A Christian on God, Sobriety and Art – Brendan Killian

A Christian on God, Sobriety and Art – Brendan Killian

Author: Meli Solomon, the Talking with God Project February 24, 2022 Duration: 32:52
Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life
ReligionReligion & SpiritualityIslamJudaismSpirituality

Episode 6.
Brendan Killian reveals the entwined relationship between God, sobriety and his art making.  He talks about how he experiences God outside the church, yet continues to feel a calmness in an empty dark quiet church.  The aesthetics of a Catholic church, images he grew up with, continue to speak to him, even if the service distances him from God. Ten years of sobriety and the recovery movement, along with the prayers for every occasion, offer frequent moments of meditation and reflection.  The combination provide a response to the anxiety and fear that so dominate life outside his home and painting studio. 

Highlights:
- Art became an excuse to drink.
- Sobriety, daily prayer practice, and the recovery community.
- Beauty of a Catholic church appeals to his artistic eye as a painter.
- He carries booklets of AA prayers always.

References Mentioned:
Morning Prayer:
"God please direct my thinking and keep my thoughts divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-serving motives. Please keep my thought life clear from wrong motives and help me to employ my mental faculties that my thought life might be placed on a higher plane, the plane of inspiration."   The Big Book of Alcohlics Anonymous

Fear Prayer:
"God, thank you for helping me be honest enough to see this truth about myself and now that you have shown me the truth about my fears, please remove these fears from me. Please help me outgrow my fears and direct my attention to what you would have me be. Lord, demonstrate through me and help me become that which you would have me be. Help me do thy will always."   The Big Book of Alcohlics Anonymous


Social Media links for Brendan:
Brendan Killian website – https://www.brendankillianfineart.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/brendan.killian/

Social Media links for Méli:
Email – info@talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Talking with God Project –  https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org

Transcript:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/10117835-6-brendan-killian-god-sobriety-and-art/edit

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The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.     


Comments? Questions? Email Meli at:
info@talkingwithgodproject.org

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. 


Hosted by Meli Solomon of the Talking with God Project, Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life is a conversation about the practical realities of spiritual life. This podcast moves beyond abstract theology to examine how ancient traditions from Judaism, Islam, and other spiritual paths actually inform our modern routines, decisions, and relationships. Each episode delves into the nuanced spaces where belief meets action, exploring the challenges and rewards of aligning deeply held values with everyday behavior. You'll hear from a variety of voices discussing how they navigate this integration, whether through ritual, ethical choices, or community engagement. The discussions are grounded in real-life experience, focusing on the tangible ways faith provides meaning, fosters connection, and shapes identity in a contemporary context. Rather than offering simple answers, this series invites reflection on the ongoing, personal work of weaving spiritual principles into the fabric of daily existence. It’s for anyone curious about how others live out their convictions and seeking inspiration for their own journey toward a more coherent and purposeful life, all through thoughtful, accessible dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 101

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