Multi Media Ministry

A MOMENT WITH BREEZY

2010-01-04T20:22:00.000-08:00

Breezy Brookshire is an 18-year-old artist whose interests span everything from visual arts to writing, music, and homemaking. A recent homeschool graduate, Breezy spends her time drawing and painting, teaching art lessons, honing her piano skills, blogging about her artistic endeavors and spiritual journey, and delving into God's word (her favorite theological topics include family and church reformation). In 2009, Breezy and her younger sister Emily Rose co-founded Noble Rose Press, a small business that sells paper dolls based on Christian women whose faith and servitude in centuries past made a mark on history that continues to inspire girls today. After getting the business off the ground last year, Breezy sat down with MMM to chat about how her creativity and faith.

1. Tell us about how you began to draw. How has being homeschooled helped you develop your talents?

I've enjoyed drawing since I was a little girl and always wanted to learn more about communicating with the visual arts. From the time I was just a little girl I've been pouring through the books soaking up ideas and tips on drawing and and painting.

Through home-education I had the time to practice drawing and doodling wherever I was. Dad and Mom also made sure my sister and I always had plenty of art and craft supplies around the house to experiment with.

2. Describe your artistic style.

I don't know if I can pin-point it just yet, but I find myself most often trying to capture the simple pleasures of childhood like reading and exploring out of doors. I'm greatly influenced by Jesse Wilcox Smith and Tasha Tudor, but I'm still working on finding my precise "voice" without copying those I admire.

3. Which artists have you been influenced by? How do you 'learn from the masters' while still maintaining your own unique style?

My favorite illustrators would be Jesse Wilcox Smith, Beatrix Potter, E.H. Shepard, and Trina Schart Hyman, and Tasha Tudor. My other favorite artists are Monet, Rembrandt, and Sargent to name a few.

I have "learned from the Masters" by mostly looking long and hard at their work, mentally separating lights from shadows, pondering what colors they mixed to come up with what I see, and examining how well the movement and action translates in my imagination.

To keep my style nurtured yet unique while I'm "looking long and hard" I think about how the artist captured certain elements, or I might take notes on how I would do something differently. To keep my style from changing too drastically I simply keep my priorities and my own personal ideals for my work in the forefront of my mind while I'm drawing or painting.

4. Is anyone else in your family an artist?

Both of my parents drew when they were young, and my younger sister Emily Rose is a photographer and graphic designer. It's been a blessing to have a sister that knows so much about the computer, because our giftings compliment each other so well.

5. Of the pieces that you have done, which are your favorites and why?

So far, my favorite is "The Tree House." It's a pen and ink drawing of two young brothers and their little sister reading stories in their tree house. I chose to execute it in black-and-white because I've always admired the old engravings of the 1800's and their story bookish quality.

In "The Tree House" there is a print of "The Accolade" tacked on the wall, a painting associated with chivalry, heroism and honor. I used it to symbolize what the children were aspiring to: the nearly-lost virtues of bravery, protecting the innocent, and love of family.

My second favorite is "The Library." I struggled with the composition, color, and painting "too tight" for a long time. It took three tries before I decided to go to Beatrix Potter for advice. Her natural, fluid style was so refreshing and inspiring: exactly what I needed. I think it has become one of my favorites because I worked the hardest for it. :)

These are also my favorites because I feel I "pinned" them both; they turned out exactly as a pictured them in my mind. When I look at them now, I see things I would do a little differently now, but I can see I made a lot of progress while working on "The Tree House" and "The Library."

6. Your work makes it clear that artists can honour God without needing to include religious themes (crosses, angels, etc.) in their paintings. What advice can you give to MMM readers about glorifying God through pieces that don't have overtly "Christian" messages?

Like all things, it starts in the heart. If our hearts are filled with love for God's glory and we are committed to communicate only what is honoring to God, then I believe God will inspire us with ideas that will glorify Him, directly or indirectly. If we rely on ourselves to "creatively" spew out whatever we want, our work won't look much different than the world's.

We need to remember that God will hold us accountable for the images and ideas we present to the world. The world has so much ugliness in it already. The world needs to see hope. So I think it's important the the Christian artists create art the way they want to live their lives: "for the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." (Bach)

7. On your blog you mentioned an exhibit you held recently at a local library. How was it?

For nearly the whole month of June I displayed over twenty pieces I've made during the past two years. I received a lot of positive feedback from the community. (I had a guest book, which was helpful in obtaining most of that feedback.)

8. Tell us about your art business on Etsy. What advice do you have for artists thinking about selling their work online?

I currently use Etsy to sell my arts prints. It's free to set up an Etsy shop, and they take only a very small amount for each item you sell. When uploading your work into your shop, be sure you use images that are clear, accurate and high quality. No matter how good the original or print is, the would-be-buyers will be turned off if they see an unflattering picture of your work.

To advertise your Etsy shop, it's very helpful to get involved in online communities. One way to get your name out there is to frequently comment on blogs, write about what you want people to know you by, and offer to write guests posts on more popular blogs. It's also good to know how to make buttons for your blog or shop so your following can promote you on their own blogs.

9. In terms of art, what are your plans for the future?

This summer, my sister Emily Rose and I started a home business called Noble Rose Press. We sell paper dolls that we've created based on historical women, so that will keep me busy. I also plan on continuing to study art and sell my art prints. I'm also planning on illustrating children's books in the near future.

To see more of Breezy's work, visit her blog, Etsy store, and Noble Rose Press.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-25T10:17:00.000-08:00

Hi readers!

This is Oksana, your editor, and I'd like to take a moment today to wish MMM's readers and staff a merry Christmas! I pray that your Christmases are filled with joy, peace, fellowship, and worship. May you grow closer to God and be filled with undying awe at the gift that he gave our world 2009 years ago. May you grow closer to the people you love as you share time together this Christmas creating memories and building one another up with love. And may you always continue to offer your artistic talents to God, using them to glorify him and to bless those around you.

As the editor of MMM, I made a commitment to support your efforts in doing that, and I apologize for how quiet MMM has been over the last few months. We will be back in 2010 with new articles and a renewed mission to help Christian artists achieve their potential in Christ. Readers and staff, your support has been invaluable in making MMM possible and helping this ministry grow. I've appreciated every article, proofreading, comment, suggestion, and prayer that you've offered to this ministry. I hope that, in return, you have been blessed and encouraged by the content and community that exists on this site. I look forward to seeing God's plans for this website in the coming year, and I hope you'll come along for the ride! See you in 2010!

Merry Christmas,
Oksana

Image credits: graphic and photo by Oksana, brushes by Melfina

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

2009-09-06T17:16:00.000-07:00

MMM's readers have done a lot to help this e-zine get to where it is today. Oksana, the editor, has a special message for everybody who has supported our organization thus far! Click on the video below to view.

Multi Media Ministry: A Message from the Editor from Oksana K. on Vimeo.

If, for any reason, you can't see the video above, here's Oksana's message in a nutshell:

- Your readership, prayers, contributions, suggestions, and comments are appreciated more than you know! Thank you for supporting this website as much as you have.

- Two of MMM's staff members, editor Oksana and assistant editor Mattie, are going off to college. They need your help to keep the e-zine running with as much content as it used to have.

- We accept a variety of reader-submitted articles, as well as artwork of every genre. Please send in your work to be featured in our e-zine!

- Spreading the word is extremely important for MMM. If you'd like to share an article with your friends, please use the AddThis feature at the bottom of each post to post it to a social networking site. If you'd like to link to the e-zine itself, use the button HTML code on the sidebar!

Thanks again for your encouragement and help. Have a blessed fall, everyone!

Music: "Love is on the Move" by Leeland. See MMM's review of this album here.

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CD REVIEW: Love is on the Move

2009-08-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

With every CD, the Grammy-nominated progressive-rock band Leeland seems to change their style a little. Their first record, Sound of Melodies, had a unique melodic rock sound with a touch of the indie stylings made popular by artists like Jon Foreman. Opposite Way paved the way for a bolder, rockier sound driven by energetic guitar and drums. In their newly-released Love is on the Move, Leeland fuses the best of both worlds -- the melodic, alternative charm of their debut CD with the youthful, catchy tunes of their sophomore record -- into a collection of expansive, beautifully-orchestrated songs filled with more variety than the band has ever shown before.

Leeland is known for writing songs that send challenging messages about the Christian life, and in that respect, this record is no different: poverty, suffering, and human weakness are just a few of the themes that the band explores in Love is on the Move. To add context to the songs that follow, Leeland opens their record with The Door, a vivid reminder of the rewards that await believers in heaven, and an invitation to exalt Jesus as the only way to get there. In their liner notes, the band calls the song "an anthem," and it certainly lives up to this description -- it's packed with passion, energy, and joy (Leeland's smile is almost audible as he sings the opening verses). It's a lively and colourful opener that really captures the spirit of Christian hope.

The next track, Follow You, is a collaboration with singer Brandon Heath that explores what it means to pursue Christ. Today, most people interpret "following Jesus" as something that concerns the career they choose, the spouse they marry, or the church they attend. But Leeland reminds listeners that people who want to follow Christ wholeheartedly must also be willing to enter "the homes of the broken" and the lives of "the poor and the needy" -- a message that is desperately needed in an increasingly self-centered and apathetic world. In addition to its compelling lyrics, the song is very evocative musically -- there's a touch of melancholy in the melody which seems to echo the pleading voices of the poor and convey the urgency of their needs. But there's more to this track than meets the ear. During their upcoming tour, Leeland will help listeners translate the song's message into action by partnering with Food for the Hungry to give concertgoers an opportunity to sponsor children from developing countries. 'Follow You' is set to make a difference not only in the hearts of listeners, but also in the lives of needy children all around the world.

Translated, Via Dolorosa means "the way of grief," a reference to the road upon which Jesus walked as he carried his cross to Calvary. While I hate to nitpick, I have to mention that the band's pronounciation of the word "dolorosa" sounds more like "delarosa" (which means "way of the rose"), but thankfully, this does little to detract from the song's meaning. Its lyrics are deeply rooted in the gospel, describing Christ's love and sacrifice in a way that both humbles and emboldens the listener. Although this chapter of Christ's journey is usually portrayed with somberness, Leeland tells about the Via Dolorosa with a sense of triumph and awe, fusing energetic rock rhythms and melodic violin embellishments into a lavish and victorious song of praise.

In Pure Bride, Leeland experiments with an ambient style that combines a dream-like climate reminiscent of Revelation with rich lyrical imagery and a joyful call to "make way for the Lord." The lyrics are straightforward and simple, but each word is treated with a deep sincerity that invites focused reflection and worship. The accompaniment starts off sparse before crescendoing into a sweeping chorus of praise that includes -- surprisingly -- a children's choir. If this sounds cheesy to you, don't worry: the track is as genuine and honest as any of Leeland's songs, and it retains every bit of the contemporary, youthful vibe that fans have come to love.

The lyrics of Carry Me on Your Back are written like a prayer, asking God to help the speaker "through the storm." The music, at first listen, may seem too upbeat and cheerful for the song's subject matter, which talks about furnaces, raging oceans, and darkness, but that's precisely the object of this track -- instead of dwelling on negative feelings, it focuses on the power of God and the "promise [that] never fails." The next track, New Creation is a joyful reflection on the fresh-start freedom that Christ has given his followers. Backed by upbeat, rhythmic percussion and electric guitar, the song has a distinct teen appeal, and since it's catchy and easy to sing along to, it'll probably become a youth-group staple for years to come.

Don't be fooled by the title of Lift Your Eyes Up -- it's very different from the 'Lift Your Eyes' on Leeland's debut CD. This track is a heartfelt message to Christians going through difficult experiences ("It feels as though your world's crashing down ... The sun has gone / your heart is dry..."). As a listener, it's extremely comforting to hear lyrics that genuinely understand and sympathize with your pain, but the song isn't all about commiseration -- it also offers earnest encouragement ("Come on, come on / lift your eyes up!") that leaves listeners motivated to delve deeper into their faith during times of trouble. Besides its beautifully-crafted lyrics, this track is (on a musical level) one of the most melodic and moving songs that Leeland has ever recorded.

Band pianist Jack Mooring calls the song Weak Man "intense," and with good reason: it invites listeners to look at the issue of human weakness as an opportunity to make God "higher" in their lives. Accepting -- and becoming content with -- one's weakness takes trust and humility, and it's certainly not a message that the average reputation-obsessed, control-desiring person likes to hear, so Leeland deserves props for standing by this message unashamed. For me, however, the song's melody isn't as memorable as that of other tracks; musically, it doesn't quite live up to the intensity of its lyrics.

One of the most powerful tracks on the album is its title track, Love is On The Move. The song is a hope-filled reminder that God is working day by day to meet humanity's need for love ("Love is on the move / revealing Heaven's truth / love is on its way and it will find you..."). Its melody is backed by a sweeping orchestral arrangement which perfectly captures the overwhelming awe felt by believers when they meditate on their Father's love. If you're looking for a song that will engulf you in the wonder of God, you won't be disappointed by track 9.

Returning to a guitar- and drum-driven rock style, Leeland exhorts Christians to Learn to Love ("Come on, where's the love that makes us stronger / binds the hearts of every colour? ... We're all God's children now!"). Though the song's main theme centers around showing love to fellow Christians, Leeland adds a few worship elements to the lyrics ("Jesus is the King / we lift our voice and sing"), as if to remind listeners that loving people and loving God are inseparable qualities -- it is only through Jesus that human communities can truly be 'bound' and 'strengthened.'

Wrapping the album up, Holy Spirit Have Your Way is a touching commitment to "surrender all" to God. The song is closer to pop than anything that Leeland has done before, and it introduces a gospel choir in the chorus (another first for the band) which adds a wonderfully soulful quality to an otherwise-mellow song. The bonus track My Jesus follows in a similar vein, with reflective, poetic lyrics based on the Biblical metaphor 'living water': "Here on the bank I stand / in the water is the hope of man / unclean I fall before you now / Jesus come wash me inside out." The album ends just as it had begun -- with worship, and with a reminder of God's crucial, infinitely vital role in our lives.

Leeland has established a strong identity in the CCM market with their distinctive style, bold lyrics, and beyond-the-stage faith. While this CD shows some departure from their previous work, the band stays true to their compelling message and youthful spirit. It's a record that both established fans and first-time listeners are bound to enjoy.

Article by Oksana K.
Image credits: Graphic by Oksana K. Photograph by Jeremy Cowart.
Visit Leeland's website.

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CHRISTIANITY & CRITIQUE: Tips for Reviewers

2009-08-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

For artists, there are few things as intimidating as being on the receiving end of criticism. I'm not talking about the occasional negative comment in a balanced review (though even these can be hard to take) -- I'm talking about a full-out critique, complete with a one- or two-star rating and a long string of paragraphs dissecting every flaw in a piece of work that you spent hours perfecting. Ever had that experience? It's not much fun.

Of course, the reviewers who compose these critiques aren't merciless writers out on a mission to destroy your reputation and tear your self-confidence to shreds. All artwork deserves critique to some extent, and reviewers who ignore flaws and consistently give positive feedback are labeled "too nice" and their opinions lose credibility in the eyes of others. In the art business, while plenty of lackluster work is being produced, a lot of emphasis is placed on brutal honesty (just look at the success of judges like American Idol's Simon Cowell)-- add these two factors together, and the creative realm is every critic's dream.

A problem arises when the critic is a Christian. How do you reconcile fruits of the Spirit like love, gentleness, and patience with your honest opinions about a piece of art? If the artist is also a Christian, how do you treat them as a brother and respect their efforts for God while still pointing out the flaws in their work? The Bible is clear, however, that honesty and encouragement can co-exist, and with a little discernment Christian reviewers can write critiques that don't crush the spirits of hard-working artists. If you're a reviewer, here are 5 tips you should keep in mind when giving negative feedback...

1. Find your Base

Criticism can generally be broken down into three parts. There's personal preference, which judges work based on your tastes; quality, which judges work by how much effort seems to have been put into it and how well it does its intended job; and Biblical compatibility, which judges work according to standards that are clearly spelled out in God's word. For instance, if you're reviewing a CD, a personal-preference critique would say something like, "The accompaniment is boring and the lyrics are sappy." A critique based on quality might say, "The instruments are off-key and the recording sounds very tinny." A Bible-based critique could argue, "The lyrics of seem to glorify sin and make unnecessary sexual references."

Of these three options, Bible-based criticism is the most valid and important -- after all, God's opinion is the only one that really counts. Quality-centered critique comes second: the Bible does speak about putting heartfelt effort into everything we do and "working as for the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58), so there's nothing wrong with reminding Christians of the high standards they should aim for. It is criticism based on personal preference that reviewers should steer away from. This kind of critique is extremely biased and doesn't reflect God's love for diversity in the Christian body: just because you don't like a certain style or genre doesn't mean that God can't use it to reach someone else. Critique that slams work for being "too fancy" or "too simple" or "too bold" for your tastes is petty and self-centered, so it's best to avoid these sort of comments and instead, focus your review on quality and Biblical compatibility.

2. Not all Things are Useful

Who is going to see your critique, and what effect is it likely to have? These two questions are crucial in deciding how you want to map out the review. Consider the following situations:

- If you are going give your opinions straight to the artist, is it likely to encourage them and help them improve, or will it simply leave them feeling embarrassed and inadequate?

- If you plan on sharing the review with the art community as a whole, is it going to teach them discernment and inspire better effort, or could it introduce a spirit of competition and encourage artists to adopt a people-pleasing attitude to get good reviews from critics like you?

- If you're writing a review for the general public, is it meant to help them navigate through the many products out there and choose something that's worth their money, or is it more likely to promote a critical attitude that will prevent people from truly enjoying art because they're too busy picking out its flaws?

In each scenario, critique could have either a positive or a negative effect on those involved, and it's up to you to decide how big the risk is and what you can do to minimize it. If you find that your review isn't likely to serve others in a positive way, maybe it's best not to write one at all.

3. Keep the Audience in Mind

If a piece of art doesn't quite work for you, there's a big chance it wasn't intended to. Art can be aimed at very specific age, geographic, cultural, or gender groups. A work that is intended for western, male teenagers who belong to the "skater" culture isn't going to have a deep impact on a traditionally-minded, elderly female living in Japan, who shies away from anything "bold" or "loud" and prefers art that is elegant and subtle. What doesn't work for you may easily work for someone else, so it's a good idea to identify the artist's intended audience and try viewing the piece from their point of view. You can even find a few people who belong to that intended audience and use their opinions on the work to shape your review.

4. Avoid Harshness

"Speak the truth in love," the Bible says, and although I may be taking this passage out of context, I think it's extremely relevant advice for Christian reviewers. There's no denying that the use of sarcasm, ridicule, and harshness in reviews has its benefits: it might draw laughs from your audience, make you appear intimidating, or make your compliments seem more desirable. Sadly, all of these personal 'advantages' come at the expense of other peoples' feelings and reputations -- and, worst of all, at the expense of the Bible message. Christians are called to be living proof that God conforms people to his nature, so if God was forgiving and gentle towards us, it's our job to pay that forward to our fellow Christians.

An easy way to salvage a less-than-loving review is to use a thesaurus. Identify potentially-hurtful sections in your review and reword them to be more neutral. Change "ugly" to "unattractive." Opt for "plain" instead of "boring." Write "silly" instead of "stupid." It might take some of the 'punch' out of your review, but it'll certainly make you sound more mature and reasonable. Keep in mind that if you have to rely on harsh words to make your review stand out, it's probably lacking in substance and depth. You can further reduce harshness simply by adding some positive comments to the mix: if you search hard enough, you'll probably find at least one thing about the work that you can sincerely compliment. Even if the piece is a train-wreck overall, the fact that you took time to find something positive in it will likely say more about your character -- and God's love -- than about the work itself.

5. Make it Better

It's easy to write a detailed investigation into the shortcomings of a work, but it's much harder to actually do something about the problems you see. After you've identified the problems, the last thing you should do is sit back and relax. If that piece of work was really worth no more than 1 star -- and God calls for 5-star efforts -- there's something seriously wrong.

What will you do about it?

You could, for instance, use your talents to create something of higher quality as an alternative to the lackluster work done by others. Or, if you're not talented in that particular area, you could offer support, encouragement, and practical help to people who are. Either way, criticism alone is useful unless it inspires improvement, and as someone who actively perpetuates critique, it's your job to actively participate in making things better!

Article by Oksana K.

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ART VS. SIN: Where to Draw the Line

2009-08-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

In response to our Ask MMM feature, we received this question from a reader named A.: "Where does the line between creativity and sin stand? I draw, write, whatever is pressing to me at the moment... I've done some works that are not quite as 'Christian' in theme as some would like. Not 'bad' or anything but potentially questionable. So should an artist deny a creative concept for the sake of upholding an outward Christian attitude? Or should they allow their creativity to simply be?"

I can certainly relate to your concerns, A.! I've faced some really difficult times over the past few years, and art provided a welcome outlet for expressing what was on my heart and making sense of the things happening in my life. When it comes to personal artwork that you don't intend on sharing publicly, I think the choice is yours -- after all, God already knows your thoughts, and putting them down on paper won't make much of a difference for him. For you, however, it might. Some people find it overwhelming to dwell intently on negative subjects, and centering their art around 'questionable' ideas can distract them from thinking about things that are "honourable ... pure ... and worthy of praise," as the Bible commands (Phil. 4:8). For others, art is a way to sort out feelings, find meaning in situations, and give up worries to God. You're the only one who can decide whether using art in this way is helpful for you, because you know first-hand the effect that it has on your mood, attitude, and relationship with God. In this article, I'm going to tackle the other side of this issue and about art that's meant to be shared publicly.

First, I'd like to point out that I do not encourage an 'outward Christian attitude' if that same attitude isn't present in the heart. God does call us to live in certain ways, but those outward actions should be a natural extension of what's inside our souls, not a mask that hides our true feelings from others. Admitting our brokenness is crucial for Christians -- not only does it allow others to effectively minister to us, but it can help us minister to other hurting Christians who want to know that they're not alone in their struggles. Therefore, I fully encourage sharing with what's on your mind to a pastor, friend, or family member in the form of a conversation, confession, or prayer request. But in a picture, poem, or song? I don't want to discourage creativity, but I'd advise you to take extra care. See, art is far less straightforward than regular conversation: whatever you write, draw, sing, or act out is completely open to interpretation -- interpretation that often veers away from the message you intended. The more 'questionable' your art, the easier it is to skew this message into something outright sinful. And, needless to say, a sinful message can have a deeply negative impact on those who hear it. Let me explain this using an example that deals with crime...

Breaking Windows

In criminology, there's a famous theory dubbed "Broken Windows," which states that crimes are more likely to happen in messy, dilapidated neighborhoods than in clean and orderly ones. George Kelling and James Wilson, the originators of this theory, write: "Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building... Or consider a sidewalk. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of trash from take-out restaurants there or breaking into cars."

Many experiments have been conducted to investigate how strongly run-down environments encourage crime, and all have ended up with similar results. In one experiment, several 5-euro notes were placed into open mailboxes around a regular neighborhood in the Netherlands. Of the people who passed the mailboxes, just 13% stole the money. However, when the mailboxes were covered in graffiti or the surrounding area was littered with waste, as many as 25-27% of passersby committed a theft. Why? Some may have thought that, since no one cared enough to clean up the community, nobody would bother to take action against this crime either. Some may have seen stealing as a way to fit in with the types of people who seemed to be populating the neighborhood. Others may have excused their illegal act with, "Everyone around here is doing it," or thought that the theft wouldn't make much of a difference in a community that was already eroding. The point of the experiment? Broken windows spawn more broken windows.

When artwork nears the 'questionable' line, it can have a broken-windows effect on its viewers. Art is extremely powerful: no doubt you've had a song stuck in your head for hours, or been haunted by a photograph many years after you first saw it. Most of us can probably identify one piece of art that has changed our lives, or at least changed the way we see life, in some way. As Christians, it's our duty to make sure that our work brings positive changes to the lives of others. Can a piece of art centered around despair or pain be positive influence? Or, like the broken windows and graffitied mailboxes, will it only reinforce and encourage the darkness that could be hidden in its viewers' lives? Art provides many opportunities for this effect to take place:

- A film with a sad, devoid-of-hope ending can cause a reader or listener to lose hope about a real-life situation -- if things can't work out in a movie, how can they possibly work out in reality?
- A photograph or painting of a model in risque clothing can send the message that modesty is unimportant, or that women need to undress in order to be beautiful or 'art-worthy.'
- A story describing sin in detail -- even if its overall moral discourages sin -- may entice some readers to stumble (just like graphic anti-anorexia ads have been shown to actually cause the eating disorder)

Of course, the cause-and-effect relationships described above are a bit over-simplified, but I've left out an extremely important side to this issue. Go back to the above examples, and imagine that each piece of art was created by a professing Christian. Now, you've got a real problem, because the artist is not only sending generalized negative messages about the world -- they're sending false and negative messages about God! If I were a non-Christian watching that movie, how would I reconcile its cynical plot with the hope that its writers claim to have in Jesus? If I were a Christian struggling with temptation, is there a chance that I might see that story as a "green light" giving me permission to sin, since it was written by a fellow believer? Of course, in both cases, I should know better -- but, sadly, in both of those examples, I speak from experience.

People aren't simplistic: they don't think, "Hey, since this book talks about theft, I should probably go rob the corner shop." But art desensitizes us. By the time we're 18, we are estimated to have seen 40,000 homicides on TV. Add to that every other source of media and every other sin in the Bible, and you'll see just how much we've ingested over time. No wonder sin seems "normal" or desirable to us! So, as Christians, aren't we responsible for not adding to the heaps of litter that already surround us?

A Way to Show Love

The Bible encourages Christians to "err" on the side of caution if somebody else's faith is at stake. Consider Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 8: "Take care that [your freedoms do not] somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. ... Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." With art, you never know exactly who will see your work and how immune their faith is to 'questionable' ideas, so limiting your creativity is a reasonable sacrifice to make when it comes to work that will be publicly shown.

It's All in the Context

It's important to remember, however, that all of the above applies only to certain types of work. Even 'questionable' art can potentially edifying if properly done. After all, the Bible mentions plenty of negative things like murder, suffering, and hatred, but it puts these issues in context so that it's impossible for readers to misunderstand God's stance on them. Do people get tempted to kill because they read about it in the Bible? The Bible's message that 'murder is bad' is so clear that it's impossible for readers to unintentionally mis-interpret. In the same way, a story, song, or painting that involves negative elements does not necessarily have to encourage them. And this is where the line between art and sin falls -- between work that merely makes mention of sin, and work that glorifies it. Between work that explores with frankness and honesty the nature of evil, and work that centers around it, leaving little space for positive and God-honouring themes.

To help you figure out where your work falls on this line, try asking yourself a few of the following questions...

1. Does the overall message of the work encourage or discourage sin? (Look at the work itself; don't add any explanations or additional captions that may go unheard)
2. Which parts of the work are most memorable -- the positive elements or the negative ones?
3. Is there enough descriptive detail in the work that it could awaken one's curiosity and tempt them to sin?
4. Is sin presented in a negative light throughout the entire piece? (If, for example, you're writing a story and the reader does not quite reach the end where the moral is contained, will they still understand the message you were trying to send?)
5. Imagine that this work is being viewed by somebody who has had no previous exposure to Christians and knows nothing about God. What kind of "first-impression" might you be giving them about Christians and Christianity?
6. Is there a way to improve this work and give it a more positive message? If so, what is stopping you from doing so (too much work, want a more 'realistic' plot, fear of being labelled 'cheesy,' etc.)? How legitimate are these excuses?

Article by Oksana K.
Credits: The Broken Windows theory is described in more detail at Reason.com
Image credits: Graphic by Oksana K. [Texture credit coming soon].

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INSECURITY: 3 Ways it can Cripple a Christian's Creative Ministry

2009-07-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

Some artists seem invincible: you could pore over their work for hours and still walk away pondering, "Is there anything they can't do?"

But look a little deeper, and you're sure to find it. Everybody has one. An insecurity, a weak spot that makes them want to hide from the spotlight and keep their work out of the public eye. Even the "best of the best" have a note they can't hit, a facial feature they can't quite draw correctly, a dance step they cannot nail, or a literary genre that always gives them Writer's Block.

You may be a skilled artist or gifted actor, but you've probably got a few insecurities about your work. And most likely, you keep yourself at a distance from those weak spots by choosing easier activities that don't stretch you enough to expose your less-than-stellar side. Without realizing it, you could be building your whole career, creative journey, or ministry -- whatever you like to call it -- upon the idea of hiding your weaknesses from others.

Since it involves people drawing attention away from themselves, insecurity is sometimes misinterpreted as modesty: to brush off a compliment with an, "Oh, I'm not really that good," seems like a way of being humble. There is, however, a world of difference between humility and insecurity: humility is rooted in servitude and a genuine happiness for the accomplishments of others, while insecurity stems from fear and an obsession with one's reputation.

For Christian artists, insecurity can act as a huge obstacle on our mission to serve God. Here are three major reasons why confidence and Christian creativity should go hand in hand:

1. Insecurity prevents you from developing your talents.

Insecurity is born from comparison -- it usually starts when people measure their abilities against those of others and realise that they've still got a long way to go before they can be "as good." Such comparisons generally lead to one of two conclusions. Some people look at other artists in despair and give up because their efforts seem hopeless. Some try to catch up to the standard set by others, thinking, "I'll be a good artist if I can only do better than that person." While this kind of attitude might push people to improve, it prevents them from truly growing. As MMM wrote earlier, the only standard worth comparing yourself to is God's, since it provides limitless space to grow -- aim for anything less, and you're underestimating your potential.

Besides this, comparisons ignore the fact that God created us to be different: each one of us has a unique ministry and calling, and you'll be hard pressed to find someone whose abilities are just like yours. It's certainly easy to feel insecure when you seem to be alone in your creative endeavors-- but uniqueness is just what God had in mind for you, so don't let comparison drain your confidence.

2. Insecurity puts the focus on pleasing people.

Think of your biggest source of insecurity as an artist -- that one note you can't hit or that dance step you only wish you could perform. Now, ask yourself: "Before whom do I feel insecure?" Is it before God? Or is it before your teachers, parents, friends, critics, and fans? People don't usually feel insecure about the fact that God knows their weaknesses -- after all, it only takes a quick peek into the Bible to realise that no lack of skill can ever make God love us less. Rather, artists who lack confidence feel insecure before humans, and can become obsessed with trying please them. Not only is this unbiblical (Gal. 1:10); it's exhausting. The more people you try to please, the more insecure you to feel, as each member of your audience has different expectations, likes, and dislikes, making it impossible to get good feedback from everyone all of the time. But the more confidence you lose because of this, the more people you try to please in hopes that you'll eventually find the respect and appreciation you crave. Sound like a vicious cycle? It is. Worst of all, it leaves God out of the picture.

3. God has a plan for your trash.

"One man's trash is another's treasure." It might be a cliche, but the saying holds truth: just because you feel insecure about a piece of work doesn't mean that somebody else cannot be edified by it. Every piece of art created by mankind is imperfect by God's standard, yet this certainly hasn't stopped him from using our work to reveal Himself to our world. It's important to remember that God doesn't see our flaws as an obstacle -- He uses them to show his power, which is "made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). He also uses our weaknesses to show His love: who but a loving God would stoop to inhabit our imperfect efforts despite being himself the embodiment of perfection? So when you feel insecure about your abilities, stop looking for confidence within yourself and become confident in God's power and love. He can turn your "trash" into treasures that reflect His nature to the rest of the world.

C.S. Lewis once said, "A man is generally not called upon to have an opinion of his own talents ... since he can very well go on improving them to the best of his ability without deciding on their own precise niche in the temple of fame." It's not your job to decide how much better or worse your work is compared to somebody else's, and it's certainly not your job to hide your talents from others because you're worried about what others will think. Your job is to serve God boldly and fearlessly, diligently working towards improvement and letting Him turn your imperfections into something beautiful.

Article by Oksana K.
Image credits: Graphic by Oksana K. Stock by Sophie.

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HAND IN HAND: Lessons from Ma Li & Zhai Xiaowei

2009-06-25T08:01:00.000-07:00

As I kid, I used to dream of being a ballerina. I begged my parents incessantly to send me to ballet school, spent day and night immersing myself in dance books and sugarplum-fairy dreams, and was ecstatic when my dad finally brought me to the local studio, with its splendid rooms and point-shoe-flooded hallways, to sign me up for lessons. Sadly, as most childhood dreams tend to do, this one dissipated as soon as I got a taste of the nitty-gritty: the pulled muscles, embarrassing falls, and instructor reprimands that reduced me to tears. I was quickly faced with the fact that I had bad knees, flat feet, poor balance, bad posture, and no musicality to speak of. I was enrolled in dance classes for just over a year before realizing, at the age of 12, that it simply wasn't for me.

Although I still stand by my decision -- having found, in recent years, that God had better plans in store for me -- I do have the occasional wave of nostalgia for the tutus and pointe shoes of my past. In fact, I sometimes take an hour out of my day to watch ballet videos on YouTube and let myself vicariously re-live those early Saturday mornings and long weeknight hours at the studio.

A few months ago, I happened upon a video showing two dancers from China perform a beautiful duet, blending acrobatics with elegance to form a stirring, fluid dialogue about love and hope. Like over 5 million viewers before me, I watched transfixed. The music was beautiful; the grace in each movement, exquisite.

Something, however, was missing. Two things, in fact: the male dancer's leg, and the female dancer's arm.

Rebuilding Dreams

Ma Li, now 32, had just joined a professional dance company after years of rigorous training when she got into a bad car accident. Waking up at the hospital, Ma was horrified to discover that her right arm had been amputated. "I was shocked. ... How could [dance] be done with a physical deformity?" For this 19-year-old, every dream for the future had been hinged on her ability to move with grace, symmetry, and balance; and now, she could barely make her way through simple household tasks. Six years passed, with several changes in career, before Ma could accept her condition and return to the world of dance as an amputee.

Several days before one of her performances, Ma met Zhai Xiaowei, an athlete who had lost his leg in a car accident at the age of 5. After a brief conversation, she invited Zhai to her show, and Zhai recalls feeling "electrified" as he watched her dance: "My hair seemed to stand on end... she danced gracefully, even though she had only one arm." With no prior experience, Zhai made the decision to join Ma in a dance partnership that would soon take China -- and the internet -- by storm. In 2007, the pair made their first public appearance when they entered a competition hosted by one of China's largest television networks, placing second out of 7,000 contestants with a dance entitled "Hand in Hand." You can watch this video below:

The dance was far from your average pas-de-deux -- it was a display of utter teamwork and intricate interdependence. The partners knew one another's weaknesses, and made up for these by putting forth their strengths: where Ma had no arm, Zhai offered two of his own; where Zhai was missing a leg, Ma provided the strength in hers. As I watched the video, I began to wonder how much we could accomplish if we could only learn to do the same in our daily lives -- to focus on offering our best abilities, and let others fill in our weaknesses with their strengths.

Unfortunately, many people lack the kind of attitude that has helped Ma and Zhai redefine the possibilities of dance. Most of us tend to fall into one of two traps: we either see other peoples' needs but refuse to offer our strengths in assistance, or we choose to focus our lives on things at which we're not gifted, fruitlessly trying to perform an arabesque without a leg to lift while our healthy arms dangle unused.

Weakness: Obstacle or Opportunity?

The first trap is very common, particularly in the arts world. When you send a demo tape or draft to a producer or publisher, how often do you get constructive, personalized advice in return? If you aren't one of the lucky ones whose work is accepted, you usually get a canned rejection letter or no response at all. Although these experts have enough knowledge and skill to help even the most hopeless of hopefuls improve, many of them don't share this knowledge with artists who don't quite meet their expectations. On a practical level, this is reasonable, since it takes both time and money to reply to people individually. In Christianity, however, this kind of attitude isn't acceptable -- and all too common among ordinary artists like you and I.

I've often struggled with this when it came to sharing my writing and graphic designs skills. While door after door has opened for me to help out individuals and ministries with my abilities, I've turned many opportunities down in search of things that would be more "worth" my efforts. I used excuses like, "I have no time," "that ministry isn't professional enough," "I'm not good enough yet," or "I want to work for something bigger," and ended up hoarding my talents for myself instead of sharing them with the rest of the Christian body. As I eventually discovered, however, it was only through sharing my art skills that I could truly strengthen them -- even the smallest, least-professional ministry offers challenges and creative ideas that stretch artists' abilities, and as members become better with practice, these organizations grow larger and more professional. All that's needed to set off this chain reaction is to see weakness as an opportunity, not a criterion for giving up on somebody. When Ma saw Zhai for the first time, she could have said, "I can't dance with him, he has no leg." Instead, she thought, "I've got exactly what he lacks, and he has exactly what I need," and they joined forces to become a team.

Taking on Too Much

The second trap that artists may fall into is much more subtle and difficult to discern. On the surface, it can be called many things, like "widening one's horizons" or "becoming multiskilled" -- these, in themselves, are not bad things. But, deep down, they are often driven by a dissatisfaction with God's gifts -- a desire to exchange the unique ministry that God has chosen for each person for something more glamorous or well-paid. There is nothing wrong with experimenting: in fact, trying different things (which, like my ballet classes, may not quite work out in the end) can build up a huge inventory of "transferable skills" -- things like perseverance, courage, and appreciation, that can be applied to any of the arts. Even more importantly, experimenting can help you discover the ministry to which God has called you and pinpoint a few key areas that you're good at and passionate about.

The problem comes in when Christians who already have a sense of their calling begin to lose focus in search of something "better." Experimentation becomes an issue when it takes our attention off of our God-given ministry and spreads us so thin that we have no time to properly nourish our true strengths. This, too, is a lesson I've learned through experience. At several points in my life, I received a pretty clear call from God to pursue the field of writing, but for me, writing isn't the most fun activity in the world. It takes concentrated effort, a consistent positive attitude, hours of research, and dogged determination in an ever-waging war against writer's block -- not to mention the less-than-ideal salary and the crazy competitiveness of the field. Is it my dream career? No -- if I were perfectly honest, I'd much rather have a job that requires less effort and gives more in return. But I've had many indications that God wants me to serve him through writing.

Has this been enough to convince me? Unfortunately, no -- I've jumped around from one thing to the next: trying to teach myself piano, trying to master wheel pottery, teaching myself to sing, trying to learn Italian on my own, nearly switching career directions to become a statistician, and even going so far as to almost take up ballet again. All of these things have been fun, but not very rewarding -- I felt like a gardener who planted a hundred different seeds, and spent so much time moving from one to the next that none were properly tended to and they all ended up dead. Even worse, I forgot all about my true calling in the process, and left my gift for writing stagnant and under-nourished.

Created for Harmony

The problem is, when I fall into one of those two traps and cheat myself out of using the abilities that God has allotted to me, it's not just my loss -- it affects the entire Christian community. Everybody is given a unique part of the puzzle to fill, and I'm responsible for finding and focusing on the ministry for which God created me. If, figuratively speaking, he gave me a "hand" so that I could be a hand to those who have no hand, I should focus on using that hand instead of bemoaning the foot that I don't have -- there are others who can be that foot for me. We were created to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses, so when everybody works in harmony within the Church, there are no deficiencies that cannot be filled in by others.

In fact, one of the central characteristics of a servant is to do one's part to the best of one's ability, and let others do their part. Jesus, who has absolutely no incompetencies, imperfections, or inabilities, still allows and encourages us to be his hands and feet. It's not that he needs us to do these things for him -- it's that he entrusts us with his work. He lets us do it so that we can grow.

Is it tempting to steal the spotlight, to pretend that you have it all with no need for others? Yes -- and it's very selfish. For some people, "expanding their horizons" becomes a race for quantity, not quality -- a way to build up a big resume or add another accomplishment to the list of things they've tried in their lives. People enter fields that they have no true passion or talent for, produce lackluster work that lowers the standards in these industries, and fail to offer their true gifts to the body of Christ. Wouldn't it be better if everyone fulfilled their role and let others fulfill theirs?

The young woman in the video didn't try to perform lifts using her one arm -- she let the man do that, and he ended up strengthening his arms. Likewise, he didn't try to do jumps and footwork that required two legs -- he left that job to the young lady's strong legs. Together, they reinforced their strengths and filled in each other's weaknesses, dancing in perfect union.

And it was beautiful.

Article by Oksana K.
Image credits: Graphic by Oksana K. Images from CCTV, DayLife; textures from Angelique Brunas and Sanami276.
Read more about Ma and Zhai here.

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ASK MMM: Exploring Christ and Creativity

2009-06-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hi readers! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for supporting MMM. Over 1,000 first-time visitors have come to the site since its launch on April 19, and many of you continue to return to the e-zine to read and submit articles. I want to thank all of you for your contributions, prayers, encouragement, and feedback -- it's been a wonderful experience serving you through this site.

The e-zine will be a little quiet over the next two weeks as I (the editor) finish up senior exams. However, over that time period, I'd like to give you a little assignment: I want to hear your questions about creativity and Christianity. What would you like to ask MMM about faith and the arts? Do you want advice, an opinion, or information? Ask away -- anything goes! Post 1-5 questions as a comment, tweet (@mmministry), or send them through email (mm.ministry@gmail.com), and I'll choose several of the reader-submitted questions to answer right here on the blog. All questions sent through email will be posted anonymously.

Do you have any questions running through your mind right now? Great! Send them in, and tell your friends about this blog post -- we want to get as many as possible over the next two weeks. I look forward to seeing what you send in, and responding to your queries. :)

Article by Oksana K.
Image credits:Night-fate-stock

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THE SHOWER OF DOOM

2009-05-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

If there was a prize for the most bothersome, aggravating shower in the world, mine would win it hands down. Sure, it has a nice silver-plated head with multiple 'massage' settings, an adjustable neck which sets the water at just the right angle, and beautiful hand-painted tiles along its walls. But don't let any of that fool you -- there's an ugly temperament behind the pretty facade.

Here's how an average encounter with the Shower of Doom plays out: I turn on the faucet, step in, and begin to relax, taking in the soft sounds of the pitter-pattering droplets and the soapy fragrance of the rising steam. Always an easy target, I am oblivious to the attack that's about to take place. Seconds tick by and the shower gets progressively warmer. It feels nice -- nice, until I realize that I'm standing in a torrent of scalding hot water. Then the shock hits me like an electric current, and every nerve ending on my skin joins in a simultaneous wail: "I'm boiling! Get me out of here!" I do a couple of pirouettes while trying to gauge where the tap handles are, scramble to remember which way is left and which way is right and which way to turn which tap without boiling myself even more, and gather my wits about me just long enough to twist the 'cold' handle a wee bit to the left. Just a millimetre or two does the trick.

Aaah... Refreshing, cool water comes pouring down like a blessing on my simmering self, and the atmosphere grows calm once more. The temperature is perfectly balanced -- not too hot and not too cold. Now that's more like it! I begin humming the overture to a musical and start to forget all about my previous ordeal.

But not for long.

Two seconds later, I find myself in freezing water. It's so cold that it literally knocks the breath out of me. I scramble for the faucet handle and twist it frantically. How could one millimetre have done this? I'd barely even turned the tap, and the shower went completely arctic on me! When I give my shower a quarter of an inch, it takes a mile. It refuses to understand that there's a middle ground between hot and cold. And, thus, the drama repeats itself every single day, creating a vicious cycle that will either cause me permanent shower-phobia or eventually teach me how to properly turn on the water. Either way, it's not fun.

But why, you might be asking, am I sharing this profoundly edifying and enlightening experience with you? Well, there's a little more to this story than meets the eye. I realized, during one of those episodes, that they can serve as an illustration of our lives and the way we sin.

I fool myself every single day. I tell God, "This is it. I will not walk away from you ever again. I will not make any more excuses for my sin. There is nothing in the world that can justify it, so I repent of it for life." And for the first few minutes, I do. I'm fired-up, living the "hot" life of Revelation, enjoying the resolve that pulses in every step I take as I return to the narrow path of my God. And then something catches my eye. It's about as important as an atom compared to the Lord I serve, but somehow, it grabs my attention and I become absolutely overwhelmed with desire for it.

One tentative step to the right. One millimetre. It can't do any harm. So I turn down the heat of my faith by a tiny increment; I skip a prayer, let a witnessing chance slip by, disobey my parents, say an unkind word to a friend. And the next thing I know, I am absolutely cold.

I might be wrong about this as I don't know the Bible by heart, but I don't think that God ever talks of Christians regressing -- in his eyes, we either walk forward or fall away. There's no such thing as a millimeter when it comes to sin -- the tinest veering off of his path turns the soul to ice, and to break the law at one point is to break it fully. We think, it's no big deal, this is only a fraction of a sin, but when it comes to evil, a millimetre quickly turns into a mile.

Sometimes, I can't stand the heat of living for Christ 100%, and I decide to tone it down just a little -- to just be one small decimal-point more like the rest of the world is. Surely it won't change the temperature much. So I wake up in the morning and think, I'll read my Bible a little later, after I do my hair. Not reading the Bible at all is obviously out of the question -- at first. But in the mad rush that ensues when I realise I'm late for school, my initial thought quickly morphs into, Okay, I'll read it after school. After school, when I'm starving and have tons of homework, it's suddenly not that big of a stretch to think, Not tonight. I'll read my Bible tomorrow. Ouch! Do you see how that happened? In the early morning, I would have been shocked at the thought of not reading my Bible all day, but, millimeter by millimeter, that thought becomes acceptable to me, and before I know it, I am left cold.

Let's look at it another way. I've never skydived before, and even the thought of jumping from a diving board at the pool scares me. But if I leap a few times from my kitchen counter, I'm suddenly no longer so afraid of jumping from the top of, say, the play-structure at the local park. And when I take that risk, a diving board isn't so scary anymore. After jumping from the highest diving-board in the pool, will I still be as afraid of sky-diving as I used to be? All it takes is that first jump from the kitchen counter, and a bunch of possibilities are opened. With many things in life, that's a good thing. With sin, it's not -- the tiniest droplet of a lukewarm or sinful lifestyle can leave one's faith utterly frozen.

As much as I hate the fact that my shower is out to get me, my daily hassle with it is a good reminder to enjoy the fiery life that God wants me to live, and to never cave into the idea that a little millimeter won't change anything. Even the smallest steps have big consequences. In the words of Casting Crowns,

"It's a slow fade when you give yourself away,
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray...
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away;
People never crumble in a day.

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking,
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking..."

Article by Oksana K.

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LOSING TRACK OF TIME ONLINE? A Solution

2009-05-22T18:03:00.000-07:00

What would you do if you had 1,612 hours, all to yourself, to spend however you wanted? Would you read a stack of books? Travel to a different continent? Write a novel? Record a CD? Think about it for a moment... all of that free time. How would you use it?

The answer might surprise you -- according to statistics, you'd most likely spend it online. 1,612 hours -- that's exactly how much time the average teenager allots to internet use every year. Sound outrageous? It is! But sadly, for many of us, that number is probably much higher -- after all, this statistic is based on an average of 4.4 hours of web-surfing per day. For me, it's common to spend as many as eight hours a day on the computer, especially during weekends and holidays. And I'll be the first to admit that, no, not all of that time goes towards MMM!

The subject of internet addiction is becoming more and more relevant to Christian youth as the web becomes an increasingly useful tool for witnessing, ministry, fellowship and spiritual growth. These benefits are infinitely valuable, especially for Christians who have limited access to church and wouldn't be able to participate in such activities otherwise. Unfortunately, the "online church" can easily be twisted into an excuse for avoiding in-person gatherings and witnessing -- after all, why put in extra effort when you can worship, learn, and interact without having to leave your chair? The time that Christians invest into online lives must be matched by an equal or larger investment of commitment to "real-life" friendships, relationships and responsibilities; otherwise, believers risk neglecting the very people and ministries whom they can impact most -- those right in their community.

That has certainly proved true for me. Although this ministry may seem like a big, time-consuming project (and it should be!), I spend only a small fraction of my online time on it. Every time I use the computer, I log on with the intention of accomplishing something important, something that glorifies God. It only takes a few minutes, however, until I find myself checking another Facebook profile, entangled in another forum debate, or tuned into another YouTube video. I've ended up alienated from my closest family and friends, with little "online ministry" to speak of for all the hours that I've spent staring at the screen.

It's a common misconception, however, that these hours in themselves are a negative thing. It's not necessarily the online-time itself that's bad -- it's also the way that this time is used. If a person tries to cut down on their internet time, they're only looking at part of the picture: just as much effort should be placed into using that limited time as constructively as possible. Last weekend, I decided to take some real action against my web addiction, and did something that addressed both of these facets so effectively that I was surprised and wanted to share it with all of you. What I did was very simple. It took me about 5 minutes, but it has been invaluable in keeping me accountable for my web use.

What did I do? I installed a computer timer.

The way it works is simple: every ten minutes, the timer triggers a pop-up window which stays open for one minute. During that minute, I do three things -- I reflect on what I've accomplished so far, decide whether or not I really need to keep using the computer (if I have no good reason to continue, it's time to log off), and take a quick moment to pray. When the pop-up window disappears, I go on with my work for another ten-minute interval. Easy, right? Almost too easy to make a difference, you might be thinking (I know I was). Well, not quite.

How often do you pray while you're online? The internet is amazingly adept at engaging the surfer's attention on a particular page, and making anything else -- prayer, church, your mom asking for help in the kitchen -- seem like an unwelcome distraction. Before installing the computer timer, I had rarely prayed while surfing the web. I lacked the will-power to snap myself out of a cyber-world that contained 19.2 billion web-pages for exploration, and any attempts at prayer were hurried, with more thought given to what link I should click next than to what I wanted to tell God. Installing a timer which prompts me to pray every ten minutes might seem like a mechanical approach to the problem, but its purpose is not to impose a legalistic schedule on prayer; rather, it coaches me to "pray continually," as Paul exhorted believers to. Anyone who wants to pray continually must learn to move God to the forefront of their mind by shutting out unimportant distractions, and that's exactly what this timer teaches me to do.

When I let God become my main focus -- even for a single minute -- my perspective changes entirely. I begin to see what I've done online in the light of what He's done for me, and it makes me realize that whatever enthralling video or annoying broken link I've just been concentrating on isn't really that important after all. If I'm at a loss over how to start praying, I simply tell God about the site I'm currently surfing, and a whole new dimension is added to my experience.

Prayer keeps me accountable: if, in telling God about it, I realize that the site at which I'm looking doesn't please God, I'm convicted to turn it off. Prayer motivates me. After a moment of silent reflection, I have a new vision; a desire to spend the remainder of my time in a better way. The internet can really "quench the Spirit" by distracting me from my God-given mission (1 Th. 5:19), so setting aside a minute of prayer lets me satisfy my thirst enough to keep on working. Prayer keeps me down-to-earth. If something difficult is going on in my life, I often use the web as a means of escape: it distracts me from things that I'm afraid of, gives me an excuse to put off hard work for later. It allows me to slip into an online-profile-self where I can pretend that I "have it all together." My prayer-timer puts me face-to-face with whatever I'm using the web to flee from, and reminds me that God alone can serve as my refuge.

In addition to the benefits listed above, the timer has proved very handy in helping me get a better sense of how time passes while I'm online. When I look down at my clock after spending a few hours on the computer, I'm usually surprised at how the minutes have flown by -- I'm often caught off guard by how quickly "just one more minute" here and "just one more minute" there can add up! After installing the timer, I've gotten a good grasp on how fleeting and precious each minute is -- instead of waiting until they day is over to come to my senses and realize how I've been wasting time, the realization hits me every ten minutes, and I always have a chance to make the next ten minutes count!

Finally, and perhaps most importantly of all, installing a computer timer has taught me to be still. It's a well-known fact that they Internet is a fast-paced world. Have you noticed how news stories are no longer labeled by date? Today, it's common to see things like "posted 1 minute ago" or "added half an hour ago" instead of the traditional date-and-time. Why? Because, online, speed and efficiency are everything -- the faster you are, the more likely you are to succeed. When Christians get caught up in trying to be the first and the fastest, they can lose touch with the meaning of peace, stillness, and rest. One minute can seem far too long when you have to tear yourself away from the bustling activity and excitement of the web, but it is so refreshing to have a moment of stillness during which all of your attentions, efforts, and thoughts abide on God.

The computer timer has worked wonders for my over-use of the computer, but it hasn't always been easy -- sometimes, prayer is the last thing I want to do in a particular moment. However, if you install a timer -- or take any other measure to curb your computer-time -- make sure you're consistent. If you ignore it once, you're more likely to take it less seriously the next time, and after a while it will simply become meaningless. If, on the other hand, you put real, sincere effort into becoming a more responsible web-surfer, you'll find both your online and offline time more rewarding and God-glorifying. So try installing an online timer on your computer, and see how it works for you!

Article by Oksana K.
Image credits: DyingBeautyStock and others.
Statistics from: The Independent

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WRITING PROMPTS: Collection 2

2009-05-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

Got writer's block? Want to experiment but don't know where to start? MMM is all about creativity, and we've put together some innovative, original writing prompts to stretch your imagination, challenge your habits, and encourage you to take risks in your writing. If you use one of these ideas, feel free to leave a link to the resulting piece in the comments section -- we'd love to see how these prompts have inspired you!

#1: Go to a public spot, such as a park or restaurant, and write down the first 5 questions that you hear passers-by ask as they talk to one another. Choose one of these questions, and write a response in the form of a poem or piece of prose. Be as creative as you wish in your interpretation of the question!

#2: Open up music software such as iTunes or Windows Media, and set your songs to shuffle. Write down the titles of the first 5-10 songs that come up: these songs will be the soundtrack to a musical that you have to invent. Choose an order for the songs, and create a storyline based upon their lyrics.

#3: Pick a poem that you don't know very well, and delete every second line (try to do this as "blindly" as possible, or get somebody to help you). Now, complete the poem using your own imagination to fill in the missing lines. How does your "collaboration" compare to the original?

#4: Randomly choose 1-3 paragraphs in any fiction book. Highlight every third word in that excerpt (you may skip names if you wish). Try to compose a poem or a piece of prose using only the highlighted words. If necessary, bring in a few "outside" words, but try to use as few of these as possible.

#5: Choose a poem that you or somebody else has written. Use an online thesaurus to look up every word in the piece and replace it with a synonym. How does the new poem compare to the original?

#6: Look out of your window for five minutes. Write about one change that happened outdoors as you watched.

#7: Choose a scene from a book or movie -- or from a story you've written -- and identify its prevailing mood. Now, choose an emotion that is different from that mood, and think of ways it could be implemented into that scene. How could you turn a gloomy scene into one that's funny, or a light-hearted scene into one that is angry?

Collection I | Collection II

Article by Oksana K.
Image credits: Stock Exchange (Lusi); Angelique; Oksana K.; and others.

THE COMPETITIVE CHRISTIAN: A Contradiction?

2009-05-13T15:21:00.000-07:00

I've considered several arts-related careers during my life -- jobs like ballet dancer, graphic designer and photographer have all enjoyed a turn on my "things I want to be when I grow up" list. As a kid, I jumped from one thing to the next, dabbling in all sorts of creative territories to see what suited me best, but when my final year of high school rolled around, I was faced with making a final decision about the direction that I would take in life. After lots of prayer, reflection, and deliberation, I decided that my future career would be in the field of writing. Although this was a big change from most of the jobs that I'd considered in the past, one thing about it stayed the same: the response that I got from others. I'd heard it a million times before: "You want to do that for a job? But it's such a competitive field, Oksana! The only people who do well in it are the 'big names;' it's so hard for newcomers to get anywhere." After a while, I stopped listening to these admonitions. After all, I didn't want to be the biggest name in the business -- all I wanted to do was to live out the mission that God had given me by serving others through my creativity. There's no need to be competitive to accomplish that!

Or is there?

A couple of months later, I began resurrecting Multi Media Ministry in hopes of turning the e-zine into the 'next big thing' -- I planned on getting new readers, recruiting new writers, and building an online community that would take the internet by storm and revolutionize the world of Christian creativity. When April 19th, the launch day, came, I was buzzing with excitement to watch hordes of youth from every continent flock to the site in a frenzy of readership and contribution. Instead, I got 39 readers.

At first, I didn't mind it at all -- I knew that, while their numbers might be small, every reader was a valuable brother or sister whom I was privileged to serve in this way. But then I decided that it would be fun to compare my progress with that of a few other sites, so I hopped around to several of my favourite e-zines, and an ugly feeling started to well up inside of me. Are you kidding me? -- that site has have 40 comments on that post and I barely have 40 readers! As I realized that my e-zine still had a long, long way to go before it could brush against the success of other websites, I began to understand what my parents had meant when they spoke about "competitive business" -- it really is tough to get ahead in the world of writing!

If you're going into a any sort of arts-related career, I'm sure the same is true for you. Look at Hollywood, for instance: how easy is it for a young actor to make a name for himself among so many stars? With rigorous exams and selective companies, how sure can any ballerina be of her success in the dancing world? And music? CD charts are proof enough of the tight competition in that field! Although most people immediately associate competition with sports, there's plenty of room for it in creativity. But just how much room is there for a competitive personality in the Christian life?

Competition in the arts happens when two or more artists try to serve the same group of people in the same way. Here's what I mean: is there competition between a rapper and a gospel singer, or between a painter and a writer? No, because even if these artists aim their work at the same group of people, they do it in two different ways, so their efforts don't overlap. Likewise, is there competition between a writer of children's books and one who writes for adults? No, because both writers are catering to different audiences. Competition only becomes a problem when you have two rap artists, or two painters, or two authors of children's books, because one of the two will inevitably end up having more success than the other. So how should Christians approach this situation?

We could look at competition as a healthy thing. After all, there's no doubt that it leads to better work results: when people want to stand out in the arts world, they improve the quality and originality of their work until it surpasses what is already on the market. Competing goes hand-in-hand with comparison, and each time you gain an improvement over one artist, there's always somebody else who has set the bar higher. The harder you work, the more challenging the standard becomes, and your skills are constantly growing to meet it.

On the flip side, however, comparisons to others should never be a source of motivation for Christians. If you're only worried about getting more readers or selling more CDs than the next person, you're losing sight of God's standard and the unique plan that he has for your ministry. God doesn't necessarily measure your success by the number of people you reach or the amount of work you produce. If you're a writer, it isn't about getting the most readers -- it's about ministering well to the readers that God gives you, however many there may be. If you're an artist, it's not about completing the most paintings -- it's about working on each painting in a way that pleases Christ. Any other goal will eventually leave you unfulfilled: even if you do get to the top and become the best-selling artist or writer in the world, what's next? You've spent all your life comparing yourself to others; who's going to set the bar now? That moment for which you've competed so hard will be nothing but a moment of realization that you've lived for the wrong things. I think it's better to come to that realization sooner than later!

Furthermore, when you compete against others, there's a big chance that you may slip into jealousy. Perhaps there are some people who can be competitive while remaining genuinely happy for the achievements of those who do better than them, but let's face it: for most of us, competition poses a major stumbling block. It's hard to maintain an "I've got to be better than the rest" attitude (which, in itself, isn't very Christlike) without falling prey to its darker underside -- the attitude that says, "If I'm going to win, everyone else needs to lose." It's hard to focus on doing better than others when this can only happen if others do worse than you. You might be surprised to find how quickly innocent competitiveness can turn into thoughts like, "I hope she loses this round. Otherwise, I'll never get to the top." Imagine what would have happened if early disciples like Paul had thought this way; if Christianity had turned into a race to get the most converts, and if leaders had felt threatened by the spiritual growth of others. Thankfully, there was no room for this in the zealous hearts of the world's first Christians; they were unconcerned about any standard but God's, leaving no room for jealousy and aggression to cause divisions in the Church.

Today, competition is very common among Christian ministries and organizations, but I sometimes wonder whether this approach pleases God. When it came to marketing MMM, I was certainly surprised at how simple things like blog comments could turn self-serving when accompanied by a competitive attitude. Whenever I left somebody a comment that linked to MMM, I found myself thinking, "How is this site going to help me? How many readers are going to click this link?" when I should have been thinking, "How can this comment bless readers?" To be competitive, one needs to keep their own interests in mind, and seeing things through the lens of "self" quickly becomes an issue for Christians.

Sometimes, personal interests and motives need to be set aside if we want to maintain unity among believers. Every member of Christ's body has a unique purpose and plays a different, equally-important role in the church. We need to live out these roles in a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere that sets us apart from the combative, hostile ways of the world. If two people happen to have a similar talent or skill, they should work in harmony, not in rivalry -- there are, after all, two eyes and two lungs in a body, but these organs complement one another instead of trying "outwork" the other, or, worse, to bring the other down. Christianity doesn't only ask you to meet God's standard, it expects you to help others do so as well, even if this means that you'll lose out on some individual success by helping another person get ahead. As a Christian, you may have to sacrifice some personal profits that are at odds with the needs of others in the group; competition only encourages you to put these personal interests before those of your brothers.

It has been interesting to watch my "competitive spirit" come out during my work with MMM, and it'll be even more interesting to see how much competition the professional writing world holds in store for me. Thankfully, I've learned a lot about the nature of competition that will help me better deal with it in the future, but many questions still remain... Can competition ever glorify God? Is competition 'all bad' or 'all good,' or does that depend on the person? How can one be competitive without becoming jealous or over-ambitious?

Readers, it's your turn: tell us how you feel about competition in Christianity!

Article by Oksana K. [Editor]
Image credits: Graphic by Oksana. Images from LittleMan and others.

TALKING WITH TAYLA

2009-05-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

Christian pop artist Tayla Hodges may be only 18, but her career has already taken her through some remarkable experiences, like working with a world-class music producer, recording a full-length album of original songs, and receiving a rating of 3.5 out of 4 stars from CCM Magazine, one of America's largest Christian music publications. When MMM talked to Tayla in late 2008, she shared some wonderful insights into the faith that drives the message behind her music.

From the church to the recording studio, music has always been an outlet through which Tayla expresses her love for Christ.
Is there a particular Bible verse that has been meaningful to you as a singer? How has it helped you?

Jeremiah 29:11-14 - "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and will bring you back from captivity.'" This piece of Scripture has meant so much to me in my journey as a singer. It has always encouraged me that God has an amazing plan for my life, a plan of hope and prosperity. He has everything worked out perfectly and all I need to do is depend on Him. This is something I constantly need to remind myself of, especially when I get in those slumps where not much is going on in my career, because God really does want to do more than I could ever imagine with His perfect plan for me. All He asks me to do is call on Him and seek Him with all my heart and He will listen to me and let me find Him. This is my ultimate goal not only with my music, but in the rest of my life; to chase after Him with all I have.

Tayla's first CCM album, released in 2007, is called 'Footprints.'
What is your favorite song on the CD, and why?

My favorite song on my "Footprints" album is my title track with the same name, "Footprints." I was inspired to write this song by the famous Footprints poem that talks about how God is the other set of footprints in the sand throughout our entire lives, and even in the lowest and saddest times when we see only one set of footprints, that is when He is carrying us through. I wrote this song at a time when I thought no one understood me and I just felt so alone, but God pointed me to this poem and showed me that He always understands me, His love is always there to hold me. Every time I sing this song it's so powerful to me because it reminds me that Jesus will never leave me or forsake me, no matter what I'm going through. That is so refreshing!

The eclectic styling on 'Footprints' make is clear that Tayla is a very versatile artist: the album's tracks include a mixture of rock, pop, R&B, and even some Latin.
Your CD incorporates all kinds of different styles and musical genres. Was this variety deliberate? Do you plan on narrowing down your style in the future?

The variety of styles and musical genres I have on my album, "Footprints" was very deliberate because I love variety! I love so many different styles of music, which is evident in this first album. I think it appeals to a wider audience too because my songs don't all sound the same. When you listen to my album, you'll hear songs ranging from contemporary pop, to hip-hop, to a bit of Latin. This variety keeps people entertained and expresses who I am at the same time. I do, however, plan on narrowing down my style in the future. As a solo artist, I would really like to focus in on a pop/rock vibe for my next album and the albums to come. I think it's fun to be diverse in music styles to keep the energy, but at the same time to be more focused on one particular genre so people can identify me with that. I want to find the type of music that's really me and sing it!

Tayla's album was recorded in December with the help of award-winning producer Ken Mary.
What was the most difficult thing about making a CD?

The most difficult thing about making a CD is the songwriting. It’s definitely one of my favorite parts because I get to express what the Lord has put on my heart, but it’s also one of the hardest parts because it’s very time-consuming and needs to be well thought out since it’s such an important part of making a CD.

Tayla has participated in several missions trips, where she learned eye-opening lessons about the true meaning of happiness and love.
Tell us about your experience in Mexico.

I’ve been going to San Vicente, Mexico for 2 years now with my youth group for mission trips and I love every minute of it! We go every spring break to serve at a battered woman’s shelter/orphanage for women and children who’ve been abused and abandoned or just need some help starting up again. My first year, I helped paint and decorate rooms in a new housing building we had been working on for the mothers and their children. Last year, I worked down in our sister church in San Vicente where I swept out the auditorium and repainted pews. My favorite part of the trip, however, is playing with the kids! Even though there’s a language barrier, I’m able to love them with my actions by just spending time with them, trying to get to know them. I always come out of there feeling more loved than ever because the kids are just so eager to be loved and give that love back. Whenever we come and visit, even if it’s the first day and they don’t even know us yet, the children run up and give us huge hugs with beautiful smiles spread across their faces. What a heart-warming welcome! Every year, we also spend one day at a migrant work farm where the kids and their families are in a lot worse conditions than the people at the women’s shelter. We perform dramas for them, wash hands, feed the kids a good meal, and spend time playing with them. Seeing their condition, it really breaks my heart to the point where I don’t want to leave, I just want to stay and show them how much Jesus loves them everyday. It’s great to be able to love them for that day we’re there though and hopefully they can take that love with them forever. Last year, one other place we had the blessed opportunity to serve at was the new Calvary Chapel Bible College in Ensenada where we did a lot of tough, but rewarding manual labor. It was really fun to start a new project there, which we will be continuing next year. God has really put a big passion on my heart for missions and I pray that I’m one day able to take my music ministry to the missions field and spread the gospel to the world through my songs.

In addition to her work as a musician, Tayla is busy with schoolwork -- she currently attends high school in her hometown of Washington.
What advice do you have for other teens that are faced with balancing school and music, while maintaining focus on God?

My advice for other teens would be to spend quiet time with Jesus every morning, studying the Word, journaling, and talking with Him. This really helps me to keep my focus on the Lord throughout my whole day. I’ve also noticed that as I’m drawing closer to Him by spending this time with Him, I hear Him speaking to me more about my music and His plans for my life. If you’re seeking the Lord with all your heart, He’ll speak to you and it’ll be clear where He wants to lead you. Make sure to keep Him at the focus of your music and your entire life. My other piece of advice would be from the verse 1 Timothy 4:12, “Do not let people look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” Go all out for Jesus and don’t let anyone hold you back! He wants to do more than you could ever dream of in your life, so dream big!

Tayla has received two years of formal training in music.
How have music lessons helped you as a singer?

Music lessons have helped me grow as a singer because they’ve taught me proper technique. I was in choir for 7 years and I took private voice lessons for 2 and one-half years. Both of these experiences made me into a better singer by really stressing technique like in breathing and support, making me sing in a variety of styles, and showing me basic music theory, which I can bring into songwriting, among other important lessons.

In the summer of 2008, Tayla was invited to sing at America's largest Christian music festival.
Tell us about your experience at Creation Fest.

Singing at Creation Fest this summer was one of the best experiences in my entire life! I received the blessed opportunity to play there by entering the Creation Fest National Talent Search where I was selected as one of four winners. The whole event was totally God ordained because the week leading up to the festival I started getting this cold, which I was super worried about having on stage, but with much prayer, God completely healed me of my cold so that the morning of my show my voice was all cleared up! I really felt like God moved through me on that stage and it felt so good to give Him all the glory! I think I definitely performed better than I ever have in my entire life because I was completely focused on him and was able to pour my whole heart into every single note. Not only is the location of Creation fest one of the most beautiful places on earth, it has some of the most awesome people there too, which I was blessed to be able to interact with not only during the show, but the whole week I was there. I hope to be able to perform there again next year!

Today, Tayla continues to write songs, sharing them with fans through her official Myspace page. She hopes to continue expanding her horizons as her career grows, keeping her desire to glorify Christ at the root of all her hopes and aspirations.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to keep pursuing my music career full-on and hopefully one day get a record deal. Singing for Jesus is definitely what I want to do for the rest of my life. My number one goal is to tour all around the world, regenerating our generation by spreading the gospel through song. I want to see another Jesus Movement!

Article by Oksana K. [Editor]
Image credits: Josh Gunkler.
Hear Tayla's music: TaylaHodges.com

DO HARD THINGS: Teens on a Mission

2009-04-08T17:01:00.000-07:00

What if three words could change the face of the teenage culture forever? What if three words could challenge an entire generation to rise above the standards of an ungodly world? What if three words could obliterate the low expectations that society has for youth? What if three words could turn millions from mediocrity to a courageous pursual of their mission? Just three words.

19-year-old twins Alex and Brett Harris believe that three words -- "do hard things" -- can do all that and more. At first glance, you may think that the phrase is too simple to accomplish anything, but consider this: those words have inspired the Harris twins to start a blog with over 15 million hits, publish a novel that quickly became an Amazon bestseller, and travel all over the world giving conferences to auditoriums and churches packed with thousands of teens and adults. Surprised? Maybe you'd like to give Do Hard Things a second look!

The Beginning: Some Books and a Blog

It all started two years ago, when summer vacation rolled around, and the homeschooled brothers found themselves bored and listless without lessons to keep them busy. Trust dad to remedy that! Alex and Brett's father, a pastor, quickly intervened by putting the brothers on a "summer reading program" that came in the form of a thick stack of books on philosophy, sociology, history, economics, and just about everything in between. Although grueling, the reading list opened Alex and Brett to a sea of intriguing ideas, concerning problems, and pressing issues surrounding their world. "Aren't teens the ones who will grow up to live in the world those books describe?" they asked themselves. "And aren't teens the ones who will be called on to lead it? If so, we were convinced that there had to be more to the teen years than pop culture suggests."

Pop culture. If you ask people what causes teen violence, eating disorders, and substance abuse, you'll probably hear those two words sooner or later. The Harris twins, however, quickly saw that pop culture's most dangerous weapon was not nearly as extreme or obvious as many are led to believe. Its main method of attack was causing complacency: making teens believe that, "I don't need to work harder or get better at what I'm doing, because I'm good enough." Pop culture was making the teen years -- the gateway to adulthood that was supposed to prepare youth for a meaningful life -- into a time reserved for taking shortcuts and living irresponsibly. What's more, everyone -- from the media, to the well-meaning adults shaking their heads over "kids these days" -- was dragging the bar lower by expecting teenagers to live this way. And, as the Harris twins quickly realized, "once we have satisfied the minimum requirements, we tend to stop pushing ourselves."

Alex and Brett knew that they could not control the expectations that others had for them, but they also knew that they didn't have to limit themselves by the standard which had been set for their generation. At 16, the twins started a blog to share their ideas with other teens. Before long, the blog, entitled "The Rebelution" (a combination of the words "rebellion" and "revolution"), began to flourish into a full-fledged online community for Christian youth complete with an active forum and an extensive library of resources. Still, few people could have possibly expected the site to grow into a global movement that has inspired hundreds of thousands of teens to stop conforming to the world and start living for God.

But, then, isn't that what the Rebelution is all about?

Over the past two years, Alex and Brett Harris have ignored the low expectations of this world and focused solely on the expectations that they knew God had for their ministry. In 2007, the pair to began holding conferences -- throughout the USA at first, and soon, as far away as Japan -- in which the teens strove to motivate others to rise up to the Rebelutionary call. Between their duties at home, their schoolwork, and their work abroad, the teens also took time to jointly author a book that provided real-life stories and practical ideas to help youth apply these ideas to their lives. The book, entitled Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations, shot up to 5th place in Amazon's sales charts, and has garnered praise from Christian figures like Chuck Norris, BarlowGirl, and Leeland Mooring. Despite the attention they have received, the Harris teens attribute their accomplishments to the grace of God and the mindset spelled out within their book's title: their choice to Do Hard Things.

Choosing the Hard Way

To Alex, Brett, and thousands of teens around the world, Do Hard Things is more than a catchphrase, slogan, or witty book title. It is the mission statement that challenges them daily to fight against the low cultural expectations that surround them. It is the thought that runs through their mind as they refuse drugs, stand up for the bullied, obey their parents, dress modestly, raise money for the needy, travel the world to help the impoverished, compose songs and direct biblically-based movies, and find countless other ways to offer up their potential to God. These words are, at times, the sole encouragement available to teens in a sea of "You're too young," and "It's useless to try."

The idea behind Do Hard Things is so simple that the phrase is self-explanatory, yet it can mean many things: don't try to do the least you can to get by -- don't let yourself cave in and conform to the world -- go the extra mile, instead of simply fulfilling society's meager requirements. Do Hard Things means challenging yourself and stretching your abilities further than anyone but God will know or expect you to. It means remembering that Jesus tells us, "Be perfect," not, "It's noble to try to be perfect, but it's so much easier to be average, so aim for that instead."

What's more, it's an idea that is applicable to every human and every situation: Alex and Brett emphasize this by dividing the concept into "small hard things" and "big hard things." Opportunities for small hard things are easy to miss: these are the little open doors that nobody but God is encouraging you to bother passing through. If you've ever seen a new student at school sitting alone, battled with whether or not to listen to a bootlegged song on YouTube, or noticed a piece of littler on the ground, you've been faced with an opportunity to do a small hard thing. No one will know if you listen to that illegal song or not -- no one will applaud you if you pick up the piece of litter -- you might even get a few jeers or weird looks if you go talk with the new student. Small hard things make up the unglamorous, overlooked warfare of daily life: if you choose to take up the battle, no one but you and God will know.

It is only through doggedly pursuing the secret victories of small hard things that teens become disciplined enough to tackle "big hard things." These are the issues of local, national, and global significance such as poverty, abortion, persecution, slavery, or homelessness. While society expects teens to avoid contributing to these problems, it rarely encourages them to take action to fix them. Not Alex and Brett. A key message that the twins stress in their book is, "Be known for what you do more than for what you don't." They write, "Is the Christian life all about avoiding 'bad stuff,' or is it about doing 'good, hard stuff' for God?" Many teens avoid immorality, but isn't that the least we can do when the Son of God set us free from slavery to sin and showed us an infinitely better way? Doing hard things is not so much about rejecting sin as it is about going the optional extra mile.

Rising Generation

Through the Rebelution, Alex and Brett Harris encourage teenagers to commit the ultimate act of rebellion: to do difficult things in a culture that expects them to be lazy and take shortcuts. The twins themselves are continually striving to live up to the message they promote: recently, they began studies at Patrick Henry College, writing, "God's call takes us across the country -- and to a very different life than the one we've lived the past three years. We expect to be challenged and stretched." Conference tours for 2009 are already in the works, and www.therebelution.com is as active and growing as ever. A generation is coming together to live their lives on a new level. Who will be the next to step up? What obstacles will be overcome along the way? How high can a bunch of teenagers climb?

Perhaps three more words can answer that one: "Expect the unexpected!"

Article by Oksana K. [Editor]
Image credits: Do Hard Things cover; Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo; and others.

Some Topics for Discussion: (Feel free to discuss other things related to this article!)

1) Have you ever had anyone "look down on you because of your youth"? Tell us about your experience.
2) When a teacher, parent, or employer expects a lot from you, do you find that you work better than when their expectations are low?
3) How much of your reputation and Christian witness depends on what you don't do rather than what you do?

Leave a comment with your thoughts...

HEAVEN'S CANVAS: Art by Akiane

2009-04-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

Five o'clock in the morning. As the world around her lies fast asleep, a little girl sits in her art studio, working studiously on a self-portrait with which she’s been having trouble for weeks. Painted across the canvas, which is nearly as tall as the eight-year-old herself, is her own likeness. Its blue eyes gaze into the distance, past the edge of the canvas; wispy blond hair peeks out from beneath a blue veil; an elusive smile dances on the lips. The little girl studies her face in her handheld looking-glass and eyes her work with dissatisfaction. Something is wrong with the colour, she muses, but days of painstakingly mixing paint have failed to produce a tint that matches the hues she sees in her mirror. She closes her eyes for a moment to pray, asking God to help her make the work more realistic; then, the idea hits her. With a paintbrush, the young artist takes some paint and dabs it onto her nose, blending it until she gets the right shade for her skin.

Fast-forward one year, and this self-portrait -- along with several other pieces -- has made its way onto the set of The Oprah Show, where the little girl, whose name is Akiane Kramarik, relates this story to Oprah Winfrey. Laughingly, Oprah replies, “Oh, yes, I do the same!” and follows up with, "It is gorgeous... you're obviously gifted!" Millions of eyes from all around the world watch as the audience cheers and applauds in awe -- a far cry from the quiet hours of diligent work spent in the studio to create the paintings that seem so effortlessly achieved. Although Akiane looks back on that self-portrait, pictured right, as one of the most difficult experiences she has had as a painter, she says she’s gotten used to “working for many days before I see the finished painting. It takes a lot of self-discipline.” It’s a lesson that has taken Akiane a lot of time and patience to learn -- after all, some of her paintings have taken over 300 hours to complete!

At 13 years old, Akiane Kramarik is an internationally recognized child prodigy in both painting and poetry, but the attention doesn’t faze her. “Only God is famous,” she says. “My gift to God is what I do with my talents. I thank him every minute for all the blessings in my life.” But life hadn’t always been like this for Akiane. She was born in a small Illinois home to atheist parents, who named her after the Russian word for “ocean” because of her blue eyes. Life at the Kramarik house was full of simple pleasures; though the family did not have much money, they were closely-knit and Akiane spent countless playing with her brothers in the cornfields and meadows surrounding their home.

One morning, when she was four, Akiane surprised her mother by telling her, “Today I met God.” Though her parents had never even spoken the word ‘God’ to their daughter before, preschool-aged Akiane described him vividly: “God is light -- warm and good. It knows everything and talks with me. It is my parent.” Every day, she shared more and more of this surprising knowledge with her parents, telling them that she went to heaven and met God in visions and dreams. When words did not suffice, Akiane turned to painting as a means of recording her memories and illustrating the lessons that God was teaching her about himself and the world around her. Her parents could hardly believe the skill that they saw in their daughters' art, and when they asked Akiane where she had learned to paint so well, she replied, “Where God takes me, He teaches me to draw.” Hesitantly, Akiane's mother and father started to open up to the possibility of God's existence, and began searching for the faith that their daughter had found. Today, Akiane reflects, “Through my conversations, through my art, and later poetry I brought my family to God.”

Akiane has been writing poetry since she was seven, a process that, she says, is also led and inspired by God: “After a prayer, I wait for an answer from heaven, then I see dozens of snapshots of pictures, words, actions, and events. And a lot of time I feel that God includes me in other people's lives. Through Him I feel other people's suffering and happiness.” As in her art, the main purpose of Akiane’s poetry is to convey the message that God reveals to her. Many of her poems complement her paintings, exploring the spiritual metaphors hidden in her artwork; others echo truths that she finds in her conversations with God. In one work, Akiane writes, “I teach and they run away. I listen and they come. My strength is my silence.”

Surprisingly, people were not always as receptive to Akiane’s work as they are today. Though Akiane entered her drawings and sketches into many art shows as a child, few people even stopped to look at them, and most did not believe that the art was her own work. Akiane did not get discouraged, and told her family, “One day it will change.”

Things did change, and the art which people had ignored started to gain worldwide attention. Three years ago, when she was ten, Akiane held an exhibition at Iowa’s Museum of Religious Art, an experience that her mother describes as “unforgettable.” Thousands of people, from all backgrounds and age groups, showed up at the event. Akiane recalls this day: “One old lady stood up from her wheel chair for the first time in many years just to give me a hug. And one boy who brought his whole family two days in a roll. No one knew he had a brain tumour and a few days before he died he talked about God in my art and asked to draw.” The museum now has a permanent exhibit of the teenager’s art and sells reproductions of her work, but money is not a motivator for Akiane, who gives a large portion of her profits to charity. “I don't worry about the business,” she says. “I focus on creating art and my desire to help as many people as I can.”

Having explored the worlds of pencils, pastels, and acrylic paints, Akiane has now completed more than 80 paintings which are published in two books available at her website. She has written over than 400 poems, and recently took up music, learning to play piano and compose songs. She continues to speak about her faith in presentations, on talk shows, and in print interviews. A strong believer in the power of dreams, Akaine has big plans for her future. “I see myself helping poor children around the world. I see myself reading my poetry and showing my art during my international tours. I plan to meet presidents, kings and queens in many countries. Maybe by then I would have 100 more paintings and ten more books published. I would also want to compose songs and to get married.”

Akiane's creativity has drawn people from all over the world closer to God. At the very least, her art is a conversation-starter that sparks curiosity about spiritual matters in people who otherwise might never have touched the topic. Sometimes, they ask Akiane why she talks about God so much. Her response? “Because He listens. Nothing comes from nothing. Love cannot come out of nothing. Love is God's light. I just can't help talking about it.” And, drawn by the power of this love and light, the world is listening.

Article by Oksana K. [Editor]
Image credits: ArtAkiane.com; H-D Stock
Read more about Akiane: Her site; her book: Akiane her life, her art, her poetry.

SHOCK: Ethical or Exploitative?

2009-04-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

Shock works. When things are, as they say, "out of sight," we tend to put them "out of mind," and sometimes, shocking photographs can be very useful in jolting us out of our apathy. Graphic images of things such as war, hunger, and abortion have an immediate effect on viewers: they force us out of the comforts of our ignorance; show us the face of abstract concepts like "violence," "poverty," and "cruelty;" and, ultimately, leave us with an important decision to make: what am I going to do about this? Perhaps that's why there's so much controversy over the ethics of shock value in photography -- it leaves people so uncomfortable that, to some, it just seems wrong. But are pictures like these always exploitative? When, and how, should the shock-factor be used? If you've ever designed a website, written a pamphlet, or done a presentation on a weighty issue, you might have asked yourself such questions. While there's no clear-cut answer, here are a few important things for creative, globally-conscious youth to keep in mind.

What's the goal?

Whether or not shock value works depends largely on what you're trying to achieve. Do you want to elicit an emotional response from the viewer and motivate them to take action on a certain issue? In this case, shock value can be very useful. If, on the other hand, you want to prove an opinion, such as, "Animal testing is wrong," shock value will not help you. I once watched a classmate give a presentation on this topic, relying greatly on graphic photos to prove her point. While I agreed that certain forms of testing were cruel, I was left asking myself: what if there was a way to do animal testing painlessly? Would it be wrong then?

While shock value can prove that a certain technique for doing something, like abortion, is wrong, it doesn't tackle the heart of the issue. If there was a less-horrific way to perform abortions than to rip the fetus apart, would it still be immoral? Questions like must be answered through reasoning, not with pictures. Times change: two hundred years ago, the death penalty was carried out by beheading; today, it's done by a simple injection -- does its lack of shock-value change whether it is right or wrong? If you want to prove a point, you can't rely on emotions produced by pictures -- they can affect individuals, but they won't tear down counter-arguments.

On being sensitive

As attention-grabbing as it seems, shock value can sometimes alienate your audience. As a younger teen, I had several opportunities to do school projects on abortion -- an issue that I am very passionate about -- but I avoided the subject because I was afraid of the visuals that I knew I'd encounter in my research. That was purely from squeamishness -- imagine how much less a woman who has had an abortion and goes online seeking hope, wants to see such images. She'll probably avoid searching for the topic altogether! Some online resources, like CARM.com, recognize this: the site's Abortion section (written by a man whose girlfriend underwent the procedure) tells readers,

"I cannot and will not pronounce some holy judgment against the "sinners" who have had abortions -- for I am one of them, though graciously and undeservingly forgiven. ... I have little to offer except hope, forgiveness, love, reason, information, and the word of God. So, do not expect gross pictures, or a psychological guilt-whipping. Expect information, care, and concern."

A good tip to remember, therefore, is to be sensitive when you use graphic pictures. When you force such images on viewers, you'll probably get a negative reaction; when you invite the viewer to see for themselves, they'll be more open to the message you wish to send. Abort73.com does a good job of this by keeping all graphic photographs to a single subsection of the site and warning viewers when they're about to see them. As a result, people know exactly what they're going to find on the site, and feel more comfortable using it.

The Media -- Blessing or Curse?

One of shock-value's most exploited characteristics is its ability to capture media attention and generate discussion. On the one hand, this can be very useful -- what better way to get your community concerned about Africa's poverty than to mass-distribute images depicting a world that they might otherwise never see? Consider the famous 1972 photograph of Kim Phuc, which shows a young girl screaming in pain as she runs from the bombs that have fallen on her Vietnam village. Within days, this photograph was in the hands of millions of people, and they started talking, asking questions, and demanding action. Shocking photos quickly make their way into the public eye, which makes them a valuable resource for raising awareness -- fast.

On the other hand, however, such widespread, iconic photos lose their shock factor very easily. The first time I saw photographs of emaciated, impoverished African children, I was deeply affected; today, after having seen hundreds, I can pass such a photo almost no reaction. When forgetting poverty is as easy as flipping a magazine page or changing the channel, apathy is born: the more shocking images we see without taking any action, the more used to them we become, and the less compelled we feel to change things. Think of this on a Biblical scale: Jesus' words in Matthew 5:39, "If anyone strikes you ... turn the other cheek," were viewed as absolutely scandalous when he had first uttered them. Today, the phrase has become a figure of speech, used in jokes and pop culture until most of its meaning has worn off. Shock value always runs the risk of being used lightly, which causes people to grow hardened to its message.

The ultimate judge

If you do decide that you want to include graphic images in a presentation, site, or publication, be prepared for dissidence -- there will always be people who will be displeased with your use of their shock value. Always remember that your ultimate judge is God, and he looks at the heart. So examine your motives for using the shock factor -- is it to convey a message, or to get your site more hits, or to go along with what everyone else is doing? Do you want to create discussion and provoke thought, or to stir up controversy? When you're asking yourself, "To shock, or not to shock?" let God be the final authority.

Article by Oksana K.
Image credits: Image of African children found here; image of Kim Phuc by Nick Ut.

Some Topics for Discussion: (Feel free to discuss other things related to this article!)

1) Have you ever been moved by a shocking photograph? Tell us about your experience.
2) How do you feel about using shock value to get a message across?
3) Do you have any tips to add to those listed above on making shock value less exploitative and more ethical?

Leave a comment with your thoughts...

MAKING YOUR COMPLIMENTS CHRIST-LIKE

2009-04-05T15:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Internet and sites like Myspace, Flickr, YouTube, and DeviantArt, it is easier than ever for creative youth to share their talents with the world and receive feedback in return. Unfortunately, constructive and meaningful comments are difficult to find in these fast-paced environments, where a simple "Wow!" or a 5-star rating can accomplish the task much more quickly. Yet, as many artists know, it is very encouraging to receive comments that go beyond these short, mechanical responses and truly inspire progress. As Christians, we are called to "build one another up," not just flatter; and the way you present your compliments or critique can have a huge impact on someone else's ministry. Want to learn how to effectively encourage? Here are 7 tips to keep in mind:

1. Be specific about what you like in the piece. A general blanket statement is about as encouraging as one of those automated "Thank you for your submission" emails that you sometimes get when sending work for publication. If somebody's creativity touches you on a personal level, personalize your comments.

Bad: "That dance routine is just all-around perfect; everything about it is beautiful."
Better: "I loved your arm movements and facial expressions -- they were synchronized with the music and really brought out the message in the song."

2. Avoid comparisons. Measuring someone against anything other than God's word can have dangerous consequences, and never serves to build up. If, for instance, you tell a young artist that their work is better than the art produced by their adult counterparts, you not only slander an entire group of hard-working artists, but you also flatter the teenager into contentment with being a step above the others. The result? Well, we've all seen what happens to child celebrities -- their faults are indulgently overlooked because they're seen as so good for their age, and they never learn to fix their problems. Once these kids grow up, no one can use their age as an excuse, and comparisons of a different kind begin: "She used to be so much better than she is now. Even the worst actors are better than her."

Comparisons of any sort -- positive or negative -- are never a good thing: since God made everybody unique, you always end up comparing 'apples to oranges.' Besides, the standards of other people aren't worth aiming for: encourage creative youth to reach for God's Excellence, not someone else's.

Bad: "Your writing is exceptional for your age, but it doesn't have the flow that her writing has."
Better: "Your writing is exceptional, but it could use more work on flow."

3. Point out room for improvement as a 'next step,' rather than a flaw. You've probably been in school for most of your life, and know what it's like to get a test or assignment back after it's been marked: there is a certain finality in the grade. It doesn't matter if you finally understood algorithms one day after you wrote your Calculus test -- you can't go back and change the mark, even though it no longer reflects your actual level of knowledge. For most youth, that's a source of discouragement: what's the use of trying to do better when the mark has already been finalized?

Similarly, when you put a "grade" on someone's creativity, you may be unwittingly keeping them from moving forward. Ministries are meant to be nurtured and developed, not shot down with critique. When you point out an imperfection, say it in a way which shows that the situation can be improved.

Bad: "The website looks awful without a logo and with so many different fonts."
Better: "When you next update your site, you can try adding a logo and unifying the page by using one font."

4. Ask questions. Encouragement isn't a one-sided affair: if you involve the other person and listen to their thoughts, you'll both get more out of it. By promoting conversation, you might cause the artist to consider a side of the issue that he or she has never thought about. Of course, you can do the same thing by simply telling them, but they'll probably learn a lot more if you let them reach the conclusion on their own. If you have some advice to offer, listen to their ideas first, then put yours on the table.

Bad: "The drama group is a great idea; if I were you, I'd make a MySpace page for it to gain followers."
Better: "The drama group a great idea! How do you plan on spreading the word?" (After they answer, share any additional ideas you may have.)

5. Be sincere. A single exaggerated compliment can mar everything that came before it. Using superlatives ("the best," "the wittiest," "the nicest") can come across as sarcastic or insincere even if you don't mean it that way. Exaggeration is certainly not a Christ-like quality, and flattery is condemned many times in the Bible, so keep it real: sometimes, the best encouragement is the simplest.

Bad: "This is better than anything Mozart ever wrote."
Better: "This is a touching and beautiful song."

6. Have high expectations for people without putting pressure on them. This is a difficult aspect to control: sometimes, just complimenting someone on their recent work can make them feel pressured to produce equal or better work in the future -- especially if they have a "perfectionist" personality or low self-confidence. While some pressure is healthy as it makes artists aim higher, it can also become discouraging, so avoid setting standards that might leave them overwhelmed. At the same time, don't lower your expectations so much that you leave the artist feeling unchallenged: be optimistic and expect them to continue doing well.

Bad: "This book is so great, I don't think you'll ever be able to top it in your sequel!"
Better: "I love this book, and I'm excited to see the sequel -- I know you can do a great job with that!"

7. Offer your help. Sometimes, the best encouragement is expressed in actions, not words. If you want to build up a friend, build with them, instead of leaving them to build alone. Artists are less likely to give up or lose motivation if they have a team to work with when things get tough.

Bad: "Well, it was nice hearing about that. Can't wait to see the finished product!"
Better: "Hey, if you ever need advice or anything, just let me know. I'm pretty good at writing, and I know someone who is an illustrator; we can both help. If not, I'll pray about it!"

Whether you're complimenting, critiquing, or simply commenting, remember that a specific and constructive message can be very encouraging to the receiver. It may take a little extra effort, but you never know how much a sincere comment can impact somebody's work. So add some heart to your reviews and show God's grace in everything you write!

Article by Oksana K. [editor]

Some Topics for Discussion: (Feel free to discuss other things related to this article!)

1) Have you ever received an encouraging comment or compliment that really made your day and inspired you to get better at what you were doing? Did it fit any of the guidelines listed above? -- if so, which ones?
2) Why do you think many people opt to leave short, simple compliments like "Wow!" instead of more constructive comments? Is it a lack of time, a lack of effort, not knowing what to say...?

Leave a comment with your thoughts...

WRITING PROMPTS: Collection 1

2009-03-26T16:04:00.000-07:00

#1: Visit a local antiques store (or eBay), and find an interesting item. To whom might have it belonged? How did that person acquire it -- did they buy it, steal it, inherit it, or find it? Where was it kept -- outdoors, in a home, in a castle, in a shop..? Was it a celebrated centerpiece, or a mundane, unnoticed object? If it could talk, what stories would this item tell? Start writing...

#2: Write a "6 degrees of separation" poem. Randomly choose a subject to begin your poem with, and another random subject to end it with. Now, try to get from the first idea to the last in six lines or less. Opposites work well with poems like this (for instance, try going from "ugliness" to "beauty"), but the real challenge comes in when you choose two completely unrelated things: for example, try writing a poem that starts off talking about "food" and ends with "space." Be creative!

#3: Keep a haiku journal for thirty days: try to sum up your day -- or a specific moment of the day -- in three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. Can you keep it up for a whole month?

#4: Find a word whose meaning you do not know (some ideas: alacrity, chary, gelid, sleekit...). Don't look up its definition -- start writing. You might include the word in your piece, or simply record feelings and ideas that it evokes. When you're done, grab a dictionary and find its meaning. How close or far off were you?

#5: Find a tape recorder, and "write" out loud -- compose a poem or piece of prose by speaking it, instead of putting it on paper. (If you're not comfortable talking, just whisper it into your recording device). You can also do this with a friend: take turns speaking until you make up an entire story or poem.

#6: Choose a colour or shape, and make a list of every object within your immediate surroundings that has that colour/shape. Can you use each item on your list in a poem or piece of writing?

#7: Choose an emotion. If it were tangible, how would it look, smell, sound, taste, and feel? Make a list of five sensory descriptors for the emotion (for instance, happiness might be yellow, smell like strawberries, sound like guitar...) and use them in a poem or piece of prose without mentioning the emotion itself. Ask someone to read your work. What emotion does your imagery conjure up in their mind?

Collection I | Collection II

Article by Oksana K. [Editor]
Image credits: Stock Exchange (Lusi); Angelique; Oksana K.; and others.

CD REVIEW: Albertine

2009-03-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

Singer-songwriter Brooke Fraser burst onto the music scene five years ago -- an unassuming, down-to-earth teenager who captivated the world with her ability to blend the hip, bold vogue of her generation with the honesty and vulnerability of one who is not afraid to express her emotions. Brooke's first album, What to Do with Daylight, was wildly popular -- not only among Christian audiences, despite its unmistakably spiritual leanings -- but also in the secular market, selling over 7 million copies around the world.

In 2006, after joining the worship group Hillsong and going on a life-changing visit to Africa, Brooke released Albertine: a sophomore effort that chronicles the lessons she has learned on her transition from adolescence to adulthood. Though the new album has enjoyed just as much success as its predecessor, I had never even heard of Brooke until earlier this year, and when I first listened to the CD, I instantly became aware of how much I had been missing. I've you're looking for an alternative to the superficial, shallow music that dominates today's radios, give Albertine a listen. Brooke's work is refreshingly thought-provoking and real; it will not only inspire you to draw closer to God, but it is also accessible enough to share with your non-Christian friends.

The album's first track, Shadowfeet, showcases what is, in my mind, one of Brooke's greatest strengths as an artist: her ability to convey deeply meaningful lyrics through an approachable, contemporary musical medium. Opening with a nod to the transience of this world -- "walking, stumbling / on these shadow-feet / towards home..." -- the song reflects on the progressive change that God is working in his people as he prepares them for his return. Piano, drums, and electric guitar converge in a beautifully layered chorus, and Brooke's voice is audibly confident as she sings of trusting God on the final day: "When the world has fallen out from under me / I'll be found in You / still standing..." A beautiful opener where Biblically-inspired lyrical depth meet the youthful vibrancy of a catchy, fast-paced pop tune.

Transitioning to a softer, more intimate atmosphere, Brooke proceeds to sing Deciphering Me. Laden with enigmatic imagery, the song holds a different meaning for every listener, but its overarching message is as clear as the unabashed praise in its chorus: "It's love that holds us / if we all walk in His light... Oh, did you see the stars colliding / shining just to show / we belong..." While most of Brooke's songs are sung in a low register, this track has many high notes -- vocal acrobatics that she performs unpretentiously, displaying (but not showing off) the wispy, ethereal quality of her upper range without ever taking the listener's attention off the lyrical content. Love, Where is Your Fire? follows; a slow and contemplative prayer that starts with a reflection on the lukewarm lifestyle, and evolves into a cry for a more passionate existence: "I want to blaze with You / and I'm holding my heart out to You." The song's accompaniment, a jazzy tapestry woven predominantly by guitar and drum, draws listeners in with an intensity that leaves them both convicted and inspired.

As someone who bought the album several days before Valentine's Day, Love is Waiting was a highlight for me: a well-needed antidote to society's casual views on romance. The song isn't an abstinence sermon or a patriotic anthem for singles -- it's rather like a love poem, charming and honest, written to encourage a 'special someone' to avoid rushing love until "'we're ready / 'till it's right." Brooke married singer Scott Ligertwood about two years after the album's release, and this piece provides a beautiful glimpse into their approach to the relationship: one of humility, caution, and encouragement, rather than the mere adoration that most love songs portray. This track is a pleasure to listen to, and sets a great example for youth without being preachy in the least.

In Albertine, the album's title track, Brooke focuses on a different kind of love: the love that has inspired her to sponsor three African children and tell millions of listeners about the lessons she learned on an eye-opening visit to the continent in 2005. While in Rwanda, Brooke met Albertine, a young survivor of the 1994 genocide that had ravaged her country and left her orphaned. Though it's been over a decade since the mass killings took place, Rwanda's scars are still fresh, and its poverty crisis, far from over. Following her visit, Brooke wrote a song to pass on Albertine's story to listeners in New Zealand and beyond: "I will tell the world / I will tell them where I've been ... I am on a stage / a thousand eyes on me / I will tell them, Albertine..." Backed by a hypnotic, rhythmic guitar pattern, Brooke boldly calls Christians to take action against the suffering: "Now that I have seen / I am responsible / Faith without deeds is dead."

On the next track, C.S. Lewis Song, Brooke draws on ideas from the book Mere Christianity, musing over her purpose in life and searching Heaven for the answer to "desires [which] nothing in this world can satisfy." For all its gorgeous orchestration and appealing rock vibe, the song isn't an 'easy listen;' it's a probing, convicting track that compels listeners -- Christian and non-Christian alike -- to search for the "bigger picture" among the comforts of a superficial world.

Unlike the edgy, moody C.S. Lewis Song, Faithful is a soft and joyful prayer that addresses one of the toughest situations that all Christians encounter: those times when they can't feel God's presence. Rather than creating a mood of desperation, Brooke sings with contentment and resolve: "When I can't feel You / I have learned to reach out just the same / When I can't hear You / I know you still hear every word I say." Though more laid-back than most of Brooke's songs are, this track is no less compelling, and it's the perfect song for days when God seems far away.

Seeds is a simple, heartfelt song to future generations, whom Brooke promises "to teach ... the little I have learned so far." Vocally, I feel like it's not the strongest track on the album, but the tenderness and sincerity in her words makes it one of the Albertine's most touching gems. However, it is the next track -- Hosea's Wife -- which is my personal favourite. The song has an infectious melody and some of the most striking lyrics on the entire album, in which Brooke criticizes the world's faithless ways and calls people to "shed that shallow skin / come and live again..." The words are like poetry, reverberating with conviction and Biblical truth; the music is deliciously catchy. I'll give you fair warning: this is a song that's likely to get stuck in your head -- but it's certainly not a message you'll want to keep from your mind!

Sung in a half-whisper and accompanied by a solitary guitar, Thief is an unlikely standout. In songs such as Shadowfeet and C.S. Lewis, Brooke's voice seems to have a slightly synthesized sound; there is none of that on Thief. The track's organic production reveals the raw emotion and hidden nuances of Brooke's voice that louder, rockier songs tend to hide. Here, she spins a beautiful love song, slow and subdued, to the man who "could be the thief / I give the key to" -- an excellent example of how simplicity and minimalism can sometimes be the best channel for expressing one's feelings. In a similar vein, the album closes with Hymn, a piano-based piece written in traditional hymn style (with the Thou's and Thee's). This is very unusual for a contemporary disc, but it closes the album beautifully by bringing the listener's attention back to the reason behind Brooke's music: "If my life has one ambition / if my soul one goal to seek / This my solitary vision ... that I only dwell in Thee..."

Article by Oksana K. [Editor]
Image credits: Jeremy Cowart; Albertine CD cover.
Hear more Brooke: on Myspace

MISSION STATEMENT

2009-03-22T16:21:00.001-07:00

To provide Christian youth with a creative, safe, and God-centered environment where they can express and develop their artistic skills.

To encourage an atmosphere of communication, discussion, and Christ-centered fellowship that builds up youth as artists and as Christians.

To avoid bias based on genre, by embracing a wide variety of different creative styles, and making MMM accessible to a diverse group of youth from around the world.

To put equal emphasis on all of the arts, recognizing the important that each plays within the Church.

To strive for quality and creativity in all content published in MMM.

To avoid conformity with the world, setting ourselves apart by our mission to reach for God's standard and inspire other youth to strive for the same.

To recognize God as both the source and the ultimate receiver of our efforts towards MMM and other creative endeavors.

To foster a community of love, humility, patience, joy, and peace.

THE DANCING DISCIPLES: Praise You In This Storm

2009-03-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

The Dancing Disciples are comprised of a group of young women who mix the grace of classical ballet with the passion and boldness of contemporary Christian music. Not only do these girls share their talents with local churches, but they also share their work on a worldwide level by making videos of their dances available on Myspace and YouTube. In 2008, MMM interviewed three of the Dancing Disciples about their ministry -- here is what they had to say:

How has your understanding of dance changed from when you first began?

I have been dancing for 15 years. When I started I just wanted to a ballerina in a pink tutu. I didn't really know all that went into it. As I got older I realized that it's a lot of hard work and requires a lot of time. I have met all of my friends through ballet and they are the ones who make it fun when I’m too tired to go on. I have been in my company for about 5 years and love every minute of it. I recently joined Dancing Disciples which is comprised of a group of young women who love dancing and wanted to dance for God. I really enjoy dancing with the group and seeing the looks on peoples faces once they have seen us dance. It gives me satisfaction that I can bring people closer to God through my dancing. Being involved with the small world of ballet for so long and finally being able to use my talents to praise Him is a feeling I can't explain. I understand now that ballet is a way to express emotion and feeling through movements. It is more than complicated steps put together; it's a way to tell a story.
- Janell Webb, 18, Missouri, USA

How has dancing drawn you closer to God?

When I was nine years old, I got diabetes and was angry with God over my "misfortune." I wanted to draw close to him like I used to, but couldn't. Years later, Dancing Disciples has allowed me to find friends who believe in God and want to praise him using their talents. My friends have helped me enjoy God through dancing. Dancing allows me to express anything I feel to God. I've not only forgiven my grudge towards God, I've also gained more faith that God is all-powerful and works everything out in the end.
- Natalie K., 16, Missouri, USA

As a dancer, how do you connect with your audience?

I love dancing, it's my passion, a gift from God. And I love to share it with people! I'm a part of a Christian dance group called the Dancing Disciples. We have danced in churches, nursing homes, club meetings and our local city theatre. A favorite of mine is a dance we perform to the Mercy Me song, "I Can Only Imagine". The song is about when we get to heaven and see God -- "will we sing and dance? or, in awe of him be still?"

Personally, as a dancer, I love to connect with the audience through my expression. I want my face and movement to show not only my joy and happiness but to show the audience God's unfailing love. It's a blessing and amazing for me to see people open up to our message and see their smiles. And I'm having a blast too!
- Lydia M., 16, Missouri, USA

See more from the Dancing Disciples: YouTube

History / News

2009-03-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

News:
April 19, 2009: New M.M.M. website released!

History: (See M.M.M.'s old site here)

The idea of Multi Media Ministry was born a long time before the idea for the magazine ever came to mind. It all began with a YouTube video created by a small online ministry, which challenged Christians to use the site as a means of spreading God's message. As a fourteen-year-old who had visited YouTube for little more than music videos and funny clips, I was inspired by this message: why not use such a powerful medium for sharing Christ? As I thought about this, other ideas popped into mind -- if video works so well, why can't art, or writing, or dance, or music yield the same results? Inspired, I put together a quick, one-page website where I wrote down a bunch of different ministry and witnessing ideas, and categorized them into 5 sections: visual art, music, drama, dance, and writing. When I was done, put a title on the page: "Multi Media Ministry" -- and soon forgot about it.

Fast-forward a year or two. For my first Communications Technology project in Grade 11, I was required to create a four-page magazine in Photoshop. Like most high school students, I wasn't entirely a fan of school projects, but this one really appealed to me. I absolutely loved the mixture of writing and graphic design that magazine-making required -- the ability to convey powerful messages through words and images was exciting to me, and, soon after I handed in my four pages, I found myself wanting to re-live the fun that I'd experienced while working on my project. With very little deliberation, I decided that I would start my own magazine for teens like myself, to publish online. It didn't take me long to figure out a theme for the would-be e-zine: I knew that I wanted the publication to focus on something significant; and, in my life, faith and creativity were (and still are) two very important things. However, I didn't want to focus on only one area of creativity -- it had always bothered me when people tried to divorce the arts, and I wanted to embrace each of them in my e-zine. Immediately, my mind drifted to that forgotten web-page called "Multi Media Ministry." The perfect title! Tentatively, I opened Paint Shop Pro and wrote those words on a blank magazine page. Ideas started going off like fireworks in my head. Plans were created, designs were drawn, articles were drafted. God had been preparing me for this moment ever since I had turned to him, and now it was finally here: M.M.M. had begun.

During my more cynical moments, I didn't expect the e-zine to take off. I'd had some commitment problems with websites in the past, and I couldn't imagine myself maintaining an entire magazine. As I soon found out, I was right -- magazines are hard work. Creating the first edition was draining, but I stuck with it to the end, and felt exhilarated as I perused the completed pages and scanned the long list of names that had helped me bring the debut issue into being. The second issue didn't start off so well. Personal problems, schoolwork, and procrastination converged into a sea of obstacles that dragged down all of my efforts. Writing and designing felt like trudging through deep water -- while I distinctly felt the pressure of deadlines and reader expectations, I could muster up little of the joy and faith that had motivated my project in its embryonic stages. By the third issue, I knew that I couldn't keep going on like this: I was making a magazine to help others serve God, but I myself was working out of duty, not faith. I knew that was wrong. So MMM gradually fell silent as my efforts slackened and my resolve disappeared.

In 2009, God engineered several circumstances that set MMM's flame alight again. One of these circumstances took the form of the culminating project in my Business Management class. We were asked to organize some sort of event or campaign benefiting our community, and I decided to resurrect my neglected ministry and start all over again, with a new website, new articles, and new focus.

I took the advice of James Brooks, a UK-based artist with whom I had been chatting for several months, and expanded M.M.M.'s target audience from just teenagers to also include young-adults in their twenties. I also sat down to write an extensive and detailed Mission Statement, which proved extremely helpful in directing my efforts and keeping me focused on the reason behind the e-zine -- God. Then, although this meant giving up part of my beloved graphic-design component of magazine-making, I decided to do away with the traditional magazine format in which I'd published MMM and switch to text-based blog posts like the ones you see today. Above all, however, I wanted to stop working out of duty, and write articles as I felt led by God, not as directed by deadlines. Because of this, I chose to stop releasing the e-zine in issues, and opted instead to offer articles on a regular basis. This was a complete change from what MMM had been for the past three years, and I was excited to watch where God would take MMM with this new direction.

In the days between January and April of 2009, my spare time was filled with writing, web-design, and planning. I grew in those days as an artist, as a writer, and as a Christian, but they were not without their challenges -- as usual, procrastination and pressure were a source of frequent frustration, but I did my best to cling to God, and found a great deal of joy in making this e-zine. I spent many, many evenings creating picture after picture, writing word after word, fussing over CSS, listening to sermons and loud music as I worked, and I loved every moment of it. Bringing this e-zine back to life has helped me grow as an artist, writer, and Christian, and I can only thank you, reader, for stopping by to support this project, and hope that you too will be blessed by Multi Media Ministry.

Staff

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Oksana K. is MMM's creator and editor. At the age of 5, she emigrated from her birthplace of Ukraine and moved to the province of Ontario, Canada, living in three different cities throughout her childhood. Although she had been raised to believe in God, it wasn't until she turned 13 that Oksana realised her need for Christ and began a life-changing journey of faith in God. Today, at 17, Oksana is a first-year university student majoring in Communication, with a minor in Religion. Though she hopes to pursue a career in writing, she has a wide range of other hobbies, including poetry, blogging, photography, graphic design, singing, reading, and filling her Moleskine with pencil sketches. To expand her creative skills and get inspired, Oksana turns to God and to the work of others. She also finds inspiration in nature, classical literature, musicals, old movies, and a variety of musical styles -- everything from showtunes to indie to light opera. She also loves spending time on the internet and holding heart-to-heart conversations with family and friends.

Links: Flickr | Involvement with MMM | Showcase 1

Mattie K., MMM's Assistant Editor, is a high school student in the United States. She came to know the Lord at the age of 12 on a missions trip to Southeast Asia. This fall, as a high school junior, she will be a full-time college student at a local community college. She hopes that, after her university studies, God will use her as an elementary or special education teacher in a foreign country. In her free time, Mattie enjoys writing, reading, drawing, teaching Sunday School, and traveling. Mattie hates bananas, loves thunderstorms, and is very excited to be involved in what God is doing through MMM. Visit Mattie's site.

Austin B. is MMM's Marketing Specialist.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Notebook

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I don't watch many movies, and when I do, my viewing repertoire is limited almost entirely to films starring Audrey Hepburn or Julie Andrews. So when my twelfth-grade sociology teacher announced that we'd be watching The Notebook for an assignment (and the whole class squealed as if she had said we'd be eating cake or meeting some high-end celebrity face-to-face), I had no clue what to expect from the movie. I'd heard a lot of fuss about it following its 2004 release, but it wasn't until I'd watched the film that I realized just how much of this buzz must have been generated by Christian viewers. This cinematic, "feel-good" romance flick strikes a number of chords with believers, and it stayed in my mind long after the bell rang and the closing credits rolled down the screen.

The Notebook tells the story of Allie and Noah -- two seniors whose relationship is choked by the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's, a disease that has left Allie with no memory of her past, and no recognition of the man she once loved. Determined to spark Allie's memory, Noah visits the senior's residence where she lives and begins reading aloud the story of their love, handwritten in a notebook many years ago. The story takes place in the late 1930's, when Noah, a country-born youth who makes forty cents an hour at a lumber yard, falls in love with 17-year-old Allie, a rich city girl. Allie's parents do everything they can to keep their daughter from seeing the man, whom they regard as "trash," and the relationship is eventually cut off. Allie stifles her love for Noah and soon gets engaged to Lon, a young man who shares her noble birth and high social status. As her wedding approaches, Allie's desire for Noah is rekindled, and she embarks on a search to rediscover the lost love of her past. Whom does she choose? In her old age, will she recognize Noah and remember their story? These two questions form the basis of the movie's romantic, emotional plot.

I've looked up a couple of Christian-perspective reviews for this movie, and many people seem to be split between praise for the film's overall message and critique of its less-than-moral aspects. Prominent Christian reviewers like PluggedIn, Christian Answers, and ChristianityToday seem unsure of what to make of this Nicholas Sparks-inspired hit -- yes, he's the same novelist that delighted religious audiences with the wholesome A Walk To Remember in 2002. Although Sparks, a Catholic, has no reservations about infusing faith into his movies, many viewers feel uncomfortable with the fact that The Notebook, which he calls "a metaphor of God's love for us," is full of moral loopholes and unbiblical behavior. As I see it, the film's main problem is the large discrepancy between what the movie says and how it says this. Whether the former component -- the "moral of the story" -- redeems the latter, is up to the viewer to decide based on their own convictions. In this review, I'll give you the facts that you'll need to make that decision. Let's start not with the story itself, but with how that story is told.

The film has a lot of premarital sex -- it's best to be up-front about that, since it's probably the biggest issue that Christian audiences have with the movie. Of course, it's a little unreasonable to expect a secular movie to be wholly without intimate scenes, but sex in The Notebook poses two major problems to Christian viewers. Firstly, the movie's two "love" scenes are far more descriptive than its PG-13 rating lets on, and are particularly inappropriate for the teenage audience at which the film is targeted. Secondly, and far more importantly, the sex isn't just something that viewers can fast-forward through and forget about -- it is intrinsically connected with the movie's plot. Even if you skip the first sex scene, you can't skip the fact that Allie is disobeying her parents' wishes by running off with a man they don't want her to date (for the wrong reasons, true, but it's still a violation of the fifth commandment). Likewise, even if you skip the second sex scene, you can't skip the fact that Allie, in very poor judgment, has put herself in a tempting situation and is cheating on her fiance -- who, while certainly not the "right one" for her, doesn't deserve such treatment. The Notebook puts viewers in a Titanic-esque bind: it forces them to sympathize with the protagonist, even though her actions are less-than-praiseworthy.

Then there's the not-so-1-Corinthians-13 representation of love which leaves Christians uncomfortable about the movie. As one online reviewer aptly put it, when Noah and Allie aren't kissing, they're fighting. "Love is gentle, love is kind" is rather lost on these two, and they quarrel constantly, sending a sullied message about the nature of love. Although, as PluggedIn Online says, this eventually shows that "love is hard, everyday work, and squabbles don't have to undo it," one has to wonder whether Noah and Allie's relationship is fueled by anything more than physical passion. It's interesting to see how a verse like "Wives, submit to your husbands" evokes cries of injustice among non-Christians, while Noah's possessive stalking of Allie when he first sees her, and the insults that he flings at her in later scenes, are gushed over as being "cute" and "loving" by movie fans.

The third big trouble spot in the movie is its consistent focus on emotion-based love. Again, I'm being a little unfair since this is a secular movie, but the Bible's definition of marriage is that of two people coming together to fulfill God's plan for their lives, rather than two people who live with each other because it feels good. In the relationships portrayed in this movie, characters tend to manipulate the situation to gain a personal good rather than to help another. Allie leaves Lon for Noah because she has stopped painting and Noah inspires her. Noah starts an affair with another woman to "take the sting out of loneliness." It doesn't take an exceptionally discerning viewer to realize that this isn't Biblical, selfless love.

So there's one side of the picture. I've scared you off, haven't I? Well, hold on for a few moments. The things listed above make up the "how the story is told" component -- the story itself, stripped to its barest bones, is actually a far better representation of love than most movies these days depict.

Firstly, there's the message that all life is precious and worthy of honour. In an age of heated debate over euthanasia and abortion, I can't tell you how refreshing it is to find a movie that depicts and glorifies the passionate, dogged devotion of a husband to a wife who has no memory of him. At one point in the film, Noah is told to give up his efforts to spark Allie's memory, and he replies, "That's my sweetheart in there. Wherever she is, that's where my home is." The film shows that love transcends memory and mental capability -- a true portrayal of how far the vow "in sickness and in health" can be taken.

Then, there's the well-needed lesson that marriage should never happen for the purpose of gaining material wealth or securing a social position. Characters who marry on the basis of economic status are clearly portrayed as being unhappy with their decision, while the relationship between upper-class Allie and country-boy Noah is a beautiful example of how differences dissipate when love enters the picture.

Furthermore, Noah's relationship with his father isn't lacking in Biblical soundness, and Allie's relationship with her mom, though rocky at first (-- to say the least; it's a bit more like molten lava), begins to grow intimate as the characters open their hearts to one another, reaching a place of mutual understanding and selflessness. The movie shows that, no matter what difficulties a relationship may encounter, it can be redeemed, and that love grows all the stronger for the storms it has to weather.

Other parts of the story that seem to derive their ideology from the Bible include a comment by the aged Noah on the supremacy of God. When told by a doctor that his efforts to help his wife will likely prove useless, Noah replies, "Science only comes so far, and then comes God." Noah refuses to lose hope even when medical authorities and family members point out the futility of his mission. Another instance that parallels Biblical ideas is the house that Noah builds for Allie after he discovers her engagement. Not only does he fulfill a promise that he had made in his youth -- an action that shows the importance of keeping one's word -- but his work can be said to represent the heavenly home that God is preparing for those who love him.

While positive elements like these seem brief when described in this review, they are actually the very framework around which the rest of the story is built. But do they make up for the movie's negatives? The bottom line is for you to decide. On the one hand, as a 17-year-old, I don't think this film is appropriate for teenage audiences, and it's probably not something that I'll watch again in its entirety -- certain parts, however, I would gladly revisit. On the other hand, if you do find yourself seeing the movie, it gives rise to a multitude of witnessing opportunities, and will probably leave you feeling "good in a deeply thoughtful and spiritual way," as ChristianityToday puts it. But is the subtle nod to Christianity worth watching the film for? Does Sparks' assertion that "nobody is perfect" justify the bad choices some characters make? Are the movie's uplifting qualities stronger than the stumbling-blocks it poses? Yes, there's certainly a lot to be thoughtful about -- even before you see the film.

Article by Oksana K.
Image credits: IMDB

Some Topics for Discussion: (Feel free to discuss other things related to this article!)

1) Do you believe that, despite certain problems in its plot, the overall message of The Notebook makes it a good film for Christian viewers?
2) How might this movie be used as a witnessing tool?

Leave a comment with your thoughts...

STAFF SHOWCASE: Thirsty

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"Thirsty": a poem by by Oksana K., 17, Canada [Editor]

breeze clingingly swings
from the tips of the stray
strands in her braids; unkempt.
she entertains little
shipwrecked ghosts of thoughts
as minutes fly on the drafts between
the windows open in her mind.

sky: grey and gold,
clouds collide in the pulse of the wind
meeting, passing, melting into
a directionless sea;
an expanse
that feels almost like stillness
and almost like infinity...

and not a mollecule of it has forgotten
the dust it was drawn from
on that creation morning.
there they will all return.
and while she wanders here, forgetting,
the very stones cry out...

harvest overflows onto her feet
as she passes by, but her hands
remain empty.
yet something must have stirred,
for, tentative, a prayer emerges --
silently she speaks,

lift up my face;

her eyes turn to follow the wind's transparent tracks;

break the storm like bread over me
let the wine pour --
drench me in your sacrifice, my salvation,
overwhelm me --
wash the very shadows out from under my feet
and teach me

to remember where the soul belongs,
so thirsty

is she,
for the golden-gilded pages
she reads each morning,
for the red letters, and all those numbers,

and the spirit that inhabits all the lives
that You've whispered in between its lines.

- - -

Describe your writing process.
I try to give myself as much freedom as I can when writing. I don't usually start with any preconceived ideas of the finished product -- I just find something that catches my attention and elaborate on it. Sometimes, I'll bring out my box of magnetic poetry (I have a couple of hundred words) and sift through them until a certain thought or phrase stands out to me. Other times, it's a story, a picture, a song... some idea or sentiment that snags in my mind; and I can't forget about it until I've unravelled it, put some context to it, connected it with some "bigger picture." Since I don't really filter what I write, most of my first drafts are bulky and messy, but I prune them down as I edit. And often, in the midst of that, I see a potential pattern, theme, or moral, and alter the poem as needed to bring that theme to the forefront. But not all of my poems have a main idea -- some are just a collection of beautiful images, and it's up to the reader to interpret and respond to them as they will. I like that, too -- I like the writer-reader collaboration that poetry allows for.

What is your favourite poem?
I adore "White Birds" by Yeats, as well as works by Frost, Angelou... I love a lot of modern poems too, but I can't list any off the top of my head except those by Akiane Kramarik. I don't really read work by famous poets, though; I much prefer the work that people my age post on the internet -- there are some real gems out there that a lot of people, sadly, miss because they prefer the work of the rich and famous. Song lyrics, too, can be very poetic; if I didn't know they were meant to be sung, I could read Brooke Fraser and Jon Foreman's lyrics as poetry, and never know the difference.

Describe your style.
I think of my style as a sort of kaleidoscope -- I try to shift from one image to the next, taking readers through a journey of different (and often unanticipated) ideas and metaphors. I'd also describe my poetry as somewhat enigmatic.

ABOUT

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Multi Media Ministry is an e-zine created by and for artistic youth who desire to use their talents for God's glory. Thank you for visiting! Feel free to leave comments and submit your own work to MMM -- we hope to hear from you!

Mission
Beliefs
History/News
Staff
Legal

Legal

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All work featured in MMM is copyright its respective owner. You may not use any of the work from this website without permission from the creator. If no link is available by which you can contact the creator, email us with a request (mm.ministry[@]gmail.com - remove the brackets from the address), and we may forward your message to them.

Thank you very much for your understanding!

Showcase FAQs

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What is the Showcase?
The showcase is a section of MMM where readers can post their best creative work to be seen by others. Each showcase entry includes the following parts: 1) the picture, piece of writing, video, song, etc.; 2) a brief interview about the work; 3) a short blurb on the artist.

Do I need to give a description or explanation for my piece?
Yes. Before we post your work, we'll email you a few questions to answer about your piece.

Does my work have to be "Christian" to be included in the Showcase?
No, although it should be God-glorifying and should not contradict the values outlined in our Statement of Faith. You may, however, be asked to give some insight into the spiritual meaning behind your piece, so work with depth and meaning is preferred over work that doesn't carry a specific message.

How old do I need to be?
You should be between the ages of 14 and 29.

Can you include a link to my Flickr, DeviantArt, or YouTube account?
Yes, but please make sure that everything on your page is G-rated -- remember, we have some young readers here! If you do not moderate comments left on your work, please make sure that there are no crude/offensive comments before sending us the link. Thanks!

What are the chances my work will be included?
We are unable to include all entries sent to us, but the more original and meaningful your piece, the more likely it is to get in. If you don't hear from us right away, don't worry -- we publish some pieces several months after we first receive them. It's worth a shot!

Can I send you more than one piece?
Cerainly! Send as many pieces as you want -- they can be in different categories, too.

Will you edit my work?
We edit all writing (in your submission and your interview) to ensure proper spelling and grammar; otherwise, Showcase submissions are not edited. If you wish, however, we can add a watermark to your art/photography stating that you own the copyright to it (this will prevent others from using your work without your permission).

Can I be featured more than once?
Your work can be featured up to 2 times per year.

What are staff showcases?
Occasionally, MMM's staff members add their work to the showcase as an example of what a standard entry should look like. It also gives readers an opportunity to know a little bit more about the creative journeys of MMM's creators.

Contribute to MMM

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Multi Media Ministry wants to see your creativity! We rely on readers like you to create the content you find in our e-zine, so if you're an artistic young Christian, show us how you're using your talents for God -- or tell us about somebody else who's doing the same!

Ways to write for MMM:

1. Write an article and submit it to MMM through email. (Must be between 400 and 2000 words in length; longer articles may be published in parts as a series).

2. Send MMM an idea, and our volunteer writers (see #3) may use your suggestion to write an article.

3. Volunteer to write on request by following us on Twitter (updates are on our sidebar). We send followers ideas/topics for articles that we need; participation is completely voluntary.

All submissions (except #2) should be accompanied by a first name, last initial/name, age*, and country: for instance, Oksana K., 17, Canada (Note: to write for MMM, you must be within the age range of 14 and 28). If you are uncomfortable disclosing this information, feel free to use a pen name! If applicable, include a link to your website.

Submissions to MMM should be sent to: mm.ministry@gmail.com. You will be notified by email if your article has been chosen. Your work may be edited for clarity, conciseness, grammar, and spelling.

To help you get started, the following is a list of MMM's major sections, explaining the kinds of submissions that are needed for each.

Showcase

Show MMM your work! See Showcase FAQs.

Spotlight

In the Spotlight, MMM features interviews and articles of a biographical nature. If you know of a Christian musician, writer, artist, dancer, or performer between the ages of 14 and 28, tell MMM about them, and we can help you arrange an email interview. When interviews are impractical or unnecessary, you may choose to simply write an article about their life and work using information already available to the public (make sure you use credible sources!). If you know of someone who would be perfect for the Spotlight, but prefer not to write the article yourself, send us a link to their website and we may find another writer for the task. We always appreciate suggestions!

News

This section is a place to feature current events in the world of youth creativity. Is there something that Christian artists should know about -- a new website for photographers, a new stage production starring young dancers, a change to copyright laws..? write articles about recent happenings that might be interesting or helpful for creative Christians in their teens and 20's. Again, if you have an idea for this section, but would prefer not the write the article yourself, send us your idea and we may find someone else to write about it.

Reviews

MMM is always looking for reviews on music, literature, and films that might interest Christian youth. Your review may take one of many forms: it can be song-by-song/chapter-by-chapter/scene-by-scene, or it can be a brief overall summary of the work. It can be positive or negative. It can focus exclusively on the spiritual aspects of the work, or include commentary on its technical aspects. You can review a recent release, or one from several years ago... there are many possibilities! For the purposes of MMM, Reviews must fall into one of the following 8 categories:

CD or Concert DVD
1. Recorded by a teenage or young-adult Christian artist (or a band that involves at least one teen/young-adult)

Book
2. Written by a teen/young-adult Christian author
3. Aimed at young Christian readers
4. A popular secular book aimed at youth, reviewed from a Christian perspective (ie. Twilight, Harry Potter)
5. A book about creativity (ie. a book on how to write, or one that gives advice to dancers)

Movie or Stage Production
6. Involving teenage/young-adult Christians (as actors, directors, scriptwriters, etc.)
7. Aimed at young Christian audiences (ie. Facing the Giants)
8. A popular secular movie aimed at youth, reviewed from a Christian perspective (ie. Juno, The Notebook)

Please note: some MMM readers are in their early teens. If the item you're reviewing has content that's inappropriate for this age range (violence, sex, swearing, etc.), be sure to make this clear in your review.

Editorial/Opinion

This section is the place where creative Christian youth like you can have a say! When it comes to youth, the arts, and Christianity, are there things which you wish you could change? Do you have a message that you want to share with readers? Is there an issue about which you feel really strongly? Tell us all about it in an opinion article!

Advice/How-To

This section is for sharing advice that can help Christian youth in their art or walk with God. You can write about creativity, with topics such as 'how to draw a good abstract picture,' or 'how to warm up your voice before singing;' or, you can focus on spiritual aspects like 'how to memorize Bible verses,' or 'how to pray continually.' Be creative! Feel free to suggest topics if you'd rather not write the article yourself.

Miscellaneous

Have any other ideas? If you like thinking outside the box, we have a "Miscellaneous" section for articles that don't fit the mold. Feel free to send in content that doesn't fall under any of the categories mentioned above.

We hope to hear from you! Be creative and have fun!

Statement of Faith

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MMM is a multi-denominational organization that recognizes God as the supreme, perfect Creator and Savior in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that the Bible is the ultimate authority which guides all human behavior and provides a standard of behavior for which we should strive.

We recognize that our sinful natures separate us from our Creator by making us unable to reach God's standard on our own.

We recognize that salvation bridges the gap between God and man, allowing us to live with God eternally; however, we understand that imperfect humans cannot bring about their own salvation.

We believe that God the Father sent his sinless and divine Son Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins, clearing us from iniquity and allowing us access to God.

We believe that salvation comes through acceptance of Christ's gift of life, repentance from sin, and a spiritual transformation (new birth) set in motion by the Holy Spirit.

We believe that Christ rose from the grave, body and spirit, on the third day after his crucifixion, and will return someday to gather believers to himself.

We believe that one's ultimate purpose in life is to serve and glorify God in all things, to serve other people, and to share the Gospel message through words and actions which reflect God's love.

We believe that God is making us, saved sinners, more like himself by conforming our hearts to his will. We know that he is both the source and the ultimate receiver of our talents and abilities; thus, he desires our work to be an offering that pleases and glorifies him. We strive to seek him in this life with all our heart and strength, and look forward to rejoicing with him in heaven for eternity.

Soli Deo Gloria -- To God alone be the glory!

Mission Statement

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To provide Christian youth with a creative, safe, and God-centered environment where they can express and develop their artistic skills.

To encourage an atmosphere of communication, discussion, and Christ-centered fellowship that builds up youth as artists and as Christians.

To avoid bias based on genre by embracing a variety of different creative styles and making MMM accessible to a diverse group of youth from around the world.

To put equal emphasis on all of the arts, recognizing the importance that each plays within the Church.

To strive for quality and creativity in all content published in MMM.

To avoid conformity with the world, setting ourselves apart by our mission to reach for God's standard, and inspiring other youth to strive for nothing less.

To recognize God as both the source and the ultimate receiver of our efforts towards MMM and other creative endeavors.

To foster a community of love, humility, patience, joy, and peace.