Talk to God and Listen to the Casual Reply: Experiencing the Spirituality of John Denver

by Mark G. Boyer

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2017

Overview

He was born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., on December 31, 1943, in Roswell, New Mexico. The general public knows him better as John Denver, trained architect, international performer, a man who sings about his experiences of living, and, in doing so, reveals his spirituality. On October 12, 1997, at the age of fifty-three, Denver died in Monterey Bay, California, in a solo airplane crash. Through the lyrics of his songs on more than sixty albums, Denver reveals his spirituality, that invisible force that motivates or inspires his personal spirit and gives insight and meaning to what he did and why he did it. This book is designed to guide the reader through an analysis of John Denver’s spirituality, as it is gleaned and categorized according to major and minor themes that emerge from the lyrics of his songs. The reader is invited to experience Denver’s spirituality through a reflection section at the end of each chapter.

Praise for Talk to God and Listen to the Casual Reply

“Fans of John Denver will be delighted by Boyer’s thematic survey of Denver’s lyrics and spirituality. Boyer looks at Denver’s songs through the lens of several topics, environment, family, time, and many more to thoughtfully examine Denver’s spirituality. Each chapter concludes with a reflection to inspire further examination. This is a wonderful book for those who love John Denver’s work and seek to explore the world he loved so dearly.”

—Will Chiles, Singer-Composer



“Talk to God and Listen to the Causal Reply invites the reader on a contemplative journey into the spirituality of John Denver and his music. The skillfulness with which Boyer connects Denver’s lyrics to Scripture and faith places the reader alongside the musician to experience a reverence and appreciation for all of God’s works.”

—Kristopher Morehead, St. Francis of Assisi Parish



“Boyer’s comprehensive knowledge of John Denver’s life and music is matched only by his insight for spiritual discovery. While many previous works drew inspiration from Scripture, his latest book guides the reader in exploring their spirituality through the poetry of Denver’s lyrics. For the most authentic experience, I recommend a trip to the Rocky Mountains with this book in your pack and a ‘John Denver’s Greatest Hits’ album on your headphones.”

—John Kossler, Ecologist, Western Meridian Resources



“Boyer provides an intriguing understanding and fascinating experience of John Denver’s spirituality. The universal spirit John Denver shares through his lyrics and music will resonate with the reader and enrich one’s spirituality. Boyer prompts us to talk to God and listen to his casual reply in our lives, as Denver exemplified.”

—Matthew Ver Miller, Licensed Psychologist and Board-Certified Coach, Rocky Mountain Professional Counseling

Product Details

• Title : Talk to God and Listen to the Casual Reply: Experiencing the Spirituality of John Denver
• Author: Boyer, Mark G.
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Publication Date: 2017
• ISBN: 9781532639128

About Mark G. Boyer

Mark G. Boyer is a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He is the author of 35 books on biblical and liturgical spirituality. He teaches Bible and film courses in the religious studies department of Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.