Homeward Bound

I recently read The Horse and His Boy and since I had long forgotten the plot and the conclusion, I enjoyed the whole thing as if it was the first time. What a brilliant, well-constructed story. It takes some time to get going but by the end the story fits snuggly like a glove, resolving every uncertainty and lose end in a work of pure Lewisian craftsmanship. On top of that, I believe it speaks directly to some issues in myself, namely a preoccupation with self with tendencies to self-pity. I was struck by the self-pity of Bree, the kidnapped Narnian horse who in the story is escaping homeward from the southern deserts of Calormen. He is a charger, a beautiful white war horse who has fought many battles, even earning acclaim for his feats in this foreign kingdom. But during the flight northwards to his homeland, in one instance he does not appear so grand. Bree and his company are attacked by a large lion and it is Shasta the young boy, not Bree the warhorse, who turns around to fa...

I have been trying to do some Bible memorization with my eldest son before bed. We started Psalm 23 last night which drew me to reflect further on what might be the most well-known Psalm of all. Like the Psalms do so well, chapter 23 provides a remedy for many of the issues we have in modern times: fear, panic, anxiety, hyper-activity, depression. Starting with the Shepherd and His relationship to the sheep, Psalm 23 deduces how this relationship transforms our life as well as out state of mind in the midst of varying circumstances. Because the Lord is our Shepherd we shall not want. He makes us lie down in green pastures and beside still waters. He restores our soul and leads us along the path of righteousness. Because He is with us, we will fear no evil in the valley of the very shadow death. His rod and His staff comfort us. In the presence of our enemies He prepares us a table. Spurgeon writes on this 5th verse: "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...