What does your creative future hold?
Plus, 10 Tools to Radically Transform Your 2025.
Hey Crashers,
Well done! You’ve almost made it to the end of another year!
We’re sure it’s been full of ups and downs, along with some unexpected pain and laugh-out-loud joy, just to keep life interesting.
Now, as we start to look toward 2025, it’s like trying to put on a pair of prophetic glasses that you’re not sure fit quite right. No one knows what the future holds, but what we can know is what to put in place to make the most of it.
That’s what this special edition year-end post is all about!
Happy Christmas, and thank you for all the support in 2024.
Grace and Peace,
Cass & Rich
Also, we’re going to take a couple of weeks off. Look out for us in mid-January. In the meantime, why not revisit some journals from the archive?
In today’s issue:
Something unexpected: Tools you need and haven’t thought of this way.
A few reminders: You won’t get where you don’t prepare for.
Links galore: Maybe there’s a last-minute Christmas gift hidden below? and some New Year’s resolutions to implement and ponder.
and more…
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"The Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars."
- Francis Schaeffer
10 Sacred Tools to Radically Transform Your 2025
You are uniquely designed to create, innovate, and share God’s beauty.
But just because you were designed to do something doesn’t mean you’ll actually do it! We all have to use the tools God has given us to be all He designed us to be.
As 2025 peaks its head over the horizon, here at The Hopeful Rhino, we think you can do it, and you will. And, it's worth equipping ourselves with some new tools (and some familiar ones) that inspire and even sharpen our creativity.
This list is designed to help you steward your God-given gifts in a way that glorifies Him and blesses others. Why not print it out, reflect on these over the holiday period, and get yourself ready to head into 2025 stronger and better equipped than ever?
Here’s the list. Take note of those you need to add to your life…
1. A "Sacred Sparks" Journal
Every great idea starts as a seed. Imagine your “sacred sparks” journal is your garden. Use it to jot down the God-inspired moments while waiting in line, listening to a sermon, or staring at the stars.
Pick one with a pocket for scraps of inspiration, like ticket stubs, leaves, doodles, or Bible verses. We like cheaper, less precious notebooks for this purpose, ones that you can take everywhere, and it doesn’t matter if you lose it, wreck it, or fill it up.
Here’s our fav’s:
2. A "Verse Vault" App
They teach Scripture memorization in “Sunday School,” at least they used to. If you’ve never done it, then this tool is for you. There are Apps that are perfect for keeping God's Word close, whether you're drafting a screenplay or designing church slides. It's your creative fuel—ready anytime. When you have scripture in you, it can come out of you in the most amazing ways!
Here are a few we’ve tried;
3. The Quiet Chair
Yes, it's a tool. Every creative needs a sacred space to sit, breathe, and listen. A corner chair, a favorite tree, or even a cozy spot in the attic can become your creative sanctuary.
Check out these amazing options…
Coco Hanging Chair - We have a similar one on our veranda. It’s perfect!
Replica Eames Lounge - Something more formal. A classic, perhaps, but why a replica? Because an actual Eames is so crazy expensive!!
Boss Bean Bag Chair - An outdoor option, maybe? Haha, why not?
4. "Un-Perfect Pens"
Don't wait for perfection to begin. Get going now!! To do that, keep a collection of fun pens, markers, or crayons on hand to free your mind and create without pressure. Remember, God's not looking for perfect strokes—just faithful ones.
Pen’s and markers we like to use;
These look cool!!
Lumos Pro - An infinitely refillable fine liner, writing & brush pen, including 11 professional artist's tips. Pricey though!!
5. A Feedback Circle
Community is a tool, too. Whether it's a creative group at church, a digital mastermind, or maybe the Hopeful Rhino Community, find people who will lovingly critique, encourage, and keep you accountable to your God-given calling. You won’t regret it!
6. A "Divine Deadline" Planner
Every creative has dreams, but deadlines make them real. As creatives ourselves, we’re like you; we hate deadlines and boundaries and boring stuff… but all this doesn’t have to be boring. How, you ask? One way is to use a planner to map out milestones. Obviously, we need to leave room for “divine interruptions,” but don’t let your quest for constant ideation turn into procrastination that ends with nothing being produced!
Here are some cool wall planners to make deadlines doable!
And a couple of planners to take with you on the go…
7. The "No Box" Box
Sometimes, you need to step outside your medium. If you're a painter, try poetry. If you're a photographer, try sculpting. Fill a box with random supplies you wouldn't usually use, and see where God takes you.
8. The "Creative Oasis" Playlist
Curate a playlist of worship songs, film scores, or whatever helps you focus on Jesus. It's not just background noise; it's your creative prayer closet on the go.
Here’s our playlists and from a couple of friends;
The Lord of the Rings Soundtrack - Tyler Regan swears this helps him when writing.
9. The "Idea Incubator" Board
Use a corkboard, a digital app like Notion, or even your fridge door to pin up all those wild ideas. Some will hatch next week, others in five years. Keep them visible; God's timing is perfect.
Here’s some analog ideas…
Pinboard Paddles - a unique take on the “corkboard.”
Corkboards.com - if you’re looking for something custom made!
Or why not try some of these ways to store your ideas…
Collect - A Chrome extension to save stuff from wherever you find it.
Glasp - Like a highlighter for the internet.
Notion - A cloud-based productivity and collaboration tool
10. "Yes, and…" Post-It Notes
A simple exercise in creativity: Write "Yes, and…" at the top of sticky notes. Whenever an idea strikes, jot down how you can build on it. It's a practice in abundance—God always has more to give.
Printify - Get some custom-printed sticky notes so always have the inspo!
Or check out Rich’s post on the rule of “Yes and” from Improv and how it can help with Church teams.
A Word of Encouragement
How's that? Fun right?
We have a chair hanging on our balcony that I can't wait to get reacquainted with, and I've got some watercolors I'm digging out now - let's see what comes of that in the new year.
So how about you?
For each tool, the heart is to remember the Source of all creativity. As you enter the new year, let your tools be instruments in the hands of the Master Creator.
Your work matters!
Whether big or small, seen or unseen, you're reflecting the creativity of our Creator. Dream boldly. Create faithfully. Trust that God works through every stroke, note, or word to reveal His glory.
What would you add to this list? Let's inspire each other for what's ahead!
Tell us what you think…
So Merry Christmas, friends. Thanks for being our creative community this year. Our prayer is that Emmanuel - God with us - will be very near to you in the coming days. That the reminder of his arrival stirs hope, peace, joy, and light in your world, your family, and your creativity all over again. Here’s to more adventuring together in 2025.