Winter Reading List

I conclude my winter reading list with A Good Man is Hard To Find, a collection of short stories by Flannery O'Connor. O'Connor's work is unique because she was a Roman Catholic from the Deep South, and wrote stories about the South from that perspective. Her stories both serve to illustrate the common grace of God as well as poke fun of the protestant fundamentalist majority of her homeland.

The following exert is from the short story that lends its name to the entire collection. Those who have read The Reason For God by Tim Keller will likewise recognize it, as he quotes from this short story fairly extensively.

The following paragraph is spoken by a stone-cold killer called The Misfit who has escaped from jail and is holding a family hostage:

"Jesus was the only One that ever raised the dead," The Misfit continued, "and He shouldn't have done it. He thrown everything off balance. If He did what He said, then it's nothing for you to do but throw away everything and follow Him, and if He didn't, then it's nothing for you to do but enjoy the few minutes you got left the best way you can- by killing somebody or burning down his house or doing some other meanness to him."

Here is an individual who has carefully thought through his worldview and is prepared to live out its implications. The common grace of God is seen in the killer's knowledge of Christ. As is explained later, the Misfit is well aware of Christ's atoning work on the cross, but is unable to place his faith in Him, citing that he needs proof of Christ's resurrection. Having rejected Jesus, his only option is to embrace darkness, and try to squeeze some sort of twisted pleasure out of it.

Apart from Christ, there is no other option.

Latte Art Instructional Video

Kenny makes some latte art from Michael Butterworth on Vimeo.

Skid Stops

Darren does a skid stop from Michael Butterworth on Vimeo.

Unimpressive Skid from Michael Butterworth on Vimeo.

Travel Log: Photo Entry

Travel Log: Entry Three

When you are the only white kids in a crowded Thai restaurant, you know you've hit the ethnic food jackpot. I will say I was glad we were rolling eight deep, seeing as uptown isn't the most tourist friendly neighborhood.

The Green Mill turned out to be completely legitimate jazz club. Senior citizens, local urbanites, and quasi-intellectual college students alike crowded into this standing room only venue to catch some hot Chicago jazz.

Good times.

Travel Log: Entry Two

Early today the eight of us got coffee at Intelligentsia, a local chain that roasts their own beans. My latte was absolutely delicious- the milk had excellent texture. I was impressed to see a rosetta in my to go cup, especially since the downtown location is in the heart of the financial district (i.e. they are serving a lot of busy professionals).

While the six non-Butterworth members of the party went to the modern art museum this afternoon, Paul and I fulfilled our childhood dream of visiting the Art Institute of Chicago. The Institute unfortunately had part of its modern gallery closed but their collection of Impressionist paintings was just returned from loan- so it kind of balances out. I definitely felt a little like Cameron in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, starring into Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by George Seurat, getting lost in its Pointillistic beauty.

Jazz music tonight perhaps?

Travel Log

All things go in Chicago. Instead of staying in a van with my friends we are sleeping in the very plush Hampton Inn in the Majestic Theater District downtown. Today's goal is to find a good coffee shop. Tomorrow we are visiting the Chicago Art Institute we holds some of my all time favorite works of art.

My First Latte Art

My first (somewhat) successful attempt at latte art.

Album Review: The Welcome Wagon

Although each Christmas since I turned 18 has wrought less and less presents, I was fortunate enough to receive "Welcome to the Welcome Wagon" by the Welcome Wagon as a gift this year. I will not review this album in depth as both Paste Magazine and Sufjan Stevens himself have written extensively on the Pastor and wife folk band based out of Williamsburg, but this beautiful album has inspired me to write a few words.

The album picks up where Sufjan's "Seven Swans" left off, which is not surprising considering the producer appears on almost every track. This first track is also my personal favorite, an Vito Aiuto original called "Up On a Mountain" (musicians check out the lead sheet here). Monique's Aiuto's lovely voice carries a sincerity that seems to authenticate the theological message of the song. By the time they reach the third verse it is impossible not to be moved:

"Up in the heaven's, our Lord prays for you. He sent His Spirit to carry us through. So it's true... that you are not alone. You are not alone."

For a generation who is not sure if genuine interaction is possible, this is a radical proposition.

The gentle harmonies of "American Legion" communicate a similar message. Speaking to a friend (or possibly a former lover), Vito declares,

"On the steps of the American Legion Hall you wait there alone. Nobody to call. No ones there again, spring, summer, winter, and fall- terrible day... If I'd been there I'd surely have prayed for you, I want you know."

What would be cliche in contemporary Christian music in this indie/folk context is bone-chilling. The singer speaks with earnestness, but it is grounded in a realism. The meaning and power behind these words are clearly in mind.

The Welcome Wagon is a beacon of hope in a music scene characterized by despair. A city on a hill for independent music.

Winter Reading List: Christmas Eve Edition

Last night, after getting home to Heber-Overgaard, I curled up in my bedroom and started Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck as the snow was lightly falling outside. I didn't stop reading until I finished it two hours later.

Admittedly, I have been on a Steinbeck kick this break. It seems that it is impossible for this guy to write anything I don't like and this book is no exception.

It falls into emotionalism at times, but overall it is a gripping novella that explores such transcendent concepts as the importance of human relationships and man's inability to live without purpose. In that sense it reminded me of a beautiful Asian film I recently watched called Chungking Express, which explores similar themes, only in Hong Kong in the early nineties.

I find it interesting that writer John Steinbeck and director Kar Wai Wong, separated by more than half a century and on opposite ends of the earth, felt the same need and were inspired to create such beautiful art.