'Blue Like Jazz' move review: I'm the only nerd there in a Steve Taylor T-shirt (video)

I didn't read Blue Like Jazz. I waited for the movie.

Now I'm trying to beg, buy or steal the book.

Fearing that I would have to wait for Netflix -- or worse, heaven -- to see director Steve Taylor's adaptation of Donald Miller's memoir of taking classes at Reed College I made sure to see the film on opening weekend -- which was one week late where I live. What if it didn't make it to week two? What if it didn't make it to DVD before I die?

Technically, it didn't even open where I live, but one hour away. And my wife was sick on Friday, which meant we had to wait until Saturday. Curse you, Satan! (If you weren't already.)

I donned a 20-year-old Steve Taylor T-shirt, since I never got to see Steve Taylor in concert, but bought all his T-shirts from order forms on his cassette tapes. I made my wife take my picture under the theater sign with the T-shirt on. I don't know which of us was most embarrassed by this spectacle. It was probably me since the I now have to squeeze myself into the "Squint" shirt like a sausage. Ten more years and I would have Hulk-ed that sucker -- and not from muscles, mind you.

I'm the only nerd who wore a
Steve Taylor shirt to "Blue Like Jazz"

We were at a matinee, so the crowd was OK, but sparse. My former pastor had read the book, but I, perpetually with no time on my hands, had never gotten around to it. I figured between his recommendation and Steve Taylor taking on the project I'd like it. I did.

The Baptists were cringe-worthy. My mother's side of my family are Baptists, and I have been a member of one Baptist church in my 25-plus years on my Christian journey. The only thing that worried me was that some might take all Baptists like the youth pastor is portrayed. I think it should be noted that at one point a couple of members of the congregation, and the lead pastor himself, wince at the youth pastor's actions from the front of the church. Even Baptists aren't monolithic. It's subtle, but this film shows it. I hope everyone notices.

I, like Don Miller, did have to leave that Baptist church, though. But I want to say that it did something I needed it to do when I joined. At a certain point, it didn't and I moved on.

There is some swearing in this movie. If that offends you, certain Bible passages probably will too. If so, you probably shouldn't see this movie, and you should make sure to buy translations that soften the edges.

This movie is what I wish "Christian" movies had been all along. They've either been preachy or cheap or unartistic. I knew not to expect that with Steve Taylor's writing and direction, and I've been told it is faithful to the book. I look forward to hearing more from Donald Miller.



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Steve Taylor's 1987 video "Jim Morrison's Grave":

Distracted flying antique pickup truck PSA (video)

Plan on texting on your 1915 manual typewriter while flying your 1957 Chevrolet pickup truck. Don't get into trouble like I did:
 

Christmas Easy Budget video features wisecracking Nutcrackers

Here's my Christmas video promo for my "Easy Budget" ebook. Thanks to my wife and co-workers Joe and Jody for their help in the production:



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Jon Bon Jovi alive and well, but Kim Jong Il can't find Vaclav Havel in hell

 Rumors of Jon Bon Jovi's death were greatly exaggerated on the Internet Monday, so he went online with a photo to prove he is still among the living.

I'm glad he's still among us, though I was hoping for better relations with new lead singer Jon Bon Un.

Not to be outdone, departed Dear Leader of North Korea Kim Jong Il issued his own photo, showing himself in search of fellow head of state Vaclav Havel who died on the same day as Kim.

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Living on a budget (video)

I've made my first promo video for my "Easy Budget" e-book. And, obviously, I did it on a budget. (Hey, proves I practice what I preach!)

Daily devotions not for all, Tim Ross says in new book 'The Nearest'

Do you struggle with a daily devotional time? If so, Tim Ross wants you to know you are not alone.

In his just-released book “The Nearest: Devotion Not Devotions” (O Books, 175 pages) Ross makes the case that while Bible reading and prayer are important, Christians shouldn’t beat themselves up if they have trouble with them. Ross himself, a retired Methodist minister in the U.K., found it difficult to set aside daily time for prayer and Scripture when he first became a Christian in his late teens.

He began to realize that it is one’s entire life that is a devotion to God and not just daily devotionals. Using one’s spiritual gifts is an act of devotion: helping a person in need, etc. And the short prayers uttered throughout the day keep one in contact with God no less than an hour devoted specifically for that purpose.

So how did we come to believe that a certain portion of time sequestered from the outside world was vital for recharging spiritual batteries? Ross says the medieval monastics led the way setting themselves apart to focus on their relationship with God, and over time lay people began to model that behavior with daily devotionals.

And while certain time set aside for devotions are beneficial to the spiritual lives of some, they aren’t for others.

“ The heart of my problem, I knew, was one of self-discipline,” Ross writes. “I am not a person who is happy in routines. I am not one of those people who have no problems with keeping to patterns and habits, just the opposite, in fact. Which raises another relatively serious question about patterns and habits of prayer. Just as there is an implied relationship between the frequency of prayer time and the presence of God, it is easy to make a connection between spirituality and discipline, which again risks exchanging the grace of God for spirituality by merit.”

Ross makes sound theological arguments, and his humor and personal stories make them easy to understand. His encouragements are worth a look to anyone who has ever wrestled with doubts over his or her ability to dedicate a set-aside time in prayer. He notes that his ideas aren't new, but they can be revolutionary for people who have spent years feeling inadequate in their spiritual walk.

(Disclaimer: A free review copy of this book was provided by the author. Read my interview with Ross about the book here.)

Church stained-glass damaged by tornado

My church's stained-glass windows, dating from the 1920s appeared untouched after the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak that hit the Southeast United States, but when I showed up for church three months later some of them were missing. Find out what happened over at my blog, Jesus In Alabama (and Everywhere Else): Images of the Name.

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