Nonreligious thoughts on Christian Spirituality

"Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality" This what Donald Miller wrote in the beginning of his book "Blue Like Jazz". I just started reading this book and I am only half way through, but it already is becoming my favorite book. I won't spoil it, but I HIGHLY advise everyone to read it. Its a totally new look on things, written in new ways. Sometimes when I read Christian books I feel like I don't really learn things because sometimes people just keep repeating the same concepts and thoughts people have, just in new ways and with more fluff. They spend hundreds of pages saying something they could have said in two. Yeah its nice to have verses, and other references proving points, but it can get dull and I don't feel challenged by it. This book has personal stories about Don's life and the people he encountered. Its an engaging story as well as a book that teaches so much about God and how much he loves us and how we can better love him and others, and how to truly Live our lives. I will probably write more on what I think about this book when I'm finished, but I think everyone should read this so that they can encounter the passion that I am when I read it. I have never thought this much in my life about some of the things he challenges me with.

"I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxaphone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes.
After that I liked jazz music.
Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.
I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened."
Donald Miller's author's note in Blue like Jazz


Reading this book I feel like I am watching Don do what he loves, and that is to love and live. It makes me love life and others more myself...

New Place in Life

As you all [Angela] know, I previously went to Malone University where I studied Youth Ministry and Music. I loved [and still love] Malone with all my heart, but through a long course of events I feel God leading me elsewhere. God has shown me that the power-driven, money-sucking, life taking evil aka college, wasn't right for me. [I don't actually feel that way about college. My fellow college drop out Kyle just describes it that way] I wasn't doing very well in my academics and I felt that I was only their because society tells us that every normal, good youth that wants to be a contributer to this country, and be successful, must graduate high-school and then college. For me I know that this is not the case. It was a very hard decisions leaving Malone because my love for that school and the community that it facilitates is so great, but I know that God has a new and different plan for me.

Right now this year is dedicated to saving up for the next step that will happen in 2011. I am living in a loft, in a house, a street away from campus with my sister. I am looking for a job, and for ministries and ways that I can help Canton. Next year I will be going on vacation with my family to New Zealand. I will stay in New Zealand for the month of January, and then in February I will be starting a Worship focused Discipleship Training School with YWAM in Tauranga, New Zealand. I am very excited for that great opportunity, and I hope I can use this year to grow in God and love as much as a I can. I'm going to miss being a part of Malone, but I want to stay connected as much as I can. And of course I want to see my friends as much as possible, I love them to death.

I haven't written in this for a long time, and I might not stay consistent, but I want to have something to update whoever wants to know about whats going on. I especially want to use this when I am in New Zealand next year. I am excited for what God has for me in this New place in my life.