A Single Layer

When I was a child I often had a toothache, and I knew that if I went to my mother she would give me something which would deaden the pain for the night and let me get to sleep. But I did not go to my mother--at least, not till the pain became very bad. And the reason I did not go was this. I did not doubt she would give me the aspirin; but I knew she would give me something else. I knew she would take me to the dentist next morning. I could not get what I wanted out of her without getting something more, which I did not want. I wanted immediate relief from pain: but I could not get it without having my teeth set permanently right. And I knew those dentists; I knew they started fiddling about with all sorts of other teeth which had not yet begun to ache. They would not let sleeping dogs lie; if you gave them an inch, they took an ell. Now, if I may put it that way, Our Lord is like the dentists. If you give Him an inch, He will take an ell. Dozens of people go to Him to be cured of som

I have been too busy to read anything but legal documents, vendor forms, unedited manuscripts, packing slips, social networking sites, and the book of Matthew for a few months now. My brain feels tight around the edges. My eyelids are losing elasticity. Here are a few books I've been eyeing for the last little while in hopes for a rainy day: 1. Jane Eyre (re-read) 2. Out of Africa (bought a re-print of the original translation, very pretty) 3. anything by C. S. Lewis (and I mean anything. From Miracles to Perelandra to the one-sentence quip on the daily calendar in the kitchen, I'm all over it.) 4. Mockingjay !!! (comes out in August. This will be the first in the series that I haven't received early as an advanced reader. I'm so excited!!!) 5. The Message in the Bottle (Walker Percy, NOT Nicholas Sparks. Read much, but not all of this piece of genius. Also want to read everything else he ever wrote) 6. Godric (again) 7. War and Peace (but only after I finish...) 8.

I've been feeling a little conflicted about my life as a blogger. There are so many things I want to post about, but I'm suddenly aware that running a company makes me in many respects a 'public' figure, and what I write here on this very personal blog has implications for my work and the reception of my company by the outside world. I'm not worried about the personal stuff - I don't post much of anything I wouldn't mind anybody reading. But when I visit the printer or get an acceptance letter from our distributor or any number of awesome things happen, I want to write about it. And then I stop and think, is this too much information? I'll figure it out eventually. For now, just know that all is going very well. I am excited to do what I do, and everything is falling beautifully into place. Thank you Jesus.

Going through the files on my computer, I found this passage plucked from an article by David B. Hart, from First Things , many moons ago. It seemed particularly relevant considering the sermon I listened to (while driving), from my pastor two weeks ago. I've been thinking about the importance of the novel, and of storytelling, all the more since I've made publishing my career. It is good to know I'm investing in something I have believed in for so long. Whatever quality the writing, the seeds of this higher possibility remain. At the same time, one must acknowledge that part of the special enchantment of the novel, considered as a distinct literary form, is the illusion it can create of a fully realized world; a truly great novel is like a magic mirror, whose surface reflects not only the appearances, but the souls of living men and women. Precisely because of its special combination of immensity and intimacy, it affords its author room, scope, time for the subtlest gestu

The time between blog posts just gets longer and longer. I have become one of those people who does nothing but work. This would be a sad thing, except that I am beginning to see the fruits of my labor. Perhaps I shall post a picture of said fruits sometime soon. In the meantime, please bear with me. I miss you all more than I can say. But it won't last long. I promise.