Seven Virtues

I love books.  I would cram them in every corner of my house if the clutter of it didn't drive me crazy.  Books connect us with each other in a way
that nothing else can.  When you read a book, it is like walking around in the author's mind for a bit.  You are connecting with that author and learning everything they have chosen to share about that particular subject, or hearing every detail they have chosen to elucidate about that particular story they made up.

I mostly like non-fiction books.  I seem to gravitate toward books that talk about how to figure out who you are, what you want, how to be the best you can be, etc.  Sounds sappy, but I find it uplifting to regularly put myself in perspective to the big picture all around me.  It keeps me on track.

So one of the top ten books on my shelf is "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis.  Yeah, he's the same guy who wrote "Chronicles of Narnia".   Pretty diverse fellow, actually.  But in "Mere Christianity" he explores what is the SAME among all of the Christian denominations.  While so many churches are busy defining what makes them different from everyone else, this book is a cleansing of Christianity, really.  It strips away all of the mucky details like:  how often should a Christian take communion? dunk or sprinkle for baptism?  what role should women play?  should clergy marry? etc., etc.

There are lots and lots of nuggets in this book.  One of the chapters talks about the Seven Virtues.  That is, seven things that all Christians strive toward.  A few weeks ago a spent a little time looking at these virtues and coming up with a concise definition of each.  These definitions are an amalgamation  of CS Lewis' comments and prose, Webster, and good 'ol NIV.  I made each one into a fridge magnet.  Feel free to print them out and post them wherever you like.  Or just pick one you'd like to think about.  Stick it on your bathroom mirror and see if it helps you through the day.  Enjoy.

Prudence-
 Practical common sense,
 taking the trouble to think out
 what you are doing and what
 is likely to come of it.

Temperance-
Going the right length, and no
 further.  Having the right
 amount, and no more.

Justice-
Fair, reasonable, truthful and
 the keeping of promises.

Fortitude-
The courage to both face
danger and endure it.  Guts.
 

Charity-
Loving others as ourselves in
 forgiveness, kindness, and
provision.  Caring for others.

Hope-
A continual looking forward
 to, expectation for and trust
 in the Eternal World.

Faith-
Remembering things one
 knows are true, regardless of
 changing moods or emotions.