What I did today

No, nothing exciting. But some of the ordinary stuff was sort of funny.

Lately there's been a warm spell around here, so my mom and I have been trying to go walking each morning. Well, today was a cold, rainy day (welcome to spring in WI ), so we decided to expand our horizons: We joined the mall walkers. Boy, was that an experience. We walked in, confident but slightly concerned that it might not be as big of a work out because there aren't any hills and stuff. But then reality set in. The place was full of power walkers! Ten minutes into it, mom and I, forced to walk faster than we usually do, were about to fall over. And then we saw some senior citizens, with a walker booking it in front of us! Yeah, so we only made it around 2 1/2 times, suffering and thoroughly humiliated. ;-)

Later on, I was reading The Year 1000 for school, and I came across this:

There was no concept of antiseptic at all. If a morsel of food fell off your plate, the advice of one contemporary document was to pick it up, make the sign of the cross over it, season it well - and then eat it.

The sign of the cross was the antiseptic of the year 1000.

Oh my goodness. I knew nobody knew about germs, but that they were that "earthy"? No wonder people died at 30!

Then, after church, we went to Walmart. In the check-out line, Mary spotted this:

You saw it right. I think this one doesn't require comment. Sorry if the picture's blurry - I was laughing too hard to keep the camera steady.

Today was interesting.

The Resurrection

O God of my Exodus,

Great was the joy of Israel’s sons,

         when Egypt died upon the shore,

         Far greater the joy

         when the Redeemer’s foe lay crushed

         in the dust.

Jesus strides forth as the victor,

   conqueror of death, hell, and all opposing

     might;

He bursts the bands of death,

   tramples the powers of darkness down,

   and lives for ever.

He, my gracious surety,

   apprehended for payment of my debt,

   comes forth from the prison house of the grave

   free, and triumphant over sin, Satan, and death.

Show me herein the proof that his vicarious offering

     is accepted,

   that the claims of justice are satisfied,

   that the devil’s sceptre is shivered,

   that his wrongful throne is levelled.

Give me the assurance that in Christ I died,

   in him I rose,

   in his life I live, in his victory I triumph,

   in his ascension I shall be glorified.

Adorable Redeemer,

   thou who wast lifted up upon a cross

   art ascended to highest heaven.

Thou, who as Man of sorrows

   wast crowned with thorns,

   art now as Lord of life wreathed with glory.

Once, no shame more deep than thine,

   no agony more bitter,

   no death more cruel.

Now, no exaltation more high,

   no life more glorious,

   no advocate more effective.

Thou art in the triumph car leading captive

   thine enemies behind thee.

What more could be done than thou hast done!

   Thy death is my life,

   thy resurrection my peace,

   thy ascension my hope,

   thy prayers my comfort.

(The Valley of Vision)

I recant...

...what I said earlier on about the next Junto book.

Maddie & I were really excited about Quo Vadis when we first decided to try it. But then we started reading it. It isn't overwhelmingly interesting and seems a little odd. Maybe it will turn out to be a great book, but we'd rather do a book that we're confident will be good. So we've changed our literary choice again. :-)

The current book is now The Warden by Anthony Trollope. From what I've read, it's the story of a minister, named Septimus Harding,  who is in charge of a charity in town. A newcomer to the area becomes suspicious of how the warden is managing the tithes he receives, and sets out to put everything to right. The only thing that keeps him from outright condemning the minister, however, is that he likes Mr. Harding's daughter! What a predicament!

The book is the first in a series of six chronicling the lives of the people living in the area, but for now we're just going to stick to reading the first - it's pretty short (just over 200 pages) so we're going to read it in the month of April.

Well, I've got to run......I hope everyone is enjoying the lovely spring weather!

4 Things

1. My uncle has been staying with us for the past few days, and introduced us to Blokus. Oh my (not) goodness. I'm irreversibly addicted. Who knew that connecting a bunch of random shapes of squares together could be so entertainingly strategic? Ahhhhhhhh......
2. Speaking of epiphanies, the other day I was hanging out on Wikipedia (yeah, yeah, I know, it's up there with reading the dictionary.....which I'm also a culprit of), and to my utter joy, I discovered IT IS AVAILABLE IN LATIN. Then I looked and, behold, Wiktionary, Wikisource, Wikiquote, etc. etc. were the same! It was nearly too much excitement for me to handle at once. Despite my -300 vocabulary count of Latin words, it's pretty fun to go through all the articles pretending you understand what's being said. See, nerds do have fun. :-)
3. These look like some pretty cool notebooks. When I finally make it to Europe, I'm definitely going to bring one along! The whole concept of a city guide combined with a travel journal strikes me as indisputably brilliant.
4. A week ago my pastor preached a great sermon on a topic you rarely hear about these days in most churches - the necessity of  being wary of false christs. Perversions of Christianity are incredibly more dangerous than false religions because it's hard to detect them. They're like rat poison - 99% of it is food, but the remaining 1% is pernicious and toxic enough to destroy you. We really do have to be "as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16)

Great literature

A while back I found this story I wrote from 5th grade - back in the day when writing class was the bane of my existence. Ha.

Once there was this old woman who was a grandma and she was the type that drove REALLY slowly, and that people would honk at. So, one day she sent her favorite granddaughter a set of her favorite book series. Since she was old, she forgot to put any clue of who it was from on the package.

When her grandaughter got it, she got really excited and went straight to her sunny bedroom to read her new books. Two days later, she realized that she should send a thank-you note to the person who sent it. So, since she had saved the package, she began to look for any identification.

Since there was none, she was really confused because she couldn't tell who it was from. (She was only 11 1/2 and 22 days old so it wasn't like she was an agent from the FBI or CIA or something, though she was pretty bright. For a blond.) One day Granny decided to come over for a visit. On her way on the 35 mph road, she was going at like 2mph so tons of people were honking and skipping her. Man, was she s-l-o-w! When she finally got there, Martha, (her granddaughter,) ran to the door to greet her. When she asked her how she liked the books she sent her, Martha realized that it was her grandmother who gave her the books and told her about them. And, as usual, they lived happily ever after. The end.

 I know, this ought to be admitted into the short stories section of the Great Books canon.

3 Observations -

1. This is back in the day when I was strangely obsessed with frumpy really old fashioned names. Who the heck has been named Martha after 1990?!?! No offense to anyone who is. Cough.
2. The main character (the aforesaid Martha) eerily resembles myself at the date of "publication" - yours truly was
   
   
   • 11 1/2 (not sure about the 22 days), 
   • liked to read and was obsessed with the Mandie series, 
   • always wanted a "sunny bedroom," 
   • probably would disappear for several days upon receiving a box full of books, 
   • saved packaging from presents,
   • had blond hair, 
   • and I still have a problem with getting thank-you notes to people.

3. Wow. I had forgotten about how sarcastic I was.

Anyways, I also used my magnificent artistic skills and illustrated my story.....

Granny's wrinkles sort of look like cut marks. That'd be sort of weird to have an emo grandmother.......

Martha seems to be missing a leg. I wonder how that happened.

Ahh, the discoveries made from the past.

The Queen of Sheba

 The Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba

Charles Spurgeon:

Queens have many cares, multitudes of occupations and engagements, but the Queen of Sheba neither considered it beneath her dignity to search into the wisdom of Solomon, nor a waste of valuable time to journey into his dominions. How many offer the vain excuse that they cannot give due attention to the religion of Jesus Christ for want of time; they have a large family, or a very difficult business to manage. This woman rebukes such, for she left her kingdom, and threw off the cares of state to take a long journey, that she might listen to the royal sage.

Her royal court was, doubtless, already stored with wisdom. The princes of the Eastern realms were always careful to gather to themselves a band of wise men, who found in their patronage both subsistence and honor. In the court of so great a lover of learning as was the Queen of Sheba, there would certainly be a congress of magi and wise men; but she was not content with what she knew already, she was determined to search after this Divine wisdom, of which she had heard the fame. In this she rebukes those of you who think you know enough; who suppose that your own home-spun intelligence will suffice, without sitting at the feet of Jesus. If you dream that human wisdom can be a sufficient light without receiving the brighter beams of revelation; if you say, "These things are for the unintelligent and poor, we will not listen to them," this queen, whose court was full of wisdom, and yet who leaves it all to find the wisdom which God had given to Solomon, rebukes you. The wisdom of Jesus Christ as much surpasses all human knowledge as the sun outshines a candle. Comparison there can be none, contrast there is much. He who will not come to the fountain which brims with wisdom, but trusts to his own leaking cisterns, shall wake up too late to find himself a fool.

On medieval kings and the blogosphere

Has any of my three readers ever been struck by the utter randomness of medieval king-naming conventions? Take the French, for instance. First, we have Charlemagne. Although the "the great" suffix is a classic cliche, it isn't as bad as it could be because they actually incorporate it into his first name. Pretty nifty, if I dare say so myself. Next there's Louis the Pious. He sounds like a nice kind of guy. Then there's my personal favorite, Charles Martel. There are several reasons for this:

1. This is a nice usage of foreign language - "Martel" is french for hammer, which brings me to....
   
2. It's got a historical incident behind it - because of his crushing defeat of the Muslims at Tours, people likened him to the aforesaid tool, and finally,
   
3. How many people have a metaphor in their name? Major points for such inovative creativity.

However, not so many kings were this lucky. Members of the hall of shame would include Pepin the Short, Charles the Bald, Louis the Stammerer and Charles the Fat. Wow, these poor guys' subjects must have had it in for them. How would you like to go down in history with a name like that? They obviously must have had high taxes.

I could go on and on about Viking names, but I think we'd all agree that they were pretty original in that department.



Moving on........I want to mention that my sister, Mary now has a blog. She's a lot funnier/more interesting than I am, so I'm risking losing my meager readership by mentioning it here. On top of that, she has this amazing ability to come up with an entertaining post on an unpromising topic. I wish I knew where she gets that from. Sigh.

Junto Update

Maddie and I, after discovering that the probability of our finishing a fiction Junto book was higher than that of a non-fiction one, have decided we're going to read another novel this time around. After much deliberation, we're going to do Quo Vadis by Henrik Sienkiewicz. In English, don't worry. ;-)

Here's what I know of the plot (the majority of which was found on the back of the book and Wikipedia....I know, I have great researching skills): A Roman patrician (aristocrat) falls in love with a Christian woman durring the Neronian persecutions. Apparently Peter & Paul make appearances too. I have no idea about anything else, except that there is a very strong pro-Christian theme. So all in all, from what I know, this book sounds marvelous! At least, I think so......the fact that it takes place in Rome grabbed me at the beginning. My friends have learned to dread the moment that Greece or Rome may come up in a conversation.......I have a slight obsession with the topic. Oh well. Thanks Maddie for putting up with me!


Well, I've gotta run, so sorry for a short post. Happy reading!

Jane Grey

Lady Jane Grey is a historical figure that - since I read her biography several years ago - I've always felt a connection with. Her academic and theological accomplishments, spiritual steadfastness, and willingness to accept whatever Providences befell her are things that I've always been drawn to and admire. Further than that, however, is that it's likely that we share the same birthday. Normally I wouldn't go bragging about something like that on my blog (who cares, anyways? ;-), but today that fact has been on my mind for a different reason - I'm the age she was when she died. Could I face the same gruesome death the way she did? The following is an account of the last moments of her life.

His [Guilford's, Jane's husband who was executed before her] carcass thrown into a cart, and his head in a cloth, he was brought to the chapel within the Tower, where the Lady Jane, whose lodging was in Partidge's house, did see his dead carcass taken out of the cart, as well as she did see him before alive on going to his death - a sight to her no less than death. By this time was there a scaffold made upon the green over against the White Tower, for the said Lady Jane to die upon.... The said lady, being nothing abashed....with a book in her hand whereon she prayed all the way till she came to the said scaffold.... First, when she mounted the said scaffold she said to the people standing thereabout: '

Good people, I am come hither to die, and by a law I am condemned to the same. The fact, indeed, against the queen's highness was unlawful, and the consenting thereunto by me: but touching the procurement and desire thereof by me or on my behalf, I do wash my hands thereof in innocency, before God, and the face of you, good Christian people, this day'

and therewith she wrung her hands, in which she had her book. And then, kneeling down, she turned to Feckenham [a priest who unsuccessfuly tried to convert her] saying, 'Shall I say this psalm?' And he said, 'Yea.' Then she said the psalm of Miserere mei Deus [Psalm 51], in English, in most devout manner, to the end. Then she stood up and gave...Mistress Tilney her gloves and handkerchief, and her book to master Bruges, the lieutenant's brother; forthwith she untied her gown. The hangman went to her to help her therewith; then she desired him to let her alone, and also with her other attire and neckerchief, giving to her a fair handkerchief to knit about her eyes.
Then the hangman kneeled down, and asked her forgiveness, whom she gave most willingly. Then he willed her to stand upon the straw: which doing, she saw the block. Then she said, 'I pray you dispatch me quickly.' Then she kneeled down, saying, 'Will you take it off before I lay me down?' and the hangman answered her, 'No, madame.' She tied the kerchief about her eyes; then feeling for the block said, 'What shall I do? Where is it?' One of the standers-by guiding her thereto, she laid her head down upon the block, and stretched forth her body and said: 'Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit!' And so she ended.

Wow.

I don't know about you, but I find those words incredibly haunting. She starts off bravely, willing to face death in the face, but as soon as she can't see and is unable to find the block, the reality seems to set in and she panics. The painting at the beginning of this post portrays that instant of desperation. As if the story wasn't sufficient itself, the painting really makes you feel bad for her.

Enough morbidity. Anyways, I'd like to take this opportunity to recommend one of my favorite books EVER: Lady Jane Grey: The Nine Day Queen of England, by Faith Cook. It's a great read, and the story of this young woman's life could change your own. Do whatever it takes to get your hands on a copy of this book. It's that good.

Villette - chapters 36-42

First of all, I would like to take this time to mention that this is the first time Maddie and I have finished reading a Junto book. **insert applause here** I'm very proud. ;-)

Well, these last chapters were sort of like a dream to me. Maybe it's the events in the book itself, or if not that, then my reading of it while watching TV with the fam is probably the culprit. :-)

A theme that is especially mentioned in these pages is the relationship between Protestantism and Romanism. Lucy's already been exposed to catholic attempts at converting her, and is especially so at the end of the book. Although she firmly remains Anglican, I was slightly disturbed by her attitude towards "the other side" in chapter 36 -

• In the midst of a conversation with M. Paul, Lucy says,
  

  "I would not trouble your faith. You believe in God and Christ and the Bible, and so do I.”

  Inward groan.
  
  It's a rather generalized statement. On the surface, it looks like we believe in the same Deity and Bible, but the Catholic view of the two is so flawed that I find it hard to say they're the same. The basis for doctrinal and spiritual harmony between two beliefs is NOT a bare-bones adherence to basic Bible stories. It beats me how you can reconcile works-based and grace-based salvation and say they are basically the same thing.
• Later on she says this about M. Paul:
  

  "I thought Romanism wrong, a great mixed image of gold and clay; but it seemed to me that this Romanist held the purer elements of his creed with an innocency of heart which God must love."

  The relatively innocent way a man thinks about his mangled view of God does not induce Him to overlook the aforesaid view.
  
• Overall, Lucy's grievances against Roman Catholicism are not so much about salvation and theology proper but reckless clergy. Although Lucy states that she isn't a learned scholar, a child brought up in a Protestant home ought to have been able to discern that the really despicable thing about the Catholic church is not the wayward clergy but its unstable doctrinal foundation - the root of its other problems.
• The final thing that bugs me is that Lucy allows herself to fall in love with someone of a different faith. As is clearly stated in the Bible, their union would be an unequally yoked one. A great lesson on the dire need for young people to commit themselves to guarding their hearts - in real life, if Lucy were indeed a born again Christian, her life would turn out to be a very sorrowful one: As Thomas Watson says in his book The Godly Man's Picture, a godly man is one who is concerned with making others godly; when a husband doesn't know Christ, his wife's heart will bleed for his soul.

Enough said. The following is a list of the (literary) things I liked and disliked about this book, in that order:

• THE CHARACTERS! Mrs. Bretton, Lucy, Madame Beck and M. Paul will never cease to make me think deeply and laugh crazilly.
• THE SETTING! I want to own a summer house in the vicinity of Villette when I grow up and get rich.
• THE PSYCHOLOGY! The way Bronte brings you into the inner life of Lucy Snowe was absolutely magnificent. It really made me identify with her.
• THE METAPHORS! Ahhhhhhhhhh.......all those allusions to the Bible, mythology, history and literature were brilliant.

Now begins the hall of shame.

• The combinations of characters who got married. Lucy & M. Paul didn't get along! That was my one consolation with Graham & Polly - with them, it was at least plausible that they went well together. M. Paul is uncle, father, or (much) older brother - NOT husband - material! [cringe]
  
• The ending. While I liked the idea of Lucy writing the book while waiting for M. Paul to return, what was Bronte thinking, leaving his fate unknown? Argh!
• Lucy's past. (or lack thereof) I wish Bronte would have illuminated what was going on in Lucy's life that caused her to go to Villette, other than vaguely mentioning a berevement in the family. Dickens would have cleared that mystery up. ;-)
• The aforesaid Protestantism-Catholicism issue.
  

All in all, while Villette isn't my favorite book, I enjoyed it immensly. Each book has a personality of its own, and just like people, you never forget the out-of-the-ordinary ones. Villette is definitely one of those.