This is a no-brainer. When trying to think of a word beginning with "B" to write about for this alphabet challenge, the word "Books" just screams at me.
I've shared here before what a bibliophile I am. Books are amazing things. My office library has nearly 2,000 volumes (as my daughter who has been cataloging it for me can tell you!). Our home is likewise a depository for myriads of volumes (I just wanted to write a sentence with smart sounding words!). As a homeschool family, obviously, books are pretty important.
Our kids have picked up the love my wife and I share for books, thankfully. The oldest is graduating with an English degree and has been working the last couple years at the campus library. Her little sister is looking to follow in her footsteps and works one day a week at our local library. Both the boys love getting lost in a good story (even if they do spend more time reading Garfield books!). Books, books and more books in our family!
Of course, we're not alone in this passion. Henry Ward Beecher famously said "It is a man's duty to have books. A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life." Charles Spurgeon wrote in his Salt Cellars: "A good book is the best companion...If love, joy, laughter, sorrow please my mind, Love, joy, grief, laughter in my books I find."
And of course, near the end of his life, even the Apostle Paul shows us how important his books are. He tells Timothy: "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments." (2 Timothy 4:13, ESV) What does he want in his captivity? Books.
Much, much more can, and has been, said. But I'll leave it at that. Books are wonderful. Put down the remotes, turn off the laptops and tablets, and go read a book! To that end, here's a nice visual reminder from my friend Eddie over at Calvinistic Cartoons.
7 comments:
Another great post! Just like you I love books! When I become rich and famous like you I want to beef up my humble library!
It ain't from being rich or famous, but from never throwing anything out (even though I should) and from living close to two very excellent used book stores that have trade in accounts. When I do finally part with a book, I can get more to replace it!
Oh, and that also includes my antique hymnal collection of about 250 and another 60-70 antique books I picked up while looking for the hymnals!
By the way, in case you might be unaware, if you go to some of the "hosts" blogs you will find somewhere on their page a "linky-link" with all the participating blogs. The more you go to their blog and comment the more traffic will be driven to your blog. Not sure if you were aware, if you were just disregard. I try to visit at least 10 a day and usually most will respond with a comment on mine.
I know what you mean by not throwing anything away. A few years back I did go through my library and I did get rid of what I deemed to be junk or useless books. You know, like some of the books required purchase in college and some folks had given to me. I did save one junk book however, I was given one book by a pastor just prior to being told "I might be more comfortable at the church down the street..." That junk book was Norman Geisler's "Chose But Fee."
Thanks for the heads up. As for the junk books, I have a lot of them. But I keep them around to remind me of some of the things people are thinking so as to better be able to refute. I don't want to be accused of "taking things out of context." I can quote the original source, and then show how it disagrees with Scripture, etc. Although, I did finally pitch a couple of those college books you mentioned. A couple were just more heresy than I could tolerate!
Always love posts on books! And thanks for the tip of the hat to C.C.!
I'm currently reading a book that is a real joy. It's entitled, "Crazy Stories Sane God" by John Alan Turner.
Thanks for the recommendation, Mr. Eddings, sir. Sounds like a fun book. I'll have to see about snagging a Kindle copy.
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