Free of Charge ~ are we cheerful givers?

Just read about this new book out of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture. Sounds challenging (in a good way).
Here is an excerpt from the YCFC e-letter:

The director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture, Miroslav Volf, has a newly published book that may help take us beyond the “Happy Holidays” quandary to something deeper and more meaningful.

The book is called Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace (Zondervan, 2005). Free of Charge is an invitation to the Christian faith as a way of life, as seen through two everyday practices: giving and forgiving. Volf writes that in the face of our neediness, "we want God to be our heavenly Santa Claus” – to give us everything and demand nothing. It is true, Volf notes, “God is an inexhaustibly fertile source of everything” that comes our way. “But,” he continues, “is it true that God demands nothing?” In the face of all the holiday shopping and other pressures, we can rejoice that God gives – even the gift of Jesus – “so that we can become joyful givers and not simply self-absorbed receivers.”

Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, commissioned the book as “The Archbishop’s Official 2006 Lent Book.” In the foreword, Williams says Volf “offers us a unique interweaving of intense reflection, vivid and painfully personal stories, and sheer celebration of the giving God.” Perhaps this book will become a treasured part of your library and help you think afresh about giving and forgiving in a culture stripped of grace.

Dead Sea Cafe: Saturday, 6 PM!

Yes, that's right DSC is at 6PM this week (12/17). Why? Because the DSC Caterer is making soup and serving bread and cheese in addition to her scrumptious Christmas cookies... yum yum yum! So, you all come! DSC curator wil also brign lots of supplies for making Christmas BeDe cards to send your fam and friends.

What? Hectic time for you? Studying, finals, busy with Christmas prep? Yes, we know, but you do need to eat.... and you also need to take at least a brief break from it all to re-generate your energy and what better way to do that?

So, see you at the Ark-- bring some friends....

Karl Barth is at Glen Franklin's house this Monday!

Hey guys,
Just a reminder that KB is at Glen's from 7:30pm-9:00pm this Monday.
Please come! If you want the readings beforehand, call me.
~Chris

Narnia Trivia

Reading an Entertainment Weekly article and found some interesting tidbits about the new Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe.
1. In 2001, Walden Media, paid $70 Million dollars for rights to the 7 book series. Walden is owned by Philip Abnshutz, who is known for his Christian faith.
2. Adamson, the director is from New Zealand. He directed Shrek. He says he's "interested" in spirtuality... His parents, Methodist missionaries, gave him the Narnia series when he was a child and he "stayed in that world for months."
3. Susan is played by Anna Popplewell, who played the female lead in "The Girl with the Pearl Earring."
4. Edmund is played by Skandar Keynes, the 14 year old great-great-great-grandson of Charles Darwin.
5. The budget for the movie was $180 Million (and possibly more).