Today I went to Lake Hood and read while I watched the float planes come down. With the exception of one scary incident with a big bee, it was very relaxing. I spent most of my time reading Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. That guy is quoted often for a reason. I took a C.S. Lewis class when I was at Ricks and it was by far my favorite class outside of education classes throughout all of my college experience. So I have several of his books but I absolutely have to recommend Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, and The Screwtape Letters to anyone who hasn't read them. If you're looking for a book to read for a book club, any of these would be fabulous. Here is one of my favorite excerpts I read today from Mere Christianity:
"Long ago, before we were born, when we were inside our mothers' bodies, we passed through various stages. We were once rather like vegetables, and once rather like fish; it was only at a later stage that we became like human babies. And if we had been conscious at those earlier stages, I daresay we should have been quite contented to stay as vegetables or fish--should not have wanted to be made into babies. But all the time He knew His plan for us and was determined to carry it out. Something the same is now happening at a higher level. We may be content to remain what we call 'ordinary people': but He is determined to carry out a quite different plan. To shrink back from that plan is not humility; it is laziness and cowardice. To submit to it is not conceit or megalomania; it is obedience."
(For more info on the word "megalomania" click: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/megalomania)
There are so many nuggets of wisdom in this book. I find myself smiling when I read it thinking, "I never thought of it that way!" He nails down concepts that float around in my head but could never put into words. I find him fascinating and delightful.
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