Copyright 2014 Theresa Harvard Johnson
My soul has longed to read a book that could passionately capture my heart concerning the depth and power of God’s creativity, and impart the type of understanding into the ears of others that truly enabled them to appreciate and grasp the weight, impact and significance of Holy Spirit-inspired artistic expression. My friend Matt Tommey was able to do this in his book, “Creativity According to the Kingdom: Connecting with Heaven to Create with God & Release Transformation.”
I was created to be a poet, God’s oracle for healing and restoration. And as I am inspired, I grab hold of my oil pastels and worship into the morning. Several key passages from Tommey’s book affirmed that every ounce of creativity in me, and all artisans, is purposed to give and carry God’s light to others – bearing witness to His immeasurable, all-consuming, transforming power.
Tommey challenges readers to see their artistic expression from a place of partnering with God as sons instead of the adage of being empty vessels that He simply pours into at will to create. Rather, he encourages artisans to see themselves as being sought after by God – just as Adam was when he named the animals in the Garden – to offer our unique vision, care and love into the creative process – right alongside the creator. Tommey sums this up by saying: “Artists are called to create with God, not just to create for Him.”
As I read through the treasure trove of this book, my spirit leapt as Holy Spirit continuously encouraged and empowered me to embrace my holy imagination.
While “Creativity According to the Kingdom” is immensely encouraging and aligning, believers can also expect to have many thought processes, denominational barriers and other religious ideas about creative expression and its purposes confronted and demolished. Tommey boldly presents creativity in such a way that prophetic artistic expression moves from “the-gallery-display-platform-to-be-admired” into the labor and delivery room or the believer’s arsenal of authority, power, prophecy and weaponry. For the prophetic scribe I prefer to say it this way in my calm voice: “Lay down the Easter speech. Back away from the open mic. Leave the movie scripts on the walnut desk and back away slowly. Slowly. Back. Back. Away. You don’t know it now, but there’s more to what you are doing than meets the natural eye.”
Listen, I have probably read every book on the market over the past decade on creativity in the Kingdom. None have been as progressively refreshing, timeless and as relevant as Creativity According to the Kingdom: Connecting with Heaven to Create with God & Release Transformation. There are moments of awakening and confirmation in this book that will release healing tears. And for those who have longed to identify with the uniqueness of the prophetic artist community, your understanding will be unlocked. The creativity of Christ-centered artisans has been wax-sealed between these pages providing a model in which all creative artisans – from scribes to visual artists to musicians – can launch or expand their journey through God’s heart concerning who they are and what they have been called to do. This, in my opinion, is what causes “Creativity According to the Kingdom” to stand out from the crowd.
Tommey’s passion for God, and true liberty for artisans and the arts is undeniable. He has presented us with a picture of God’s prophetic vision for the role of His army of artisans in the earth. He has outlined how they are being identified, equipped, prepared and moved beyond the confines of what the community of believers have previously understood. If you are expecting or awaiting a shift in this area, I urge you to read this book. With each page turn, readers will come to know just how much the culture of our faith is changing and grasp glimpses of the intricate role that every creative-centered-spirit-filled-and-skilled soul plays in the midst. We are living in an exciting time in the earth, as masters, like Tommey arise to guide this current and rising generation.
My soul has longed to read a book that could passionately capture my heart concerning the depth and power of God’s creativity, and impart the type of understanding into the ears of others that truly enabled them to appreciate and grasp the weight, impact and significance of Holy Spirit-inspired artistic expression. My friend Matt Tommey was able to do this in his book, “Creativity According to the Kingdom: Connecting with Heaven to Create with God & Release Transformation.”
I was created to be a poet, God’s oracle for healing and restoration. And as I am inspired, I grab hold of my oil pastels and worship into morning. Several key passages from Tommey’s book affirmed that every ounce of creativity in me, and all artisans, is purposed to give and carry God’s light to others – bearing witness to His immeasurable, all-consuming, transforming power.
Tommey challenges readers to see their artistic expression from a place of partnering with God as sons instead of the adage of being empty vessels that He simply pours into at will to create. Rather, he encourages artisans to see themselves as being sought after by God – just as Adam was when he named the animals in the Garden – to offer our unique vision, care and love into the creative process – right alongside the creator. Tommey sums this up by saying: “Artists are called to create with God, not just to create for Him.”
As I read through the treasure trove of this book, my spirit leapt as Holy Spirit continuously encouraged and empowered me to embrace my holy imagination.
While “Creativity According to the Kingdom” is immensely encouraging and aligning, believers can also expect to have many thought processes, denominational barriers and other religious ideas about creative expression and its purposes confronted and demolished. Tommey boldly presents creativity in such a way that prophetic artistic expression moves from “the-gallery-display-platform-to-be-admired” into the labor and delivery room or the believer’s arsenal of authority, power, prophecy and weaponry. For the prophetic scribe I prefer to say it this way in my calm voice: “Lay down the Easter speech. Back away from the open mic. Leave the movie scripts on the walnut desk and back away slowly. Slowly. Back. Back. Away. You don’t know it now, but there’s more to what you are doing than meets the natural eye.”
Listen, I have probably read every book on the market over the past decade on creativity in the Kingdom. None have been as progressively refreshing, timeless and as relevant as Creativity According to the Kingdom: Connecting with Heaven to Create with God & Release Transformation. There are moments of awakening and confirmation in this book that will release healing tears. And for those who have longed to identify with the uniqueness of the prophetic artist community, your understanding will be unlocked. The creativity of Christ-centered artisans has been wax-sealed between these pages providing a model in which all creative artisans – from scribes to visual artists to musicians – can launch or expand their journey through God’s heart concerning who they are and what they have been called to do. This, in my opinion, is what causes “Creativity According to the Kingdom” to stand out from the crowd.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tommey’s passion for God, and true liberty for artisans and the arts is undeniable. He has presented us with a picture of God’s prophetic vision for the role of His army of artisans in the earth. He has outlined how they are being identified, equipped, prepared and moved beyond the confines of what the community of believers have previously understood. If you are expecting or awaiting a shift in this area, I urge you to read this book. With each page turn, readers will come to know just how much the culture of our faith is changing and grasp glimpses of the intricate role that every creative-centered-spirit-filled-and-skilled soul plays in the midst. We are living in an exciting time in the earth, as masters, like Tommey arise to guide this current and rising generation.
Purchase This Book Online:
https://www.createspace.com/4782508
