It seems like not long ago the Troika Press was just an idea. One year – wow. As I looked through the archive of posts and saw the accumulation of thoughts and musings I was struck by how significant our first anniversary is for this project. I was also struck by how long it’s been since I posted and realized that major kudos are due to Matt for his dedication and consistency in thinking, writing and posting over the past year. Thanks, buddy. To celebrate one year we decided on a collaborative project designed to give you food for thought by sharing our food for thought. Enjoy! -Justin
Matt’s Musings
100 Ideas – Keri Smith
American Psychosis – Adbusters Magazine
Cigarettes are the Cure – Josh Rice
Hipster: The Dead End of Western Society – Adbusters Magazine
How to be a Guerilla Artist – Keri Smith
Sand and Foam – Khalil Gibran
Sheeple.jpg – XKCD
The War Prayer – Mark Twain
The_Familiar.jpg – XKCD
The Weight of Glory – C.S. Lewis
Mad Farmer Liberation Front – Wendell Berry
So, I cheated a little bit. In picking the things that inspired and influenced me over the past year, I chose things that could be found on my computer and thus uploaded to the internet. They reflect several themes:
Art. Wendell Berry and Khalil Gibran offer beautiful insights into the this world and the life that we are living. Every line of Sand and Foam is like a proverb. Pithy, insightful, and beautiful. Keri Smith makes me want to make my own art. Chalk, paper airplanes, and spraypaint are now among my favorite mediums.
Perspective. XKCD, Mark Twain, and Josh Rice all give me a slap on the face. So much of life is trying to find the appropriate perspective about things and then living that perspective and consistently and holistically as possible. I find that these short works often just give me enough of a jolt to remember to intentionally examine everything.
Challenge. C.S. Lewis and Adbusters provide some of the most challenging and insightful commentary into this modern life. Their discernment is challenging in that it tears at conventions and points emphatically at truth.
Marcie’s Meanderings
Just Do Something, Kevin DeYoung
The Grand Weaver, Ravi Zacharias
Fall EP – Jon Foreman
Go – Jonsi
As I think back over the past year, one word seems to crystallize most of my experiences: Change. While probably most can identify with this word during many seasons of life, it seems to epitomize my year more so than any other. I quit one job, almost took another, and did some interesting temporary work. I’ve traveled out of the country – twice. I finished school, taught classes, and started work on a public speaking curriculum. I started a blog with two of my best friends. On top of all of that, I’ve done a lot of thinking, and have had my perspectives on people, relationships, church, and life vision challenged quite a bit. As I’ve looked back over the year, I can identify a couple of books and music albums that help describe these changes and periods of growth.
The first book I read that really challenged my thinking in the area of vision and life planning was The Grand Weaver, by Ravi Zacharias. In the book he goes through different challenges and struggles of life and paints a picture of God’s purpose in it all. As I’ve wrestled with ideas and plans and desires in the past year, it was comforting to be reminded that there is a Weaver at work and a design in mind regarding the tapestry of my life. My favorite quote from the book was:
“Only if you are willing to pray sincerely for God’s will to be done and are wiling to live the life apportioned to you will you see the breathtaking view of God that He wants you to have, through the windows He has placed in your life. You cannot always live on the mountaintop, but when you walk through the valley, the memory of the view from the mountain will sustain you and give you the strength to carry you through.”
The second book was Just Do Something, by Kevin DeYoung. As the title implies, he exhorts twenty-somethings and others of that generation to, well, do something with their lives. He gave a refreshingly different perspective in the area of life planning, God’s will for your life, jobs, careers, and next steps. The bottom line? Just do something. As long as you are in the position to glorify God, you are in His will. He will direct you to the best things as you are moving forward.
Finally, two albums have been especially significant to me this year. They both are by artists with different styles, but have been catalysts of thought for me. Both have helped to guide and influence my thinking. The first is Jon Foreman’s Fall EP. I always love Foreman’s music, but this particular EP really struck a chord with me in ways that his other music has not always been able to do. He sings about life in a sometimes painfully honest way that forces me to acknowledge areas of truth in my own life and decide what I’ll do with them. The other album is Jonsi’s album, Go. When I found myself stuck in the melancholy of my own thoughts, the creativity and life contained in this album helped pull me up and give me fresh perspective outside of my own thoughts. It reminded me to be alive to what’s going on around me and to engage with new ideas and thoughts.
The change that has taken place in my life over the past year hasn’t always been easy, or fun. But it’s been good, and I’m grateful for the thoughts and songs of others that help lend perspective to the changes life brings.
Justin’s Juxtapositions
Never Eat Alone –Keith Ferazi
Wild Goose Chase –Mark Batterson
The BQE -Sufjan Stevens
Hello Hurricane –Switchfoot
Matt Pitchford’s Troika Posts
There are two sources of ideas that are influencing me the most right now. The first I will soon be re-studying and applying, though I’m currently undergoing a paradigm shift instigated by reading it. The catalyst for this is a book by Keith Ferazi titled, “Never Eat Alone.” It has me pretty excited, though I’m not sure exactly where it’s going to take me. The subject is relationships and networking and making the most of them for your benefit, the benefit of your friends, and for the benefit of whatever vision you may be seeking to enact. I was skeptical at first, but Ferazi is inspirational, and so very practical that I was left without an excuse. I now know that I have to be investing in my network and relationships in much more intentional ways. I’d encourage the read, you’ll be able to take it and make it your own.
The second source is quite honestly every single post that Matt Pitchford has contributed to the Troika Press. I can’t say enough for their brilliance, intellectual stimulation and personal perception. If you aren’t in the habit of reading them, then change your habit. Ok, I’ll throw another book out there and thatis “Wild Goose Chase” by Mark Batterson. This isn’t a recommendation based on any attempt at literary greatness, because that’s not what this book is (it contains its fair share of clichés and the like). However, the ideas he presents and challenges his readers with are very valuable. Read it, and find yourself looking at everyday life, wondering how you can experience the adventure of chasing the wild goose.
I listed two music artists and their albums that I wanted to share with you. I’m always curious about new music, but it’s more than just the music that I’m interested in. I want to know the significance of the music, what it does for me, the artist, and how it can help me continue to grow and to think. The first I’ll mention is and album by Sufjan Stevens entitled “The BQE.” It’s an instrumental album that somehow combines symphonic and edgy as it takes you from triumphant trumpet to just plain weird. The inspiration for the album is also interesting. He’s composing about the Brooklyn/Queens Expressway. Secondly is “Hello Hurricane” by Switchfoot. I find it significant that the artist Jon Foreman shows up in both mine and Marcie’s posts. He’s a deep thinker and I think is having a huge impact as an artist. The latest release from Switchfoot is easily their best. In it they achieve a new level of musical and lyrical poignancy that speaks to many hearts. Please listen!
Congratulations on your anniversary! One year and going strong … KUDOS!