Abiding Creatives

In Season 2, Episode 13, we’re talking to Sarah Steele about sharing your creative work within your local community.We had such an inspiring conversation about breaking free from the creative traps of social media and how to bring your unique gifts into the world around you to bring joy and blessing to others. Sarah Steele is an author, artist, musician and village poet with so much wisdom to offer about building in-person creative community. I’m so excited for all you’ll receive from this episode.So in this episode we’re exploring:How to find unique ways to share your creative work in your local context.The special power of sharing your art in-person you can’t experience online.Why focusing on the one instead of the crowd will transform your creativity.I hope this episode inspires you to shift your mindset on how you share your creative work so that it leads to deeper, more satisfying connections.Resources to explore:Explore Sarah’s creative work: https://bysarahsteele.com/Read Sarah Steele’s Substack (The Village Poet)Purchase Sarah’s poetry memoir An Ocean WithoutExplore Sarah’s Etsy shop

In Season 2, Episode 12, we’re talking to filmmaker David Russo about abiding and creative community.We had such a fun conversation about cultivating your inner world, making room for the Spirit in your creative practice, and the difference between creating in isolation versus community. David is the founder of Abiding Practice and brings so much insight into spiritual formation for creatives. I’m so excited for all you’ll receive from this episode.So in this episode we’re exploring:I hope this episode encourages you to become more open to the Spirit guiding your art and lean deeper into creative community.Learn more about Abiding Practice.Explore Abiding Practice on Substack.Watch AP’s latest short films on Youtube.Say hi on Instagram @abidingpractice.Want to be a guest on the podcast?I’m so eager to chat with creatives who are learning to create with Jesus and share their stories with you all. If you or someone you know may be interested, please fill out this form and I’ll reach out if it seems we’re a good fit. Dive deeper:Subscribe to ⁠Abiding Creatives Substack⁠Learn more about creative abiding: ⁠The Abiding Creatives Workbook

In Season 2, Episode 11, we’re talking to artist Zemeira Walker about art and theology.We had such an inspiring conversation about the theology of art, creating as a way of healing, and building community through creativity. Zemeira has such a unique perspective, and I’m so excited for all you’ll receive from this episode.So in this episode we’re exploring:Why Christians struggle to make “Christian” art and what to make instead.The power of creating from joy in a world that glorifies anger.How to turn to creative movements in church history to find inspiration for your art.I hope this episode inspires you to dive deeper into understanding God’s vision for creativity and how he’s calling you to participate in Resources to explore:Visit Upside Down CoffeeRebrandt is in the Wind by Russ RamseyArt and Faith by Makoto FujimuraTheological Aesthetics by Gesa Elsbeth ThiessenTranscept by University of St. AndrewsBooks by David Bentley HartWant to be a guest on the podcast?I’m so eager to chat with creatives who are learning to create with Jesus and share their stories with you all. If you or someone you know may be interested, please fill out this form and I’ll reach out if it seems we’re a good fit. Subscribe to Abiding Creatives SubstackLearn more about creative abiding: The Abiding Creatives Workbook

In Season 2, Episode 10, we’re talking to poet Edward Holmes about creating with hope.We had an encouraging conversation about healing from burnout, balancing abiding with productivity, and how to keep creating even in the hard seasons. Edward is such a light, and I’m so excited for all you’ll receive from this episode.So in this episode we’re exploring:Practical ways to be more productive and build creative consistency.How to find and lean on community for hope and endurance.How to shift your metrics of creative success to find more joy and purpose.I hope this episode encourages you to keep living out your creative calling and leaning on Jesus and community to help you thrive in it.Ways to connect with Edward HolmesBuy Edwards’s books: Shop on AmazonRead Edwards’s Substack: Edward Holmes Listen to Lifelines Positive Poetry podcastListen to Edward’s newest poetry album: GROWTHConnect on Instagram: @edwardlee_on_igWant to be a guest on the podcast?I’m so eager to chat with creatives who are learning to create with Jesus and share their stories with you all. If you or someone you know may be interested, please fill out this form and I’ll reach out if it seems we’re a good fit. Consider upgrading today:My vision for Abiding Creatives goes beyond this podcast. We’re building a community of faithful creatives learning to abide in Jesus together. Join our new Abiding Creatives community and discover:🕊️ Prompts, practices and resources to care for your creative soul🌱 Friendships with like-minded creatives for encouragement + accountability🎙️ Opportunities to share your story and showcase your creative workSubscribe here

In Season 2, episode 9, we’re talking about how to keep creating when we feel like giving up.I don’t know about you, but this creative calling is full of highs and lows and sometimes we need to dig deep to stay the course. So if you’re a faithful creative who’s starting to wonder if God really called you to create, this episode is especially for you.Stay tuned for a special poem I wrote, inspired by last month’s theme: Frozen in February, but longing for spring. In this episode, we’re exploring:- When to know it’s time to quit or keep going in your creative work.- Why the life of Jesus can be a source of inspiration to keep creating.- How to lean into faith to build your creative endurance.This month, I’m inviting you to reflect on how God has given you creative endurance. Ponder the questions below and spend time this month with Jesus, and perhaps even collaborate with a friend, on something to share on Substack around this theme.- What thoughts or feelings arise with the idea of creative endurance?- What experiences, truth or wisdom have you relied on to keep creating even in the midst of disappointment?- How has Jesus met you when you’ve felt faithless? How might he want to meet with you now?Participate in the creative prompt challenge: Join our Substack community https://abidingcreatives.substack.com/Learn more about creative abiding: The Abiding Creatives Workbook https://desertsblooming.com/products/the-abiding-creative-workbook

In Season 2, Episode 8, we’re talking to author Katie Sampias about faith and creativity.Katie Sampias from Life Through the Lens of Love and I had a wonderful conversation about creating with God through the writing process in publishing her book Her Story of Jesus. Katie has so much wisdom about incorporating prayer in creativity, and I’m so excited for all you’ll glean from her.So in this episode we’re exploring:What’s it like publishing a book from abiding instead of striving.How prayer can unlock new revelation in your creative practice.The ways God uses our creativity and imagination to heal parts of ourselves.I hope this episode inspires you to explore how God might want to use your imagination to create with him.Ways to connect with Katie SampiasBuy Katie’s book: Her Story of JesusRead Katie’s Substack: Life Through the Lens of Love Connect on Instagram: @surfingwhitewaves

In Season 2, Episode 7, we’re talking about how God creates in us and through us during spiritual winter seasons.I’m also excited to announce the theme for our first of hopefully many monthly creative prompts: Frozen in February, Longing for Spring. So in this episode, we'll be exploring:What is spiritual winter and how to know you're in it.Why there's purpose even in these often painful winter seasons.How God transforms us through spiritual winters and how creativity can help us through.May this episode encourage you if you're feeling stuck in the winter of your soul. And make sure to go to Substack to find out how to participate in our monthly creative prompts!After listening, try reflecting on:What thoughts or feelings arise with the idea of spiritual winter?What has been the most difficult or most encouraging things for you in those seasons?How has Jesus met you in the winters of your soul? How might he want to meet with you now?Dive deeper:⁠⁠Join our Substack community⁠⁠⁠⁠The Abiding Creative Workbook

In Season 2, Episode 6, we’re talking about creativity can be used to cultivate community.I’m becoming more and more convinced that God gave us art not just to make beauty but to help others connect and heal. I’m so excited to reveal what he’s been showing me along this journey of building creative community. So in this episode we’re exploring:The very real obstacles to community in 2026.How God creatively weaves community into our lives.The ways your creativity can be used to build community.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:What challenges have you experienced in cultivating creative community?Where have you seen God moving in your friendships?How might Jesus be inviting you to extend a sense of community through your creative work?I hope this episode inspires you to see the subtle and creative ways God is partnering with you in cultivating community.Dive deeper:Join our Substack communityThe Abiding Creative Workbook

In Season 2, Episode 5, we’re talking about how creativity can be a way God brings healing to our hearts and lives.This episode gets a little personal, as I’ll be sharing some things that happened last year and what I’ve learned from it.So in this episode we’re exploring:How connecting with God through creativity brings true healing.What I’ve learned about creating with God in healing from grief.How we can participate in others’ healing through the art we make.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:What role has creativity played in healing in your life?Where have you experienced God’s hope and restoration through art and creativity?How might Jesus be inviting you to extend healing to others through your creative work?I hope this episode encourages you to explore how creating with God can play a part in your healing journey.Dive deeper:Join our Substack communityThe Abiding Creative Workbook

In Season 2, Episode 4, we’re talking about how our creativity reveals our true identity as God’s beloved kids.I’m excited to talk about this because it’s such an important key to living out our creative callings. We need to be rooted in our identity to withstand the highs and lows of the creative life. But getting to that place of feeling confident and secure in God’s love is a journey.So in this episode we’re exploring:How seeking purpose before identity can backfire as creatives.What gets in the way of embracing our creative identity.How God brings healing of our identity through our creative practice.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:What aspects of your creative life do you tend to seek your identity?In what ways do you struggle to accept your God-given creativity?How might God be inviting you to heal and embrace your true identity as his creative kid?I hope this episode inspires you to get curious about who God says you are as a creative in order to fully embrace your identity and calling.Dive deeper:⁠Join our Substack community⁠⁠The Abiding Creative workbook

In Season 2, Episode 2, we’re talking about how creativity offers us a way to know the heart of God.One of the most important parts of our journey in following Jesus is growing in our knowledge of who God is. While in the West, we tend to think of knowledge as engaging our minds, this isn’t the only way we can know God. In fact, creativity invites us into knowing him through our hearts and bodies, and can teach us so much about the nature, values and character of God.So in this episode we’re exploring:The different ways we gain knowledge of God.What creativity can reveal to us about God’s heart and our purpose.How God invites us to use our creative gifts to help others know him.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:Which pathway of knowledge, the mind, body or heart, comes most naturally to you in knowing God?How has creating helped you grow in your understanding of God and yourself?How might Jesus be inviting you to use your creativity to help others know him?I hope this episode inspires you to get curious about how you’ve come to know God and the role creativity plays in growing closer to him.Dive deeper:Join our Substack communityThe Abiding Creative workbook

In Season 2, Episode 2, we’re talking about how to actually start encountering God through your creative practice.You may hear me and others talk about connecting with God through creativity and it sounds like a great idea, but there’s this gap between the idea of it and making it something you personally experience. Something I’ve found helpful is learning about altars and how our creative practice can become an altar of encounter with the Lord.So in this episode we’re exploring:What actually is spiritual formation.How God shapes us through our creative work.The transformation I’ve seen in my soul as I create with Jesus.I hope this episode inspires you to keep exploring how the projects and creative practices Jesus is drawing you into may also be the way he’s refining and healing you.Dive deeper:⁠Join our Substack community⁠⁠The Abiding Creative WorkbookKeywords: altars, creativity, consecration, commitment, spiritual purpose, creative work

In season 2, we’re talking about the connection between creativity and spiritual formation.So in this episode we’re exploring:What actually is spiritual formation.How God shapes us through our creative work.The transformation I’ve seen in my soul as I create with Jesus.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:What does spiritual formation mean to you?How has God used your experiences and maybe even your creative work to shape your heart?How might Jesus be inviting you to allow him to transform you through your creative work?I hope this episode inspires you to keep exploring how the projects and creative practices Jesus is drawing you into may also be the way he’s refining and healing you.Want to dive deeper?Join our Substack communityThe Abiding Creative Workbook

In episode 8 we’re talking about the abiding creative life.In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about what it looks like to be an abiding creative. I’m going to share about the importance of caring for your creative soul and some of the practical steps I’ve taken to consistently create from this space of abiding in Jesus.In this episode we’re exploring:How you live impacts what you create.What are some ways Jesus calls us to create.How caring for your creative soul transforms your creativity.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:What does it mean to you to be an abiding creative?What do you know deep down you need in order to flourish in your creativity?How might Jesus be inviting you to care for your creative soul in this season?I hope this episode inspires you to start to consider what rhythms and steps you might be sensing the Lord inviting you to take to become an abiding creative.Want to dive deeper?Join our Substack communityThe Abiding Creative WorkbookCreative Clarity Sessions

In episode 7 we’re talking about creative blocks.We’re going to talk about what to do when you hit a creative block and how it may actually be an invitation to deeper healing and greater creativity. I’m going to share about the kinds of blocks we often face as creatives and what we can do to actually work through them while abiding in Jesus.So in this episode we’re exploring:What’s really underneath our creative blocks.How Jesus wants to speak to us through them.The practical spiritual steps we can take when we hit a block.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:Where are you feeling blocked in your creative work right now?What’s your typical response to creative blocks?How might Jesus be inviting you to bring this creative block to him?I hope this episode inspires you to see your creative blocks in a new light and encourages you to bring them to Jesus for your transformation.Want to dive deeper?⁠Join our Substack community⁠ and get:🕊️ Prompts, practices and resources to care for your creative soul🌱 Friendships with like-minded creatives for encouragement + accountability🎙️ Opportunities to share your story and showcase your creative work

In episode 6 we’re talking about surrender and trust in creating with Jesus.What does creating with Jesus really look like and how is it different than how the world teaches us to create? I want to share some revelations I’ve had recently about creating with Jesus and be honest about the unique challenges this way of creating can hold.In this episode, we’re exploring:Why we create and work the way we do.How trusting Jesus on the creative path is both terrifying and beautiful.What steps to take if it feels like God isn’t showing you the full creative vision.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:1. From who have you learned to work and create?2. When do you struggle to let go of the map?3. How might Jesus be inviting you into deeper intimacy with him in this season?I hope this conversation encourages you to grow in your intimacy with Jesus and allow him to carefully shape your unique creative path.Want to dive deeper?⁠⁠Join our Substack community⁠⁠ and get:🕊️ Prompts, practices and resources to care for your creative soul🌱 Friendships with like-minded creatives for encouragement + accountability🎙️ Opportunities to share your story and showcase your creative work

In episode 5 we’re talking about being a faithful creative mess.Because this creative life has no linear path, and there are many moments we face where we feel scatter-brained, lost, confused, and anything but put together. But when I started to understand God’s creative nature, I found so much freedom to show up just as I was, mess and all.In this episode, we explore:What makes it hard to be honest about our messes.How God’s creativity shows up in the messiest parts of us and our world.Why we need more creatives bravely sharing the messy stuff.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:Where do you feel like a creative mess?How might Jesus want to meet you in your messiness?What might Jesus be wanting to create out of those broken, raw parts of your heart and life?I hope this conversation helps you understand God’s creative heart and encourages you to embrace the imperfect, uncharted creative path he has you on.Want to dive deeper?⁠⁠Join our Substack community⁠⁠ and get:🕊️ Prompts, practices and resources to care for your creative soul🌱 Friendships with like-minded creatives for encouragement + accountability🎙️ Opportunities to share your story and showcase your creative work

In episode 4 we’re talking about how performance mindset impacts your creativity. So much of our culture is driven by performance these days, and maybe you like me have started to feel its negative affects on your creativity.In this episode, we explore:What performance mindset is and where it comes from.How performance distorts and stifles your unique creative calling.Why letting go of the masks we hold is essential to experience Jesus’s love.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:In what ways is performance showing up in your life?How is performance shaping your creativity?What do you sense Jesus wanting to remind you about your creative identity?I hope this conversation helps you understand God’s heart for your creativity and how he might be inviting you to embrace your true identity in him as you live out your creative calling.Want to dive deeper?⁠⁠Join our Substack community⁠⁠ and get:🕊️ Prompts, practices and resources to care for your creative soul🌱 Friendships with like-minded creatives for encouragement + accountability🎙️ Opportunities to share your story and showcase your creative work

In episode 3 we’re talking about why you feel stuck in striving.I’m going to share my experience of realizing how I was secretly creating from striving for years, and what began to bring about freedom and lasting change.In this episode, we explore:What’s at the root of your striving.How getting curious about your fear can lead to healing. Why Jesus’s presence is vital to unraveling from striving.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:What are you striving for?How is striving impacting your creativity?What step might Jesus be inviting you to take to let go of striving?I hope this conversation encourages you to explore the roots of your striving and begin to invite Jesus to heal you.Want to dive deeper?⁠Join our Substack community⁠ and get:🕊️ Prompts, practices and resources to care for your creative soul🌱 Friendships with like-minded creatives for encouragement + accountability🎙️ Opportunities to share your story and showcase your creative work

In episode 2 we’re diving deep into abiding and what it means for us creatives.We're talking about:The misconceptions about abiding (what it is and what it’s not).Why abiding is essential to the flourishing creative life.The creative fruit that comes from abiding in Jesus.I hope this conversation inspires you to envision what creating from abiding in Jesus can look like for you.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:Where are you abiding in this season?How is that place you’re abiding in impacting your creativity?What might Jesus be inviting you to consider about abiding in him?Want to dive deeper?Join our Substack community and get:🕊️ Prompts, practices and resources to care for your creative soul🌱 Friendships with like-minded creatives for encouragement + accountability🎙️ Opportunities to share your story and showcase your creative work

In this episode we’re talking about:- Discovering why you were created to create.- How wilderness seasons can clarify your creative purpose.- Why we need to learn to abide in order to flourish as creatives.When I invited Jesus into my creative practice five years ago, I didn’t know what to expect. I’m so amazed at the transformation he’s brought, and I know he’ll do the same for you.After listening, try reflecting on these questions:1. Where do you long to see renewal in your heart and life?2. How might God be wanting to connect with and transform you through you creative practice?Want to dive deeper?⁠⁠⁠Join our Substack community⁠⁠⁠ and get:🕊️ Prompts, practices and resources to care for your creative soul🌱 Friendships with like-minded creatives for encouragement + accountability🎙️ Opportunities to share your story and showcase your creative work