The SG Notebook

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” ~ Forest E. Witcraft

I stumbled upon this quote today, knowing little of this man other than that he was a scholar, teacher, and scout leader. But what wisdom are in these words. They are particularly relevant to parents and teachers, but they should be remembered by all of us. Even after we’ve raised our own children and retired from our occupations, we can still make a difference in the life of a child. From our homes, if we can scrape up a few dollars a month to sponsor one in another country, or even talk a bit to the neighborhood children, who knows what good we can do for the future of not just our own country, but the world? After all, that future is in the hands of today’s children.

And you know that the most good you can do is to help point them to Jesus, who is the only Hope for the future everywhere. We can point our children and grandchildren to Him; we can point our students to Him; we can speak of Him to the children out on the streets after we befriend them; and we can support Christian organizations that are serving Him by ministering to the needy little ones.

I need to be more diligent in being “important in the life of a child” in the ways that matter most. Do you?

Lovingly,

Maxine

Love and marriage, love and marriage
Go together like a horse and carriage
This I tell you brother
You can’t have one without the other

Love and marriage, love and marriage
It’s an institute you can’t disparage
Ask the local gentry
And they will say it’s elementary

Try, try, try to separate them
It’s an illusion
Try, try, try, and you will only come
To this conclusion

Love and marriage, love and marriage
Go together like the horse and carriage
Dad was told by mother
You can’t have one, you can’t have none, you can’t have one without the other!

This is one secular song that I have to say I do like the words. This was a popular song at one time; its catchy little tune was heard in many stores and restaurants and, of course, on the radio. But are its lyrics, which were probably memorized by many folks, still believed in the day and society in which we live? And how are they believed? What truths are applied to them today?

Well, I would purport here that these words are certainly believed by God. Love and marriage definitely go together. And in speaking of the kind of love that is resident in a marriage, you can’t have one without the other. Now notice that I did not say which of these necessarily comes first, but that they go together. There is an important concept which I have believed for a while now, and here quote from my Companion to Aunt Jane’s Hero (still yet to be published): “Let us see if they learn in the pages to come what many of us have had to learn: that it is not their love which must keep their marriage dwelling intact, but it is the marriage itself, and their commitment to it, that must sustain their love.” Hopefully, you understand what’s at the root of that statement. I think you probably believe it too, because the statement that immediately follows is that “we all know Who must sustain the marriage.”

That is the nature and heart of the Christian marriage; it’s sustained by God. And when both husband and wife love God and Christ is the focus, that which naturally follows is love for one another. It’s a beautiful thing; actually you’ll have to look hard and far to find anything in this earthly journey that so closely resembles the relationship of Christ and His church. Actually, marriage is the ONLY relationship that does. So, if it is truly sustained by God, then love will be there, because it flows from Christ.

Everyone loves a wedding. Well, almost everyone does. That’s because it’s known to be one of the happiest events of life. In my opinion, what makes it truly special indeed is the fact that it begins a marriage. And if the two people involved love and belong to the Lord Jesus, it is an event of great magnitude indeed. It deserves celebration. Even our Lord has attended at least one such celebration. But, for years it has been impressed on my heart, and I know others who feel the same, that it’s not the size and fanciness of a wedding that sets it apart, but the strength of the commitment of the couple to be a blessing to their families, and to bring glory to God. We have been to a few like this, and I hope as time goes on, in a world which has less and less regard for matrimony, or else distorts it, we will see more and more couples who hold it in high regard, and who seek to be a blessing as they enter into it.

Here at SG, we are taking some steps in the direction of the Christian bride, with a hope that we can provide some gifts and favors which might help her and her groom to be the blessing I just spoke about. We’re moving along in that direction now and hope to introduce a few items soon to get started. In the meantime, bookmark this page on our site and check back with us soon.

Lovingly,
Maxine

Thank God for Little Children

Thank God for little children,
Bright flowers by earth’s wayside,
The dancing, joyous lifeboats
Upon life’s stormy tide.

Thank God for little children;
When our skies are cold and gray,
They come as sunshine to our hearts,
And charm our cares away.

I almost think the angels,
Who tend life’s garden fair,
Drop down the sweet wild blossoms
That bloom around us here.

It seems a breath of heaven
Round many a cradle lies,
And every little baby
Brings a message from the skies.

Dear mothers, guard these jewels.
As sacred offerings meet,
A wealth of household treasures
To lay at Jesus’ feet.

~ Frances E. W. Harper

Remember to guard these jewels, mothers; they are precious. They are our “household treasures.” My prayer for all mothers who read this is that you will indeed lay them at the feet of Jesus.

The above photo is of the two newest treasures in our family, my two grandchildren. Need I say what my prayer is for them?

Have a blessed and Christ-honoring Mother’s Day, whether you are a mother or have one. If neither applies, may the Lord Jesus draw near to you and be your all in all. After all, that should be the case no matter what the circumstances.

For His Glory,

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. John 19:41

Had you ever thought about that? I hadn’t. Just imagine–the place of the resurrection was in a garden. For me, that’s a beautiful thought. I was reading about this in a devotional book, Meditations on the Gospels, by George H. Morrison (one which I strongly recommend) and the thoughts by Mr. Morrison were wonderful. As he said, you might think that the place of the crucifixion would be a bleak and dreary scene. But no it wasn’t; there was a garden there. Our Jesus was buried in that place, which means that when He came up from the grave, He was in a garden.

Whether you and your family celebrate Easter as a holiday or not, may this warm your heart the same way it did mine. In the place where he was crucified there was a garden.

Bless you all,

Maxine

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Isn’t that ever an important truth to teach our children? So many things in life, when taken alone, will never give us real insight into what God’s big plan is for us. His ways are right and good, though oftentimes we are unable to see that rightness and goodness at a particular time. Some of those “things” are difficult and painful. Some bring joy and gladness. But if we are to trust this beloved passage of Scripture and embrace it, we have to believe it in the dark times as well as when the sun is shining.

Sometimes children go through darkness; life isn’t always bright and carefree for youngsters. There are times when sickness comes, either in their own bodies, or in that of someone dear to them. I know some young children for whom the latter applies at this very time. Actually, there are often valleys which children have to go through, more than we may think, if it hasn’t touched our own kids’ lives yet.

I have a suggestion: use jigsaw puzzles as a means to teach this truth. How about finding one where the completed picture is one which will be pleasing to them, a picture of something they enjoy or like. Work on the puzzle together, pointing out that some of the pieces have colors which are not very attractive when taken alone. But then you can tell them how those particularly “unattractive” or darkly colored pieces are each a necessary part of the total. In fact, the finished work would be lacking without them.

My oldest granddaughter, who is two, is beginning to love doing jigsaw puzzles and I LOVE doing them with her. She even (with just a little help) did one of the United States, and was she excited about it! I was too, let me tell you. I sure do hope she continues to enjoy doing these puzzles and that her parents will take every opportunity to help this activity teach her Romans 8:28. Hopefully, I can have some input too. Perhaps this will be an incentive for you to make use of this important tool for teaching many spiritual truths.

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

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

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

~ Joyce Kilmer

I posted this on my personal blog, and thought it good to post it here as well. What a lovely poem to teach in your little school or in family devotions. Perhaps you have already. Why not do a little unit study for science, integrating it with English and Bible? Only God can make a tree. He is the Maker of all things. What a necessary truth to teach our children.

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Psalm 104. 1

Bless the LORD, O my soul. This psalm begins and ends like the Hundred and Third, and it could not do better: when the model is perfect it deserves to exist in duplicate. True praise begins at home. It is idle to stir up others to praise if we are ungratefully silent ourselves. We should call upon our inmost hearts to awake and bestir themselves, for we are apt to be sluggish, and if we are so when called upon to bless God, we shall have great cause to be ashamed. When we magnify the Lord, let us do it heartily: our best is far beneath his worthiness, let us not dishonour him by rendering to him half hearted worship. O LORD my God, thou art very great. This ascription has in it a remarkable blending of the boldness of faith, and the awe of holy fear: for the psalmist calls the infinite Jehovah “my God, “and at the same time, prostrate in amazement at the divine greatness, he cries out in utter astonishment, “Thou art very great.” God was great on Sinai, yet the opening words of his law were, “I am the Lord thy God; ” his greatness is no reason why faith should not put in her claim, and call him all her own. The declaration of Jehovah’s greatness here given would have been very much in place at the end of the psalm, for it is a natural inference and deduction from a survey of the universe: its position at the very commencement of the poem is an indication that the whole psalm was well considered and digested in the mind before it was actually put into words; only on this supposition can we account for the emotion preceding the contemplation. Observe also, that the wonder expressed does not refer to the creation and its greatness, but to Jehovah himself. It is not “the universe is very great!” but “THOU art very great.” Many stay at the creature, and so become idolatrous in spirit; to pass onward to the Creator himself is true wisdom. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

In a gem of a book, The One Year Christian History, the entry of the day is about Charles H. Spurgeon, beloved by us all. Do you know the story of his conversion? He was caught in a snowstorm and for shelter ducked into a Methodist chapel. He heard a simple sermon that day, one in which he was exhorted to “look” to Jesus and be saved. He did and he was on the day. The date was January 6, 1850 and his life was forever changed. Wouldn’t you say that we’ve all benefited from that day?

I hope you read the priceless writings of Mr. Spurgeon in your home. He’s a Christian hero, you know.

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna