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

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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.

Seasons of Life...Finding joy in the Barren

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

"Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs." (Daniel 2:20-21)


I will be honest winter has not always been my favorite season. For a Canadian, this probably is not cooth to say. But, in comparison to the other seasons, winter can appear dreary. After all, in the spring there are birds chirping, the smell of fresh cut grass and a symbol of beginnings (yes you can probably hear in the background "These are a few of my favorite things") In the summer, the days are longer and I feel carefree. The fall, is probably my favorite season with it's bright breathtaking colors. The winter has in the past symbolized death.
I have changed my outlook on this season, that I once viewed as the "death of summer" and now have come to view even Winter in a positive light. The seasons are all beautiful and unique in their own way. Even the barrenness of winter can be seen as beautiful. I parallel this to the seasons of our life. Take a tree for example. As a tree goes through seasons it is obvious that it loses it's beauty. It does appear that in the winter it is dead and only but a skeletal reminder of what it once was. To human eyes, it looks barren. This is not so. In the spring it brings forth new life and beauty erases the memory of winter. This is how we are. We constantly go through new seasons. God orchestrates behind the scenes and if we are in Christ, we will yield fruit in due season.
God changes the seasons. He brings the fall, the winter, the summer and the spring all at the right time. He does this with our seasons of life as well.
So be patient. If you are going through a season of your life, that seems barren, or you feel as though you are trekking through the desert, it is not vain. Trust in the Lord and do not lose heart, seek the Lord and do not despair. You will see Him in the land of the living) (Psalm 27:13-14

Resting in the Lord and Waiting on the Lord

"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust, Do no let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me, Indeed none of those who wait for You will be ashamed. Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed. Make me know your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths." (Psalm 25:1-4)

Wow! 2008 is here. It seems like the older and older I get, the faster time goes by. I always have a habit of asking myself, I wonder if this year will hold, or where I will be this time next year. So much can change in a year. Last year was filled with many changes. Perhaps, one of the biggest changes, that I am still processing, is the fact that I am no longer a student. Yes, that is right folks, after spending the majority of life in school, I am now done with that season of my life.
I am now in the process of seeking where the Lord is leading me. I honestly am having a difficult time trusting and surrendering this to the Lord, as I do not know where He is leading. I have applied for various positions and am still waiting to hear back from schools. Are you in the same situation? I cry out to the Lord day to day, because I know that I must trust Him. I do not always do a good job of this As I wait and seek Him, I am reminded of things. Maybe this can serve to be of an encouragement to some of you out there, as you may be in a similar stage/season of waiting.
I am reminded

1. I must seek the Lord's face daily and to be obedient in the "small" things. The present is not to be disregarded and is not unimportant. It is rather a crucial time and a test to whether we will be faithful in the BIG things.

2. The Lord has a plan for His children, as we are reminded in His Word: "For I know the plans, I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity, plans for a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

3. I must trust the Lord, as He is all loving, all powerful and all knowing. Because God is all loving, He wants what is best for me His child. I am His child and He will provide. As loving earthly fathers, our heavenly Father, the perfect Father will give what is best for us. Now, it is important to remember that what we think may be best, may not be what God knows is best for us, as our perspective is limited. God gives us what will make us more into the image of Christ!

4. Because God is all knowing, His timing is perfect. This is something that I am resting in. I am resting on the Lord's timing for a place of ministry and a spouse (if this is what He has for me). There are times, that we try to go ahead of the Lord's timing. This however, is sheer folly as I have learned in the past when I have tried to hurry things up. If you are waiting for something, the Lord may be calling you to rest and wait. In waiting remember that there may be times when you cannot do anything. I think in particular of Exodus 14 and 15, where the Israelites were being delivered from the land of bondage. As they saw the Egyptians approaching them, they grew fearful. You would think they needed to fight, but NO Moses told them: "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent." This is incredible indeed! There are times when we are told to wait on the Lord and to watch how HE delivers us.

Isaiah 30:15, also illustrates how Judah was to wait on the LORD for deliverance: "In repentance and rest you will be save, In quietness and trust is your strength." But you are not willing, And you said, "Nor for we will flee on horses," Therefore you shall flee! And we will ride on swift horses!"

I encourage you, to seek the Lord. Rest in the Lord. In Christ, there is rest. I say this for myself as well, that the battle belongs to the Lord! We are to seek Him and rest in the fact that He is in control.