Tuesday, November 29, 2005

C. S. Lewis






Clive Staples "Jack" Lewis
was born the
29th day of November 1898
in Belfast, Ireland
to Mr. & Mrs. Albert James Lewis

You can read a
wonderfully different
biography of Jack's life in

Today, we remember the man, the author and creator of the "Chronicles of Narnia"

Monday, November 28, 2005

Exploring the Classics



I thought you might enjoy reading the actual One Year Plan for Exploring the Classics that I am using by Terry W. Glaspey from his book "Book Lover's Guide to Great Reading: A Guided Tour of Classic and Contemporary Literature." So without further ado, here is this wonderful little list (you can read more on pages 62 and 63) :

January ~ Augustine
The Confessions

February ~ John Bunyan
Pilgrim's Progress

March ~ Blaise Pascal
Pensees

April ~ Thomas a Kempis and Brother Lawrence
Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

May ~ Teresa of Avila
Interior Castle

June ~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Brothers Karamazov

July ~ The Great Theologians
Sample excerpts from the following:
Thomas Aquainas, Summa Theologica
Martin Luther, On Christian Liberty
John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion
John Wesley, The Journals of John Wesley

August ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Cost of Discipleship
Life Together

September ~ Christian Poetry
William Blake, Songs of Innonence and of Experience
John Donne, Holy Sonnets
T. S. Eliot, Ash Wednesday and Four Quartets
George Herbert, selected poems
Gerard Manley Hopkins, selected poems

October ~ G. K. Chesterton
The Man Who Was Thursday
Orthodoxy

November ~ C. S. Lewis
Mere Christianity
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

December ~ A. W. Tozer and Henri Nouwen
Nouwen, The Way of the Heart
Tozer, The Pursuit of God


Most of you who use AO or Charlotte Mason, will recognize quite a few of these names and titles. I found it rather interesting that he choose the same wonderful literature that would be considered a living, CM-Style book. Pick one or two for yourself and begin reading today. Enjoy!

Cultivating Mother's Heart Pt 4


I received a copy of "The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe" today from the library. So, I'll get started tonight, since there is only two days left in November. Two days, where did the time go. I am enjoying reading the "The Soul of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," it is very fascinating and insightful. I must take the time to write about this book in more detail real soon. Right now, I am just enjoying the book.

This reading several books at once is really stretching me in more ways than I thought possible. Now I see why my dc are telling me they feel like their brains are moving and their thoughts are increasing. They read several books also. We are using the
Ambleside Online curriculum for our homeschool, which is a wonderful resource and compliment to our life. I am looking forward to using some of the curriculum for myself next year in preparation of completing my college degree.

I am finding that by reading several books at once, my mind is allowed to process more information, to ask questions about what I'm reading and to weigh things in a different light. I am thoroughly enjoying this wonderful journey I have embarked upon.

My other books are coming along nicely, I am almost done w/"Celebrations of Discipline," and don't want to be done w/"From the Library of C. S. Lewis." I believe I will have to add this to my collection along with the "C. S. Lewis Chronicles."

I hope you have decided to join me and are at least reading one book to challenge and increase your mental powers. Drop me a comment and let me know what your reading and how your doing. Talk w/you soon.

~ Have a great week ~

Friday, November 25, 2005

Life of Thankfulness


The National Day of Observance is over, but are you still living a Life of Thankfulness.

I have been reading alot of blogs of late, btw something I am really enjoying, and I noticed that everyone had a common theme of what they are thankful for. I also noticed at JenIG's that she was disappointment w/the fact that we only seem to show forth this during the time the whole world is doing so, you can read more here. I, too, think we need to make a change here. We need to live a Life of Thankfulness which is an everyday occurrence.

I believe this scripture really helps us to solidify this in our everyday life:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4~6 NKJV

I also found a wonderful post on the meaning of Thanksgiving at my friend, Javamom's blog, you can read it here.

Let us all endeavor to walk a Life of Thankfulness and instill in our dc the honor and privilege of doing so daily.

~ Be Blessed ~

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Happy Thanksgiving!


May the Lord continually bless you and yours
as you daily give Him thanks and praise
for all He does and has done.

From my house to yours
~ Happy Thanksgiving ~

Monday, November 21, 2005

Cultivating Mother's Heart Pt 3


I've been working through my reading list, well at least for the books I have. I haven't been able to find my copy of The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe and the library's copies are all out, especially in light of the upcoming movie debut. Well, I hope to read it soon. I have also picked up a new book called "Soul of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe," by Veith. So far the intro has been very captivating, I'll share more later in the week.

Here is something to think about I found as I was reading. I hope you ponder its meaning and enjoy it as much as I have.

Love is one, and love is changeless.
For love loves unto purity. Love has ever in view the absolute loveliness of that which it beholds. Where loveliness is incomplete, and cannot love its fill of loving, it spends itself to make more lovely, that it may love more; it strives for perfection, even that itself may be perfected--not in itself, but in the object. As it was love that first created humanity, so even human love, in proportion to its divinity, will go on creating the beautiful for its own outpouring. There is nothing eternal but that which loves and can be loved, and love is ever climbing towards the consummation when such shall be the universe, imperishable, divine.
Therefore all that is not beautiful in the beloved, all that comes between and is not of love's kind, must be destroyed.
And our God is a consuming fire.
Excerpt from Unspoken Sermons by George McDonald (1824-1905) - Scottish Congregationalist pastor, novelist, myth maker, and poet. MacDonald had a profound influence on C. S. Lewis. Lewis said that MacDonald's Phantastes "baptized my imagination."

From the Library of C. S. Lewis by James Stuart Bell (pg 8)

Have an awesome week of Thanksgiving, praise and being!
~ Be Blessed ~

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

I'm Chamomile


I found this one at my friend JavaMom's blog.
Yes, I am growing in wisdom and grace. ; )


YOU ARE CHAMOMILE


What herb are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Who Knew?!


fanny
you are Fanny Price, Passionate in your beliefs,
Defiant in the ways of the world and creative
in your own right...


Which Jane Austen Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Who Am I?



Take the quiz: "LOTR Personality Match W/Excellent Pics"

Arwen
She is said to be the most beautiful of all living beings. Her heart being just as beautiful. You also have a good heart and you walk with a light about your face.

Now, this was a pleasant surprise.

What's Your Season


The verdict is in and the juror has rested. My season is Fall! I knew it all along and now you get to see it in black & white. Why don't you give it a try.

Take the quiz: "Whats your season?"


Fall
you tend to do school more than hang out

I found this and other quizzes while visiting Tootle's Time blog. Enjoy!

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Cultivating Mother's Heart Pt 2




Today, I spent time reading. I also listened to one of my books on tape, "Celebration of Discipline." This is going to be a slow read, yes I know I said I was listening, but the author is reading and he does it a little faster than I anticipated. Therefore, I've decided to take my time to chew on what he is saying. I only managed to listen to side A of Tape 1 and pressed rewind. I will begin again and work on my habit of attention this time, maybe I'll create a schedule of short readings for myself as well. Umm, I believe this is the beginnings of a CM education for Mom after all.

Later, I took time to organize some of my CM notes and found this wonderful reminder for me of why I am doing this. In a Parents Review Article titled "The Mother's Educational Course," the author Mrs. Anson ends her talk with these words:


"For to be honestly pursuing a course of study, however simply, makes a mother feel that she is trying in some measure to live worthily of her calling. She will feel that she is doing her best to prepare herself for the bringing up and training of useful men and women, thoroughly developed in body, mind, and spirit, who may by God's blessing leave the world a little better than they found it."

You can read the entire article here

So, if you doubt the importance of Mother cultivating her heart and mind, be at rest knowing that it really is worth the effort. So begin your course of study today.

Enjoy!

Song of the Hour



You Do All Things Well
by Chris Tomlin

Mountain maker
Ocean tamer
Glimpses of You
Burn in my eyes
The worship of heaven
Fills up the skies

(chorus)
You made it all
Said, "let there be"
And there was
All that we see
The sound of Your voice
The works of Your hands
You do all things well
You do all things well
You do all things well

Star creator
Wind breather
The stokes of Your beauty
Brushed through the clouds
Light from the heavens
Touching the ground
(repeat chorus)

Imagination runs wild
And breathes the breath of life
Across the fields
Across the miles

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Cultivating Mother's Heart


I've been pondering of late the profitability of Mother increasing her own knowledge as she guides and directs her childrens' education. It is a valuable thought, I must say, being that as Mother grows and learns, she is more capable of being a resource and guide to her children as they learn. She too, then, becomes the student and not merely the teacher. This thought intrigues me more and more as I venture to homeschool my children and create an atmosphere of learning. I realize that Charlotte Mason was correct when she said that "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life." I am now beginning to fully understand what she meant and I realize that if I do not remain teachable, then I will be ineffective as I teach my children. I am a firm believer that you should have a lifestyle of learning. I'll tell you part of my story.

When I was 20, I was preparing to go to the community college, my maternal grandmother asked "Why did I feel I need to go to school?, Wasn't graduating from high school enough?" I thought it strange that she would ask such questions, but I now realize that it wasn't a common thing in my family for one to want to go to school, let alone to college. You only went because you had to. At this time, the only relatives that had graduated from high school where my aunt, who also obtained her RN license, and my cousin who decided not to pursue her college dreams. Most of my family members, on my mother's side, didn't have a high school diploma. Most had either never been to school or had dropped out. When I graduated in 1985, it was a big deal, because I was the first to receive my diploma since my aunt. That always used to puzzle me, why was my graduating so important and now, some odd years later, I believe I finally understand. It was a milestone for my family, that someone had actually accomplished something great.

Back to my response to her question. Back then I believe I had an inkling of understanding of what CM was trying to tell us. I truly had a desire to know more, and I told her that, "You never stop learning. That everyday was an opportunity to learn something new and you must remain open to do so." Today, in retrospect, I wonder how I knew that then and why did I allow life to derail me from continuing to pursue it. I realize that if you truly want to learn and know, nothing will keep you from doing so.

So, as I endeavor to daily educate my children, I will also take the opportunity to learn something new and cultivate my heart and mind too. I will develop an atmosphere, a discipline and a life for myself on this wonderful journey. Never know, one day I will graduate from college too.

In pursuit of this lifestyle for myself, I have taken up a challenge from Karen Andreola's book, "A Charlotte Mason Companion" to keep three books going. Karen says, "Keeping three books going is the habit of grown-ups reading living books and retaining the power to digest them. Mother would not only read her Bible, but a stiff book, a moderately easy book, and a novel. By taking up the one she feels fit for, she lives the secret: always have something "going" to grow by," (Chp 46, pg. 346).

I will be using Terry W. Glaspey's One Year Plan for Exploring the classics in his book, Book Lover's Guide to Great Reading. Using Glaspey's plan, the month of November is a study of C.S. Lewis. This is great for me, since the children and I are reading one of the books on the reading list for worldview studies, "Mere Christianity."

Here is my reading list in the order of keeping three books going:
Moderately Easy book: Mere Christianity

I must confess, I have never read any of Lewis' books, though I own several of them including the entire Chronicles of Narnia series. The rest of my family has read and loved his writings for years. I guess its time for me to enjoy the wonders of Lewis. I plan to journal my thoughts as I read and I will share them with you weekly. I will also be reading Richard Foster's, "Celebration of Discipline," a book recommended by Glaspey to provide a general orientation to the classics. I will also use a read your Bible in a year guide. Maybe I'll finish it this time around.

If you decided to take up the challenge, or already are doing so, please share your reading list too. One day I hope to be able to have a CM education myself.

~Be blessed~

Monday, November 07, 2005

Thought of the Day #3



Make yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts, bright fancies, faithful sayings; treasure-houses of precious and restful thoughts, which care cannot disturb nor poverty take away from you, houses built without hands fo your souls to live in.
- John Ruskin


"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Is. 55:8, 9 kjv

I find this scripture a pleasant and restful thought, because my Lord allows me to see that His thoughts and ways are much higher than mine, yet they are attainable. His Word is full of these pleasant, faithfilled, restful thoughts and He gave it to you and me so that we may think like Him. I desire to think His thoughts for my life, how about you? Will you allow His thoughts to become your thoughts, they are so much higher than our own. Can you image them ~ truly they are more than we could ever ask or think.?
~ Have a Blessed Week ~

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Fall/Autumn - Most Wonderful Time of the Year



This is my favorite time of the year. I truly love the changes, the colors and the beauty of everything around me exclaiming the goodness of my God. The trees, the mountains, the air ~ so crisp and clean, all declare God's splendor. It is awesome. This season is also home to the best month of the year - November. Its the birthday month! That's right - I have a birthday this month and I am looking forward to celebrating another glorious year in the Lord.

It truly is a time for thanksgiving and giving God the glory for all He has done for us. I encourage you to rise up and proclaim that He is the Lord. To join with the angels and all of creation and say,
"He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings."
May you have continual joy in knowing Him.
~ Much blessings ~

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

CD Picks of the Week!


Take time to listen - I know you will enjoy one of them.
Be blessed ~




Concerts, Concerts, Everywhere!


We have had an awesome time this past week. I have truly enjoyed myself so much. We attend 3 concerts and got to volunteer for one of the bands at one of them. You can read a full account at my other blog, a recent post of the same title here.

Now about the music - this is the best part. I purchased 3 cds from the first concert, David Crowder Bands, Shane & Shane's and Robbie Seay Band. I have been listening to DCB's and it is incredible. Its like being at the concert all over again. You really should check these out. Todd Agnew's new one is great too - haven't bought this one yet but will ask for it for either my b-day or christmas present. All the bands that I went to see were awesome. They ministered and worshipped, which was just a wonderful time in the Lord. I look forward to attending more in the future, but first a little rest.

Enjoy!

Hola!


Hola!
We've been really busy these past couple of weeks and I just noticed that I have failed to keep my blogs current. Oops!

I will update my blogs this evening, giving full details on the concerts, the bands, the ministries and all the wonderful things we have experienced.

Until then, have a great day.

Dawn ; )

11 days til b-day!!

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