I have joined Emily’s* 30 Day Challenge:

I’m challenging myself to post a picture every day during the month of November (30 Days To Be Thankful For) and to add a caption as to why I am thankful. — Emily

Day 22

His friends called him Jack, and he died fifty years ago today.

I’m not referring to John F. Kennedy, but to C.S. Lewis.

Lewis taught English first at Magdalen College, then English literature at Cambridge.  Although he published many scholarly essays, C.S. Lewis  became well known for Christian apologetic works, such as Mere Christianity.  Most know him as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia and the creator of Aslan, the lion.

I encountered Lewis’ work in high school shortly after I became a Christian:  Mere Christianity, God In the Dock, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, the fantasy fiction trilogy that began with Out of the Silent Planet.  Lewis gave me the reasons to my “whys” about Christianity, reinforcing the intellectual soundness of my decision.

My copies are dog-eared, scribbled on,  underlined, and high-lighted.  Some are missing–I don’t remember who I gave them to.  (“Here, you should read this!”)

So I’m remembering C.S. Lewis’ life and works today.  I’m thankful for Lewis’ example as a Christian and for the impact his books had (and have) on my life and the lives of so many others.

Here’s to you, Jack.

‘I am [in your world].’ said Aslan. ‘But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.’

C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia

photos of boxed CD version of Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre “The Chronicles of Narnia”

See Thankful 30 page for every day’s entry.

* name changed