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Kara replied to the topic The gift of a tree in the forum Niggle Discussion Questions 2 years, 3 months ago
@travis-earles yes, the intrusions are essential components to the creation and enjoyment, as you say. Also, “apart from these, impoverished artwork,” reminds me of the Lord giving Israel what they wanted in the wilderness, but giving them also “leanness of soul.” I do fear the same for myself.
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Kara replied to the topic Life's work in the forum Niggle Discussion Questions 2 years, 3 months ago
“He was up on the ladder, trying to catch the gleam of the westering sun on the peak of a snow-mountain, which he had glimpsed just to the left of the leafy tip of one of the Tree’s branches. He knew that he would have to be leaving soon: perhaps early next year. He could only just get the picture finished, and only so-so, at that: there were some…[Read more]
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Kara replied to the topic Introductions in the forum "Leaf by Niggle" by J. R. R. Tolkien 2 years, 3 months ago
I am Kara Chase and I have a confession to make. When I was a Freshman in high-school in Nineteen-Ninety whatever, a boy took me to a movie (I can’t recall which one; which movie, not which boy. The boy’s name was Ian. Moving on.) and tried telling me about this amazing book he was reading called The Hobbit. I told him to his face that the book…[Read more]
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Kara replied to the topic Life's work in the forum Niggle Discussion Questions 2 years, 3 months ago
“When people came to call, he seemed polite enough, though he fiddled a little with the pencils on his desk. He listened to what they said, but underneath he was thinking all the time about his big canvas, in the tall shed that had been built for it in his garden (on a plot where once he had grown potatoes).” p.18
“‘Could you tell me about…[Read more]
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Kara replied to the topic The Usefulness of Art in the forum Niggle Discussion Questions 2 years, 3 months ago
Tompkins was practical,
“…you couldn’t make use of his painting. There is plenty of scope for bold young men not afraid of new ideas and new methods. None for this old-fashioned stuff. Private day-dreaming. He could not have designed a telling poster to save his life. Always fiddling with leaves and flowers. I asked him why, once. He said they…[Read more]
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Kara replied to the topic The gift of a tree in the forum Niggle Discussion Questions 2 years, 3 months ago
It seems that Tolkien may have been describing the “mystery of making” (Adorning the Dark) and of viewing your own art with an astonished knowledge that you could not have done it alone. When Niggle is able to finally see the Tree in its finished fullness he calls it a gift because there was something or someone given in the process.
“”Some of…[Read more]
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Kara replied to the topic Painter by nature in the forum Niggle Discussion Questions 2 years, 3 months ago
I love Sandra McCracken’s chapter on Creativity in the book “It Was Good: Making Music to the Glory of God” precisely for this reason that this questions brings up. She so eloquently describes her activities as a caregiver as being the places where creativity can be cultivated. Practicing creativity in the small moments of bath time and dishes…[Read more]
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Kara replied to the topic The First and Second Voices in the forum Niggle Discussion Questions 2 years, 3 months ago
My initial impression of the First and Second Voices was that they represented Truth and Mercy, respectively, as in Proverbs 3.
First Voice, “severe”
Second Voice, “a voice that you might have called gentle, though it was not soft-it was a voice of authority, and sounded at once hopeful and sad.”
“‘Let us look at the Records. Yes. There are…[Read more]
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Kara commented on the post, Spirit & Sound, Part 1: The Sound Breath Makes 2 years, 7 months ago
“Every sound that reaches my ears testifies to the generosity and humility of a God who not only speaks, but wants to hear his creatures speaking.”
Steve, I worshipped the Lord as I read these words. He is so good. Thank you for bearing witness. -
Kara commented on the post, The Certainty of Time in Uncertain Times: A 2020 Commencement Speech 2 years, 7 months ago
“…glad tears at last, not sad tears, tears at the hilarious unexpectedness of things rather than at their tragic expectedness.” – from Frederick Buechner’s Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy & Fairy Tale
Prayed for y’all this morning, RR, that Christ would be preeminent in all. -
Kara commented on the post, The Lost Art of Listening, Part 7: Can I Get a Witness? 2 years, 8 months ago
Confession: In January I began reading Just Mercy and put it down. I got uncomfortable.
In my experience, going from passive hearing to active listening requires humility and numerous and frequent deaths to self.
Your words, Pete, are a gentle rebuke to a listening ear. Thank you.
“Oh mercy, mercy me…” you did have something to say after all. -
Kara commented on the post, The Lost Art of Listening, Part 6: A Scarcity of Mind 2 years, 8 months ago
I love that you liken our listening possibilities to places like Alice’s Wonderland. You encourage us to new frontiers and that IS exciting. It reminds me of Andy Gullahorn’s “Brand New Song”.
One of my son’s is always willing to educate me on the finer points of twenty-one pilots; they are out of my comfort genre for certain but I can’t deny…[Read more] -
Kara commented on the post, The Lost Art of Listening, Part 5: The Case for Nostalgia 2 years, 8 months ago
Leslie, you have contributed such a gentle and honest spirit to this collection of posts on the Art of Listening, a spirit that I have felt reluctant to embrace at times, for fear of rejection. When I showed up at Bible College, quite literally after walking out of the bars, I didn’t know it was okay to still listen to Led Zeppelin. Or wear my…[Read more]
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Kara commented on the post, The Lost Art of Listening, Part 3: Precious Impermanence 2 years, 8 months ago
Like facets of a diamond, each of you, Jennifer, Chris, and Andrew, uniquely, brilliantly reflect this gem that adorns our souls. Your thoughts, Jennifer, are simply a delight to read. Play. Rewind. Fast Forward. Stop. Record. Quite the appropriate writing structure for this occasion!
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Kara commented on the post, The Lost Art of Listening, Part 1: Ubiquity & Scarcity 2 years, 9 months ago
While the landscape of listening may change, the soul of the listener may not. It can adapt, if willing.
“Cause I know the thirsty listen and down to the waters come” -Rich -
Kara commented on the post, The Lost Art of Listening, Part 2: Miracles & Wonders 2 years, 9 months ago
Bravo, Chris. I hope you still have a job because you’re both right.
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Kara commented on the post, Colony House: <em>Leave What's Lost Behind</em> 3 years ago
“It is the perfect combination of the guitar/rock feel form “Only the Lonely” and the dreamy synth vibe from “When I Was Younger”. This is what my sixteen year old son said about the album. Yes he listened during school.
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Kara commented on the post, Colony House: <em>Leave What's Lost Behind</em> 3 years ago
When I Was Younger is forever part of the soundtrack of our family. We are grateful that you served as shepherd for these men and their songs once again.
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Kara commented on the post, Scared and Sacred: An Excerpt from <em>Adorning the Dark</em> 3 years, 3 months ago
“Take thy thoughts captive. Put them to music. Fling them away from yourself. Love your neighbor as yourself.”
I hear God saying to me, “Take your words and your songs. Bury them in the backyard. Ask Me for the impossible.” Like George Matheson said, “O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from Thee, I lay in dust life’s glory,…[Read more] -
Kara commented on the post, Introducing Folk Hymnal 4 years, 1 month ago
Thank you, Jen, for sharing! Folk Hymnal is brand new to me. It’s congregational! AND lyrically rich with doctrine! AND just plain beautiful to listen to. Merry Christmas!
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