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A repackaged edition of the revered author’s spiritual memoir, in which he recounts the story of his divine journey and eventual conversion to Christianity. C. S. Lewis—the great British writer, scholar, lay theologian, broadcaster, Christian apologist, and bestselling author of Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other beloved classics—takes readers on a spiritual journey through his early life and eventual embrace of the Christian faith. Lewis begins with his childhood in Belfast, surveys his boarding school years and his youthful atheism in England, reflects on his experience in World War I, and ends at Oxford, where he became "the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England." As he recounts his lifelong search for joy, Lewis demonstrates its role in guiding him to find God.
For many years an atheist, C. S. Lewis vividly describes the spiritual quest that convinced him of the truth and reality of Christianity, in his famous autobiography.
"A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere . . . God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous." This book is not an autobiography. It is not a confession. It is, however, certainly one of the most beautiful and insightful accounts of a person coming to faith. Here, C.S. Lewis takes us from his childhood in Belfast through the loss of his mother, to boarding school and a youthful atheism in England, to the trenches of World War I, and then to Oxford, where he studied, read, and, ultimately, reasoned his way back to God. It is perhaps this aspect of Surprised by Joy that we—believers and nonbelievers—find most compelling and meaningful; Lewis was searching for joy, for an elusive and momentary sensation of glorious yearning, but he found it, and spiritual life, through the use of reason. In this highly personal, thoughtful, intelligent memoir, Lewis guides us toward joy and toward the surprise that awaits anyone who seeks a life beyond the expected. "Lewis tempered his logic with a love for beauty, wonder, and magic . . . He speaks to us with all the power and life-changing force of a Plato, a Dante, and a Bunyan."—Christianity Today "The tension of these final chapters holds the interest like the close of a thriller."—Times Literary Supplement C. S. (Clive Staples) Lewis (1898–1963), one of the great writers of the twentieth century, also continues to be one of our most influential Christian thinkers. He wrote more than thirty books, both popular and scholarly, including The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Screwtape Letters, The Four Loves, Mere Christianity, and Till We Have Faces.
When Carolyn Weber set out to study Romantic literature at Oxford University, she didn't give much thought to God or spiritual matters—but over the course of her studies she encountered the Jesus of the Bible and her world turned upside down. Surprised by Oxford chronicles her conversion experience with wit, humor, and insight into how becoming a Christian changed her. Carolyn Weber arrives at Oxford a feminist from a loving but broken family, suspicious of men and intellectually hostile to all things religious. As she grapples with her God-shaped void alongside the friends, classmates, and professors she meets, she tackles big questions in search of truth, love, and a life that matters. From issues of fatherhood, feminism, doubt, doctrine, and love, Weber explores the intricacies of coming to faith with an aching honesty and insight echoing that of the poets and writers she studied. Surprised by Oxford is: The witty memoir of a skeptical agnostic who comes to a dynamic personal faith in God Rich with illustration and literary references Gritty, humorous, and spiritually perceptive An inside look at Oxford University Weber eloquently describes a journey many of us have embarked upon, grappling with tough questions and doubts about the meaning of faith—and ultimately finding it in the most unlikely of places.
A fresh look at this Christian champion and master storyteller through his varied uses of imagination.
Complete the Cycle of Grace How sweet the sound–it saved a wretch like you. It’s amazing. But has God’s grace changed you? Is it changing others through you? Richard Blackaby explores what may be causing you to miss out on an abundant life of grace, and how simply knowing about it is a far cry from embracing a grace-filled lifestyle. Once you fully experience and grasp its essence, you can’t help but “practice” God’s undeserved favor by passing it on to everyone around you. Grace shares a close relationship with love, is never static, and is always searching for those willing to receive it. This book focuses on pointed and practical life application so that you can attain the power of gracious living today! Let God’s Grace Flow Through You God’s grace is so boundless, so contrary to human nature, and so unconditionally given that you will never understand it… …until you give it away. Get ready to be washed in pure joy, renewed by a fresh sense of gratitude for the rich, undeserved favor God continually bestows upon you. Dr. Richard Blackaby explores what it means to make God’s grace a lifestyle and how it will become personal, practical, and recognizable in your life. You’ll discover: What genuine grace is and what it is not The power of life words and the devastation of death words The secret to establishing a grace-filled home How to recognize grace-giving opportunities Ways to extend grace when you don’t think you can Unable to deny His unconditional love, or even to keep it to yourself, soon grace will have a face. And the reflection in your mirror will tell its story. Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound It’s a living, breathing testament to the depth of God’s love. You don’t deserve it, but you’ve got it. So, what are you doing with God’s amazing grace? Many Christians sing of its sweet sound, but fail to extend it to others–missing the point entirely. Putting a Face on Grace provides practical ways you can become a conduit of God’s grace to those around you. Dr. Richard Blackaby’s personal stories will have you nodding in agreement, laughing with empathetic understanding, and eagerly embracing a new life worth passing on. You will become the essential element that keeps God’s life-giving grace flowing. And if you think you’re unworthy of such an honor, that’s good. That’s grace… Story Behind the Book Much has been said about God’s grace. Observing it, defining it, soaking it in. But little has been said about bringing it full circle, to the point where we freely receive and give it on a daily basis. This is what lifestyle grace is all about. Richard Blackaby’s book hits a market in need, and “reinvents” grace for us all–exploding our understanding of this tremendous gift and bringing it into a new, tangible dimension.
This beautifully illustrated selection draws together some of his reflections on joy and shows the qualities of intelligence, honesty, and humility which made him such a respected teacher.
For years Christians have been asking, "If you died tonight, do you know where you would go?" It turns out that many believers have been giving the wrong answer. It is not heaven. Award-winning author N. T. Wright outlines the present confusion about a Christian's future hope and shows how it is deeply intertwined with how we live today. Wright, who is one of today's premier Bible scholars, asserts that Christianity's most distinctive idea is bodily resurrection. He provides a magisterial defense for a literal resurrection of Jesus and shows how this became the cornerstone for the Christian community's hope in the bodily resurrection of all people at the end of the age. Wright then explores our expectation of "new heavens and a new earth," revealing what happens to the dead until then and what will happen with the "second coming" of Jesus. For many, including many Christians, all this will come as a great surprise. Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death. For if God intends to renew the whole creation—and if this has already begun in Jesus's resurrection—the church cannot stop at "saving souls" but must anticipate the eventual renewal by working for God's kingdom in the wider world, bringing healing and hope in the present life. Lively and accessible, this book will surprise and excite all who are interested in the meaning of life, not only after death but before it.
Although best known as the wife of C. S. Lewis, Joy Davidman was an accomplished writer in her own right, with several published works to her credit. Out of My Bone tells Davidman s life story in her own words through her numerous letters most never published before and her autobiographical essay "The Longest Way Round." / Gathered and expertly introduced by Don W. King, these letters reveal Davidman's persistent search for truth, her curious, incisive mind, and her arresting, sharply penetrating voice. They chronicle her religious, philosophical, and intellectual journey from secular Judaism to atheism to Communism to Christianity. Her personal engagement with large issues offers key insights into the historical milieu of America in the 1930s and 1940s. Davidman also writes about the struggles of her earlier marriage to William Lindsay Gresham and of trying to reconcile her career goals with her life as mother of two sons. Most poignantly, perhaps, these letters expose Davidman s mental, emotional, and spiritual state as she confronted the cancer that eventually took her life in 1960 at age 45. / Moving and riveting, Out of My Bone reveals anew the singular woman whom Lewis deeply loved and who influenced his later writings, especially Till We Have Faces.
Awaken to Mindful Living Cottagecore Style “This book presents an easy entry point for readers interested in exploring mindfulness and the cottagecore lifestyle.” –Library Journal review #1 Best Seller in Small Homes & Cottages, Folkcrafts, Architectural Decoration and Ornaments, Fiber Arts & Textiles, Seasonal Crafts, Architecture, Home Design Decorating & Design Discover how to infuse the charm of cottagecore into your everyday life with The Cottage Fairy Companion. This book takes you to a simpler, more mindful existence, offering the beauty of slow living, rustic aesthetics, and a deep connection to nature. Romanticize our life. With The Cottage Fairy Companion as your guide, immerse yourself in the enchantment of everyday magic. Reimagine life through a cottagecore lens, whether you're a city-dweller or countryside resident, helping you build an intimate connection with nature and experience the joys of slow living. Embrace mindful restoration. Follow the inspiring journey of author Paola Merrill and unearth the profound wisdom that nature offers for personal growth and fulfillment. This guide illustrates how the practices of rustic living and mindful awareness can become the cornerstone of your daily life, transforming your world into a serene haven of simple, balanced living. Inside you'll discover: Practical strategies to integrate cottagecore aesthetics into your daily life, regardless of your dwelling An engaging narrative of Paola Merrill's transition from city bustle to countryside tranquility Mindfulness techniques rooted in the wisdom of nature Inspiration to embrace the magic in the everyday If you liked books like Escape Into Cottagecore, Cozy White Cottage, Simply Living Well, or The Little Book of Cottagecore, you’ll love The Cottage Fairy Companion.