“My most recent faith struggle is not one of intellect. I don’t really do that anymore. Sooner or later you just figure out there are some guys who don’t believe in God and they can prove He doesn't exist, and there are some other guys who do believe in God and they can prove He does exist, and the argument stopped being about God a long time ago and now it’s about who is smarter, and honestly I don’t care.”
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“Believing in God is as much like falling in love as it is making a decision. Love is both something that happens to you and something you decide upon.”
― Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
― Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
“I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God- it changes me.”
― Shadowlands: A Play
― Shadowlands: A Play
“I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes.
After that I liked jazz music.
Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.
I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened.”
― Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
After that I liked jazz music.
Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.
I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened.”
― Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Neal’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Neal’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by Neal
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