Matt Aynes

"Some things have to be believed to be seen."

- Ralph Hodgson

“Truth sees God, and wisdom contemplates God, and from these two comes a third, a holy and wonderful delight in God, who is love.”

- Julian of Norwich

Library book returned after 82 years. Note says, 'Grandma won't be able to pay for it anymore' A library book has been returned nearly 82 years after it was borrowed from the San Antonio Public Library.

Just a friendly reminder that it's never too late to return books to the library 😄

And while 82 years seems like a long time, the record for a returned overdue book is 288 years (1668-1956). Talk about a late fee!

apnews.com/article/libr...

The Curious Case of the Rev. Martin Niemöller And Why It Matters Today

Ever seen the "First They Came" poem? Like its author, the Rev. Niemöller, we're seeing major shifts and upheavals in the world around us, and it's all the more important that we remember the lessons from the past.

May God give us wisdom and courage in the days ahead.

mattaynes.com/.../the-curi...

I'm giving away 3 signed hardcover copies of The Reaping this Sunday, January 12th! To be eligible to win, just sign up for my author mailing list at: mattaynes.com/connect/

The Reaping won the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Genesis Contest and currently has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon.

"Who knows but that here, and here alone, lies your way back not only to Heaven but to Earth too, and to the great human family whose oldest hopes are confirmed by this story that does not die?"

"You are uncertain whether it is more than a myth. Well, if it is, then our last hope is gone. But is the opposite explanation not worth trying?"

Some thoughts on Christmas from C.S. Lewis (it's a longer one, so it's in 3 posts):

"All over the world...men and women will meet on December 25th to do what is a very old-fashioned and, if you like, a very Pagan thing--to sing and feast because a God has been born."

Looking for some profound Advent/Christmas theology? Take a look at On The Incarnation by Athanasius. I used a quote from it at the beginning of The Reaping (novel I wrote this year):

"He became human so that we might become divine...that we might perceive the Mind of the unseen Father."

"And when once the disguise has succeeded, his commands will presently be taken to abrogate all moral laws and to justify whatever the unbelieving allies of the `Christian' Party wish to do."

From the essay: "The demon inherent in every (political) party is at all times ready enough to disguise himself as the Holy Ghost; the formation of a Christian Party means handing over to him the most efficient make-up we can find."

If you're a Christian and haven't read C.S. Lewis's Meditation on the Third Commandment, I strongly recommend it. It's a brief essay from 1941 on the inherent evils of any so-called "Christian" political party. It's the first essay in the link. Powerful stuff!

faithandlaw.org/wp-content/c...

Had an interesting conversation with our six-year-old daughter this morning:

Her: "I'm trying to find a book, but I can't remember what the name of it is."

Me: "That happens to me sometimes, too. Can you remember what the book is about?"

Her: "It's about green eggs and ham."

Yeah, Aurelius is definitely more like Epictetus, who always strikes me as an authentic and honestly pretty amazing person.

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” - Maya Angelou

Image of The Reaping book cover and a Black Friday banner showing a sale price of $0.99 for the Amazon Kindle version of the book.

Need a good book for the Thanksgiving break? The Kindle version of The Reaping is only $0.99 for a limited time!

ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Genesis Contest Winner

4.8 rating on Amazon

www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCQDC9R2

I feel like it really captured the idea of the banality of evil. Almost as disturbing as Schindler's List and other similar movies in its own way. Like C.S. Lewis said, the most normal, boring people can turn into gods or devils depending on their choices.

Happy Sunday! Thinking about some rather profound lines from The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis:
"It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses...Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses."

"A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom."

- Robert Frost

Getting that first post out of the way. I'm an indie Christian author with one book of a trilogy published and two more on the way. Enjoying all the book lovers, nature photographers, free thinkers, and intriguing conversations here. Trying to focus on gratefulness and living in the present moment.