Book 1, Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller

The first book for me to log is Blue Like Jazz, I read it over the summer. I really enjoyed the way Donald Miller writes. However this book was not for me. Though I thought. I have found that since I read it I have had several discussions about different parts of the book with others. Funny, why would I discuss a book that I didn't really enjoy. OK so it must have been for me. I do feel that there were several little parts of the book that really stood out. Parts that just didn't go away from me. OK three parts. 1. living in community, I live in community most of the time when I am in Honduras, I do not feel that living in community is as hard as he makes it out to be. He does seem to be a little self centered and that could be an opportunity wile living among others. Everyone is part of a family and though everyone is different, we all have to get together and try to relate and bend a little to make life a little easier for others.

I also enjoyed the booth that he talked about, the confession booth. However the twist was to get people to come into the confession booth to hear the confession of the christian sitting in the booth not the visitor. How cool is that. Not to mention thinking out of the box. How often do you hear a christian apologizing to others for the actions they are living...or not living while they call themselves Christians. Maybe they really aren't christians after all.

The third part that really stood out and made me a little uncomfortable was his talking about being in solitary confinement for 15 years, not being able to talk to another soul. I do not think that humans are wired to go so long without the relationship of another, we are wired to communicate. 15 years, that makes me feel like I am suffocating. I guess that is my vice, I am afraid of being alone, I walk with God, I talk to God, and I love being with God, however I need to have the companion of others to walk with me and talk with me. I enjoy self reflection and being by myself for a little while. After a day or two, I need the conversation from another. Even if the other person is not speaking, just having someone there with me by my side is enough. Silence amongst people is a good thing. Enjoying being around others is a great thing. I already knew that I desired to be around people, but his chapter made me feel and understand it that much better.

God Bless