Basar

This book provides requires such an imagination which fits perfectly with Oskar’s personality! When I try to imagine the scene of the house, I imagine many rooms and doors; cluttered and full of interesting objects. I think the significance of this setting to to show Oskar’s need for discovery and intrigue.
I’m still not sure how the time frame fits into the meaning of the story. I know it is placed present time because it centers around 9/11 but other than that, Osker just seems out of place in the outside world. He is different from kids his own age. I don’t really think that in Oskar’s life, time is a big factor because he doesn’t really live “in” the world or of this time.
I kind of view the setting of this book in a dream-like state. Oskar’s life is random and unpredictable; it doesn’t really fit into “today’s” setting of the world. Everything is really creative and imaginative but I can’t really see it being more than some dream-like, anti-reality….maybe their is significance to that, eh? Hmm, we shall find out.

This book is crazy so far…
Borders: Some things stopping me from understanding right now…
1. I don’t know what happened to him to make him mute…maybe shock from his dad’s death?
2. Also, what’s up with all the french?
3. And why is he so smart as a kid!!
4. How old is he in the flashbacks and in the present time?

Gaps:
1. So I figured out that his dad died on September 11 but I don’t know how since his dad owns a jewelry store.
2. Ron is his mom’s new husband/boyfriend but I don’t even know how significant he will be.

Um, yeah I think thats kinda what I was pondering as I was reading so far. I think it is really interesting the way this book is written/ the perspective taken. The comment about not believing in things unable to be observed is interesting too (pg.4). Oskar observes A LOT so I can see where this belief would fit the context of his mind.

Well…let me just say, I don’t really read a whole lot. Well, that’s a lie. I do read a lot but not reading in the sense of reading books written by famous authors. Ok, I lied again. Really all I read is the Bible, and sometimes, when I have a few extra moments, books about the Bible. I love the Word and being reminded of the sovriegnty of God over my life. It is comforting to read the promises of God, the incarnation of His life on earth through His son, and the death He died to give us life. I guess when I read that, since its really all I read, I do read actively. Sometimes I read out loud, proclaiming His Word back to Him. I also read with the intent on listening to God and what He is trying to tell me though the verses. Sometimes I’m sure I interpret it wrong, but in that case, I have people in my life that speak into me and try to help me with understanding. Often I memorize verses. I will also search out commentaries on what I’m reading to make sure I have a clearer understanding and the oppertunity to cross references with other verses to deepen that understanding. Knowing history of Israel helps too.

All in all. Its good.

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” [Joshua 1:8]

“The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” [John 1:14]

“We must sing if our lives have been changed by our God
Let the whole world know that He has come.” –> Sojourn

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Some blogs that speak truth into my life and encourage me with the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

1. Kevin Jamison is the pastor at the Oaks Community Church. He is someone who speaks incredible truth into my life. I visit his blog often and am amazed at the things he writes. His many categories help me easily find his opinion on a certain topic. His blogging style is purely ramblings and thoughts, almost like a journal. Pictures and even videos are added to an idea. I can skim through post after post and hear the Lord speaking though it. Every thing he says is in Christ and about Him.
http://www.kevinjamison.typepad.com/

2. Meg Rigano is my future roommate for next year! She is such an encouraging person in my life. She loves the Lord so much and is in constant desire to have a fuller understanding of the mercy and love Jesus poured out for her on the cross. Her blog is mostly complied of lyrics that sing of who God is. Sometimes she even writes a journal-like entry of how she is doing in her walk with Christ or what she is struggling with. She usually will add a picture to go along with the words of her post. Everything she writes or quotes from a song is an outpouring of her heart for the Lord on that day. Its really cool to watch her journey with Him.
http://megrigano.blogspot.com/

3. Jon Bagen is the Middletown area director of Young Life. He is really great. I visit his blog to uplift my soul. His blog is mostly comprised of poetry that is beautiful and bears his heart in its words. The simple format and casual grammatical writing style is comforting and real- he rarely uses capitalization and he doesn’t use long paragraphs that fill up every space. His thoughts are short, but extremely deep and full of the Gospel. Every word is prayerful and reflecting on who God is. The Lord is doing really cool things through Jon.
http://jonathanhugobagen.blogspot.com/

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“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”—but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.” [1 Cor. 2:1-10]

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” [John 14:6]

“Eiger Dreams” led me to personal reflection on life in the world. Like Jon Krakauer, the world is our mountain. The weather is unpredictable and brutal. We undertake ventures that seem foolish, impressive, or impossible. People laugh at us, talk us down, or encourage us into defeat. Sometimes we win, but more often than not we retreat down the mountain. Either way, in the end, our efforts, no matter the intent, leave us unsatisfied. We all look for the approval of men, hoping to gain a compliment, accolade, pat on the back, “good try,” what have you. I am very guilty of that, though I am slow to admit it. The desire to follow Jesus can also get distorted living in a world like ours. We focus improving how we pray, how much we read, how much scripture we can fit on that tiny bookshelf of a memory. Maybe if I join one more bible study or listen to one more sermon before bed, maybe then I would know Jesus deeper! Maybe then I would be satisfied! Surely God would be more than pleased with me! But what we fail to realize is that as we climb higher and higher up the mountain, trying to find a way into the kingdom, we will never be able to unlock the door.

“I’m fighting for my life in a storm on some endless climb when I come upon a door set into the mountainside. The doorway leads to a warm room with a fireplace and tables of steaming food and a comfortable bed…the door is locked.” [Eiger Dreams]

The door will always be locked. There is no way to break in and there is no package we can present in which the Master to open the door. Jesus proclaims in the Gospel of Matthew…

“…knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” [Matthew 7:7-8]

Like Krakauer, the winds will come in this life and several times we will “simply have to get down on our knees and wait for lulls between gusts” [Eiger Dreams], but lucky for us, knocking on that door isn’t only a dream and will result in a crown that far outweighs any fame we could gain for a “successful” climb in the worlds eyes. And in the end, whether we “win” or “lose,” we can rest in hope of eternity and proclaim “By God, I have survived!” [Eiger Dreams]