Pop Xulture Newsletter # 23
Focusing on Creativity, Part 1. 6/12/24
Hi Friends, with summer officially upon us, I’m excited to talk about creativity (UPDATE: see Creativity, Part 3). On one hand, we may have more time with “longer” days, school being out, and vacations. On the other, heat and humidity can feel oppressive, and preparing for and going on vacation can be grueling. However, if we use the summer well, I believe everyone can be creative and final outcomes can be rewarding. (And maybe that can transition into a rewarding Fall and Winter!) But before we look at foundations for creativity, I’ll share briefly what I’ve been up to.
Xurrent News
At the beginning of May I published a piece with Christ and Pop Culture (CAPC), titled, “Why Mystery Is Crucial to Our Lives (And Why It’s Never Going Away).” I asked myself, What if embracing mysteries, whether directly or passively, was vital to our spiritual health? This article reviews multiple pop culture artifacts regarding “mysteries,” and how those line up with the mysterious God of the universe.
Then a few weeks later, I was interviewed on a radio show about this article on mysteries. The show is called “The Ride Home with John & Kathy” and you can listen here. It was a great conversation exploring how God is mysteriously “other,” while simultaneously being accessible and desiring us to search for Him.
Lastly, I’ve been working on a certification program since October of last year that has taken most of the time usually devoted to writing. I’m relieved to (hopefully) be done some time in July (2024) so I can get back to what I love – writing for you!
Xomposition Exclusive
As I mentioned above, I believe anyone can find satisfaction in creativity. I define creativity as problem solving, but how we begin, determines ease of impact, quality, and success of that quest. Check out my article “Creativity, Part 1 – Foundations,” then see below for my initial attempt at the article’s first section.
First is an image with a side-by-side view from the published piece to the draft as a good comparison. This in itself may be an interesting study in creativity, as I explored truths and honed what content should actually be in the article. Second, is the text of the draft.
Text from Draft, Section 1
Throughout his book, Baraka consistently preaches the importance of telling the truth in our creativity. This may seem like a no-brainer. But there are many forces at work, ourselves included, attempting to edit or hinder complete truth in our imaginations.
I look at creativity as problem-solving…and thinking outside the box, but mostly problem-solving. An artisan solves the problem of a blank canvas or lump of clay by transforming it into a beautiful masterpiece. In fact, that broad of a definition implies anyone can be creative about almost anything. Everyone has God-given creative attributes, and it’s highlighted in the opening words of the Bible.
Genesis 1:26 says, “God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.’” Much has been said about what “image” and “likeness” mean here. But the most glaringly obvious meaning is actually in the word: “make.” We were made and have the ability to make. God is not a creator, He is the Creator, and He has given His children the amazing ability to sub-create.
He led by example and infused creativity into our DNA. Mirroring the testimony of Genesis 1, John 1 elaborates that it was the Person of Jesus who did the creating. This shows that although unmatched in creative power, our humble Servant-Savior came in the essence of His creation. He humbly set the example and asks permission to make humility part of our spiritual DNA.
POP CULTURE FOR SECTION 1:
The animated film 9, shows how a creating creation can spend its life searching for its creator. If we know Jesus and can accept that all of our creative ability is because we were made in His image, we have an opportunity to find inspiration and rest.
[END EXCLUSIVE ARTICLE CONTENT]
Xoncluding Thoughts
As you may know, at the end of each year I write an article for CAPC comparing the current 2020 year with its corresponding 1980’s year. But each following July, I post a never-before-seen section pertaining to that previous article, exclusively for you. So look forward to next month’s exclusive and in the meantime, you can read “1983 vs. 2023: When Is Revival Right for America?,” which it’s based on.
Thanks, in Him,
-Chris (the Bearded Wonder) Fogle