Wider or deeper?

Posted by Christ the King Lutheran Church on February 17, 2010 under Pastor's Message | Comments are off for this article

Next Sunday School – February 28th at 9:30

Old or new? Old or new?

Today I was paging through some previous books from our women’s study group, looking for a particular story (which I never found). But I did find many great lines that I had highlighted, underlined, and commented on. “That’s good, I should remember that, I should try that,” I muttered as I flipped past assorted treasures. “There’s more here that I remember; there’s more here than I was able to take in last time.”

“This book would be worth reading again,” I mutter. But when? The stack of new books that will guide my Lenten study are already chosen. I’m excited and intrigued by their possibilities even as I feel the tension between “wider” and “deeper”.

On the other hand, maybe I’m being tempted by a false dichotomy. I’ve happily re-read some fiction favourites over the years, seeing them differently at twenty than I did at forty. But I wouldn’t want only those books to read. New authors bring new viewpoints and enrich my view of the world.

That makes me think that “old” or “new” isn’t the main thing. The main thing is the graciousness of the Lord who meets me in the sentences and the stories, enlivening, encouraging, challenging and forgiving. The main thing is the over-spilling steadfast love that leads me both deeper and wider so that love can spill over from me. For that I am grateful.

How about you?

OLD BOOK JUST RE-READ  (and I’m glad I did)
Prayer by Ole Hallesby

OLD BOOKS TO READ AGAIN
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit, both by Joanna Weaver

NEW BOOKS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT
Picturing the Face of Jesus by Beth Booram
The Way of the Mystics: Ancient Wisdom for Experiencing God Today – Lessons from Thirteen Holy Men and Women by John Michael Talbot and Steve Rabey
Patron Saints for Postmoderns: Ten from the Past who Speak to Our Future by Chris R. Armstrong