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Review: Prince Caspian

// May 19th, 2012 // No Comments » // Books, Family

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Day two of my trip to Narnia. I’m re-reading this book as part of a reading plan that has me reading a chronicle a day for a week.

The book was wonderful, as usual. And certainly a must-read for anyone who hasn’t.

One thing struck me in this reading: Bacchus.

C.S. Lewis has re-written Bacchus to be a good god under the authority of Aslan. Even the girls note that they would be afraid of Bacchus had they not met him in the presence of Aslan. What a wonderful reminder that feasting and resting with food and wine in a way that is honoring to God is always good. Revelry and drunkenness never are. That all the world would know Bacchus only in the presence of Aslan!



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Review: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

// May 19th, 2012 // No Comments » // Books, Family

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is not my first reading of the book. I’m not sure how many times I’ve read it, several as a kid, and several times to my own children. I’m reading this now as part of a plan to read a chronicle a day for a week.

The book was as good as it ever was. A must read for anyone who hasn’t!



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My Summer Vacation in Narnia

// May 19th, 2012 // No Comments » // Books, Family

I’ve got a plan to read through the entire Chronicles of Narnia this summer. Initially, my plan is to read a book a day to complete the trip in a week. I’m on track so far, but this is only day two. I’ve been there before, but it has been a long time since I’ve experienced the whole of Narnia.

In order to get more bang for my buck, I’ve hired a couple of tour guides for my trip. Once I’ve read each of the seven books, I’m going to follow them up with Douglas Wilson’s What I Learned in Narnia and Michael Ward’s Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis. This may be one of my best vacations ever!

If all goes well, I should have plenty of time this summer for another vacation. Right now, I’m leaning toward a return trip to the Shire and Middle Earth. If it works out, I’ll read J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series. My tour guide for that trip will be Peter Kreeft’s The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind the Lord of the Rings, which I’ll read after I finish the four Middle Earth books.

I’m not looking for prayers for safe travel, only good travel. Just as Mr. Beaver replied to Lucy when asked if Aslan was safe.

‘Safe?’ said Mr. Beaver. ‘Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.’

The Avengers, Thor, and Love

// May 19th, 2012 // No Comments » // Movies

I saw the movie Avengers tonight. I want post on the topic everyone seems to be posting about: the religion of Captain America in the face of contact with two gods. What’s out there is interesting enough on the topic.

The point of my observation is the character of Thor. The movie by the same title was amazing, and filled with great symbolism. This movie brought out another aspect of Thor’s character that intrigues me: his love.

Thor loves earth and the humans that inhabit it. He joins the Avengers in order to protect earth and the humans from his own brother, Loki. Moreover, he is unwilling, even to the end, to give up on the brother he loves. Throughout the films he makes several overtures aimed at redeeming his brother from the course he has set himself on. This is love, at its best. But it is not foolish love, when push comes to shove, he is willing to stand with the Avengers and against his brother in order to fight for justice and righteousness, for freedom.

There are political overtones to the film as well. They are interesting, and worth analysis. I recommend the film to anyone interested in comic book films.

My Vision is Literally Better!

// May 18th, 2012 // No Comments » // Family, Miscellaneous

Went to an eye appointment today, at which the eye doctor told me my vision has improved in both eyes. My right eye improved from -2.75 to -2.25, and my left eye improved from -2.50 to -1.50. He seemed to think my last eye doctor simply mis-prescribed my vision and glasses. I, however, distinctly remember being able to see quite clearly with my new glasses, and then my ability to see at a distance failing over the last year or two.

Coincidentally, I can think of several things that have changed for me over the last four years (the time of my last eye appointment).

First, about two years ago I did the eye exercises prescribed by Dr. William H. Bates for about two months. Did this cause the vision improvement?

Second, I began eating healthier. Healthier, not healthy. I switched to a more natural and organic diet, the primal diet. Does eating healthier, even if irregularly and inconsistently, improve one’s vision?

Third, I stopped wearing my contact lenses about nine months ago. Do contact lenses harm one’s vision?

Fourth, I wear my glasses for distance vision. Since I’ve been wearing my glasses rather than contact lenses, I’ve been able to take them off and not use them when using a computer, my cell phone, or reading. Does using the natural strengths of my eyes, rather than artificially supporting them with glasses, make them stronger?

That’s all I can think of that has changed. I’m sure there are other possibilities, but I am unaware of what they may be. In the meantime, I’m going to continue doing what I’ve been doing, in hopes that my vision will continue to improve!