Our book discussion on Thursday February 9th 7:20 p.m. will be Mere Christianity, we are dividing it into three parts, read the preface, foreword,  book one Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe and book two What Christians Believe.
Our next meeting place is eighty percent likely to be at JMU as the kind Professor Iain MacLean has offered to secure us a nice meeting place if he can; coffee, tea, round table, screen to watch, stand by for more information on that. If that falls through I have an idea for a place that has niceties of that sort. I will be posting discussion starters/questions around the 26th of January. See you then. Be blessed.

                  The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe                                                                                                                                                                  Discussion Starters

1. In the first chapter "Lucy Looks into a Wardrobe" we are introduced to the four children, the professor and Mr. Tumnus. The reason the children are here deep in the country is because of the air raids the London Blitz, what does history tell us about that, how intense was it.      Did C. S. Lewis have children as guests during this period in history?     In this chapter Lucy finds her way into a Wardrobe and Narnia. How does being uprooted not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually open us up to God moving in our life to propel us into being/doing what He wants for us?
2. In "What Lucy Found There" we find Mr. Tumnus living in the always winter never Christmas tyrannical reign and pay of the White Witch. How is Mr. Tumnus like us when we are living under the weight of circumstances or pay of evil or a combination of those things? How did Lucy bring Mr. Tumnus clarity of good and evil and the need to chose good? 
3. In "Edmund and the Wardrobe" the other three listen in disbelief to Lucy's story. How is Edmund's attitude towards Lucy and her story different than Peter's and Susan's?  Lucy questions herself wondering if it was all a dream. Have you ever had an clear leading from God and then question it as time passes? He always revisits us with what he has said and reaffirms it.  What kind of "apology" did Edmund shout to Lucy? What was the Queen's attitude toward Edmund? 
4. In "Turkish Delight" Edmund finds himself in company of the Queen, eating enchanted Turkish Delight, and being enticed with a promise of power and more Turkish Delight and feeling comfortable, even though at first he did not like the arrangement. Do we ever get comfortable with things or people or ideas that are not right? When he meets up with Lucy he is not so comfortable anymore. Have you ever been somewhat comfortable with wrong things until you see someone who knows better?
5. In "Back on This Side of the Door" Edmund and Lucy come back through the wardrobe and Edmund lets Lucy down out of pure nastiness. Why was Edmund so hateful with Lucy? The Professor's logic, in what other book by C. S. Lewis was there a paragraph in that reminded you of this one, what it was? If you have read "The Magician's Nephew" who is Professor Kirk and what does he know about Narnia?
6. In the chapter "Into the Forest" all four of the children stumble into Narnia and find Mr. Tumnus gone and his house ransacked. Peter went right to Lucy and apologized how was his reaction so much different than Edmund's? Edmund is found out to be a liar, Edmund had called Lucy a liar, have you ever accused someone of what you doing, has anyone ever done that to you? We see Edmund trying to plant doubt about the queen and about sides to Peter. Have you ever been sure of something and someone plants doubt in your mind?
7. "A Day with the Beavers" In this chapter Mr. Beaver finds the children , Edmund dreams of power and has horrible ideas. Did you notice Edmund says something true that they were lost. there is always enough truth in lies to keep us guessing any thoughts on that? At the mention of Aslan how did Edmund's feelings differ from the others? Did you notice throughout all of this Edmund keeps his meeting with the White Witch a secret, why is that?
8. In "What happened after Dinner" they dine with the beavers and are told of Mr. Tumnus's plight and the moving of Aslan. Mr. Beaver tells an over zealous Peter they have to wait for Aslan to defeat the White Witch. How can we be like Peter and want to bull through on our own strength and goodness instead of empowerment from God which sometimes means going in a different direction than we would think?  
9. "In The Witch's House" Edmund did not enjoy the food at the beaver's house because all the time he is thinking about Turkish Delight, nor did he enjoy the conversation espesially when Aslan was mentioned. He slips away to the witch's house. Edmund tries to convince himself that the white witch isn't that bad. How and why do we try to convince ourselves at times that someone or something isn't that bad? What did you think of Edmund's attitude toward the lion that was turned to stone?
10. "The Spell Begins to Break" The children and the beavers flee the house to met Aslan. They meet Father Christmas. Is his being in Narnia a clue that her spell is beginning to break?  Any thoughts about the gifts ?
11. "Aslan Is Nearer" Edmund is having a most disappointing time. How does sin and thinking one is better end in disappointment, He is wet, cold, and has no coat. What does Edmund begin figuring out about the witch's promise to make him king? We see Edmund for the first time begin to feel sorry for someone besides himself after the witch turns the party of animals to stone. How has empathy towards others help us turn toward good? How does the witch react to Spring?
12. "Peter's First Battle" They meet Aslan at the stone table. What did you think of the children being afraid of Him even though he is good? Peter blames himself for Edmund going wrong, any thoughts on that? Do we blame ourselves too much or perhaps take too little responsibility for others, how so? Aslan Said all will be done to save Edmund and is sad. Who notices that Aslan is sad? Why does Aslan let Peter fight the wolf instead of doing it Himself? Do you ever feel a tension between what God wants you to do and what he is doing? Do you think He ever wants us to stand back? 
13. "Deep Magic from the Dawn of Time" The witch intends to destroy Edmund and then he is rescued. Once again we see that Aslan had sent a rescue party for Edmund. Are we sent, where and why? Any thoughts on the transaction between the witch and Aslan?
14. "The Triumph of the Witch" Aslan is sad and lonely, yet He willingly goes for Edmund. What does this remind you of? There are so many reminders in this book, it is not an allegory but a reminder. Do you find you need reminded more at certain times in your life than others. What are the things God uses to remind you most often, not only of His sacrifice but of His presence in the day to day? Susan and Lucy follow Aslan, any thoughts about their heart for Him?
15. "Deeper Magic from before the Dawn of Time" In this chapter it was all more lonely and hopeless and horrid than can be described for Susan and Lucy until the stone table cracks. What does the stone table cracking remind you of? Aslan is no longer dead, death worked backwards. What is your favorite part about that chapter?
16. "What Happened about the Statues"Susan and Lucy enter the witch"s house with Aslan. The statues what does that remind you of? Of course my favorite part in this chapter is Mr. Tumnus, what is yours?
17. "The Hunting of the White Stag" I think Lucy was right that Edmund should know, any thoughts?" The children grow up as Kings and Queens of Narnia then go back to England. I had a little trouble suspending my disbelief over them not remembering the lamp post, any thoughts? 
18. What was your favorite part of the book or reminder of faith from the book overall?

Our book discussion for the second Thursday of January will be "The Lion,The Witch and The Wardrobe" 7:00 P.M. at Panora Bread Harrisonburg. Ages eight to one hundred eight for this book. :) I'll be leading.
  I'll post the book discussion questions around January 1st.
We will also discuss February's plans "Mere Christianity" perhaps? We will decide every month on the next months book or theme, also on a leader, for that book or theme.  As in past years we will branch out into works that influenced Lewis, George MacDonald seems a good choice for at least a couple of reads this year since Lewis regarded him his master. We also will plan a couple theme meetings one being- Did the writings of C. S. Lewis help bring you to faith or help keep you hanging on in the midst of trial and how?
Start reading, and thinking as to what you would like to read and discuss in February and beyond.
Help get the word out to grow our group! I will be messaging invites on Facebook and I have some other ideas. :)
  Note time change and meeting place change!  

Christmas Party at 1 p.m. on December 10th at Golden Corral

The C.S. Lewis Society of Harrisonburg's Christmas Meeting will be at 1 p.m. on December 10th at the Golden Corral in Harrisonburg.  There will be lots of items on the agenda no doubt especially how to move the society forward.

We wish you all the best!

Looking For New Management

For All Things There Is A Season

I don’t remember exactly when Will Vaus started the C.S. Lewis Society of Harrisonburg.  It was probably somewhere around 2006 but it could have been before or later.  I know from my records that I started facilitating the society in 2010, so for the past six years.  The number of people who come to meetings has tended to be almost always less than ten since Will Vaus left and often there are only five.

We’ve been through most of C.S. Lewis’s work more than once in the years the society has been meeting and all things come to an end.  Jessica and I for a variety of reasons have decided we will not continue with the C.S. Lewis Society.  We live up in Woodstock and we’ve recently had some changes in our life that will require a lot of attention.  We won’t be coming to the December party if it transpires.

I would encourage those interesting in perpetuating the C.S. Lewis Society of Harrisonburg to come to the planned December 10^th event at the Golden Corral in Harrisonburg.  I’m not sure of the time since I’ve not heard from Jane who was going to check with the Golden Corral.  If I discover the time I’ll pass it along.

For those who might be interested in perpetuating this group, I’ll be happy to share the mailing list and transfer the blog to new management.

All My Road Before Me Is The Topic Of Our November 10th Meeting

November 10th Jessica will lead us in a discussion of C.S. Lewis's diary from 1922-1927, All My Road Before Me.  It's a long but fun read as you see Lewis in many contexts with friends, fellow students, professors, and many more.

In this work Lewis is still on the journey that will bring him back to Christian faith only around 1930.  So the Lewis we meet here is one still very much in the grip of the chronological snobbery that Owen Barfield cured.

You meet so many of his friends that I'll not try to mention them all.  Many would go on in the future to be the Inklings we hear about.

Enjoy reading the book and when Jessica has formulated the questions I'll send them around.

The Theme meeting on Spiritualism was great fun and we also discussed the Christmas party and have a tentative date, time and location.  Jane will be checking on that  "Go Jane!" --- December 10th, a Saturday, at 1 p.m. until we leave at the Golden Corral in Harrisonburg.  If anything changes we'll let you know.

SCHEDULE
November 10: Focus Meeting: Lewis' Diary "All My Road Before Me" led by Jessica 
December  10 1 p.m. to whenever at Golden Corral in Harrisonburg.

October 13th: A Theme Meeting

Our meeting in October will be a theme meeting on the topic "Spiritualism, Lewis, and the Inklings."  Any source.  You might get a head start on "All My Road Before Me" which actually is not a bad source for this meeting, also Lewis's letters.  Googling around on-line will get you some interesting stuff, much of it bogus but interesting for all that.  Find some fun things to talk about and bring them to the meeting in October.

We'll also talk about options for the Christmas Party.

SCHEDULE

October 13: Theme Meeting: Spiritualism Lewis and the Inklings (any source)
November 10: Focus Meeting: Lewis' Diary "All My Road Before Me" led by Jessica December  

TBD Christmas Planning Meeting (Discussion Topic At Any Meeting)