed to be in bed, but my rebellious side was developing well, so I stepped outside onto the darkened front porch. I have always loved the sound the wind creates when it passes through the trees. In a clearing, I looked up to the darkest sky I had seen and was stunned by number of stars above. Then my young eyes witnessed something that, to this day, I can not explain or haven't seen since - "moving colored lines in the sky." I was mesmerized by them - yet at the same time, nervously glancing towards my parents who were talking with friends on the driveway - I shouldn't have been out of bed. In pure childlike wonderment, I watched the lines move aimlessly before the stars and desperately I wanted to reach up and grab them. Then my parents moved toward the house and I bolted inside, down the hall, and jumped into bed. They never knew I was there.

I carried this mystical image with me as I grew up. In ninth grade science class, we studied astronomy. Of course, we touched on the Aurora Borealis, a.k.a. "Northern Lights." My teacher said you can see this phenomenon in Canada, Alaska, and other extreme northern reaches of our hemisphere. Bravely, I raised my hand and asked if we lived far enough "north" to have them appear in our nighttime sky. It was explained that they are extremely rare in our area, but possible - particularly if there is a strong solar storm (wind).

As a little girl, did I really witness these dancing colors above? Or did my young mind imagine this scene? I don't know for sure. But what I believe to be true, after interacting with my memory, is that I saw the hand of God painting beautiful strokes of sparkling color across the sky just for me - a rebellious curly blond-hair girl standing on the front porch in a flannel nightgown - when I was supposed to be in bed. Maybe that was the early stages of my sensitivity to God's presence in the world - and in my life...

Before I enter eternity, I'd love to travel north and see His artwork first hand, with my own eyes. Again.

grace & peace ~ deAnn



2009 (c) deAnn Roe

Reflection

I took this photo last October while on a Photo Outing with the Aperture photography group. As I look at this image, I see it relating deeply to my spiritual life: I am to be a reflection of the beauty of Jesus. But, because I’m a broken individual, what I reflect is a distorted version of the Original. However, because of God’s grace, even in the distorted reflection, there is beauty.

Lake Redman
Photograph by deAnn Roe -2009 (c)

Hammock Time

Today, I retreat, once again.
Rest, solitude, listening, creating. Intentional time to be still before the Lord. I schedule these two day silent retreats every other month. Some people laugh at me when I tell them this. Others long for the same opportunity - to trade in the demands of day-to-day details for a cotton hammock strung between two ancient trees.

I take with me:

• watercolors, brushes, and paper
• colored pencils, drawing pencils, and my sketchpad
• digital SLR camera
• laptop - for writing (there is no Internet access)
• Bible, journal, and a few books
• most importantly, an open heart eager to hear God's voice and a desire to respond

These silent retreats are an inward journey for me. To interact with the God of love and allow Jesus to rearrange my heart as He sees fit. The art that emerges from these time with Him are the result of intimate prayer and listening - allowing myself to "move with God." My most meaningful artwork comes from these sacred times.

I always return to my life a changed person. Even if I can't see the change right away.

May you gift yourself with an intentional retreat with God - just for you and Him.

Grace & peace on the journey ~ deAnn

Photography by a Flickr.com artist.

God in the Gallery Series

First Presbyterian Church in York, PA has a five week series in their adult Sunday school class time titled, "Christian Perspectives on Art, Beauty & Creativity." It begins Sunday, June 14 and wraps up Sunday, July 12. The class is in room 209 at 10:00 am. For information and directions to First Pres, click here.

I'm honored to be one of the presenters in this series, along with Ned Bustard (of Square Halo Books & editor of "It Was Good - Making Art to the Glory of God"), Byron Borger (of Hearts & Minds Bookstore), and Connie Rae (of Potterae Studios).

Here is how it will work:

• Ned Bustard - June 14
• Byron Borger - June 21
• Connie Rae - June 28 - sitting at her potter's wheel
• deAnn Roe - July 5 - topic: Embracing Your Creativity
• deAnn Roe - July 12 - topic: Going Vertical With Your Creativity

If you are an artist or simply enjoy conversations on art, beauty, and creativity, you'll dig this series. Thanks to First Pres for opening the door on such a topic. Again, I'm honored to participate in this opportunity with such awesome people!

Grace & peace ~ deAnn

Imaging Faith and Spirituality

The new exhibit is up and ready for your interaction. "Imaging Faith and Spirituality" features powerful photographic images that speak to the many facets of the spiritual life. The photographers in this exhibit include Lisa Amsapcher, Vickie Everhart, Bryanna Eckert, Kevin Henderson, and myself.

I encourage you to spend time with these everyday images that are on display at the Gallery at Common Grounds, and read the "photo stories" written by the photographers telling how the image speaks to their walk with Jesus. Then interact with the images yourself, looking through the lens of your spiritual journey. Also, pick up the gallery companion booklet, The Heart Behind the Art for more examples of this exhibit. Click here to read it online.

Pottery artist, Connie Rae of Potterae Studios, has her work on display in the Gallery cabinets. Her work is stunningly beautiful. Read more about her in the gallery booklet as well.

Grace & Peace ~ deAnn

Don't Discount the Doodle

My friend and co-worker, Aaron Brown, has a great blog named Existemi. He wrote a fantastic post on creativity the other day and want to share it with you. The post is called, "Art and Faith" and you ought to check it out. Click here to read.

Like so many people, Aaron considers himself a "closet artist." Doodling and such. But even doodling is art and can come from the depths of one's heart. Don't discount your doodles. Pay attention to them. Look through them and see what hidden message can be uncovered.

Something to consider: in your prayer time have your pens, pencils, and your sketchpad on hand. As you pray - doodle. As you doodle - pray. Let whatever come come. Ignore nothing, just doodle your prayers and see what God has for you. You may discover something new about yourself, about your life with Jesus.

Grace & peace on the creative journey ~ deAnn