The Inevitable…Isn’t
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

The Inevitable…Isn’t

We look at the world and see such momentum behind troubling trends. The trajectory seems unstoppable and inevitable, so we begin to waver and compromise.

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Will A.I. Replace Your Creativity?
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

Will A.I. Replace Your Creativity?

There’s a growing concern among many that generative A.I. will soon be able to duplicate, if not exceed, our creativity. It can certainly compile things faster than us. But can it also create better than us? And if so, what happens then?

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The Secret of Who You Are
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

The Secret of Who You Are

We’ve all had those awkward moments while listening to a song or watching a scene in a show and suddenly we’re overcome with emotion. 

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Wide-Eyed Travelers Wanted
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

Wide-Eyed Travelers Wanted

You may have a beautiful voice but little interest in singing. You may be an excellent accountant, but numbers bore you. You might make furniture, yet dream not of couches…but coaching.

The goal isn’t to stick with what comes easy or even brings in the most money. At least not when it comes to your creativity. 

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Indoctrination Isn’t Art
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

Indoctrination Isn’t Art

Indoctrination is a lot of things. Art isn’t one of them.

Indoctrination is agenda-driven propaganda that purposely bends creativity, story, music, entertainment, social media, and “news” to manipulate a target audience. 

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The First & Last Jesus
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

The First & Last Jesus

I want to share a practice that’s proven incredibly life-giving. 

Every morning, while still in bed, the first word I speak is “Jesus.” Often, I’ll say his name several times.

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When You’re Out of Options
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

When You’re Out of Options

In a stressful situation, we often assume the only possible outcomes are the ones we can see. Don’t give into the pressure to make a quick decision between options A and B. Instead, try this…

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Expect God to Show Up
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

Expect God to Show Up

You’ll find endless advice for how to stay creative. Most of it is formulaic or reliant on self-effort.

I’d like to offer a better, truer way.

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Allergic to Marketing?
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

Allergic to Marketing?

Really creative people love to create. But most don’t really like to promote what they create.

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The Far Better Question
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

The Far Better Question

The question isn’t what can you create. You can make a lot of things. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

The far better question is this: What are you uniquely created to create?

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What Are Your Three Words?
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

What Are Your Three Words?

Highly creative folks are naturally talented in a lot of areas. The problem is they can spend their life endlessly dabbling in a lot of areas without ever mastering any. 

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Want God to Lift You Up?
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

Want God to Lift You Up?

In this instant gratification culture, it’s hard to wait on others…or even on God. AI has conditioned us to expect immediate answers. And to see ourselves at the center of the story. 

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Watered-Down Creativity
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

Watered-Down Creativity

When discussing their works, I often hear people say, “I don’t want to be preachy!”

On one level, I get it. No one expects your art to preach a sermon. We have preachers for that.

But on another level, the enemy can use that fear to water down your creativity.

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Looking for a Sign?
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

Looking for a Sign?

I saw a sign at the front door of a new Mexican restaurant I visited last week that said:

In a Hurry? Please Try Us When You’re Not.

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The School Bookmobile
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

The School Bookmobile

When I was a boy, the only thing cooler than the Batmobile was the bookmobile. And unlike the Batmobile, the bookmobile was real. It would show up at our elementary school a few times each year…and I would lose myself in shelves of stories.

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You Made It
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

You Made It

We can move so fast through a day that we miss the micro victories. Especially when it comes to our creativity. 

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The Bare Minimum
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

The Bare Minimum

It’s rare to have a day to focus solely on your creativity goals. At least it is for me.

Most days, we’re grateful to have a half hour—either before the rest of the world wakes up or before we fall asleep at night.

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Being a Forerunner
Amanda Dykes Amanda Dykes

Being a Forerunner

Artists are forerunners in their specific area of creative gifting—bringing something new into existence that changes the atmosphere for all who encounter it. 

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