“We need solitude in a world that wants to visit,
quiet from a world that wants idle chit-chat,
and steadfastness in a world where everything’s
changing and transient.
We need time to gather the little pieces of ourselves that scatter.”
Word Count: 40
~Dave Harrity in Making Manifest: On Faith, Creativity, and the Kingdom at Hand
Read more about the book here.
Watch this video.
ACCEPT AN INVITATION
I hope you’ll join me here on the blog starting May 1 as we work through this 28-day devotional book that’s “grounded in the acts of writing, creativity, imagination, solitude, and community-building, all designed to help you ‘re-vision’ the way you understand and interact with the Kingdom of God.”
Dave goes on to remind us that “ALL people can be creative since the act of creating is something we’re designed to do.“
The book offers daily meditations that end with a personal writing exercise of some kind–designed to complete in about 30 minutes and “meant to incline your heart and mind toward mystery . . . “
And get this… at the end of each week we’ll take our “scribblings” and combine them into the beginnings of a poem.
How’s that as a followup to National Poetry Month?
Every Thursday we’ll meet back here to “debrief,” and I’ll offer a linkup if you want to write about your experience on your own blog. I’m also planning to open a Facebook page so we can interact with each other during the week. In addition, I hope to have some “poetic friends” stop by to guest post for us. I’m hoping even Dave himself will pop in.
You guys, I’m really excited about going through this book with you. And a little nervous because I’ve never attempted to do a study like this on the blog. But as I sit here writing this, my heart is beating faster, and I have this sense that God is in this right now. At this moment. For such a time as this.
I think it’s going to be fun. And meaningful. And at the end of the month, we might not be poets, but we might be better writers. We might find some of our scattered pieces and find stronger voices. We might know ourselves and each other better. We might have uncovered new seeds of creativity and learned to embrace ourselves as God’s poemias.
And we might have seen and made God manifest in new ways.
WIN THE BOOK
So… are you with me? If so, leave a comment below by next Wednesday, April 9. I have an extra copy of this book to give away, and the grandgirl might draw YOUR name. I’ll announce the winner on Thursday, April 10.
Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 9 – 16
In the stillness,
Sandy
Weird. I bought that very book a couple of days ago!!! I was browsing Amazon and it seemed to be what I needed right now—some guidance in my writing life. I have finished three of the exercises in snatches of time. I thought why I am I buying this book??? It only has one review….
I hope I can join in, Sandy.
Leave me out of the drawing because I have the book, but I want to encourage everyone to get it. I have barely tip-toed in and love it its simplicity, the gentle urging to see and “divine” what is waiting to find it’s voice in the world.
Oh my goodness! This is crazy! Now I’ve got God-bumps. I hope, hope, hope you can join us, Dea.
(I don’t think the book was even available on Amazon when I first got it. )
Very meaningful quote.
I know, right? It’s a perfect Still Saturday quote. 🙂
That’s a great big project you’ve chomped off, my friend. Sounds great – and put me in the drawing and then if I don’t win, I’ll order the book. Though you may have to remind me. :>)
Yay!
P.S. Guess what? I ALREADY HAVE THIS BOOK IN MY KINDLE LIBRARY. Sigh. I buy way WAY too many books. But I’m glad I found this one :>)
That’s hysterical, Diana. I’ve bought some books only to discover I already had one. Do you still want to be in the drawing for the “real” book?
Sure! I wish I’d bought a hard copy the first time around.
Love the quote! “Solitude… quiet… steadfastness… time.” Sigh I wonder if I can bribe your grandgirl, LOL!
I think you’ll love this, Carol. And the grandgirl could be bribed with some cheddar and sour cream Ruffles or some Sour Patch Kids. 😉
Oh, wow! Would love to join you!
SQUEEEE!
I am with you! This sounds just right for my next book club venture..writing..creating..growing…Thanks Sandra for the invite!
We’re really getting a group together. I love it! You’ll love it.
Sandra – I just want to add that this is so timely. I have such enthusiasm to share with the kindgdom, yet I am so hopelessly single-simple-mindedly forgetful. This really sounds like it might help me better structure what I am doing without being so random and peculiar….or perhaps, it will be a study that shows me God can use me right where I am, just the a I am, hither, thither and yon…..
Can’t wait.
what would you guess my response to be?
I’m here
I’m in
even in the midst of what feels like chaos
help me Lord to be willing to be willing…
I’m so glad, Karin. It wouldn’t be the same without you. Praying you’ll find a little stilling in the willing.
Sounds like a great activity.
Does that mean you’re in, Jill? 🙂
I would greatly enjoy this adventure with you all! Sandy, your blog is a blessing and delight for me to read each day! I am also finding a lovely escape through writing and (some) poetry. I hope I can join the party here…
More Grace
This makes me smile so big, Donna. Thank you. And I’m so glad you’re joining us!
Coming over to check this out after seeing Diana’s facebook post! This sounds like something that could be good for me – I’m in!
Welcome, Donna. I’m so happy. 🙂
I definitely want to read this book, and what better way to do so than with you and the rest of the group? I’m especially interested in how this will connect with my own writing project on creativity. Thanks for the invitation!
Hi April! I’m excited to have you join us to work through as much as you have time for. We can all find about 30 minutes a day for a month, right? 😉
Sounds lovely !
anticipation….
Color me happy. 🙂
Wow, this book looks amazing! I’ve been watching the videos, and I love Dave’s message. I have been exploring my own creativity and its connection to faith for a while now. It would be wonderful to join you in this!
Awesomeness, Sarah! It’ll be so fun getting to know God, ourselves, and each other better. 🙂
This sounds like a great study and a great project, Sandy. I’ll probably take a pass this time, but if you ever do a similar study again, I’d love to participate (especially one involving poetry…since writing poetry skeeeeeers me!).
I’m pretty sure this approach to poetry won’t be skeeeeery, Michelle. Though you may have to be willing to give up a little control. 😉
I know you’ve got your hands full right now… and as far as doing this again, we’ll see how it goes. I’m starting to get a little skeeeered. 😉
But if you change your mind, you know where to find us. I’m learning that a little exposure to poetry helps even the prose.
I’ve been wanting to read this. I *might* want to take your challenge. Count me in for the drawing.
By the way, Dave is going to be at FFW.
I know! Somehow we’ll need to all connect. Share cell phone numbers or something. Some of us (Ann and Charity and me and ?) are going to try to go out for dinner at least one of the nights.
Oh, I hope it works out, Laura. You’d add so much.
Sandra,
You and Dave are speaking my language…So glad you’re listening to God’s nudging and doing this…I’m going to jump in with you 🙂
Oh, Dolly. I’m so glad!
Yike…I just tweeted you that I was ordering the book then I realized I was also entering this drawing….where is my mind…if I don’t win the drawing, I will just order the book…sorry to be so confused and confusing …
I roll well with confused and confusing. You’re speaking my language there. Yes, don’t order the book until after next week.
I’m going to watch this one from a little bit of a distance (next couple of months are super busy for me), but very excited to see you stepping into this, and that you’ve had such a strong response. 🙂
Go, Sandy. 🙂
You better be around and available then to calm me down when I come running in a stage of hyperventilation because I’ve taken on so much.
Oh wait, this is supposed to be a stilling exercise. 😉
You just take it one week at a time. No more, no less. See what comes. 🙂
😀 😀
Your words for Still Saturday set me to reading further and further into your site and am here! I love to write, to journal with a pen and pencil and paper. I love to meander through my mind and heart to see what God has placed there. So I would love to join this group. : ) I had not heard of this book until now so will look forward to reading it, whether I win the extra copy of not!
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
I’m dancing. So glad to meander with you, Linda. I think this is going to help all of us grow.
Oh, this book sounds wonderful. As a new writer online, this would touch right where I need for sure. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy and for introducing me to it!
Awesome, LeeAnn! So glad to have you along for the journey!
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book, which if I were to win would give to my dear friend Lucille who loves to write, and with such insight .
I love it, Linda! Your words make me smile this morning.
Well…here I am way down at the bottom but willing to try because the Lenten journey I’ve been on with Margaret Feinberg and these precious nuggets of 40-day gold with you make me hungrier for the deeper places with those who are hungry too. Count me in.
Better late than never. 🙂 I’m really, really sure you’re enjoy this feast, Lorretta. I’m excited to share it with you.
I have not done this before so am a little unsure but think I want to give this a try. The book sounds wonderful. Linda
Welcome, Linda! We were saving a chair for you. 🙂