I'm now well into the transition stage of finishing my time as Principal then Lecturer within the Scottish Baptist College. The time is right and good to move into the next stage of the 'journey called ministry'.
As those who know me will expect, my metaphor for a disrupted life is an all over the place library! And I'm now in the process of remarrying the two halves of my library which for the past twelve years have been separated between home study and College study. Hence Graeme's recent comment about me reducing my library, and his not unreasonbable scpeticism that such a reduction may in the end be more cosmetic than surgical. Not entirely though. My aim is to get back to what has always been a principle of house management - that my books don't overflow my study into other areas of our home.
So I spent a satisfying morning at John Lewis ordering two cracking new bookcases to match the existing ones, and paid for with a gift previously given from the friends of the College. Seems a good deal - love of learning took me to the College, love of learning will continue - lifelong learning as a vocational imperative is also a quite persuasive argument for having books around.
Aye, but how many Jim? How many lifetimes to read this lot? And who is going to make sure they're dusted and looked after, eh? And what about libraries, are there not enough books in the Uni library and a lot cheaper? Yes I hear all that - and I now have to think longer before buying more.
As I did when I bought the C S Lewis Trilogy, in hardback, for £3 last week - must have pondered, considered and swithered for at least 5 seconds..........
You remember your comment in Evangelical Spirituality about a certain overflowing library....
Posted by: Ken | May 20, 2014 at 04:46 PM