tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81947141047214238992024-03-05T13:54:15.295-08:00THE WISDOM OF C.S. LEWISA Blog dedicated to exploring the wisdom found in the timeless writings of C.S. LewisThe Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-36450631570449381992012-03-30T00:18:00.000-07:002012-03-30T00:18:57.996-07:00The Safest Road To Hell Is The Gradual One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"Indeed the
safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot,
without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,… Your
affectionate uncle, Screwtape.” C.S.
Lewis, The Screwtape Letters</span></strong></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKeaRupjfY6Ro8EDdXLIGYnfFquO_cY9NUPwdI9fmVbART41cV3L0jeg2EnGE4eEjHof1JVfCZLEe1bSlUjW4EQchhWV-K91VIzvKwLt9HRZK3hvm7XGM5H5dmxG8ZhUvkmOYdIYKcBE/s1600/the+road+to+hell-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKeaRupjfY6Ro8EDdXLIGYnfFquO_cY9NUPwdI9fmVbART41cV3L0jeg2EnGE4eEjHof1JVfCZLEe1bSlUjW4EQchhWV-K91VIzvKwLt9HRZK3hvm7XGM5H5dmxG8ZhUvkmOYdIYKcBE/s400/the+road+to+hell-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Habits are
extremely important. They are also
frustrating. Experts say that it
generally takes between two and three months to establish a habit; it takes
only two consecutive days to begin to break the habit. The devil understands this well. Thus his
strategy is to gently nudge us in the wrong direction. He knows that if we truly saw where we were
headed, we would immediately turn away.
So, he just softly leads us in the wrong direction, knowing that
momentum is a difficult thing to change.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He constantly
feeds us the line, “this one time will not matter.” He encourages us to think, “This one day won’t
matter”, or “I will start tomorrow.”
Soon one time becomes two, two becomes three, and before we know it, the
habit is established. One day becomes
two, and before we know it, a week has passed. Once that week has passed, it is
so difficult to shift the momentum back in the right direction.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Aristotle said
it this way, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act,
but a habit." Developing good
habits and being vigilant about maintaining those habits will lead to a life of
excellence.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Some reading
this have a bad habit they have been trying to break for a long time. While good habits take a seemingly long time
to develop, bad habits are annoyingly stubborn.
Remember too, however, experts say that two consecutive days of not
doing something and the habit begins to weaken.
The old adage is, “one day at a time.” I say to you, not one day, but
two. Don’t do whatever it is for two
days straight. You will notice that the bad habit has less power over you – not
that it is completely gone, but it is weakening. Then repurpose yourself to another two days.
Before long, the habit will be broken.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Try also to
begin to develop good habits. You know
what they are. Set your sight on just
two consecutive days, the set the goal of two more days. Before long, you will have established a good
habit. And, give yourself grace if you fail.
Do not ever believe you cannot do it.
Just take the next right step… and then take one more.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Finally, you do
not have to do it alone. In fact, often
we cannot do it alone, as hard as we try. His grace is made perfect in weakness
(2 Corinthians 12:9). He will help you
and give you strength. And other people
can be a big help in keeping you accountable and encouraging you. Do not be afraid to ask for help. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The devil will
gradually try and shift you in the wrong direction. That is why this very day
matters. Take a stand and do what is
right. Change directions and shift the momentum. James put it this way, “Stand
firm against the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.</span></strong><span style="background: white; color: #222424; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-57784376554000705582012-03-27T23:11:00.000-07:002012-03-27T23:11:09.585-07:00God Allows Us To Experience Low Points...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.1-love-quotes.com/quote/980189#null"><span style="color: windowtext;">"God
allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons
that we could learn in no other way."</span></a> C.S. Lewis, <u>The
Problem of Pain</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is an unfortunate truth. The human heart is full of
rebellion and amnesia. As a result, the
only way we can learn certain things is to experience low points in life. I
know that has been true in my life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we are experiencing low points in life, we are tempted,
whether consciously or not, to begin to doubt the goodness of God. God does not protect us from hard times. In
fact, sometimes I think God might do even more than allow hard times in our
lives. Is it herarcy to say that God
actually <i>causes</i> hard times in our
lives? I don’t think so…because we need
them. No, God does not protect us from
hard times. Rather, He protects us <i>during</i>
hard times.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I once had a basketball coach who was much harder on me than
anyone else. He would constantly ride
me, tell me what I was doing wrong, even
if it was just a small thing. It felt so
unfair because he chastised me so much more than anyone else. I finally could not take it anymore and let
him know in no uncertain terms that I did not appreciate this special
attention. After practice, he pulled me aside and asked me, “Do you know why I
am constantly on you?” Before I could
respond, he said, “It is because I know how good you can be.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God wants the best for us. God knows "how good we can be." As a result, He pays us special attention. Unfortunately, because of the condition
of our hearts, the only way we will learn certain important lessons is to go
through difficult things. Rather than
viewing it as God’s chastisement or feeling like God has forgotten us, let’s acknowledge
that the difficult times actually show us how much He loves us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He has not forgotten you. He is molding you and preparing
you. As difficult as it is, we must
always keep in mind that He allows things in our lives to better us, not to
harm us.</div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-20882324810792600712012-03-06T23:30:00.000-08:002012-03-06T23:30:08.985-08:00Favorable Conditions Never Come<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some
distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those
who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still
unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come.”
C.S. Lewis, <u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">"Learning
in War-Time",<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The Weight of Glory<o:p></o:p></i></u></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">There
is always something more “fun” to do than to “learn”. There is always something that is seeking our
attention, making it difficult to want to sit down and study. It may be a television show, or the “to-do”
list, or a phone call, or…. Those who have learned a great deal, have forced
themselves to set aside time to study.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I
realized, however, that the above quote can also be applied to choosing
contentment and joy. We make the mistake of believing that
those who seem to always be content must have everything together in life. Nothing is further from the truth. The truth
is that people who are content or joyful are in that state because they have
looked beyond the things that would make them discontent. Everyone </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">has painful or hurtful things present in their
lives. The true art of living is being able to see grace in every situation,
being able to choose joy despite pain, and to choose contentment even when our
sleeves are being pulled on by situations that want to drag us to be discontent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Paul says as much in Philippians when he writes, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">“</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">[F]or I
have <b><i>learned</i></b>
to be content whatever the circumstances.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><sup id="en-NIV-29455" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">12</sup></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span>I know what it is to be in need, and
I know what it is to have plenty. I have <b><i>learned</i></b> the secret of being content
in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in
plenty or in want.</span>” (Philippians 4:11-12).</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Paul
<b><i>learned </i></b>to be content, <b><i>learned </i></b>to be content in every situation. It can be <b><i>learned</i></b>; it is not easy, nor is it
a matter of simply snapping your fingers. But it can be <b><i>learned</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">We
will always have an excuse to not be content. As C.S. Lewis said of learning,
so contentment and joy can be found in every situation to those who want it so
badly that they seek it while conditions are still unfavorable. This is not some fairy dust, pie-in-the-sky
fantasy. It takes tremendous courage, self-discipline, and strength to be able
to choose contentment and joy even when there are hard things in life. This is, however, the abundant life that
Christ has for us – the ability to be content and joyful always.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-49695272414351404832012-01-30T22:06:00.000-08:002012-01-30T22:06:54.939-08:00Living In The Present<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcu8EIb_zGsZDDjLNOQMvSezqM4eXnqqktQd9GIeczrCanLkJmmVRU4y7vWZkaFboyagP-BJJr_Vhyphenhyphenihxmt1dgwVqX16Sz_xus8MUJ8k3egWoBJKVJViigw4MfuNnUTZPrxBVgbBZRA4/s1600/CS+LEWIS+on+worrying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcu8EIb_zGsZDDjLNOQMvSezqM4eXnqqktQd9GIeczrCanLkJmmVRU4y7vWZkaFboyagP-BJJr_Vhyphenhyphenihxmt1dgwVqX16Sz_xus8MUJ8k3egWoBJKVJViigw4MfuNnUTZPrxBVgbBZRA4/s640/CS+LEWIS+on+worrying.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Why is it so hard to live in the present all the time? Hurts from the past haunt us; concern about the future frightens us. If we let him, we serve a God who will heal our hurts. And of what use is it for us to be concerned about the future? We can control so little of it. Stop struggling with your past; stop fretting about the future. Your God will heal your wounds, and He controls your future. The only way to truly feel peace and joy is to live fully in the present.<br />
<br />
I know...easier said than done.</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-4411602036029374402012-01-12T22:43:00.000-08:002012-01-12T22:44:42.342-08:00Are People Who Are Tempted Weak?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
“A silly
idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an
obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A
man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it
would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know
very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving
in.”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> C. S. Lewis</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Jane is
a 31 year old woman. She is a Christian;
she is pretty. She has never been
married. She is still a virgin. She meets a terrific guy. He is handsome,
funny, and clearly is interested in her.
He makes it clear that he wants to have sex with her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
To say
she is tempted is an understatement. She
wonders why she is saving herself. No
one else saves themselves for marriage anymore. She is trying to maintain hope
that she will be married someday, to a Christian guy who will treat her
decently. Problem is she has not found a decent Christian guy in a long time…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She is
very, very tempted to give in to her new suitor. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sometimes,
it takes immense strength to resist. For
some, it is something large like keeping your virginity, or not having another
drink. For others it is the M&Ms that would easily fit in your pocket. People who struggle understand the badness in
the world. And temptations have an
amazing way of building. You can refuse something
the first time, but it stays there begging for you to give in. It builds and builds, to the point where it takes immense strength to resist. Yes, as C.S. Lewis says,
people who fight temptation are immensely strong and courageous. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We are
tempted by our own evil desires (James 1:13-14). Temptations are wonderfully purifying. They show us where we are bad, where we are
vulnerable. Being tempted is not a sin;
it is only sin when we give in to temptations.
Yet, temptations are vital show the condition of our heart. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
How to fight
temptation? Understand two things: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
(1). Temptations
are simply a shadow of true goodness. We
subconsciously (or consciously) think that giving in to the temptation will
bring us happiness. And giving in to
temptation might actually provide temporary satisfaction. Yet, giving in to
temptation is a poor substation for genuine, lasting happiness. Also, giving in
to temptation will always eventuate in something bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
(2). We serve a God who is intimately familiar
with every facing temptation. Hebrews says that Jesus was tempted as we are…in
every way. (Hebrews 4:15). He says that
He will help us with our burdens, help us fight temptation. That is not a idle
promise. It is a comfort to know that
Jesus knows how hard it is to fight temptation. Yet, we must also know that He
will help us fight temptation, that is, He will help show us the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Do not
ever think that there is something wrong with you, if you are tempted by
something. Examine what is tempting you,
and allow it to reveal what is in your heart.
Count on God to give you the strength and the courage to overcome
temptation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Jane is
a courageous and strong woman. She told her suitor that she was not that type
of girl. Whatever your demon, take
courage from her story, and take comfort from the promise of help from
Christ. Be courageous. Be strong.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-87114906370337736732012-01-05T21:02:00.000-08:002012-01-05T21:02:54.256-08:00Quietly Submit To Be Painted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
“Remember that He is the artist and you are only the
picture. You can’t see it. So quietly
submit to be painted –i.e., keep fulfilling all the obvious duties of your
station (you really know quite well enough what they are!), asking forgiveness
for each failure and then leaving it alone.
You are in the right way. Walk—don’t
keep looking at it.” C.S. Lewis, <i style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis, Volume 3</span></u></i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This quote reminds me of several other quotes. It reminds me of the verse in Isaiah where it
says, </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“But now, O LORD, You are our Father, </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are the clay, and You our potter; </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And all of us are the work of Your hand.”</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It reminds me of another C.S. Lewis when he says in essence,
it is not our duty to succeed. Finally,
it reminds the saying, “Just do the next right thing.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Perhaps you are like me, however. I tend to forget this idea. I “work” hard to
grow. And the harder I work, the more I expect results. But that is not our job. Our only job is to keep showing up. We are simply along for the ride. We will grow, if we keep showing up. We will grow at the right rate, at the right
time, for the right purpose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Paradoxically, the Christian life is such that the harder we
try to grow, the harder we “work”, the longer it takes. Yes, we need to show
up. But our job is simply to be malleable,
amenable to when and how He works in our lives.
We will grow at different paces. There will be times of tremendous growth
and long stretches of dryness. And our lives will rarely develop the way we hope
or plan. We save ourselves so much angst
if we simply remember this and alter our expectations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hold on to the following truth:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
[T]hat He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of
Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He is painting a beautiful picture in your life…as long as
you let Him. Rest comfortably in that
truth. Stop striving or fighting it.
Trust it instead. </div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-8832241547409876202011-12-20T22:17:00.000-08:002011-12-20T22:22:27.928-08:00You Will Be Eating With Immortals This Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.
Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to
our as the life of a gnat. But it is
immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors
or everlasting splendors. This does not
mean that we are to be perpetually solemn.
We must play. But our merriment
must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists
between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously—no flippancy,
no superiority, no presumption." C.S. Lewis.</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Let's face it. Even though Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas can also be a time when people drive us crazy. Perhaps it is the brother who refuses to be much of a brother to you. Perhaps it is an awkward (or worse) relationship with a parent. Maybe it is the obnoxious Uncle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLxuE59VvDB90eeYy1Z4XxDz1ZYKu8f_QSjICq6ij7MvtoSyMPOSWnC6v-0Q0ipz6Wqc90ZckHvKcXRp2v1niKMYZyGeP8pZBg2Vz68AzLWsWtPNV1v9-uSXogO4YEY0PDu1HwzyJL9E/s1600/celebration.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLxuE59VvDB90eeYy1Z4XxDz1ZYKu8f_QSjICq6ij7MvtoSyMPOSWnC6v-0Q0ipz6Wqc90ZckHvKcXRp2v1niKMYZyGeP8pZBg2Vz68AzLWsWtPNV1v9-uSXogO4YEY0PDu1HwzyJL9E/s200/celebration.gif" width="200" /></a>The quote above reminds us, however, that there are no ordinary people, that each person is an immortal child of God. You will be having Christmas dinner with immortals. It will be an immortal who gave you that...gift. It is an immortal who will be sitting next to you in church. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It is not always easy to see that. My prayer is that you are able to remember that this season, when you ready to wring someone's neck. May your celebrations this year be merry celebrations, without flippancy, superiority, or presumption.</div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-25619675971755875322011-12-18T21:49:00.000-08:002011-12-18T21:49:55.239-08:00Is Christmas A Nuisance?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
"I feel exactly as you do about the horrid commercial
racket they have made out of Christmas. I send no cards and give no
presents except to children." C.S. Lewis, <u>Letters To An American Lady</u>.</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I was shocked to learn that C.S. Lewis was somewhat of a
Scrooge when it came to Christmas.
Specifically, in his collection of essay, <u>God in the Dock</u>, he
decries Christmas as a nuisance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I suppose in some sense he is right. If Christmas is limited to its secular
purposes then it is no more than a Federal holiday or worse, a commercial racket. And truthfully, it is easy to get caught up
in a “meaningless” Christmas with all the “duties” that come with Christmas
between shopping for mostly needless gifts, dutifully spending time with family
whom many would not like to spend time with outside of Christmas (note to my
family, this certainly does not apply to you. I can think of no people I would
rather spend time with.).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I hope instead this Christmas and every Christmas is one of
deep meaning. I hope you are able to
reflect on the love that Jesus showed you by emptying himself and become
man. I hope find time to reflect on the
hope that we have, a hope that is certain because of Jesus’ incarnation. I hope you are able to consider the peace
that Jesus offers us because of his life.
I hope you experience joy in knowing the depth of His love for you. May this joy, peace, love, and hope of this
season fill you full such that you are able to extend it to those in your life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If we do not focus on such things, then C.S. Lewis is right…
Christmas is a nuisance.</div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-81450913593218577422011-12-06T18:02:00.001-08:002011-12-06T18:19:50.862-08:00Pain Removes The Veil And Plants The Flag Of Truth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i>"No doubt Pain as God's megaphone is a terrible instrument: it may lead to final and unrepented rebellion. But it gives the only opportunity the bad man can have for amendment. It removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul."</i> </span>C.S. Lewis, <u>The Problem of Pain</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">None of us likes pain. Pain is never something to look forward to. Unfortunately, pain is at times a "necessary evil" because of the rebelliousness of our hearts. Sometimes the only way that God can break through the barrier that we have placed around our hearts is with a sledgehammer. In that sense, the pain that God allows (causes?) in our lives is a matter of grace. In that sense, pain is not a necessary evil, but a necessary good.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Please do not misunderstand. I am not saying that pain is good. We shirk from pain, and rightfully so. Yet, we should never deny that God <b><i>always </i></b>uses pain for our benefit and His glory. Although that does not necessarily take the pain away, it can make it easier to bear. We are able to endure when we take our eyes off of our current pain and focus on the promise that, "all things work together for the good."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is beautifully summarized in Hebrews 12:11:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">All discipline </span><sup class="xref" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30224A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the </span><sup class="xref" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30224B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">peaceful fruit of righteousness."</span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Some reading this are in immense pain right now, be it physical or emotional. I do not mean to make light of your pain. But rest assured that He is in the process of planting the flag of truth in your heart, and the yield will be the "peaceful fruit of righteousness"...as long as you let Him work. As C.S. Lewis points out, we have two choices when faced with pain: (a) unrepentant rebellion, or (b) allowing the veil to be removed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Child of God, take courage and trust Him with your pain! Allow Him to work. It <b><i>will </i></b>produce great fruit.</div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-22415942997447229452011-11-29T21:18:00.001-08:002011-11-29T21:20:29.510-08:00A Lesson From C.S. Lewis On His Birthday: You Are Never Too Old To Dream<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new
dream.” C.S. Lewis</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsL9i81Sf16cSul9H5SNAgLOhyCChm5QZ1jG9eJ4IwbANzWYXA43WizuNWalZEF00xDaKq6eyonzSTxM43YEN2HGd-pdF7l0C_N6kK0ttFZRTSVmJ5vkOAYbLXdev8DAgsR9O5SBX3BQ/s1600/You+Are+Never+Too+Old.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsL9i81Sf16cSul9H5SNAgLOhyCChm5QZ1jG9eJ4IwbANzWYXA43WizuNWalZEF00xDaKq6eyonzSTxM43YEN2HGd-pdF7l0C_N6kK0ttFZRTSVmJ5vkOAYbLXdev8DAgsR9O5SBX3BQ/s400/You+Are+Never+Too+Old.gif" width="387" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Today, November 29, 2011, would have been C.S. Lewis’s 113<sup>th</sup>
birthday. It makes me think of the quote from Bilbo Baggins in the Lord of the
Rings who was 111 when he said, “Alas, eleventy-one years is far too short a
time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits. I don’t know half of
you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as
well as you deserve.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
C.S. Lewis is of course famous for his theological
treatises, as well as his fairy tales. What interests me is that late in life,
C.S. Lewis wrote less theological treatises and more “children’s” stories, believing
that lessons are learned better when told in story form. Beyond believing that he was right, it
interests me because many of us as we age tend to move away from fairy tales
and fantasies, exchanging such frivolity for the mundane and serious. I may be fantastic in my belief, but I
suspect that Lewis was more of a child when he died than when he was a young
man.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This is important.
Actually it is, in my mind, of critical importance. Namely, I believe we
must work hard as we age to continue to dream, continue to set goals, some of
which are fantastic. Dreams are what give the soul life; wishful fantasies are
important to bring joy to the mundane drudgery in which we too often live.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Dreaming can become difficult the older we get because we
are afraid of disappointment. Past failures cause us to be afraid to trust… to
trust ourselves or to trust that God will not disappoint. We must learn to dream big, but to hold such
dreams loosely. We need to trust God that He will always fulfill our wildest
fantasies…as long as they are good for us.
In the same way that a parent must temper a child’s desires, God will not
always fulfill every fantasy of ours. But just like a parent who loves her
child, God will fulfill every healthy wish.
In fact, He generally will fulfill far beyond what we could have hoped
and dreamed (cf. Ephesians 3:20).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So in honor of C.S. Lewis’s birthday, dust off some of those
wild ideas, dream big, and set a new, fantastic goal. Put the fear in the backseat and floor the accelerator. Turn the radio up, and let your hair blow in
the wind… no matter how old you are.</div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-60154254203739889042011-11-26T18:58:00.001-08:002011-11-26T18:59:46.999-08:00We Live...Starved For Solitude, Silence, and Privacy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence,
and privacy, and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.” C.S.
Lewis</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Privacy is a rare commodity; solitude is virtually extinct;
and most of us start getting worried when we experience lengthy silence. It is, quite frankly, a recipe for
disaster. C. S. Lewis talks about true
friendship as stemming from the deepest part of a person, from the secret place
of the soul, the inner chambers of true self. We are built to live in
community, yet silence, solitude and meditation are critical for spiritual
growth, to examine ourselves, and as we learn of ourselves, learn to be a good
friend. It is no coincidence that time
for devotions is often referred to as, “quiet time.” God’s voice is most clearly heard in silence,
solitude, and privacy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Please understand.
There are many who read this that are lonely, and are sick of the
solitude. The pain of loneliness is a
terrific burden. As I mentioned above,
we are built for community. Yet, for most
of us, we need to learn to value solitude and silence. We need to learn to value it because it is so
important to be able to meditate and to develop a true friendship with
God. And it really is about learning to
value it because setting aside time for silence to be alone with God is choice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Most of us live in a very busy world. It is dangerous. Busyness
withers the soul. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In silence, solitude and privacy we find friendship…with the
God of the universe. </div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-19109991402128163802011-11-10T00:10:00.000-08:002011-11-10T00:10:05.775-08:00Your Whole Life Is A Continuum Toward Wholeness or Destruction<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Your life is a continuum where wholeness is on one end and destruction is on the other. Each decision you make is moving you one direction towards wholeness and peace with God, or away from Him." C. S. Lewis</span></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have a friend that often reminds me that, "There is no such thing as the status quo; change is inevitable. We are either improving or going backwards." He is right, and C.S. Lewis applies this principle to our relationship with God. There are, however, two unfortunate things. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First, most of us tend to like the status quo. We don't like change. We like where we are at and are fearful of messing up a good thing. We fail to truly understand that, in the case of the Christian, all change is good, even change that brings about pain. Instead of being wary of change, Christians need to be people who enthusiastically embrace change. Roosevelt's oft quoted saying, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" is truer for the Christian than for anybody else because we have the assurance that all things, even painful things, will benefit us.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The second unfortunate thing is that being fallen, we tend to sabotage our path to wholeness. As Paul said in Romans, "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: 0.5em;"><sup class="xref" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28110B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">is</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"> not. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">For </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: 0.5em;"><sup class="xref" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28111C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want." (Romans 7:18-19). The key is to acknowledge our tendency, to embrace the forgiveness that is made </span>available<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> to us, and to repent, that is, turn back around and head toward wholeness. </span></span>There is never a time when you have gone too far down the road of destruction. We can always turn back toward God. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">True wholeness is found only in Him. When we are not moving toward Him, we are ultimately on the path of destruction. Make a decision today to move toward wholeness, that is, to move toward Him.</span></span></div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-32423321719434979802011-11-07T21:30:00.000-08:002011-11-07T21:30:14.242-08:00Pain But Without Stain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you
to go through it, not without pain but without stain.” C.S. Lewis</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Like many of sentences written by C.S. Lewis, this one
sentence is packed with a host of powerful truths.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">First, God foresaw all of our tribulations. This is not
insignificant. Often, if you are like me,
our first thoughts when the inevitable trials come are something akin to, “God
has forgotten me.” We subconsciously feel
that God is supposed to protect us, and since He is not protecting us, then He
has forgotten about us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Which brings us to the second truth, namely He has not only
not forgotten about us, but He has specially prepared us to survive. For
one thing, we have a Savior who suffered immensely and was tempted in every
way. For another thing, the Holy Spirit works in our lives now to comfort
(Romans 8:26), to guide (John 14:26), and to intercede on our behalf (Romans
8:26).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The third truth is simply that we will suffer pain in life,
but that He will bring us through it without stain and actually in better shape
than we were. This truth has to be hammered home, however. Namely, we can be
walking perfectly within God’s will, but we will still suffer pain. The “prosperity gospel” will tell you
otherwise. It says that if you are suffering it is because you do not have
enough faith. As far as I am concerned,
that is a carefully crafted lie by the Devil himself. No, you can be walking perfectly in God’s
will, and you are still guaranteed to suffer.
God does not protect us from pain.
We will metaphorically suffer bruises, bumps, and broken bones. The greatest comfort of all is, however, that
God will take those injuries, heal them, and bring us through it stronger.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Amen, what a Savior! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-ehzeNUCHPae8B7n7eKuTQtytI9uja_5sM9BER_H5fMOw4cKhdKMnswpG4yuH26VLtiCTI7Gwkuu85EdmsWFVedqiggv2ndNpm0_VIrrQUxXwGzjH1WTCX3t2PJjFLU_KokdquPXYPE/s1600/cs-lewis+quote.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-ehzeNUCHPae8B7n7eKuTQtytI9uja_5sM9BER_H5fMOw4cKhdKMnswpG4yuH26VLtiCTI7Gwkuu85EdmsWFVedqiggv2ndNpm0_VIrrQUxXwGzjH1WTCX3t2PJjFLU_KokdquPXYPE/s400/cs-lewis+quote.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-12496772367057226592011-10-24T22:26:00.000-07:002011-10-24T22:26:45.946-07:00The Danger of Goodness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Goodness is either the great safety or the great danger — according to the way you react to it." C.S. Lewis, <i><u>Mere Christianity</u></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></u></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Have you ever been in a life situation where life "couldn't be going better", where everything is going swimmingly, or at least so you think? Let me ask you something. At such a time, how was your relationship with Christ?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br />
There was a period in my life where I was "successful" by every measure the world has. I was making piles of money, had a pretty girlfriend, and lots of friends. And how was my relationship with Christ? It was probably the time in my life where I was the lowest spiritually. <br />
<br />
We all want to live the "good life", yet there is a serious danger in too much goodness. When everything is going well, we tend not to "pick up our crosses daily"; we tend to become arrogant and / or lethargic about spiritual matters. As Zig Ziglar said, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Success makes failures out of too many people." </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">I am not saying revel in misery. Yes, continue to try and live the good life. Never, ever forget, however, that the success of every endeavor is from the Lord and that if life is good, it will only stay good as long as we react properly -- with thanksgiving to a God who gives us good gifts. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">All is a gift from Him...</span></div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-78218370812423656032011-10-13T21:38:00.000-07:002011-10-13T21:38:21.851-07:00Holiness Is Not Dull...It is Irresistible<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">"How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing...it is irresistible." C.S. Lewis, <u><i>Letters To An American Lady</i></u><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">I saw a friend recently whom I have not seen in close to seven years. Ed is the pastor of a church I used to attend and we used to have tremendous discussions. He helped me tremendously during a very difficult time in my life.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">When I saw Ed this time, I was struck by the fact that it did not seem like he had aged a day. Even though he must be in his mid-fifties, he could easily pass for being ten years younger. Ed is also just a pleasure to be around. He listens well and has a warm laugh. Life just seems...richer when Ed is around. In Ed's case, he is among the most "holy" people I know.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">The point is that "holy" people are anything but boring. Holy people people are warm...they listen well... they are just as much about you as themselves...they are honest...and generally, there is a gleam in their eye. They laugh easily because they have few cares. At the same time when life turns deadly serious, there is no one whom you would rather have in your corner.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Becoming holy is hard work. It often involves the smelting pot of life to remove the impurities from our lives. Becoming holy always involves dying to self so that the Christ can be evident. Yet, life becomes richer as we become more holy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Whatever the case, never believe that holy people are dull; holy people are irresistible. We need more holy people. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">Can you think of people in your life whom you consider holy but who are completely irresistible? </span></span></div>
</div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-62512642485302672652011-10-10T21:27:00.000-07:002011-10-10T21:27:25.194-07:00We Meet No Ordinary People<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“We meet no ordinary people in our lives.” C.S. Lewis</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There are, by best estimates, currently approximately seven billion people in the world. Each person is unique; each person has a purpose; each person extraordinary. We always must watch ourselves when we begin to believe someone is ordinary. There is not a soul that exists for whom God did not sacrifice His son. Everyone has worth, not based on their abilities, intelligence, beauty, or any other reason other than the fact that each of us is made in the image of God and because God values us. We have value because He deems that we are valuable. If we are valuable to our Creator, then we are valuable indeed. Whenever we begin to doubt someone's worth, we must always remember their worth to God.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Now, I am not going to say that it is always easy to see the image of God in someone. Sometimes it is buried under rudeness or greed or pride or just plain badness. Nevertheless, even "bad" people are not ordinary.
There is someone reading this who is wondering what their value is. Life has been full of disappointment and you wonder if God has abandoned you. My friend, I have been where you are at. I would just encourage you to hang on; life will get better. In the meantime, as difficult as it is, hang on to the truth that you have value, that God has a purpose for you, and that you are far from ordinary.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Let's all renew our attitude toward each other and treat everyone as if they are extraordinary because each one is.</span></div>
</div>
The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-38065123285709468742011-10-02T19:57:00.000-07:002011-10-02T19:57:11.379-07:00There Is One Vice Of Which No Man In The World Is Free<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote style="text-align: justify;">
“There is one vice of which no
man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it
in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever
imagine that they are guilty themselves. I have heard people admit that they
are bad-tempered, or that they cannot keep their heads about girls or drink, or
even that they are cowards. I do not think I have ever heard anyone who was not
a Christian accuse himself of this vice. And at the same time I have very
seldom met anyone, who was not a Christian, who showed the slightest mercy to
it in others. There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault
which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it
ourselves, the more we dislike it in others. The vice I am talking of is Pride
or Self-Conceit….” C.S. Lewis, <i><u>Mere Christianity</u></i>.</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Of all sins, pride is the most
dangerous.<span> </span>It was the first sin, but it
is also a source of almost every sin because sin, at its heart, is the belief
that, “we know best.”<span> </span>And pride is such
a tough thing to battle; it pokes its head up everywhere.<span> </span>The moment we think we have it beat, the
simple fact that we think we have it beat becomes a source of pride. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It is so easy to spot pride in
someone else, isn’t it?<span> </span>Yet, it can be
difficult to see when we are prideful.<span>
</span>It is Satan’s main weapon and he does everything he can to mask it in
our lives.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The opposite of pride is
humility.<span> </span>Humility does not mean
thinking poorly of ourselves. Rather, it is not thinking about ourselves at
all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Easier said than done,
right?<span> </span>We must be constantly vigilant to
fight this dreadful cancer. And we should be people who extend grace to people
who are battling the disease of pride. <span> </span></div>
</div>
The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-31031618561637861582011-09-25T19:25:00.000-07:002011-09-25T19:25:25.629-07:00"It Is Not Your Business To Succeed..."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote style="text-align: justify;">
"It is not your business to succeed, but to do right.
When you have done so the rest lies with God."<span> </span>C.S. Lewis</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Too often we are overly goal oriented. What I mean by that
is that our society lauds setting goals and doing everything we can to reach
those goals.<span> </span>The is fine except for one
very important aspect; namely, we too often forget that our success is not
dependent on our effort.<span> </span>Our only part
in the equation is the willingness to do the “next right thing.”<span> </span>The success of any endeavor is dependent on
God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Do not misunderstand me, it is important to have goals.<span> </span>We must never believe, however, that we have
any control over achieving success.<span> </span>“Every
good and perfect gift comes down from above…”<span>
</span>James 1:17.<span> </span>God is the source of
all that is good in our lives, of every success.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
God is just as interested in the process as the result.<span> </span>If you are anything like me, we focus too
much on getting there, rather than enjoying the journey.<span> </span>Enjoying the journey is such a key to our
Christian lives. When we are not so focused on the goal, we are able to be more
fully present in this hour, we are able to see better all that we have to be
thankful for, and we eliminate so many of our anxieties.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Let’s stop striving so hard toward goals, commit to living
in the present, and trust that God will bring about success.<span> </span></div>
</div>
The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-53001625409931165072011-09-19T20:52:00.000-07:002011-09-19T20:52:52.629-07:00"Why Love If Losing Hurts So Much?"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 14px;">"Why love if losing hurts so much? We love to know that we are not alone." C.S. Lewis</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">When we love, we become vulnerable. We can badly hurt by those who love us, either by things they do to us, by divorce, by rejection, by abuse, or even by death. It can hurt so bad that we begin to wonder if we should love at all, if we should really leave ourselves so vulnerable. We are tempted to withdraw and want to live in a cocoon. We genuinely question whether Tennyson was right when he wrote, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 14px;">"Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 14px;">Well, Tennyson was right. Yes, loving people leaves us open to great hurts. Yet, the alternative is worst. The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference or irrelevance. There is no greater pain than the feeling of being completely alone. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 14px;">If you have been hurt by someone whom you have loved deeply, do not give in to the temptation to withdraw. In the long run, it will be even more painful. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 14px;">And, to put a spiritual spin on this, I am going to commit blasphemy and say that C.S. Lewis is not quite right. We do not only love to know that we are not alone. The real reason that we love is because God has loved us. We are able to love and to be vulnerable because we have the faith that He loves us, we are never truly alone, and ultimately He will heal every hurt and dry every tear.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-87799019854900519852011-09-15T16:39:00.000-07:002011-09-15T16:39:52.835-07:00On Forgiveness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. This is hard. It is perhaps not so hard to forgive a single person great injury. But to forgive the incessant provocations of daily life -- to keep on forgiving the bossy mother-in-law, the bullying husband, the nagging wife, the selfish daughter, the deceitful son -- how can we do it? Only, I think, by remembering where we stand, by meaning our words when we say our prayers each night "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us." We are offered forgiveness on no other terms. To refuse is to refuse God's mercy for ourselves."</i> C.S. Lewis, <u>The Weight of Glory</u>, <i>"On Forgiveness"</i></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Forgiveness is not always easy. In fact, forgiveness can at times be among the hardest things as Christians we are called to do. When we have been hurt deeply or repeatedly, it can be next to impossible to forgive. How do you forgive the person who has abused you? How do you forgive the spouse who cheated on you? How do you forgive the person who stole from you?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In this quote, C.S. Lewis says that the key is keeping in mind the consequences if we do not forgive. God will not forgive us if we do not forgive someone else. And why should He? He offers us a priceless gift. No matter who you are, you have been forgiven much. It is true that some of us have been forgiven more than others, yet, we all have been forgiven the unpardonable; namely, we all have been forgiven for turning our back on our Creator. Accordingly, if we refuse to forgive others we are rejecting God's mercy that has been freely given to us.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">God does not "command" us to forgive because He is masochistic and because He wants us to do the impossible. The opposite of forgiveness is bitterness and bitterness eats at your soul. The person who refuses to forgive destroys their own soul. God wants us to forgive others because He knows it is impossible for us to lead healthy lives without forgiving.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There is no magic bullet to be able to forgive easily. However, the person who refuses to forgive has not readily accepted how much God has forgiven them. God will always give you the strength to forgive if you willingly ask for help.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Let's be people who are quick to forgive and extend grace to those in our lives. </span></div><i><br />
</i></div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-4792961416628904352011-09-09T07:03:00.000-07:002011-09-09T07:03:37.653-07:00"Care For The Next Minute Is As Foolish As Care For A Day In The Next Thousand Years"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<blockquote>"The next moment is as much beyond our grasp, and as much in God's care, as that a hundred years away. Care for the next minute is as foolish as care for a day in the next thousand years. In neither can we do anything, in both God is doing everything." C.S. Lewis</blockquote><div class="MsoNormal">Stop and think for a moment. Is there anything in life that you actually control?<span> </span>Anything?!?!?<span> </span>We can eat healthfully and exercise consistently, but truthfully, we do not control our next breath.<span> </span>We can plan for the future and save our money, but through thievery or some other diabolical scheme, financial disaster could be right around the corner.<span> </span>We may drive safely, yet we have no control over the driver who doesn’t and we could be killed in a car accident on our way to work.<span> </span>We certainly cannot control relationships.<span> </span>I think mankind naturally has a tendency to try and control everything in his life.<span> </span>Yet, how foolish that is!<span> </span>As C.S. Lewis says, “the next moment is beyond our grasp…as that a hundred years away.”<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you are a Christian, rather than depressing you, this should actually free you.<span> </span>The Christian has no reason to fear any calamity in the future.<span> </span>The sooner we stop trying to control our future the more peace we experience.<span> </span>Valleys will come in life, but we have a Sheppard who will lead us through.<span> </span>We are sure to experience sickness or disappointment, but God is at work in every situation, for our benefit and His glory.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is not to say that we should not plan and be wise in our daily choices.<span> </span>It is important to be wise with our money, to exercise and to eat well.<span> </span>Yet, we must always keep in mind that God is the Source of all that is good in our lives, that health is a gift from him, or the money we are able to save is really a gift from Him.<span> </span>We need to hold our plans and our futures loosely in our hands because ultimately He is the one controlling our futures. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For whatever reason, God has given us only one thing which we can control, namely our will.<span> </span>The only thing we can really control is our response to life situations. <span> </span>It is so much easier to respond positively to life when we understand that the Creator of all is at work.<span> </span>Chuck Swindoll wrote, </div><blockquote>“The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.<span> </span>We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act a certain way.<span> </span>We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.”</blockquote><div class="MsoNormal">What have you been trying to control?</div></div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-77014772390362376442011-09-05T14:19:00.000-07:002011-09-05T14:20:29.093-07:00The Path to Sainthood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><blockquote>Sainthood lies in the habit of referring the smallest actions to God. - C. S. Lewis</blockquote><div class="MsoNormal">Most of us who are Christians want to be saints, those people of immense holiness who do amazing things for God. We are righteously “jealous” of such people, but we do not know how to be such people. As this quote from C.S. Lewis indicates, the pathway to sainthood is found in the grind of every day life and being willing in the midst of that grind, to continually submit everything to God –even the smallest small things. This idea reminds me of the of the quote from Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu, </div><blockquote>“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” </blockquote><div class="MsoNormal">Christ put it this way:</div><blockquote>“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” Luke 16:10.</blockquote><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Just like a parent will slowly give a child more and more responsibility and freedom as they demonstrate their ability to handle it, God will give us more and more responsibility in His kingdom work. If we want to do great things for God, we need to be willing to submit the mundane to God. If we want to be a saint, we need to be begin with the small things.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This concept contains the element of Christ permeating everything in our lives, of dying to ourselves. As we willingly die to self, Christ's reign becomes more evident in our lives. It is then, and only then, that God will be able to use us in great ways.</div></div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-83542467683337235732011-08-27T16:06:00.000-07:002011-08-27T16:08:42.748-07:00Affliction...Prepares An Ordinary Person For..An Extraordinary Destiny<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><blockquote>"Affliction is often that thing which prepares an ordinary person for some sort of an extraordinary destiny." C.S. Lewis</blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;">I know in my life, I shrink from adversity. I run from it as fast as I can. Yet, when I look back on my life, I realize that when I have truly grown, it is because of some trial. Why is it so difficult to understand the benefits of affliction?</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;">I once heard a preacher say that, “God will never use you until He has wounded you.” The Bible sure seems to bear that out. The “great” men of God were murderers, adulterers, back-stabbers, and cheaters (Jacob, Moses, David, Paul, Peter). Those who have suffered great affliction are humbled by, recognize their dependency on God, and are thankful when God gives them a second chance. </div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;">It is very, very difficult, but we need to be people who are patient in the midst of afflictions, hopeful because God is using them to help us grow. “Consider it pure joy my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance, and perseverance must finish its work in order that you may be mature and complete.” James 1:2-3.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;">If you have suffered a lot in life, take comfort in the fact that God is preparing you for, “some sort of an extraordinary destiny.”</div></div></div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-37665324721158986852011-08-23T23:21:00.000-07:002011-08-23T23:21:26.085-07:00It Is The Comparison That Makes You Proud<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<blockquote><i>"Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man... It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition is gone, pride is gone."</i> C.S. Lewis, <u>Mere Christianity</u></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal">I have never thought about pride this way, but it is true.<span> </span>Pride does not settle on achieving something; pride is only satisfied once it has more than everyone else.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Why do we compete with each other?<span> </span>James says, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?<span> </span>Is not the source your evil desires that wage war in your members?<span> </span>You lust and do not have; so you commit murder.<span> </span>And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.”<span> </span>James 4: 1-2.</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is a fundamental issue at work whenever we are being competitive. At its core, it is a disbelief that God will provide for our needs and our wants.<span> </span>We need to remember that He is the source of all good things in our lives. All is grace.<span> </span>We are not entitled to anything. When we truly understand that, we cannot be competitive because we come to realize that everything is a gift.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Pride is the original sin.<span> </span>It is the enemy of love.<span> </span>Competition is the source of pride. Competition and pride have no place in our lives as Christians.</div></div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8194714104721423899.post-88198474572941812422011-08-18T21:36:00.000-07:002011-08-18T21:36:11.360-07:00"Our Lord Finds Our Desires Are Not Too Strong, But Too Weak"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">"It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." C.S. Lewis, <u>The Weight of Glory</u>.</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">It seems strange to think about our desires being too weak, but when you think about it, what C.S. Lewis is saying is true. We give in to temptation because we do not have strong enough desires.<span> </span>Thus, when we drink our sorrows away, we are taking the easy way out. When we give in to have relationship after relationship without any true commitment, we are giving in to momentary happiness in exchange for the deep love and joy of marriage.<span> </span>Whenever we give in to temptation, we are settling for the mud puddle, when God wants us to be able to play at the sea shore.<b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">I have been thinking recently that one of the most important characteristic that we must always have as Christians is the ability to have the long view about life.<span> </span>When we have the long view of life, we are able to have a deep seated joy that is not based on circumstances. It is not based on circumstances because ultimately we know what the outcome is and that outcome is a holiday at the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">When are here on earth, we always have to have the long view and live with the next world in mind.<span> </span>When we are struggling here on earth, we need to always keep in mind the benefits of suffering and our future glory.<span> </span>When things are going well in life, we need to keep the future in mind and not be complacent.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">The other aspect of this quote that is so important is that much of our suffering we would not consider suffering if we were able to see what God was doing.<span> </span>We are content in our mud puddle making pies, when God wants to take us to the sea shore.<span> </span>We kick and scream when He takes us away from the mud puddle because we are happy there, but He has so much more in mind for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>The Hollywood Film Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03022480261565223239noreply@blogger.com3