A High Calling for the Arts
Through watching documentaries that reveal the wonders of creation such as BBC’s Planet Earth I am struck by the revelation that God is, by nature, creative. Deep crevices in the ocean, largely unexplored by man are teeming with life forms that look more alien than science fiction. It is evident that God’s creativity far surpasses any of man’s wildest imaginations. According to many scientific theories, the universe is continually expanding and new galaxies, stars and planets are formed every day. Combined with awe-inspiring sunsets painted in the sky every night, I am led to believe that God creates beauty for the sheer enjoyment of creating. It is His nature to create and he, therefore, cannot stop creating. If man is made in God’s image what is human creativity in its maturity? By being in relationship with a creator who has no limits I believe that the Church has only begun to explore its creative potential. Considering He is a God of creation, as more of His Spirit is manifested I believe a natural result will be a release of greater creativity.
“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions”. Joel 2:28
Ray Hughes (a speaker who has given much teaching regarding how God reveals Himself through creation) explains how all matter is vibrating at the molecular level and this gives evidence that creation was spoken into existence. All matter is affected by the original sound waves that were emitted from the Word when He spoke the world into existence. “Let there be…” continues to echo throughout creation but because sin/darkness polluted creation this clear sound has been distorted. Is it possible that after a person has been communing with God and, therefore, positioned himself to be in sync with His sound, the individual is then able to transmit His sound to the world around him? I personally believe that the function that art has played in the past (such as being a conduit that God can speak through) is but a shadow of the fullness that God wants bring through the arts. I dream about an anointing being released where works will not only stimulate thought but will carry the atmosphere of heaven. People would be healed, delivered and even brought to salvation through this work. In Acts “11God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” (Acts 19:11-12) Once a person has been brought into alignment with God he would then be empowered to bring his world into alignment.
Another strategy that I believe God is releasing through the arts is an ability to communicate truth so that when a person listens to or views an artwork his will and emotions are often impacted before his mind kicks into gear. Because of this, art has an ability to communicate to people that would normally not listen to a particular message. As artworks are anointed by God’s Spirit I believe they have the ability to communicate truth to places that were previously inaccessible. After such a person’s heart has been reached, that person would be provoked to ask questions such as, “Why am I feeling this way?” and, “What is it about this piece that is so different?” This subversive strategy in communicating the truth was used by Jesus when He ministered in Galilee48 stating, “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe.” (John 4:48) As the Galileans hearts were touched by seeing signs and wonders their hearts were softened to consider the truth that Jesus wanted to teach them.
Not only are the arts potential conduits of the supernatural but they can also speak/teach about the supernatural. I was shocked when I read an article in a Costco magazine that fiction with supernatural content has revived literature consumption for young adults. The wild popularity of Harry Potter movies has contributed to this phenomenon and it is evident that a great appetite exists in the youth of North America for the supernatural. It is, therefore, vital that the Church matures in its supernatural gifts so that it is able to feed the hungry souls of this generation. If we fail in this commission, these appetites will quickly succumb to the occult other demonic counterfeits. One artist in particular that has been a great encouragement to me in using art to communicate truth and the supernatural is an author. When C.S. Lewis was questioned regarding the material for his books he described how he waited on God and he wrote whatever he saw. In an age where the prophetic was not understood, C.S. Lewis stood as a forerunner of the many prophetic artists that I believe will follow his example. His literature has fuelled blockbuster sensations that have taken the world by storm and have, therefore, spoken truth to people that were otherwise inaccessible. Considering 9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty,(Haggai 2:9) I believe that the artwork to come will surpass even Lewis’ legacy.
In conclusion, I want to emphasize that I do believe that the church is in its infancy with regard to its creativity and that we are on the brink of new levels of creation being brought to the church that will leave a lasting impact on society. Considering Jesus is the captain of the guard, we, His children, first need to be disciplined to follow His lead so that we are not busy building our own kingdoms but that we are cooperating with Him in building His kingdom. “13 One [Jesus] who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the LORD at their head.” (Micah 2:13) Also, nothing will affect a lasting impact unless it is He who works through us. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (Zech 4:6) Also- 1″I [Jesus] am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5″I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:1-8)
I have peace knowing that Jesus is the mastermind for affecting this generation and as long as we abide in Him He will release to us the necessary strategies to leave a lasting impact. I look forward to the day when a company of artists have arisen who are positioned to heed God’s call and are filled with His power. They would be vessels of His light and would be empowered to cooperate with Him in subduing this world of darkness. “14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14) It is time for His children to arise, realize the inheritance that Jesus paid for them and seize the day – Carpe Diem!
-Jonathan Farrell

Sports

Saskatchewan celebrates the many athletes who have risen in excellence. We are proud of Carol LaFayette-Boyd who represents Canada in the World Masters Sports & Athletics. In 2007 in Regina she broke the world record in the 200 meter at 29.82 sec. (record was 30.26) In Italy at the World competition, she ran in 29.66 to beat the new record holder.

The LaFayettes were homesteaders who moved to Saskatchewan from Iowa in 1906. Born in 1942, Carol was the sixth of eight children born on the farm near Rosetown who loved running in high school sports and high jumping the old scissor method. You didn’t need to train in those days just come out, stretch and compete. Life went on but in 1991 Carol heard that the Canadian Masters Games were going to be in Regina and decided to try out. She had kept up with stretching (while watching Christian programming) after seeing the 100 plus year old Delaney sisters on a morning show but that winter started weight training. In spring she went to the track and did sprint training.

In 1992, at the Canadian Masters championships the track events began on a rainy day. Carol had never run the 200m but decided “if I can pass them on the curve, I can beat them. I did but hit a dead space where I couldn’t move. Then I heard my sister in law screaming and kept on to beat the others. In 32.72 sec.” The next day when she ran the 100m race, she was in pain, her feet were swollen and there were puddles on the track. There were only two competitors in that race and Carol could feel someone on her elbow but she stayed ahead, winning the race in 15.17 sec. “I thought I was done for life. Ankles were swollen and hard as rocks.”

But Carol is a pioneer who knows how to persevere. She had injured her back in the 80’s and was told by doctors she could not carry anything. Her sister Vera prayed for her and although the next morning her back was still painful, she believed that she was healed. As she stretched each day she built up her faith until she was pain free. Occasionally now when the symptoms return she wonders who she is interceding for as she knows other family members have back problems. The pain always leaves.

Carol attributes faith to her success in running. As a child of seven years, she remembers when Jimmy Fry, her brother’s friend was dragged by a horse down a coulee and up the other side twice. The family cried out to Jesus and he was fine except for a broken arm. When she saw that her faith grew immensely and has increased over many years of testing. It was tested later in 1986 when nephew Tony had a devastating spinal cord injury but Carol prayed until she had peace that he would rise again one day. In 1989, she had decided that nothing would be allowed to steal her joy.

In ‘96 a younger competitor really pushed Carol, for which she is grateful as she got serious about training. She started working harder as she met competition that was older yet faster than her. “That just wasn’t right!” In 2001 Carol took up triple jump and the 400m for the World’s Senior Games in Utah. LaDonna Antoine was running the 400m in the Olympics and Carol modeled her stride and arms which improved her speed. At the World’s Senior Games in 2001, Carol won the 50m, 200m, and triple jump breaking the record by 2 feet. At the Edmonton World Games in 2005, there was stiff competition and Carol ran so hard she hurt her shoulders.

When getting ready for a meet, Carol always says she’ll do her best. Her heart is pounding and she quotes to herself “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That is how she prepares herself as she goes to the race start. In 2007, Carol turned 65 went to Italy for the World’s Masters and said “I’m going for gold”. She says “It just came out of my mouth like that but when you say it out loud, you believe what you say”. She had just turned 65 when she went to Italy. She set Canadian records in the 200m and Long Jump. In the long jump she jumped 4.47m, further than ever before. When she got home, she cried for days after realizing that “God was telling me that you have to speak what you believe. It’s so important to. It didn’t matter about the gold but that I had said I’m going for gold and God heard it. Believe, speak the words and God honoured me. What an encouragement to pray because I know He hears.”

Carol has won the Bob Adams award and the Saskatchewan Sports Athletic award three times. She also won the Canadian Masters Female Athlete of the Year Award. The best part of an award is getting up and giving God the glory. Currently training with ExCel Athletika track club in Regina, Carol gets up early to pray and read the Bible. She reads the Elijah List while riding the bike, considering it as important to be spiritually fit as physically. Her diet is disciplined, following The Zone by Barry Sears. She trains at the track club for 2 hours, three times a week, weight training twice a week. Carol says that winning is nice but the best part is being fit. When she was 35 she had lots of aches and pains but now at 66 years she feels and sleeps better than thirty years ago.

In 2008, Carol is ranked first in the world in the 200m, second in the world in the 100m, long jump and triple jump. She admires Olga from Vancouver who is 89 years old, competes in the pentathlon and 10 other events and medals each time. Carol plans to compete until she’s 100. Go for it, Carol. Saskatchewan is behind you!
– Joanne Lepp