Books in Review: Scribbling in the Sand

1/6/2017

When I was first assigned this book in my Drama in Ministry and Education class back in 2010, I wasn’t sure what to think. However, I fell in love with this book and its powerful message as soon as I started reading it. Card has a great creative ability when it comes to communicating his points with words, especially with his stories and retelling of biblical narratives. His interpretation of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet at the last supper is beautifully moving, and has stayed with me ever since I first read it. When I decided to review this book, I almost didn’t reread it. Then I did reread it, in two hours! The message was just a relevant now was it was when I first read it, or even when it was first published in 2002. This is definitely a book that I will be rereading in the future and a resource I will refer to for years to come. This is great book that I would recommend to anyone ~ Bethel

Real creativity is hard to find in the church today. We struggle with making our services original. We can’t seem to find a way to try something different for our youth programs. We have no idea how to create new events that will draw people in. In fact, most people will question if creativity is necessary in the church. If pastors and church leaders struggling with doing things creatively for the Kingdom, then how are we supposed to be able to do anything creatively? Many have ideas that don’t ever get off the ground, because they don’t its importance or significance. They listen to the voices of our culture telling them that they will never be heard or they will never be famous. They want to make an impact on the world for Christ, but they can’t seem to find the way to do it. It makes us ask the questions: Does Christ call us to creativity? And how are we supposed to live that out?

In Michael Card’s award-winning book, Scribbling in the Sand, we see creativity demonstrated in Christ’s own life, in the lives of His people, and we are shown how we are able to live it out. Card walks us through the some of the stories of the Old Testament and points out to pattern of creativity that was designed into the natural order. We walk through the words of Scripture that are believed to be an ancient hymn and see what it reveals about creativity centered on Christ. Then, we are reminded how to live out this special Christ-centered creativity in many ways, including listening well and creativity in the context of community. What results in the end is a realization that we were created with the inborn desire and purpose of living a creative life in worship to our heavenly Father. It compels to you to pursue creativity in ways you never thought you would. Card’s writing is powerful, packed with solid but understandable theology. His style of story-telling and lesson teaching is compelling. This book is a great book for any Christian to read, especially those that work in ministry or those with creative pursuits on their horizon. This books is available most places Christians books are sold, so get your copy today!