This is me joining The Poetry Pub‘s Poem A Day (#popubpad) / November Poem A Day (#novpod) with the Day 9 prompt solstice. The winter solstice of course takes place on December 21, which is the day the church traditionally sings O Oriens.
O Oriens, we speak of Dayspring
as darkness folds us in blankets,
because we choose to recall
lucis aeternae
returns with the son of justice,
this year as the earth groans
awaiting the Light of the World.
This is me joining The Poetry Pub‘s Poem A Day (#popubpad) / November Poem A Day (#novpod) with the Day 8 prompt equinox.
When we aligned architecture to the sun
We knew more about the magic of creation.
Now we twist time to save it and it’s lost,
Just another implement to discard.
Can’t go back to the way things used to be
But
what
if
Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,
That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.
Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon Thee?
Alas my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.
’Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied Thee.
I crucified Thee.
For me, kind Jesus, was Thy incarnation,
Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life’s oblation;
Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion,
For my salvation.
Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;
For our atonement, while he nothing heedeth,
God intercedeth.
Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee,
I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee.
Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving,
Not my deserving.
“God has no problems,” Corrie ten Boom said, “only plans.”
When ours are interrupted, His are not. His plans are proceeding exactly as scheduled, moving us always (including those minutes or hours or years which seem most useless or wasted or unendurable) “toward the goal of true maturity” (Rom 12:2 JBP).
Believe God. Turn the interruptions over to Him. He is at the controls.
-Elisabeth Elliot
~ ~ ~
I remind you, in case you are unfamiliar with these remarkable women, that Corrie ten Boom survived a German concentration camp during the second World War (punishment for hiding Jews). She wrote an absolutely remarkable, life-changing book about it (The Hiding Place) which you must read. Elisabeth Elliot, formerly a missionary to a primitive tribe, lost her first husband to native warriors and her second to cancer. She’s written a large number of books which have made a huge impact on my life. (The story of her first husband is told in Through Gates of Splendor, which you also must read!)
{Amazon Affiliate links}
I read a lot of classic literature. It’s passed the test of time, which means the possibility is very low that I’ll get halfway through the book and wish I hadn’t started it. It’s also because it’s what I’m used to reading. In high school I read through 100 of colleges’ most-often-recommended books. That’s how I first discovered some of my favorite (and least favorite) authors. This trend continued when I majored in Creative Writing in college. I took all the classic literature courses I could get my hands on!
I’m going to start posting once a week on essential books you should read, trying to keep context in mind so you’ll know ahead of time whether you’ll like it!
We’ll start with some obvious ones:
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Timeless and delightful, the Holmes books are excellent beach and commuter reads. They’re somewhat more intellectual than your standard mystery/detective lit of today but very accessible. If your only exposure to Holmes is the recent dreadful movie, pick one up immediately.
Alternative: The Hound of the Baskervilles
If you like this, you might also like the first-ever mystery novel writer Wilkie Collins’ The Woman in White or The Moonstone; or the more modern Hercule Poirot Novels by Agatha Christie.
Pride and Prejudice
If you’re female and haven’t read this book, it’s time to hand in your woman card. (And no, marvelous adaption as it is, seeing the 6-hour BBC miniseries doesn’t count.) If you’re a man and haven’t read this book, you probably should just to get a handle on what exactly Mr. Darcy means to every woman of your acquaintance.
Alternatives: Persuasion is very good with a somewhat more mature (that doesn’t in any way mean inappropriate) storyline. Northanger Abbey can be better for younger readers; there’s more action.
If you like Austen, you might also like Elizabeth Gaskell’s books– Wives and Daughters, North and South, or Cranford; or George Eliot’s Middlemarch.
A Tale of Two Cities
Probably the most accessible Dickens novel outside of A Christmas Carol, you just shouldn’t go through life without this classic French revolutionary tale with the best opening paragraph ever. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
(I’m scheduled to lead discussion on this one for the LOST book club… in May I believe, although the schedule may have changed.)
If you like this, you might also like The Scarlet Pimpernel or Les Miserables.
(All are Amazon Affiliate links.)
Chicken with balsamic vinaigrette and Parmesan mashed potatoes
Roasted pork loin with apple cider sauce, thyme roasted potatoes, baked apples and roasted asparagus
Venison chili (forgot to take pictures in the bowl!)
Believing God: Twelve Biblical Promises Christians Struggle to Accept
A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael
Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ’s Control
The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business
Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict
(All Amazon Affiliate links.)
I generally review everything over on GoodReads if you’re interested.
