Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

Royal Tailor recently released the music video for their song “Make A Move.” I love the fresh sound the group brings, and the song and video are so funky and creative with a great message, check it out below:

We don’t need permission
To go outside of these doors
And dream some crazy dream no one else has dreamed before
To show love and compassion
Wherever we may be, to put faith into action, do more than just believe
We are hope to those who have been broken
We were made to make a difference

There’s more to life / Open my eyes
Someone is needing You / So I gotta make a move
What good are words / When this world hurts
Real faith will come through / When I make a move

– Lyrics from “Make a Move”

Royal Tailor’s single “Hold Me Together,” from the upcoming album, Black & White, is a soothing reminder of how we should rely on God’s strength in life. You can get “Hold Me Together” on iTunes and the album when it releases on 6-7-11. Connect with Royal Tailor on Facebook, Twitter or at their website, http://royaltailoronline.com. Check out the music video and the lead singer Tauren talking about the meaning behind the song below:

Where do you seek out inspiration in your ministry, artwork, music, writing or in other creative life areas? The book Finding Divine Inspiration: Working with the Holy Spirit in Your Creativity by J. Scott McElroy and resource website (www.findingdivineinspiration.com) gives insight to artists in the church and how they can more effectively be led by God in their work.

The book features exclusive interviews with:

• Thomas Blackshear, Painter, “Forgiven”
• Dan Haseltine Jars of Clay
• Peter Furler, Newsboys
• Buzz Mclaughlin, Writer/Producer, Theater and Film
• And others

From the Author
There is a New Renaissance coming in the arts and God has a special place for you in it. In Finding Divine Inspiration you’ll learn how to hear God’s voice and collaborate with Him in the work He has for you.

God wants to reform the arts, to bring a new infusion of Divine Inspiration into the mainstream and an explosion of arts in the church, but for these changes to come His artists must develop a lifestyle of collaboration with Him. Through solid biblical guidance, exciting historical and current examples, and practical steps, Finding Divine Inspiration shows artists how to partner with God in their life and work. Its a concept that can help invigorate your spiritual life, bring new inspiration, enable you to share God’s messages more freely and ultimately transform the arts.

God wants to include you in an amazing creative collaboration to bring His messages to the world in unique ways — and unleash your true creative potential!

He will inspire and empower you as you learn to actively partner with Him in your life and work. He wants to transform the arts in the culture and the church, and transform your life as you learn to listen for His voice. Learn how in Finding Divine Inspiration: Working with the Holy Spirit in Your Creativity.

Visit www.findingdivineinspiration.com to learn more about the book, to order, and visit the author’s blog featuring more posts about Christians and the arts.

Watch an interview with the author, J. Scott McElroy interviewed on The Harvest Show below. He speaks about the role of creative arts in the church, how to prevent arts from becoming an idol, self-expression vs. God-expression and more:

Jon Acuff, author, speaker and founder of the popular (and hilarious) blog Stuff Christians Like recently released a new book: Quitter, Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job and Your Dream Job. The title and promo video for the book caught my attention, as I can definitely relate. Learn more about the book and the author at www.jonacuff.com and read the book’s description below:

Quitter Description from Jon Acuff

Have you ever felt caught between the tension of a day job and a dream job? That gap between what you have to do and what you’d love to do?

I have.

At first I thought I was the only one who felt that way, but then I started to talk to people and realized we’re becoming the I’m, but generation. When we talk about what we do for a living we inevitably say, I’m a teacher, but I want to be an artist. I’m a CPA, but I’d love to start my own business.

I’m a _____, but I want to be a ______.

All too often, we hear that dreaming big means you quit your day job, sell everything you own, and move to Guam. But what if there were a different way?

What if you could blow up your dream without blowing up your life?

What if you could go for broke without going broke?

What if you could start today?

What if you already have everything you need to begin?

From figuring out what your dream is to quitting in a way that exponentially increases your chance of success, Quitter is full of inspiring stories and actionable advice. This book is based on 12 years of cubicle living and my true story of cultivating a dream job that changed my life and the world in the process.

It’s time to close the gap between your day job and your dream job.

It’s time to be a Quitter.

“I know from my own experiences that if you will put your career in God’s hands and trust Him, you can’t account for all the ways He will bless you. When you step out in faith, he will open doors and bring you opportunities that will surpass even your wildest expectations…

If I have learned anything, it’s this: to get where you want to go, you first have to become the person God wants you to be.” – DeVon Franklin, Author of Produced by Faith

Hollywood is often thought to be a place where believers may face decisions that cause them to compromise or stray from their beliefs. DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures who is also a preacher, has worked in the midst of show business, having produced movies such as The Karate Kid, Pursuit of Happiness and most recently Jumping the Broom. In his book Produced By Faith: Enjoy Real Success without Losing Your True Self Franklin talks about the importance of knowing our vocation and calling, and how we can serve God within the field He places us without compromising what we believe in.

Connect with DeVon to find out where he will be speaking at his website ProducedbyFaith.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProducedByFaith or Twitter: @deVon_franklin

Below in an interview with The 700 Club DeVon talks about his career and how he wants to inspire others to hold on when following their God-given dreams:

In a Behind the Scenes Clip DeVon Franklin Describes How To Recognized a Self-Given Goal vs. a God-Given Goal and What To Do to Step into God’s Purpose for Us:

2012 Update: DeVon Franklin shared his story and inspiration on being produced by faith with Oprah on her show Super Soul Sunday on OWN, check out a preview of the interview below:

“Stay in your own movie…” – DeVon Franklin

More About the Book Produced By Faith From the Publisher:

STRAIGHT FROM HOLLYWOOD comes a dynamic business model for building a thriving career without compromising your faith. DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, shares how being bold about his Christian faith while being driven and ambitious has actually helped him to excel in a high-profile, fast-paced, competitive industry.

Click here to be encouraged and inspired by ordering your copy of “Produced By Faith”

You are the movie. Produced by Faith parallels each step of the Hollywood filmmaking process with the faith-making process God uses to turn your career into a success. You will discover that it is possible to be both wildly successful and completely committed to God—and that you will be even more successful when you place your faith at the center of your career. You can unleash the power of your faith as your greatest professional advantage and use the compass of God’s Word to guide you to your true passion and purpose in life.

In this informative, inspiring book, DeVon reveals the secrets to maintaining your faith while advancing in your career. Here he shows you:

• How to discover The Big Idea for your life

• How to take your career to the next level

• How to recognize the signs God sends you that indicate when it’s time to move in a new direction

• How to stand firm on your Christian principles without compromise

• How to work with people who don’t understand your beliefs

• How to choose a profession, industry, or company that is in tune with your purpose

In a recent interview with EEW Magazine Kim Cash Tate, author and speaker at the Women of Faith conferences, shares advice on the period of waiting that often comes when living God’s dream for our lives:

“If it’s a God-given passion and desire, it’s not going anywhere. And what we tend to want, is to do it right now. But, a big part of the Christian walk is waiting.

It’s so hard, but it’s so necessary, because God will put that seed in our hearts and it could be years before we see that [manifestation of the] full vision in our minds. But He’s working in us. We wanna jump to the outside ministry and do those things whether it’s writing, speaking, or whatever it may be—we wanna do those things that are on the outside, but God’s biggest work is on the inside of us…