Jesus and Me

The Project:

Michael Lee Farley is an author, entrepreneur, musician and keynote speaker. His very first book and companion music collection, Jesus and Me: Encounters with Messiah is an experience in stories, art and song.  This work tells of individuals in the gospels who had a personal, real-life Jesus encounter. It also includes the parable of the Prodigal son and a story from his father’s perspective as well. This trio of story-telling elements: illustrations, stories and songs brings the biblical truths to life. The short stories or adaptations of biblical characters are splendidly crafted, inspirational and instructive. The reader will be immediately drawn into the lives of the characters, and will be able to relate to their life circumstance or situation. The author’s hope is that these stories, images and songs will touch the reader in a way that inspires faith and deepens devotion.

The Stories:

Anyone in Scripture who encountered Jesus personally has a gripping story to tell.  That is exactly what the author attempts to convey.  In most of the stories you can imagine the biblical character telling of his or her Jesus encounter well after the experience occurred.

This book introduces us to numerous individuals who walked with Jesus. Lives were changed, saved, healed, delivered, pardoned and encouraged.

Story Experiences Include:

• Wait with Simeon in the temple for the promised Messiah
• Listen as Jesus reveals the secret life of the Samaritan Woman
• Cry out with the ailing woman as she longed for healing
• Feel the pain of the desperate father who longed to see his son delivered of a demon
•  Journey into darkness with the Prodigal who eventually returned to his loving father
•  Receive the loving counsel of Jesus as Martha did
•  Experience the servant hood of Jesus as he washes the disciple’s feet
•  Agonize with the disciples after Jesus told them he was going away
•  Discover heaven from the thief’s perspective
•  Walk with the two disciples on the Emmaus Road

In his book Jesus and Me, Michael Farley uses his creative skills to write and elaborate on gospel stories. He has embarked upon a storytelling expedition using inference, tradition, customs, and biblical fiction.  The characters come right from the pages of Scripture, and their Jesus encounters are believable and authentic.

The Artwork:

The illustrator, Philippo LoGrande, adds the visual dimension and compliments the biblical stories splendidly. The expertly crafted paintings can stand alone and one may simply sit and use these works of art as a means of meditation.  Mr. LoGrande and Michael spent nearly two months working together daily. Early in the mornings, alongside the banks of the world famous Rogue River, the two would plan, discuss and collaborate.  As Mr. Farley puts it, “I would play the songs and read the stories aloud and Philippo sketched until the visual conception was born.” Jesus and Me paints a dramatic portrayal  of those who were blessed to know and see him.

The Songs:

Once you read of the person’s unique story, then there is a song dedicated to them that further conveys their experience with melody and music.  The musical genres are diverse just like the people are.  For instance, Simeon may be worshipping in the temple to a moderate Irish lilt, while the thief on the cross screams out in agony, conveying his mood with a thunderous rock beat.  Thus these songs attempt to capture the person’s attitude or feelings as their emotions come out in a variety of styles. These “Song stories” are a second approach in the Jesus and Me Project to help explain and convey the biblical truths. In the book you find the song lyric as poetry.  The songs are sung, played and recorded on the companion music album.  It is Michael’s prayer that the listener will be taken to a whole new level of worship as they experience his eternal love through melody, poetry and song.

From Michael’s Desk:

The latest news about the project, writings, music, and devotions from Michael Farley.