The Circle Trilogy

Ted Dekker is one of my favorite authors. He vividly shows the difference between good and evil, and the battle between the two. Some of my favorite books by him are the Circle Trilogy: Black, Red, and White. Sometimes, I find myself wishing this world was more like his novels, where men and women go into battle against the Horde, where the Forest Guard dance at night to celebrate Elyon's love for them, where the Great Romance is celebrated, where love is thick in the air, where there is no shame in displays of affection. The mean are encouraged to "woo, pursue, protect, cherish" women they have fallen in love with. People as young as 17 fall in love and get married. Of course, this IS fiction. But why just fiction? "Love" has lost much of its meaning, its power. "Until death due us part" now usually means "until I don't want to anymore." Why are so many guys too "cool" to show their love? Why do so many guys put on a tough act instead of telling girls how they really feel? Nowadays, if guys are affectionate towards girls they are friend with, people take it as "flirting" or "playing with her heart." Sadly, most of the time, that is true. Why? God is love. Of course, love means respecting the girl, but showing her affection nonetheless. I'm not saying guys need to be perfect; they are human. And I'm sure girls mess up plenty of times to. But basically what I'm trying to say is: don't be afraid to love, to show your love. "You never lose by loving. You only lose by holding back."-Barbara De Angelis "It's a kiss without any shame. Something beautiful." there is a song that reminds me of what I'm trying to say. It's called "Love Like Crazy." Here are some of the lyrics: "They called them crazy when they started out. Said 17's too young to know what loves about. They've been together 58 years now. That's crazy. He brought home 67 bucks a week. Bought a little 2 bedroom house on Maple street, where she blessed him with 6 more mouths to feed. That's crazy. Just ask him how he did it, he'll say, "Pull up a seat. It'll only take a minute to tell you everything: be a best friend tell the truth and overuse "i love you." Go to work, do your best, never outsmart your common sense, never let your praying knees get lazy, and love like crazy... Always treat your woman like a lady. Never get to old to call her 'baby'. Never let your praying knees get lazy, and love like crazy."

(Elyon = Yahweh)
(the Great Romance = Elyon's love for his children.)
(Forest Guard = the people who guard the forest they live in)