The SG Notebook

Well, when you come to March, you start thinking about warmer weather. Soon we’ll see the kids playing outside. At least I hope we do. There was some kind of statistic in the news recently which was a pretty disturbing one. Apparently children are spending far more time in front of their computers and TV sets than you can imagine. And, of course, exercise seems to be often in the form of Wii and video games rather than getting fresh air outside playing the games that maybe you and I played back in the “good old days.” If you would like some help with that, we have an article from last summer’s newsletter which may be informative. We really would like to encourage you to encourage your children to “go outside,” as I recently heard said on the radio.

If you are rusty on the rules for some of the old games or would like suggestions on different ways to play, there are a few links with the article.

Obviously, I am a proponent of many things old fashioned and this is one area where I have to admit I fall in that category. I think our children are hooked on far too much technology. Much is good about it, so don’t get me wrong. But I certainly would like to see more moderation in that area.

Just my two cents worth.

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

A favorite here at Speakable Gifts is the one by Elizabeth Prentiss which is not as well known as her Stepping Heavenward: We’ve been carrying Aunt Jane’s Hero for years and it is so beloved that I’ve written a companion to it for young people. It is something of a dream that in this companion, there would be the opportunity for this housewife, with no great credentials or degrees, could function in a capacity that somewhat nears that of Aunt Jane, one of the principals in the book. There have been various delays with the companion, but we’ve not given up hope to have Speakable Press publish it. It’s still currently being revised and edited, but the Prentiss book itself is still available in our products section. I guarantee that any young single woman, or newly married one, will love it. Even some young men would. I’ve done some devotionals at my devotional blog on this book, with titles and thoughts from the companion. Thought I’d copy and paste the one on Chapter One here:

Jesus calls us: o’er the tumult
Of our life’s wild, restless sea,
Day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, “Christian, follow me.”

Jesus does call us, you know, and He does call us day by day. “Follow Me,” He says. “Don’t listen to the sounds of this corrupt world trying to suck you in. Listen to Me, Christian–only Me.”

In the first chapter of Aunt Jane’s Hero, Jesus was making this plea to a young man named Horace. But attention was not given; the Voice was not heard. The Voice wasn’t an audible one in the midst of some dream or vision or similar phenomenon. It came via someone who loved Horace, an older saint whom he called “Aunt Jane.” Mrs. Prentiss opened this story with a conversation and through this conversation, we are introduced to these two principals.

We learn from their discourse–we are given more than a glimpse into the character and disposition of each of the participants. We become aware of Horace’s neediness while listening to his declaration of having fallen in love with a certain young lady; we discover as well the extreme concern this brought to his godly friend. Eventually, we realize that there are clues given as to why this particular woman had an almost filial attachment to this young man who was not related to her by blood. It is a perfect introduction to what follows.

But what stands out most for me as we gather evidence regarding the state of affairs of Horace’s life at that time, is the godly counsel he received during that conversation. From the time I first read this opening chapter, I’ve wanted to be like Aunt Jane. If someone I love comes to me in the same state as Horace did, I hope I would give to them what she gave to him that evening. His response was realistic. What we have to say won’t always be received well. But my hope for myself, and for you, is that we’ll give them what is true and loving: righteous guidance, whatever the response. And then add prayer when they’ve gone.

“It must be comfortable to have such faith in one’s own prayers,” he said, thoughtlessly.

So it may be that the conversation ends like this one. But you and I know the power of prayer, don’t we?

I doubt that this is the last time you’ll hear me speak about this wonderful book.

Talk to you soon,

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

If you don’t have Legos in your house, why not? I’d venture a guess that most homes have them, but just in case you don’t, please do get some and start your collection. No home should be without them, especially if you’re homeschooling. I have this great site that’s sure to be a help, thought I’d pass it along. Hop on over and take a look, why don’t you? You’re going to want to bookmark this place: Little Brick Schoolhouse

Enjoy your weekend and a couple of days off from school.

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Matthew 25:34-40

There are so many ways that this passage of Scripture can be applied and put into practice. Have you ever been to our page “The Child in Need?” There are some suggestions there, but no doubt your family could think of ways to apply this passage. If each of us seeks the Lord in earnest, He’ll show us a way. Back in October, I wrote about a family on my personal blog who found a way via adoption. If you read this entry, I’m sure your heart will be touched.

Who knows how our great God might use the people of your house.

For His Glory,

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

Today is the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln was the sixteenth President of the United States. In my estimation and that of many others, he was a great American. I didn’t say he was a perfect person, nor did I say that everything he did was right. But he was an upright and honorable man who loved his country and did all that he could to preserve her and keep her unified. I don’t know for sure what his personal opinion of slavery was; all I know is he did the right thing while holding the office of the Presidency. He held that office in high esteem, held God in high esteem, and held the people whom he served (we the people) in high esteem. It is my prayer that the day will come that God in His mercy will send us more men like Abraham Lincoln.

Did you know that this tall, stately man had a terrific sense of humor? Once I was looking for joke books for children for my business newsletter, and ran into a delightful one entitled The Abraham Lincoln Joke Book by W.L. Cummings, which contained a bunch of interesting stories about him and by him. He was really funny!! You might want to get this book for your children; it’s in the juvenile section of our library.

I’d like to post here a few of the quotes by this great man (from several sources); I could include so many more if it wouldn’t make this too long. There are some of you who will especially notice several of the ones I’ve included; you’ll know which I mean. Heavy duty.

“Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.”

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” [Remember this one, moms.]

“If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem. You may fool all of the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all the time; but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.”

“In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be wrong.”

” Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.”

” I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”

“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

“Republicans are for both the man and the dollar, but in case of conflict the man before the dollar.”

“We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.”

“Don’t interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.”

This one is a favorite of mine, especially in the time we find ourselves now. I’ve posted it before and hope you don’t mind if I post it again:

“Property is the fruit of labor…property is desirable…is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built.”

In the past, we’ve used one of these quotes as one of our Speakables. Hopefully, in the future, we’ll use more. Mr. Lincoln was always a favorite American for me. I consider it a blessing that our children can learn about him in their history books. I hope that he has been or will be a part of your learning in your school, whether it be at home or elsewhere. In my estimation he was not only an American hero, but a Christian hero as well.

Talk to you soon,

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

I’ve just joined up with a group of other ladies on a blog which just may be of help to you. Lots of tips and hints for your household. Come on over and see. I have a sneaky feeling that you’ll like it:

Hands and Hearts_for Him

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

February. Our hearts turn to thoughts of love. This is a wonderful time to teach our children about the love of God in Christ Jesus. They cannot learn this too often now can they? I hope Speakable Gifts is and will in the future be a resource for you to this end. Maybe your kids will learn more of the love of God in one of the Bright Gems devotionals; perhaps a Speakable activity will help. Please let us know if there is any way that we can serve you better. We want to help you in your home and be a resource for that which is good. We’re trying to provide products to that end, but we don’t want to stop there. We want to be a friend to families in many ways.

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna