One of the reoccurring frustrations in my life is the tension between so much to read and the lack of time to read. I subscribe, and then unsubscribe, to rich feasts of the heart. My apologies, again, WSJ.
Last summer, I attended a preaching workshop led by a gifted communicator only to hear him say, "I don't read hardly anything...especially not books. Takes too much time."
Sorry, I'm not that gifted, nor that original. I constantly have to stand on the mental shoulders of others in my desperate attempt to keep a fresh stream flowing through my heart.
If you are reading this, I hope you will resolve to read in 2014. Shut down the Xbox. Forget another 30 minutes of Sports Center, and for goodness sake, stop blathering on Facebook. Start feeding your heart with great thoughts well written. Buy a Kindle or a Nook, and start downloading. Then find a coffee shop that doesn't dominate your ears with crude music, pick a favorite corner, and read for an hour.
Hey, why not?
A COUPLE OF RECOMMENDS
If you love anything written by C.S. Lewis, then let me recommend Alistair McGrath's new Lewis bio: C.S. Lewis-Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet. His chapters leading up to Lewis' transformation from atheism to embracing Christianity are quite insightful, and his chapter on Lewis' conversion is fascinating. Kudos to J.R.R. Tolkien! Lewis, as you will discover, was quite human (that is, fallen), and he also was quite converted!
Another important book you might consider is by Os Guiness, a Christian philosopher/historian who as written extensively on a number of subjects. His latest challenges us all (and in the camp where I usually hang out, evangelical Christians) to join the call for "soul freedom," the opportunity for all (religionists and secularists) to affirm the right of every human being to freely think and believe and practice what they believe, and extending that right to all others.
"Soul freedom," Guiness offers, "is for the good of all, down to the very last human person." This recognition is something which will necessitate "that educated elites in the Western world must overcome their personal prejudices about religion in order to take it as seriously at it deserves, ad that no solution will be possible without a partnership between responsible religious believers and responsible secularists." (p.27)
Yes, it's a heavier read, but Guiness' approach provides us with an opportunity offer others the truth of Christianity without insisting on cramming it down others' throats, and asks for the same from those with different or even opposite views.
I am thankful to friend Tom Ingebritson for giving me a copy of the book, and recommend it your way.
ONE MORE THING...
If you do decide to read more and Facebook less, and you are a follower of Jesus, be sure to pray over what you are reading. I mean, why not ask the Holy Spirit to give you His insight on what you are putting in your mind and heart?
Happy 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment