There have been mountains we’ve been asked to climb/Some rivers have been wide, some skies been grey/The valleys have been deep and dark at times, but without fail, our God has led the way!

Second: The responses we continue to receive from readers of Manley Beasley’s biography are so encouraging. It is evident that the Lord is using Manley’s life and message to impact many, some saying that they are reading it for the second or third time, returning over and over again to study his messages on prayer, faith and dealing with adversity. The Audio Book is also now available.

Third: I am nearing the completion of the story of our friend, Iris Urrey Blue, the ex-con who was labeled an “incorrigible degenerate” by the Texas Department of Corrections. Since, at the age of 27, when she knelt down a tramp and stood up a lady, in front of her bar, The Inferno, in Houston, TX, God has used her for His glory around the world. Hers is an incredible story of grace. You may wish to check the Blue’s web site at www.duaneandirisblue.com

Fourth: During the days of his ministry, the Scotsman, James Alexander Stewart, impacted thousands of lives, including Manley Beasley. Dr. Stewart was a prolific writer and among the many books he wrote are two on the subject of the Holy Spirit that we wish to recommend; The Heavenly Executive and Heaven’s Throne Gift. The latter is considered by many to be one of the finest, most balanced studies of the Third Person of the Trinity. You may check into Dr. Stewart’s writings at www.revivallit.org or phone 800-252-8896 or write Revival Literature. P.O. Box 6068, Asheville, NC 2881.

A final thought: “Your character is what you really are. Your reputation is merely what people think you are.”

Why did Aslan have to die?

This letter is highlighted on the The Searcher, the C. S. Lewis Centenary Sculpture in downtown Belfast, created by Ross Wilson, one of N. Ireland’s best known artists.

We have been privileged to visit this memorial on several occasions with Ross. As you read the following you will see what a powerful witness this piece of art is, a witness to the message Lewis was attempting to portray in his writing of the Chronicles. For additional information about Mr. Wilson go to his web site, www.rosswilsonartist.com.

Magdalene College

March 1, 1961

Dear Anne,

What Aslan meant when he said he had died is, in one sense, plain enough. Read the earlier book in this series called The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and you will find the full story of how he was killed by the White Witch and came to life again. When you have read that, I think you will probably see that there is a deeper meaning behind it.

The whole Narnian story is about Christ. That is to say, I asked myself “Supposing that there really was a world like Narnia and supposing it had (like our world) gone wrong, and supposing Christ wanted to go into that world and save it (as He did ours) what might have happened?” The stories are my answers.

Since Narnia is a world of Talking Beasts, I thought He would become a Talking Beast there, as He became a man here. I pictured Him becoming a lion there because (a) The lion is supposed to be the king of beasts; (b) Christ is called “The Lion of Judah” in the Bible; (c) I’d been having strange dreams about lions when I began writing the work. The whole series works out like this:

• The Magician’s Nephew tells of the Creation and how evil entered Narnia.
• The Lion, etc.- the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
• Prince Caspian – restoration of the true religion after corruption.
• The Horse and his Boy – the calling and conversion of a heathen.
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – the spiritual life (especially in Reepicheep).
• The Silver Chair – the continued war against the powers of darkness.
• The Last Battle – the coming of the Antichrist (the Ape), the end of the world and the Last Judgement.

All clear?

Yours,
C. S. Lewis