Out Walking: Changes are Coming

A Blog Sabattical

Jerry Read Smith

Changes are Coming

I've been busy on sabattical. New design and new content will come on line February 1st! Please visit the site then.

Welcome to OutWalking, a likely over-ambitious source of reflection on the true, the good, and the beautiful in the world. (more). . .

Don Everts: The Reluctant Witness: Discovering the Delight of Spiritual Conversations
Bring up the topic of evangelism and most Christians feel uncomfortable. Yet Everts helps us find our way to spiritual conversation because we are interested in others. And, as he documents, the data shows that folks generally DO want to talk about spiritual matters, provided they are not preached to.
Miriam Huffman Rockness: A Passion for the Impossible: The Life of Lilias Trotter
Missionary biographies can be whitewashed or revisionist. This well-researched bio of the Trotter, an English missionary to the then French colony of Algeria, is neither. What it is is an inspiring story built on Trotter's personal diaries and correspondence of a woman's passion for God over art (art esteemed by John Ruskin, no less) and love for the Muslims of Algeria.
Rankin Wilbourne: Union with Christ: The Way to Know and Enjoy God
The author winsomely explores a doctrine lost to history: union with Christ. It's the key to our identity and transformation. Highly recommended.

America: 50th Anniversary: The Collection (3CD)
The unmistakable sound of this duo is just pleasing to hear, even if we've herd it before. There are a few unrelated live tracks and demos here to round it out, but nothing that is a must have.
The Alarm: Sigma
Here's an Eighties band - brash and yet often sweet - that just keeps on. "Marching On," that is, to use their song title.
Mavis Staples: We Get By
I love this octogenarian's continued output, unmistakable voice, and often gospel-infused lyrics.
Bruce Hornsby: Absolute Zero
Hornsby’s latest finds him still experimenting, yet this time he’s (thankfully) back behind the piano. I appreciate the diverse ways he has experimented, yet my ear longs for the well-crafted pop-rock song: you’ll find it here, in “Never in This House.” That’s a favorite.
Buddy Miller & Julie Miller: Breakdown On 20th Ave. South
Not released until June, we'll have to be content with the two songs they have released, both of which are excellent. We're starved for Miller's songs, as this is the first in over a decade.
Over the Rhine: Love & Revelation
As usual, this husband-wife duo do not disappoint. Karin has a great voice and Linford the musical chops. Lyrically rich and thoughtful. Recommended!
The Innocence Mission: Sun On The Square
Beautiful, spare (as always), and lyrically much in the vein of William Carlos Williams, this trio continues to provide a beautiful background of beauty in the ordinary.