Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1. 3:10 to Yuma
I am a sucker for westerns and have been since I watched old John Wayne movies in black and white on VHS at my grandparents’ place when I was a kid. 3:10 to Yuma is almost criminally underrated in the genre, and just as a movie in general. I haven’t seen the original from 1957, but the 2007 version starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe (along with a deep and stellar supporting cast) is fantastic. The story is great, the writing is great, the action and adventure aspects are great, the characters are strong, there’s a spectacular shoot out, and it’s not even a problem that Russell Crowe does what he always does – he plays Russell Crowe. If you enjoy westerns or simply well-made, fast moving, intense movies you need to watch it.
2. Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
It took me far too long to read Brennan Manning’s classic work on God’s profound love and grace, The Ragamuffin Gospel. I’d known of the book for years, but it took dozens of recommendations before I finally got around to it. I am grateful I encountered this beautiful book when I did because it’s rare for me to read a book that makes me love Jesus and feel loved by Jesus more. This one did, page after page, relentlessly. It is magnificent in its simplicity and depth and honesty and gratefulness and worship. If you have not, please read it. .
3. Charles Barkley Highlights
We know him as the out sized (literally and figuratively) personality bloviating on TNT’s NBA broadcasts, but we’re remiss if we forget that The Round Mound of Rebound was insane as a player. There has never been another player quite like him. Key point to remember: he was 6’5.”