Quotes of Freedom

Here are just a few quotes that I have lying around. Thought it would be useful to dispense of them and let others gain whatever wisdom they seem to impart.

"It is impossible to discourage the real writers - they don't give a damn what you say, they're going to write. " – Sinclair Lewis

"I wonder how many people I've looked at all my life and never seen." – John Steinbeck

"You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis

"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." – Thomas Paine

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it." – Thomas Paine

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." – Benjamin Franklin

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." – Benjamin Franklin

"A man is as free as he chooses to make himself, never an atom freer." - George MacDonald

"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." – Charles Dickens

Then of courese my own self-induglent reference.

"The belief that intelligence equals omniscience is a true sign of ignorance" - E.W. Lewis

My Dog, My God?

Recently I finished reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (who is my long lost English uncle, though the family disowned him for heavenly debauchery some years ago) and there were many intriguing points that caught my interest. One in particular was the meaning of the word "my". It is stunning how such a simple word can so quickly paralyze my "my" thought as I realize the horror of my "my" misunderstanding.

C.S. Lewis contends (well maybe not contends because Screwtape states it as fact) that we as people have neglected to realize the dual meaning of the word "my". This little word does in fact have two distinct connotations.

First, you can use this inconsequential pronoun to show possession; such as found in its use with the phrase: "My dog."

Secondly, you can use this word to show relation; such as is found in the phrase: "My God."

The problem that was revealed is that we have forgotten how to use the word in a relation context. Over time we have begun to feel that we not only own our dog, but we also own God. Clearly it is evident where the problem begins.

As I leave you to ponder how you have used this two letter word I want to point towards one final telling phrase. In the Old Testament God tells the people time and time again that His will is to “[I will] be their God, and they will be my people.” Given the nature of God I want to add to Lewis’ contention by stating that in this popular quote of encouragement God intended both bodies to be in the relational context. He does not desire to own us, nor does he desire to be owned. He simply desires to have a relational existence with his beloved creation.