I have been feeding off of the thoughts and works of others more so in these past few months than ever before. Everything has changed since I’ve begun my masters work at Mars Hill Graduate School, and I can’t go back. Once one’s eyes and ears have been opened to new ideas and the human condition, it is permanent. It’s one of the scariest things about this school.

Inspiration is everywhere. I’ve been reading fascinating books, interpreting new and old pieces of art, and learning to read texts, specifically the Scriptures, in the same way that I read people. I’ve been discovering photographers that push me into different realms of how to see things and unique ways to create imagery that tells a story.

I’ve recently begun the process of working with a new project based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan called Heart Support. I think their logo looks wonderful on t-shirts and hoodies. I’ve also been working on photography for my school’s new marketing campaign. As I’ve been working on these I have realized how much I am inspired by the work of others. I see it all over what I do.

Blaine pointed out to me the other day that he thinks it is interesting that I’ve become a photographer. He believes that I do it to capture faith, or maybe more clearly, that I capture a glimpse of the past that leads to hope for the future. I had never thought of it that way, but the more I think about it the more that I believe it. I’ve been looking through a few of my old photos with new eyes.

On page 12 of Letters to a Young Poet, Rilke writes:

“Go inside yourself. Discover the motive that bids you to write; examine whether it sends its roots down to the deepest places of your heart, confess to yourself whether you would have to die if writing were denied you. This before all: ask yourself in the quietest hour of your night: must I write? Dig down into yourself for a deep answer.”

These delicate words go so far beyond the art and task of writing. We all are inspired to do, and sometimes be, something. Usually it is not one’s vocation, as a vocation can kill a love. Sometimes it is, but I’ve found those instances to be rare.

There are so many things that have inspired me recently that I’d like to mention, because we all need inspiration.

Talkies: Reign Over Me, Into the Wild, Dan In Real Life, The Darjeeling Limited (It’s as if Wes Anderson attended Mars Hill and then proceeded to immediately write a script.)

Music: Claude Debussy and Antonio Vivaldi (One of the best ways I’m learning to interpret is through classical music), Aqualung, and Eva Cassidy

Photographers: Day 19, Elizabeth Weinberg, Noah Kalina, This Darling Life, Yangtan, Trever Hoehne, and all things Flickr (I have it open in my browser constantly.)

Books: There are too many to list (plus I feel it would be cliché to list my books for class, even though I love most of them). I will say that Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet, quoted above, is always in my bag wherever I go.

The World Wide Web (that’s the one with the email): Tom & Alissa, ISO50, So Serious

I would love to know what is inspiring you. I try not to ever ask for much feedback in the realm of comments because I do not want to (always want to) find my identity and value in what others think of what I do and write. But, that being said, there is a time and a place for collaboration and co-creating.

So please gift us with that which has been gifted to you. I would love to hear about it, and I think we all would love it as well.

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mother put me in piano lessens at age 8. I then progressed through my ska phase when I picked up the alto saxophone for about 6 years. Ska Ska Ska Ska! Then, as all boys do who want to impress girls, I moved on to the guitar.

I have a wide variety of tastes in music, which widened all the more with my music degree in my undergraduate work. But, as it typically is, less is more, especially in regards to my musical preferences. I listen to a good amount of Múm, Jon Brion, Jóhann Jóhannsson, This Will Destroy You, Explosions in the Sky, God Is An Astronaut, Brian Eno, The Album Leaf, Max Richtor, M83, and others along the same stream.

But the first band that stole my heart was Sigur Rós.

Heima was released today. It was very difficult to concentrate in class since I received my copy right before my professor began our 2 hour Hermeneutics session. I think I get so excited because I know all of the creative inspiration that their music will bring.

My friend Jenna put her headphones on during most of the class to take in the ambient goodness.

I love all things Iceland.

I need to buy a new acoustic guitar this week before I leave for Ireland on Saturday to lead worship at a conference. My last guitar, my love, was smashed on a Czech Airlines flight. Awesome. I’m never checking my guitar again. Carry-on forever.

I’m thinking about a Gibson J-200 or maybe a Larivee. I am undecided. If you have any thoughts on the subject I’d love to hear them. I need to make the purchase soon. Much appreciated.

post script: I get to go to the Guinness factory in Dublin. Joy of joys.

I do not presume, as I try not to be presumptuous,, that you and I have the much of the same taste on anything, especially in regards to such delicate issues as music, literature, films and so on. These things are to be handled with delicacy and utmost care. Some people think that one’s preferences in music and art don’t really matter, that people who have opinions on those things are simply trying to validate themselves by association with something hip or current.

Those people are wrong.

My move to the Pacific Northwest has opened my eyes to a few new (to me) things that I thought I would share. You should feel no pressure to listen to my opinion or to check out the following. We can still be friends. Well, internet friends I suppose.

In Search of a Unified Theory // The Cobalt Season

I’ve been listening to this album since I left San Francisco. It is a very honest, vulnerable record, whicht is so refreshing. Even if you don’t feel like purchasing the entire album, I would still drop a few bucks on the title track, as well as Begin Again and Help Me Out Here.

Goodnight // William Fitzsimmons

Holly, of said Cobalt Season, is the one that first introduced me to the melodic joys of Mr. Fitzsimmons. This album is so subtle in its approach. Musically and lyrically it is spot on with what I’ve been looking for for some time now. Also, Fitzsimmons’ beard is a marvel all of its own.

Red Letters by Tom Davis

Tom Davis has been doing work on behalf of children in impoverished situations for years. His book, that is coming out soon, is worth a read. I felt at times that it made a few generalizations that weren’t needed, but who am I to really criticize. I appreciate Tom’s heart in the book and his desire to help those with less.

The Healing Path by Dan Allender

I have Dan for class this semester, which is an absolute honor. I can say with complete honesty that I’ve never heard anyone teach quite like Dan Allender. His approach is very gentle but with authority. I have just recently begun reading The Healing Path, but if I can say so without sounding, well…I’ll only say that I had a hard time getting past the first page, even the first line of the book, without tears. I would say that this book is worth reading, especially if you see your own brokenness within your story.

Letters To A Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

This book is absolutely brilliant. Every so often a friend will call me and asks for a book recommendation, and this is usually the first book I bring up.

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On an unrelated note, I was tagged by John to put up my very first photo in in my iPhoto library. I actually have a strong dislike for iPhoto as an application. I have my own catalog system for my photographs, but I do remember once upon a time, when I actually used iPhoto, what my first photo was…

That was created by my friend Tyler back in undergrad. Tyler had a hard time with spelling. Liberty University!