Essential Books: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Someone once said that each time you read a new book you should add an old book too.  We have looked at the essential books and "Mere Christianity" is certainly one of them.

Lewis is brilliant.  These chapters were written for the radio and take his tone and personality to the page.  Definitely British, with some aging language, and he sometimes using humor that eludes me, but he is brilliant.  Few writers that have kept their relevance for modern/post modern readers like "Mere" and C.S. Lewis.

Chapter 10's snippet on "Hope" is an example.  Lewis deals with the anxiety and often disillusioned responses of the late 1940's at is essence.  His frustration with the Christian response and the culture's understanding of the Christian life reflect those of mine and many others.  "There is no need to be worried by facetious people who try to make the Christian hope of "heaven" ridiculous by saying they do not want "to spend eternity playing harps."  The answer to such people is that if they cannot understand books written for grown ups, they should not talk about them....People who take these symbols literally might as well think that when Christ told us to be like doves, He meant that we were to lay eggs."  (P. 106)

Buy a copy for your essential shelf or put it on your Kindle.  It is worth reading and re-reading devotionally.

Review: In Plain Sight; Seeing God's Signature Throughout Creation by Charles R. Gordon

The myriad of devotional instruction books out there start running together after a while.  This one is different for two reasons.  First is that it comes from the perspective of a scientist and not a spiritual director or theologian.  Second is due to the fact that I can review the author and not just the work. Charley is the neurosurgeon that did a delicate back surgery on my wife last September.  He is the first surgeon that prayed with us and he exhibits Christ with integrity.

Charley Gordon, MD provides visual explosion of God's creation.  Pictures and a daily/weekly Bible reading lead the reader through the process of seeing the seen and the un-seeable.  For example, a photo of  a finger print that is paired with a photo of zebra stripes  followed by a short and sincere commentary on God's unity in diversity. With this is an invitation to set a tone for seeing our lives more clearly throughout the day.  This is more than a book full of pretty pictures or scientific oddities.  The woods are full of those.  "Plain Sight"  moves the reader to a deeper walk with God in Christ. I like the book.  It is good for the observant Christian and the seeker alike,  anyone looking for a smart, honest and spiritual way to find faith into the invisible part of creation.

The book is available through his ministry at http://www.designedonpurpose.com/ or from Amazon.  The website also offers other articles of interest, Dr. Gordon's online journal and a newsletter.  Buy two copies.  This is one to share with someone who is seeking more of the spiritual life.