wondering in a world of books

I really love reading. I never seem to have time to do it, or choose to facebook instead.  But I have been reading this book the last few days and I realized even when I wasn't reading the book my mind was still in the "world" of that book.  I get so absorbed by books that I even begin to think the way the author writes. Sometimes I wonder why books effect me so much. Is it that my imagination is so strong? Do I long for a world that is different from my own? Or am I just that influenced by what I read!   The book that has been taking up my mind lately is a fiction series about early America and the world of magic and religion.  Its been really interesting- obviously fiction, but it brings up a lot of good issues . It was actually assigned to me for my seminary class on Worldviews.   When I finished the book today I was so sad, I wanted it to continue! I ran to my computer and ordered the next 4 books in the series! haha 

Then I started a new book ... well really its an old one that I have been trying to finish for the last year.  Its a theology book that is amazing! But so intense I can really only read 1 or 2 chapters at a time.  I  get so excited as I read it I  want to just keep reading!  I miss learning and discussing theology with my friends in college. Now its just me and the books. 

Most people don't even know what "theology" they believe when asked. They don't  think it matters.  Yet I would argue it does b/c  just like a "worldview" it affects the choices we make.  Ones theology is apart of their "worldview".  This is huge b/c if we don't understand  it, then we  just " do, chose, love, and hate" things without truly understanding WHY.    AND in that we let so much of our cultures CHOSE for us, instead of maybe choosing what God would desire for our worldview to be.  Does that make sense? Its not like " well you don't know ur "theology/worldview" no biggie, its more a smart person thing anyways... NO if we DO without understanding we offend, we think we are always the ones that are "right" , we look down upon others that have different worldviews from us... instead of understanding that the "whys" come from our certain worldviews. 

I've barely begun the class but I can see its extreme importance already. 

I once heard Rob Bell said that he was "convicted by his theology".   I realized then that we  can not just say we believe something to be good and right and not let it affect or lives, or choices. We must let them convict us, so that we live out what we truly believe! 

Most people don't know what their theology is, so how can they make sure their living it out? How can they come to a cross road and chose what is RIGHT, and not just what they "want or seems easy".    

When I was doing YL in SoCal, I bought this book that I wanted to read with my YL girls called "Do fish know their wet?" It was all about worldviews and how we function within them without ever knowing, and how it was important to understand them. For some strange reason I never did end up using that book ( sorry girls) .  The books title made a great point ( the rest of the book was good too.. well the parts I read)  Do fish know their wet? Do we live in ignorance?  People say that ignorance is bliss... I think ignorance is selfish.  In today's modern world it only seems like selfishness that would keep people ignorant.  There is just too much information out there, too many issues to hear and see... too much that one can not be totally ignorant with out trying.  Now I'm not saying everyone should know "everything and issues" I'm just saying the no one can be completely ignorant. 

My theology convicts me.... and unfortunately all too often I fail it. Does that mean I should even try? No the truths I know and the rabbi I follow would tell me to try again, to keep pressing on and at least attempt to do what is Right and good.... the things that my theology says " if you believe this... then do it!" 

I like books, they make me think, they bring my mind alive and active and FRESH from the sleep it sometimes falls into...