Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

Great book about how God wants us to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As we seek God, He will guide us in the steps we need to take.

J. Scott McElroy has written "Finding Divine Inspiration" with the intent of helping artists develop the foundation that will allow them to have "listening ears, an obedient heart, a pure mind, and an expectant desire to collaborate with the Creator of the universe."

Scott relates his journey as he explores "the path that leads to a more natural and consistent experience of creative collaboration." Scott challenges Christian artists to pursue ways that the Holy Spirit can use creative arts infused with the inspired prophetic message to speak through them to the world.

Scott shows evidence of a solid grasp on truth with an ingenious way of communicating art as a conduit of life. His writing resonates with a deep appreciation for the works of classical artists, musicians and writers, as well as contemporary artists and authors who have been touched by the Holy Spirit in the creative process.

I appreciated a look behind the scenes through Scott's writer's journal, which included affirmations, prophetic words, frustrations, and the process of writing in collaboration with the Holy Spirit.

Scott McElroy provides food for contemplation. His writing is highly readable and indicates that Scott himself has been touched by God.

"Finding Divine Inspiration" is not only for those directly involved in the creative arts but is a book for any innovative person in search of encouragement, and a longing to fully engage with God in an act of joining their will with His.

The subtitle for this book is "Working with the Holy Spirit in Your Creativity". It delivers. This is also not just for artists, although a bunch of artists are the ones who recommended it to me. This book is not just for musicians or writers either. This book is for everyone. It is my personal belief that everyone has something that they either do or can do in a creative manner. Even if it's problem solving in a corporate office--you need creative solutions to do that!

The other reason why I think this book is for everyone is because it's another one of those Christian books that has a topic all right but it's really all about how to live the Christian life. This will be one of my rare 5 star book reviews.

J. Scott McElroy is open and authentic speaking from his own personal experiences. (Aren't those always the best?) He gives us background into some of the famous Christian artists and musicians from history and how they related to God in their work. He has more recent information on modern creative people via interviews which clearly tells how they pray, are dependent upon God and wait upon God for the visions or divine ideas they need for their craft.

This book also goes pretty deeply into the subject of hearing God. It tells why it's important and then goes into how to do it with lots of specific examples. I especially like the mention of journaling as I already do that.

If you need more creativity or use creativity in your daily life (and if you don't you should be because it's one way we reflect the image of God) then this book is for you (that's everyone). If you would like to learn how to hear God's voice better, then this book is for you, too! Did I mention that everyone should get this book?

NOT free from a blogging for books program. From my own personal library. It was too good to not mention!

This book is a great read! It is very informative about how to use your creativity for the purpose of the Lord!
I recommend this book to any artist.

McElroy offers an incredibly radical perspective on creativity. This is a great book for any creative soul who desires to know more about how they can co-create with the Creator in ways that they may never have thought of before. Highly recommended.