I am passionate about the word of God: it has carried me throughout my life. I also love writing Bible studies and resources for folks exploring the whole hearted, fully embodied life, and it is important to me to come alongside others to help them explore the word of God in creative ways. These resources are for those who enjoy worship, creativity, beauty and for those who practice any form of mindful movement or meditation, from dancers to yogis, to walkers and runners, and to those who practice tai chi, qigong, other martial arts, and, yes, even those who practice stillness and quiet rest. Let me tell you about these resources.
In my latest release O My Soul: Bringing the Psalmist’s Cry to My Movement, My Meditation & My Mat, we bring the psalmist’s cry to our practices of movement, breath and stillness. This cry of the various writers of the Psalms is a specific cry — one that will in some way include the phrase “my soul.” Over and over throughout the Psalms we hear the cry of “my soul” — we will explore 44 of those in this book. Each passage is explored through a brief summary and explanation of its context, relevant cultural notes, thoughts to ruminate as you consider the psalm, ideas for your practice of mindful movement, a short breath prayer and poem, and songs to accompany your movement practice, if desired. Also includes white space and journal prompts to write about your experience with the material. Great resource for teachers!
Like O My Soul above, Jesus in My Practice: Bringing the Questions of Jesus to My Movement, My Meditation & My Mat also brings movement exploration to the study of scripture. This book explores with what Jesus has to teach us as a Rabbi or Master Teacher in our current time, culture and setting. What can we learn from the questions Jesus asked as he and his friends journeyed the dry, arid lands surrounding Jerusalem? What does it look like to explore the teachings of Jesus to live a richer, fuller, more embodied life of grace, in harmony with others? How can we bring these questions of Jesus to our “mats” — our studios, our meditation rooms, our sacred spaces — in our own practices of movement and meditation? And how do those questions inform our lives? Same format as above with breath prayers, poem prayers, songs and playlists. Again, a great resource for teachers of all kinds!
Voices of Wisdom in the Body is a Christ-centered and Bible-based exploration of energy through the lens of the body’s voices of wisdom. This Bible study, resource guide, and somatic toolbox encourages the reader to listen to the voices of wisdom within our wonderfully created bodies!! 8.5×11″ workbook with over 250 pages includes Bible studies, body-based prayers, affirmations, songs suggestions for reflection and movement, resource lists, guided meditations and somatic scripts, as well as white space for reflection and journaling. A Group Study Guide Edition was also created to use alongside Voices of Wisdom in a class or group Bible study or for individual client and student use.
In The Creator’s Healing Power—Restoring the Broken to Beautiful you will discover a path to healing with a focus on artistry, beauty, creativity and worship. Based on the Formational Prayer Model developed by Dr. Terry Wardle of Healing Care Ministries, The Creator’s Healing Power is an in-depth and interactive Bible study exploring the connection between healing and creativity, prayer and redemption, surrender and beauty, worship and wholeness. 8.5×11″ format with over 35 devotional Bible studies. Throughout the book you will also find movie clips, songs and videos to use as you creatively process and apply creativity to your healing journey. In addition, each chapter concludes with a “benediction” of poetry and a coloring page—graciously shared by fellow artists on the healing journey themselves.
My very first publication, God’s Creative Gift: Unleashing the Artist in You is an in-depth study for Christian creatives, artists and worshipers. It is intended for both professional and lay artists, for the casual crafter and hobbyist, and for those in both sacred and secular settings. It is for those who see things where others do not and for those whose imaginations cannot be confined by religious dogma and tradition. For musicians, singers, painters, sculptors, dancers, dramatists, writers, poets, carvers, weavers, film editors, photographers, filmmakers, architects, designers—anyone who finds inspiration in creativity. Focusing on the creative spirit within, it is designed to help you draw your inspiration from a Deeper Source. Great for group study!
The Rocks Cry Out is a simple and general resource for those who like rocks. Stone entries symbolism and folklore surrounding various stones and include Bible verses to accompany and enhance the symbolism and meaning. Not intended to be exhaustive or authoritative in any way; simply gleanings to enhance your rock climbing and collecting, your bead stringing and jewelry making, and perhaps… your ability to pick the perfect gem for the one you love! Enjoy the treasure hunt!! Includes sections on praying with prayer beads.
I pray you find God in the midst of your study, creativity, movement, worship and breath as you explore these resources. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at jodythomae@gmail.com.
Blessings of Artistry, BEaUty & Creativity, Jody
Jody Thomae is a graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a doctorate in spiritual formation and relational neuroscience at Western Theological Seminary. Her passion is for the person of Jesus Christ to be made more real through the revelation of creativity, embodiment and worship. Find lots of free creative resources and Bible studies at www.jodythomae.com.