Friday, December 5, 2014

Eclinktics (Eclectic Links) No. 2

Eight more links covering a variety of topics: 


It’s the end for Iraqi Christians

Amazing art studio shed in beautiful Fife countryside

Cutting Quills on Vimeo (Via the Cramped)

Journal Day 12.10.2013
 

What is Blackwing? Palomino’s Short Film Provides the Answer

 A Solzhenitsyn Eleventary

Ink, glorious ink: Charles Dickens at work with quills

 


 

 

“14 Thoughts on Bible Reading and/or Listening”



   While searching online for some information on how to do a personal logbook, I stumbled upon a writer’s blog named Austin Kleon. He has a blog post titled “33Thoughts on Reading.*” (Warning: The otherwise excellent post uses an an unnecessary expletive.) One of his thoughts is “I will make time for reading the way I make time for meals or brushing my teeth.” Commendable! And it provoked this thought in my mind: What if every member of the Christian church, including myself, adopted that commitment to reading and/or listening to the Bible? I read the rest of Austin Kleon’s thoughts on reading books in general and adapted and reduced the list to 14 thoughts on reading and listening to the Bible:

1. I will make time for reading/listening to my Bible like I make time for meals and brushing my teeth (or checking facebook).

2. I will make an effort to carry the Bible with me at all times on my person and in my heart.

3. I will not let my smart-phone distract me, even if it means turning it off.

4. I will read with a pencil. I will underline. I will write in the margins.

5. I will copy down favorite passages in a notebook with my own hand to know what writing the words feels like and to help me remember it.

6. I will reread favorite passages the way I watch TV re-runs, re-watch movies and listen to favorite songs over and over.

7. I will keep a record of the books of the Bible I read each year.

8. When I find a verse that speaks loudly to my soul, I will underline it, memorize it and share it with others.

9. As often as I can I will read the Bible aloud to someone I care about.

10. I will not harbor the illusion that just because I read the Bible I’m obeying it or am superior to others.

11. I will not boast about how much of the Bible I read. I will only boast of Christ.

12. I will let the Bible help guide my prayers.

13. I will not expect understanding to always come easy for every Bible passage or verse.

14. I will ask myself, “How would my life be different if I obeyed this passage?” And then I must obey regardless of the consequences.

*Disclaimer: Though obligated to give credit to whom credit is due, by providing the source I am not endorsing the use of any inappropriate language used therein.

Friday, November 21, 2014

“Trying My Hand at Daily Logging”



     I enjoy writing in journals. I keep a daily prayer journal in Norcom Composition Notebooks that are made in Brazil because the Brazilian paper is friendlier to the fountain pen inks I use than most other composition notebooks made elsewhere. (I usually buy a dozen every July/August at Walmart for 50 cents each or less during the back-to-school sales.) Less regularly I keep a personal journal in a Leuchtturm1917 journal.  I’ve always struggled at keeping a daily journal. They always tend to end up being monthly journals. 
      Recently, however, I ran across the concept of keeping a daily logbook over at Patrick Rhone’s The Cramped in a post by Mike Rhode titled “The Joy of Daily Logging.” He got the idea from Austin Kleon. I thought I’d give it a try in a pocket size Leuchtturm1917 notebook. Also, I was nudged by Mike Rhode’s concept of sketchnotes to sprinkle tiny sketches (can’t call it art) here and there for a graphic touch. I haven't started using time references but entries are recorded chronologically. Here is a sample of a day and a half during my recent staycation: 

Pocket Leuchtturm1917 Notebook*General's Cedar Pointe #333 2HB Pencil* Brass Bullet Sharpener


Thursday, November 20, 2014

Reminder of Mr. Wheeler's "The Inklings" Class at Johnson Bible College (now Johnson University)



One of my favorite classes while pursuing a BS at Johnson University, formerly Johnson Bible College, was "The Inklings," taught by Mr. Ron Wheeler. We were required to read The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Descent into Hell by C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Charles Williams respectively. We may have been required to read another work or two which escape my memory. What I enjoyed so much about the class is that Mr. Wheeler conducted it much in the same way the authors who wrote the works we were reading would've met together, informally, often over lunch (minus any alcohol  of course). And for our final project, we met at Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler's home on campus for a Christmas Supper and afterwards gathered around the fireplace to share our projects.
I was reminded of this while reading a post at La Vie Graphite about “The Inklings.” And what is or who were “The Inklings”?
"My experience as a C. S. Lewis Scholar-in-Residence at Oxford invariably put me in contact with the legacy of Lewis’ literary circle called The Inklings. The name refers to a small group of writers brought together at Oxford, and with common interests in philosophy, ancient folklore, scholarship, and spiritual life. Principle members C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Hugo Dyson, and Owen Barfield were accompanied by Lewis’ brother Warnie (Warren Lewis), and Tolkien’s son Christopher, among others. The group met regularly, often at Lewis’ teaching and office space at Magdalen College, and at their favorite pub called The Eagle and Child, which was at the center of Oxford. An informal though closely-knit fellowship, the Inklings would share their works in progress and enjoy spirited discussions. These collegial friends each had their own writing interests, and walked, talked, and dined together."
            Read more about this and see some wonderful photography of Oxford over at La Vie Graphite.


  

Thursday, October 30, 2014

"In the Name of Jesus"



“In the Name of Jesus” may my life be lived,
Prayerful, obedient and true.

“In the Name of Jesus” may my years pass by,
In the company of disciples not few.

“In the Name of Jesus” may my days be spent,
Always focused on You.

By Bart W. Newton
October 30, 2014
©2014