Day 99: A Sunday with Screwtape

`     I love The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. It's one of the most insightful books I've ever read. I rarely read a book more than once, twice if I got bored one afternoon, but this book is one of my exceptions. My mom loves it too, and we recently bought a copy of a radio drama based on the book and read by Andy Serkis (who did an excellent job, I might add). For those who don't know, The Screwtape Letters is a series of fictional letters written by a demon named Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, who is trying to tempt a young man in WWII era England. The schemes that Screwtape recommends are so true and devious, you'll find your jaw dropping before you can say "Gotcha!" because you know you've fallen for exactly that sort of lie.
     Anyways, we were listening to the radio drama this morning, and once again I was amazed at how quickly my faith can be rendered innocuous. It's appalling and discouraging how quickly I can forget the important things - things like the truths God has recently revealed to me, where the battle truly lies, the promises God has made to me and the ones I've made to myself. How easily I can be lulled asleep - into a sort of spiritual sleepwalking or coma. Sometimes I even put myself there; I don't need Satin's help to do it! It's one of the reasons I started this blog, so that I might spend some time trying to put things in perspective, focus on the right things - the right Person. However, blogging, even blogging about Christ, can be turned into a vice because it's essentially materialistic. My hope is in God. Only He can bring truth into my heart and help me see the world as it truly is, as He sees it.

*From the list: Leonids.
Yesterday I talked about meteors. Well, back in November I was reading about the Leonid meteor shower that would take place that month, and I found something amazing. Meteor showers are named after the constellation from which they appear to fall. The mid-November shower is named after Leo, the constellation of the lion. Every 33 years the Leonid meteor shower peaks and produces a meteor storm (thousands of meteors per hour instead of the normal 50-100 meteors per hour). It is one of the most anticipated and most popular events for amateur and professional astronomers alike. The Bible describes another Lion who lived for 33 years. Revelation 5:5 refers to Jesus as the Lion of Judah. Throughout chapter 5 He is worshiped and declared worthy to open the scroll that will unleash God's judgment on the earth. It seems fitting to me that the one who is truly pure and righteous and has defeated both evil and death is the only one in the universe who is given the right to deal out God's judgment. Every 33 years meteors rain down from the lion reminding us of the Lion who pours out on us His saving blood, blessings through the Spirit, and eventually the wrath of God on the wicked.

Day 98: Busted.

      The last couple months have been pretty crazy. But I make no excuses. I let things slide. I have fallen behind in my Bible reading over the holidays, and some days I forgot to look for my Savior to show up. But I'm getting back on track now. I have been keeping a list of places God has been showing up over the last couple months. So for a few weeks, I'll post two God-sightings a day - one from that day and one from my list. So, here goes...

Thank you prayer for new outlook on life...or perhaps an old one welcomed back:


     Lord, thank you for this awakening. Even though it brings fear...and pain...this truth is sweeter to me, sweeter than all the vain hopes and fleeting moments in pursuit of optimism and fervor. This truth I know is real, not a wish-to or hope-for. This truth is Yours bringing love and purpose to me again, and this pain heals my faith. My soul wearied by heavy burdens feels them transforming into burdens of a different kind. You have brought Your love and truth to me. And Praise You! You have brought this truth, this freedom to my family as well. You have stirred their souls, and they have cried tears of relief and renewal and resolve. Thank you for this blessing of faith. Do not let us falter or turn astray. Keep us following Your voice. Let us praise You and touch others with this vision. I pray that their hearts would be awakened to Your truth, that they would find this freeedom and acceptance and fulfillment in You as well.


*From the list: Meteors.
I love astronomy. It's one of my hobbies. Sometimes, though, I cannot grasp what I read or see in a picture. I'm not a theoretical physicist, so sometimes the numbers get lost on me. What I love about meteors, though, is that they are one of a select few phenomena that I can actually see happen. I can watch them shoot into the atmosphere shredding through molecules and glowing insanely as they incinerate into dust. Then I can grasp it. I can see the speed, the energy, the extreme temperatures; I can see the power not just an image...it takes my breath away. I love seeing things in nature that illustrate God's power. To know that He posses all this power (He created it) and more even beyond the physical realm, is so mind-boggling.