Funky new recording from Sister Shocked. I always enjoy her music, even if I never know what I'm getting myself into. She is a breath of fresh air: fiercely independent, soulful, earthy, socially-conscious, spiritual. Favorite track: "How You Play the Game."
Mike Roe and Mark Harmon of the 77s have created a brilliant album that, to me, gets better with each listen. Full of great hooks and cool loops and confessional lyrics. I *love* Mike's voice on this one, too. So soulful and sweet, lots of falsetto. I love that register of his voice. Mark's bass on "A Quiet Little Place" (my favorite song on the record) reminds me of "Hejira"-era Joni Mitchell recordings. Cool Jaco Pastorius vibe. Get it... You won't be sorry.
This is an excellent example of a Christian creating uniquely beautiful and haunting music. Sufjan has an ambitious idea… to record an album for each of the 50 states. So far, he’s recorded Michigan in honor of his home state, and now Illinois. I hope I live to hear them all. This is my favorite album of 2005 so far. It’s eccentric, epic, quirky, surprisingly poignant and profoundly personal and spiritual.
This book changed my life back in 2002. James Alexander Langteaux helped me to get real in my relationship with God. He showed me that God loves me no matter what, and that He is big enough to handle my deepest brokenness. I recommend it unreservedly to anyone seeking extreme intimacy with an interactive God.
Annie Lamott has seriously messed up my ideas about who can be a genuine Christian and who can’t. I’m honored to call her my sister in Christ. This book is beautifully messy… Maybe the most touching conversion story I’ve ever heard.
Brennan Manning may write the same book over and over, but no one does it better. This one is my favorite. Again, a powerful look at the fierce, unstoppable, irrational mercy and love of our Father, our Daddy, our Abba.
If we’re serious about being Christians in the 21st Century, we’ll read Brian McLaren and at least interact with his ideas. He is a modern-day prophet calling us to strip away culture from our faith and get down to what it really means to follow Jesus.
Deep, difficult, profound… This one made me rethink what the Kingdom of God is all about. I would say this book is responsible for a renewed dedication to Christ about 4 years ago.
Philip Yancey is one of my favorites. His books make me cry and laugh and think really, really hard. This one reminded me again of the crazy love and grace of God. Imagine… the God of the Universe loves me THAT much!
