Ten P’s in a Pod: Book Review

A family on a mission: that describes the ten members of the Pent family in this humorous, but inspiring story. It was a mission that included traveling over a million miles, lots of faith, family unity, and consistent leadership. The rewards? A treasure laid up in heaven of many sons brought unto glory, and plenty of treasure left here on earth; including a book that will bless and encourage you as you build a vision for your family, present or future.

They were by no means your average American family from the 1950’s, in fact they named themselves “The World’s Most Unusually Family”. What made them so unusual? They were pioneers of home schooling (before the word was even in anyone’s vocabulary), they traveled singing and preaching the Gospel, and lived by faith not by bread alone but by the Word of God. Their father’s devotion to God’s word, not only for himself but for his family as well, was the sustaining force of their lives. He knew that the Scriptures were able to make his children, and all who heard them, wise unto salvation. As they traveled all those miles they had a great time and learned to love God and each other in a deep and meaningful way. Arnold and Persis Pent may have never been able to give their children much in the way the world’s wealth and success, but they gave them things much more meaningful. They trained them in the way of the Lord, the way that they should go, and gave them a life full of experiential faith and love.

When I started reading this book I was seeking to find a vision for my future family that would truly glorify God. I doubt I could have found a better book outside of God’s word to give me such a vision. I was challenged, encouraged and all around inspired to be more devoted to God and His Word. I hope that if I ever have a family of my own that we can live by the principles of God’s word as the Pent family did, but I hope as well, by God’s grace, to start living more fully by them now. This book was a real blessing to me and now ranks up there with my favorite books. I think that if you read it you will find it just as much a blessing.

To purchase this book visit this link to Vision Forum.

The Blessedness of Trusting

Another branch of blessedness, is a power of reposing ourselves and our concerns upon the Lord's faithfulness and care; and may be considered in two respects: a reliance upon him that he will surely provide for us, guide us, protect us, be our help in trouble, our shield in danger; so that however poor, weak, and defenceless in ourselves, we may rejoice in his all sufficiency as our own; -- and further, in consequence of this, a peaceful, humble submission to his will, under all events which, upon their first impression , are contrary to our own views and desires... For want of more of this spirit, multitudes of professing Christians perplex and wound themselves, and dishonour their high calling, by continual anxieties, alarms, and complaints. They think nothing safe under the Lord's keeping, unless their own eye is likewise upon it; and are seldom satisfied with any of his dispensations: for though he gratify their desires in nine instances, a refusal in the tenth spoils the relish of all, and they show the truths of the Gospel can afford them little comfort, if self is crossed. But blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: he shall be kept in perfect peace, though the earth be moved, and the mountains cast into the midst of the sea.

~John Newton

Taken from Letters of John Newton, Banner of Truth 1990, pg. 150-151

Women Preachers

We have all heard, seen, or heard of women preachers. In our day they are every where, women leaving their roles as teachers of good things to the younger women and loving and training their children, to preach the Gospel ( or their gospel) while denying the inerrant Word of God as a rule for all parts of life, including the roles of men and women. But I am not here to rant about unbiblical female preachers in the evangelical movement, but rather that all women are preachers and we are to teach a very important lesson to the Church and the world.

Our lives are our pulpit, our submission the message. God has given us a mandate to be a sign and symbol of what the Church is to Christ. We can either preach that the Church is independant of Christ by being unsubmissive, or we can teach the beauty of the Gospel by humble submitting to our head who is a picture of Christ. From the beginning God set up an order to teach His plan for salvation, and he gave the man the headship and authority and the woman the place of helpmeet. He didn’t do this because one was better than the other, but because He created them in that order and for that purpose. How sad it is when women, in the name of the Gospel, throw off God’s order and according to His Word, are guilty of blasphemy. That is exactly what we do when we are not obedient to our authorities. Paul taught that very clearly in Titus 2:5, that to be disobedient to their own husbands was to blaspheme the Word of God. How serious that is! Yet how glorious the way of God is, that we could teach so important a truth simple by living in submission to our heads and ultimately to God’s Word.

I have heard women before question why their husbands couldn’t leave their work and be helpers to their wives. Have you ever thought about what kind of message that sends when we consider that marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church? Christ is simply the helper of the Church in all of her plans and work is what I read in it. It is opposite of what the scripture teaches; yet don’t many churches act like that? That they can do their way of spreading the gospel no matter how opposing it is to the Word of God and still expect Christ to be their helper in it. The Word of God cannot conform to our lives, but rather our lives to the Word of God. That is the picture we are suppose to represent in marriage; the Bride leaves her ways, her dreams and passions, and is joined unto Christ to be His helper in His Kingdom.

As wives, and even daughters, we have a very important message to preach, but we can only preach it by the means God has given us leaning on His grace. Not by usurping the headship of our authorities and taking to the pulpit, but by simply living in accordance with God’s written commands. May God bless you with His grace through His Son in your high calling.

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Emphasis added)

Ephesians 5:21-33

A Cure Against Fretting

The beginning of the year is time of hope and new vision. Often we set out to resolve to do better and make all sorts of goals we hope to accomplish. But as the year progresses we fail, and it begins to look as if none of our goals are going to be successful. This in turn leads to us getting despondent and fretful.

Well this week that is where I have been, my resolutions are a little harder than I thought, the excitement of the new year is wearing off, and with the upcoming presidential elections looming in the future I find myself worrying. Thankfully though, when all is despondent the Lord brings to my remembrance “ . . . that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” (Luke 18:1). I think it could be rephrased “ ... that women ought always to pray and not to fret and worry.”As the weaker vessel we can often find ourselves worrying about things we can do nothing about, that is in our own strength, but we ought to remember prayer. That is a supplication to the Almighty who will do all things right and according to His pleasure.

Often our worry has a deeper root problem then simply forgetting to pray. We forget that we have a holier goal than our own happiness, a brighter vision than this worldly pleasure, and a far more glorious hope than this world can ever offer.

Our chief end is not to be comfortable and happy! It is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! What is your goal in life? Perhaps we should think long and hard about that and see if it is something other than God’s glory. Maybe it is money, marriage, children, intelligence, or fame; do you know what all those have in common? It is our own pleasure, not God’s glory. Those things can be used to God’s glory, but they should only be means to our ultimate end and goal. Getting things in perspective can cure us from worry.

With that holy goal in mind we should construct a vision for our work here on earth. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”(Col. 3:23,24) It doesn’t matter what you are doing (as long as it is scriptural, sinning is NEVER God’s call) it can be done unto the Lord. God has called many different people to different callings, as women we are called to serve in the home being subject to our God given authorities (Titus 2:5). Our work doesn’t have to be some famous ministry or changing the way things are done, though those are good for those called to do that; God has commanded man from the beginning to take dominion of the earth for His glory and as women we have a special calling to be his helpmeet in that task. As we live with this vision we should bring all our thoughts unto the obedience of Christ (II Cor. 10:5) and live according to His law (love, John 15:12). If we are living that way everything becomes holy as unto the Lord.

As we continue down this road of life instead of dwelling on the daily work and routine, we should look ahead to our most glorious hope. The hope that one day Christ will come to claim His bride and visibly rule this earth. We all may have different views of end times but we all can join together in the hope of every knee bowing to our Lord and Master and every tongue confessing His name. We will be His glorious Bride, if that does not bring you fresh vigor for your work nothing will. We have work to do here, but let us remember what the end of that will be.

It is true, this world is full of hardships and many things to cause us to worry. But we are not of this world, in Christ we are a part of God’s Kingdom. Christ has come that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10), what place does worry and despondency have in that? He also said that we would be full of His joy, the only true joy worth having. So to you and myself I exhort “Thank God for your life and seek Him in prayer every day, not fainting, asking for His wisdom and grace.” (James 1:5,6)

Verse of the Day

Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be THANKFUL unto Him, and BLESS His name.

Psalm 100:3-4

Feminism Gave Woman the Right to Vote

First off, we must ask: is giving woman the right to vote a good thing? I see that it has led to woman holding office, and politicians pleading the side of emotions more than common sense. But, just because I don't like what I see doesn't make it unbiblical. Scriptures do not speak directly about voting but they do speak about authority and decision making.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

1Ti 2:12 -15

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Gen 2:18

In the above scriptures we see that the man is the authority for two reasons: one, God created him first, and two, the woman was deceived. If Paul went back to the beginning you can not say that this teaching was cultural. God has set up the line of authority from the beginning, even before the fall. So when it comes to voting, if the head of the family (the husband, father, brother, nephew) is to make the decisions in the family, shouldn't he also make the decisions in the government that affect all of the family? And if women are more easily deceived should they be trying to choose from among a bunch of politicians that very tempted to lie to get into office? From my own experience, and it is common knowledge, that women act more emotionally and men more intellectually. That is not to say women are completely emotion driven or men completely mind driven; it is just woman tend more to emotion and men more to mind. In the God given roles this works perfectly, the woman acts as caregiver and helper, and the man as breadwinner and leader. But when we reverse these roles we get very mushy minded men and emotion driven politics.

Also we should understand that voting is not a right, it is a privilege given to those that pay into it. Before women entered the work force they did not pay taxes. In the beginning of our nation only land owners payed taxes therefore they had the privilege to vote whether they were male, or female. If the government is directing the tax money then should not those who pay taxes vote for who will direct it?

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?

Matthew 20:15

In the Old Testament we see that government and decisions were run by men, able men.

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

Exodus 18:21

Many times the government was led by the patriarchy, the older men that were the heads of families and tribes.(Exodus 3:18, 17:5 Numbers 11:16 2Samuel 5:3 and others, just do a word search on the word "elders" to see what role they played.)

In Scriptures it is clear that the man is the head of the family, therefore he is held responsible before God for decisions and leading, we as woman can rest in that thought. Voting is an awesome responsibility that weighs much on the one that bears it. Let the men sort through all the politicians and lies and let us joyfully submit to our own heads as it is fit in the Lord.

The Heart of Feminism

I have noticed on other blogs that the mention of feminism in the negative usually brings up many questions and objections by some of our sisters in the Lord. I would like to address some of the objection by addressing what I believe to be the heart of feminism.

A good definition of the heart of feminism is: the breaking down of Biblical roles and order in the church, family, and civil government. Now there are many motives for doing this, some rooted in goodwill perhaps, others in sin and control. But whatever your motive is in being a feminist if it does the above, as I have defined, it is unChrist-like and antibiblical.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Christ, as being one with the Father, has given us His word through the Holy Scriptures, and it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the [woman] of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16,17, italics added). Therefore as we, who are bought with the precious blood of Christ, seek by His Spirit to bring into"captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5) we must use the Bible as our rule of life, guiding us in all we do and say– including how we run the home, the church , and our civil government.

Now it is clear in scriptures that a Biblical marriage means that the man is to be the loving head even as Christ is the head of the church, and the woman is to submit and obey him in love even as the Church is to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33, I Timothy 2:11-13, Titus 2:4-5, and others). Feminism says that men and woman are the same in their roles and the woman can be the head with the man, that the man can follow his wife and help her in her goals and purposes. But this denies the Scriptures and mars the beautiful picture that marriage is suppose to portray of Christ and His Church. What folly it would be to think of Christ submitting to the Church or following her goals and visions. Or to think of Christ and the Church each seeking their own goals and only meeting for communion together. Yet this is the way so many marriages, even Christian marriages, are run. I am not saying that the Bible says that the man is perfect or even less evil than the woman and that is why he portrays Christ, Adam and Eve both fell in Eden by their individual sin, but the Bible calls us as imperfect human beings to picture the perfect picture of Christ and the Church. And it is only by leaning on His Spirit and keeping His commandments that we can attempt to do that.

I urge you to search the Scriptures to find the proper way to run a home; don’t listen to what our culture is saying or what the flesh desires. Make the Bible your only rule of life.

I hope to later put to rest the objections of what good feminism has brought. If you have any objections to the way I have interpreted these scriptures I would like to hear your interpretation, according to scripture, concerning the roles of men and woman.

Verse of the Day

And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That He might seek a godly seed.

Malachi 2:15

What You Do

I just got my copy of Passionate Housewives and have begun reading it. Yesterday I found this quote in the third chapter and wanted to share it with you.

What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as and sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the work and faith from which the obedience and the work flow.
--Martin Luther

This quote is Scriptural in its meaning. Not that some how we in the flesh are well-pleasing to God but we lean on Christ in faith and His work in us is well-pleasing to the Father.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

2Co 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Act 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being;

Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

May God bless you as you serve Him in your sacred calling.

Verse of the Day

Blessing, and glory, and WISDOM, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelations 7:12

To Be Like Thee

Oh Jesus Christ, in self-despair
I come to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer
Laid at Thy feet; I leave it there --
To be like Thee!

Turn out the darling bosom sin,
The love of self that rules within,
My earnest longing let me win --
To be like Thee!

O let me see Thy lovely face,
O let me hear Thy words of grace,
In Thine own image grow apace --
To be like Thee!

O Gentle, Sinless, Undefiled,
Ev'n in Thy Justice meek and mild,
Help me, Thy loving, longing child --
To be like Thee

--Elizabeth Prentiss

Verse of the Day

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3

The Abiding Joy

When it is suggested that we cannot (some even say, must not) expect to be always joyful, remember that it is written, "Rejoice in the Lord {not, 'sometimes', but} alway." "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." When we are told that it would not even be good for us, remember that it is written again, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Perhaps in that word "of " lies the whole secret of lasting joy, for it is more than even joy in the Lord; it is his own joy flowing into the soul that is joined to himself which alone can remain in us, not even our joy in him. "That they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves." Let us, then, seek not the stream but the fountain;
not primarily the joy but that real and living union with Jesus by which his joy
becomes ours.

I found the above quote in Frances R. Havergal's devotional Royal Bounty.

Heaven Opened: A Book Review

Heaven Opened, the letters of Mary Winslow, is an uplifting encouragement from a godly woman of a bygone age. Through these letters she reveals to us her complete dependence on God, her heavenly vision, and a deep experiential relationship with her Savior. She gives her reader a deep desire to know Christ as she so joyfully does.

These letters are not just friendly notes but every one of them includes some spiritual truth and edification as befitting to our age as they were in the 19th century. In them we read of how the Lord so graciously worked with her through many trials, and her wonderful understanding of the scripture. She writes people from many different backgrounds and circumstances but her theme is always the same - seek Christ. And her attitude is contiually one of love and concern to the recipient and joy in the Lord. Truly this is "a rich treasury of experiential and practical divinity."

I was richly blessed by reading this book. It led me to more fully lean on my savior trusting His perfect sovereignty and grace. I was also reminded that a life of perfect circumstances does not produce such a relationship with God as Mrs. Winslow had but rather many trials of faith that are more precious them silver and gold. I hope you will take the time to read this book slowly and carefully, soaking up all the blessed truths and looking more to Jesus every day.

Heaven Opened can be purchased at Reformation Heritage Books for $12.50. Also check out the used price on Bookfinder .

God Bless

Contentment

“What is contentment? It is having a satisfied mind in any situation. It is finding inner satisfaction in God alone and in His provision for you. It is experiencing His peace and confidence in difficult times. It is consciously enjoying the fact that God is good, even when your circumstances are not.”

-Robert D. Jones

Nature's Lesson

It always delights me when nature teaches us lessons form God's word. Like this week- due to a rather pesky disease in my tomatoes, Early Blight-I have been led to meditate on how the Lord deals with us. Because of this disease I, the gardener, had to remove large amounts of dead and infected leaves off my tomato plants. Do you know how terrible it feels to have to tear apart a plant you have carefully nurtured and cared for from seed? But how much more careful nurturing has our heavenly Gardener put into our salvation;? Yet He must still tear off and prune the leaves of our soul from that terrible disease,sin. I don't know about you; but I know that my Father, by His Holy Spirit , through His precious Son, has much pruning to do on me. He has begun that good work in me1 (He has planted the seed) and now He must also finish it2 by the sactifying (pruning) of His Holy Word3. If only we would lay bear our hearts, having a tender conscience, to His Spirit to work4.

There, my "gleanings" of this week. God Bless!!!

1.Phi 1:6
2. Heb 12:2
3.Eph 5:26
4.Eph 4:30

Spugeon: Heir of the Puritans, a book review

In my life time I have not read many biographies, so now that highschool is out of the way they are at the top of my book list. First off was Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Learning about this great preacher was not only interesting, but inspiring. His humble devotion to Christ and His gospel was the one thing that crowned his life.

Starting at very young age he was being educated in the Puritans as well as reading many of the great classics. But the most interesting part of his early education to me was the part his single aunt and mother played. Because of some unfavorable circumstances (we are not sure what those might have been) at the age of one year his grandparent took him in and raised him until the age of six. Here is what is said concerning his aunt:

Ann Spurgeon, the unmarried daughter of the household, was seventeen when Charles came to them. She was, by all accounts, a radiant young girl of a lovely spirit, and she came to have chief charge of the newcomer.She taught him his letters (she was proud of this later on!) and she encouraged in him that irresistible gift of fun that was so marked in his character in latter years.

Isn't this a testimony to the fact that a young woman serving her home and family isn't just wasting her time, but investing it in the lives of those she loves?

His mother also played an influential part of his early years. By praying for him and teaching him in the Scripture she truly did raise in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The story goes on to tell the rest of the life of this godly man, but I will leave this for you to discover. I really hope that if you have the chance that you read this book; you will be greatly blessed and hopefully changed.

Spugeon: Heir of the Puritans by Ernest W. Bacon is available at Christian book.com for $6.49.

Graciousness

"A gracious woman retaineth honor: and strong men retain riches." Proverbs 11:16


Gracious according to Webster's 1828 dictionary:

GRA'CIOUS, a. [L. gratiosus.]

1. Favorable; kind; friendly; as,the envoy met with a gracious reception.

2. Favorable; kind; benevolent; merciful; disposed to forgive offenses and impart unmerited blessings.

Thou are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful. Neh.9.

3. Favorable; expressing kindness and favor.

All bore him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded from his mouth. Luke 4.

4. Proceeding from divine grace; as a person in a gracious state.

5. Acceptable; favored.

He made us gracious before the kings of Persia. [Little used.] 1 Esdras.

6. Renewed or implanted by grace; as gracious affections.

7. Virtuous; good.

8. Excellent; graceful; becoming.

What is your definition of gracious?
What is a good example of a gracious woman?

A True Lady

I found this in my email today, and was truly inspired to be a better godly woman. I hope it can so inspire you.

"A lady is a woman who understands that she has been bought with a price, and therefore glorifies God in her body and her spirit, which are God's.

'For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.' (1Corinthians 6:20)

"She surrenders every aspect of her being and identity to God. Like a shepherd, she thinks of everyone before herself, and endeavors to lead others back to Christian civilization and obedience to God by her public and private example.

As a servant of the people, she realizes that every attention to her appearance and education is for the benefit of others and not herself. For this reason she thinks carefully about how she presents herself. Because the way she dresses communicates her loyalties, whether she's loyal to pop culture or to her own comfort or to her King and His law. Her appearance can set an example to people and show modesty and
femininity to be as beautiful as they really are. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, she "maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple." She thinks carefully about how she speaks and carries herself, because she knows the world is watching, and as an ambassador of the Most High King, she must be a model of strength and dignity.

'But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.' (1 Peter 2:9)

"She wants everything she does to inspire and edify others and glorify God. She radiates regal serenity, grace and poise, a gentle and quiet voice, discretion, self-command, sincerity, peace, cheerfulness and humility.

"No task is too big or too small, too high or too low, for a lady. She'll be able to rise or stoop to the occasion, however demanding it may be, without losing her poise and grace. She is not too dainty or delicate to do the dirty work in serving her family. Understanding that there is a time for everything, she is balanced and flexible; ready to serve tea or to take up a tent-peg against an enemy.

"She is hospitable and warm, gentle and kind, filled with compassion for those with real needs. Her manners show a concern for the comforts of others instead of an absorbing focus on herself. Many girls are inhibited by shyness, and I was one of them. I was so shy and self-conscious that I had a hard time even talking to people, let alone reaching out to people in a Christlike way. A few years ago I
[Elizabeth] realized that shyness is nothing more than excessive focus on self and often a fear of man. These are both sinful. It wasn't until I purposed to focus on the people I was around and their needs, that I was able to overcome my reclusiveness.

"A real lady learns to ignore her comfort zone. Like the pilgrim women, she is intrepid, brave, hard-working and sacrificial. Instead of pursuing her own interests, she has studied to be useful.

"And finally, she is distinctively feminine in a way that complements and completes masculinity, rather than clashing with it."

This excerpt was taken from Issacharian Daughters #048 - Dominion Oriented Femininity published by Genevieve Smith, she was quoteing from a speech given by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin at the VF Father's Daughter Retreat. Vision Forum will probably be selling CD's of the complete speech soon so keep a eye on their website if you would like to obtain the entire speech.

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Aunt Jane's Hero- A Review

"They were living to themselves: self, with its hopes, and promises, and dreams, still had hold of them; but the Lord began to fulfill their prayers...They had asked they knew not what, nor how; but He had taken them at their word...They were hardly willing to follow on so far, or to draw so nigh to Him...They could almost pray Him to depart from them, or to hide his awfulness. They found it easier to obey than suffer-to do than to give up- to bear the cross than to hang upon it: but they cannot go back, for they come to near the unseen cross, and its virtues have pierced to deeply within them...Before, they had only heard of the mystery, but now they feel it...They live alone with Him above, in unspeakable fellowship; willing to lack what others own, and to be unlike all, so that they are only like him...Had they chosen for themselves, or their friends chosen for them, they would have chosen otherwise. They would have been brighter here, but less glorious in His kingdom...If they had halted anywhere-if He had taken off his hand, and let them stray back- what would they not have lost? What forfeits in the morning of resurrection? But He stayed them up, even against themselves... It was good for them to suffer here, for they shall reign hereafter-to bear the cross below, for they shall wear the crown above; and that not their will but His was done on them."


The preface of this heart touching tale sets the mood. What follows it is the story of how a young man, through the prayers of his "Aunt" and far away father, comes from loving this world and what high society can give him, to loving Christ and fully devoting himself to Him. As Mrs. Prentiss, author of "More Love to Thee" and Stepping Heavenward, continues to weave this fascinating tale, she tells how he came to love a godly maiden that beautifies his lowly home; and how together, through hardship and toil, they grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then she ends with a some thought provoking guidance in how to find and be a godly husband/or wife. This book was so intriguing I finished it three days after receiving it for graduation. I shall probably read it many times over. I highly recommend it.

This book is available starting at $3.99 from Amazon.