This blog isn't about Jennifer Knapp.  I don't know her.  I've never met her.  And because of that, I don't feel qualified to comment on her, other than to say that we should pray for her.

What I do want to talk about is the legitimacy of art.  In other words, does the life of the artist affect the legitimacy of that person's art? What is the integrity of the art, if there is no integrity in the author of that art?  Put in terms of the painfully topical, how do the life choices of Jennifer Knapp affect the music of Jennifer Knapp?

I ask this question because I've read a variety of comments from people who are quick to abandon her previously released music, much of which is, in my opinion, pretty good stuff.  Obviously, everyone will have an opinion on this.  But before you start burning her CDs, I'd like to offer you a perspective.

continue reading

As I listen to my washing machine that is about as old as I am rattle and shake, I too woke this morning a little rattled and shaken.  The past few weeks I have written a bit on self-care: How it makes you aware; it brings you to a deeper place within yourself and it makes you care.

You see, when you know you are loved, then you can't help but love your neighbor. You know the shame you carry, your guilt, the dark parts of your soul and even with that you can still experience love.  However, there are people wandering around this morning that have a lot of love lost.  Instead of recognizing their own fear and shame they are trying to conquer it and run over others.

continue reading