pencil shavings

too much computer.

tired of transfering information from book to brain to computer screen and trying to get my brain to weedle out the definitions of nominal and notional Christian. i feel the strain in my shoulders creeping up to my neck, like the spider-like invasion of enemy troops in virgin territory.

i just finished reading the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. What an excellent book! In Return of the King, Aragon and Faramir were portrayed as men who could "command both man and beast", who held sway the hearts of men. When they were having the last debate as to whether they should make a death march against Mordor, Aragon said that he will go, but he could not command anyone else to do so. To which Prince Ithilien replied, "You may not consider yourself my king, but I consider you my liege-lord. Your desire is therefore my command." Such were the power and influence of the captains of men! Gandalf said that there were some in their company, meaning Aragon, Gimli, Legolas, that were worth "more than a thousand knights in mail". There was an intrinsic, attractive, powerful, wise, and wonderful quality about them that separated them from the rest. The king was said to have "hands of healing" that could bring those out from the shadow of evil.

Which made me think.. Is Christ this attractive to men? If Christ is this attractive, his comment that his yoke is easy makes sense in spite of his demand that we carry the cross of death. Prince Ithilien and the soldiers would not have been able, let alone want to, lay seige on Mordor, yet Aragon inspired their hearts with courage and his presence and leadership made it possible for them to do the impossible. If so, the demands of Christ becomes easy! Not because they are intrinsically easy - how is it even humanly possible to die to the self? - but because Christ inspires our heart with courage and love for him, and we simply follow. Interesting to think that it says, "take up your cross and follow me", and not just "take up your cross."

The Bible verses are not as clear in my brain these days.