"The Greatest Thing in the World"

When unpacking boxes and totes of books from our home library which had been stored in the garage for 3 years, I found this little gem. 

There is no publication date on this edition of The Greatest Thing in the World. A search shows it may be from 1970, but the texts I find online date back at least as far as 1891. And the Introduction by D. L. Moody tells how this book came out of an impromptu, fireside chat with friends in England in 1884.

Author Henry Drummond, a Scottish scientist, teacher and church leader, was a classmate of Robert Louis Stevenson. His writings were circulated more widely than the popular novels of his day, and this little book still continues in print.

So, what does the author describe as "the greatest thing in the world?" Or as he puts it: "What is the summum bonum - the supreme good? You have life before you. Once only you can live it. What is the noblest object of desire, the supreme gift to covet?"

The answer: Love! 

But maybe not just in the way you are thinking this Valentine's Day 2025. This book takes us through 1 Corinthians 13 in detail... which of course is all about Love. 

This excerpt in particular sticks out to me:

"Love is not a thing of enthusiastic emotion. It is a rich, strong, manly, vigorous expression of the whole round Christian character - the Christlike nature in its fullest development."

After all... God Is Love! - 1 John 4:9

Drummond continues, "And the constituents of this great character are only to be built up by ceaseless practice. What was Christ doing in the carpenter's shop? Practicing. Though perfect, we read that He learned obedience, and grew in wisdom and in favor with God. Do not quarrel, therefore, with your lot in life. Do not complain of its never-ceasing cares, its petty environment, the vexations you have to stand, the small and sordid souls you have to live and work with. ... That is the practice God appoints you... Do not grudge the hand that is moulding the still too shapeless image within you. It is growing more beautiful, though you see it not. "

Happy Valentine's Day!

~ Hannah

Gather Around Jesus

Yes, our home-grown Christmas tree is sprouting again, though less than some years. It smells lightly sweet & woodsey in here!

One Sunday I knit this snowman from my home-raised, homespun wool.

Every ornament on our tree has special meaning and memories attached!

Last time my neice visited, all the human figures in the Nativity scene gathered closely around Jesus (while the animals gathered around the campfire).

Let's do the same... all year round!

~ Hannah

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Question: Can you name the source of this quote? 

“Tidings of Comfort and Joy”

Hint: It's a Christmas carol.

That was the inspiration for my latest phone wallpaper design above. (Feel free to tap it and download for personal use.) I don’t know about you, but if I keep the same picture on the background of my phone for too long, I soon don’t notice it anymore. And since that is something I see throughout the day, it’s a great place to put what I want to be reminded of.

Have you figured out the name of the Christmas carol yet?! Answer: “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”

I have heard the old English of that title explained as follows:

Rest = Keep

Merry = Mighty

And don’t forget to put the comma in the correct place! This is not talking about rollicking men in top-hats, despite all the illustrations and musical arrangements to the contrary. 

Thus all mankind is being told, “God keep you mighty! Let nothing you dismay!” 

And why? What could give that sense of wellbeing? Read on!

God rest ye merry, gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay;

Remember Christ our Savior

Was born on Christmas Day

To save us all from Satan's pow'r

When we were gone astray;

Oh tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

Oh tidings of comfort and joy!

Find the rest of the carol's verses for more of the story of the one true Source of comfort and joy. And...

Have a Mighty Christmas! 

~ Hannah

(Photos taken today, on a frosty Christmas Eve)

The Lamb Shall Overcome

Near the end of December, I came to this entry in the daily devotional "Edges of His Ways" compiled from notes written by Amy Carmichael:

These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with Him.
(Revelation 17:14, RV)

These last nine words have been truly spirit and life to me. Sometimes it seems as if the war were against us, but it never is. It is against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome. It is impossible to imagine anything else but victory for "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (13:8). So all that matters is that we should be with Him, "called and chosen and faithful."

O God of peace, strong is the enemy,
     But Thou art nigh;
And he must fall beneath our feet,
     Because of Calvary.

~ Amy Carmichael



For another excerpt from this book and a free book list including several of my family's favorite devotional books, see the caption of this YouTube Short: https://youtu.be/ZTHYmEvwRNY

To Him who sits on the throne...

Christ is Risen!!!

Read all about it in the Bible:

• Matthew 28
• Mark 16
• Luke 24
• John 20

[Just snapped these pictures for some memories of banners handmade by my family and friends before they found a new church home. They have always been a regal reminder of our risen Saviour and conquering King!]

Whiter Than Snow

Since taking these photos, our snow has gotten even dirtier. The top, white layer is gone, and our yard is mostly a grey-black.

That has brought a verse and song to mind day after day. How thankful we can be that God washes away our guilt not just to be "as white as snow," but "WHITER than snow."

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

• Psalm 51:7-8

And the song:

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
Break down every idol, cast out every foe—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain:
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice;
I give up myself, and whatever I know—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait;
Come now and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee Thou never said’st “No”—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

• James L. Nicholson, 1872

Read me a Story Chapter

"Read me—not a sermon chapter, but a story chapter; they've pictures in them, which I see when my eyes are shut. Read about the New Heavens, and the New Earth; and m'appen I'll forget this."

'Bessie Higgins' in North and South

You have probably realized by now that I love a good story! And North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell is one of my favorites. 

What sets it far above books such as Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice or Emma and even Gaskell's own Cranford and Wives and Daughters (which are all enjoyable stories) is the undercurrent of true faith in God, even if not frequently mentioned.

Even Jesus the Christ frequently used stories [parables] to teach in a way His hearers could absorb and apply to their own lives.

But the above quote goes beyond simply a good work of fiction to the best stories of all: those collected in the Bible. 

What makes them "the best"? Because they are True - from the history in Genesis to the prophecy in Revelation! Rather than calling them Bible "stories," a more fitting word is  "accounts." 

The fictional and endearing 'Bessie Higgins' was chronically ill and stuck in bed with the constant pressures of physical pain and emotional stress when she asked the main character, Margaret, to read to her from the book of Revelation.

Through my own years of chronic illness I can fully understand how much more readily a weak brain and weary spirit can absorb truth from a story than from a sermon or epistle.

And so, as mentioned in a recent post, I am back in the book of Genesis - learning from our earliest ancestors as well as later heroes from among God's chosen people.

And all along, I'll be finding signposts pointing to the greatest story/history of all: the gospel [good news] of Jesus.

What parts of the Bible keep drawing you back the most?

Public Domain Illustrations:

Frontispiece from North and South

Hubert and Jan van Eyck, Adoration of the Lamb from the Ghent Altarpiece

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, Woodcut for "Die Bibel in Bildern", 1860.

Unknown Artist, Joseph makes himself known to his brethren

Bible Reading Plans

As the mantel clock was chiming in the New Year, I was finishing up the book that helped me study my way through the New Testament in 2021. Click here for a little read-aloud from the last day's entry to get an idea of the way the daily readings are put together in the ESV Daily Devotional New Testament.

After a whole year primarily in the New Testament, I am eager for more of the Old Testament again. So I have begun my second time through this study guide for Genesis, which is one of my favorite books of the Bible. [The Family Bible Study Series was developed for homeschool families.]

Do you have a Bible reading/study plan for 2022? What did you do for 2021?

I'd love to hear your ideas and thoughts in the comments below! I believe I made the settings easier to leave comments recently, so you do not need a special account to join in.

What Christmas is All About

My nephew's favorite book the day I was visiting was a good choice for December! Three times he pulled "A Charlie Brown Christmas" off his shelves to bring to me, climbing onto my lap and pointing to each character in turn.

I remember when we bought this story on animated video. Through all the years since, one part has hit me with goosebumps, chills, tears, or some sensation of joy. It is when Charlie Brown in despair yells, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"

And then Linus steps forward

"Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. Lights, please? 

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 

"And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' 

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'

"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Watch a 30 second video of the sketching/painting process accompanied by Linus' quote by clicking HERE.

There is No Other Way

 

"His thoughts said, Is there no other way of learning how to help another but by the way of suffering?

"His Father said, Had there been another way, would I not have found it for the Son of My love, whom no thorn of pain had ever pierced, who was tender as a child to the touch? If it became Me in bringing many sons unto glory, to lead the Captain of their salvation by that way, wouldest thou win souls without a pang? Settle it once for all; there is no other way."

His thoughts said… His Father said…
by Amy Carmichael

Sorry if my posts have all seemed heavy and impersonal of late. Life has just been too intense to put into words for a while. And my words have been needed for answering emails instead of blogging. I will try to share more from life soon. For now, I hope something has blessed you from these quotes that stand out to me.

Nevertheless ... Hereafter

 

'Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven' - Matthew 26:64

"Ah, Lord, thou wast in thy lowest state when before thy persecutors thou wast made to stand like a criminal! Yet the eyes of thy faith could see beyond thy present humiliation into the future glory. What words are these, 'Nevertheless -- hereafter'! I would imitate thy holy foresight, and in the midst of poverty, or sickness, or slander, I also would say, 'Nevertheless -- hereafter.' Instead of weakness, thou hast all power; instead of shame, all glory; instead of derision, all worship. Thy cross has not dimmed the splendour of thy crown, neither has the spittle marred the beauty of thy face. Say, rather, thou art the more exalted and honoured because of thy sufferings.

"So, Lord, I also would take courage from the 'hereafter.' I would forget the present tribulation in the future triumph. Help thou me by directing me into thy Father's love and into thine own patience, so that when I am derided for thy name I may not be staggered, but think more and more of the hereafter, and, therefore, all the less of today. I shall be with thee soon and behold thy glory. Wherefore, I am not ashamed, but say in my inmost soul, 'Nevertheless -- hereafter.'"

- C.H. Spurgeon, Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith, May 30

"Come, Sheep!"

That is how Dad called his little flock of Lincoln-Finn sheep (who were our lawn-mowers when we moved out into the country 35 years ago). Some of my earliest memories involve our huge ewes and bouncy lambs.

I would love to have a recording of my girl-voice trying to mimic Dad's sheep-call when I was feeding them or just wanted to gather my wooly friends for a visit. No wonder I turned out to sing alto - as I did always did my best to mimic Dad's baritone call with extra stress on the second word:

"Come, SHEEP!"

For some reason, the sheep weren't fooled. I had to shake a bucket of corn if I really wanted them to come running. Why? They didn't know or trust my voice in the same way as that of their main shepherd.

This came to mind again when reading John 10:

"He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep... The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

Jesus goes on to say, " I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me... and I lay down my life for the sheep."

How can we know His voice and not be fooled by counterfeits or dangerous enemies?

His words are in the Bible. Let's learn to know His voice better each day so we can follow the Good Shepherd!

Keeping Every Promise

"The Christian is, by definition, a hopeful person. That hope is not artificial self-projection. It is produced in us by God's promises. Because we love and trust the Lord, we believe the promises He has given in His word. They have become the spectacle lenses through which we view everything - and that is what injects the melody of hope into our lives.

"Hope does not put us to shame"; it doesn't let us down or disappoint us. Why? Because "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5 v 5).

"What does this mean? Our biggest hope is for everlasting life: for heaven and all that will follow it in the new heavens and earth. Being sure of that, even although we don't yet experience it, changes everything. It is like light appearing at the end of the tunnel, dispersing the total darkness that engulfs us. It enables us to see our way forward.

"...The logic goes like this: if you spend £500 to pay for a holiday, but then discover there is an additional £10 taxi fare to be paid to get you from the airport to your destination, you're not going to turn back. No, since you have already paid so much, of course you will pay the extra. The same logic applies here. If God has kept His major promise by giving His Son for you and to you, you can be sure He will keep every promise He has made.

"That is why His love is the foundation not only for faith but also for hope. And that hope lasts; it will never fail. It is a hope that we can hold on to even when we are suffering, even when life seems to be unravelling at the seams, even when our worst nightmares are coming true. We can still have hope, because God kept His biggest promise, His oldest and costliest promise, when Love came down at Christmas."

- from Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair B. Ferguson

[Our family appreciated the book quoted above for our month of advent readings last December. As you can see, the truths contained are anything but limited to Christmas. I needed the reminders again now! And the photos in this post are July in Mom's garden.]

Knightly Inspiration

 

I recently finished another book in this exciting birthday gift: "The Knights of Arrethtrae" series by Chuck Black!

Though much is familiar from when I first read these books loved by my students years ago, I never fail to be struck with the inspiration and call to follow our Prince more purposefully.

So much is packed into these pages, that readers are drawn right into the lives, struggles, training, and victories of each Knight of the Prince. Rather than a chronological allegory, such as "The Kingdom Series" [see that summary below], each of these books focuses on a major theme threatening our life of faith in this culture... though masterfully brought to life in the era of knights, fair maidens, dark enemies, and hideous creatures. Always with the unstoppable light of the King and His Son shining through!

Books 3 & 4 - “Sir Dalton” and “Lady Carliss” - were my favorites in the past. We'll see about this time!

But before you would jump into the stories of these Knights and Ladies, make sure to start with the first series:

"The Kingdom Series" by Chuck Black is an encouragement every time I re-read it. Set in a time of gallant knights with swords and steeds, this allegory of the whole arc of the Bible is full of excitement, danger, endearing characters, deadly foes, mysterious helpers... and most inspiring: the Son of the King!

Boys and girls, young men and women, grandparents, and those of us in-between can all enjoy and learn from this imaginative fresh take on familiar Biblical history.

More than ever, we need to remind each other:
• “The King Reigns!”
• “And His Son!”

Note: The second series seems to go into more gory details of sword-fights than the first (which has some already), so sensitive readers may not be up to it yet.

The First Pansy Book

Ready for a brand-new, free audio-book?

[My apologies if you already read this post a few weeks ago. I thought it was published but now found it in my drafts folder - along with several others that were automatically deleted based on false accusations but reinstated once reviewed.]

A pen-pal/friend (with whom I have worked on LibriVox since my first book) brought this children's book to my attention as one she had wished to personally record. While that was not possible for her at this time, she really wanted to get it into the hands of listeners - thinking it could be a special resource for families who are spending more time at home now. We were able to get it completed with the help of other volunteers - thanks to the typed version of this public domain text shared with us by isabellamacdonaldalden.com. 

Book summary:

Twelve year old Helen is determined to be a good girl, but the harder she tries, the worse her days go. Is there any hope? And what made such a change in the life of her grown-up brother in the seven years he was away from home? Little do the Lesters know what a pivotal year this will be in each of their lives.



The story behind the story:

"Pansy" is the pen-name of Isabella MacDonald Alden. (1841-1930)

When a friend urged her to submit the manuscript to a contest sponsored by the American Reform Tract and Book Society of Cincinnati, Ohio, her response was, "I'll do no such thing. If I can't write a better story than that, it proves that I ought never to write at all. Tear the thing into bits and throw it in the grate with the other rubbish. I'll set fire to them to-night."

Without her knowledge, this friend sent in the manuscript. Two months later, Isabella was stunned to learn her that first book was to be published. (1865)

[Does this remind anyone else of "Anne of Green Gables/Avonlea"?!]

"I like to recall the reason why it won the fifty dollar prize. Because, in the opinion of the committee of award it met the condition imposed by the grand old Christian gentleman who offered the prize. It was to be given for the manuscript that would best explain God's plan of salvation, so plainly that quite young readers would have no difficulty in following its teachings if they would, and so winsomely that some of them might be moved to take Jesus Christ for their Saviour and Friend."

(Click here for more of the story.)

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

"Man of Sorrows," what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Guilty, vile and helpless, we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
"Full atonement" can it be?
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die,
"It is finished," was His cry;
Now in heav'n exalted high;
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

· Philip P. Bliss, 1875

He is Risen! 

He is Risen indeed!

Set Apart

I appreciate regular reminders of the Truth from the ministry of Ellerslie.com.

"As Christian values become more and more socially distasteful in our culture, the pressure to 'give Christianity a makeover' is growing by the day. In order to align our lives and our beliefs with God’s truth, we must make a decision to be set apart from the culture, even at the risk of being socially unacceptable. This doesn’t mean we need to be rude or insensitive to those with different values than ours. But it does mean we have to be willing to swim against the tide and not be swayed by popular opinion. It means we need to build our lives according to God’s pattern, instead of trying to blend God’s pattern with our culture’s values. As Christians, we should be the ones influencing the culture with truth — not the other way around. Now is the time to stand boldly with Jesus."

— Eric Ludy

His Blessings Flow

Doesn't it appear that this world is reeling under the sin-birthed curse more and more every year? 

And so, I find it wonderful to come back to the carols of Christmas once again and sing hope-filled truths, such as:

He comes to make
His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

Do you recognize that carol?

As my family and I sing through the Christmas section of our hymnal this year - one carol each evening with our advent reading - we came on Sunday to the familiar clarion-call of George Frederick Handel's one-octave scale. 

  

Joy to the world!

"Why?" you may ask. What is there to bring joy this Christmas??

Thankfully we have the same reason for joy this year as for twenty centuries past: Emmanuel - God with us!

The Lord is come!

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift! 
- 2 Corinthians 9:15

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heav'n and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.

Isaac Watts, 1719 

As a bonus, read Psalm 98, on which these words [written 301 years ago!] were based. You can find the Psalm by clicking here.