Blue Like Jazz

I've had multiple people over the years suggest that I read the book Blue Like Jazz. When we got married and integrated homes, I realized the husband had a copy in his book shelves, so its been patiently sitting there waiting for me to open its covers. This past week I finally pulled it out....and fell in love with Miller's words and experiences.

The church discussed (Imago Dei) is actually one I went to sometimes as an undergrad in Portland (although I have mixed feelings about it now after a couple of my friends were mis-treated while seeking baptism and I'm never a fan of what happens when a church grows to mega-size). The non-profit I give to (Dinner & A Movie) is one mentioned several times in the book as well, although its never directly mentioned by name. (I actually first discovered it through Imago....)

The book itself is a great discussion of Christian spirituality rather than "Christianity" per se and is much more up my alley of what I agree with from a religious point of view. Its based on establishing relationship with all kinds of people, getting over ourselves, giving to God and to others, and keeping heart on issues of social justice. Loved it, loved it!

So here is a pieced together example from the book, which is probably my favorite section/message:

Obviously all words and credit to Don Miller (and I hope its legal to do this, if not then someone please let me know and I'll delete)....

"The thing I have to work on in myself is this issue of belief....Here is the trick, and here is my point. Satan, who I believe exists as much as I believe Jesus exists, wants us to believe meaningless things for meaningless reasons. Can you imagine if Christians actually believed that God was trying to rescue us from the pit of our own self-addiction? Can you imagine? Can you imagine what Americans would do if they understood over half the world was living in poverty? Do you think they would change the way they live, the products they purchase, and the politicians they elect? If we believed the right things, the true things, there wouldn't be very many problems on earth.

But the trouble with deep belief is that it costs something. And there is something inside me, some selfish beast of a 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. It is so, so cumbersome to believe anyhing. And it isn't cool. I mean it's cool in a Reality Bites, Welcome to Sarajevo, Amnesty International sense, but that is only as good as dreadlocks. Chicks dig it to a point, but you can't be all about it; you also have to want a big house and expensive clothes because in the end, our beliefs are about as enduring as seasonal fashion. In the end, we like Ethan Hawke even though we don't know what he believes. Even our beliefs have become trend statements. We don't even believe things because we believe them anymore. We only believe things because they are cool things to believe.

The problem with Christian belief--I mean real 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.

I had this idea once that if I could make Christianity cool, I could change the world, because if Christianity were cool then everybody would want to deal with their sin nature, and if everybody dealt with their sin nature then most of the world's problems would be solved.....

My friend Andrew the Protester believes things. Andrew goes to protests where he gets pepper-sprayed, and he does it because he believes in being a voice of change. My Republican friends get frustrated when I paint Andrew as a hero, but I like Andrew because he actually believes things that cost him something. Even when I disagree with Andrew, I love that he is willing to sacrifice for what he believes. And I love that his beliefs are about social causes.

Andrew says it is not enough to be politically active. He says legislation will never save the world. On Saturday mornings Andrew feeds the homeless. He sets up a makeshift kitchen on a sidewalk and makes breakfast for people who live on the street. He serves coffee and sits with his homeless friends and talks and laughs, and if they want to pray he will pray with them. He's a flaming liberal, really. The thing about it is, though, Andrew believes this is what Jesus wants him to do. Andrew does not believe in empty passion.

All great Christian leaders are simple thinkers. Andrew doesn't cloak his altruism within a trickle-down economic theory that allows him to spend fifty dollars on a round of golf to feed the economy and provide jobs for the poor. He actually believes that when Jesus says feed the poor, He means you should do this directly.

Andrew is the one who taught me that what I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do.

.....

We live for what we believe, Andrew would say....If Andrew the Protester is right, if I live what I believe, then I don't believe very many noble things. My life testifies that the first thing I believe is that I am the most important person in the world. My life testifies to this because I care more about my food and shelter and happiness than about anybody else.

I am learning to believe better things. I am learning to believe that other people exist, that fashion is not truth; rather, Jesus is the most important figure in history, and the gospel is the most powerful force in the universe. I am learning not to be passionate about empty things, but to cultivate passion for justice, grace, truth, and communicate the idea that Jesus likes people and even loves them."

Just a section, but the rest of the book is just as fabulous. A bit of humor, a bit of sarcasm, and a lot of thinking about reality. Take a look at the whole thing......