This is my favorite book I've read this year, in a year full of excellent reading. In fact, I have gleaned so much from this classic that I've startedThis is my favorite book I've read this year, in a year full of excellent reading. In fact, I have gleaned so much from this classic that I've started a whole new Goodreads catagory called "re-reads" because I plan on reading this regularly, possibly even yearly.
I expected a great classic, but not so much practical life guidance....more
Whenever I read any book by Lewis I always ask myself why I read anything else until I've read everything he has ever written. He puts everything in sWhenever I read any book by Lewis I always ask myself why I read anything else until I've read everything he has ever written. He puts everything in such a way that is so complex yet so simple. Only a true genius can write something that you feel exactly the same way yourself, but could never have the eloquence to state it like Lewis can.
Highly recommend The Four Loves to anyone who has ever loved anything. I live with a beautiful example of these loves in my own home in my husband, and I kept looking up from my reading the whole time and asking him questions about affection, friendship, Eros, and charity.
This would be wonderful for any young teenagers who are just coming into dating or adulthood and wonderful for a discussion group of all ages. There's so much to think about and talk through about how these loves look practically in daily life....more
This book is revolutionary. It shouldn't be. It's all right there -- in scripture. But I have forgotten that "we were reconciled to God by the death oThis book is revolutionary. It shouldn't be. It's all right there -- in scripture. But I have forgotten that "we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." (Romans 5:10)
We shall be saved by his life!
His death paid for our sins, yes. But eternal life doesn't begin someday. His resurrection made it possible for Him to now live in us continually and for us to experience Him.
Major Ian Thomas reminded me that "Christ did not die simply that [I] might be saved from a bad conscience... but to 'clear the decks' for divine action."
One of my favorite quotes from the book: "We have begun to see that victorious Christian living is not a method or technique; it is an entirely different, revolutionary principle of life. It is the principle of an exchanged life -- '...not I, but Christ liveth in me' (Gal. 2:20). I would like to explore with you what is the true spiritual content of our Gospel--not just heaven one day, but Christ right now!"
Thomas explains that the best Bible commentary is the Bible itself, so he gives a wonderful example about the children of Isreal leaving Egypt, only to wander in the wilderness for 40 years before they were able to enter into Canaan. Just because they left Egypt, doesn't mean they entered the new life that was prepared for them!
He goes on to unfold their journey out of Egypt, including crossing over the Red Sea, was a picture of death. "We may understand again, therefore, from this picture, that God's purpose in the cross of Jesus Christ was two-fold: first that we might be forgiven, being saved from sin's penalty because Christ died for us, and secondly, that we might be delivered from sin's power, because this old sinful nature, called the flesh, died with Him....more
For pete's sake, whenever I read anything by Lewis, I wonder why I bother to read anything else until I've read everything he ever wrote. Lewis has suFor pete's sake, whenever I read anything by Lewis, I wonder why I bother to read anything else until I've read everything he ever wrote. Lewis has such a concise clarity that is both brilliant and simple, the mark of a great thinker and writer.
I, am somewhat hesitant and humbled to say, have never lost anyone profoundly close to me. I lost by grandfather when I was 14. We were close, and I loved him, but being only 14, I hadn't the time I wish to know him even better than I did. It's also always sad to lose anyone, but a grandparent is an "expected" loss. He was older, and went quickly and didn't suffer, so it is about the easiest way possible to lose a loved one, if there ever is an easy way. I mourn the most for my own father, but even there, there is comfort, since they are both believers, and will see each other again in heaven. It is rare to be in ones early 30s and still have three grandparents, all parents, all siblings, and even every close friend still on this earth. This mercy is not lost on me.
But I am absolutely filing this book away for when the day comes that I will lose someone. Because I know that is inevitable in this life. And the clarity and sympathy apparent in this book, will be a great comfort to me on that day. Even now, I could recognize truth in what he said, even if it's not yet firsthand. I pray I am spared the type of loss Lewis experienced, but it is a great comfort, even know, to know that one's faith can continue, even in such a severe mercy as his "grief, observed."...more
But as the months go on, and I still find myself being affected by it, I decided it is time to give it a review. It's rare that I reThis book I liked.
But as the months go on, and I still find myself being affected by it, I decided it is time to give it a review. It's rare that I read a book that I'm still thinking about not just days, but months later.
Beyond that, this book has changed my life. Despite having SO MUCH to be thankful for, being grateful was always something I "should do." Something I did on occasion, most definitely. But not something I really had the tools to know could change my life. My life has been changed by gratefulness.
This book has been an ice-axe to break open the frozen sea of my soul, and made me notice the grace in the everyday.
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