Last Week:
     1.   Ideas come from the mind & spirit.
     2.   Anyone who limits himself to what he can think of and understand with his mind will
     be very limited in his creative ability.
     3.   Anyone who draws on the inherent creative ability in his own spirit (created in God's
     image) will enhance his creativity.
               a.   He has learned to use instinct, intuition, spontaneous ideas.
     4.   The Holy Spirit-led believer who relies on God can experience God's creativity in
     everyday life.
     5.   "Creativity" includes innovative solutions to problems, life situations, etc.

Preparing to receive God's creative ideas
     1.   Your mind is not the source of most creative ideas, but definitely is the channel for
     them.

     2.   If your mind is not in a receptive mode, may not recognize creative ideas or may reject
     them.

     3.   Thought processes can block creativity:
               a.   Strictly rational thinking stifles innovation.
                         i.   Rational thought is linear, progresses from one point to another; unable
               to leap over perceived problems.
                         ii.  Rational thinking is heavily affected by education, personal biases or
               preferences.
               b.   "Killer phrases":
                         i.   We tried that before; It'll never work
                         ii.  Yes, but...
                         iii. We've always done it this way
                         iv.  If it isn't broken, don't fix it
                         v.   Don't rock the boat.

     4.   Attitudes can block creativity:
               a.   Inappropriate attitudes about creativity; discussed in first session.
               b.   Emphasis on self; "I have to figure this out."
                         i.   focus is on personal skills, abilities, resources.

     5.   Certain emotions disrupt creativity:
               a.   Anger, guilt, fear, insecurity.
               b.   Important to process these emotions quickly because they strongly bias your
          thinking, both rational and innovative.

     6.   Key factor in releasing creative thought:  peace
               a.   A disturbed mind or spirit will squelch spiritual creativity.
               b.   Ps 46:10  "Be still, and know that I am God" — being still, at peace, allows you
          to know or discover things.
               c.   Ps 62:5  "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him."
                         i.   God is our supernatural source.
                         ii.  this verse refers to hope, but God supplies other things as well, such as
               innovation and creativity.
                         iii. Notice:  our rest is found only in God; not occult meditation, yoga,
               barbiturates.
                         iv.  Sense of expectancy, readiness to receive from God.
                         v.   This is consistent with Biblical concept of meditation.

Biblical Meditation
     1.   Two Hebrew words translated "meditate"
               a.   Primary meanings of words relate to noise a person makes when they are
          pondering or are deep in thought
               b.   Refer to talking to yourself in a low voice, sighing, moaning, or muttering

     2.   Biblical meditation
               a.   A state of "relaxed focus," poised to receive from God.
               b.   Physical calm is helpful, but not essential.
               c.   Relaxed attitude
                         i.   As stated earlier, attitude of peacefulness enables you to receive from
               God.
                         ii.  Receiving from God is primary purpose for meditating.
                         iii. Php 4:6  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
               prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
                                   (1)  Why?  Expecting God to respond to your request.
               d.   Focused attention
                         i.   Heb 12:1-2  "... let us throw off everything that hinders....  Let us fix
               our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith ..."
                         ii.  Focus your attention on Jesus as the source of everything you need,
               including creative thoughts.
                                   (1)  Jas 1:17  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming
                    down from the Father ..."
                         iii. Throw off everything that hinders — the urge to find an answer yourself,
               the difficulties facing you.
               e.   Receptive
                         i.   Expect God's response to your request/need.
                         ii.  This is not intense pleading, desperate cry for help.
                         iii. Is being confident of God's help, focusing your attention on him and
               quietly waiting for him to respond.
               f.   Anticipate a spontaneous flow from your spirit
                         i.   Jn 7:38-39 "'Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams
               of living water will flow from within him.'  By this he meant the Spirit,
               whom those who believed in him were later to receive."
                         ii.  Holy Spirit communicates with your spirit, your spirit prompts ideas in
               your mind.
                         iii. This occurs in God's timing, not on your schedule or by your effort.
                         iv.  Spontaneity is a key to recognizing God's "voice," his communication
               with you.
                         v.   If an idea comes by rational thought (sequential thinking, reaching a
               conclusion), it probably is your own idea.
               g.   Can use meditative techniques to prepare ourselves for innovative ideas.

Assignment:  Practice preparing yourself to receive God's ideas.  (You may apply this to
actual situation, or simply practice technique.)

     1.   Develop a relaxed attitude.
               a.   Try to set aside disruptive emotions:
                         i.   anger, guilt, fear (including fear of failure).
               b.   God is a God of peace, peace is one aspect of fruit of Spirit, so allow Holy
          Spirit to bring peaceful attitude.
               c.   Visualize yourself as relaxed, undisturbed by circumstances.

     2.   Focus your attention on Jesus and Father.
               a.   Jesus has made it possible for you to have relationship with God.
               b.   God is source for everything you need.

     3.   Be receptive.
               a.   Expect God to respond to you
                         i.   Not your situation, but to you.
                         ii.  His relationship with you is the most important thing.
                         iii. He acts in your behalf & speaks to you because of relationship.
                         iv.  God is not an impersonal problem-solver or mechanic.

     4.   Anticipate a spontaneous idea or flow of ideas.
               a.   They may or may not come during the few minutes you are practicing this
          technique.
               b.   God usually speaks to you spontaneously
                         i.   If that isn't your experience, may be missing out.

     5.   Reason for practicing this technique is to develop this as a general posture:
               a.   Continuously poised toward God,
               b.   Ready to receive from him, regardless of circumstances (pleasant or
          unpleasant).