Isn't She Beautiful - Day 1 - Session 3

There’s a Box? A Theology of Creativity

There are two types of creativity: 1) one that is outside the box. 2) one that doesn’t realize there was a box in the first place

1) Sacramental Imagination
2) The art of tension, elimination, perspective, expulsion, turning the edit button off, risk, and space
3) Buckets, chunks, and the all important marinade

1) Genesis 28:10; “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it”
Jacob wakes up. It is a physical awakening but also a spiritual awakening.

Psalm 24; “The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it.”
John 5:17; “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I to am working.”

Peggy Noonan on sacramental imagination:
“It has to do with seeing God in all things, and with being perhaps particularly open to the physical reality of the constant…

David Letterman to Warren Zevon: “What have you learned that you can share?”, “I know how much you’re supposed to enjoy every sandwich.”

Your mind has to work at 24/7 translating the constant work of God into words.

Luke 15:23
Fattened calf was more like reconciling him to the entire village. V 28, brother doesn’t want anything to do with it. Not even a goat. (bad image in Jewish history)
The art of tension. Jesus leaves the Prodigal Son story unresolved.

You do not have to resolve everything on the spot. Some things cannot be resolved in a 30 minute sermon.

Why does Jesus do this?
1) the Parable invites you to find yourself in it.
2) Begins the discussion. You can’t NOT talk about it.

If you can resolve it then you haven’t done your job. It needs to inspire and cause reason to act.

2) The art of elimination. Get rid of the extra stuff. “If I would have had more time, I would have said less.” – Mark Twain

“Lust for Life”, story about Van Gogh. (pg 90)


What’s the controlling idea here?
If I only had a few words to capture this…
What needs to go?
What’s good but not absolutely necessary?
What is this in its most raw, pure, unadulterated form?

The art of turning the edit button off. Listen to your gut instincts. If you ever have thoughts that are way out there, or crazy, don’t stifle them. Write down all thoughts.

Abandonment is central to creativity.
That’s crazy
We could never pull that off
This makes no sense
I don’t see how any of this is related
If someone were to read this…

“The Gods aren’t angry” – another speaking tour for fall like “Everything is Spiritual”

GET RID OF THE EDIT BUTTON

The art of expulsion – getting stuff out of you.
Anne Lamott: “I write because I have to.”
What is it that’s inside of me that will kill me if I don’t get it out.
Why do you care?
What is the thing inside of you about this that people have to hear?
What do you have to get out or you are going to spontaneously combust?

The art of space
Fast thinking: getting stuff done; slow thinking: meditating on something

Jesus told his disciples to get in the boat. There’s not much to do on a boat. He’s creating space.

The art of risk
You have to be willing to stub your toe and fall down.
Nothing is wasted in God’s economy. As a pastor we’re supposed to be leading everyone. Who cares if we mess up. Try things. We’re supposed to lead the way because we have nothing to fear.
Not everyone will appreciate it. Some people will say things about you.

Sometime we work so hard to make a few people happy and there are millions out there who need to hear what you have to say.