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Friday, September 30, 2016

FREE Scripture Graphic - Matthew 5:8


Here is another vintage graphic which I edited and then added a verse to it.  This one is not represented here in its original size.  You may save this one by clicking here and saving the image, or you can GO HERE and I think you will get a larger, better quality version you can save by right clicking and then selecting "Save image as..."

Enjoy! :-)


Saturday, September 24, 2016

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Book Review - One Vision Only, the Biography of Isobel Kuhn


Girl Reading on the Lawn by James Archer


Once, a long time ago now, I started a book blog at The Home Maker's Corner.  It didn't get many entries, despite the fact that I'm a pretty avid reader most of the time.  Well, as a way to add content here without too much work since they are rather short bits, it seemed like it might be a good idea to transfer the few posts I have there to this blog now and, if time and interest permits, maybe put up an occasional new one later on. My reading interests are somewhat varied, so there should be a little variety.  Also, I read quite a lot of vintage books, so some of these will not be available from the local book store.  If you are interested, you may have to look up a copy through ABEbooks.com or Amazon's used book dealers. You could also check with your local used book dealer.  Some of them will try to find books for readers.

Today's book review is about one of my favorite writers.  Her book In the Arena has been a great help to me at various times in my life.

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One Vision Only - Biography of Isobel Kuhn
By Carolyn L. Canfield
Out of print.

Rated: Highly recommended. An edifying and enjoyable read.

Here is a sweet biography of the beloved missionary/author Isobel Kuhn. Mrs. Kuhn, with her husband, was a missionary to the Lisu tribe in western China prior to and during the days of the Communist take over. She wrote a number of books which were well loved and read by many Christians over the years. This biography gives an account of her life from the perspective of others, as well as a large middle portion that is quoted from an unpublished manuscript by Isobel (it may have been published as a short book later). With quotes from letters and observations from friends, this book gives a different look at a life that was largely lived under the motto "God First".


For anyone who has enjoyed Isobel Kuhn's writings, this book is a must. For anyone who has not, it will be a good introduction to her and there are plenty of her helpful, edifying and sometimes humorous observations, as usual.

Too many Christian biographies glorify the subject far beyond measure. To the credit of the author, this book does not do that too much, perhaps largely because Isobel herself was so open and frank about her own faults and the author of this book knew her personally and consulted with her in writing the book. There is some bit of exalting in places, but it is not too thick to digest. Mrs. Kuhn's own keen sense of humor and honesty helped her see the ridiculousness of human nature and to admit to it's faults, both in herself and others. An honest author could not write an accurate account of her life and force a halo and wings where they would not fit! Mrs. Canfield obviously strove to be honest in her writing.

This book has a bittersweet ending as it closes with the account of Isobel going to be with the Lord. For those who have read her other books it is "the end of the story" which we can never get from her own writings. Anyone who has known and loved her through her books will probably feel like they lost a good friend when they read of her Home-going, despite the fact that she has been gone so long already (humanly speaking). But, as always, it is good to see a servant of our Lord "faithful unto death."

One plus in this book is that, as far as I remember, all the scripture quotes are from the KJV Bible. This is not true of Isobel's own books, so it makes this one a bit more enjoyable for me personally.

I also appreciated the author dealing with some of Isobel's early faults as a young Christian. One in particular was her tendency to use accusations and work on people's emotions to try to force them to do what she perceived to be God's will. She was rightly ashamed of this later when she had matured beyond this. There are many Bible believing Christians today who could do well to learn this lesson too.

A good verse for this book: Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Sunday, September 18, 2016

The Thorn - By Martha Snell Nicholson




This is a very short poem, but it holds a profound thought.

The Thorn


I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne
And begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart
I cried, “But Lord this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.
This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me.”
He said, “My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee.”
I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,
As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace,
He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.

by Martha Snell Nicholson

2 Corinthians 12:7-10  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Evening Song - He Leadeth Me


Psalms 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Luke 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Just for Fun - Vivaldi's "Summer" On Bluegrass Istruments


This rendition of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons: Summer" on bluegrass instruments is fun and also well done.  It is played by a group of siblings called "Southern Raised".  Enjoy!


Thursday, September 15, 2016

Australian Memories - More of the Botanic Garden at Mt. Coot-tha


Three years ago this week we left on our Great Australian Adventure.  Here are some more memories from that.  The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha.


Psalms 23:1-2 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.


Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Grandfather - A Poem by Albion Fellows Bacon


Someone may be wondering why so many poems of late.  I have always had a fondness for poetry.  Some of my earliest memories relate to it.  However, the reason for my recent increase in posting poetry can partly be attributed to the fact that my Aussie niece and nephew love it!  They both enjoy reading and writing poems, my nephew reads it avidly.  So, because they are far away and it's one way we can connect, I have been posting more on the Poetry page at The Home Maker's Corner and here.  :-)

"Examining Illustrations by the Fire" - by Edward Lamson Henry

Grandfather


How broad and deep was the fireplace old,
And the great hearth-stone how wide!
There was always room for the old man's chair
By the cosy chimney side,
And all the children that cared to crowd
At his knee in the evening-tide.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Why We Are not Quivferull - PART 5 - Points 7-9 - Suffering, The Gospel, Racism




This should be the last part of the Quiverfull series, unless I do a conclusion.  The reasons in this part deal with the suffering of the women and children, the potential for corrupting the truth of the Gospel, and the racist leanings that surround the belief system.

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Why We Are not Quiverfull - PART 5

7.  Quiverfull can cause suffering of the women and children.


We have already covered quite a bit on the subject of the suffering of the women and children in Quiverfull (see Part 4, especially), but due to seriousness of this issue, I wanted to mention it as a separate point.

Ever since the fall of man in the garden of Eden Satan has targeted women and children for some reason.  My theory is that it is because God told him that the seed of the woman would crush his head.

Genesis 3:14-15 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

It also could be in part because women and children are physically weaker than men in general and the devil tends to attack the weaker.  It also may be partly because the men should be the defenders and helpers of the weaker ones and so inspiring them to hurt instead makes a mockery of their manliness and in some way perhaps Satan uses it to accuse men before God.  We know that he is the accuser of men from Job 1:6-12 and Revelation 12:10.  What better way to bring accusation against them than to inspire Christian men to abuse their strength by abusing those they should be protecting or supporting?

Continue Reading.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Evening Song - How Great the Father's Love for Us


John 3:16-18  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Friday, September 9, 2016

FREE Scripture Graphic - Matthew 5:7


Here is another vintage graphic that I recently edited and to which I added a Bible verse.  I hope you can find a way to use it.

Click on the graphic and select "Save image as..."  Then save it to the file on your computer where you wish to store it.

Enjoy! :-)



Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Monthly Challenge - September 2016




August was a challenging month for me.  I had some medical tests done that were not pleasant (are they ever?) and I started September with a cold.  At first, I didn't feel like I needed a challenge this month, but I decided that if we did something easy and enjoyable maybe it would work.

So, here it is.

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Get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

And/Or

Have tea, coffee, or hot chocolate with a friend or family member.

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That should be pretty easy, shouldn't it? :-)

Sunshine is so good for our overall health.  Autumn is here, or coming, in the northern hemisphere, so we need to soak up some extra sunshine and out-of-doors time before the shorter, colder, darker days arrive.  In the southern hemisphere spring is arriving and that's always a good reason to get outside!  If you live somewhere in between where there isn't much swing in seasons it's just good to get outside in the sunshine, so... :-)

Having tea, coffee, or hot chocolate with someone is also easy and a good pick-me-up.  It's always nice to pause over a warm drink and a little friendly (and hopefully edifying) chat.

Well, I hope you enjoy this challenge! :-)

Ecclesiastes 11:7  Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

Sunday, September 4, 2016

When God Says “I Love You”

This post was from Sept. 2, 2014.  Usually I wouldn't share something again so soon, but it was a good reminder to me today and some of my newer readers may not have seen it, so I decided to post it again.  I have had health things going on again this summer and maybe I needed to think about this again. :-)  I added some links today; particularly there is one to my article on how I deal with Seasonal Affected Disorder, which may be of use to some of you.


Fruit photo by Elisabeth M. Graphic by Mary Stephens

The days are shortening here as autumn approaches, and with more cloudy weather than usual and a health struggle making it more necessary to avoid the heat (and sun), I’ve been feeling the Seasonal Affected Disorder setting in.  This is usual for September.  Sigh.  I look forward to cooler weather and all, but not the yearly battle to keep above the depression through the winter.  Having had a lot of health hassles this summer, I think I’m feeling a little shorted as well, like I didn’t get as much out of my summer as I would have liked.

Today I started my light therapy and made sure to get over to my mom’s to exercise with her.  I’m also planning to start up a lot of other things that I know help.  It’s a lot of work, but the alternatives are too awful, so it must be done.

When I don’t have something more specific to fret over, my brain will invent things for me and one big thing is the safety and lives of my family and loved ones.  This has been one thing that has been eating on me lately, no matter how much I try to pray and talk sense to myself.  The Lord reminded me of my post from Sunday, and the fact that I needed to “practice what I preached” so to speak, and focus on Him.  But, He also gave me two amazing reminders through friends of mine just to let me know that He is in charge and He can take care of all these things.  The only reason He would do such a thing – let me know how He showed them His love and care today – is because He wanted to remind me too that He loves me and is taking care of His children.

First a friend of mine had her car brakes fail today.  She was in a parking lot and, thankfully, was able to get out of the way and stop safely.  In a few minutes she would have been on a fast, busy highway!  Talk about safety being of the Lord!

Proverbs 21:31  The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

The other situation was the husband of friend who was flying home today and had a layover in Washington D.C.  His plane was running very late and he had less than an hour layover scheduled.  There was only a chance he could make the connection IF the plane docked quickly and IF he was the first one off.  The second flight left from another gate that was apparently in another area (concourse?).  If he missed the flight he would have to stay overnight.  His wife and kids prayed that the Lord would change things so that he could leave from the same gate.  Well, the airport did change his outgoing flight to the same gate, but just to make sure the family knew this thing was from Him, it also turned out that it was on the same plane! :-)

I am in awe.  I didn’t need these stories to land on my Facebook and cell phone today to know that the Lord loves me too and that He is taking care of His own.  But, He knew I needed it.

Maybe you did too…

Jeremiah 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

1 John 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Evening Song - A Debtor to Mercy Alone




1 Peter 1:3-5  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.