The Birthing of a Name

Whether you are a newcomer or a long time Friend in the Oasis, hopefully you’ve discovered that I enjoy taking photos, primarily of nature. Story-telling images can make a devotional post come alive.

I recently ventured to think of a name to give for my photos and art forms to have a home…you know, a place where they can belong and relax before going to work for me.

God began to download a mixture of words in my mind. He directed me which ones to build off of and which to store up for another moment in time. It was like I had to sort out which words to use and which order the words were to be placed. Here’s the layout design of what I heard.

Create

The word create was downloaded. It means: bring something into existence.

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Joel 2:28

I have been very fond of this passage of scripture for many years. One reason is because my name is Joel, so it speaks personally to me. Another reason is the impact of the promise God gives. This scripture reference is full of creativity, which is what I enjoy doing with my photos and writing. I can often clearly hear and see what I am to do by His guiding instructions.

“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.”

Studio

The word studio was heard and placed next in order. It means: an artist or worker’s workroom. A small room to live in.

Put them all together and you have…

Create228studio

Create228studio is my workroom where visions, dreams, and words from God are brought into existence and become alive by means of writing, photography, painting, and design. It’s the home..the living space for my creations that I use to engage life with others.

Something that is very real and applicable to everyone is the scripture reference that I used. God will pour out His Spirit upon all people. You see, it’s not just for me to hear, download, and create but for you as well. God has designed us all with a gift to make something out of life much more than we expect. We can do and be much more than this world wants us to know.

God is speaking to you….are you listening? You know, it’s not always easy to hear Him. It doesn’t always come as quickly or as loud as we think it needs to.

God has designed us all with a gift to make

something out of life much more than we expect.

But why not.. right now, take a moment to ask and listen. It’s not magical…but it is real. It’s not always in the form of what we envision…but it’s always there for us. Waiting to be grasped…waiting to be shaped and molded… waiting to be utilized the way God has planned especially for you.

God will pour out His Spirit upon you.

He has great plans for each of you. He values you greatly. You are His perfect design and His artistic joy. His creativity has been poured into you as individuals. His glorious magnificent image is captured into our being and it oozes out upon what we touch with our hands…see with our eyes…envision with our minds… speak with our words…and dream into reality.

Pour out oh God…continue a steady stream upon us all. Crazy is Your love for us! You spill all over us in abandonment…Your people.

Lingering Thoughts:

Perhaps you have had visions and dreams of doing something and have not pursued it due to thoughts of negativity that have outweighed your pursuit. I wish to encourage you to step out of the pattern of “it’s no use” and to boldly go against the grain. Being creative with an idea that comes from God does not mean stardom, success, nor attention. God is not looking for stars. He has already created more than anyone can count. He is looking for obedience. And when we find confidence and rest in obeying Him, we discover joy, acceptance, and pleasure.