July 7th, 2013
Janene and I have just moved from a 2800 sq. foot house to a 1400 sq. foot apartment. In so doing we had to do what they call “downsizing.” In a word we had to decide what to keep and what not to keep. We discovered that we had many “things” that we did not need and that we no longer use. Making that statement is easy but making the right call was difficult. Janene made wise and good decisions and I am grateful.
Deciding which books to keep was not easy for me although I had not opened some of them in 30 or 40 years. Reference books, Theology books, History books, Biblical studies, Biographies, Versions of the Bible, Novels, Spirituality and on and on the list goes. I am not more intelligent because of these books but I hope they have helped me to be more wise and loving.
I did not want to let go of those books which had helped me to reflect on life from the vantage point of faith. Nor did I want to cast aside those which had helped me to understand the faith that gave birth to the church. Letting go of those writings which pointed beyond themselves to God was especially difficult. Many of these authors had helped to increase my faith and understanding.
As I weeded through these works, I found myself being grateful for those who took time to write and publish so that people like me could be nurtured. I hope that I can be true to my understanding.
Strange as it seems, I met Christ in many of these books. I hope that I have kept the right ones. If not, I will go to the Vanderbilt Divinity School Library. What an original thought.
Why we read is…
Worth Pondering,
Joe E. Pennel Jr.
Pastor
jdpennel@att.net
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