"Precious Grace" by Makoto Fujimura.
I have been exploring, and becoming a fan of Makoto Fujimura. I was exposed to Fujimura's work through Ken Myers', "Mars Hill Audio".
Fujimura, it seems, has a heart for Christ and is willing to put that heart into action in a number of ways.
First off, he has founded the International Arts Movement. Here is their vision statement: "IAM gathers artists and creative catalysts to wrestle with the deep questions of art, faith and humanity in order to inspire the creative community to engage the culture that is and create the world that ought to be.
Art is society's existential statement, in answer to the question, "Why live?" International Arts Movement works as a catalyst to inspire people to hope, engage deeply into the depth of culture's critical zones, and create a world that ought to be. We believe that artistic excellence as a model of "what ought to be" paves the way for lasting, enduring humanity."
Secondly, he was a founding elder of the Village Church (PCA), in Greenwich Village, which appears to have the courage to confront gender issues in a very loving way, without watering down God's desire for sexual purity.
In my heart, I am an artist. My gift, which sadly seems to be taken from me at the moment, is operatic vocal expression. I understand the expressive heart of the artist.
I especially appreciate Makoto's courage to take that gift, and use it to let Christ's light shine. If you will invest an hour or so, poking around his website, looking at his artwork, understanding his voice, and watch his ability to gather artists, from many different disciplines, and engage them into a conversation about faith, then you too will come away a fan.
My hat is off to you Makoto Fujimura!
