I Saw Courageous!

Hi everyone! My family and I just went to see Sherwood Pictures new film Courageous at the cinema last night. I was so looking forward to this film and have been following their filming and post-production news closely. I was already expecting great things from this film but it never fails to surprise me how many great stories and spiritual truths they are able to pack into one movie! I've never laughed so hard or cried so much in a movie theater before! And the acting and production quality on this film are stellar, continually better than their previous films! There were a lot of action scenes too, which were amazing, especially on the big screen!

I know this isn't a period drama piece but the truth in it is so great. It's definitely a family film, there's something for all ages! I urge each of my readers to go out and see Courageous, take your fathers and your families with you! This is a must see film! 

If you've seen Courageous already what did you think of it? 

Who did you go with to see this film?

"Love you, bye." - Best line in the whole film, but you're going to have to see it to get it! :D

Very Truly Your's,

Edit to Add: If you haven't seen the trailer yet take a look!

Decadence Of The Curtsey

I often wish to be transported back in time to the age when manners were different, and courtesy was valued. Where a handsome bow or graceful curtsy was the familiar greeting and handshakes meant true friendship or a binding oath.
Wouldn't it be lovely if we could reinstate the curtsy as an acceptable greeting? Imagine going to a dinner party or church gathering and sweetly bobbing to friends and acquaintances!

courtesy - early 13c., from O.Fr. curtesie, from curteis "courteous," from curt "court". A specialized sense of curtesie is the source of English curtsy.

curtsy - 1570s, "bending the knee and lowering the body as a gesture of respect," a 16c. variant of courtesy. Not originally exclusively feminine.
- Online Etymology Dictionary

Below is an excerpt from Manners for Women by Mrs. Humphry which was first published in 1897. As you can see even at the end of the Victorian era the curtsy was in danger of becoming extinct.

"Girls are never taught to curtsey now, as they used to be. A real, old-fashioned "courtsey", as it used to be spelled, is quite an elaborate performance."

"First, you draw back the right foot, getting it straight behind the other, and down you go, as far as the suppleness of your limbs will permit, coming up to the "recover" with all the weight on the right foot, and the left pointed out most daintily. "

"A curtsey is about the only thing in the world that is helped out by the high-heeled shoe."

"The only trace of this old-fashioned and very graceful bit of deportment is the very deep reverence made by the ladies of Her Majesty's Drawing-Rooms. Some of them preform it with practiced aplomb. Others never achieve it."

-above from Decadence Of The Curtsey, from Manners for Women by Mrs. Humphry

"Her eye half met Captain Wentworth's, a bow, a curtsey passed; she heard his voice; he talked to Mary, said all that was right; said something to the Miss Musgroves, enough to mark an easy footing; the room seemed full, full of persons and voices, but a few minutes ended it." - Jane Austen's Persuasion, Chapter 7

"Elizabeth merely curtseyed to him, without saying a word". - Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, Chapter 30

"She curtsied her acquiescence." - Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, Chapter 22

"Wherever they went, some pattened girl stopped to curtsy, or some footman in dishabille sneaked off." - Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, Chapter 23

If it weren't for the fact that I often wear slacks this time of year and that people might look at me strangely, I would so enjoy trying a curtsy every now and then. Curtsies are just part of the joy of old-fashioned things!
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to practice my curtsy! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms." - Psalm 95:2

As we head into Thanksgiving I reflect on the many things that I am thankful for. This year in particular I am thankful for my family, my comfortable home, plenty of delicious food on the table, access to spiritual guidance and most particularly my salvation and continued growth in the Lord Jesus Christ.




"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." - Psalm 100:4

In past years my family and I have spent Thanksgiving Day with family but since the passing of dad's mother and then mom's mother this year it has been more difficult. The day is quite dreaded most years by both of my parents, we are thankful but any holiday is difficult without family near. Last year we spent the day with some dear friends and I had to work in the late afternoon. I am thankful that this year I do not have to work and to make it an extra special day for us we are going on a little family trip from Maine to Massachusetts.




In past years we've been to Colonial Williamsburg but this year my family and I are headed to Old Sturbridge Village, a historic village filled with buildings from the 1700's and early 1800's. Each house, shop, store, and meetinghouse stocked with period furniture and folks re-enacting life in the 19th-century. There will be many things to see and do while we're there and I can't wait! Among the things we'll enjoy is Thanksgiving dinner at the Oliver Wight Tavern, A New England Wedding, Shooting Match and a Stagecoach Ride. Depend upon it there will be many pictures taken and lots of fun had!



So what are your Thanksgiving traditions? How are you planning on spending Thanksgiving this year? What are you most thankful for?

I also hope to soon watch and review Louisa May Alcott's An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving which should be just the ticket for getting me into the spirit of the holiday.




I want to leave you with lyrics from a song that is not really old-fashioned but which I think suit the occasion. Click here if you'd like to hear the song sung by the rich voice of Josh Groban, one of my favorite singers. I pray you have a very blessed Thanksgiving Day with your loved ones and keep praising the Lord for all He's done!

Somedays we forget
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

-lyrics from Thankful as sung by Josh Groban on his album Noel


Mood:

Thankful

Trusting God

Just a quick post because I'm a little down right now and I need something to raise my spirits and to share some things I'm learning.

I came upon an interesting situation, in fact it was a rather odd opportunity but I really didn't see that it could lead anywhere. But the Lord kept bringing to mind the idea of just saying "yes" to Him. Just being willing to give it a try and follow Him in this.
So I said yes and gave it a try, stepping out by faith. The reply came back a little discouraging to my heart. But the Lord seems to answer "keep trusting me?"

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. 2 Samuel 22:31

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalm 5:11

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:10

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8

So...

I just keep trusting my Lord as I walk along
I just keep trusting my Lord and He gave a song
Tho the storm clouds darken the sky o’er heavenly trail
I just keep trusting my Lord He will never fail

He’s a faithful Friend Such a faithful Friend
I can count on Him to the very end
Tho the storm clouds darken the sky o’er heav’nly trail
I just keep trusting my Lord He will never fail.

-'I Just Keep Trusting The Lord'
Words and Music by John W. Peterson

The painting is 'Awaiting Her Love' by Morgan Weistling who has lovely old-fashioned style paintings.

It's been a bit of an emotional day as my friend/co-worker is moving away and I'll really miss her Christian fellowship as we care for others. I'm also in dire need of a day off, thankfully Friday is that day off and just in time to rest up for the weekend! I pray that your week has been a good one now that it's coming to a close. May the Lord richly bless you.

Mood:

Disappointed

Sunday Ponderings

Spent a lazy afternoon with my family with time to rest and reflect on the Lord and His blessings. Hope you all had a good Lord's day too!

This Sunday morning my pastor started a series in Sunday School on the book of Psalms and he was explaining some of the Hebrew words in the titles. One word in the title for Psalm 46 caught my attention and I decided to take a closer look.

Psalm 46

"To the chief Musician of the sons of Korah.
A song upon Alamoth"

So 'Alamoth' means that the Psalm is to be sung in a higher range by sopranos particularly by unmarried young ladies - virgins. That's what caught my attention and I wondered what the Lord through David had to say to virgins - what would He have me sing?

There are three Selahs, or points to rest and reflect on what has been sung before, so I'll break up the 'thoughts' into three sections.

1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

²Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

³Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Because God is my refuge and strength and my help I will not fear. Even though the earth be destroyed and all nature rile against me. Though the earth be in torment still I will trust in my Father.

⁴There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

⁵God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

⁶The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

⁷The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

I wasn't quite sure at first where this idea was going but I saw this picture: I am the river flowing pure and clean that makes Heaven ("the city of God") and my Father glad, pleased, proud.
When God is with me I shall not be moved, God will help me, come to my aid "right early", "when the morning appeareth". The heathen and kingdoms of this world are continually moving and changing - never constant. God is forever, He speaks and the earth answers Him and does what He commands. "The Lord of hosts is with us"; the same God who watched over and directed Jacob is my refuge. The faithful God is my help.

⁸Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

⁹He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

¹⁰Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

¹¹The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

"Come, behold the works of the Lord". what things He has brought to naught in the earth. He makes wars to cease, He breaks the weapons or the warrior and the enemy. Then one of my favorite verses: "Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." And again this comfort: the same God of Jacob and other heroes of the faith is my God and my refuge.

A good reminder to trust God with my everything, live my life pleasing to Him and listen to His voice speaking to me in the busyness of this world. When I am weak He is strong. He is my refuge and my strength when I feel discouraged and unable to bear what comes my way.

Thank you Lord for your many blessings and especially for your love. In you I find all my needs are met, my longings are fulfilled. Help me to live as a daughter who you can be proud of today and every day.

Selah - meditate on this. May the Lord bless you as you start your week.

Mood:

Optimistic

A Virtuous Young Woman

I've lived in a rather secluded and protected world being home schooled and my best friends were always from church or our home school group. Now that I'm grown and working "in the world" things I've only known about are happening to girls my age who I know and see on a daily basis. Why only this past week one girl learned she's pregnant out of wedlock, another girl caught her boyfriend cheating on her, and another has serious drinking problems. I confess that I do not know what to say to them because they don't know my Lord or have my standards. I am in plain fact a virgin who is guarding her heart and mind, I've never dated and I've never touched addictive substances in my life. The truth is I am proud and grateful for these virtues and the life I've lived but in some ways I don't know how to relate to the rest of the world, I can't just preach at them about what they should and shouldn't do in their hour of need. Compassion, understanding and patience is rather to be desired.

The scribblings below are some things I was thinking about and hope I'm not being too indelicate by mentioning them here.

"I'm not sure if I've told anyone how highly I value purity. I see purity as definitely being separate from virginity though the two should go hand in hand. Virginity is the fragile and simple up keeping of abstinence from the physical act of intimacy. Purity is much more delicate and easily broken and is really a standard of living.
I believe that a pure young woman does not loose her purity when she marries - instead her purity is guarded and protected by her husband. Neither does a young woman loose her virginity when she marries - instead she gives it to her husband just as she has given her heart.
Purity works far deeper than the physical though it does encompass that too, it mostly refers to the heart and mind. In Christ our hearts are bathed in His righteousness and purity and we seek His pure and perfect will for us. Philippians 4:18 tells us to think on 'whatsoever things are pure'.... The mind is the most amazing part of the body and the biggest battlefield for the Christian. This is the area I struggle in the most - the place I most often fail.
But there is hope. According to Hebrews 4:15 Jesus struggled with this same thing and area of purity. But I take comfort in the statement "yet without sin" - Jesus overcame so why can't I? The excuse that he was fully God as well as being fully man doesn't hold that much weight because with my new nature of the Holy Spirit living inside us we have the power to move mountains if it is the Lord's will - and it is always His will that we overcome sin. In Christ I have the largest possible hope of succeeding if I will but try. I praise the Lord for His love and power. Purity is a high standard but the Lord is on our side - our help and our guide!"

Sweet stream that winds through yonder glade,
Apt emblem of a virtuous maid -
Silent and chaste she steals along,
Far from the world's gay busy throng;
With gentle, yet prevailing force
Intent upon her destined course;
Graceful and useful all she does,
Blessing and bless'd where'ere she goes,
Pure-bosom'd as that wat'ry glass,
And Heav'n reflected in her face.
~William Cowper

A beautiful young woman is not always pretty on the outside. True beauty shines from the inside out in the sweetness of her spirit. Her kindness, humbleness, and caring touch the lives around her and you can find evidence of her modesty and purity in every aspect of her life.

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. - I Peter 3:3-4

Mood:

Working

Purity

"The real ornament of woman is her character, her purity." - Mohandas Gandhi

Purity of body, mind, soul and heart is what I truly prize in a woman (and also in man) with a certain innocence. This virtue was honored long ago and expected to be retained by young women. A woman without her purity was like a king without a crown.

Henry Crawford, like many men of his time, prized purity in women though he chose not to retain that virtue in himself:

"...a very few months had taught him, by the force of contrast, to place a yet higher value on the sweetness of her temper, the purity of her mind, and the excellence of her principles." - Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, Henry Crawford's thoughts of Fanny

Most importantly the Lord values purity and righteousness of the heart and character:

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. - I Peter 3:3-4

When I wan thirteen years old I made the commitment to purity of body and since that time have also made the commitment to purity of heart and mind. Some days are more difficult than others especially in the aspect of the mind. But the Lord gives the victory if I just trust and wait on Him.

Painting entitled 'Pure' by Daniel F. Gerhartz who has some lovely works.
It seems like a very long while since I last posted, but what with work and snowstorms and one thing and another... May your day be blessed by the Lord and filled with a song of praise to Him.


Mood:

Melancholy