Reading Update . . .

Last fall I purchased this book by Warren Wiersbe. Over recent years I've discovered how meaningful and inspiring it is to read about those individuals that have shaped Christian history. Mr. Wiersbe said, "How much richer we would be if we would refuse the books of the hour and discover again the books of the ages." I like that.

The biographies start in the 1500s and take you up to individuals living in the 1900s. They are brief enough that you don't get bogged down with a lot of detail, yet long enough so you can appreciate the lives of each person. Mr. Wiersbe mentions books in each biography that have been written by the individual or someone who knew the individual. I've been keeping a list of the ones I thought might be interesting, but I probably won't have the time or money to read all the books, which most are out of print.


The first week of January I was in the production room at work making copies of a document. While waiting I was looking around and spotted it. Another great find! My friend, Roy Thomas, is a kindred spirit in reading, writing and photography. There lying on the desk was "The Quotable Lewis."



I'm a big fan of quotes and in my "Thoughtful" journals I record quotes I find interesting and inspiring. About the same time I purchased Wiersbe's book, I also purchased "The Soul of C. S. Lewis." I was having a hard time getting started because the depth of his writing seems to be a lot more deeper than my mind! After reading the first six pages, I stopped, went back to the beginning, grabbed a dictionary and started again, slower, much slower.

When I spotted "The Quotable Lewis" I thought it might help me as I struggled through "The Soul of C. S. Lewis." Roy walked into the room right after I'd found the book and I immediately said: "Please let me steal this for one week!" After a little grumbling, Roy agreed. It is now on my wish list.

I'm slowly getting through "The Soul of C. S. Lewis." It's causing a lot of thinking, and I'm hoping the time will be profitable for my walk with Christ. And I've returned "The Quotable Lewis" to Roy, after writing down a few quotes in my "Thoughtful" journal.

Of course, none of this reading has taken the place of God's word. How thankful I am that God opened my eyes so that I could glean His truth and find His gold nuggets in the Bible and other books inspired by Him. Yes, the stories of old provide encouragement to me along my walk in life. How thankful I am for writers!

To quote Mr. Wiersbe again, " . . . dig again the old wells and get acquainted with the godly leaders of the past who kept the light shining long before we were ever on the scene." (Genesis 26:18)