Red Sox win the Season Opener

I finished 'Blue like Jazz' by Donald Miller sometime over the weekend. This was a second reading. The first was several years ago. I think one of the real measures of a book is how it holds up to a second reading. I am happy to say that Blue like Jazz is one of those books that was much more rewarding on the second reading. Miller tries to write simply about his life, faith and Christian spirituality. I thought the book was best when he engaged in personal insight and reflection. He can be both funny and downright soulful at times.

One of the books real weaknesses is when Miller deals with the topic of other faiths. He starts out by correctly pointing out how it has become trendy to study Buddhism or Islam. But he alludes to Buddhists simply 'rubbing a Buddha's Belly' to make everything better. Miller seems to wish that his religion was this simple.

It was also interesting to read this book for the second time around because I was much more familiar with the surroundings. Miller lives in Portland and much of the story takes place here. When he talks about watching the sunset from Mt. Tabor, smoking a pipe at Pioneer Square, living near the roundabout on 39th and Glisan or drinking a beer at the Horse Brass Pub I know exactly what he is talking about.

I have been in contact with Imago Dei, the church that Miller attends in Portland, and plan on visiting very soon.

I have since started 'The Heart of the Buddha's Teachings' by Thich Nhat Hanh. This decision was made, in part, by Miller's characterization of Buddhists. This is also a second reading. It is a deep yet simply read. Hanh's teaching are too powerful to be ignored and too simple to be given up on.

I have recently discovered the joys of living in a big city with a real library. I currently have out on loan: Sesame Street Old School 1969-1974 DVD, Festival Express DVD and The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Going to the library on my lunch breaks has proven to be a nice alternative to spending that time browsing in Powell's.

I have been thinking that it might be time to dump a few more books. Some I will see if I can sell on Amazon, some should get passed on to friends, some should be returned to their proper owner.

You have no idea how much I might save by going to the library more often.

Or perhaps you do.