And his name is C.S. Lewis. (Well, what did you think I was going to say??)
Apart from The Chronicles of Narnia, I am not very familiar with C.S. Lewis. So, in an attempt to change that, I bought a book of daily readings. Each day is a short excerpt from one of his various works, and I'm hoping to get a good overview of what he's written. Each night after the kids are in bed, Patrick (hubby), Trey (brother), and I sit down and read aloud the day's writing. I'll have to admit, I have to break it down and define some of the words he's using, and talk it out aloud to understand it. I am excited to finally read some of his work, but I'm even happier with the discussion that follows it. The chance to talk about who God is, what sin is, and how we are supposed to live our lives as Christians, well, it's just something I've needed. I know that I am often doing the right thing (or not doing the wrong thing) just because it's what's expected, or it's a habit, or I know it's what I'm "supposed" to do, ... not because I have that passionate desire to be obedient and pleasing to God. It's so easy to get into that rut. As long as we follow this certain list of do's/don'ts, we're fine. But that's not the case- there's more to our relationship with God than a set of rules. It's this amazing, multi-dimensional, evolving, exciting interaction we have with a God that is Very Real. I guess I forget that sometimes.
I'm sure I'll be blogging on some topics as a result of our discussions, as well as quotes from our book occassionally.
But don't worry. I'll keep up the usual amount of trivial observations, useless links, and bad jokes that you've all come to love and expect from APOG!
Now, back to thinking up misleading titles for my blog entries....
Posted by Shannon at February 4, 2004 11:00 PM | TrackBackI, too, have wanted to read the works of C. S. Lewis, but I just haven't gotten around to those yet. I have, however, been reading "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers; I received a daily devotional of that work as a Christmas present. Even though I've read the work before, I am gaining new insights into the Christian life through Chambers' writings.
Posted by: Joey Wolfe at February 5, 2004 12:00 AMI had never heard of C.S. Lewis until four years ago when a friend of mine recommended the Screwtape Letters. Not only was it a bit humorous here and there, it portrayed heaven, earth, hell, sins, and "the devil" quite well through a little story. If I were to read any of his books first, it would be that. Check it out or read the book reviews on it. =)
Posted by: jen at February 5, 2004 12:44 AMIt's hard to go wrong with Lewis.
Posted by: the booth at February 5, 2004 12:55 AMWow, I'm jealous. I love and miss Clive Staples, I just don't get to read enough to get to him in these days of 95% insanity. Let me know how it goes, I may start going through a devotional with a potential significant other soon. We had talked about possibly doing _My Utmost For His Highest_, but I may want to switch to Lewis.
Posted by: jeep at February 5, 2004 09:48 AMAaah, good ol' Jack. Have fun! He has such an engaging writing style. I've read all his fiction and quite of bit of his religious writings. I think my fave from the latter category is _Surprised by Joy_, as I felt in same cases the way he expressed his experience many times collided with my own. Right now I'm getting more into his academic stuff. He was an Oxford don, after all, and I'm finding that quite engaging, as well.
Posted by: Jeannette at February 5, 2004 01:52 PM