Connecting
By Larry CrabbGreat book! I think during the course of this read, I cited it more in day to 
day conversations then any other book I’ve read.
Crabb’s look at going deeper with someones soul is great. As I read this, and looked at me own personal struggles, I thought about how many times I just get a “oh it will be ok” response, or even more, how I do that to other peoples situation. Crabb made me look at and question whether I am really being riveted by the hurt and depravity of someones situation, and how their hurt can only be healed though directing them into experiencing God deeper (and not just in the “oh hey look up these verses” or “or lets just pray” approaches).
Maybe I’m just a nerd that likes this type of book, but I am very please that I did! Hopefully it wil be an asset in ministry and life, in my further day to day conversations.
Blue Like Jazz
By Donald Miller
This is a book that grew on me as I went along. I was highly skeptical of Miller’s position on issues, which came a lot from the people that endorse the book as well as the thought that it would just be about “happy feely Jesus.”
I was surprised, pleasantly. While I know Don really doesn’t put forward many arguments, and he for sure stays away from taking stands on issues, I felt he does a good job of vocalizing what is often so hard to vocalize. I know there were many chapters where I read and saw the same thought/feelings Miller was going through. There were other chapters where I did not have that connection.
Overall, Miller makes Jesus the key, I believe that Don really wants it to be about Jesus, rather than the funny stories, odd comments, and possible name dropping (Miller knows everyone when you realize who his friends are). The Jazz analogy still is a little hazy in connection, but I get where he is intending it to go.
If Miller really was as much of a “self-interested” guy as he describes himself in some chapters, he really has moved far away from that point of his life as he closes out the book. He cares for people, even those who read his books, those that he doesn’t know (that is, as long as the last section of the book was not just him trying to butter people up).
Thanks Don for the read, I look forward to see what less you have to say! You surprised me from the beginning of the book to the end.
A key to reading this book for me is to look at the chapter titles and really asking the question: What Miller saying about [insert one word title here]?
