What I've been reading

I've been reading Neil Peart's "Roadshow" and what an inspiring book it was. I seldom read books that are found outside the christian bookstore, but I just had to get this book to enjoy the genius of a man who happens to be a drummer. Being a drummer is always the receiver of cruel drummer jokes like "The reason he plays drums coz he failed the audition as a singer". Dang! But Neil Peart (like Tourniquet's Ted Kirkpatrick) broke all the norms by being the principle lyricist for the band Rush. His life is an inspiration itself after all the personal tragedy he faced and the way he found the joy of living and living to the full.

I am only at page 90 of the book now and already two quotes have galvanised certain principles in my mind. The first one was relating to how he and the band (they've been together for 33 years now) got along after all these years:

"Inevitable, we had our differences and disagreements - even conflicts and rivalries in the early years. But we had learned to choose our battles, to take a breath and ask ourselves, "Is that worth arguing about?" before we pressed a point that might lead to something more serious..." (emphasis is mine)

This principles applies in my work as a location sound recordist, in my discussion of Christian doctrines with others and my dealings with fellow band members.

The second is a quote that Neil quoted off Bob Dylan:

"The highest purpose of art is to inspire. What else can you do? What else can you do for anyone but to inspire them?"

The debate about Christian and the art has been going on for decades. Some Christians shudder when they're art is being labelled as "Christian Art". Do you know why? It's because of the American Christian sub-culture that has been created to cater to the need of Christians who cries out for "alternatives" from the mainstream of things. As a result some of those art became predictable to the extent of being "cheesy". It sometimes make a Christian very inward-looking. if only there is a kind of "renaissance" in Christian art (Errrrr...*cringe*shudder*) to expand on their creativity. Apart from being evangelistic there is also a call of duty for artists whether u are a Christian or not to inspire people. For a Christian the most important duty is to share our faith, but we do we do that 24/7? There is a time for everything and one of them is definitely a time to create art.

There is a great series of article in HM mag (YEAH BABY!!!) talking about what I mentioned above entitled "The Disconnect: Why Chritians make bad art" by Kemper Crabb which I would urge everyone who is into creative arts to read. I can't find it online, but if u want to read it, I would print it for u.