United Adoration

In our final episode of the "A Place of Beauty Podcast," we continue in Isaiah 61, focusing on verses 8-13. How do we respond to the Lord's recreation of a fractured world? How does the artwork of kintsugi reflect truths about God's people? Can we be more than just kintsugi people, but kintsgui masters in our communities? United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble.by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Holy Mystery" sung by Justin CarlsonBackground Music: When We Found The Horizon  by Late Night FeelerSupport the show

What if your struggles don't disqualify you, but help define (or refine) the calling on your life? In our Holy Week episode, we reflect on Christ's passion along the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) in light of the prophecy found in Isaiah 61:1-7. How does Christ's suffering invite us into the power of our own pain?United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble.by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "The Promise Song" by JRiveMusicBackground Music: Flickering by VYENSupport the show

Where has the Lord placed you to do his work? How do we submit our artistry to the Lord and the community we serve? Reflect on these questions and others as we meditate on Scriptures from Genesis 1:28-31 and Matthew 28:16-20. United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble.by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Ven Espíritu" by Max Donoso and Victor ManieriBackground Music: Length of Light by AmuletsSupport the show

What battles are you facing today? How can your creativity empower others and yourself to stand firm in the Lord? This week, we reflect on these questions and others as we meditate on the songs of heaven found in Revelation 7:9-17. United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble.by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Pendo Lako" by Ruby BukachiBackground Music: Length of Light by AmuletsSupport the show

Do you see your creativity as light in darkness? This week, we reflect on John 8:12-20. How we might shine Christ's light through our art? What wounds have we acquired, or inflicted, when the light in creativity is tempered or snuffed out? United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble.by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Let There Be Light" by Ryan ScarberryBackground Music: Length of Light by AmuletsSupport the show

When our creativity is tied to our identity, how do we respond to God and ourselves when navigating creative dry spells? This week, we make space to hear from the Lord as we reflect on Romans 8:1-11, asking the Holy Spirit to speak louder than the other voices that would condemn us in our fallow seasons of creativity. United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble.by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "I Am Your Servant" by Andy ClarkBackground Music: Length of Light by AmuletsSupport the show

The war in Ukraine. Economic crisis. Isolation and mental illness. Our silent struggles. How might these and other trials be a crucible for our faith and artistic practices? In this episode, we make space to come before the Lord in lament, meditating on Psalm 86. United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble.by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "When the Night is Closing In" by Mark WilloughbyBackground Music: Elegy by Asher FuleroSupport the show

As we pursue excellence and skill in our work, the artistic disciple of the Lord must regularly return to gaze upon the work of The True Creator who fearfully and wonderfully his people to be holy and beloved and live "to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:14)  In our fourteenth episode, “Craftsmanship," we reflect on the promises and purposes offered to us in Ephesians 1:1-14.  United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble. by Kathryn Kircher & Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "No Sparrow Falls" by Keiko Ying  & Kate BluettBackground Music: Laserdisc by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/honor/Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/Support the show

To have our confidence in Christ may sound like a Christian cliché. However, artists regularly face rejection from society, critics, and our own selves. How do we find our resilience in Christ, our purpose in his plans, rooted in his immovable love and power?  Our thirteenth episode, “Confidence in Christ” invites us to consider these themes while prayerfully reflecting on Ephesians 2:1-10. United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble. by Janet Mueller & Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Lead Me to the Rock” by Emily ScobeeBackground Music: "Beth" by  VYENSupport the show

What strongholds or voices have limited our unique expression of creativity, or have marred our true identity? Are beauty and God's glory synonymous? Our twelfth episode, “The Golden Calf,” invites us to consider these themes as we prayerfully reflect on Hebrews 8:8-13. United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble. by Cameron Miller & Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Strongholds” by Jeff GillilandBackground Music: "Cold Blue" by  AstronSupport the show

Our eleventh episode, “Success & The Local Songwriter,” reflects on Colossians 3:12-17. What does success mean in light of the Gospel? How can we pursue a holistic reflection of the human experience in our creative body of work?United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble. by Cathy Schrock & Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Glory to the Father” by Israel ThayuBackground Music: "Flickering" by VYENSupport the show

Our tenth episode, “Humility that Harms,” invites us to consider the tension and balance of holding our gifts with humility and strength.  Reflecting on Psalm 144, how do you pursue peace in this precarious dance that can often plague artists of faith?United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble. by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Song of Mary (Magnificat)” by Liturgical FolkBackground Music: "Windswept" by Ann AnnieSupport the show

Our ninth episode, “Comparison,” reflects on Galatians 5:16-26. How does comparison and envy degrade our identity and our unity with other artists? How might gratitude and resisting comparison move us toward freedom?United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble. by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Sonda o meu coração” by Adoremos JuntosBackground Music: "Cold Blue" - AstronSupport the show

In our eighth episode entitled “From Loneliness to Solitude,” we reflect on Hosea 2:14-23. Like Gomer, artists may seek affirmation from other loves, especially if our identity and worth is not rooted in Jesus Christ. Yet, the Lord desires to embrace us in his love, reaffirming us as his beloved and bride.United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble. by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Faithful God" by James Cheeseman/Travis HamBackground Music: "In the Temple Garden" - Aaron KennySupport the show

In our seventh episode entitled “Be Still and Move Forward,” we reflect on Isaiah 41:1-10, the practice of stillness, and our need to receive the Lord's assurance and strength when facing various impasses or steps of faith.United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble.by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Promised Land" by Olwen RingroseBackground Music: "Cold Blue" by AstronSupport the show

In our sixth episode “A Feast in the Wasteland,” we focus our attention, perhaps uncomfortably, on the prophecy found in Revelation 19:1-10: the Fall of Babylon. Economic success vs. spiritual desolation. The daily grind vs. the satisfying work of the Kingdom of God. Artists can often feel these tensions acutely.  As we reflect on this passage, we acknowledge that in the wasteland there is an invitation to hope and the heavenly feast hosted by the Bread of Life  - Jesus Christ. United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble.by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "Speak to Us" performed by Rachel WilhelmBackground Music: "Elegy" by Wayne JonesSupport the show

In our fifth episode “Ex Nihilo,” we meditate on John 1:1-13. At Christmastide, the followers of Jesus Christ focus their attention to his birth. The Lord's Word and Light became flesh and dwelt among us who lived in a world marked by darkness and void.  His light continues to shine, reflected by his creatives as we engage in Holy Spirit-led creativity. United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble.by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonFeatured Music: "In the Virgin's Womb" by Sister SinjinBackground Music: "Through and Through" by AmuletsSupport the show

Our fourth episode, “Made In Your Image” reflects on what can be the difficult prophetic call of artists: speaking truth to God's people when they themselves have strayed from reflecting the image and character of God. United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble. by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonPoem: "You Made Us In Your Image" by Kate BluettMusic: Symphony No. 1, “Apologia” by Chris MassaSupport the show

Our third episode, “Distinguished by His Presence” encourages us to consider how the Triune Creator is making all things new, including his people through his presence in our lives (Hebrews 10:15-25). United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble. by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonMusic: "We Groan" by Leaven + LiturgiesSupport the show

Our second episode, “Imagination and the Nature of God” reflects on the story of Bezalel, the artist filled with Holy Spirit to complete the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-11).  United Adoration's "A Place of Beauty Podcast" is a 21-week series to complement our devotional, "A Place of Beauty." Every Monday, from Advent to Easter, we invite artists (and non-artists) to meditate on Scripture and to consider their identity, struggles, and creative process in the light of the True Creator, the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To purchase the devotional, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble. by Elise MassaScripture (NRSV) read by Mark StevensonMusic: "The Architect" by Elise MassaSupport the show