Saturday, June 06, 2009
exposition on Mere Christianity
Clearly, it is not often that I resort to making blog post about matters on my mind. I typically prefer talking to people and often do so about different things -- not because I wish to present a different image to each person but because individual interest, experience, and personality affect the propriety of the topic. Additionally, the sheer volume of thought makes it difficult to convey in dialogue form and I need practice my composition skill.
I've recently finished reading Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis and I must admit, I have been completely swept away by the book. I can sense my internal chorus of objections to endorsing such a work (for subjectivity & personal taste reasons) but I will recommend it anyway. Lewis expounds on the fundamentals of Christian belief with wisdom, wit, and workability in a rare combination that i appreciate. I find the work rife with new and renewed concepts which are reorganizing my beliefs. I usually take my time plodding through non-fiction works but I feel the draw to race through the book as if it were some fictional thriller.
I guess part of the allure of the book is the singular way in which Lewis draws upon analogies that are compatible with my understanding. The foreword quotes one of his sermons in which he says, "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal...it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, sub, and exploit." Immortal much? Regarding some denominations, he makes to attempt support one over the other. Instead he covers his bases -- not necessarily with the intention of preventing controversy but in the way they were probably meant to be covered.
Finally, Lewis is pretty normal. When I read Tozer, it becomes necessary to re-read multiple times due to the archaic construct of the language and the depth of the material. Conversely, Shane Claiborne strikes me as extremely practical but perhaps lacking the intellectual coolness that I like. Lewis is cool. I need to read more of his work while internalizing and externalizing it. sigh.
I've recently finished reading Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis and I must admit, I have been completely swept away by the book. I can sense my internal chorus of objections to endorsing such a work (for subjectivity & personal taste reasons) but I will recommend it anyway. Lewis expounds on the fundamentals of Christian belief with wisdom, wit, and workability in a rare combination that i appreciate. I find the work rife with new and renewed concepts which are reorganizing my beliefs. I usually take my time plodding through non-fiction works but I feel the draw to race through the book as if it were some fictional thriller.
I guess part of the allure of the book is the singular way in which Lewis draws upon analogies that are compatible with my understanding. The foreword quotes one of his sermons in which he says, "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal...it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, sub, and exploit." Immortal much? Regarding some denominations, he makes to attempt support one over the other. Instead he covers his bases -- not necessarily with the intention of preventing controversy but in the way they were probably meant to be covered.
Finally, Lewis is pretty normal. When I read Tozer, it becomes necessary to re-read multiple times due to the archaic construct of the language and the depth of the material. Conversely, Shane Claiborne strikes me as extremely practical but perhaps lacking the intellectual coolness that I like. Lewis is cool. I need to read more of his work while internalizing and externalizing it. sigh.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
It's been a while. I am incredibly lazy (or hesitant to compose my mind)
I'd rather talk to someone than blog so this means that right now there's noone I can talk to (though there probably is).
I've acquired a new nickname in the last two weeks: Emo Ninja.
I don't understand what it is about me that compels different sets of friends to compare me to a ninja.Perhaps this trait is to be found in my movements or interaction. I'm told that it's a bit difficult to reach me, that I'm a bit evasive - that's true enough. I've never been exceptionally good at this engaging business but that's my theme for the next while. Engaging people...kinda daunting.
Where do the boundaries begin? I also need time to recede into my space - perhaps rather frequently. At the same time, it's already started.
Plans
- be less cynical/pessimistic
- love harder
- run faster/exercise (pretty important too)
- listen better
- truly engage
- and the usual
I'd rather talk to someone than blog so this means that right now there's noone I can talk to (though there probably is).
I've acquired a new nickname in the last two weeks: Emo Ninja.
I don't understand what it is about me that compels different sets of friends to compare me to a ninja.Perhaps this trait is to be found in my movements or interaction. I'm told that it's a bit difficult to reach me, that I'm a bit evasive - that's true enough. I've never been exceptionally good at this engaging business but that's my theme for the next while. Engaging people...kinda daunting.
Where do the boundaries begin? I also need time to recede into my space - perhaps rather frequently. At the same time, it's already started.
Plans
- be less cynical/pessimistic
- love harder
- run faster/exercise (pretty important too)
- listen better
- truly engage
- and the usual
Saturday, November 15, 2008
I've recently begun to realize that people kind of look up to me. As a third year student, I've entered into the second half of my university career and now qualify to be among the aged/responsible older bunch of people within my fellowship.
During first year I distinctly remember dividing people into different categories based on their university year -- initially at least. The second year students were barely older than me so I treated them as such. As for the older ones, their presence almost seemed to carry more weight. I listened more when they spoke and generally expected them to be more spiritually mature. It's really weird, I even recall Johnson mentioning this flaw of the Chinese Christian community around a year and a half ago. Regardless, that's slightly besides the point.
Most of the CCF people (and therefore most of the university people) that I interact with on a non-academic basis are around my age. My handful of closer friends are mostly older than me, if just by a few months. Skipping to the point...I guess I'm now going to make a conscious effort to connect with more people, especially those young'uns. I'm not sure where I'll find the time or effort to do so but I believe it's important. I guess we'll see how that goes.
P.S. It's funny how your perception of a person changes depending on their name or program.
During first year I distinctly remember dividing people into different categories based on their university year -- initially at least. The second year students were barely older than me so I treated them as such. As for the older ones, their presence almost seemed to carry more weight. I listened more when they spoke and generally expected them to be more spiritually mature. It's really weird, I even recall Johnson mentioning this flaw of the Chinese Christian community around a year and a half ago. Regardless, that's slightly besides the point.
Most of the CCF people (and therefore most of the university people) that I interact with on a non-academic basis are around my age. My handful of closer friends are mostly older than me, if just by a few months. Skipping to the point...I guess I'm now going to make a conscious effort to connect with more people, especially those young'uns. I'm not sure where I'll find the time or effort to do so but I believe it's important. I guess we'll see how that goes.
P.S. It's funny how your perception of a person changes depending on their name or program.
Monday, October 20, 2008
sched20089
Saturday, May 31, 2008
gratitude and thunderstorms
I've just listened to a song called Gratitude by Nichole Nordeman, recommended by steveo. http://youtube.com/watch?v=waYUzxK8TYA
The words are meaningful and the feel is generally appropriate. Additionally, I love harmonizing which this song...sounds rich. However, I question the decision at the end to raise the key for the final instance of the chorus.
Anyway, today I was talking with a friend on msn who lives downtown and we were checking out how long it takes the sound of thunder to travel the 17 km from downtown to me so we'd type "NOW" when we heard thunder. pretty random haha =P
The words are meaningful and the feel is generally appropriate. Additionally, I love harmonizing which this song...sounds rich. However, I question the decision at the end to raise the key for the final instance of the chorus.
Anyway, today I was talking with a friend on msn who lives downtown and we were checking out how long it takes the sound of thunder to travel the 17 km from downtown to me so we'd type "NOW" when we heard thunder. pretty random haha =P
Monday, May 05, 2008
Thursday, May 01, 2008
semi-conscious
It is the dilemma with which students are faced
to select between the certainty of one's exam
and the sweet freedom of summer.
Whether an early portion of the ambrosia called absolution
is preferable to the precious minutes to confirm
or perhaps, write one's answer.
To tarry or to depart...or to depart...to depart.
It is the dilemma with which students are faced
to select between the certainty of one's exam
and the sweet freedom of summer.
Whether an early portion of the ambrosia called absolution
is preferable to the precious minutes to confirm
or perhaps, write one's answer.
To tarry or to depart...or to depart...to depart.
