Letters to My Friend - Thoughts On Reading Fiction

Dear Friend,

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

I have read a lot of old books. Primarily ones that were written before, oh, let's say about 1930. That's a guess because I don't pay that much attention, but the books that have cars in them usually have old style cars, so I figure that's a somewhat accurate date. I'm not overly interested in the World Wars, so the '40s are mostly not there for me, and also during that time frame and forward even the more gentle fiction tended to become jaded or grubby. This is not to say that the older books are all wholesome and fine. Far from it. One still has to be quite cautious. But, there is, I think, more to choose from in fiction written prior to 1930. There are also still a lot of options after that date as well.

I am not writing this to tell you what to read, though. That is a choice each one makes for themselves, hopefully with reference to a good conscience before God.

Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

And speaking of that, perhaps I should touch on the issue of whether fiction is a good choice of reading for Christians. I know there are some people who say it is not...

Continue Reading.

Just for Fun - A "Recommended Reading" List

Artist unknown.

Recommended Reading

 

Great Rescue Stories     - by Justin Thyme

10 Cures for Sea Sickness   - by Wyatt E. Errp

Rock Collecting   - by Cal Sydney

The Prides of Serengeti     - by Lionel Cubb

The Green Thumb   - by Thorogood Gardiner

Horse Shoes   - by Blanche Smith

Cattle Ranching In the Old West    - by Bessy Hereford

Spicing Your Cuisine    - by Herb Cooke

How To Get It All   - by Wanda Moore

Fabulous Footwear    - by Ima Schumacher

Shallow Water Fishing    - by Roxie Scholes

Utilizing Your Library - by Ida Reid

White Water Rafting   - by Flo Blanca

Best Breads Ever   - by Ann Baker

Investing Your Assets   - by Rich Banks

Formal Gardens of Europe   - by Redd Rosa

Sea Shore Vacations   - by Michelle Holliday

Gothic Churches   - by Belle Freeman

Oil Painting   - by Dabney Strokes

Precious Gems of Australia   - by Opal Black

Great Cities of Italy   - by Florence Milan

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For anyone who failed to notice, this is a joke. ;-)

FREE Bookmarks To Print - Springtime Photos

Here is another small gift for you, dear readers. :-)

This is a collection of printable bookmarks for you to print and cut apart. These could be used as small gifts in greeting cards or letters, an addition to a gift book, or in a gift basket. Or you can use them for your own enjoyment. They might make a nice addition to a Mother's Day card or something to give someone who is discouraged or sick at present. Please make free use of them, but do not charge for them. These are my own photography and graphic work. 

To get a full sized graphic please go download the image at my storage location. The download icon is on the left. Then print it in full size for an 8.5"x11" sheet of paper. For best results you should use white cardstock of a weight you prefer for bookmarks. Ordinary printer paper would not hold up well, unless you laminate it.

If you do not have a color printer, most of these looked pretty good in black and white in the test I printed. You can also order a print of the image from SmugMug which you could then cut apart after you receive it. (I do not receive any money or credit for orders as I do not have a professional account.)

These could also be used as a permanent or removable part of a handmade card. :-)

Enjoy!

Flowers left to right:
Texas paintbrush

Peach blossoms

Red bud blossoms

Our woods in springtime.

Good Reads for Bad Times

This has been a rough year. My own family has been through a lot - in addition to the coronavirus stuff and the lock-down. Sometimes I find I need to read things that are more uplifting and encouraging for awhile and avoid anything that is too dramatic, too intense or too morbid. Here are a few books (and some poems) that can be helpful for those times.

For family reading:

The Sugar Creek Gang books by Paul Hutchins.

These books are Christian fiction geared towards kids. We recommend the books prior to the 1990's editions because they made some changes in the books later that weren't great. (Why update a good thing?) Plus the older books give a look into how people used to live in mid-western rural American farm country. There are lots of details of life that are now forgotten or little known.

The stories follow the adventures of the Sugar Creek Gang - a group of boys who live in rural Indiana. The adventures are varied and interesting from catching crooks to going on vacations in the north woods, visiting a missionary in Cuba, snowstorms, and visiting Chicago. They include a lot of roaming around in the woods, learning to be responsible, doing their chores faithfully, learning people relationship skills, and working towards the goal of seeing various people become real, born again Christians. There is also an emphasis on growing in the Christian walk throughout the books. There is a lot of humor as well as some difficult lessons. These books are bit exciting for some kids, but enjoyable for the adults reading them out loud as well. I always like the parents of Bill Collins (the storyteller character) in these stories because they seem like people I would like to have for friends of my own. :-) There are some books that deal with some more sensitive subjects - the destructive aspects of alcohol consumption and the use of bad language are repeating themes that I recall, but some other things are addressed as well.

Here's a website about the series.
For the older editions I recommend looking on AbeBooks and Ebay. Possibly Amazon as well.
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The Grandma's Attic books by Arleta Richardson.

These are Christian fiction based on true stories. These stories take place in Michigan back in the old days and follow the adventures of Mable O'Dell from her childhood into adulthood, marriage, and motherhood. The first books in the series have stand alone chapters - each one being a separate story with the biblical lesson given from "Grandma" (Mable herself). These books are fun and there is a lot of humor from the real life stories and events. Some stories are also more serious or heartwarming. Part way through the series the format changes to each book being a continuous story with a plot. These later books follow Mable through her later education and teaching years and then into marriage and motherhood.

These books can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. I took the first book and read some of the stories to my mom when she was staying in the rehad hospital and memory care facility in the last weeks of her life because the stories were interesting and only one short chapter long, so she could follow them. She really seemed to enjoy them a lot. :-) (She had read them to us when we were younger.) My husband also read some of them out loud to me during our pre-marriage months when I was sick and not able to do much. :-)

These books will probably also have to be purchased second hand either online or locally.
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The Jungle Doctor books by Paul White

These books are Christian fiction based on true stories. These stories take you back to British East Africa to a hospital in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) and follow the adventures of a missionary doctor and his African assistants. (There is an English nurse - called a "sister" - as well, but she doesn't figure as much in the stories.) These books give a great insight into the thinking of the African people in that place and time. There is drama, humor, and a lot of encouragement and adventure. The biblical lessons are very clear. The books can be enjoyed by children and adults and the books do not have to be read in order, although there is an order to them. (A more recent publication of these books has them out of order, which was a puzzle to me.)

Note: Some difficult subjects are sometimes dealt with. Also there are medical situations that may be a bit much for squeamish people. :-) There are also Bible quotes that are translated from the local African language back into English or perhaps come from the RSV. Look them up in your King James Version if you would like.

These books are sometimes available on Amazon, but can also be purchased second hand online. I do not know if the more recently published editions have been altered.
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And here are a few fiction stories that are just fun or sweet without being Christian.

The Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I doubt that I need to say much about these to explain them because they are so well known, but these books follow the adventures of the Ingalls family as they moved around in the United States frontier in the early days. They are fiction based on a true story and, while they have a fair bit of struggle, they are also inspiring for learning to live through hardships and survive.

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For adults and young adults:

Then I will recommend two fiction books by Grace S. Richmond. These books were written years ago and have a winsome vintage quality that I personally find to be gentle and enjoyable.

Strawberry Acres - [Spoiler Alert] Follows the adventures of a family of four young adult orphans and their uncle as they shift from city life to country life. This book has it's humor and a little romance, but I think it is also good to encourage you to get out and dig in the dirt and grow things, which is a good way to cheer up in and of itself. :-) It's also a good reminder to make the best of a difficult situation and not assume that something that looks bad can't be turned to something useful.

A Court of Inquiry - This book follows four adults through their relationships with various young ladies in a country boardinghouse. It initially presents various types of young women for the consideration of the reader. Then later it shows where these various young women end up as married women. It is a humorous commentary on human nature - especially young female human nature. Obviously it is from a by-gone era, but it still has its charms and is applicable to modern young women in some ways. :-) This book has an element of romance as well, but it is not exactly the main story.

These books can be enjoyed by young people as well as adults. They have been reprinted and are for sale on Amazon (or at least one is), or you can find them free in various ebook formats or to read online at gutenberg.org

Strawberry Acres
A Court of Inquiry

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Last but not least, I recommend the poems of Annie Johnson Flint for encouragement and edification in the truth of the Lord. These poems have been a great help to me during various dark times of my own life. Miss Flint experienced some very difficult things in her own life, and God helped her to pass on the comfort and courage He gave her to us in the form of poetry.

The Poem of Annie Johnson Flint

Worth Reading - Hidden Rainbow by Christmas Carol Kauffman

Hidden Rainbow

By Christmas Carol Kauffman

Rated: "Couldn't put it down."
Highly recommended.

Here is the true story of John and Anna Olesh, a Yugoslavian couple who unexpectedly became the owners of a New Testament. At that time the Bible was a forbidden book in those parts because the Roman Catholic Church had almost complete power religiously and through pulling strings politically. At that time the Roman Catholic Church was still forbidding their followers to read and study the scripture for themselves in places where they had strong control, claiming it to be dangerous for them.

Despite their fear, and the terror their family and neighbors felt on their behalf, the Oleshes were curious and eventually began to study and seek the truth, despite severe threats and even persecution by the local priest.

This story is an amazing eye-opener for those who are not aware of what life was like on a day to day basis under Roman Catholic domination. It gives a clear picture of the vice-like grip that the Roman traditions, clergy, and superstition had on people at that time in Europe. [If I remember correctly, World War I occurs during Oleshes' lives, just to give you a time frame.]

This book also encourages us to recognize what a treasure the word of God is and how very blessed we are to have our own copies without fear of punishment in the (relatively) free world most of us live in today. It is also an encouragement for truly Biblical missionary work.

The verse for this book might be: Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. 

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You can find this book used at various places online, or ask your local used book store to locate a copy for you.

Book Review: For One Moment

Art by James Archer.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

Partial spoiler alert. This summary of the plot does not spoil the whole story by any means, but it may remove some of the surprises for you.

For One Moment

By Christmas Carol Kauffman

Rated: Hard to put down. Highly recommended

This book is based upon the true life story of Herbe Englehardt, a German who grew up in the Weimer Republic and cast his lot with the Nazis when they came to power. Through the confusion of his father's divorce (when it was still a great shame), rejection by his stepmother, unhappiness, the deep sorrow of death and separation from those he loved, he arrived at the beginning of the Nazi era with a great need for something to hold on to. A patriotic zeal for Hitler and Nazism answered this deep longing. Hitler virtually became his god. When the Nazis fell Herbe's life was shattered.

This story clearly shows the tender leading by God of a soul from darkness to the glorious light of Jesus Christ. This eventually brings joy, triumph over old hurts, and healing to other hearts as well.

One of the amazing aspects of this story is how the Lord protected Herbe through his life till he was able to hear, understand, and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It argues a good case for predestination and free will at the same time.

Another thing that encouraged me in this story was one of the couples who witnessed to Herbe. They were Christians, Lutherans, who survived the dangerous Nazi regime while still quietly sharing their faith, belief of the Bible, and love for God. This book is an encouragement in a time when so much uncertainty about the future faces many believers. God is able to keep His children. We must trust His wisdom to determine how to best use us in these perilous times. Many Christians died at the hands of the Nazis and others. Many did not. This book gives a small glimpse of how life was for the Christian survivors.

The verse for this book might be: Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

This book may be purchased here.
[Not an affiliate link.]
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Comments on the author:

Mrs. Kauffman was a Mennonite writer. She chronicled several true life stories of people who eventually became Mennonites and also wrote some fiction along those lines. However, for the most part I have not found her strongly promoting Mennonite doctrines in general, which makes her books much more useful to the church in general.

She is a good writer and we have had more than one person tell us, "I couldn't put the book down."

Note: Though the stories are gripping, there are no overly gruesome scenes that I recall. She had a good sense of what was appropriate.

Book Review - Far from Rome, Near to God

"Young Lady Reading" by Mary Cassatt

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Here is a book review my husband wrote back before we were married and which I previously published on The Home Maker's Corner.

Those of us who have lived our lives under the ideal of freedom of thought and belief, may find it hard to understand the bondage that accompanies the belief system of the Roman Catholic Church. In modern times and in some places that church has conformed herself to the environment and so some people now think that it is changed and that there is more freedom and truth there than there once was. The reason for this is that the ways of a harlot church are to conform herself to people's expectations in order to deceive people into joining her. The scripture says, speaking of a strange woman in Proverbs 5:6,  Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. This book shows that, though there is an outward appearance of freedom and liberty now in some ways, the bondage is still there. If some Catholics don't feel its power, or manage to escape it, it is either ignorance or because they are not fully subjected to her most dangerous doctrines.

Not long ago I talked to a lady who grew up in the Roman Catholic Church and in a community dominated by it in Massachusetts. She confirmed the power to bring people into bondage, even in the U.S. and in modern times. As a girl and young lady, she realized something was wrong and as soon as she could leave it, she did. She spoke of it as one would of a great escape. And indeed, it is.

Please don't be fooled into thinking that these things are no longer an issue or that it has changed. The fact that it appears to have changed while maintaining its power, core doctrines, and hierarchy only proves that there is great deception there. I really recommend this book for anyone who is in doubt of that.

Far From Rome, Near to God

Testimonies of Fifty Converted Roman Catholic Priests
Edited by Richard Bennette and Martin Buckingham

Rated: Useful - for distribution to people in Catholicism or ignorant of the bondage and futility of the Roman church. Encouraging for believers.

Guest post by Peter Stephens

...I have read part way through it, reading a little every night. It is encouraging to read the testimonies of salvation and it is interesting to meditate on the common threads of them. The men who were saved consistently started their pilgrimage by fearing God (or at least hell and purgatory) and doing the best they could to earn their salvation. Because of their R[oman] C[atholic] background they each decided that the “priest” was the ultimate example of holiness and good works (or at least their parents thought so). They each became trapped in the bondage of the RC system for many years but were never satisfied for they saw the hypocrisy of Catholicism. They all knew that their good works were not enough to save them from their sins. But by the grace of God they learned the fallacies of their ways. I am reminded of Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” And every one of the priests left the “church” of Rome.

Nobody is tricked into salvation. Nobody is surprised into being saved. Nobody has earned their salvation. Those who have been born again have sought the Lord and believed his Word and the finished and perfect sacrifice of our Jesus on the cross of Calvary. What a precious gift our Lord has given us!

This book may be purchased at Amazon. Or at this Christian book seller's page.
[These are not affiliate links.]

Links Worth Reading - Technology's Negative Effects On Children and Babies

Psalm 78:2-4 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 

Some time back my husband and I were eating in a local restaurant. A mother came in with her daughter who appeared to be around 8 years old. They ordered and were waiting for their food. The girl had crayons and a coloring book or paper. The mother was glued to her smart phone. At some point the daughter after trying to communicate with her mom and being ignored or rebuffed started to cry. The mother told her in a harsh voice that was too loud for the situation that this was, "unacceptable behavior" and ordered her to stop crying. The mother was obviously highly annoyed to be interrupted in whatever she was doing on her phone by her daughter's need for attention. Dear reader, I wanted to get up and go over to that table and tell the mother that her behavior was "unacceptable." She shouldn't be loudly rebuking her daughter and that she should be paying attention to her daughter instead of being totally engrossed in the cyber world. Then maybe the girl wouldn't feel like she had to cry to get her attention! I didn't do it, but I have to admit that I was angry inside seeing that little girl be treated that way by her mother, and I am still sad for her.

This article is really worth reading. It addresses a serious problem with technology in many areas relating to childhood. I recommend it to anyone who is a parent, grandparent, aunt, sibling, or in any other way associated with children - pretty much all of us.

Excerpt: "Today’s children are being deprived of the fundamentals of a healthy childhood, such as:

• Emotionally available parents
• Clearly defined limits and guidance
• Responsibilities
• Balanced nutrition and adequate sleep
• Movement and outdoors
• Creative play, social interaction, opportunities for unstructured times and boredom"

Read it here: The Silent Tragedy Affecting Today's Children

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Is Ultrasound a safe option during pregnancy? I had heard some things in the past about the possibility that ultrasound was not as safe as it is reported to be. One man I know said that if they had children his wife was not getting any ultrasounds. Some situations may warrant one for safety purposes, but recreational, gender identification, and entertainment factor ultrasounds are highly questionable, and often repeated ultrasounds for "diagnostic purposes" should be avoided if at all possible. Some folks like to blame all the autism and various other problems on one source - often vaccines. I feel that there are multiple reasons for why children are suffering from so many disorders that were much less common in the past. One that people often don't think about, and I seldom hear mentioned is ultrasounds.

This article is informative and thought provoking, and it is written by a doctor who practices integrative medicine.

Perils of Peeking Into the Womb: Ultrasound Risks

Excerpt: "This recent study suggests that the seemingly benign practice of obstetrical ultrasonography is one practice that deserves urgent reassessment. Researchers exposed pregnant mice at 14.5 days gestation (a neurologically vulnerable window) to 30 minutes of fetal ultrasound and assessed the pups’ behavior at 3 weeks of age. They found that the exposed pups were significantly less interested in social interactions and had significant levels of behavioral hyperactivity, in the presence of an unfamiliar mouse."

Writing Challenge # 11

"Mrs. Duffee Seated On A Striped Sofa Reading" by Mary Casset

This month the writing challenge will be easy. I've seen quotes to the effect that if you wish to write well, you need to read good books. So...

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The challenge is to read a good book this month. If you're up for it, read several. :-)

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You can read something that is written well and is in a style of writing that you would like to influence your own writing, whether it's for adults, children, teens, or a specific group. Sometimes the blogging world can get a little too free and easy with writing styles - by this I mean the decay of English. Reading books that lift our minds and thoughts and that will have an improving effect on our writing is a good investment of time.

Or, if you need a rest for your mind and something pleasant for a distraction this month, read something that is light recreation reading for you. These are things that RE-create - things that refresh your mind or your spirit or both, and that don't make you feel pressured to perform or achieve.

Ecclesiastes 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 

Image created at AZQuotes.com

Thoughts from the Past - The Perfection of God’s Word

photo credit below

Psalms 119:96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

One of the old time preachers once said something to effect that God’s word is like a bed that is so big you can stretch out on it and not feel the edge in any direction. I’ve thought about this so many times. It is impossible to exhaust the word of God.

[Now when I speak of the perfection of God’s written word, I’m speaking of the Authorized King James Version for English speaking people. The reason I clarify this is that some of the modern translations and paraphrases are no doubt exhaustible.]

The perfection of God’s word is so broad that we can never outgrow it. We can never learn all that is there. Even if we start reading it and studying it from our youth we will never get it all, we will never understand it all, we will never get beyond it – if we are honest.

The perfection of God’s word is so broad that no matter what subject we can come up with there is always something that will answer it. God was not shortsighted when He gave His revelation. I have been amazed in my finite mind at things written in God’s word that answer so perfectly and directly some issue that has come up so many thousands of years after the scriptures were complete, as if the verses had been written for that very question – and perhaps they were. The broadness of this perfection is marvelous.

The perfection of God’s word is so broad that it can give milk to the unskillful and meat to the those of full age.

Hebrews 5:13-14  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 
It can take a new born Christian and feed him with milk (yes, even with the “hard words” of the King James Bible, it can feed and instruct him at a level he can grasp; and don’t worry about those “hard words”, he’s supposed to be unskillful!). Yet, it can challenge the saint who has walked with God for many years and exercise him with the strong meat that will keep him growing. Such broadness of spiritual diet all from the same book is stunning, especially when one compares this to the writings of other religions.
The perfection of God’s word is so broad that it can divide the soul and spirit, discern the thoughts and intents of the heart and also divide the joints from the marrow. This, of course, is rather mind boggling because it speaks of both spiritual and physical actions from His word. I think that we may not fully understand the dividing of the joints and marrow till we see Jesus Christ smite the nations with the rod of His mouth.

Revelation 19:15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

The perfection of God’s word is so broad that it upholds all things. Yes, ALL things.

Hebrews 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

And, speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ, another amazing broadness of the word of God is that it can be an abstract – a thought or idea; a concrete – a book we can hold in our hands; and a person – the Lord Jesus Christ; all at the same time. John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

Somehow I doubt that we can get our minds around this last thought.  It is too big and broad to fit inside our tiny brains and thought processes.

Speaking of which, if there are things in the word of God that we cannot understand nor explain, and there are, this does not make God’s word too hard nor too complicated, nor does it mean that we are too stupid and shouldn’t bother with it. It simply proves that it is God’s word. Were it not broader, bigger, mightier and beyond the scope of our human thoughts, it wouldn’t be the word of God. Anything less couldn’t be trusted. 

Isaiah 55:8-9  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Does this mean we should give up trying to understand and grasp more of this great thing called scripture? Not at all! What it means is that we can dive into it without fear of hitting bottom. We can devour it without fear of running out of food. We can mine it for jewels and treasures without fear of exhausting its resources. We can share it without fear of lack to ourselves.

We can stretch out on it without the slightest fear of ever falling off the edge! :-)

Praise GOD!

Jeremiah 15:16  Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.


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Photo taken in Tanzania by my grandfather, Glenn Hoover, sometime in the '50s or '60s.
This post was originally published here in June 2012. Edited.

Writing Challenge #6

Ecclesiastes 12:12  And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

It's time for another writing challenge! I haven't even gotten the May challenge done yet (ack!), but I'm hoping to soon.

This month I thought it would be interesting to think about something we enjoyed reading.

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Write about a book that you especially like.

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This is not a "book report" in the strict sense. Discuss the feeling, emotions, lessons, etc., but if the book has a plot, try not to give spoilers that may ruin it for others. If you do write about the plot or give away "surprises" give a spoiler alert to warn your readers. :-)

For those among us who do book reviews often, this won't be a challenge, but for those of us who do not, this should stretch us a little. But that is the beauty of these challenges, some will fit our style more closely, but others will stretch us; and what stretches one person will not necessarily do so for another.

Enjoy!

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.

Worth Reading – More Links for Your Consideration

"Woman Reading In A Garden" by Mary Cassatt

Clear back in January I thought I would start posting links that I thought were worth reading.  I don’t think I posted any more after that.  Sigh.  I have big ideas but very poor follow through sometimes. 

Disclaimer:  Please keep in mind that just because I use a link from a specific site or author it does not mean that I necessarily approve all their writings or of them personally.  And, as always, I disclaim other versions of the Bible which may say things very differently from the one I use - the KJV.  (I am shocked sometimes at the changes some versions make, but that's a subject for another time.)

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Spiritual Issues

Why Are There So Many Superheroes? – A very useful and thoughtful article on why we have so many superheroes.  Did you ever stop to think that it might be a supstitution for the real Savior?  This does give one pause to think.

The Potty Humor Problem – This blogger talks about the very real and ligitamate problem with potty humor in childrens’ books and media.  I ran across some of this last year.  After some friends talked about how much they liked certain cartoon characters, I looked up some video clips online and was unimpressed with the potty humor involved.  My husband and I determined that we would not be buying anything with those characters it for our nieces or nephews, or anyone else for that matter. 
I remember years ago when my brother and I were in our teens and a ceartain Christian man we looked up to had been telling a lot of potty jokes at a gathering where we were present.  We went home, and thinking they were funny and must be ok if so-and-so told them, we repeated them to our dad.  He was quite disappointed and gave us some instruction in not lowering our talk to that level of vulgarity.  The author of this blog post points out some good reasons to avoid these things.  1 Timothy 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

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Home, Nature and Health

Outdoor Adventures In Michigan July 2014 – There are some beautiful photographs of Michigan here.  I was born in Western Michigan and lived there at various times, amounting to quite a few years.  I have visited some of the locations represented here and have fond memories of them.

Experimenting in the Kitchen with Food Coloring – One bloggers experiments with creating her own natural food coloring for frosting.  This is inspiring for those who try to avoid using chemical based food coloring.


What Are Infantile Spasms and How to Recognize the Symptoms – This video briefly explains what Infantile Spasms are, how to recognize them, and what to do about getting help.  Some friends of ours have had to address this health problem with their toddler this summer.  Thankfully, they noticed the problem and sought out help quickly.  Infantile Spasms Awareness – This is a slightly longer and more informative video from the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York.

Worth Reading - Links from January 2016

East African mother washing her baby.  Taken by my grandparents circa 1950.  I love this picture.

There are way too many things of interest to read on the internet.  Since I can't possibly write about everything that seems important or really useful, it seemed like it might be a good idea to share some links once in awhile.  It may be a monthly thing, or it may not be.  The subjects will likely be quite varied as I'm a pretty diverse reader in some ways.  Please keep in mind that just because I use a link from a specific site or author it does not mean that I necessarily approve all their writings or of them personally.  And, as always, I disclaim other versions of the Bible which may say things very differently from the one I use - the KJV.  (I am shocked sometimes at the changes some versions make, but that's a subject for another time.)

Here are a selection of articles and blog posts that I found of particular interest during January.

When Abortion Suddenly Stopped Making Sense - Most Recommended. Written by a woman who supported abortion during the days of Roe v. Wade.  If you don't read anything else, I recommend you read this one.  It is long, but it is worth it.

This "other" element to the abortion issue has bothered me for some time - women and girls who feel they have no choice about having an abortion because everyone around them expects and demands it.  Obviously, I don't agree with all of the author's views, but she makes some very important points.  Let's not neglect the heart of the mother while we focus on the live of the child.  Both are important in the economy of God.  There is a greater tragedy than just babies dying in the womb - and that is that many women and girls feel they have no other option than to kill their child.  Friends, in case you are not aware, this horror has been going on in various cultures for thousands of years, whether in the fires of Molech; as human sacrifices in ancient Europe and elsewhere; infanticide practiced because of poverty, greed, and superstition (something with us to this day in parts of the world); or for other reasons.  It is always the women and the children who suffer the most, and we must never forget both parties in the abortion issue!  As Christians we need to see all the suffering people, not just the ones we want to see or the ones that fit our political agenda.  James 2:13  For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

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16 Things I Would Want If I Got Dementia -  Highly Recommended.  This was a thought-provoking list.  My husband and I are at the point in life where we have to acknowledge that our parents are "getting up there" in age.  I liked the positive approach of this, and it reminded me that sometimes the best thing we can do for someone we love is just make them as happy and comfortable as possible and not worry too much about all the "losses."

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2016 Reading Challenge - Here is a link to a reading challenge for 2016.  This is the simple PDF version.  It is divided up into various levels of reading, but it isn't necessary to follow his "plan" at all.  I have printed a copy for myself, but in all honesty, I don't intend to use "as directed." ;-)  I will just use it as a point of reference and inspiration for my book choices.  It seemed like a good idea to expand my reading or make choices in a more structured manner, so I'm going to give it a go and see how I like it.  Let me know if you find it useful.

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Forcing home-educated children into schools for child protection won't work - and it's not the job of teachers anyway.  This particular article is from a British viewpoint, but I appreciated that this public school official brought out the points that the media is irresponsible in their reporting and that the public schools are not blamed when children are abused who attend them.  While I am very concerned about some of the abuse cases that have been exposed in the U.S., I think we need to be clear in realizing that homeschooling is attractive to some people who are already abusers.  It does not follow that when people homeschool they become abusers.

I do think that the church and homeschool community needs to show some responsibility regarding homeschooled kids, however.  When it appears that something is wrong, it needs to be checked out.  Child Protection Services have such a bad reputation in some Christians' minds (and not without just cause!), that they have failed in a number of cases to report legitimate abuse where they knew it was going on.  This ought not to be!  We need to exercise some common sense in these matters.  My experience partially growing up in the homeschooling community (8th-post high school) tells me that if you make an effort to acquaint yourself with homeschooling families you can tell which ones are "strange" and which ones are pretty normal, well-adjusted folks.  This might make someone mad - that I would even suggest there could be issues with how some families socialize - but I have seen it myself, where some family cuts off all, or almost all, interaction with other people.  I have also experienced a normal socialization within the homeschool context, and I know there are people who obviously are "fringe" in their thinking and behavior.  Someone needs to make the effort to get to know them and notice what is going on with the kids.  (I didn't say "report them."  But, if something criminal is going on, we are morally obligated to make that choice.  Abusing children is contrary to scripture and illegal in most places where my readers live.)  Luke 17:1-2  Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

BUT - it is totally unfair to assume that all homeschoolers are hiding abuse and/or require close government supervision just because they homeschool!

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In the Kitchen - Dishes - This is a short post reminding us that we shouldn't have a bunch of dishes that we don't need, love, and use.  It made me think - I need to go through my dish cupboard and china cabinet!

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The Adventures of Shadow the Kayak Cat:  Timberland, A New Habit.  And just for fun - Here is a post from my sister-in-law's blog about their cat Shadow who loves to go kayaking with them. :-)

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Well, that's all for this post.  I think this is quite enough for a first time.  :-)

Monthly Challenge – January 2016

“A Pleasant Corner” by John Callcott Horsley

Well, this marks our second year of monthly challenges.  I had enough positive response here and on Facebook to convince me that we should go on, and since I’d written around 24 ideas down, it looked like we should be able to make it through another year.  Of course, I may add some new ones along the way as well. :-)

We emphasized reaching out to others in November and December, so this month we’re going to do something more personal.

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Do a craft project with someone else - or alone.

And/Or

Read a book you’ve been meaning to read.

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The craft project can be anything you enjoy.  I recommend doing something with at least one other person if you can, just for the fellowship and growth that comes from working together.  But, if you prefer to work alone, that’s OK too.


The book can be any type – entertainment, educational, spiritual, etc.  The point is to pick something that you really want to read.  There is a satisfaction in reading something that you have been putting off and this month may be a good one in both hemispheres – here because it’s generally colder outside, and in the south because it so hot.  :-)


[Photo: My mom years ago when we lived in Arizona.]