I live in a culture that is full of people that seek normality (if such a word exists). The status by which we are considered to meet the social expectations of the status quo. I see it in the church. It seems that the underlying goal is to be liked instead of being real. Of course, to be real is to reflect Reality Himself. So, when I read this passage from C.S. Lewis, it comes as a breath of fresh conviction and encouragement. Conviction to not set my eyes on the things of this world and encouragement to set my eyes on the Author and Perfector of our faith.

"Medicine labours to restore 'natural' structure or 'normal' function. But greed, egoism, self-deception and self-pity are not unnatural or abnormal in the same sense as astigmatism or a floating kidney. For who, in Heaven's name, would describe as natural or normal the man from whom these failings were wholly absent? 'Natural', if you like, in a quite different sense; archnatural, unfallen. We have seen only one such Man. And He was not at all like the psychologist's picture of the integrated, balanced, adjusted, happily married, employed, popular citizen. You can't really be very well 'adjusted' to your world if it says you 'have a devil' and ends by nailing you up naked to a stake of wood."

P.S. - Normality - n. conforming to a standard.

I love coffee. Kimberly dislikes it passionately (not just the taste, but the smell too). Our very first date was to a coffee shop. Oh how little did I know then. I'm thankful Kimberly's criteria for a man didn't include that he must not drink coffee. As Kimberly says, we got that difference in the open right off the bat. Today I am preparing to substitute for a brother at church who teaches our 6th graders. As I was studying, I sensed my body telling me that coffee would be really good right now. So, I obeyed. I went into the kitchen and made the finest cup of french pressed coffee I think I've ever made. So, to spread and share the joy, I've included a poll at the bottom of our blog in order to get to know our readers better. Enjoy.

"Boasting and self-pity are manifestations of pride. Boasting is the response of pride to success. Self-pity is the response of pride to suffering. Boasting says, 'I deserve admiration because I have achieved so much.' Self-pity says, 'I deserve admiration because I have sacrificed so much.' Boasting is the voice of pride in the heart of the strong. Self-pity is the voice of pride in the heart of the weak. Boasting sounds self-sufficient. Self-pity sounds self-sacrificing. The reason self-pity does not look like pride is that it appears to be needy. But the need arises from a wounded ego and the desire of the self-pitying is no really for others to see them as helpless, but heroes. The need self-pity feels does not come from a sense of unworthiness, but from a sense of unrecognized worthiness. It is the response of unapplauded pride."
-from Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian hedonist by John Piper


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