Jane Eyre...A balm for the heart of a hopeless romantic!!!

I have been reading Jane Eyre, a classic written by Charlotte Bronte. I have found myself utterly captivated by the language that Bronte uses. The character Jane, is an orphan who would appear to be "meaningless". She is however feisty and a character of integrity and strength. Perhaps this is why I like this novel so much.

I have read the book in high school and did not enjoy it which is due to the fact that I had no recollection of any scenes. This time around however, I have devoured it and found myself sacrificing sleep as my eyes have been glued to the pages. Here are some of my favorite phrases:

Rochester to Jane: "Yet, for a long time, I treated you distantly, and sought your company rarely. I was an intellectual epicure, and wished to prolong the gratification of making this novel and piquant acquaintance: besides, I was for a while troubled with a haunting fear that if I handled the flower freely its bloom would fade-the sweet charm of freshness would leave it. I did not then know that it was no transitory blossom, but rather the radiant resemblance of one, cut in an indestructible gem." (339)

Jane to Rochester: "Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you think I am an automan?-a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think because I am poor, obscure, plain and little that I am soulless and heartless?" (272, Bronte)

 

The Valley of Vision


From Arthur Bennett's "Valley of Vision"

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,

Thou has brought me to the valley of vision,

where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;

hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold

thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.



Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,

deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter

thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

Thy life in my death,

that every good work or thought found in me

thy joy in my sorrow,

thy grace in my sin,

thy riches in my poverty

thy glory in my valley.

By Valley of Vision

Back to Top

Back

HOW FAST CAN I TYPE?

I took a test to see how fast I can type. Why don't you try this nifty little test?

63 words

Speed test

Small Steps of Obedience

I have often lamented in my personal journal of the uncertainty of the future and my struggle to trust that the Lord has a plan for my life. I have been greatly encouraged however, by remembering that God calls me to be obedient in the present, no matter how mundane the tasks may be. Have you asked yourself "What is my calling?", as I have. Well, I encourage you my sisters not to look ahead, as this will only lead to worry and anxiety, as I have often discovered. Rather, ask God each day what it is to obey Him for that day. Elisabeth Elliot, has exhorted people to "Trust God and do the next thing". To trust God and to do the next thing, is often comprised of small steps of obedience. Here is a delightful poem that illustrates the simplicity of "doing the next thing"

From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “Do the Next Thing.”

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Thrust them with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.


--Anonymous

I am Anne with an "E"

If you are a Canadian, I hope that you have seen Anne of Green Gables. If you have not seen it, I recommend that you do. There are three parts to the movie and they are based off of Lucy Maude Montgomery's novel about an fiery red-headed orphan girl who is adopted by a brother and sister.
This is one of my favorite movies. I think one of the reasons why, is because of Anne's character. She is a one-of-a kind character and filled with drama. My older sister calls me dramatic, but I am nothing compared to this fictional character, that Megan Follows brings to life. If you haven't seen it, I beg you to watch it. Here is a little taste of Anne.

New Year's Resolutions

Do you have New Year's Resolutions? You may think, this is the year that I would like to lose twenty pounds. Or you may think, I would like to come out of my shell this year. Or you may be like me in thinking;"This is the year for organization.

In wanting to keep your resolutions, remember why you are doing what you are doing. In 1 Corinthians 4:17, we are told to do everything for the glory of God:
"so whether you eat or drink do it all for the glory of God". It is so easy to lose sight of why we do things, and to have selfish motives or to do things for our own glory. Selfish ambition is what our hearts are prone to. The glory of God is to be our desire. If you find yourself having selfish motives for your New Year resolutions and not desiring God's glory, confess it before the Lord and ask for a heart that longs after His glory and Kingdom first. He will change your heart. After all, you cannot change your heart.

In wanting to keep your resolutions and having goals, you may even feel overwhelmed at having to achieve things. You know what, this is not a bad place to be, as we are completely dependent upon God for all things. God is the Creator, we are mere creatures who were made to be dependent upon Him. He is the source of our strength. In thinking about this, I am reminded of the apostle Paul. Paul had "a thorn in His flesh" (I am still not sure what exactly this thorn was) and kept asking the Lord to take it away. God however, did not and told Paul "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." (2Cor 12:9) So as you make plans for keeping your goals, remember your dependence upon the Lord. He is glorified by our weaknesses, because it shows His strength. Thinking that we can achieve our resolutions on our own is folly and pride. Remember to ask the Lord for strength in all things.