"Your heart grows by giving out, but your mind grows by taking in." -Warren W. Wiersbe
I know I haven't featured Wiersbe's book (our textbook for this class) here much at all, but arriving to Chapter 19 I finally found myself nodding emphatically and wanting to take the man to coffee.
1) He praises Thoreau. Anyone who sees the merits of that man is a friend in my book.
2) He breaks down the "large library" myth. If you know me, you know that I have dreamed of my future library since I was exposed to Beauty and the Beast. All of you know what scene I'm talking about. The Beast opens up huge double-doors inside the castle, revealing an enormous, dark room. Keeping Belle's eyes covered, he begins opening curtains, revealing domed ceilings with towers of books reaching all the way to the top. And of course, when she is allowed to look, her mouth drops open, just as mine does every time.
Now, granted, I know there is no way I'll ever be able to afford even the acreage to cover a room to that scale, but I do have a fairly formidable urban-sized version planned. And after reading this chapter, I realized it contained books I probably wouldn't touch after reading them, or half-reading them. I'd tell myself Allen or the kids (someday) will find use of them...someday. But that's a habit of mine. I pack-rat things away, thinking I'll use them as costumes or props too...but of course that never happens. If I do another show, I know God will provide us with the necessary materials. He doesn't want me to live burdened by bulk. And...as much as it kills me to say...an unnecessarily large library, even though trendy, may be more trouble than it's worth if not built with great consideration.
3) As Robert Murray M'Cheyne states, "Beware of the classics. True, we ought to know them; but only as chemists handle poison--to discover their qualities, not to infect their blood with them." Yes, it is wonderful to find merit in a large selection of books, but some, as he describes, "aren't the best tools in your hands." He hardly suggests that you are not smart enough to read certain books; more of facing the reality that some things resonate with you more than they will others.
I realize this isn't a revolutionary idea, but I certainly never applied it myself. I praised the classics without actually thoroughly reading through them myself. I love Pride & Prejudice....the movie. I could read The Old Man and the Sea a million times...so long as I'm in a coffee shop. I've been planning to read The Kite Runner...for three years.
I would read anything someone tossed my way, especially in ministry. And when asked, especially in leader meetings, what we "got out of it," I would totally make something up, usually something I read in another book. Luckily no one asked me for a page number...and now I'm wondering if it's because a few of them were doing the same thing.
I have been worshipping intellect and presumptuous book collecting for a long time without considering what I actually like. That ends today. But to be honest, I'll probably watch Pride & Prejudice first.
Where do you see God working?
In my head, today.
What do you hear God saying?
"Be diligent in your work this morning. I have things to show you."
Okay...so no Jane Austen today. Check.
How do you see God working?
We'll see. Unsure yet.
I know I haven't featured Wiersbe's book (our textbook for this class) here much at all, but arriving to Chapter 19 I finally found myself nodding emphatically and wanting to take the man to coffee.
1) He praises Thoreau. Anyone who sees the merits of that man is a friend in my book.
2) He breaks down the "large library" myth. If you know me, you know that I have dreamed of my future library since I was exposed to Beauty and the Beast. All of you know what scene I'm talking about. The Beast opens up huge double-doors inside the castle, revealing an enormous, dark room. Keeping Belle's eyes covered, he begins opening curtains, revealing domed ceilings with towers of books reaching all the way to the top. And of course, when she is allowed to look, her mouth drops open, just as mine does every time.
Now, granted, I know there is no way I'll ever be able to afford even the acreage to cover a room to that scale, but I do have a fairly formidable urban-sized version planned. And after reading this chapter, I realized it contained books I probably wouldn't touch after reading them, or half-reading them. I'd tell myself Allen or the kids (someday) will find use of them...someday. But that's a habit of mine. I pack-rat things away, thinking I'll use them as costumes or props too...but of course that never happens. If I do another show, I know God will provide us with the necessary materials. He doesn't want me to live burdened by bulk. And...as much as it kills me to say...an unnecessarily large library, even though trendy, may be more trouble than it's worth if not built with great consideration.
3) As Robert Murray M'Cheyne states, "Beware of the classics. True, we ought to know them; but only as chemists handle poison--to discover their qualities, not to infect their blood with them." Yes, it is wonderful to find merit in a large selection of books, but some, as he describes, "aren't the best tools in your hands." He hardly suggests that you are not smart enough to read certain books; more of facing the reality that some things resonate with you more than they will others.
I realize this isn't a revolutionary idea, but I certainly never applied it myself. I praised the classics without actually thoroughly reading through them myself. I love Pride & Prejudice....the movie. I could read The Old Man and the Sea a million times...so long as I'm in a coffee shop. I've been planning to read The Kite Runner...for three years.
I would read anything someone tossed my way, especially in ministry. And when asked, especially in leader meetings, what we "got out of it," I would totally make something up, usually something I read in another book. Luckily no one asked me for a page number...and now I'm wondering if it's because a few of them were doing the same thing.
I have been worshipping intellect and presumptuous book collecting for a long time without considering what I actually like. That ends today. But to be honest, I'll probably watch Pride & Prejudice first.
Where do you see God working?
In my head, today.
What do you hear God saying?
"Be diligent in your work this morning. I have things to show you."
Okay...so no Jane Austen today. Check.
How do you see God working?
We'll see. Unsure yet.
