tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540836636573399097.post8614825657553240566..comments2023-10-06T01:42:29.046-06:00Comments on Coffeegirl's Community: Coffeegirl Book ClubUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540836636573399097.post-46172849731560881982009-03-18T21:00:00.000-06:002009-03-18T21:00:00.000-06:00Well, I'm late getting a comment on here...seems l...Well, I'm late getting a comment on here...seems like I've had trouble pulling my thoughts together on this chapter and also on your two latest posts! First the kids were sick, then Miguel, and now I'm fighting it...and we got a new puppy today, so lots going on. :)<BR/><BR/>I enjoyed this chapter since it kind of pulled everything together and reviewed other parts of the story, like you said. I had never really thought about experiences in life being a "severe mercy" and I liked the way Van says that it took Davy's death to shift Van's focus from their relationship to God. <BR/><BR/>I really enjoyed C.S. Lewis' comments and in was interesting to note the relationship that existed between them that he felt free to point out the errors he saw in Van and Davy's relationship...that kind of friendship is precious, indeed!Rebecca Conduff Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328658355319045462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540836636573399097.post-73077016329650172292009-03-18T07:43:00.000-06:002009-03-18T07:43:00.000-06:00I noticed that all of the places I dog-eared in th...I noticed that all of the places I dog-eared in this chapter are sections talking about time/timelessness/eternity. I guess this is really on my mind since I just returned from a retreat where we talked about John 15, abiding in Christ. How do we abide when our lives are full? when they get busy?!<BR/>I love those moments of timelessness, like he described on the boat with the sea-fire. Coming back to time-reality is not always fun.<BR/>As I look back on my life I see many mercies, but, as Amy said, I am not sure any of them would qualify as 'severe mercies.' I am not sure that I can say I am looking forward to such an experience, but hopefully, after reading this book, I have a better idea about how to handle such an experience.<BR/>Are you planning another book yet?! Thank you for this time and challenging us through the reading of this book!Shan in Japanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02467051065525879573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540836636573399097.post-49105081934879757202009-03-15T15:46:00.000-06:002009-03-15T15:46:00.000-06:00I felt my soul resonating with that same passage o...I felt my soul resonating with that same passage on Eternity, Libby. Those timeless moments in life give us a little foretaste, but it sure is hard to imagine the glory of a life unbound by time. I chuckled at the passage related to this where he says, "If indeed we all have a kind of appetite for eternity, we have allowed ourselves to be caught up in a society that frustrates our longing at every turn." <BR/><BR/>Amy, that idea came to mind as well when I read your point about the reality of busy vs. 'full life'. I agree that the two feel very different - in fact, I think I would usually use the concept of life being 'full' when it is filled with time consuming but *good* things. Busy is quite simply frustrating and it grates on my soul. I agree with you - good intention, but not the same. : ) <BR/><BR/>I also loved what you had to say about finding the severe mercy in our own lives. It builds on what you were saying, Libby, about looking at things from different angles and seeing what God wants to show us in it. I'm now wondering what it may be in my life, or if it is still to come. There are many mercies to be sure, but this idea of a severe mercy is even weightier. You've got me thinking... <BR/><BR/>Hope you're all enjoying a nice weekend. Ashley, we're glad to have you along!Coffeegirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09041112186306041039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540836636573399097.post-37114599829592745622009-03-15T02:14:00.000-06:002009-03-15T02:14:00.000-06:00This chapter had me thinking again about how unnat...This chapter had me thinking again about how unnatural time feels. My boss was on a kick in the fall trying to get us not to say that we were busy. Instead he wanted us to say that our lives were full. I do understand that heart of what he was trying to get at and foster in us, but sometimes BUSY was how I felt ... which seemed different that full.<BR/><BR/>I love the power of the phrase "A Severe Mercy." This life story exhibits God's severe mercy towards Van (and Davy one could argue as well). I would imagine that I have one as well but it doesn't seem quite at evident. I wonder what it is. I have a few guesses, but I'm not sure if that is just me trying to give meaning to events in my life that didn't turn out the way I expected or were they indeed severe mercies? In some I can see that has I gotten what I wanted it would not have been good for me -- in that sense they are a mercy. But as I look for a severe mercy, I'm not as certain ... maybe it is yet to come ... =)amyinbjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11117828219396191140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540836636573399097.post-18210221811693138772009-03-14T08:39:00.000-06:002009-03-14T08:39:00.000-06:00Hi! I love this site! I have a blog for the blogro...Hi! I love this site! I have a blog for the blogroll if you wouldn't mind adding me. thanks!<BR/><BR/>Missionary Moms<BR/>http://www.ForMissionaryMoms.com/Ashley L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17480043108546504352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540836636573399097.post-70535400135617144512009-03-14T07:57:00.000-06:002009-03-14T07:57:00.000-06:00I finally just finished reading this chapter yeste...I finally just finished reading this chapter yesterday. <BR/>As he talked about and realized many things through Davy's death by looking back at their time together I related. Not specifically to their exact circumstances but to that whole process of looking back on a particularly hard time and then going beyond that in the past and then looking at it all in light of the present, looking at all of it from different angles you might say....and then realizing some things God wanted to show you, teach you or others. <BR/>I've been thinking lately how God doesn't allow me to see His purpose and plan until later on. (and sometimes of course I never see it and it will be heaven before I know) It was good to read this chapter right now and think about all this and what "A severe mercy" means. <BR/>What did you all think of the section in this chapter where he talks about Eternity? <BR/>"...if we complain of time and take such joy in the seemingly timeless moment, what does that suggest?<BR/>It suggests that we have not always been or will not always be purely temporal creatures. It suggests that we were created for eternity"<BR/>I enjoyed his picture of what heaven might be. "and talk for an hour or several hours - until we have said all we have to say for now." I love that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06032620902769189552noreply@blogger.com