Finding Divine Inspiration: Working with the Holy Spirit in Your Creativity [Paperback]

J. Scott McElroy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2008

In Finding Divine Inspiration: Working with the Holy Spirit in Your Creativity you'll learn listen for God's voice and inspiration in your creative process. And you'll discover the joy of working with the Holy Spirit on the projects He has designed especially for you! God wants to bring a transforming wave of divinely inspired creativity to the culture and the church through His transformed artists. Finding Divine Inspiration is full of practical steps and exciting biblical, historic and current examples, to help you learn to partner with The Great Creator in your life and work! Includes Exclusive Interviews with : Thomas Blackshear, Painter Forgiven Dan Haseltine, Jars of Clay Peter Furler, Newsboys Buzz McLauglin, Writer/Producer, Theater and Film And more!

Editorial Reviews

Review

For any Christian in the arts or even remotely interested in the arts, this is a must-read book. The author balances excellent biblical principles with practical applications from his own experience and the experience of others. The church desperately needs to recapture the creativity of true art as a reflection of God's creativity, and this book will help it do that. --Dr. Timothy Warner Former Professor, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Former President, Ft. Wayne Bible College

I found this book not only enjoyable but a very real experience in worship. McElroy deftly balances a Biblical perspective of the Holy Spirit s role as the third person of the Trinity and the implications for the Christian creative. I will definitely be recommending it to my community of artists. --Matt Guilford Campus Crusade Arts Initiative

This book is a powerful message to everyone involved in the creative arts, of how God wants to use US to radically impact our generation. It has truly challenged me as a television professional to develop a more listening lifestyle to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. --Eric Poland Emmy Award-Winning Producer

About the Author

Scott is a writer, artist and award-winning radio producer who is passionate about redeeming the arts through collaborating with the Holy Spirit. As a voiceover artist, he hosted the Animal Planet daily TV series, Wildlife Journal from 2004-2007. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife Danielle, daughter Hailee, and son, Kaia .

Product Details

• Paperback: 239 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Image (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0768427029
• ISBN-13: 978-0768427028
• Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 5.8 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Scott is the author of Finding Divine Inspiration (http://FindingDivineInspiration.com), founder of The New Renaissance Rising arts renewal movement (http://TheNewR.org)and Director of Arts at the Vineyard Community Church in Indianapolis. He speaks and leads workshops and seminars on the arts around the country.

He has worked in creative professions for 30 years, as an award-winning radio producer, a writer, visual artist, and a national voiceover artist. He spent 20 years as an air-personality and Production Director for Emmis Communications Indianapolis radio stations, has written hundreds of reviews and articles as a Film Reviewer and freelance writer, painted live in front of audiences and produced paintings for special services. Scott has also produced and choreographed over a dozen "SkyConcert" televised fireworks synchronized-to-music shows, and voiced and narrated projects for clients such Visa, Intel, Land O' Lakes, US Bank, the FCC, the Animal Planet TV series "Wildlife Journal" (2004-2007), and the 8 disc Promises for Life scripture CD series.

Scott is married to Danielle and they live in Indianapolis with their daughter, Hailee, son, Kaia and family dog, Eleanor.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Handbook for doing anything! December 26, 2008

By D. Renollet

Format:Paperback

Steven Spielberg once remarked in an interview on Bravo's "Inside the Actors Studio" on the importance of listening, whether it be to other actors, or people "above" or "below" you. Spielberg quoted the scripture to host James Lipton, "..Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord..."

J. Scott McElroy urges the reader to consider that such "listening" is a fruitful and worthy pursuit.

You may or may not even be looking for divine inspiration, or may not even care whether it exists or not. But if you are working towards something, toward a goal of some sort, whether you believe it to be creative or not, this book is for you.
McElroy lays out a framework (staying clear of boring, one size fits all step by step methodology!)to "clear the canvas" prior to your pursuit.

The book explores ideas, that often times the church has been guilty of ignoring, and that the agnostic or non-thestic world wrongly belives it has the corner on. Reconciliation of this duality is an area that McElroy treads comfortably.

These observations challenge artists of any media, to go past their visible spheres, thus causing the reader to consider their work may have purpose, meaning and effect, far beyond what you may have considered at the time.
McElroy's premise is simple yet extraordinary, develop a pattern of inviting Divine involvement, then act. The results , unpredictable though they may be, will invariably cause deep growth in your life.

Whether you believe in the possibility of external inspiration or not, you will be brought along on a journey that challenges you to look beyond yourself, beyond your own vision,... what beautifully crafted, unforseen wonder awaits you!

I look forward to more works by this author.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Calling all Christian artists... May 24, 2012

By ASChicago

Format:Paperback

I have found that this is a read that requires digesting slowly. I would normally breeze through a book, however interesting, in a few days. But I am having to re-read and meditate and stop to pray in the middle of my own ideas. Scott's insight into the hearts of Christian artists speaks volumes. The story he is telling is OUR story. I believe in the spirit of every Christian artist lies a yearning to create EXACTLY what God wants us to, the way HE wants us to do it and for it to mean WHAT He wants it to. The Holy Spirit gave Scott this book as a gift and a message to help all of us...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Whole Chorus of Inspiration December 5, 2009

By J. Nilo

Format:Paperback

In this book, J. Scott McElroy has orchestrated a symphony of artists who listen to God. It's an honor to read the struggles, fears, epiphanies, and scriptures quoted by other Christ-followers who share this artistic journey. Together their voices celebrate how the Inventor of Beauty and Creator of Meaning actually wants to collaborate with his children in artistic endeavors. McElroy takes the reader deep into the reasons and implications of this delightful truth, and he recommends some outstanding ways to pursue spiritual collaboration with God in the artist's personal development.

God's interest and involvement in the arts is not a subject often heard from the pulpit, a fact which is more outrageous when you realize the ground Christians need to recover after collectively turning our backs on the art scene for so long and relinquishing our creative influence and responsibility. But there is a New Renaissance rising, and McElroy's message is stirring in the hearts of artists everywhere. I highly recommend this book for anyone who longs to experience God's amazing direction and inspiration within the mystery of the creative process.