Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

I wanted it to go on forever. I didn’t want it to ever end. I am buying a copy for every member of my family

Miller takes a self deprecating approach to his life as a Christian and, although he is not a theologian, he is as real and genuine as it gets. He takes the philosophies of growing up as a modern evangelical, that which many of us in the southern bible belt are all too familiar with, and turns it on its head. Miller shows us that there really are orthodox believers, [that is: those who want to hold fast to the teachings of Jesus regardless of denominational affiliations (even those of grace and love)], that live outside of the belt that runs from Texas to Alabama to South Carolina. [We really do know that Christians exist outside of the belt but sometimes we think we are the important ones (especially if you are in the buckle part of the belt) since we hold up the faith's pants.]Jesus Was Not a Democrat or a Republican.Who knew. One of the best reminders I took away from Blue Like Jazz is that Jesus was not a Democrat or a Republican (or a liberal or conservative for that matter). If we truly want to follow Jesus' teachings, we have to follow Him fully, not necessarily some party affiliation. It doesn't mean we shouldn't have opinions one way or the other, but if we seriously look at what scripture says, there are certainly issues that go against (and for) both party affiliations. Jesus taught unconditional love, something that seems almost impossible for us evangelicals to actually live out, every day.After the first few chapters I almost put the book down thinking Miller was going to just spew a political agenda, but that was really the point. Jesus didn't have a political agenda during His earthly ministry, he was interested in our salvation, not our politics. I connected with Miller because his background growing up was similar to mine, but that's where it ended, and it was very refreshing to read a totally and completely different perspective on what it means to be a Christian, not just an evangelical.Notables in the Text.I try never to read a book any more without a pen handy to underline and take notes with. This book wasn't a huge notation text but there were several things that caught my attention. One was the story Miller told about buying an extension cord at The Home Depot in the money section. That story was worth buying the book right there. Others that caught my eye were:* Many of the students hated the very idea of God, and yet they cared about people more than I did* [Jesus] didn't show partiality, which every human does... and neither should we* The tricky thing about life, really, [is] that the things we want most will kill us* The undercurrent running through culture is not giving people value based upon what they believe and what they are doing to aid society... [it] is deciding their value based upon whether or not they are cool* What I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do* No drug is so powerful as the drug of self-[addiction]There were many more but that is a good start. Blue Like Jazz is certainly well worth the time, and if you grew up in the southern bible belt surrounded by the evangelical machine it is a must read. I am now looking forward to reading some of Miller's other books as well.

I enjoyed Mr. Miller's last book "Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance", so when I found out that he'd written another tome on Christian spirituality, I had to get it. I was pleased to discover that "Blue Like Jazz" was as good as its predecessor. Mr. Miller's writing style is accessible, and he comes clean in a vulnerable, candid way about his struggles with Christianity. When I'm reading "Blue Like Jazz", I feel like I'm hanging out with him in a bohemian 23rd Avenue cafe, talking about deep spiritual matters over a hot vanilla latte.A reviewer listed on the back cover compares "Blue Like Jazz" to Anne Lamott's "Traveling Mercies" (which I'm currently enjoying as well), and I agree with that assessment. Each book chronicles the author's spiritual quest to comprehend the transcendent God they love and make sense of the temporal world they live in, all while striving to discover their destiny. I love it when Christians get together and hash out the unique aspects of working out their salvation with fear and trembling. That's how we grow, bear each other's burdens, and become more Christ-like. Books like Anne and Donald's are the next best alternative."Blue Like Jazz" is much more immediate for me because it's set in the region I call home: the Pacific Northwest, specifically Portland, Oregon. Don writes about people I know of (Tony the Beat Poet and Mark the Cussing Pastor), and places I've been (Palio, Multnomah Bible College/Seminary) or at least driven past (Reed College). More importantly, he deals with issues I can relate to, like romance struggles, dealing with (or being) a difficult roommate, and feeling a little different than the "normal" Christian. He even has a website, [...] It's a bit sparse, but there's a couple chapters of "Blue Like Jazz" that you can check out to see if the book might be to your liking.But the best thing I got out of "Blue Like Jazz" was Imago Dei, the church Mr. Miller calls home. I've been looking for a church where I didn't feel like an outsider, so after reading about Mr. Miller's adventures at Imago Dei I decided to check it out. It has quite an eclectic congregation, but I fit in with them more than the typical suburban churches I've previously attended. Even my non-Christian older brother finds it more appealing. So, I'm grateful to Mr. Miller for his help in leading me to Imago Dei through "Blue Like Jazz." Have I met him? Not yet. I'm hoping when I do I don't come across like a fawning fan-boy. Well, that's a risk I'll have to take.FYI - I found out from one of the author's roommates that he is finishing up his next book, tentatively titled "Looking For God Knows What." I'll be on deck for that one when it hits the stands. I hope you will be too.

I'm probably a bit late coming to this, but because the film is about to come out I decided to read what all the fuss was all about.The book is a loose collection of thoughts and experiences of the author Don Miller as he lives life and works out where faith and Jesus and church and all that fits in. There were for me some real laugh out loud moments at his writing, his exchanges with people, some of the crazy things going on his head, as he moves from college, to camping under the stars, to church, to living with people and so forth. Funny stuff.And then the last third of the book takes a turn and it became more challenging. Suddenly I could see a bit more of myself in the introverted 'the whole world revolves around me' scenario. It made for more uncomfortable reading, not because it wasn't any good, but precise;y because it was hitting th email on the head.Recommended for a funny, but at times, challenging, read.

Donald Miller is humorous and insightful. For those who have been following him recently and are just now hearing about Blue LIke Jazz - this is not a business book. But it is a major factor into how StoryBrand developed. I highly recommend this book and anything by Mr. Miller.

Very interesting read.

I liked this book because it was a very honest and open story of Donald’s life , the ups and downs that come with faith and what he learned during the journey.

Easy to read. Simple, honest, funny, unpretentious, profound. Reading this is like a listening to a conversation with a good friend. The author's quiet unjudgemental honesty and gentle humour challenged me to lay down prejudices and self- righteousness and to realise we are not that very different after all. A very enjoyable book