Blue Like Jazz

I blame it on Nathan Atkinson. I have seen the book in different peoples offices. I have heard of other people reading it. I have seen it in the book store. While on stay cation i was at Lifeway and picked up a copy and started reading it. Nathan had peaked my interest in it. I have been reading on it while I am off from work. (of course I am also reading a Tom Clancy book).

Reading about this guys journey is really interesting. The Pharisee in me wants to condemn him for thinking such thoughts. He should just convert and get it over with. But the more I ponder his journey and meet other people the more I open up to that people get to Jesus in different ways. I don't mean that there are many ways to God, I am not a pantheist. But reading about his honest struggles with faith it refreshing. I have struggled myself at times.

I have struggled wanting a more pious life. The clown in me does not help this. I have struggled with setting up rules for my self. (I have to read this much, pray this long, get up at 3 am and all that) I never keep any of them. I brake my own rules. Then I feel like a sucky christian.

At the end of chapter 7 (on grace - the beggars kingdom) is something that really knocked me over. I was sitting in the park watching my kids play when I read this. He says that our love for Jesus is not like Romeo and Juliet. Where they are each equally in love for each other. That it is move like Lucentio's pursuit of Bianca in the taming of the shrew. (yes I have seen the play and know the story. I am a red neck, but I am cultured...I know when to put my pinkie out :-). The groom is endearing the belligerent bride with kindness, patience, and love.

Jesus endears us with kindness, patience and love. We run and act like fools, we snub his advances. But like Bianca, we come around to loving him. (at least I have, and I fall more in love with Jesus every day)

Miller says that our behavior will not be changed long with self-discipline, but fall in love and a human will accomplish what he never thought possible. When we accept God's love for us, we fall in love with him, and only then do we have the fuel we need to obey.

He ends with this " in exchange for our humility and willingness to accept the charity of God, we are given a kingdom. And a beggar's kingdom is better than a proud man's delusion."