Thoughts on Blue Like Jazz

My thoughts on  Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

Part of Penny's story pg. 48

"Yeah.  There is a part in Matthew where Jesus talks about soil, and He is going to throw some seed on the soil and some of the seed is going to grow because the soil is good, and some of the seed isn't because it fell on rocks or the soil that wasn't as good.  And when I heard that, Don, everything in me leaped up, and I wanted so bad to be the good soil.  That is all I wanted, to be the good soil!  I was like, Jesus, please let me be the good soil!"

That is totally the desire of my heart, as well.  There have been times in my life when I definitely wasn't living like the good soil, and that at times made me guilty, and questioning.  Now, I not only want to be the good soil, but I want to be the good soil that produces a hundred fold.

PG 107 Quote  "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...."

When we stand up for what we believe there will be a cost.

Luke 9:62  Jesus said, "no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

We must be willing to pay what it costs to stand for Jesus.  Jesus calls us to be better than second guessing disciples.

Page 185  Bill's quote to Don bottom of the page
"Don," he said.  "If we are not willing to wake up in the morning and die to ourselves, perhaps we should ask ourselves whether or not we are really following Jesus."

So convicting! and very though provoking

Page 224-225 tells of  a story about a person named Nathan.  It emphasizes that at Reed college he is completely accepted regardless of peculiarities, while at any given Church, he might be made fun of.  This is very convicting and brings up the question of whether I would be one of those who accepted him as he is or one who would make fun of him.  Thanks for bringing this topic up Donald Miller!

Final Thoughts:
I read the book after I watched the movie and enjoyed both of the experiences.  Like a friend mentioned, if you want to do both, watch the movie first or you might not appreciate the movie as much after you read the book.  The book is fantastic and well worth the read.

I didn't get his permission before writing this, but tried to be accurate to what he said.
Here is a link to the author's Blog:  http://storylineblog.com/