Thursday, July 17, 2008

The strongest spell

I've had some time to reflect on ten years of ministry in Folsom lately. One of the questions that has been haunting me is this: What has changed the most? Has the City of Folsom, our surrounding culture, changed as a result of the kingdom influence of our church and ministry? Or, have I become more like the surrounding culture with its assumptions, obsessions, addictions and inordinate affections? Eternity will give us the final answer but for now I sure feel like I have received (and gladly accepted) a good dose of "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boasting in all we have and do." (1 John 2:16)

After seeing Prince Caspian the movie for the second time this week I am reminded by C.S. Lewis' insistence on our need for a "stronger spell."

Here is what Lewis says in his magisterial sermon "The Weight of Glory."

"Do you think I am trying to weave a spell? Perhaps I am; but remember your fairy tales. Spells are used for breaking enchantments as well as for inducing them. And you and I have need of the strongest spell that can be found to wake us from the evil enchantment of worldliness which has been laid upon us for nearly a hundred years. Almost our whole education has been directed to silencing this shy, persistent, inner voice; almost all our modern philosophies have been devised to convince us that the good of man is to be found on this earth.

1 comment:

awe|struck|editing said...

Hey Pastor Tim,
My name is Teri Heemstra. I am an old friend of your brother Paul. I think I may have met you once...no matter, I am actually writing to see if you might be interested in being a guest speaker at The River CRC in Redlands, CA. I don't know if you are ever in this area much but we recently lost our pastors and we are always looking for pastors to come and speak. I know this may seem strange but I have been thinking of you and your family for a while. I am some what familiar with your preaching through Podcasts as well and through what I have heard from Paul. I wanted to email you but I didn't have you address so I will leave you with mine and feel free to contact me whenever you wish.
Thank you,
Teri Heemstra
terijawestruck@mail.com
p.s. please say hello to Paul if you see him. I have tried to contact him in the past but I am never really sure if he gets my messages.