Echo Hub

I watched Prometheus this weekend and wow…what a visually stunning film. I’m amazed at how incredibly detailed the sets were.
I’ve also loved Bob Goff’s book “Love Does” and have been challenged and inspired constantly that God wants to use us.

I’m always inspired by photo blogs. It’s amazing to see how someone captures a moment in time through their eyes. I also find inspiration through literature. Right now I’m going thought Lewis’ “Screwtape Letters” and reading Neil Gaiman’s ” American Gods” and finding great sources of inspiration.

I was very inspired by this video from Church on the Move: http://seeds.churchonthemove.com/video/poison-wine-overlay

Ive been inspired by a show with Gordon Ramsay. He travels to India to discover what real Indian food is like. Here’s the thing, he is loud, rude, and unfiltered with his language. But he seems to make friends of from all walks of life. And I figure if a guy that cranky can do it I can too.

Isn’t the only right answer Scott McClellan?

Just finished Ross Douthat’s Bad Religion. Along the lines of inspiration, that book has challenged me to think harder about political theology and Christian orthodoxy. And by think, I mean write and speak.

Kids in the core of my city created this video. I know some of the obstacles they face. We brought them all into our morning service yesterday, so we could show their video and cheer loudly for them. Their smiles inspire me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn26GYR58Ug

Mine’s a combination.
First is Switchfoot’s lyric video for ‘Afterlife’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=j6z-H3_hgEU which we worship with at the Youth group at my church (www.bbc.org.za).
This, with Steven Furtick’s book ‘Sun Stand Still’, really points to a whole lot more going on than we see and hear.
It’s the sound of God changing hearts right here in our generation.
Best. Sound. Ever.

I’ve been surprised to find inspiration in interior design lately, specifically http://www.apartmenttherapy.com. Their Small Cool contest (found here http://community.apartmenttherapy.com/contests/smallcool/2012/entries ) was particularly inspiring to me. I love taking a look into how people’s spaces are reflections of who they are.

My greatest source of inspiration is to set the music on my iPhone on shuffle, get on my road bike and pedal for a few hours making audio notes on scenery and lyrics that come to kind.

I have recently been reading C.S. Lewis’ science fiction trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength) and have been fascinated with how Lewis uses a medium that was looked down upon (science fiction, penny dreadfuls) to communicate such beautiful and deep truth.

It has challenged me to make use of “simple” and surprising mediums in an effort to communicate beauty and truth.

My inspiration? First I would be amiss to not list the the best story ever told the Word of God.
But this week my inspiration comes from the 300 kids and 100+ staff packing our small church sanctuary ( holds about 250, do the math). They are here for VBS, and if that doesn’t get the juices flowing, in fact been flowing since last year’s VBS ended, then I don’t know what will.
400+ people screaming the song, “God’s NOT Dead!” pushes me to do more and more for the Kingdom of God and to find ways to continually reach out to the children of our community.

I am inspired most by God’s surprises. This weekend I attended the National Huntington’s Disease Society convention. My journal records that I prayed for a woman I saw who was obviously in pain and sadness. I failed to speak to her and simply asked God for another opportunity. That evening seated around a table were six or seven strangers. As we talked a growing sense of GOD invaded…here was the woman — in a ballroom filled with 1000 people, she sat at my table! Can’t beat that for inspiration! (Photos and babies inspire me too!)

I am inspired by artists who take everyday materials and create works of beauty that inspire and tell stories. For example, the woman in our congregation who took pieces of driftwood and rocks that people collected and fashioned it all into a beautiful cross.

I am currently being inspired by my children – an 8-year-old and a 4-year-old. Their imaginations are on overdrive this summer, and I’m challenged (and somewhat convicted) that I must give more energy to my creative pursuits, not only for my own benefit, but for their benefit. I don’t want them to lose their creative sparks!

This is a good week for me. I’m getting married this Saturday to a beautiful woman who is way out of my league. She is a Pinterest all-star, wicked seamstress, and can craft circles around you. We have been on a tight budget for our big day, so she has personally made just about everything. We chose an awesome vintage theme and color palette that has inspired all of my designs recently. But come on guys, I’m getting married in less than a week…the anticipation for the married life is all the inspiration that I need!

This year over the Easter holidays my wife and I visited America for the first time. We are from Melbourne, Australia. We started in LA, spent 4 days at Disneyland, then made our way through the beautiful country side and visited places like the Grand Canyon, Vegas , San Francisco, and lots of other fascinating towns along way. This took three weeks but after that we jumped on a plane and plonked ourselves in NYC for two weeks. We did so many things it was amazing.

While in NYC, on the Easter weekend we went and saw Godspell the Broadway musical. Well let me tell you, that was very longest but the very best Easter service I think I will ever experience. It even had communion in the intermission. I never would have guessed in a million years I’d be in NYC, on Broadway taking part in remembering what our Savior did for the entire world.

It inspired me greatly. If it’s still showing in a theatre near you don’t miss it.

Our church is now reading the Bible through again this year, and our Pastor has challenged everyone to read at least 10 minutes a day, pray at least 10 minutes a day, and win at least 10 people to Christ through 2012. The daily inspiration from this challenge has pushed me to be a better Christian in all aspects of my life, and I am incredibly thankful to the Lord for His pushing me toward His best. Knowing He loves me in spite of my imperfections spurs me on!

I’ve really been inspired by (I really hope I don’t sound narcissistic here but..) myself. I’ve never really liked what I do musically. There’s just always something I find that I put myself down with that makes me want to stop musical endeavors. Recently I sat down and recored a drum part to a guitar riff that I had thought of a while back and just left sitting. I loved the way it sounded and how genuine it was to my personality! I was so inspired I wrote a post about it (http://alexandersawyer.com/2012/05/authenticity/.

My own pursuit of music and art inspired and encouraged me to keep moving forward in my music and not be afraid if something has some flaws in it.

I was inspired today by the super sweet recut trailer to Mrs. Doubtfire seen here… https://vimeo.com/18189077 The power of editing is amazing.

Lately music has been a great inspiration.

We’ve had a spring with absolutely stunning sunsets – the most incredible that I can remember. The colors, the contrasts of the light and dark have been my inspiration.

PressPausePlay documentary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MterbpYTyjM

Last year’s movie “Tree of Life” has been inspiring me lately – it beautifully captures the wonder of our world. Also, the music of C3, Phil Wickham’s new “Singalong” album. And book-wise, the Accidental Creative by Todd Henry is profoundly helpful, as is the podcast by the same name. Thanks!

Just about anything posted on http://www.thisiscolossal.com/ is visual inspiration for me; specifically the first photo in Light Painting by Simon Berger: http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/06/light-painting-by-simon-berger/

I get inspired by “Nature”, I work at a Camp and get to enjoy it and be inspired by it everyday and see the impact it has on the people and myself.

inspiration – anytime the clouds are thick and yet you see some of the rays of sun break through. My favorite scene in the Superman Returns is the part after he goes above the clouds to “recharge” is when he bust through the dark clouds and the rays of sun follow him to the water!

Why God speaks to me through that – not sure. Who else digs the sun and clouds?!

Richard Beck ( http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/ ) paired with The Melody Of Rhythm by Fleck, Meyer, & Hussain — my greatest current inspiration(s).

my two sons and loving wife are an inspiration to me to be the best Dad and husband I can be

been really inspired by our teens- their creativity, their heart for God- really awesome!

I’m inspired lately by movies and books. Also, we’ve been having a ton of rain and for some reason, rain drives me to do and create and play with materials in different ways. It brings me back to the way I handled inspiration as a kid, where I would create and play without planning or being critical during the process.

I guess I gather inspiration from many things, often times it is from different movies and films that just have stuck with me. I wil also go and look at various design blogs and such to get inspiration. Also love the weekly video posts on echo hub, they always get my creative juices flowing.

My twin babies who turn 5 months old on Friday (Stella and Jackson) are currently at the top of my inspiration pole! To see what they learn each day inspires me to make the most of my day! Also this recent post from Seth Godin has my creative juices flowing! http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2012/05/what-are-you-leaving-behind.html

Been diving into Twitter for really the first time, so lots of inspiration coming from overload of great apps, clients, and people! What a twitterverse!

Movie: “Warrior” – an amazing story of forgiveness and restoration. This is the type of film I want to make one day.
Music: Gungor’s “Ghosts Upon the Earth” – that album always inspires me.
Book: Gary Molander’s “Pursuing Christ, Creating Art” really inspires me to not rely on myself for creativity.

I was inspired by the video Caine’s Arcade. The 9 year old boy doing what he loves with a dose of new media helped reminded me of how motivating it is to be doing what you love regardless of the results.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U

There is a new e-mag called Sunday| Mag. You can find it here, http://www.sundaymag.tv It’s been a great new resource for me.

I’m inspired by the multitude of people that change and grow as well as the ways that people change. So not only does change inspire me – the WAY that change occurs inspires me.

I am inspired by graffiti. The freedom of color combination and the bold use of contrast frees me to think in directions I wouldn’t normally go. There’s movement on a static image and light that is clearly seen even at night. The images and words pop off the wall. Even “illegal” graffiti meant to deface as an expression of anger is inspiring to me. This way of expressing passion, however inappropriate, tells us about alternative ways to express pain and frustration.

I’ve been inspired by Instagram lately. I love seeing little moments captured in an artistic way. Also: I’m ALWAYS inspired by story. I love hearing about who people are and where they come from. Truth is usually stranger than fiction.

I’m inspired my movies that tackle the darkness in our world. The Wrestler, There Will Be Blood, others in this vein of film making. Encourage me to tell the whole story, not just the happy stuff.

I’ve been greatly inspired lately by Mary Kate McDevitt’s handlettering and illustration work: http://www.marykatemcdevitt.com

I’ve been inspired by the people around me. When I remember that each person is a soul and is uniquely loved by God, I’m inspired to live more honestly, well, and beautifully.

Today’s inspiration, for me, has come from Gary Molanders book. He has done a great job composing a book that reflects an artist heart for ministry and all the ups and downs in his journey… And I’m only half way through it!

I find inspiration from books about storytelling, either through writing or filmmaking.

The Echo conference has been an incredible inspiration to me. The past 2 years I left the conference inspired and refreshed. And it’s incredible the things that have changed in our church, for the better, because of this conference. We don’t really have anything like this all the way out here in Hawaii. My team and I bought our ticket a long time ago but things aren’t looking too good. It’s a crazy busy time but we bought our tickets in faith and I’d really appreciate it if you guys would pray for God’s favor and that it’d be His will we go.

My main inspiration of late has been the ChurchMarketing Lab on Flickr. Great resource and pool for critique/feedback. http://www.flickr.com/groups/cfcc/

Lately, I’ve been inspired by the photography magazine, Black and White.

Thanks, everyone, for entering! I’ll update the post with winners soon.