Soul Dreamer Resources

Soul Dreamer Ponderings are questions that relate to career and calling for all types of dreamers. Some of the questions might be posed in future Soul Dreamer Interviews as well. Feel free to leave a comment on your thoughts to these ponderings:

How can we make sure our dreams continually line up with God’s visions for us?

How do we know if a dream is God-given or something we came up with? Do we have the discernment and faith to follow God even into “unpractical” and undesirable venues?

How do we know if we are operating out of our calling?

Is God calling me to carry out my talents in a more secular frontier or in a traditionally Christian arena?

How do we rewaken dormant dreams?

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Most everyone has asked these questions:

• Who am I?
• Why am I here?
• What should I be doing?

Artists in particular, from painters to musicians, may ask these questions regarding their gifts:

• Who am I as an artist?
• Why do I have this talent?
• What does God want me to do with it?

Navigating these questions might be frustrating when we don’t “hear” what God wants us to do with the gifts He’s given us. How do we know what route to take with our abilities?

Art Lessons from God is a great online spiritual resource that delves into these questions of gifting and calling. The web publication and discussion group were created with the purpose of helping artists and designers discover God’s purpose and plan for their artistic talent. The site was created by Tony Snipes of Kreative Kingdom, Inc. a non-profit faith-based art initiative.

Though the site is targeted toward visual artists it has much insight that could inspire artists of any type from writers and performers to musicians and filmmakers. Many of the topics explored can apply to a variety of arts, like “Anointed versus Talented: What’s the Difference?” to “Discovering a “God” idea vs a “Good” idea.” Often in our society we acknowledge the “how” regarding talents of individuals but may not always consider the deeper questions involved with “why.”

Click here to visit the Art Lessons From God website, www.artlessonsfromGod.com.

Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with Tony Snipes, founder of Art Lessons From God.

Here are some great past posts and discussions on the site, many of which could apply to a variety of arts:

- Anointed versus Talented: What’s the Difference?
Talent is defined as: “Natural endowment or ability of a superior quality”…

- God Never Commits to Talent
A pastor I knew mentioned this several years ago and, to me, it still is something I have to work on always…

- God’s 7 Principles of Artistic Purpose
These are the 7 principles that guide the you, the visual artist, into a relationship with the Spirit of God in order to give God access to the creative gift He placed within you…

- Artists Taking The Mystery Out of Hearing from God
How do you hear from God, especially concerning the purpose and use of your creative talent…

- Your Artistic Talent as a Weapon
Your creative ability has power… The enemy has no creative ability…

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In the Dream in Soul interview with Kirk Franklin he gave some great advice about purpose, position and gifts. Here are some of the Soul Dreamer highlights from that interview (click here for the full interview):

Dream in Soul:…One of the chapters that spoke to me was Chapter 4 “What is Purpose.” One of the important points you made in the book is that what people do does not define who they are. Was there a point in your life where you realized that?

Kirk Franklin: Yeah, yeah definitely there was a point in my life when that revelation really became true to me. It kind of resonates within me that you know music is what I do, the music is not who I am, so if I sell a lot of records that doesn’t make me who I am. If I don’t sell any records that doesn’t take away from who I am, and if I define myself by what I do then I’m going to always have to be doing, and so I’ll be a human doing instead of a human being. So, that was a very important thing for me to learn…

DS: Going along with that once I saw a tweet you tweeted a while back that said, “never let your gift become your god.” Can you talk about that and how you’ve learned that in your ministry; how does someone know when their gift or career has become an idol?

Below: A Tweet from @KirkFranklin

KF: Well, it’s just very important to see your gift through God’s lens. Once you realize that the gift really wasn’t for your benefit but the gift was really for His and He allows you to partake in it, it changes your perspective. It’s like, ok this is given to me to bring Him glory, not necessarily to bring myself glory. And so when you see that it’s something that’s on loan that you’re not an owner of it, you’re just a manager of it, then you respond differently.

Click here to read the full Dream in Soul interview with Kirk Franklin…

“No Dancing In Church” is a documentary by filmmaker Consuela Hayes featuring the DCLARE Dance Ministry of Miami, Florida. The concept of dance in the church may be a topic of conflict to some, but this short film discusses the tranformation of dance in ministry and it’s purpose.

Those in older generations may believe dancing is too suggestive or unholy to do in church. Some argue that dance isn’t Biblical or is “worldly.” The documentary discusses how Scriptures do speak about dance and how it can be used as a way of worship. From liturgical to urban, many churches and ministries have embraced dance, especially as a way for reaching youth. What are your thoughts? Do you have a dance ministry in your church?

In the Dream in Soul interview Marvin Sapp shared some inspiration about ministry and industry, gifts and calling. Here’s what he had to say below.
(Click here to read the full interview about Marvin Sapp’s latest album “Here I Am.”)

DS: You’ve said before ‘I am not a singer that happens to preach, but a preacher that has to sing,’ because singing is a gift and preaching is a calling. Can you talk a little about the difference between a gift and a calling? What message do you have for young adults in finding their calling vs. relying on the gifts?

MS: Well you know with me, this is my own personal definition, some people may disagree, but you know the Bible says gifts come without repentance. I try to make sure that they are separate. If you ask me what I mean by that – I’m gifted to sing but I’ve learned that I can be gifted and anointed and still live like the devil.

In order for you to be effective in the call you have to be tapped into the source. The only way you can remain connected to the source is you have to live a life that’s holy and acceptable by God. So that’s why I never put my gift before my call, I always make sure I put my call before my gift because that means that my focus remains in God first in everything that I do.

DS: You’ve said your music and pastoring go hand and hand as a ministry?

MS: Without question. As a matter of fact the fact that I’m able to sing enhances our worship service on a Sunday morning, it really helps to set the atmosphere so that when I stand up and preach the word of God it doesn’t fall upon the stony grounds of peoples hearts but it falls upon the fresh ground where it can be cultivated and grow. It gives me the opportunity to break up that fallow ground so that when I sow the seed it makes all the difference in the world in the hearts and minds of people.

DS: How do you balance the artistry, ministry and industry and stay focused on God when in a position like that of influence?

MS: Honestly, again this is my personal opinion, I think they go hand in hand. The Bible tells us a whole lot of things as pertains for looking out for the man or the woman of God and I think that one of the major challenges that we have is people being able to differentiate if you will what’s ministry and what’s business. The truth of the matter is we serve a God who is superlative in His nature and He requires excellence from us.

When we do function we are to function in a level of quality in business that gives Him glory. I think that when we do that, function in the level that he requires and desires us to function in He does ultimately get glory. So when people talking about separating them, I don’t know if you can, I think they all go hand in hand and I think that sometimes we can take it overboard. We can take ministry overboard, we can take business overboard, there has to be a balance and they have to work hand in hand. Sometimes you can be so business that the ministry is lost, and sometimes you can be so ministry that the business is lost, but we serve a God of balance. If we keep things balanced it makes things simpler.

DS: Is there a scripture that you would say embodies the message of this album or your work so far?

“Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

MS: Galatians 6:1 I believe says something to the effect of if you find someone overtaken with a fault you who are spiritual should restore someone gently. One of the major problems with the 21st century church is that we kill our wounded. What God is looking for is people who are spiritual enough not to kill our wounded but to love on them and to encourage them, especially if we’re spiritual we can restore them. The purpose of restoring them is that we can ourselves; what we sow out is what we reap back. I believe strongly that’s what “Here I Am” is really all about. It speaks about that whole concept of understanding that we all have issues that we’ve had to overcome. All of us ourselves have been places and done things we are not proud of, but even in that God doesn’t disqualify us if we get back up and make the decision not to go back there.

I love where it says “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of gentleness; look into thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” We’re supposed to “bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1 and 2.

Click here to read the full interview about Marvin Sapp’s latest album “Here I Am.”

In this clip from Tangle.com, Marshawn Evans, an entertainment attorney, author and entrepreneur who has appeared on Donald Trump’s The Apprentice, answers how she thinks the Proverbs 31 woman parallels to the woman of the 21st century. Marshawn is the author of Skirts in the Boardroom, “the definitive guide to being a modern-day sassy, savvy, sensible, and smart woman leader.” Visit her site at http://marshawnevans.com to learn more.

DreamFood: Some Inspiring Points

- “Comparing yourself to somebody else always results in a negative response…”

- The Proverbs 31 woman was fulfilling her calling, it was possible for her to be multi-dimensional

- We are not called to be the Proverbs 31 woman in doing exactly what she did – we’re called to be who we’re called to be…

- “…it’s about how you can be multidimensional by maximizing your personal purpose…”

Below she also speaks on how Christian women can dream bigger dreams, and her experience as a Christian on the The Apprentice.

More About Marshawn Evans

(from her website)

As one of the nation’s leading experts on the art of maximizing human potential, former Miss America Finalist and Entertainment Attorney, MARSHAWN EVANS is Founder of ME Unlimited (Marshawn Evans Unlimited), a corporate life-enrichment consulting firm focusing on peak performance, diversity, women’s empowerment and leadership.

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The Gospel Heritage 2010 Praise & Worship Conference is the annual event presented by Dr. Teresa Hairston, founder of Gospel Today. This year it will take place February 18-19 in Jacksonville, FL, and there are several seminars and workshops during the event targeted toward helping young adults learn more about careers in the Gospel music industry, including the Transforming a Generation workshops that will feature presenters like PJ Morton, Monica Coates, Kirk Franklin, and more:

Gospel Heritage Praise and Worship Conference

February 18-19 in Jacksonville, FL, Bethel Baptist Church
Registration information: Gospel Heritage 2010 Website – gospelheritage.org
Below are a few workshops available, visit the website for more listings.

Thursday February 18th
11:30 AM-1:30 PM

“Where Are We Now?: Understanding The Changing Music Industry Economy”
This class features a candid discussion of the recent economic changes in the Gospel music marketplace, focusing on what has changed and why. Students will hear perspectives from some of the top Gospel industry professionals and discover what this transition means.

1:45 PM-3:00 PM
“21st Century Careerscapes: Maximizing Your Opportunities In The New Music Industry”
This course features a peer-to-peer conversation with key individuals on the cutting edge of the current music industry career marketplace. Students will discover new career opportunities that exist in the Gospel music industry. They will hear from several professionals who have taken innovative approaches to their careers and ministries.

3:00 PM-4:45 PM
“PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE VITAL ELEMENT”
This is a master session focusing on the internal spiritual and social development required for success in the current Gospel music marketplace. Students will learn the difference between their talent and their calling. They will also discover the importance of developing and maintaining core relationships in the pursuit of their careers and ministries.

The next part of Dr. Naima Johnston’s seminar Seminar: What’s In Your Pots? 12 Steps To Achieve Your God Given Dream will continue on Monday, February 15 at 8pm ET. To take part in the Dream Development Mentoring Group Call, email naimasbrokenbox@yahoo.com to register and to receive the seminar materials.

In the call Dr. Naima will present a powerful teaching on how to take practical and spiritually led steps toward your God-given dreams. If you missed the past calls, you can listen to the previous one below:

More About How To Achieve Your God Given Dreams

Christian Recording Artist, author and educator, Dr. Naima Johnston has a passion to see others achieve their God Given Dreams. After many years of being told she would never make it as singer, Dr. Johnston left her position as the Associate Director of Student Life at Wright State University to launch a recording career and a brand new ministry. After years of trials, loss and failures, Dr. Johnston discovered the keys to successfully building her life and ministry. Now traveling the country encouraging and equipping others, Dr. Johnston empowers people to live the life that they were ordained to live.

“Everyone has a dream, many people think they can’t achieve them for various reasons. But as long as you have breath and God on your side, you have still have time. You just need information and confidence. I want to share the tools that I’ve learned to assist others in obtaining Godly success.”
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*Note: The 13 Letters Curriculum is 30% off until Dec 31. Click here to take advantage of this offer.

The 13 Letters Curriculum from ReachLife Ministries is a great resource for youth and young adult leaders, especially those in urban ministries:

ReachLife Ministries presents “13 LETTERS – THE CURRICULUM”, a 13 week media experience of the Pauline Epistles with a little dose of hip hop. Journey through God’s Word, unpacking Paul’s letters and see how it applies to life in today’s urban culture.

The 13 Letters Compilation Album has been one of Reach Records best selling CD’s. The use of this media has proved to be an effective teaching tool for thousands across the country. This study will serve to further unpack these books in a way you’ve never experienced before!

Over 13 weeks, artists such as Lecrae, Tedashii, Sho Baraka, Trip Lee, Flame, and Shai Linne will present a brief survey of each of the Pauline Epistles, while highlighting each of the major themes from each book. Voices from the street will also give their input on these truths. Students will leave this study with a better understanding of each Pauline Epistle as well as how it applies to them in their daily life.

Visit the ReachLife website to learn more, and to download the Leader’s Sample Guide and the Student’s Sample Guide.