Blowing My Mind - C.S. Lewis

So, we're reading The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis in our staff meetings. I had read the book once before in Seminary twelve years ago. It just amazes me how Lewis can just absolutely blow my mind. The man is an absolute wordsmith who can take the reader to new places with his words. Of course, he is also an amazing theologian (I am using the present tense because his words and theology continue to profoundly affect the world we live in). He brings clarity to questions about theology and spirituality like none other I have ever read. I wouldn't say that I agree with everything that he has ever written, but he has brought deep insight to my own like few others have. If you have never read C.S. Lewis, do yourself a favor and pick up one of his books. If you haven't read one in a while, reacquaint yourself with an old friend. Lewis seems to never disappoint but he always challenges. I really need to be challenged from a faith perspective right now and I'm so thankful that Lewis is back in my life to do just that. So grab a cup of coffee and sit down with Mr. Lewis and be prepared for a challenge. Be prepared to think. Won't that be nice for a change?

P.S. What is your favorite Lewis book and why?

Condoms and other random thoughts

This is why I love my job: On Sunday morning, as a music stand was placed in front of me that I would use to preach from, I quickly noticed that their was a foreign object on the stand: it was a very small, colorful package and on the outside was the word: Trojan. Now, it took my mind a few moments to really process what was going on. I mean, it's not everyday one sees a condom in church. Of course, once I figured out what was going on, I could hardly contain my laughter. Whoever had placed the condom on the music stand had accomplished their goal of getting my focus completely off the matters at hand. But it was good to laugh. I am just so thankful that I am surrounded by such a good group of people who felt comfortable doing something like that.

The back story to this incident is that the college group at The Journey is going through Rob Bell's book Sex God. For whatever reason, they chose to bring in props this Sunday and they thought it would be a good idea to place one of those props in my way right before I began preaching. As I was laughing in front of the congregation, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of pranks the disciples played on Jesus as they went along together. Whatever they did, you know they had a good time. You know they partied. I'm so glad that our God has a sense of humor and that we do too. I just think that we as Jesus followers should use ours more often. Let's laugh, love and enjoy life together. In closing, I want to thank Ryan and the rest of the class for that very lovely gift. I'm just glad that it was still in the wrapper!!! Until next time...

Dan