Out Walking: Why I Am Outwalking: Some Thoughts on Purpose

Friday, January 06, 2006

Why I Am Outwalking: Some Thoughts on Purpose

Welcome to OutWalking, a likely over-ambitious source of reflection on the true, the good, and the beautiful in the world. Here you can read posts on books, music, art, and life in general, from the standpoint of one who believes in the true "myth" as told in biblical account of creation, fall, redemption and restoration. You can also check out the regularly updated sidebar content.

Presumably, the title to a new blog should reflect something of its author, and so it does. I liked the phrase "Out Walking" both for its literal meaning (I am a daily walker) and its metaphorical meanings. To walk is to have some destination and, without sounding too cliche, I believe life is full of purpose, meaning, and ultimately, destination. Indeed, as a Christian, I like to keep Home in my sights, both the one I came from and the one for which I am destined. In walking, I also reflect, and pray, and sometimes (when I return), I write, and so you'll find my ruminations, reviews, poems, and essays in the sidebar here. I find it helpful. Perhaps you'll find these reflections helpful as well. Finally, I should say the title is not original but comes from writer John Leax's wonderful book of poetry and essay of the same name. Walk among his words sometime.

At bottom, this blog then is an extended meditation on God's common grace to the world. I walk in the world looking for what is true, good, and beautiful -- whatever the source. In fact, my eyes are wide open to it. Along the way I'll see the false, the bad, and the ugly. Discernment will be called for, but I'd rather walk in this way than be clositered away in a ghetto of supposed safety. This is my task: to walk wisely in the book of this world guided by Scripture, with eyes fixed on the Author and Perfecter of my faith and, in fact, of this world. Home is in my sights, a recreated world full of only the true, the good, and the beautiful. [The author of Outwalking is Steve West. Steve is a published poet and essayist, former editor of ProCreation: A Journal of Truthtelling in Poetry and Prose, founder and President of Silent Planet Records and The Pop Collective (a power-pop record label), and a principal in Stone Table Media, which develops audio biographies and indcident radio shows (including, most lately, one on Ruth Bell Graham). To pay the bills, he practices law part-time.]

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Essential Reading

C.S. Lewis: Mere Christianity
I suppose I could list ALL of Lewis's books, but this one is a great place to start. His defense of basic or mere Christian belief is compelling.
Rebecca Manley Pippert: Out of the Saltshaker
Beautiful, practical advice on "lifestyle evangelism," Pippert's classic book is simply about how to listen, ask good questions, communicate well, and be a friend to nonChristians -- that is, to simply be who you are. Much better than the "four spiritual laws" or any other formulaistic approach to evangelism. (****)
James W. Sire: The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog
Navigating all the belief systems thrown at me in college, this comparism and critique of worldviews was extremely helpful. It's clear, concise, and practical. Sire covers the basics of such "isms" as theism, deism, xistentialism, "New Age" philosophy, and postmodernism in this fourth edition. (*****)
John White: The Fight: A Practical Handbook for Christian Living
As a new Christian in the late Seventies, I found this book's practical and tenderly pastoral chapters on the basics --- faith, prayer, temptation, evangelism, guidance, Bible study, fellowship, and work --- immensely helpful, worth reading over and over again. That it has stayed in print is a testimony to that. Classic. (*****)
Larry Woiwode: Beyond the Bedroom Wall
Long, but compelling, Woiwode's 1960s book looks at three generations of the Midwest Neimoller family. Though I have not read it in several years, parts of it are seared in my memory. (*****)
Beryl Markham: West With the Night
This book has some of the most delightful prose I have ever read. The first page alone draws you right in. Markham, a contemporary of Karen Blixen ("Out of Africa") writes of Africa, horses, and flying (she was the first to fly solo from east to west across the Atlantic.)
J.R.R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings
Likely my favorite books of all time, this fantasy tale opens up an entire mythical world of good v. evil played out by a small hobbit named Frodo and his perilous quest to destroy the one Ring of great (and corrupting) power. Behind it all -- the unseen hand of Providence.
C.S. Lewis: The Chronicles of Narnia
A classic allegory for the gospel, and well-known to most all by virtue of the film series. I read these to my son at age 4 and keep on reading them. Not nearly as long or dense as The Lord of the Rings. (*****)
Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird
A true classic of Southern writing, and also a great movie, I love the characters in this story, particularly the young girl, Scout. Harper Lee never wrote another thing after this. (*****)
Mary Oliver: Thirst
A beautiful collection of new poems from this Pulitzer-prize winning writer, probably her most faith-based ever. I read and savor one each day. Very accessible, not depressing (much poetry is), and well-crafted. I think this one will hold up over time. (*****)
Wendell Berry: Fidelity : Five Stories
A wonderful collection of short stories about a set of overlapping characters in rural Kentucky, where Berry lives. A wonderful wirter, Berry brings to life the setting and its people in the way only a native could. This, along with Silent Passengers (by Larry Woiwode) is one of the two best collections of short stories I have ever read. (*****)
Leland Ryken: The Liberated Imagination : Thinking Christianly About the Arts (Wheaton Literary Series)
The best single source for developing a Christian view of the arts, Ryken's book is well-written and organized and useful for personal study as well as use in a small group or class. The Introduction itself is a wonderful outline of a Christian view, and the quotes he collects are worth the price alone. (*****)
Susan G. Wooldridge: Poemcrazy : Freeing Your Life with Words
The absolute best book to get you writing poetry or anything else for that matter, Woolridge helps us fall in love with words. The book consists of a series of 60 short, two to four page chapters, many of which end with a simple exercise to get you writing. It's a pleasure to read and will "free the poet within." (*****)
Frederick Buechner: Godric
A favorite novel by one of my favorite authors, Buechner writes a tale of an Irish monk gripped by grace and yet aware of his sin. Most said this was too religious for the mainstream and too earthy for the church. I think it's just right. (*****)
Alexander McCall Smith: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Today Show Book Club #8)
In the book that launched the popular series, Smith portrays in beautiful language the life of a middle-aged, overweight African woman who opened her own detective agency in Botswana. This unlikely premise makes the warmth and generous nature of this story a real surprise! A wonderful story, and wonderful characters. (*****)
Anne Rice: Christ the Lord : Out of Egypt
A fascinating fictional and yet not unbiblical account of the seven-year old Jesus coming to grips with his divinity. (****)
Leif Enger: Peace Like a River
One of my favorite books of all time, Enger's novel of a father rasing his three kids in 1960s Minnesota is endearing, warm, full of crisp prose and seductive characters (particularly the children). It's a world where miracles happen, and God is reality, and if you don't believe it, you may by the time you finish. It's one of the only books I have read that, upon finishing it, I wanted to immediately read again because I missed the characters so much. (*****)
Neil Postman: Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
A social critic with near-cult status since his death, Postman's seminal book from 1986 traced our descent from the Age of Typography (written word) to the Age of Television (image), and all its deletrious and silly consequences. He reminds us what's so bad about TV, if we really need the reminder, but provides few clues as to how to stop the slide into ignorance. Call him Luddite, but he's right. A must read. (*****)

Current Projects

Jeffrey Foskett/Admiral Twin/ The Pop Collective
My power-pop record label, The Pop Collective, is hoping that this year will see the 2nd American release by Jeffrey Foskett, Brian Wilson's talented guitarist, vocalist, and musical director. We also released in November 2007 "Center of the Universe," the first national release by an Oklahoma band called Admiral Twin, a very cool power-pop/alternative band in the Fountains of Wayne groove. Check it out!
The Tapestry Project
My partner Kevin Auman and I are creating an audio biography of Edith and Francis Schaeffer and their L'Abri ministry they founded. It will include interviews, music, sounds, and readings of Edith's book of the same name interspersed with narration. I'm actually working on a small book on the Schaeffers to cross-market with the audio project. Further information on this can be found on ithe project's blog site (click the title above). Projected release in Spring 2008.

Interesting Blogs

Embrace Uganda
A local organization started by some friends that seeks to make a difference among the orphans in the small village of Kaihura, Uganda and as an outreach of Agape Baptist Church in Kampala, Uganda. My family took a two-week mission trip with them in the Summer of 2008 that was a tremendous experience.
The Tapestry Project
This blog tracks the progress of my current project with Kevin Auman on the life of Francis and Edith Schaeffer and the ministry of L'Abri. If you don't know of them, you should.
ObviousPop
My friend Tony knows his music, particularly power-pop. He also has some interesting shots of life in the music business! If you're interested in good music, check ou this site.
The Last Homely House
My pastor and friend comments here on matters of faith and practice from a Reformed perspective.
Archiandy: Faith, Hope, Love & Architecture
A good friend and kindred spirit (and architect) comments in his site on art more broadly and architecture specifically, all from an uncommeon (for that discipline) Christian perspective.