Tag: reading

Before the Throne

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Hello friends! This glorious Friday evening, let me pen just a few words on my latest read. Then laptop shall be closed and looked at no more and it shall be time for reading and communion and joy as I rest this night.

68. Why Christianity Makes Sense by Gavin Ortlund. A fantastic book. I believe I’ve heard this book presented as analogous to Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Perhaps not quite aiming at those heights, but identical in purpose. Presenting Christianity to a skeptical world and giving reasons that may cause one to tilt the head and consider. Why not Christ? Why not Christianity? Is it true? Is it good? I confess as I write these few words that I’m a bit biased coming into this. I greatly appreciate Ortlund’s ministry (both written and on the screen!) and I had no doubts I would be encouraged by this read. And so it turned out to be. I am not quite sure I’m the target audience, as I have no need of persuasion in regards to the claims of Christianity, but nonetheless this book warmed my soul.

I too have an ache in my heart, a longing for that far country. Ortlund identifies this ache itself as a testimony to the truth that this material world is not all there is. I won’t dare summarize this entire book as I fear it would be too unwieldy and not do the book justice, but I will say I heartily enjoyed it all. The middle section of this book – on Jesus Christ and the beauty intertwined with the historical reality that is God made man – was by far my favourite part. Just reading about Jesus and why it is indeed so reasonable to consider him the very answer the universe strains to grasp was indeed rich food for my weary soul. I am grateful for this book. Again, I feel this book is written to people that may be seeking – and perhaps it will be of use for those who cry as they wonder what is beyond the veil. I hope and pray that this book is one that is as impactful to this generation as Mere Christianity was to its own. I have considered Jesus and found him to be that for which my soul longs. I hear the gulls call and look out across the waters and my heart skips a beat as I see the first glimmering star near the horizon. There is beauty that pricks my heart near to bursting and I sigh for wonder that I have found my answer in Jesus. Maybe you will consider him too.

Endurance

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Hello friends! Thought I’d write a little post before I pick up my book and transition into reading time. I’m now at home and though I did enjoy my time at coffeeshop, it’s so nice now just to be home and relax on the couch with dinner in the oven. The chicken, potatoes, carrots & onions are roasting and I am most excited for the point about an hour and some minutes from now when it’s done and I can fill my plate. Ah simple pleasures. Though I was going to play some of my still-in-progress next classical playlist, I couldn’t resist turning on the TV and putting the baseball on instead. Cleveland vs. White Sox Game 5, winner shall advance to face the Rays in the ALCS! I do love playoff baseball and I love having a game on while I read. A baseball game is just sedate enough that I can have it on and still focus on my book. I’m excited by this one – just started it last night. It’s a book by Gavin Ortlund called “Why Christianity Makes Sense” and while he doesn’t have to convince me, I’m already finding my heart encouraged as he talks about the truths of Christianity and the beauty found therein. Speaking of. I think this post has rambled on enough and it is time for it to end. Much love to you all. Rest in our Lord this night. Peace and love.

Greenway

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Hello friends! A quick post before I continue with my evening and (most likely) shut this laptop. I’ve written a little something on creating and the mediums used in such (see post below) and it’s in my typical stream-of-consciousness style, random with perhaps a nugget of truth here and there. Sometimes perhaps I need to learn to write more concisely. As I read my current book with essays by C.S. Lewis, I take a step back and admire how he so brilliantly communicates profound truths. I am, I must confess, a bit jealous of his skills in such communication. Anyway! That was a fun bit of writing to accomplish, but now I feel that dinner making must take place. Tonight is classic sausage pasta, hurrah! It will take a bit of time to cook the sausage, carrots, onions, etc, of course. But the best part? Once the tomatoes and milk is poured in and everything is slowly bubbling away, I have a good hour or so to sit back down here in my corner chair and read. I’ll light a candle of course as well and then sigh for pleasure that I have the time to let my mind linger on the words on the page in front of me. I think I’ll knock out the C.S. Lewis book and then perhaps read either more of my Bonhoeffer book or the (admittedly lesser in quality and content) Sanderson that is my current. So that’s the plan for the evening. Grateful for this night of rest that is given me. Peace and love, dear friends.

Shindig

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Hello friends! Have a few minutes so…thought I’d write a couple words on my latest.

65. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. It was an interesting experience reading this one. Obviously I’ve seen the movie (many years ago!), a true classic. And I believe I did read this book way back in the day, likely when I was a teenager or shortly thereafter. So the story framework was there in my head. Yet in my memory, this book was a massive tome dense with science and suspense. In actuality? A fairly typical thriller and not that thick of a book after all. It had some fun original ideas and obviously the Ian Malcolm character performs an important function as both authorial insert and source of the thematic core for the book. Maybe I just have changed in my tastes since I read this last, but this book just seemed remarkably average. The writing was pedestrian and the characters pretty one-note. From what I remember with Crichton, the nerd bits are always the most fun, and so it proved here, from the discussions on cloning dinosaurs to explaining ancient computer systems! I enjoyed those parts and I do appreciate Crichton’s schtick of running to ground the way science and new technologies can go oh so terribly wrong. Now I feel like I need to see the movie again! Also one more note. As someone who is now no longer a teenager or in school, I can speak with a little bit of real-world knowledge as both engineer and someone with knowledge of hazardous operations. The engineering and science reps in this book are absolutely abysmal at their jobs and I found myself horrified time and time again at their attitudes and actions. They still didn’t deserve to be eaten though.

Windswept

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Hello friends! A quick Saturday afternoon post, thought I’d write a few words on my latest.

64. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Well I come to this one about ten years after all the cool kids were reading it! But on a recent ramble, found this one in a mini-library and Dani insisted I picked it up as it was one of her favourites when she read it way back in the day. So I obviously couldn’t deny that request. Took me a few days to read this one and I have to say, I understand why this one hit Dani so hard when she read it as a teenager. This one packs a punch. And it’s easily Green’s best novel – I feel a bit bad that I neglected reading it until now. Really think Green does a great job with the characters here, especially the inimitable Augustus Waters and the wonderfully real Hazel Grace. This story has vivid imagination, pathos in abundance, a very distinct cast of characters and Green’s signature – great teenage dialogue. Yes, the main characters are overwrought and ridiculous and angsty and not a small bit pretentious at times. They’re also teenagers. And dying (most of them). I greatly enjoyed reading this one and appreciate Green’s honest look at some very serious subjects. Yeah, I don’t agree with Green’s philosophy by and large, but I do like seeing an author grapple with the realities of this life we live (and yes, the death we must all face). Well worth the read. Side-note – watched the movie with Dani after finishing this book. It was remarkably faithful to the book and well worth the watch!

With a Cherry On Top

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Hello friends! A Saturday morning here. Dani making some breakfast and the plans for the day still to be decided. For now? Decided I would try and catch up on a few of my latest reads! I’m dreadfully behind ahhh!! Well, I will make this quick.

58. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. Yup, decided it was time for another re-read. I do love this series, it is warm and comforting like a fluffy blanket on a cold day. This first book? It is simple and sweet. Very much a typical children’s book in that classic British boarding school tradition. The writing is pedestrian and the plot is very basic. If this were the only book in the series, I doubt Harry Potter would be the cultural institution it is today. Yet? The imagination in this book is wonderful and all the groundwork Rowling sets up to give the world its colour and sparkle is something to behold. I am always a bit jealous of Rowling’s imagination! There is so much colour in this book, so many little details that make Harry’s world feel so utterly real.

59. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. Rowling finds her groove in this one. Her writing already feels much more confident and the story itself much more compelling. Yes still obviously a children’s tale, yet I felt myself enraptured by the story yet again even though I’ve read this one who knows how many times! I still find the spider scene one of the most terrifying scenes in all of the seven books. And the end confrontation scene between Harry & Riddle/basilisk is simply top notch. Beyond all that? Rowling continues to fill in her world and once again, I find it so pleasurable simply to immerse myself in it.

60. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling. Another rollicking tale and probably the last one that feels purely like a children’s book. There is some time travel wonkiness yet Rowling does a great job of making it make sense as you read. It’s only after the fact that you start going “Wait a second…” I like seeing the children continue to grow up and their characters continue to deepen.

61. The Door by Magda Szabó. I don’t know if I can exactly call this a beautiful book, but wow is it a good one. It’s certainly one of the finest written books I’ve read in quite some time. I thought this might be a bit of a struggle to get through, yet once I started, the story pulled me in and I never slowed down. This is a challenging piece of fiction. It’s a fascinating character study and relational drama both. And I’m not sure when I’ve last read a book that made me think so much, both about the complex natures of individuals and the way we interact with those we love. Of course there’s a lot here that would likely make a bit more sense if I had grown up in Hungary, yet even so there is much here that transcends culture. This book does not shy away from the darker nature within all of us. Some passages are truly disturbing, some elements that horrify in their brutality and rawness. There are no black and white characters here, each character multi-faceted and understandable in their motivations even as you cringe a bit at their behaviour throughout. I’m grateful I read this one – the prose is truly top notch and the story strong. Will I re-read this anytime soon? Probably not, yet it has earned a place on my shelf. I loved this one. Of course I’m biased a bit, already loving Hungary, its culture and its people. I need to read more Hungarian fiction, I think.

Hope

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Where Christ evidenceth his presence with us, he gives us an infallible hope of glory; he gives us an assured pledge of it, and worketh our souls into an expectation of it. Hope in general is but an uncertain expectation of a future good which we desire; but as it is a gospel grace, all uncertainty is removed from it, which would hinder us of the advantage intended in it. It is an earnest expectation, proceeding from faith, trust, and confidence, accompanied with longing desires of enjoyment.
-John Owen, Vol. 7, page 321

Seashore

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Good morning, friends! A Monday dawns and light breaks upon us in waves and soon the heat shall follow and we shall be reminded that yes indeed, summer is in full bloom. I wish I could say I’m grateful for summer’s heat but I don’t know if my gratitude for creation’s glory can stretch quite that far. Ah I suppose I could talk myself into it somehow. Summer is a good and proper season and the heat does make one sigh with wistful longing in anticipation for autumn’s arrival, so there is that. Summer – it’s here. July is a month that we know is going to be hot and that is that and no use complaining about it, so I shan’t.

But instead what I shall I use these few minutes before work to talk about? I don’t know, really. I opened this page knowing I had a few minutes so why not write something? I suppose I could say I’m just grateful for the time I had this morning to read the Word and meditate on God’s goodness to me. Even with not quite enough sleep last night (watching the scintillating England/Mexico game – England pulled out an all-time classic win in Mexico City – on the Lions!), I still was able to roll out of bed prior to 5am and get a shower, make coffee and then sit myself down and give myself some nice uninterrupted time to read.

Psalm 46, Proverbs 6, a series of depressing but inspired chapters in Jeremiah – oh how convicting it is to read such and oh how it makes me feel I ought be praying more for mercy for myself and our community and nation – and then beautiful chapters in Luke on the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. Got to read Luke 7 and the story of Jesus with the woman who was a sinner. One of my all-time favourite passages and one that never fails to bring me to a halt as I consider and ponder what my Lord has done for me. Oh how beautiful it is to think on the fact that Jesus has forgiven me all my sin. I have been forgiven much. I have been forgiven everything!! How great then ought be my love? Utterly convicting to feel how often my love is cold and dry and how often I fail to be constantly praising my Lord and God for what he has done for me. I need to spend more time meditating on the wonder that is my salvation and my forever communion with my God. What a glorious thing it is to consider that I am a child of God. I have life with God and I have it to the full. I abide in Christ and in him I find true rest. This yoke is indeed easy, this burden is indeed light. In Christ and in Christ alone do I have rest for my soul. It is good to sit at the feet of Jesus this day. Oh how I long for that someday far off trumpet call and that moment when the horizon blurs with light as I see the last dawning and behold the consummation of all things as creation is made new. Oh how I long for that day when the sky quivers and the clouds break and my Lord Jesus Christ stands before my resurrected frame. For now, I tremble in dust and ashes. Someday though, I shall see my Lord with my own eyes, even though now my flesh and my heart are oh so prone to failing. Thank you, Lord, for taking me by the hand each and every moment. Please Lord, lead me to glory.

Considerations

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A few thoughts on a few latest reads. Peace and love, my friends.

49. The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis. As always, Lewis is a profitable read here. This small volume is one I’ve had my eye on for some time and grateful I finally got the chance to read it. Lewis always makes me think, and this book was no different in stimulating various pathways down which my thoughts danced. Every time I finished reading a few pages, I felt like putting this book down simply to consider and ponder what I had read. What is this book on about? It could at times be thought of as Lewis attempting to address the rising tides of post-modernist thought. Or it could be said that this is Lewis attempting to uphold the standard of the real and the true and the beautiful, as he so often does. At the end of the day, I would argue that this is Lewis attempting to write a philosophical work grappling with the core truths of this world and creation in which we live and attempting to do so without explicitly defending Christianity or even theism as such. Yes, he in text acknowledges himself as one who is a Christian and holds to this faith as what he believes is true. But as Lewis is so fond of pointing out the truth kernels at the bottom of all true myths, so Lewis here points to the underlying beliefs and statements found in various forms throughout the ages which show us ever so clearly that there is something true in the heart and conscience of every man, no matter how we attempt to degrade and mar it. And Lewis also attempts to highlight the utter uniqueness and glory of man – something that we now see as a bit crude if not outright chauvinistic. Nature is not truly agnostic after all, Lewis would argue. Instead all points to a core and utter reality that is perhaps not quite able to be grasped in its totality, but still glimpsed at from various angles for those who have the eyes to see. I have rambled on about this book long enough and fear I have not done it justice. This is a book that makes one think, and for that I am grateful.

50. Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson. A wonderful delight of a book, bracing in its clarity and sparkling in its beauty. I have had this book on my shelf for years(!!) and yet never quite got around to reading it until now, to my shame. Many thanks to Julie for recommending it to me who knows how many years ago. For truly, this book was good for my soul. I found myself eagerly waiting for the next opportunity I had to read a chapter and I daresay I will find myself re-reading this one for many years to come. This book is an odd hodgepodge at times. Each chapter has a bit of a framing device using the author’s experiences and memories in rural Virginia – usually highlighting a fruit or flower or some such. This could be seen initially as a bit distracting from the main message of humility yet…perhaps I was viewing this book in the wrong lens at first and perhaps my view was a bit narrow! I was thinking “Ah, this is a book about humility, and will have lots of Bible verses and discussion on Christian truths.” And well…this book is about humility. And it is fairly saturated with Christian truths. And also? This book contains so many beautiful reflections on the truths we see proclaimed in the created beauty that we see around us and even in the every day mundane. So yes! This book is about the beautiful and the mundane, the glorious and the common, the divine and the created. This book is about what it is to be humble before God, truly understanding who we are and who God is. This book is about toil and labor and about trust and rest. This book is about looking to Christ in all his glory and beholding Christ in all his humanity and recognizing that in Him we have found our way to God. This book contains so many gorgeous ponderings on the every day and was a help and an aid to me in being able to step through the day with the understanding and confident belief that God walks through us in the midst of all the muck and mire in which we find ourselves and that no matter what comes, our God is with us still. This book firmly points to the sovereignty of God and the frailties of man, yet not without acknowledging the call that comes to us to walk in obedience and toil and labor before our God yet understanding that the burden is not on us to accomplish the miracle of bringing seed to fruit. Very grateful for the simple and beautiful ways the author has of highlighting a truth and making it sing in the heart. Of course it does not hurt that so many of the authors and works the author cited are also some of my very favorites (Andrew Murray, Wendell Berry, ML Jones, and many more). I would recommend this book to anyone who feels tired and weary and in need of rest. This book points to the one who can bring true rest to our souls. Oh how good it is to ponder the one who is the Resurrection and the Life and the one who is our hope and our song and yes even our salvation!

Splish Splash

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Hello friends! Saturday here and it has been a productive one thus far. I am pleased. A nice walk down MKT way when I woke up. Yes it felt like a sauna, but was still lovely to stretch my legs and wake up both in body and mind. Following, a bit of coffee and reading time. And then? Dani and I got to work! It had been far too long since we’d had a good deep-cleaning session, so it was time. She worked on kitchen and bathroom and I moved furniture and cleaned all the long-rooted dust and dirt and debris that had made its home in all the dark undisturbed crevices of our little domicile. A few hours later, we feel tired yet happy. A good morning’s work. Now? I rest for a minute here on the couch and soon we shall gallivant off somewhere in town. But figured I’d grab the spare minute here and write a few words on my latest read.

48. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Oh I do love this book. I felt in the mood for a comfy and beautiful fantasy recently and realized I hadn’t read this one in a while. Picked it up off the shelf and sunk into it and…yup, every bit as good as I remembered. I don’t care about all the fuss about this being an incomplete series and likely never to be finished, etc. Even so, this book is a worthy read and always makes me happy. Reading it now a good 15 years since I first read it, I can recognize that I’ve grown a bit in mind and soul and there are parts of this book that make me roll my eyes a bit as I recognize the immaturity of the boy at the center of this one. Yet Kvothe is quite young and so I suppose it’s proper? I simply love the style in which Rothfuss writes – it’s lovely and poetic and he has such a way with words. Yes, the tone can be a bit condescending and overwrought at times, but even then I don’t care all that much – the moments and scenes that Rothfuss describes are just so beautiful. There are several sequences in this book that pull at my heart strings almost every time and near on make me weep for beauty. This isn’t a perfect book but I shan’t point out the minor imperfections now. I still love this one and firmly believe it’s one of the finest fantasy works written in the past thirty years. I honestly can’t think of a better one at the moment.