Welcome back to the FIF everyone....

If you've already visited our blog, you'll notice that our aesthetics have changed up quite a bit.  Reason?  Simple--as the content evolves, so will the look.  Eight months in, Firstfruits Creative wants to bring FAITH IS FRESH closer to you, in every way possible.  So be on the look out for new opportunities to contribute to the FIF!  As a matter of fact....

You can start now! :)  Comment below with your answers to these three questions:

1. What's your first name and what city do you rep (and if you have a twitter name, be sure to let us know, so we can follow you.)?

2. From your perspective, why is FAITH fresh?

3. With A being the best and C being the worst, rate the designs below... soon you may see ONE of these on a shirt.  :)

A.

B.

C.

FIFresher.

three D's by firstfruits creative. shot 12.28.09.

**FIF Editor's note** Daunte called to let me know he was emailing his poem over so I could post it on FAITH is FRESH. He wanted an intro about himself, and I said "Okay, you should write it". I could tell he really didn't wanna do it... but he didn't have a choice. ;)  The next day (today) I get his email, check the intro and honestly... I hate it.  It's so bland, ultra-professional and formal... So not HIM (I should've known better...).  So let ME tell you about Daunte Henderson.

He's the same guy I met in a local art program, here in St. Louis, almost nine years ago--wise, confident and sophisticated, inside and out. He's not complicated... he has simple ideas about life and love. Yet talk to him for one minute, and it's obvious there's a certain rarity about him.

Yet nine years later, Daunte's so different. He's matured into a man, a Chicagoan, an awesome best friend, a risk-taker, and an even better writer. All of this growth and his walk to God is explored in his first book of poems, Things I Learned While Walking.  The book, soon-to-be-released, will tackle everyday struggles and triumphs with life, love and spirituality. It begins with the poem below-- "October 17th"--the day he met Jesus Christ.

To keep up with Daunte Henderson and learn more about the book, join his Facebook group, "Daunte Henderson Is A WRITER" (click HERE to be redirected).

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October 17th.

The 9 a.m. service was packed. My friends and I sat stage left to get a good view of the sign language ministry.  My years of not going to church/lack of clean dress clothes are the reasons why I sported a black hoody, black dress slacks and matching Nike tennis shoes to church this particular Sunday morning. Dramatic changes and inner callings were the sole reason why I was in church that morning. I didn’t go to church growing up, but I ALWAYS knew God was the reason why I was alive. Life had told me “No” for the last time and I was finally ready to submit to God. Towards the end of service, Reverend Charlie made an announcement to encourage all who hadn’t accepted Jesus Christ to walk towards the pulpit and make that first step towards a new life in Christ. A few years ago I couldn’t have walked to the pulpit because I was stuck in my ways of doing things but I was FINALLY ready that Sunday. Out of the hundreds of people in the room I was the only ONE who walked up to the pulpit. I felt like the world was watching me. It was God’s special way of telling me “I have been waiting on you my son, Welcome”. The congregation applauded and a million hugs followed soon after. In minutes, my soul opened up. I was NEW. FRESH, RENEWED, LIVING, READY. I was born again. Running in the past got me to a lot of places but I never felt firmly positioned where I was because I was essentially running from the Lord. I was now ready to walk.  

Temporary pleasures stated
In “Baby I love you” forevers
Are now replaced by
“Never will I leave you or forsake you”
I can’t replace you like a BFF
Or digest what you’ll do for me next
You’re responsible for me getting by
When I was in between checks
The upliftment that you gave me when
I was going through great depressions
Thank you for the listening ear
That you lent when I gave you
Heartfelt confessions
Thank you for the blessings
Thank you for addressing my self esteem
And removing the things that kept
Me from feeling the cream of your healing touch
Thank you much for allowing me to experience
Pain so that I can now laugh at the rain
When it tries to stain my armor
Thanks for turning a boy into a man
Who could understand your plans for my life
And the people around
Thanks for making me sound in spirit
Hopefully I can get others to hear it
I now look for Jesus in the left chest of a woman
And not the ample size of the breast on a woman
I’m a changed man and I hope
They can see it
The life described in John 3:16
I wanna live it
Breathe it
Receive it
Pass it on
God please continue to work
On me and my ways
Forgive me for my strays
And not to mention my nocturnal days
That left me lazy and hazy
In your mission
Forgive me for bended knees that never
Get accomplished
Along with the poor decisions of which I’m accomplice
My trust alone wouldn’t get me this far
It’s because of YOU I can now dance with the stars
I’ve devoured many TV dinners, snacks, and 1-minute recipes
Just to let it be and fast on your love
I could say we fit like a glove
But really we fit like up above
You’re my addition when life subtracts
And detracts me from peace
You’re the soul food minus the “itis” and the heart burn
Because of you my heart learned
And it’s allowed my soul to see
So I could carry out your mission which
Has made me a better me
Amen

*sigh* Yes, it's been awhile.  Almost a month, in fact.  So much has transpired in that time... more valleys than peaks for Firstfruits Creative.  But we're back, focused and pressing the reset button. 

Have you ever thought about how subtle the function of a reset button is, yet how transformative it is.  Like a snooze button, you get to start over again yet it doesn't have the loud sound or even the reaction that an alarm gets out of us late-risers. 

With reset buttons, you press 'em and that's it. The moment's over and done, so you are required to gather up some faith that it did what it was supposed to do.  No fanfare to assure you in your decision to start all over.  Just you pressing the button and moving forward in expectation of results.  No hesitation.

And right now, for Firstfruits Creative, there is no time for hesitation.  For the upcoming year, we're launching a dream: READYSETGO!  FAITH IS FRESH, FFC's official blog, is also coming back even stronger in the new year--with more posts and some upcoming guest features. Most of all, our goals, our services, and our commitment to Christian and community organizations is still the same.  We're passionate about using our services to take the diverse pool of visions God has placed in His Kingdom, and put them up on a platform, for the world to see.

So, we're taking a small break from FAITH IS FRESH (What? Another one? LOL)-- just a week.  We'll definitely be back before New Years.  We'll be enjoying our time with our loved ones and chillaxin' just like you.  :)

Happy Christmas, Merry Holidays, and PLEASE always remember the real reset button reason for the season.

tameka.

Jesus commanded his disciples, everyday people, me and you to GO.
Go feed them, go and make disciples, go on our way. 
Don't stay, don't wait... go.
This is the newfound mission of Firstfruits Creative.
To go, and to go with YOU, your church, your business, your organization into the unknown, into 2010. 
We're anticipating greatness... approaching the next year with excitement and hope. 
And you should, too.  Go with us.

Stay tuned...

Ps. "And to the centurion Jesus said, 'Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.' And the servant was healed at that very moment." Matthew 8:13

Whipped up a little Funfetti to celebrate the beginning...

Faith begins where reason sinks exhausted. Albert Pike

In dreams begin responsibilities. Delmore Schwartz

Now begin the work, and the LORD be with you. 1 Chronicles 22:16a

Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Galatians 3:3

Once you really begin to see things, then you really begin to feel things. Edward Steichen

This is the FIF's beginning--today. We begin by telling the truth.
That's a good place to start, isn't it?

Faith IS Fresh because faith is ALWAYS relevant, always now.  It's never glamorous, but always fashionable. Never newsworthy, but it produces headlines daily.  It's never intellectual or unapproachable...it's practical and applicable right now.  Without a doubt, Faith IS Fresh.  In this blog, we'll uniquely discuss how it intersects with design, culture, and everyday life.  We'll also hit up the FIF with updates from Firstfruits Creative (Um, have you been to the rest of the site yet??)!

 So here we are, and the FIF can't begin without you.  We want to know, which of the above quotes stick out to you and why?  What does beginning mean to you?  More importantly, what are some topics that you want to be discussed on our blog??  What issues do you feel are being avoided in Christianity, in design, or around you? Subscribe, share with others and speak your peace....