Reading, Watching, and Listening in August
Every month I’m setting aside one week to share in this space about movies, books, and music that have especially spoken to my heart recently. These are not advertisements for you to go out and buy these items. They are not suitable for everyone, but I hope this will invite us to consider what we’re reading, watching, and listening to. God speaks to us in all kinds of ways, and great conversation can arise among us from where we’re hearing God speak.
1. Selma (movie): I am embarrassed to say that I’ve waited so long to watch this movie, but I am so glad I did. Director Ava Duvernay does a superb job of recreating the voting-rights marches from Selma to Montgomery. I was especially moved by David Oyelowo’s portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which really captured his pastor’s heart. Rep. John Lewis, who is a key part of this story, passed away only two weeks after I watched the film.
2. Walk Through Fire by Yola (music): While streaming and shuffling individual songs are the norm, I still prefer listening to whole albums from beginning to end. I love every song on this album, although Dog-stor Isaac is partial to “Ride Out In the Country.” Yola’s voice is rich and deep and beautiful, and she describes her music as “country soul.” It is so good for the soul, too.
3. The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi (book) and The Lazy Genius (podcast): I started listening to Kendra Adachi’s weekly podcast during quarantine, and it may be my favorite find of the year. Her motto is “to be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.” Her recently released book has principles to help you fulfill that motto.
Through which books, movies, shows, music, and podcasts is God speaking to you these days?
all good things to each of you,
Dr. D.