A Disciplined Disciple Artist from Diary of an Arts Pastor–the "Christian artist" v. the "Disciple Artist." Good thoughts here about spiritual formation and art, living wholistically, and the daily rhythm and vision that keeps us from burn-out. Some quotes:

"A disciple artist is fundamentally a disciplined artist, and such an artist is integrated and fully alive."

"The result of all this? We become disciplined artists who are healed
and unafraid, on the one hand, and produce art that is deep and
powerful, on the other."

Practice, Practice, Practice in The Church and Postmodern Culture: Conversation–talks about the practice of the artist (and indeed, the Christian). Some good quotes from this:

"One’s one individuality, which is necessary for
artistic practice [I would add 'in our present culture' as not all art requires individuality], only emerges in and through the interaction with
others, not in isolation from them or their ideas."

"The goal of research, then, is to produce a
“living tradition” of ideas and a “cloud of witnesses” of artists and
thinkers to facilitate the production of deeper and deeper art."

"A Christian does not merely practice prayer, the
reading of the Scriptures, fasting, and the like simply for their own
sake, but as means by which she becomes a better Christian, which
means, becomes more Christ-like. Communion with God is the goal, not increasing in fasting and prayer."

"Artistic practice is not merely about using
techniques to making stuff for people to look at, it’s about making
certain kinds of decisions in the studio and it relates not merely to
the kind of stuff produced but the development of the individual self
that produces them.And so clear but deeply informed thinking is a necessity for mature artistic practice."

Art and Liturgy
from Everyday Liturgy–the importance of story in evangelism (in fact,
this blog focuses a lot on the way liturgy itself is narrative, which
is why I like the blog, and probably why Chris and I now go to an
Anglican church)

"Our human tendency is to embed meaning in
stories,and all great preachers have been great storytellers. Jesus
spoke in parables, not theological discourses."

"For the Christian Liturgy, our story begins at the beginning, with God
as the Creator, and our allegiance to our Creator God is realized in
our worship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

"We know our story, and it is creational, yet we are brought into the
story of God not just through the liturgy as an order of service, but
in our very participation in it, both spiritual and physical. We are
active in Creation not just because we build the Kingdom, but because
every part of us is touched by God, from our souls to the cells in our
tonsils."

And David Gorgone started a good discussion struggling with the uselessness of beauty v. the practical needs of those starving around us: What Is the Point?

And, because it’s Friday, and Perfect Strangers was one of the original TGIFs (I think–I’m not speaking from researched fact here but from unresearched memory), and because to this day, one of my favorite sayings (which often slips out) is "now we do the dance of joy!" (and, yes, the saying is often accompanied by the famed dance of joy), here’s a little treat for you: