Scriptural Reasons for Having a Hope Chest

This is Part 4 of the Hope Chest Series. If you missed the Hope Chest Series Introduction, or Part 1: “What’s in my Hope Chest?” ; Part 2: “What am I adding to my Hope Chest?”  or Part 3: “What Does Having a Hope Chest Mean $$-Wise?” you can find them here, here, here, and here.

"Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." Colossians 3:23

 There’s No Commandment:

Of course, if you are any at all familiar with the Bible, you know that there’s no commandment declaring, “Thou shalt have a hope chest!”

Yet, if you look at the different Biblical principles for young women, having a hope chest is a reasonable, fun, and awesome project to make these principles REAL in our lives!

Having Hope for the Future:

As discussed in our Hope Series Introduction, having a hope chest is not about how many items you can accumulate over time, but about the hope of a future, a good God-based future.The Lord desires that we follow His plan, for He has the plans of hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (NIV)

Having Patience:

James 5:8 tells us to “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (KJV)

When creating a hope chest, patience is definitely required, whether you are waiting patiently for the day you may open your hope chest for use or are patiently creating (or buying) your items! As you practice this patience, your heart will become established in this project. You will learn to apply your patience and devotion to not just waiting for the future, but for the coming of the Lord! He is our groomsmen (even if you were planning on never marrying, as I was), and we must patiently wait, with our heart established in Him!

Being a Proverbs 31 Woman:

Whether or not you marry, you have to admit, this Proverbs 31 woman is kind of, like…yea, perfect! And I am sure that allll Christian women everyone desire to be as godly and well-rounded as she, (and sometimes are, and sometimes are not).

If you notice her adeptness in skill! She “works with eager hands,” verse 13 says in the NIV Bible.  And The Message says of her, “First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.” She knits, sews, cooks, gardens, and “skilled in the crafts of home and hearth.” Seriously–she has so much talent and skill! Not to mention she loves the Lord.

Having a hope chest prepares us with the same skills. As we make our own quilts and pillows, lay aside recipes of delightful tastes, include devotionals and Bibles and memories to pass on to the next generation, we gradually become this Proverbs 31 woman in our own unique way. How very special!

In Your Youth, Be An Example:

Finally, while we are young, we can be a shining light for the Lord! And what a great way to share the love of Christ than by having a hope chest. All the items are set aside in love, in patience, in hope, and in the faith in Christ for His plans of a future, which can be passed down and passed down and passed down.

(Either to your own children or, if you choose not to marry and/or have children, to other’s children.)

1 Timothy 4:12 says “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.”

Of course:

There are many other Scriptural reasons why having a Hope Chest is such a delightful idea/project, but the above are all I am sharing–for now.

Do you have a reason in addition to these? Leave a comment if you like! I would love to hear it.

This concludes our 4-Part Hope Chest Series! Again, if you missed the other articles, their links are provided above. And if you enjoyed this series, I am very glad!

What Does Having a Hope Chest Mean $$-Wise?

This is Part 3 of the Hope Chest Series. If you missed the Hope Chest Series Introduction, or Part 1: “What’s in my Hope Chest?” or Part 2, “What am I adding to my Hope Chest?” you can find them here, here, and here.

Having a Hope Chest is like having a saving account for your marriage or future life.

 Hope Chest = Savings Account

Like the picture of the piggy bank above with the two wedding bands, a hope chest is a “cedar bank,” if you will, with the supplies you need to bring to a marriage or to a life on your own. Savings Accounts accumulate over time, as will your hope chest, and when the time comes, you can withdraw from it. With a savings account, you gradually put more money into it, and normally the deposits are painless. When you are able to withdraw from that savings account, however–there is no pain whatsoever in seeing the fruits of your additions. With a hope chest, you are saving for the future, though (often) not in monetary terms, and all the hope and joy is great, indeed!

How is Having a Hope Chest a Frugal Decision?

As discussed in the previous paragraph, a hope chest is gradually added to. Normally, people buy items while they are cheaper, on sale, or make the items themselves. Also, since most hope chest collections are added to by teenagers–parents are involved, Christmas is involved, and birthdays are involved! Although the items are only added a little at a time, the price of the items ultimately adds up to where if you had to buy all the items at once, it would definitely be a burden against your bank account. Little by little is the way to go, whether your items are homemade or whether your parents buy the items, or whether you do–overall, the decision to have a hope chest is a frugal one!

Think of the Joys Later…

After accumulating these items over time, and not hurting your budget or band account, the time FINALLY comes when you get married or live on your own. The joy that comes from looking at this grand accomplishment of SAVING items (and ultimately money) and using these items, without having to strain yourself to buy the necessary items, is, I can imagine, quite great–not to mention the items that you make yourself. (Talk about a boost of self-esteem!)

Knowing you will not have to spend a lot of money on the things, such as silverware, dishware, and cooking utensils, bed sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, wash rags, etc, which can be quite expensive when bought all together (and without all the great sales), is enough to celebrate! Yay!

Do I Recommend Having a Hope Chest?

You bet I do!! 🙂 Would you?

NEXT: The final article to the Hope Chest Series (for now), Part 4: “Scriptural Reasons for Having a Hope Chest.”

What Am I Adding to My Hope Chest?

This is Part 2 of the Hope Chest Series. If you missed the Hope Chest Series Introduction and/or Part 1: “What’s in My Hope Chest?”, you can read them here and here!

Unfortunately, these lovely china plates are not mine, they're just a picture off of Google Images!

The Need to “Build Up”:

After seeing the pitiful amount of items–and the even more pitiful variety of functions of these items, (since most are for decorating only)–in my hope chest, you see my desperate need to “build up,” or “stock up” on items that can be useful for everyday use. (More along the lines of pillows, quilts, and the like…)

What I Plan to Include in My Hope Chest:

Hopefully I can get most of these things this summer, but if not…that’s cool, too. I actually have not spent more than $10 on all the things in my hope chest because almost everything was given to me. (Yay!) 🙂 If I do end up buying most of these items I have listed below, I will not pay full price for them (unless I have to), haha! (But that’s another subject and another post, which you will find in Part 3: “What Does Having a Hope Chest Mean $$-Wise?”)

Once these items are added, I will try to link them to a post giving the hows, whens, wheres, and whats of that item. 🙂

So this is my list, but remember you can add ANYTHING you want—

Books

:: Family Bible:: I may have to buy this one full-price, since most family Bibles you find at garage sales and such are already marked in.

:: My Favorite Books:: Just to let others borrow and read, and for me to read for the millionth time, too.

:: My Senior Year Book (High School/College):: My high school senior year was so special! I met amazing people, gave up a full-ride scholarship to an Ivy League, moved all the way across the United States (from Texas to the Northwest) in January of that year, and enrolled in a community college (which so many people did NOT expect of me).

:: Baby Memory Books:: I thought I might get five, one for each of my four sisters and my one brother (for their first child). Who knows, though? If I do get married, I may have to use them for my children (or at least some of them)!

:: Recipe Books:: I have not totally made up my mind on this one, as I may just find certain recipes and place them in a book/binder. Books are bulky!

:: My Favorite Devotional Books:: I also may make my own devotional, comprised of all my favorite single devotions, instead of getting just books…

:: Scrapbooks:: This one has 2-parts. The first are my picture scrapbooks. The second is a number of scrapbooks with me making certain homemade products and sewing certain things, like a “picture-how-to” book. When I make my first one, I will show y’all how it turned out and exactly what I mean by this!

Bedroom Items

:: Pillows/Pillow Cases:: I am thinking maybe three pillows and at least ten pillow cases. I am thinking of neutral-colored pillow cases, so they will match anything.

:: Blankets/Sheets/Quilts:: Not sure if I am going to make a homemade quilt–seems kind of difficult! (But I will try.) Once again, neutral-colored blankets/sheets, and I will make these (mostly). Maybe 3-5 sets.

:: Hangers:: These are everywhere, so I should have no problem finding them for cheap (or free)!

Bathroom Items

:: Towels/Wash Cloths:: A couple of fun colors like lime green and blue, but then also neutral-colored ones.

:: Towel Rack:: To hang towels on, just a mini one, nothing major.

:: Baskets:: These are GREAT for organizing things in the bathroom!

:: Soap Dispensers:: Maybe just one or two.

Kitchen Items

:: Silverware:: Regular things, forks, spoons, knives, you know.

:: Dishware:: Again, just the regular, bowls and plates.

:: Measuring Spoons/Cups:: Just a couple sets of these, and stainless steel!

:: Cooking Utensils:: This includes wooden spoons, spatulas, dipping spoon, etc

:: Rags/Oven Mitts/Pot Holders:: I am planning on making these myself, and I really want a red and apple-themed kitchen!

:: Aprons/Table Cloths/Cloth Napkins/Place Setters/Table Runner:: I already have plans to make some of these next week! Again, I’m not really looking to buy these items or make them expensive.

How Does this Tie into “Natural Living?”

Natural living is about living self-sufficiently and friendly for the environment and our bodies. Since most of these items I will be making and/or will aid the process of living naturally (for example, cooking homemade meals or making my own deodorant), I will be either living naturally and/or preparing to live naturally. It’s a win-win situation! How exciting!!

Am I Missing Anything?

If I am missing items that you would deem “essential”, I would LOVE if you would tell me! Or, if you have other items that you have included (like baby items), let me know what they are in the comments section!

NEXT: Part 3: “What Does Having a Hope Chest Mean $$-Wise?“

Book Review: Go Tell It On the Mountain by James Baldwin

Go Tell It On the Mountain by James Baldwin

This novel, chosen for the Modern Library’s 100 Best Novel’s List, is quite possibly THE best detailed salvation account I have ever read. Go Tell It On the Mountain is a beautiful and heart-wrenching story of a fourteen year old boy, John, who battles sin on all sides, but ultimately succumbs to the awesome power of God; thereby, releasing his battle against sin to the Lord and ultimately overcoming it. Although at times Baldwin could be graphic when (I felt) he didn’t need to be, overall, this is a MUST READ novel for the Christan man or woman.

The Theological Aspect:

Partly why I love this book so much is because it addresses REAL issues in the church, such as pride of the heart, lust of the flesh, and deception of the mind and others. The reader is given a graphic and expressive view into the sinful human condition, which emphasizes the redemption John discovers in Christ at the end of the novel, (but *WARNING!* may be offensive to some readers).

Particularly in Part 2: The Prayers of the Saints: Gabriel’s Prayer, Gabriel, whose role is fallen minister and father of John in the book, recounts two memorable experiences: his conversion and the first “conference-revival” he preached. Gabriel gives his testimony from his B.C days, which is quite horrible and deep in sin, to his ministry as a preacher of the gospel.

I would like to share an excerpt from this section, and then discuss it briefly:

When the Sunday [of the conference-revival] came, and he found himself once more among the elders, about to go to the table, Gabriel felt a drop in his happy, proud anticipation. He was not comfortable with these men–that was it–it was difficult to accept them as his elders and betters in the faith. They seemed to him so lax, so nearly worldly; they were not like those holy prophets of old who grew thin and naked in the service of the Lord. These, God’s minsters, had indeed grown fat, and their dress was rich and various. They had been in the field so long that they did not tremble before God anymore. They took God’s power as their due, as something that made the more exciting their own assumed, special atmosphere. They each had, it seemed, a bagful of sermons often preached; and knew, in the careless lifting of an eye, which sermon to bring to which congregation. Though they preached with great authority, and brought souls low before the altar–like so many ears of corn lopped off by the hired laborer in his daily work–they did not give God the glory, nor count it as glory at all; they might easily have been, Gabriel thought, highly paid circus-performers, each with his own special dazzling gift. Gabriel discovered they spoke, jokingly, of the comparative number of souls each of them had saved, as though they were keeping score in a poolroom. And this offended him and frightened him. He did not want, ever, to hold the gift of God so lightly. (Baldwin, with my personal emphasis added)

These elders of the church, supposed holy, anointed men of God, took pride in the power of God, which they counted for their own! They manipulated that power of God (which, therefore, no longer becomes God’s power) to get the responses they wished from the congregation. How sickening and disgusting!

Gabriel, even soon after his true conversion to the Lord, took pride in the authority he receives from God. At the conference, he has not yet came to the degree of falsehood that the elders have, which is why he has the above convicting thoughts on sincerity of the faith. (Gabriel’s eventual downfall is this proud spirit and also lust in his heart, which leads him to the same deception of the elders.)

Today, many spiritual leaders deal with these same issues–among others. Baldwin does an EXCELLENT job of detailing this journey of falling to sin and the rise out of it or the continual downfall into it.

While Gabriel’s story is one that is part of “the continual downfall” into sin, John’s is one that rises out of it. In Part 3: The Threshing Floor, the opening introducing verse, beneath the chapter title says,

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

When we discover our sin, we anguish over it, and cry “Woe is me! for I am undone…” in repentance before God. Part 3 is John’s metaphoric journey through the darkness of sin, as he lies “astonished beneath the power of the Lord.” He realizes that his sins of pride, hatred, and malice will lead him only to death, hell, and the grave. He recognizes his sin, as though he is in a vision or trance, and he sorrows over that sin and desires to be “lifted up” from the darkness into the light. He finds, however, that no one can help him. He must do this alone, and he must decide whether he wants to give his life as a sacrifice for God, should it come to that.

John, after praying all night unto the break of morning, releases his hold on his life, and gives in to the Lord’s power and presence. While before in his sin he had been experiencing terror, and fear, and anguish, and pain, in his new life with Christ, he finds joy unspeakable and relief from the heavy burden of sin! Tears flow from his eyes as tears of new found life in Christ.

This beautiful passage describes his newness upon redemption:

Yes, the night had passed, the powers of darkness had been beaten back. He moved among the saints, he, John, who had come home, who was one of their company now; weeping, he yet could find no words to speak of his great gladness; and he scarcely knew how he moved, for his hands were new, and his feet were new, and he moved in a new and Heaven-bright air. (Baldwin)

Redemption Does Not Mean Perfection

A message I loved in this book was that just because someone is saved does not mean they are perfect and have expectations of perfection. For example, upon John’s redemption, he goes to his father (who before he had hated), talks with him, allows a smile from his lips, and “something died in John, and something came alive.” What died was the sinful hate he had against his father, and what came alive in him was the strength to be able to extend compassion and love to him; the situation had not changed, rather, John had changed by God’s grace.

My Concluding Thoughts:

As I stated before, some readers may find some of the content in Go Tell It on the Mountain offensive and “indelicate.” For the graphic and obscene scenes (which are normally in certain sections; it’s not throughout), you may chose to ignore this novel. If you do so choose to read the book, you may find, as I did, that the story of sinner to redeemed is too awe-inspiring to make the read not worthwhile. I found that because of this book, I was encouraged in my walk with the Lord, convicted to look at my heart and my life, and brought to remembrance my personal “redemption” story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I will definitely take certain parts of it with me on this journey in Christ. An excellent, excellent novel, with an excellent ending!

If you would like to buy Go Tell It On the Mountain by James Baldwin, you can find it on Amazon.com here. (Or you could borrow it from your library for free!)

If you would like to look at the other books I have on my book list for 2011, or read their book reviews, you can click here!

AND/OR

If you would like to comment on this book or book review, if you have any questions, please feel free to comment in the comment section below!

What’s In My Hope Chest?

This is my hope chest–say hello:

You cannot really tell, but my hope chest is about medium sized. It's is a cedar tree. (And I had the lid open earlier, so it's slightly open here.) I will have to post the story of how I received my hope chest and why this "box" is extra special.

2300 miles before…

I recently moved from central Texas to the Northwest. Space was limited on our 26 ft. U-Haul, as my dad had a LOT of equipment and tools to bring. I ended up bringing two boxes plus my hope chest. Thankfully, (I count this as a blessing), I had not been faithful to adding to my hope chest, so I had quite a bit of storage space for the move.

But 2300 miles later…

I opened my hope chest, took out the items that did not belong in it, and noticed how EMPTY it was! How sad, I thought. And pathetic. Of course, I have not thought much about marriage at all because first of all, I had always been strong-willed, tough, and “Miss Independent” (you know the type). And secondly, I decided that I would not date/court anyone until I could actually legally marry because I have the idea in my mind that I’ll only date my husband (and now I’m 18–uh oh!). To me, adding pillows, linens, dishware, and the like were preparing for  a marriage that I hadn’t even thought about, so I didn’t add them.

This is what I have in my Hope Chest:

–6 Identical Picture Frames

–Two Decor Plates (one from Louisiana, my home state of 12.5 years, and another from a foreign missionary in Taiwan)

–A Louisiana Spoon “Setter-On-Thing” (pictured between the two plates below)

–A Louisiana Souvenir Magnet

–A Red Decor Vase

–Two Texas Handmade Candles (and a cute candle holder)

–2 Picture Containers: 1Box (pictured on right) and 1Metal Album (not seen)

–A “Recipe Holder” (really cute!) & Recipes Inside

–Various Baking Items: Christmas cookie cutters, 3 mixing spoons, 1 curly straw(!)

–Knitting needles & Crochet needle(?)

NOT pictured below:

–Various Baby Clothes & Shoes (I had not set them aside for ME, since I was not thinking about marriage, but for others–I have four sisters!)

–A CUTE Rubber Ducky Pillow/Blanket (I made them in a “Home-Economics-type” class)

–A Silky Rose and Black/White Leopard Print Material (for sewing)

–Two Bathroom Baskets (you know, from the bath and body wash sets you get for Christmas…)

Not all of the items are pictured here, just a few...

No throwing stones!

At least I was honest about my “lack” of items. haha! All of these items either hold sentimental value for me or they actually have a functional use–or both! Like the spoon setter-on-thing. haha 🙂

How Does this Tie into “Whole Living?”

Every time I take out these items from my hope chest, my heart just swells with a sense of accomplishment and hope and joy! Even with my few items, I FEEL like I am doing something GOOD. I FEEL like I am making a better life for my future. Because of the items? No. Because of what can be done with the items: The cookie cutters, (the only thing I bought out of all I have), I bought imagining being able to spend quality time with my future nieces and nephews. (Now, as I am thinking more along the lines of ME getting married and having children, they could work well there, too.) With the plates and the vase and the custom made candles, with the recipes, I can be hospitable to others, having a comfortable home and delicious meals to offer. Does that make sense?

These items represent a WHOLE life, which I am EXCITED to be able to have in Christ.

What are some of the items in YOUR Hope Chest, and how do they give you hope for the future?

NEXT: Part 2 of The Hope Chest Series: “What Am I Adding to My Hope Chest?“

And if you missed the Hope Chest Series Introduction, you can still read it!

The Hope Chest Series Introduction

I would like to introduce a 4-part series on Hope Chests, (and if you don’t know what those are, just keep reading), concentrating on how a hope chest is a great way to live naturally, frugally, and wholly in Christ.

You can look forward to:

Part 1 (Whole Living): “What’s in my Hope Chest?”–a look into my personal Hope Chest, in all its grandeur, (or rather, lack thereof, unfortunately :\).

Part 2 (Natural Living): “What am I adding to my Hope Chest?”–because once you read part 1, you’ll understand that I need to do some serious “building up.”

Part 3 (Frugal Living): “What does Having a Hope Chest mean $$-wise?“–looking at the fiscal benefits of having a hope chest.

Part 4 (In Christ/A Devotion): “Scriptural Reasons for Having a Hope Chest“–biblical references that make having a hope chest a reasonable, fun, and awesome idea.

What is a Hope Chest?

Traditionally, a hope chest is a large to medium size wooden box that a young, unmarried lady would fill up with items for her intended wedding and married home and life.

Items might include a wedding dress and shoes, pillows, blankets, pictures...all put in the hope chest in anticipation of one day being married.

Hope chests today, however, are given much more freedom to be used for whatever best fits you and the lifestyle you hope to lead in the future. For example, some young women decide that they do not want to marry, so they do not use their hope chests for wedding items. Simply put, a hope chest is a chest of items dedicated to the hope of having a future, no matter what that future may be.

A Hope Chest is for preparation, but now more than ever, hope chests can hold sentimental items, such as family Christmas ornaments and such. Some people put books in their hope chest. Some people put baby clothes. It’s your choice of the contents to be placed in it; there are NO limits or restrictions! I’ll give you a peak into my Hope Chest in Part 1 of our Hope Chest series.

**I would like to stress here that the IDEA of the hope chest is more important than actually having a wooden chest. Preparing for the future can be done, even without a box to put the contents in.**

A modern Hope Chest may look similar to this, but styles can vary.

At the same time, hope chests are not STRICTLY for the day you become married or for the day you live on your own. Some women use their contents on a regular basis, while other women prefer to accumulate and save the items for its  intended purpose only.

Are Hope Chests Just for Girls?

Once again, the TRADITIONAL answer is “Yes.” According to this article, a groom’s family provided land, property, or money in order to “win” a woman’s hand in marriage. The bride’s family then gave a dowry of the things the couple would need to begin life together, including linens, china, and other household items.

Today, however, some parents provide their sons with “hope chests” (that they don’t call hope chests) for them to put the items they would like to keep and that are special to them, as well as items that may prove useful to them in the future. Some creative parents are even using a locker for their males, instead of a wooden chest.

Final Thoughts:

If you decide to start a Hope Chest, (and I certainly hope you do by the end of this series), remember– a hope chest is about having hope more than anything else, more than the contents in the hope chest, more than the actual process of gaining the contents. More than anything, a hope chest is about HOPE.

I enjoyed reading this letter from Glenys Robyn Hicks to “handmaidens” concerning her hope chest:

…my mother and father provided a hope chest for me. We weren’t very well off, but they acquired an old writing bureau which they kept in their bedroom for me as my own room was too small. This hope chest was filled gradually with all the usual things to ensure a well stocked home with crocks and linens.

But I found this was not its primary purpose for me. It became my focus and purpose in life- reminding me of the task ahead of becoming mistress of my own home. Each time I added something to it, it filled my soul with longing for the day of marriage and hope for the future. As I worked and saved for my wedding and new home, it became my anchor. Every kitchen article was added with dreams of me cooking delicious meals for my beloved. Each towel I folded filled me with visions of them flapping on the line and I would plan how to wash them properly and keep them soft and fluffy. Fluffy enough to wrap up my new baby after its bath. For every sheet and blanket focused me on the physical side of  marriage filling my heart with the promise of children conceived in love. As I added to my picnic ware, my mind would race imagining flying kites, feeding the ducks by the pond and country drives with my husband and children ..life held great promise for me in that hope chest…and although mine was not a true hope chest- it was full of hope.

I certainly wish you  to join me on this series! Please feel free to comment and discuss, as much as you like! 🙂

Book Review: A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

I began Hemingway’s 41-chapter novel on Monday, but could hardly put it down, and now I have completed the novel today. Having been in AP English for the last four years of my high school career, I have been accustomed to books of literary merit having unique and eloquent writing styles that brought them to fame. With A Farewell to Arms, I was  expecting it to be well written, but it even exceeded my high expectations. That being said, I think I may have enjoyed the writing style more than the actual storyline

Summary:

It’s World War I, and the Italians are trying to fight off and defend against the Austrians, who will later be aided by the Germans. A young American man, Frederic Henry,  studying architecture in Rome, joins the fight by becoming an ambulance man, going to the front lines, gathering up the sick and wounded, and bringing them back to the hospital. After going on “leave” for the winter break between fighting in the mountains, Henry, or Tenente, as he is often called in Italian for his Lieutenant rank, comes back to find women nurses in their military occupied town.

One particular British nurse, Catherine Barkley, he finds interest in, and they begin a “game” of sorts, pretending to love one another. Eventually, their “game” grows serious. Henry and Catherine talk about marriage, but both decide that because neither of them is religious and because their lifestyle does not bother them, they will not marry. After Henry is badly injured in the legs from an explosion, Catherine transfers to Milan where Henry is being treated. Milan is also the place where Catherine discovers she is pregnant with Henry’s child. Henry, however, must go back to the front, though he would like to be with Catherine and their soon to be born baby.

Henry finds the front a depressing place, with many of the soldiers having felt defeated. Not long after Henry returns, a report comes that the Germans are now helping the Austrians to fight, and terror runs through the front line. A retreat is called, and Henry is given orders to evacuate with ambulances and his team. The road to retreat is long and traffic-jammed by every little interruption. Henry decides to take his team and their ambulances and go along a side road, so that when the Germans and Austrians attack the main road, they will not be on it.

The main road is attacked by planes, as Henry had predicted, but the side road they are traveling on is muddy, and one of the ambulances gets stuck. Two sergeants refuse to help dig the ambulance  out on Henry’s orders, so one is shot and killed, while the other runs out of range and deserts. Henry and his team eventually abandon the ambulance and the sergeant’s body and move on. Before reaching their lines, however, they lose all the rest of the ambulances and one of Henry’s men is shot and killed by who Henry believes to be scared Italians.

Things are no better for Henry when he does reach their lines, though, as he is suspected of deserting in a retreat. Seeing the other officers being shot, and waiting in line for his turn, Henry runs toward and dives into a lake, with shots at his back. He was done with the war. He only wanted to be with Catherine. So…Henry deserts and goes to Milan where he last left Catherine.

Henry discovers that Catherine has moved towns, and so he goes to the new town and finds her there. A barman and friend of Henry’s informs him that officers are planning to arrest him in the morning, but that if he crosses the lake, he can get to Switzerland about 35 kilometers away. Catherine and  Henry leave at about 11 o’clock at night and do make it across the lake and into Switzerland, though they are arrested by the Swiss police soon after.

Henry and Catherine have their American and British passports, as well as a lot of money, and so they pass off as winter sports tourists. The Swiss police believe them, and the couple moves on to Montreux, where they settle down for a while and are happy and content with one another. When the rainy weather comes, and Catherine is soon to deliver her child, they move to Lausanne, where the hospital is. They also determine that they will marry after the baby is born and Catherine is “skinny” again.

**SPOILER ENDING!!** Catherine soon goes into intense labor, but problems occur and she must have a Cesarean. A boy is taken from her womb, and rushed to another room. Henry follows them, but does not feel fatherly affection for him since he almost killed Catherine. He returns to Catherine, who says she is in a lot of pain, but insists he go to dinner. After dinner, Henry meets a nurse going into the hospital who tells him that Catherine has been hemorrhaging. After many more hemorrhages, Catherine dies, and the baby, Henry learns, never even breathed its first out of the womb. Henry is numb, wanting nothing from no one. He only wants to see Catherine, but “it was like saying good-by to a statue,” and Henry walks out into the rain, back to the hotel.

My Concluding Thoughts:

Ernest Hemingway is–no doubt–an excellent author! His experience in the ambulance corps in World War I definitely gave A Farewell to Arms reality. I am sure that some “upper-level” English students will be required to read this book, but “just to read,” the plot is not necessarily a “moral” one. Although Hemingway does not express graphically at anytime about any thing, except perhaps scenery, the reader can definitely pick up the implications of what is “going on” in different scenes of the story. I enjoyed the book, and I absolutely loved the way he wrote it. (It flows together very nicely. Very coherent!) As for recommending it, however, I am not sure I can do for moral reasons. This is your call of whether or not you chose to read it or whether or not you would allow your sons or daughters to read it. I’m staying out of this controversial topic!

If you would like to buy A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, you can buy it used at Amazon.com. Click here! (Or borrow it from your local library!)

If you would like to look at the other books I have on my book list for 2011, you can click here!

AND/OR

If you would like to comment on this book or book review, if you have any questions, please feel free to share in the comments section below!

Book Review: Modesty by Nan M. Pamer

Modesty: A fresh look at a biblical principle by Nan M. Pamer

Just today, I completed Pamer’s 47-page 1997 booklet on modesty. Although Pamer singles out the Apostolic Pentecostal, or Oneness Pentecostal, church as one that has held its ground and not conformed to the low moral standards of the world, she does a fine job of explaining why modesty is such an important–non legalistic– biblical principle that Christians should adhere to today. The chapters include:

1. “Is Modesty Legalistic?“– a look at why modesty is NOT legalistic. Legalism, as Pamer explains it, is the belief that “works merit salvation,” ie dress standards. Pamer defends the Apostolic Pentecostal churches with conviction, stating that modesty is misunderstood and can be a deterrent to immorality. She says, “We were hopelessly lost when Jesus Christ found us and saved us from sin, and we are forever indebted to Him. Because we love Him we endeavor to reflect Christ in everything we do, even in our outward appearance.”

2. “The Blessing of Distinction“–delving into why modesty, and the separation from the world that comes with it, is a blessing. Pamer claims that “the society that allows this deterioration of modesty takes something very precious from its young people.” Modesty and immorality are directly related, as “when modesty was  thrown to the wind, immorality swept in like a flood.”

3. “An Old and New Testament Principle“–explaining that as Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), so is His desire for us to live a Christ-like life. Modesty is part of living Christ-like, according to Pamer, and can be found in both the Old and New Testament. Pamer gives the example of the Old Testament priests who were set apart by their apparel and connects this to 1 Peter 2:9, where the church is called “a royal priesthood…” (among other examples and connections). Pamer also addresses and warns against “the danger of overemphasis” where one “practices an outward dedication to God while allowing his heart to become a bulwark of nasty attitudes and hard feelings against others.”

4. “The End Results of Immodesty“–an examination of our world, as it is, and why immodesty has lead to immorality as an accepted societal institution. Pamer states that “When a society disregards modesty, it will have to pay a revolting price. Our generation is reaping devastating results because a principle of God has been laid down.” Using the testimonial confessions of serial killers Ted Bundy and Arthur Gary Bishop, Pamer explains the negative effects of immodesty: pornography, rapings, terrible diseases, and to the extremities of mass murders.

5. “A Call to Modesty“–a plea to live a life free in Christ, one that is modest and a reflection of Him. Pamer concludes her booklet with these words: “May we vigorously regain the ground that many have lost in the battle for modesty. Our children, our churches, and our nation need it desperately. We have a treasure in our grasp; let us never let it slip away.”

My Concluding Thoughts:

I definitely and highly recommend this book to parents, Christian youth workers, and teenagers. Whether you are part of the Apostlic/Oneness Pentecostal church or not, modesty is a biblical principle that, as Pamer states, has been thrown to the wayside and forgotten by most of the world. How you determine what is modest or not, or what you determine is modest, is not discussed in this booklet; however, Pamer’s discussion on modesty as a principle is very informative, intellectual, and GOOD! Her reliance on scripture as support is a major addition, versus some books that base Christian principles on human reasoning. Although at times, Modesty could be repetitive, its message is one that should be repeated. I will be keeping this book to reread and to share with others.

If you would like to buy Modesty: a fresh look at a biblical principle by Nan M Pamer, you can buy it used at Amazon.com. Click here!

If you would like to look at the other books I have on my book list for 2011, you can click here!

AND/OR

If you would like to comment on this book or book review, if you have any questions, please feel free to share in the comments section below!

The Lost Can Be Found

The Princess opened the sliding door, which concealed the spiraling tunnel. Giving into her curiosity and wonder at the untraveled passage, the naive and innocent Princess stepped through the threshold and into the tunnel. After traveling for some time, she noticed the inner parts of her shoes becoming wet. Then her ankles, then her shins, and then her knees. The tunnel was dark; it had led her astray from the door by which she entered, so that she could no longer find her way back. With no other solution, she continued forward in the direction of her initial journey.

The water continued to rise: mid-thigh, hip, chest, neck. As her panic level began to increase, she realized the passage opened up into a waterway. Catching her breath, she dove in–hoping for the best.

Immediately, the Princess noticed the coldness and heaviness of the water. Surely she must be in the deepest of the depths of a great body of water. With great effort of strength, she swam upward, upward, upward. Her arms and her legs burned, but not more so than her eyes, which she found she could not keep open for any great length of time. When her eyes were open, she could not see hardly anything, for the waters were dark and murky. Her air was running out, but she glimpsed a dim light ahead, so she pressed forward to the mark before her.

Conveniently, as she drew closer and closer to the light, a rope seemed to be lowered to her, and eagerly, the Princess reached for the rope and pulled with all her might. All she could acknowledge was the fear that she would not reach the top before her last breath was gone, and so she pulled even more and even harder.

At last, she broke through the water–only to find herself among an oil spilled sea. The darkness, the murkiness, the heaviness as she swam, it was oil! Looking about her, she saw only dark oil plastering the water. Her skin felt not wet, as it would from a recreational swim, but slimy. The fear and panic began to gradually increase within her being again.

A medium size boat, from which the rope came, floated just to her right, and she anxiously swam in its direction. She reached the ladder, and climbed up it, only to find the boat deserted with no one on it. The Princess went to the control center, and started up the boat–and when she did, the boat exploded and parts of it were strewn across the expanse of oily water!

The force of the explosion sent the now horror-stricken Princess back into the water, along with many other pieces, large and small, of the boat. Without knowledge of what else to do, the Princess grabbed hold of the largest piece of “boat” nearest her, climbed on top, and began paddling her way to the shore.

She did not know where she was. She did not know what to do. Lost and confused. Fearful and hopeless. Despairing and regretting that she opened that door paddled she on–on and on and on. Toward the shore, toward her prospective redemption.

But it was so far away, even after her continual paddling. She would never reach it. She would never be found. She would never know what she had gotten herself into. So the Princess laid down across the boat piece, closed her eyes, and prepared to die.

Meanwhile, back on shore, the explosion was heard and the boat in flames was seen. People came running from all places to the beach to see the great disaster. With a shout, one individual said he found someone! A team of five people came to his destination. Sure enough, they saw the Princess, lying across her boat piece with her eyes closed, but knew she was dead. As the boat piece floated nearer to them, they prepared to rescue its passenger, though perhaps it was too late.

The Princess heard the shout, and she heard the talking back and forth between multiple voices. Hallucinations, surely. She thought. But when she felt the jolt of their arms catching her piece of boat, her eyes swiftly opened and beheld her Redeemer, the one who had found her.

A tear slowly trickled down her cheek, as she looked upon him, and she gratefully smiled at the 5 helpers. Her Redeemer lifted her up, and took her to safety. She was not lost! The Princess was not lost!

She had faced the murky waters and fire. She had withstood great fear and panic and terror. She had been lost and confused, but NOW she was found and safe. She had been found. Praise the Lord! She had been found.

_______________________________

In this parable:

The Princess–as daughters of God, the King of Kings, we are Princesses!

The Tunnel–we all choose the paths we will travel, whether they are ones that have been walked before us by the prophets and apostles of old or ones that are foreign to us and are dark.

Murky Waters and Fire–in life, sometimes we go through trials that can leave us with fear, panic, doubt, and despair.

One Redeemer–Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, the One who finds us when we are lost, the One who lifts us up when we are down.

5 Helpers–God uses people to be instrumental in bringing others to Him.

Take a Journey

I am taking a journey to live a more natural, frugal, and whole life in Christ. Would you like to join me? Oh! Well, perhaps you would like to KNOW me:

That, ^up there, is me.

Here are a few “facts” about me:

I live for God. <–Most important!
I’m an optimist, but I am also realistic…I hope.
Reading, acting, scrapbooking ♥
I am very self-motivated and self-disciplined.
Sunshine makes me HAPPY and ENERGETIC!!!
I love to sing REALLY loud in a “deep” voice and make up silly lyrics!
Mountains amaze me. Waterfalls amaze me. Trees amaze me.
Laughing is the best medicine there is! hahahahahahahahahahahaha!
I ♥ meat, but I hate to think about killing animals. Especially bunnies.
Once upon a time I loved writing. And still do. The End.
I am not perfect. My life is not perfect.
And I hate when people assume both/either.
I love my family! ♥ I love my friends! ♥ I love the Lord!