Love Wins – Rob Bell

A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived

While I like the book’s title, its subtitle is what actually caught my attention – along with the fact that the fundamental (and not so fundamental for that matter) “Christian” community has screamed out against it. Rob Bell lived up to the hype. His approach toward discussion of the plausibility of non-traditional biblical interpretations is worth the read. Be careful, though. If you have shallow roots, you just might be replanted in the fertile grounds of Unitarian Universalism – well not quite, but somewhere in a nearby field where the bible can still be found.

I actually loved the book. While my convictions don’t align with a great deal of what Rob presents, I actually hope he’s right. I am sure that God calls many to heaven through faith in Jesus Christ (a faith that is actually granted by God’s Spirit to begin with). I am not saddened, however, if I get to heaven and find that he had another set of plans for everyone else.

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Amazing New Music

Earlier this week, I heard a song that caught my ear. Upon inquiry, I found that Josh Garrels‘ new CD is available for free download. Check it out…

Till We Have Faces – C.S. Lewis

“In this timeless tale of two mortal princesses – one beautiful and one unattractive – Lewis reworks the classical myth of Cupid and Psyche into an enduring piece of contemporary fiction. This is the story of Orual, Psyche’s embittered and ugly older sister, who possessively and harmfully loves Psyche. Much to Orual’s frustration, Phyche is loved by Cupid, the god of love himself, setting the troubled Orual on a path of moral development.

Set against the backdrop of Glome, a barbaric, pre-Christian world, the struggles between sacred and profane love are illuminated as Orual learns that we cannot understand the intent of the gods ’till we have faces’ and sincerity in our souls and selves.”

While the above is a summary of fact about the book, it’s impression on me was much deeper – questions of faith and trust, morality and character, truth and lies, black and white all messed into a cloud of grey. I have identified with this book through the fact that at least one other person in this world has struggled to identify things that others appear to see clearly.

Cleek Family Vision

Family Verse

Hebrews 10:24 – Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. (GNT)

Family Vision

To be a family of influence showing God’s love, grace and generosity to each other and all life brings our way.

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Greg DePriest Quotes

Greg DePriest is my pastor, mentor and friend. I recently began taking note of the pieces of wisdom he has shared. Here’s what I have so far:

• Remember that during a test, the teacher is most always silent.
• Being right doesn’t always take care of what’s wrong.
• I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t walk with a limp.
• My life is a finished work, all I have to do is live it out.
• We are more wicked and sinful than we could ever believe and we are more loved and accepted than we could ever hope. That is the gospel.

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