This week I am giving away THREE copies of Breaking Old Rhythms: Answering the Call of a Creative God by my friend, Amena Brown. Amena is a brilliant and breathtaking spoken word artist, poet, author, and speaker who’s words excite, ignite, and inspire. You can hear Amena’s words on the promotional video from the Wonderstruck 7-Session DVD Bible Study. Click here to listen in.
I recently had the chance to ask Amena about her new book, Breaking Old Rhythms: Answering the Call of a Creative God:
Margaret: What do you hope will happen in the reader´s heart and mind after they finish with the book?
Amena: I hope that people who read Breaking Old Rhythms will be inspired to take their two left feet and dance, to learn from the quiet and the irritation of life, to tune their ears to God’s rhythm, even when it seems their own rhythm has been broken.
M: Who, specifically, would benefit from the book?
A: I think anyone who is stuck in a rut, experiencing change they’re having a hard time adjusting to, or wanting a break in their monotony would benefit from the book. I also think people who love art and music would enjoy Breaking Old Rhythms, since many of the stories in the book were inspired by the way art has shown me so much about Jesus.
M: With all the Christian books on the market today, what motivated you to write Breaking Old Rhythms?
A: When it comes to story, the one thing we all have as people and especially as writers, is our unique experience, our lens, our perspective. I wanted to write about how hip hop, improv, and dance floors among other things have helped me to have a real and honest relationship with Jesus. My hope was that if I wrote about the tension we sometimes experience between our rhythm and God’s rhythm that people who have a relationship with Jesus, and those who may not but are searching for that relationship, could find stories in Breaking Old Rhythms that would encourage them in their journey to discover their rhythm and grow closer to God in the process.
M: What is the biggest compliment and worst criticism of your book so far?
A: My biggest compliment about Breaking Old Rhythms so far has been that the voice and perspective of the book was refreshing, and a voice the reader wanted to hear more of. My hardest criticism so far was from a reviewer who didn’t like my writing about hip hop deejays, because this reviewer believed that hip hop deejays ruined the music he loved. I’m learning that when I get a critique, even if it’s hard to hear, I need to grow from it as much as I can, and whether I get a compliment or a criticism, the best thing I can do is make the best art I can, and be true to the voice God gave me.
Win a copy of #BREAKINGOLDRHYTHMS by @amenabee from @mafeinberg. Click here: http://wp.me/p2Hg0R-3xf [Tweet this]
Check out the book trailer for Breaking Old Rhythms and catch a glimpse of Amena’s beautiful talent. (RSS Subscribers, click here to view.)
To win one of THREE copies of Breaking Old Rhythms, comment on this blog post. Winners will be announced Friday.
Congratulations to the winners: Monica H, Cassie Etter, william hancock
What “old rhythms” do you need to break out of in order to fully experience God’s presence?
I enjoyed the performance. Thank you!
I read the first chapter of that challenging book on line!
“I hope that people who read Breaking Old Rhythms will be inspired to take their two left feet and dance, to learn from the quiet and the irritation of life, to tune their ears to God’s rhythm, even when it seems their own rhythm has been broken.”
Wow – is that me, or what!? I am definitely learning that interruptions and irritations in my life that break MY rhythm are GOD invading my song and dance, teaching me to dance with Him and sing His song.
Sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for sharing.
It is difficult when God interrupts my rhythm,but those times are always used by Him to draw me to Him and Growth!
Sounds very interesting
My rhythm is: replaying old / and sometimes new, comments or feelings when I get depressed. I guess my sheet music is depression.
I used to dance for my school’s hip hop ministry team and we always used to talk about dance as a form of worship – our team leader would often say, “I would love to go to a church where it’s not just acceptable sway side to side during worship but to dance.”
I am soo interested to read more about this unique perspective.
That book sounds fabulous – I hope to have a chance to read it!
Margaret,
This sounds great!! Creativity is in all of us!! What a blessing!!
Blessings,
Tina
A fresh perspective is welcome in most any circumstance, but particularly in our faith walk. This sounds like a wonderful, fresh read.
Art, dance, wonderstruck! Yes! It’s time to breakaway from routine and dull patterns and enjoy the God who made us. I long for new creative paths to find closer communion with my God. I want this book! Thanks for letting me know about it. Keep writing!
I am certainly trying to break some old rhythms which have drug me down for years. Would love a copy of the book. Thanks
I’ve heard Amena speak at a conference and her advice had been some of the most helpful ideas as a musician who is also studying in a creative profession. This is definitely a book I will check out.
I love the name of the book….just what I feel God is doing in me….breaking old patterns in me….sounds very interesting….
Sounds intriguing!
What old rhythms do I need to break? The busyness of life…that crowds out my ability to see God’s wonder. The lack of newness to my devotional life…the noise of the everyday that crowds out the still small voice.
Love the name of the book. Looking to get out of the rut, I still know there is something just out of reach, if I can just push to reach that.
I just read a statement that said that I will act as I believe myself to be (Pete Briscoe). This book talks about finding the rhythm that God has given me. I am excited about that journey, that discovery, that transformation. I pray my life honors and glorifies Him.
The old rhythm I wish to break is my tendency to want to please others rather than God. I would like for all my actions to reflect what I know God has planned for me.
Sounds like a wonderful book. 🙂 I hope I win it! Blessings.
I would love to win copy of this book and read it, it sounds very interesting and maybe just what I need to know for my life right now.
Have a Blessed Day!
Had the privilege to hear her speak in Charlotte, NC and she was truly inspiring! Would love the opportunity to read her book.
I would like to win this book.
I am intrigued! This sounds like a very interesting and challenging read. I need to be challenged to break out of old patterns and perspectives, ways of thinking about and approaching God.
Thanks for thechanceto win a copy 🙂
I would like my dancer daughter to read this.
Sounds just like what I need. God breaking my old rythms.
Sounds perfect for me right now.
I am in a season of my life where the Lord is leading me out of the same ol’ same ol’. I prayed to be able to really trust God and be aware of His Presence. To become a contagious Christian who was so in love with the Lord that it would just radiate out of me. Then all sorts of things started going “wrong.” I put wrong in quotation marks because I think these things are a direct answer to my prayers. God is creating change in my life and me, but it is intensely uncomfortable at times. I could use some guidance on how to make the big paradigm shift that is being required. It’s hard, but I’m excited to see how the Lord changes me into the woman He designed me to be.
I need to break out of my old habits of being judgemental. I have learned that I have infinite mercy and compassion for some people, yet negativity and spite for others. I need to learn to embrace the beat of love and the rhythms of judgement. I need to help show love to everyone and lead them more towards Jesus. Also, I love creative arts ministry and help lead youth in this type of ministry and would love reading this book!
Sounds like just what I need to get out of a rut.
Melissa
As a liturgical dancer, this really resonates with me. Would love to win the book, will be getting it any way.
Peace and good to you, Margaret, in Jesus’ name.
Probably the way I sometimes choose to just “accept” things and sometimes to get stuck in a rut of laziness too when I shouldn’t spiritually speaking as well as physical sometimes…am I making sense? Lol…can’t think of the word but that says it too 🙂
I love art and music and the creativity.
sounds like this is the book to help me break old rhythms.
Wow. Outstanding!
I love when writers express themselves out of the box! Makes my experience delving into the words they have written so much more of a journey for me. Thankyou for leading me into your world and letting me walk with you through your words on an adventure.
Love the theme of this book and it is very relevant since my church is currently doing a series on Rhythm and how to sync with God’s rhythm for our life. Thank you for sharing today.
What a gift this girl has to express so eloquently what many of us feel. Praying these days for God to break my old rhythms and give me a new tune. Thank you for pointing your readers to this book!
I LOVE AMENA! Such a way with words. Seems the rhythm I’ve been marching to is old school now. It’s time to make a new melody in my heart to my Lord and let Him lay new tracks to my life. I’m ready for an UP-BEAT!
This does sound like a good book. Breaking old rhythms. Sounds like what I need. I am not a person who enjoys change, and God seems to be doing everything to break that right now.
Sounds like the perfect book for me at this moment in my life!
Thank you for including the video as well. Wow! What a talent Amena has. I’m really looking forward to reading her book. And I’m buying one from a close friend also. She is an artist and I believe will truly grasp what Amena is conveying.
Procrastination…
Reaction over response…
Be…gone…
Amena’s book I believe would offer some good insights on how to break free from monotony. I’ve heard some of poems before and know that, she has something good to offer. Something refreshing!
I have been following Amena’s work for years. I first saw one of her masterpieces HE IS HERE at my local church. I have been hooked ever since. What a great gift God has deposited in her. I would love to get a cope of her book. thank you
“I think anyone who is stuck in a rut, experiencing change they’re having a hard time adjusting to, or wanting a break in their monotony would benefit from the book. I also think people who love art and music would enjoy Breaking Old Rhythms, since many of the stories in the book were inspired by the way art has shown me so much about Jesus.”
I have definitely been through lots of change this past year and a half. In a way, I think so much change has caused me to live a monotonous life. I needed a rhythm to make it through, but it’s time for that to change so I can experience the newness God has. I also love the idea of how art can reveal Jesus to us.
I am inspired by her reactions to handling criticism. An approach we can all adopt!
There are so so many rhythms I need to break.
I need a new book! I just finished one by Irene Hannon…
This is me. I feel so stuck right now. Watched this with tears in my eyes.
Sounds like a super encouraging read to me 🙂
It’s not like I don’t already have so many good books on my shelf to read, but this one sounds so lovely! Especially for me as a writer and dancer. I’d love to win a copy. 🙂
In light of the conversations I’ve had recently about my life rhythm, it’s beautiful and hopeful to hear Amena speak to finding a new rhythm and God redeeming and using the broken rhythms in our lives.
I love the dynamic cover on this book! Been working on bringing new rhythms to our new life in a new city. Sounds interesting.
You want to dance and sing something new, but the old song and dance, the old way holds on to you. So easy to keep doing what you have been doing. So easy to just stay put. But then your ears hear a different tune and your body senses that different rhythm. So beautiful and affirming are Amena’s words…that this music…this rhythm is from God! Who wouldn’t want to follow our God???