Protected: Killing the Ghost of Christmas Past

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Write… Just Write

Within the last few days (and I mean, since Tuesday… okay, maybe Monday), I have felt the desire to write.

Not writing in the terms of mere journaling (even though that’s good), but authentic, public writing.

I realize that there’s some form of practice that comes with writing online… and then sharing it with the world.

One of my dear friends told me that “the way you communicate to God is through writing”… and this phrase haunts me daily.

I still journal. I still write. I still create a list of blog / chapter topics in my head and think of fantastic metaphors to accompany each.

But I think this winter break… I’ll start some writing again.

It’s Been a While

It’s been a while since I’ve been on WordPress… and I can see the changes.

Anyway,

Once in blue moon, I get an encouraging word or two from students. They’re few and far between.

As a Words Man, I’ll gladly have you talk about me. I want to hear that you’ve been talking about me and how amazing you think I am. And then, I’ll go and tell everyone that you were talking about me… I don’t want to be the center of attention… my love tank gets full when words are used.

I got a facebook message from a previous student:

Hey Cordes! I’m sure that you’re busy with whatever you’re doing but I wanted to stop and take a second to say thank you for everything you have ever taught me and done for me. Because of your class, I have been able to make an easy transition into college. Every paper I write is easier because of your teaching. The funny thing is I’m thinking of majoring in English or Rhetoric but still plan on going to law school. You’re an awesome teacher because you’re not fake. So I’ll say it one more time, thank you.

That’s all. My love tank went from E to F.

Writing

I haven’t done a lot of writing this past week. I think it’s been about about 10 full days of nothing.

And oddly enough, when I don’t write, my mind begins to get jumbled.

I feel like I should be on Mind Hoarders: Buried Alive by Thoughts.

I told a friend this morning that I need to use my existing time to write. I don’t need to make more time… I just need to use the time that’s already here.

And for some reason… even if 2 people read this through their google-reader… or, at least glance over it… I know that my mind is organized and I’m able to process and function more successfully.

So… here’s to a new day. …to new writing. to new mercies. to new beginnings, even when you’re trying to reach the end.

 

Why Christians Should Read Fiction…

WARNING: THIS IS A SARCASTIC POST. READ WITH CAUTION. 

The only book that kids (especially Christian kids) should be able to read is Harry Potter. Giving them books such as the Bible, stories by CS Lewis, or any of the Dead Sea Scrolls manuscripts would only misdirect a child toward darkness.

The Bible is a horrible piece of “literature” that discusses the demonic. Throughout the entire book, there are references to snakes, people dying of deadly diseases, and spirits. Shrouded in metaphors and allusive rhetorical questions isn’t going to save a child’s soul. The promotion of drinking, higher gods, and the wondering around in the desert isn’t a good model to be teaching young minds. And is it really possible for a donkey to talk? I don’t believe this. Now, I haven’t read the Bible, nor have I studied ancient Hebrew, but what I’ve heard from others who haven’t read the book, as well as what I’ve read from the back cover, shows that this isn’t suitable reading material for anyone.

CS Lewis over glories animalism. Plain and simple. Who would allow for someone to proclaim that an animal, such as a lion, could be royalty or king; that’s absurd. If you read any of the Narnia books, you are dealing with a horrible, horrible let down for readers. How dare CS Lewis identify kids as Kings and Queens of a land!? How dare he expect that kids can find refuge in others and in the “truth”… I haven’t read the entire series, but I did see the film adaptation trailers, which were filled with violence and cheerful music. I have yet to read CS Lewis’ science fiction, but I can only venture to say that it is just as grotesque. I can see Lewis sitting with Tolkien (who is obsessed with materialism and jewelry in his books) discussing how to corrupt the truth for child readers.

Now… why Christians should read fiction? Here it is…

Harry Potter, the entire series, embodies the simplistic story of a child destined to save his world. JK Rowling pens 7 (a number that has been favored by people for a couple days) books that tell a great story of a young boy’s purpose, journey, and eventual success over evil. Nothing in these books is questionable. They each have redeeming qualities because of the illustrations at the start of each chapter. Next time you think it’d be wise to sit down and devote yourself to reading Scripture for 10, 15, or 20 minutes, I think that your time would be better spent reading about a boy with a deformity on his forehead.

Let me reiterate that Harry Potter should be the only book that we Christians read… Harry Potter and, maybe, The Great Gatsby.