February 9 There’s a lot I thought I knew about C. S. Lewis. His is a legendary name associated with children and a wardrobe and Aslan and philosophy and essays and Christianity. But there are too many of Lewis’s works I haven’t read. So I’m challenging myself this winter to get to know this remarkable … Continue reading I’m Getting to Know C. S. Lewis
In C. S. Lewis’s Prince Caspian, Lucy Pevensie shakes awake her siblings to announce she’s seen the lion, Aslan. “I can’t see anything,” said Peter after he had stared his eyes sore. “Can you, Susan?” “No, of course I can’t,” snapped Susan. “Because there isn’t anything to see. She’s been dreaming.”[i] But Susan later admits … Continue reading A Pevensie, a Pharisee, and the Imagination to See Reality
February 2 Do you remember my Sunday Afternoon Snippet at January’s start— The "Why" Behind Our Resolutions? One of my resolutions for 2020 is to build an online platform from which my writing can be shared and spread. But why? That’s a question I’ve been grilling myself with. Because I joined Instagram this week. In … Continue reading I’m on Instagram! Here’s Why
Here’s a list of lovely things from January… Writing Close to the Earth Each week is of this online class (taught by Dr. Jonathan Rogers) is richer than the last. We’ve dissected topics like concrete language, vision, and place. I know the community and feedback are sharpening my skills. (I’m excited about JR’s next class—Writing … Continue reading January Smiles
January 19 If you don’t think the world is magical or that God doesn’t spin whimsy things, try buttoning your coat and traipsing out into heel-deep snow when somewhere behind stacks of clouds the sun is almost gone. Make sure the sky is spilling flakes. Forget gloves, forget a cap. If you stomp around … Continue reading How to be Awed by a Magical World
January 12 Christopher Ash is a wise man and his commentary on Psalm 119 is opening my eyes to behold wondrous things out of God’s law. He writes: “We need to come to scripture on our knees, praying, ‘Lord, teach me, teach me, teach me.’”[i] Ash has introduced me to a weak yet Word-hungry psalmist: … Continue reading “Teach Me, Teach Me, Teach Me”
January 5 I’m going to be honest. New Year’s resolutions are often a way I scramble for control— over my health, my schedule, my dreams, my relationships, my life. At the root can be a self-consumed motive to be better, do better, look better. God is unmasking that sin inside me and piloting me on … Continue reading The “Why” Behind Our Resolutions
Something stopped me from full-throttle resolution-writing this week. I realized the last 365 days have been some of the most pivotal in my life. I don’t want to leap into a new year—much less the next ten—without stopping, looking over my shoulder, and saying, “God, you’ve done lovely, mighty things.” Before we speed into January … Continue reading Look Back Before You Look Ahead: 6 Lessons from 2019
Happy Christmas, my friends! It’s been a beautiful month of lights and music and books and worship. Here’s my list of favorites: The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien I know I’ve listed this book twice now on my Smiles list. But I finished it this week and the greatness can’t go unannounced. Here’s an especially … Continue reading December Smiles
December 15 I love looking back at the end of a year to all the books I drank up, and 2019 boasted some exceptional ones. Here’s a list—from 10 to 1—of my favorite books from this past year: 10. Wordsmithy by Douglas Wilson 9. Images and Idols by Thomas J. Terry and J. Ryan Lister … Continue reading My 10 Favorite Books from 2019
