I don’t have a PhD in Literature. Or Classical Studies. Or English. Or actually, anything for that matter.
I’m half-way through a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership that will never be completed.
Once in a while, I contemplate returning to school full-time to enroll in Purdue’s Masters of Creative Writing program but then come to my senses.
I’m not a professional book reviewer.
I tell you this because sometimes I find those in academia (remember that I live in a Big Ten College town) are completely befuddled when I open my mouth and actually might have something intelligent to say about literature. Or anything really. Because you know, I stay home with my children and all. And I’m blonde and everyone likes to make dumb blonde jokes around me.
But alas, ’tis true that I have no formal credentials to state what I’m about to say: I know good literature when I read it. I know good writers. I know bad ones, too.
I also know that I have a MILLION miles to go in my development as a writer and I may never “make it” to be a deep one at that. The good news is that I’m OK with that.
However, I will say that I am avid, insane, crazy reader. To the point that if I don’t watch myself closely, I worry that my children will think they are second to books. Much like an alcoholic who can’t gaze at a bottle, I keep books out of my “everyday life” areas so I am not tempted as well. They are tucked safely behind the doors of my bedroom.
I’m reading a book in which I can say is just plain old excellent literature. Donald Miller is quite possibly one of the best writers I have read in a while.
He spoke at the MOPS Convention (along with Margaret Feinberg, my other new favorite writer) and I thought he was funny. He talked about hiking to Macchu Piccu, which some of you remember my husband just did recently, and he spoke of growing up without a father. JJ also grew up without a father present so I thought these two might have a lot to talk about.
I purchased “Blue Like Jazz” and at first, I was unsure if I would like it. But then…oh my. He drew me in.
David Sedaris is another hysterically funny, gifted writers who I adore. Yes, I know he is living an “alternative lifestyle.” I still love his words and his voice is spectacular.
However, I now love Donald Miller even more because he is a CHRISTIAN version of David Sedaris. He’s making me laugh out loud almost every time I read this deep yet entertaining book.
I started adding bookmarks to each page that contained a quote that I loved but then found that I was bookmarking pretty much every page (I’m using my Nook). I thought it would be fun on this Random day to share some of his quotes that are absolutely wonderful and have made me stop and really think or simply say “Oh, yeah!!!! He’s so right!!!”
I might mention also that I am only half-way through so perhaps there will be a “Part 2” to this post as well…
Some nuggets of wisdoms I’ve enjoyed so far…
“God was no longer a slot machine but something of a Spirit that had the power to move men’s souls. I seemed to have been provided answers to questions I had yet to ask, questions that God sensed or had even instilled in the lower reaches of my soul. The experience of becoming a Christian was delightful.
I don’t think, however, there are many people who can stay happy for long periods of time. Joy is a temporal thing. Its brief capacity, as reference, gives it its pleasure. And so some of the magic I was feeling began to fade. It is like a man who gets a new saw for Christmas, on the first morning feeling it’s weight and wondering at its power, hardly thinking of it as a tool from which he will produce years of labor.
Early on, I made the mistake of wanting spiritual feelings to endure and remain romantic. Like a new couple expecting to always feel in love, I operated my faith thinking God and I were going to walk around smelling flowers. When this didn’t happen, I became confused.
What was more frustrating than the loss of exhilaration was the return of my struggles with sin. I had become a Chrsitian, so why did I still struggle with lust, greed, and envy? Why did I want to get drunk at parties and cheat on tests?” (p. 56-57)
The smelling flowers part? Loved it. A few more then I’ll stop…
“My most recent faith struggle is not one of intellect. I don’t really do that anymore. Sooner or later you just figure out there are some guys who don’t believe in God and they can prove He doesn’t exist, and some other guys who do believe in God and they can prove He does exist, and the argument stopped being about God a long time ago and now it’s about who is smarter and I honestly don’t care. I don’t believe I will ever walk away from God for intellectual reasons. Who knows anything anyway? If I walk away from Him, and please pray that I never do, I will walk away for social reasons, identity reasons, deep emotional reasons, the same reasons that any of us do anything.” (p.82)
Isn’t this so true? I can’t handle “talking head” arguments and he is absolutely right – it’s not about God anymore when we are trying to showcase our “vast knowledge.” It’s about us. It’s about winning.
He has a very poignant chapter entitled”The Birth of Cool” in which he basically describes how our culture is obsessed with what is considered to be “cool” and not necessarily about what someone believes or behaves. He stated that “The problem with Christian belief – the belief that there is a God and a devil and a heaven and a hell – is that it is not a fashionable thing to believe.” He made up a hysterically funny story about a Christian guys that is “cool” but since this post is getting too long already, I will refrain from including it. Perhaps I will post it next week…
Lastly, here is my favorite one thus far:
“But the trouble with deep belief is that it costs something. And there is something inside me, some selfish beast of a subtle thing that doesn’t like the truth at all because it carries responsibility, and if I actually believe these things I have to do something about them.” (p. 85)
Next Friday is “Q&A” time! Ask me anything and I’ll answer it on next Friday’s post! No topic is off-limits! :) Just simply leave a question in the comments OR shoot me an email (ncnsapp@gmail.com) OR on my Facebook fan page.
For more Caffeinated Randomness, please visit Andrea and Under Grace and Over Coffee!
For sure with that last quote. Some of my last blogs have been about my desire for me (and my family) become less selfish. It takes an active mind-set to put someone else’s needs ahead of my own, which is what Jesus calls me to do every single day.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..God Sightings =-.
Yep. That last one is my fave. My hubs asked me to email it to him as well…It seems to really resonate with people and this is, of course, the mark of a great writer, don’t you think?
I’m glad that I’m not the only person who worries that their children will think they love books more than them. However, I can now say that my daughter is just as in love with books as I am. However, she has my bad habit about leaving them lying around when you’re finished reading and not putting them away.
I’ve heard about Blue Like Jazz, but have never read it. I think I’ll add to my To Read list.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Caffienated Randomness- Weekly Questions =-.
Ah, yes. One can never have too many books. I really believe that. I hope my children are avid readers as well…
Yes, add it to your list, Michelle! You will like it! :)
I’m a little jealous that you got hear Donald Miller! You’ve got to read “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years”, we liked it even better than “Blue Like Jazz”.
It’s on my list to read next, Jen! Thanks for the suggestion!
gosh I hope that you have served as an enbabler to many to go get this book. he sounds fantastic. I so wish that so many “church goers” would actually GET it.
We have wanted to run right out of the “church” so many times in the last few years because of the “people”. so trying to win. so trying to come off as I am holier than you are.. naaannaa na boo booo”. seriously. so ridiculous.
anyway.. I may just be making a trip to Barnes and Nobles this wknd !
oh.. yeah.. and that last point.. good stufff…
I hope you like it, Elizabeth! He has some really great points and I love his voice.
I guess I always go back to the fact that there will be just as many sinners in church than there are out of church. We are a fallen people. That’s why most of us (well, at least me…) are there in the first place and the reason why I decided to follow Jesus.
Yes, the last quote is my favorite thus far, too!
I remember picking up BLJ when it came out and never reading it…not for another two years. Then I was blown away. Donald Miller has such a unique voice that I love. He can make you laugh out loud one minute and cry the next. His books have been exactly what I needed at that time. One Thousand Years…his latest is so good and I highly recommend it….actually all of his books. I bet his speech was amazing. :o)
I love quotes and have a ton of DM ones….that way with words again!
I am so glad to know another book lover who has as much of a problem as me :P haha! I can get lost in a book and forget the real world sometimes and it can be a problem…………………..
;)
.-= Christy´s last blog ..CR – Quiz Fun! =-.
You know, I did the same thing with Same Kind of Different As Me. It sat on my shelf for two years before I read it and was also blown away. I couldn’t believe such a great work had been residing on my shelf and I was totally oblivious to it and yet I believe God directs us to what we need to read to further ourselves. Perhaps we weren’t ready to read the content on those books that sat for a while then one day we wake and say “Hey…I think I’ll pick up that Same Kind of Different As Me” book…HA!
Sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for sharing the quotes, I really enjoyed them. I loved his point about arguing. It’s so true. I often wonder sometimes about a handful of people I know who seem to be trying to out-do each other intellectually. By mid debate it’s no longer clear what they are talking about.
Also, finished degree or not, you know how to write. :)
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness School Clothes Shopping =-.
Well, if you didn’t just make my day, Erin! Thank you so much for your sweet compliment.
And yes, oh my. I can’t handle when we lose sight of what we were all talking about to begin with. It happens often.
Gosh, I can’t wait for Relevant…We are going to have such a ball!!!!!
So I bought Blue Like Jazz to take on a mini-vacation with friends and whoops…ignored the friends for the first day. Yes, yes, read it cover to cover in one day. GOOD STUFF.
.-= Amy Sullivan´s last blog ..101 Reasons Why I Cant Write Fine- just the six that are currently driving me crazy =-.
Too funny, Amy! I agree – GOOD STUFF. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Fantastic review! I’m linking on my on review of Blue Like Jazz.
.-= Sarah at SmallWorld´s last blog ..Book Review- The Devil Amongst the Lawyers =-.