Blue Like Jazz

About 10 years ago I read Blue Like Jazz (Donald Miller). It was (and still is) a telling read on Don's personal experience of growing up "churched," the walls he felt between what was considered okay by the church, and what was outside. His commentaries should stir in you a sense of reconciliation between American Evangelical church-culture, and the perceived and guarded secular culture.

Fast-forward 10 years and the movie is being made. I couldn't be more excited to see it! Here's the movie trailer:



And here's an interview with Don and the actor playing Don in the movie. I love what he says about the christian label...that if you're a christian-artists (music, film, etc) that its expected that the gospel is present in every work, but that if your a christian-plumber, no one expects your fixes to be joined with a gospel presentation.



Peace,
Ross

Donald, Derek, Robbie, & Sandra

Last night the fam went to a cool event featuring Donald Miller, Derek Webb, Sandra McCraken, and Robbie Seay Band. It was a night focused on the narrative of love and all of its consequences. Donald Miller acted as narrator for the event and the 3 bands took stage as solo, duo, and trio acts. It was great seeing the combined creativity centered on love.

The high point was Derek Webb performing 3 tracks from his new release, Feedback. Feedback is an instrumental album of ambiance, beats, gritty guitar riffs, and soaring "oooh's," that walks like by line through the Lord's Prayer. The album does a very cool job of representing the singular lines, thoughts, and emotions contained in the most famous prayer (sorry Jabez). If this little tour is coming through your homestead, you should try and catch it!

Have a great weekend,
Ross

Recommendations for Music, Literature, & Film/TV

So if you find yourself with any tidbits of free time, I'd highly recommend the following:

MUSIC
Poison & Wine by The Civil Wars

Hazards of Love by The Decemberists

LITERATURE
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

FILM

TV

Just do yourself a favor and put these on the "to do" list, and thank me later...

-Ross