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i hope no reader will suppose that ‘mere’ christianity is here put forward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions - as if a man could adopt it in preference to congregationalism or greek orthodoxy or anything else. it is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. if i can bring anyone into that hall i shall have done what i attempted. but it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. the hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. for that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, i think, preferable. it is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. i do not know why there is the difference, but i am sure God keeps no one waiting unless he sees that it is good for him to wait. when you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. but you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. you must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. and above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and panelling. in plain language, the question should never be: ‘do i like that kind of service?’ but ‘are these doctrines true: is holiness here? does my conscience move me towards this? is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular door-keeper?’ when you have reached your own room, be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still in the hall. if they are wrong they need your prayers all the more; and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them. that is one of the rules common to the whole house.
c.s lewis (mere christianity, preface) -
theologians of violence are pharisees, terrible distorters of christian truth.
jacques ellul -
faith is the highest passion in a human being. many in every generation may not come that far, but none comes further.
soren kierkegaard -
futura.
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i love lamp.
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study day. there’s about 15 more pages like it for today.
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from my many years’ experience i can unhesitatingly say that the cross bears those who bear the cross.
sadhu sundar singh -
i win.
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our guilt reveals that we have lived a double standard.
mark stegall -
| renewal |
this past weekend i had the privilege of officiating a renewal ceremony for our friends brian & jenni clayville. i was truly blessed and honored to be a part of such a grace filled celebration & an eye opening weekend.
brian & jenni are living proof of a marriage that can withstand storms. their love for each other & their love for God is something that is breath taking & renewing. i thank God for brian, jenni & how they have impacted cathi & me. i love them dearly & am grateful for their story.
the weekend was also filled with meeting people i had only known through the social media world but never in “real” life. i was simply floored for quite a bit of time throughout the weekend. i never knew i would actually get to meet some of the people i had followed on twitter & other avenues of social media.
my friend, tam said it best, “none of this would have ever happened had we not met through social media.” i wholeheartedly agree. cathi & i would have never even moved to oregon had it not been for our friends through the social media world.
renewal is a word that sums up this weekend rather well. for brian, jenni & everyone else who was a part of this amazing weekend (live in person & on u-stream).
[courtesy: joshua white]
Posted on May 26, 2010 with 1 note ()
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