So, it's only fitting that a place filled with hearty, solid, theologically sound books about God would serve as a lavish feast for the mind of my heart--Today was a day that I found a feast of that kind.
This is place that I've ventured before. The strapping quality of the bookstore's content was no surprise; that's why I went in the first place. This time, I went with a friend. We were undoubtedly going for the same reason--it's like a candy store for people who love theology and Gospel-centered resources.
In the back of my mind I knew what I was walking into. It's a trap, a good trap, but a trap nonetheless. My eyes and my mind grow much bigger than my wallet when I walk between the shelves of this "treasure chest" of a room.
Picking up a copy of John Stott's The Cross of Christ, I lean to my friend,"Oooh bro! I've been wanting to get this."
"Mmmmmmm. Bangin', bangin' book bro," my friend replies assuredly.
(This kind of verbal exchange continues for our entire time in the bookstore.)
As I browsed I thought to myself, "Wow. This is a trap. For me, it feels like a good trap. I am surrounded by thousands of books that will help point towards my God and help me in my service to Him. If it weren't for the grace of God this wouldn't be a trap at all. In fact, I probably would never enter, let alone know of, any bookstore like this one. I want almost everything I see on the shelves. Thankyou God."
The trick is getting out without breaking the budget. Going with friends is usually the key to that (that and phoning my wife every ten minutes and asking her to tell me not to be buy the $18 dollar book today).
"Just push me towards the register please. Push me away from the books and towards the register bro," is usually the way I like to work my way out the door.
Today, I made it out of the "good" trap with three books. Two for me and one for a friend.
The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter
Charity and Its Fruits by Jonathan Edwards
A Commentary on The Sermon on the Mount by James M. Boice
Praise God for "good" traps like this one, along with Godly friends and a wife who push me towards discipline, self-control and moderation when I walk into my favorite bookstore.
