Must See

Run, don't walk to your computer (Oh, wait you're already there if you are reading this blog) and check out www.last.fm This website is an awesome place to find new bands or just to listen to some old favorites. Type in the name of a favorite artist, and the website will create a playlist of other artists in the same genre you might like. I tried with Nevertheless, Leeland, This Beautiful Republic, and Tenth Avenue North. Very excellent job matching up other stuff that I would like. Give it a try. You could save hours in searching for new artists. Or waste hours searching for new artists. Depends on how you look at it.

Creativity Requires Space

I am totally stealing this from my friend, Aaron Franklin. Just giving credit up front. I saw this article referenced on his blog and after reading it, decided to post it on mine. Nancy Beach is one of the teaching pastors at Willow Creek. Honestly, I had never heard of her before today. I followed this link and read her article and God spoke volumes so go ahead and read the article. Then come back to see what I thought.
http://www.willowcreek.com/emailHTML/Equip/2009_01/article.html

I have for years known that Jesus sought out solitude on a regular basis. I have for years also known and understood that God can be hard to hear in the middle of a crazy life. However, I had not seriously connected that God may need us still and quiet to be able to maximize our creative potential. It does make sense that leaving space for God to speak and move in your life would help you to hear that new song, or to hone your skill, or to envision and create a new dance or painting or drama. I know that I am so busy that many of my creative impulses get postponed until they are gone. This article reminded me that planning times alone with God are not luxuries, but necessities.