Tag Archives: CS Lewis

Start Here: Kingdom Essentials For Christians by Don Williams

The first phrase that came to mind when I sat down to review Don Williams’ new book Start Here was: “It is the new Mere Christianity”.

It may sound crazy, but that is what it is…Don Williams follows in the foot steps of CS Lewis in trying to put and describe the mysterious and wonderful event of being resurrected into a new life. The life of Christ.

It all started when Rich Nathan, Columbus, Ohio Vineyard Church, asked Williams to write a book for new believers. Yet, it couldn’t be just any book – it needed to bring to light the fullness of the Kingdom of God. In that vain, Williams wrote a book full of Kingdom language.

For example, in the first chapter, “What’s Happened to Me?”, Don Williams explains that once a person has accepted Christ as their personal savior, they have now been “delivered from Satan’s kingdom” and into “God’s kingdom”.  It is an “exchange of sovereignties.” [@more@]

We are no longer our own. We belong to Christ and He is our Ruler and King. As such, we must only do what He says. That is the foundation of Faith.

From this foundation, Williams takes the reader on a journey from “Life in the Kingdom” to the “Call to Kingdom Ministry” onward to “The Road Marked ‘Suffering’” and “Kingdom Power”, ending with the “Community of the King” and “You’re in the Kingdom Now.”

Please note that while this book was written for those new in the Faith, it is also one that should be read by believers of all ‘ages’. For me personally, it called to remembrance the reason why I walk the path that I do: the grace of God and for the love of a King.

Jesus Brand Spirituality by Ken Wilson

“To a growing body of people, the simple answers now seem simplistic, the certain answers less certain.” – Ken Wilson

That is me.

The simple answers no longer work. Nor does certainty.

What I do know is that I know and love the Person who started it all; The Person who created time and spun a blue ball on the table of nothingness.

In a lot of ways, that is the heart of Ken Wilson’s new book. The way to Jesus is not as simple or as neat as we would like it to be. There are questions that don’t have answers – answers that don’t make sense.

Yet, the midst of this complicity…no that’s not the right word…. In the midst of life – for life is not simple – there is but one truth:

On the pilgrims’ path, the only important step is the next one.

Wow!!

That statement rings in my ears so loud, I’m thinking of changing my blog tag line to it – to highlight the fact that it’s not where we are or where we have been. All that matters is that we take the next step towards the Center – towards the Creator of Life. That’s it. [@more@]

Correct theology doesn’t matter. The Bible doesn’t matter. Church doesn’t matter. All good things – within their proper place and time – but at the core, all that really matter is that we are moving towards Him:

Jesus is a presence distinct from the religion that represents him. We are drawn to him (or not) for reasons that defy easy explanation. But being drawn to Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean buying the package of faith as defined by those with the biggest bullhorns. It may be the most subtle of inclinations…What’s important is the movement – the leaning toward as if to listen, to object, to surrender, to question, to help. That’s the quivering nerve of what makes Jesus a movement maker: he moves people.

Maybe it’s time to adjust some of the conventional assumptions about Christian faith. Maybe the starring point is as basic as people in motion, moving towards Jesus.

This is a book about life; the complicity of life.

Ken, whom I’ve met and trust, does a great job a raising a lot of questions that people are asking – both in the “Church” and outside. The beauty of his book is that he doesn’t claim to know the answer – all he does is point the reader towards the person Jesus Christ.

In fact, he is probably the only author I’ve read whose at ease with the mystery of God.

I’m not sure what else to say… if I had to compare Jesus Brand Spirituality with another book, it would have to be Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. But even that comparison falls apart.

I guess I would have to be contempt with just saying that this book taught me a lot about God, Christianity, myself, and the path towards the Center.

Prince Caspian: A Movie Review

It was a random act – an unplanned movement – a situation with no pre-planning. Saturday evening at 9:40 pm and we were walking home after a long day downtown… it was at that time in space that we noticed Prince Caspian was playing at 9:45 pm…. end of story.

Now for the flick

It was great! We both really enjoyed it!  =)

If you have been reading anything on the web about Prince Caspian you will know that they didn't follow the book as close as they did with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The reason for this deviation was legitimate – ie. the book doesn't lend itself to a movie in the sequences that it was written. [@more@]

For example, after we are reintroduced to the Pevensie kids in the book, Lewis goes into a huge back flash telling the story of Caspian. Since this is a little tough to do on the big screen (not counting those really weird flicks that are all back-flashes and leave you wondering what the heck happened).  

Anyway, I digress.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian does a great job in convening the truth of the book. Mainly that God does not deliver His people the same way twice. In fact, Lewis show that God will use the most unlikely person in the world to save His people.

Prince Caspian is a Telmarine prince whose people have ruled Naria for hundreds of years. The Telmarines are a brutal people bend on killing all true Narians – a genocide of massive proportion.

It is this boy that Aslan chooses to deliver the Narians. Kinda reminds you of Moses… raised by an evil king, taught to lead in the best schools, and secretly trained in the ways of the Lord.  

High King Peter

With out spoiling the movie, I really like the way the film deals with pride and self reliance. The flick has High King Peter trying to save the Narians on his own without the help of Aslan. While not in the book, it is perfect as I can see him trying to do this.  In fact, I see myself trying to do this all the time… Undecided

Queen Susan

She is one kick-ass gueen!  That's right, instead of sitting on the side lines and fainting at sight of blood – Queen Susan gets in there and lets the arrows fly!  

Kind Edmond and Queen Lucy

The film didn't really spend much time on these two characters…which I thought was very sad. Yet, the producers where limited by time and a plot line. Tongue out

The Real Hero

It's a sad, sad world when people do not recognize the real hero of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. This is the one character who bravely tackles foes of all types, regardless of size or experience. He serves his people well – so much so that they hold only the greatest love and respect for him.

It is a sign of the decay of the age when the real hero doesn't get much screen time. Instead the movie focuses on the minor characters. sigh. This is another example of Hollywood gone a stray.  There should be a law again this!!!!

What?!!! You don't know who this is this hero is? The one true hero of Narina!? He is ONE who saves all of Naria from the graps of the evil Telmarines!!!  

The entire movie is about him!! That's right – Reepicheep!!!!

 

A Quote from Bede

Some people like CS Lewis, others like Stephen King – still others prefer Shakespeare (these are the folks hanging around the shawdows of society). Me – I like Bede.

Who? Did you say that dreaded three letter word?!!! Be still my heart – do not fail me now – for some people have not culture or knowledge of the finer things in life (possum pie anyone?)

Bede – otherwise know as the Venerable Bede (sidenote – how cool would it be to have a name like Venerable Josh? or Venerable Ardell?) – was seventh century monk who wrote the first history book about the British Isles. His book, A History of the English Church and People, written in 731 AD is one of the five most influential books I’ve ever read (yeah – it’s that good).

Now, I must leave – yet, before I go, please enjoy a piece of wisdom from Bede:

“For if history records good things of good men, the thoughtful hearer is encouraged to imitate what is good; or if it records evil of wicked men, the good, religious listener or reader is encouraged to avoid all that is sinful and perverse, and to follow what he knows to be good and pleasing to God.”

[@more@]