March 17, 2005

Beethoven and Books

Last night I got home from prayer meeting, put some Beethoven on the CD player, and sat back to do some reading. I am reading two great books right now.

For serious reading, I am digesting George Marsden's Jonathan Edwards: A Life. It is a fascinating look at one of my all-time spiritual heroes. Last night I was reading about the first great awakening among the people to whom he ministered. I was amazed to discover that the amazing response of the people (by all accounts it had an effect on pretty much the entire town of Northampton) came partly as the result of a series of messages he preached on (get this) Calvinism! Go figure.

After I had listened to Beethoven's Fifth and Sixth Symphonies in their entirety (the Sixth is by far my favorite, especially the last movement) I picked up Magic Kingdom For Sale--Sold by Terry Brooks. A friend of mine from my high-school days just loaned me the entire series, and so I decided to read through them.

It is really an interesting concept: a succesful but disalusioned lawyer who's wife has just died sees and advertisement for a "magic kingdom." Deciding he needs a change of pace, he purchases the kingdom for one million dollars, although he remains somewhat skeptical of the validity of the advertisement.

He discovers that not only is the kingdom--called Landover--real, but that it is in dire straits. The plot of the book centers on how he establishes himself as king. Very interesting reading.

I have made a decision to read at least two books a month--one serious and one for fun. I will read more if possible. In the busy life I have led up to this point, reading--once one of my great passions--has fallen by the wayside. I am going to pick it up again.

Also, I am going to listen to a lot more Beethoven.

Posted by Andrew on March 17, 2005 10:54 AM.