tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19302331699991466292024-03-21T01:38:32.196-07:00Random Sententiaa blog on religion, books, overheard funny bits . . . thoughtsChristyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-51984401791839680392010-06-12T09:40:00.000-07:002010-06-12T13:25:40.644-07:00G.K. Chesterton and Jane Austen's Secret<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Geneva, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:small;"><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">"These pages betray her secret; which is that she was naturally exuberant. And her power came, as all power comes, from the control and direction of that exuberance. . . . her original passion was a sort of joyous scorn and a fighting spirit against all that she regarded as morbid and lax and poisonously silly."--G.K. Chesterton, introduction to </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Love and Friendship</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">I have been reading Jane Austen's Juvenilia recently. It has really made me reflect on the truth of Chesterton's idea. Jane Austen as naturally exuberant, and ridicules with more pointed silliness in the Juvenilia than in any of her novels. We can see some of this less restrained tone in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Northanger Abbey</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">, which makes sense since it was one of Jane's earlier novels, and one she did not revise after she wrote it. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">First Impressions</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Elinor and Marianne</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> were revised before their appearances as </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Pride and Prejudice</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Sense and Sensibility</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">, but </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">NA </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">was not. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">As a reflection of Jane's exuberance, consider this passage from </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Lesley Castle</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">:</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><p style="text-align: left; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">She play'd, yet not even a pidgeon-pye of my making could obtain from her a single word of approbation. This was certainly enough to put any one in a Passion; however, I was as cool as a Cream-cheese and having formed my plan & concerted a scheme of Revenge; I was determined to let her have her own way & not even to make her a single reproach. My Scheme was to treat her as she treated me, and tho' she might even draw my own Picture or play </span><a href="http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/leslcasl.html#malbrouk"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Malbrook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> (which is the only tune I ever really like) not to say so much as "Thank you Eloisa"; tho' I had for many years constantly hollowed whenever she played, </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Bravo</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">, </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Bravissimo</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">, </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Encora</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">, </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Da Capo</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">, </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">allegretto</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">, </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">con expressione</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">, and </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Poco presto</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> with many other such outlandish words, all of them, as Eloisa told me, expressive of my Admiration; and so indeed I suppose they are, as I see some of them in every Page of every Music book, being the Sentiments, I imagine, of the Composer.</span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I executed my Plan with great Punctuality; I can not say success, for Alas! my silence while she played seemed not in the least to displease her; on the contrary, she actually said to me one day "Well Charlotte, I am very glad to find that you have at last left off that ridiculous custom of applauding my Execution on the Harpsichord till you made </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">my</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> head ake, & yourself hoarse. I feel very much obliged to you for keeping your Admiration to yourself."</span></p></span><p></p></span>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-62137496981204085992010-06-11T17:37:00.000-07:002010-06-11T18:02:37.707-07:00"We Hymn the Father"<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">To put this post in perspective, I (briefly) looked up the origin of the word worship. It is from the Old English weorthscipe, or, worthiness. It can also me used a noun as in "your worship". More recently the word has been used to describe the part of church where one sings and a band plays on the stage.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The fundamental idea of worship then, is that glory and praise are being given to God. Secondarily, worship deepens the worshipper's faith.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Hymns are more decidedly "old church" than contemporary worship songs. Often hymns contain more complicated lyrics than modern worship songs. On the way home from church several months ago, one of my siblings complained that these songs were hard to understand. But that is part of why I love hymns so much. They make me pause and consider God in a new way--new to me, anyway. That said, from a missional viewpoint, they may not be easy for outsiders to understand.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">An interesting part of the debate over worship music is what hymns less liturgical churches choose to adopt. For example "Jesus Paid It All" is played occasionally at my church, while a hymn called, maybe, "Who Is On the Lord's Side" would be played less often. Also hymns more specific in focus, such as "A Christian Home" are left behind. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">One pastor I know asks that there be two hymns at ever church service. I like this policy. There are certainly some gems among hymns. My favorite hymn is probably the Doxology, but I'm not certain. There are always more out there to find. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">So, gentle reader, what are your thoughts on this subject and which is your favorite hymn?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; "> </span></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-83644763218454568562010-02-22T16:20:00.000-08:002010-02-25T19:15:36.540-08:00Two Apologies and a Review<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Apologies</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">First off, I would like to say I am sorry for my lack of blogging the past few weeks. I've been sick and busy, but now I will attempt to shrug off this laziness (some person I am to be blogging about it!) and get back to work.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My second apology is that I did not read my novel for this month. This is the direct result of a mistake I made. I thought I had the book, but when I went to the shelf where I'm sure I've seen it before, it wasn't there. So I remedied this by picking up Northanger Abbey. I am now within ten or fifteen pages of finishing it. I had tried to read Northanger before, but it was the only Austen I found difficult to read and I tossed it aside last fall. On a second perusal, I am really enjoying it. Funny how time changes those things. I am also reading The Professor by Charlotte Bronte. It is not as Gothic as Jane Eyre, for which I am thankful. You can really examine the characters so much better when you don't have to worry about madwomen the whole way through. It also bucks the trend of the hero marrying his first love, and admits that his second choice was better. The book is written from a man's point of view, which is an intriguing way to write a romance. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Review</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A few weekends ago, I got to see the new Masterpiece Theater mini-series of Emma. Jane Austen's novel always had a difficult heroine for me to come to grips with, but by the end of my reading, I was on her side. And I think that's the way she intended it. Not all heroines can be unprivileged and poor waifs, and not all of them should be in an uncomfortable place during the course of the novel. Jane clearly states this in the first chapter:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The real evils indeed of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were the disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Several adaptations of Austen's work stress the man's role in the story (1995 P&P, I'm looking at you). This adaptation is one of these, and the audience is given several scenes of Mr. Knightley walking places--to Hartfield mostly. Emma is right, he never does seem to use his carriage!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ah, Emma. The very core of the novel. A great part of this adaptation's reception by Janeites depends on how the main character is portrayed. This Emma was prone to greatly exaggerated expressions. It seemed like Emma, under a magnifying glass. Every little emotion was shown in a large form, either a boisterous laugh, or an impatient popping eye-roll. Or so it seemed in the first and second episodes. By the third, Emma seemed to have relaxed, and her emotions were shown more subtly. Whether this change is meant to reflect the change in Emma after the Box Hill picnic or not, I do not know, but I enjoyed the third episode especially. Physically, Emma is matched perfectly to what I always expected when I read the novel: taller than Harriet, blond, and youthful-looking. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Harriet was one of my favorite of the supporting characters. She seemed very human, and not quite so ignorant as in the 1996 Miramax version. Frank Churchill seemed too respectable to be the semi-rogue that he is in the novel, and Jane Fairfax was prim and prober, though I still enjoy Olivia Williams' portrayal of the character more. Mr. Woodhouse was played as a big, lovable teddy bear rather than the more controlling and less foggy one in the book. I was pleased with Mr. and Mrs. Elton. Mr. Elton looks like vampire (making his "carriage" scene alone with Emma more intense!) Mrs. Elton was the self-obsessed social climber we all love to hate; I enjoyed the scene where she came to the Donwell picnic on a donkey.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The costuming was excellent: beautiful if a bit bold florals and bonnets galore. The sets were also nice, I enjoyed Hartfield and Donwell Abbey to my Janeite heart's delight.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The defining part in every Austen adaptaion is the script. This one failed to stay as close to the book as I would like, which was sad, but it stayed fairly true to the spirit of the book. There were some lines, such as the one where Emma tells Harriet "There are plenty of more suitable suitors around," which annoyed me as being too obvious and feeling pasted in.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All in all, I thought this version was admirable. The leads were good, the production values were brilliant, and the script was adequate. As a finishing note, what is it with new JA adaptations and wedding scenes? Neither this Emma nor the 2008 Sense and Sensibility nor the 2007 Persuasion had one? Come on, just show us the wedding! It's what the whole plot builds towards. Oh well. I guess it's just a secret of the screenwriters.</span></span></div></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-19600439068525624502010-01-27T13:07:00.000-08:002010-01-27T13:09:06.201-08:00To PonderMore men died of dysentery during the Civil War than died in battle.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-9911213930372212492010-01-26T15:50:00.000-08:002010-01-26T16:11:33.384-08:00Book of the (Next) Month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47FANrVlko9GF28gtVg7IYKRiNx6pWi-IvHOXWFLmp2S-ddmsjDE9pIp3pavq1TclxjpYT5XhQKlWW1WrWAK0qfL5CVZorZTt67OuQPpHPRO-EDTuegLlx_rtkDafkMYbCjvChBc68zE/s1600-h/lastofmohicans.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47FANrVlko9GF28gtVg7IYKRiNx6pWi-IvHOXWFLmp2S-ddmsjDE9pIp3pavq1TclxjpYT5XhQKlWW1WrWAK0qfL5CVZorZTt67OuQPpHPRO-EDTuegLlx_rtkDafkMYbCjvChBc68zE/s200/lastofmohicans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431205494047478018" border="0" /></a>I have been thinking over my book of the month for February for quite some time. Then, when I woke up and realized it was the 26th, I thought I had better announce my book of February: The Last of the Mohicans. I'm going to have to get pretty good at typing 'Mohicans' fast. Hard job. I have never read this book, but I looked it up on the invaluable Google and found out it has thirty-three chapters. Thus, a chapter a day and double up on weekends. With this book I will provide a guide and post more about what I think of it, perhaps even devoting multiple blog posts to it. So, here is a guide:<br /><br />February 1: Chapter 1<br />February 2: Chapter 2<br />February 3: Chapter 3<br />February 4: Chapter 4<br />February 5: Chapter 5<br />February 6: Chapters 6 and 7<br />February 7: Chapters 8 and 9<br />February 8: Chapter 10<br />February 9: Chapter 11<br />February 10: Chapter 12<br />February 11: Chapter 13<br />February 12: Chapter 14<br />February 13: Chapters 15 and 16<br />February 14: Chapters 17 and 18<br />February 15: Chapter 19<br />February 16: Chapter 20<br />February 17: Chapter 21<br />February 18: Chapter 22<br />February 19: Chapter 23<br />February 20: Chapters 24 and 25<br />February 21: Chapters 26 and 27<br />February 22: Chapters 28<br />February 23: Chapter 29<br />February 24: Chapter 30<br />February 25: Chapter 31<br />February 26: Chapter 32<br />February 27: Chapter 33Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-22575040753445374512010-01-20T12:29:00.000-08:002010-01-25T07:22:53.185-08:00The Influence of Redemption In LiteratureOne of the largest influences of the Gospel on Western culture is the theme of redemption. It pops up in the most unexpected places in literature. Last week I read the poem Lady Clare by Alfred Lord Tennyson. In it, a heiress of high birth discovers she is actually the daughter of the Nurse, Alice, and was exchanged for the true heiress when the true heiress died as a baby. She then dresses in beggar's clothes and goes to tell her fiance (who also happens to be her cousin and now the closest heir to the inheritance) that she is not who everyone thinks she is. At the end of the poem, her cousin says that he will marry her anyway and she "will still be Lady Clare".<br /><div><br /></div><div>The obvious theme in this piece is redemption; that is, the act of being brought back. We can see similar themes nearly everywhere we look. In A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton redeems Charles Darnay by dying in his place, while at the same time being redeemed in the reader's eye by giving up his life. In Pride and Prejudice, Lydia is "redeemed" by Darcy by being getting to marry Wickham, thus, raising herself from apparent doom. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are two perspectives stories like to follow: the perspective of the redeemer and the perspective of the redeemed. We like to read the perspective of the redeemer because they seem noble. We like to read the perspective of the redeemed because they remind us of ourselves.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's interesting to note that in nearly all redemption stories there is a Christ-figure. If someone is going to be redeemed, there has to be redeemer. Salvation is perfectly free, but only to us; it cost God incomprehensibly. I believe this influence is a good thing. It urges us to think about the Gospel and God. My mom always said "Every good story has a Christ figure." I think she was right. </div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-84211278237758032642010-01-16T11:02:00.000-08:002010-01-19T16:35:19.025-08:00Why You Should Read the Old TestamentSome parts of the Bible are easier to read than others. It's easy to get bogged down on the law and the books of Old Testament history. "This wasn't written for me," I can think, "It's written for the Israelites. I'm not an Israelite." A simple answer to the question "Why should I read the Old Testament?" is that the Old Testament helps us know who God is. But like most simple answers, this does not explain everything. <div><br /></div><div>For one thing, if you have just read something encouraging (Philippians, for example) reading the O.T. may seem a bit depressing. Israel is caught in a seemingly endless cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance. Sure Hezekiah saves Judah from Assyria, but the king after him is a jerk. Also, many of the books in the O.T. were not written like the "letters" books--as a pieces of practical advice. </div><div><br /></div><div>One practical reason to read the Old Testament is that it's just plain interesting. I always feel a sort of poetic justice when Jezebel gets eaten by dogs. </div><div> </div><div>There is a lot we can learn from the Old Testament history. By studying the righteous figures we can learn what God likes. By seeing the serious consequences when the people turn from the Lord, we can more fully understand how amazing not having to pay the price for our sin really is. Lastly, the O.T. shows us just how much Israel needed God. The continual downfall-repentance cycle would have gone on is He had not mercifully intervened for Israel and for us.</div><div><br /></div><div>****************************************</div><div>Hamlet Update:</div><div>I finished a week ago and liked it! Time to choose a February novel.</div><div> </div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-8739508892607859002010-01-12T14:22:00.000-08:002010-01-12T14:56:17.214-08:00Misplaced ModifiersAnyone who has studied or taught grammar recently knows what a misplaced modifier is. For those of us who haven't a misplaced modifier is simply putting a prepositional phrase in the wrong place. As William Strunk says in his excellent book<i> The Elements of Style</i> "sentences violating [a rule about misplaced modifiers] are often ludicrous." Here are some examples:<div><br /></div><div>Ms. Ruiz got a sweater for her dog with a snowflake pattern.</div><div><br /></div><div>Roberto read that some turtles can swim quite fast in a magazine.</div><div><br /></div><div>I saw the ants marching through my magnifying glass.</div><div><br /></div><div>The man bought the rare photograph of Geronimo with the cellular telephone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mrs. Chu gives the sculptures to her friends that she carves.</div><div><br /></div><div>The students met with a tutor who needed help in math.</div><div><br /></div><div>The hero of the story, Bilbo Baggins is not a typical hero, who likes nothing more than chatting with his neighbors, sleeping, and eating.</div><div><br /></div><div>The hat belongs to the girl with the feather.</div><div><br /></div><div>The poster caught my eye on the wall.</div><div><br /></div><div>A beautiful Bolivian weaving hangs on our living room wall from the town of Trinidad.</div><div><br /></div><div>We saw Jose Clemente Orozco's beautiful murals on vacation in Guadalajara. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sleeping on the roof, I saw our neighbor's cat.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cleaning the attic, an old trunk was found.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pacing in its cage, I watched the lion.</div><div><br /></div><div>The turkey was large enough for three families stuffed with sage and bread crumbs.</div><div><br /></div><div>The kitten belongs to my neighbor that is on the branch.</div><div><br /></div><div>[The examples above are from The Elements of Language: Introductory Course pp. 510-514 and The Elements of Language: First Course pp. 541-546.] </div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-50237069712159188272010-01-10T13:51:00.000-08:002010-01-11T13:14:23.724-08:00Rather Macabre JokeMany years ago, my family watched a documentary on the Donner Party. When it was mentioned that one of the survivors opened a restaurant, my brother quipped,<div><br /></div><div>"We serve <i>you</i> better."</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-59938457118521737942010-01-07T12:53:00.000-08:002010-01-09T09:30:47.387-08:00Balanced ThemesI read quite frequently, and also enjoy writing. Recently I have noticed a "conflict", if you can call it that, between timely themes and timeless themes.<div><br /></div><div>Webster's Dictionary defines a theme as an idea that recurs in or pervades a piece of art or literature. For example, the themes of Pride and Prejudice could be "romance" or "faults" or "self-realization". A theme of Hamlet could be "infidelity" or "insanity". Timely themes would be themes that are culturally relevant <i>now</i>, perhaps "post-modernism". Timeless themes would be themes that are always relevant, such as "death". It happens to everybody, excepting Enoch and Elijah.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is as much danger in writing a novel set in the present as there is in writing a fantasy. The danger is that you, the writer, become so engrossed in the setting that you forget what is more important: the plot. In a modern novel, the writer could dwell on the advanced technology his characters use, thus; subtracting form the plot. In a fantasy, a writer could give over-detailed explanations of customs and lands in their made-up world</div><div><br /></div><div>A novel could override its balance. Too many timeless themes, and, while the novel may be a masterpiece, it does not have the power to make a present change. Too many timely themes, and it becomes marginalized and will have no lasting power. Some books I think have an admirable balance of timeless and timely themes are:</div><div><br /></div><div>A Tale of Two Cities (death, the mechanization of death, liberty, revolution, revenge)</div><div><br /></div><div>To Kill A Mockingbird (prejudice, prejudice against African Americans, courage, innocence)</div><div><br /></div><div>Can you think of any more?</div><div><br /></div><div>*********************************************</div><div>Hamlet Update:</div><div>I am currently in Act 4, Scene 4. </div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-59504379960408696632010-01-05T19:40:00.001-08:002010-01-05T20:20:51.223-08:00Hannah's PrayerA few days ago I read Hannah's prayer from the second chapter of Samuel. I had always considered Hannah taking her young son to the temple as a sad event. I could just see the weeping mother reluctantly handing her son over to Eli the priest, regretting her rash vow. But one look at chapter two banishes any such thought.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">"My heart exults in the LORD;<br /> my strength is exalted in the LORD.<br />My mouth derides my enemies,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">because I rejoice in your salvation.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-7243" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">2</sup>"There is none holy like the LORD;<br /> there is none besides you;<br /> there is no rock like our God.<br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-7244" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">3</sup>Talk no more so very proudly,<br /> let not arrogance come from your mouth;<br />for the LORD is a God of knowledge,<br /> and by him actions are weighed.<br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-7245" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">4</sup>The bows of the mighty are broken,<br /> but the feeble bind on strength.<br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-7246" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">5</sup>Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,<br /> but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"> </span></span>The barren has borne seven,<br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"> </span></span> but she who has many children is forlorn.<br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-7247" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">6</sup>The LORD kills and brings to life;<br /> he brings down to Sheol and raises up.<br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-7248" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">7</sup>The LORD makes poor and makes rich;<br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"> </span></span>he brings low and he exalts.<br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-7249" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">8</sup>He raises up the poor from the dust;<br /> he lifts the needy from the ash heap<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"> </span></span>to make them sit with princes<br /> and inherit a seat of honor.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px; white-space: pre;"> </span></span>For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,<br /> and on them he has set the world.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-7250" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">9</sup>"He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,<br /> but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,<br /> for not by might shall a man prevail.<br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-7251" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">10</sup>The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces;<br /> against them he will thunder in heaven.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"> </span></span>The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;<br /> he will give strength to his king<br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"> </span></span>and exalt the power of his anointed."</p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">If you have recently read Mary's Song of Praise, also called the Magnificat, (</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:%2046-55&version=ESV"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:%2046-55&version=ESV</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> from Luke 1, you will definitely notice some similarities. Both Hannah and Mary were given sons from the Lord. They expressed the same things in their praises: joy and astonishment at what He has done for them. Both women ended up giving up their sons as well.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Hannah is not having a pity party here. She is so wrapped up in what God has done for her and who He is that she does not even mention that she is surrendering her son, who was only weaned recently. How wonderful self-forgetfulness is! It enables me to make sacrifices for God without considering me, because God is far more important than me. That's a helpful thing to remember.</span> </p></span></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-68329406843530444132010-01-04T17:26:00.000-08:002010-01-04T17:29:00.431-08:00Book of the Month: Hamlet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zlTIxb27TXGLipLdVQlw1ICBCCnFNQyiMXrUP_Nw80rOqt_Gs-8jfO0s1hgZ-65CoGqW3CDILOcrgDbaGGTrwyfFnjoLnnJsLe6F1zgAKkfxx9jVL2U8GuZMuERHSNtqOaqRnsXzLTQ/s1600-h/ad8a619009a0b4abe6696110.L.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 122px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zlTIxb27TXGLipLdVQlw1ICBCCnFNQyiMXrUP_Nw80rOqt_Gs-8jfO0s1hgZ-65CoGqW3CDILOcrgDbaGGTrwyfFnjoLnnJsLe6F1zgAKkfxx9jVL2U8GuZMuERHSNtqOaqRnsXzLTQ/s200/ad8a619009a0b4abe6696110.L.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423061454634957170" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For the upcoming year, I am going to be reading one classic novel a month. I admit to cheating and choosing a play for this month, but it is considered literature, so I'm counting it as such. If you want to join me in my 2010 Reading Challenge, you're more than welcome. Let's read!</span></span>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-30833351047484382402009-12-30T11:14:00.000-08:002009-12-30T11:16:22.909-08:00NoticePosted on the family white board: "Despretly need chocolate sauce." Only to find it in the pantry.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-28172392649286540702009-12-27T18:20:00.000-08:002009-12-27T19:43:54.458-08:00M is for MargaretMargaret. The under-appreciated classic that has it all. Margaret. Can you ask for a classier name? Unfortunately, Margaret has been left by the wayside for the past half-century. Over that time, it got an old, unfashionable image. Margaret. That old librarian who smelled like ben-gay and fifteen-year-old books. Use Margaret for an adorable baby? Absolutely not. <div><br /></div><div>Despite unfortunate opinions like these, I think Margaret's day is due. It's the name of queens, saints (including one called Margaret the Barefooted), and prime ministers. It sounds upright, impeccable, and strong. It's nickname selections range from spunky to super-cute. Consider:</div><div> </div><div>Maggie</div><div><br /></div><div>Mago (pronounced MAH-go, I think)</div><div><br /></div><div>Maisie</div><div><br /></div><div>Mamie</div><div><br /></div><div>Meg/Peg</div><div><br /></div><div>Greta</div><div><br /></div><div>And if Margaret's not your pace, how about it's international variations?</div><div><br /></div><div>Gita</div><div><br /></div><div>Gituska</div><div><br /></div><div>Gretchen/Grete</div><div><br /></div><div>Gretel</div><div><br /></div><div>Grieta</div><div><br /></div><div>Mairead (MAU-reed)</div><div><br /></div><div>Makelesi (MAH-ka-lee-see)</div><div><br /></div><div>Mared</div><div><br /></div><div>Marga/Margit/Margita</div><div><br /></div><div>Margo/Margot/Margaux</div><div><br /></div><div>Margreta</div><div><br /></div><div>Marguerite/Margarethe</div><div><br /></div><div>Margarita/Margareta </div><div><br /></div><div>Marjatta</div><div><br /></div><div>Margara</div><div><br /></div><div>Margisia</div><div><br /></div><div>Marka/Marketa</div><div><br /></div><div>Megan/Meaghan</div><div><br /></div><div>Meta</div><div><br /></div><div>Rita</div><div><br /></div><div>Marjorie/Margery</div><div><br /></div><div>And, if I haven't mentioned it before, Margaret is my very favorite name. </div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-87631435338552861212009-12-27T10:28:00.000-08:002009-12-27T11:03:08.305-08:00The "True Meaning" of ChristmasI admit it: I love, love, love Christmas. That is an established fact. My reasons for loving Christmas are more difficult to define. I'm sure cookies play a role, albeit a small one. Is it a decorated house? Presents? Or that enthralling pine smell? The biggest factor in my love for Christmas might just be the family time.<br />Above you see a quintessential list of Christmas cheer. But, good heavens, what about the <span style="font-style: italic;">true </span>meaning of Christmas, that Jesus came down to earth to die for us? It may seem like a struggle to find a balance between a fun and joyful holiday and a pious, humble spirit.<br />Historically, Christmas has swung like a pendulum. On one side is a day of gluttony and frivolity, (Yes, I know I sound like Scrooge here); on the other side a serious and may I even say joyless holiday.<br />There is no more cliched Christmas phrase than the dreaded "true meaning". Twisted to mean humanism, selfishness, or shopping at Wall-mart, it can do all kinds of mischief.<br />Today, many Christians may feel guilty because their Christmas festivities seem Godless. "Be a light at Christmastime"; "Put Christ back into Christmas." Such reminders are well-meant. It's all too easy to have a worldly holiday. But sometimes it seems like we are dragging Christ into Christmas. This should not be. He should be a part of our lives all the time, not just another ornament we pull out on the 1st and put away on the 26th. We should ponder the mystery of the incarnation all year, not just between Thanksgiving and New Year's.<br />Furthermore, who's to say that a traditional American Christmas centers only on materialism? What about those family movies we laugh our heads off watching every year? What about lengthy tournaments of Rook and delicious home-cooked meals?<br />This does not mean we should forget about the Christmas story. We should consider it as a central and integral part of our holidays. Every holiday: Valentine's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving. Considering the end as well as the beginning; that the happy nativity scene was the first step on a walk to die and ultimately rise again for us, we should remember the Christmas story all year. And don't worry. Go ahead and open some presents.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-26901012578745237642009-12-12T16:27:00.000-08:002009-12-12T16:38:24.529-08:00Homemade RifftraxA favorite pastime of my family's is especially prevalent at Christmas: to make fun of dumb movies. When many people are doing it, it turns into a sort of homemade Rifftrax, only better, because you feel satisfied after making a clever snide remark. Since there are many silly Christmas movies (think Hallmark), it's easy to do this now. This happened Thursday night, when we gathered around the television to poke fun at a sappy but beloved old favorite. Comment example:<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"I've only known you for four days, but we went sleigh-riding together, and I love you."</div><div><br /></div><div>This is quite a fun hobby, especially when others are around to spur on the critiquing spirit and appreciate your brilliant jokes. </div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-36367564973324340182009-12-11T16:25:00.000-08:002009-12-11T17:10:18.762-08:00LazinessThe Bible has a lot to say about laziness. Contrast the attitudes of the idle man in Luke 12 to Phinehas in Numbers 25:<br /><br />"<span class="woj" style="">and he thought to himself,<sup class="xref" value="" href="%22#cen-ESV-25468AF%22" title=""See"></sup> 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-25469">18</sup><span class="woj" style="">And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my<sup class="xref" value="" href="%22#cen-ESV-25469AG%22" title=""See"></sup> barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-25470">19</sup><span class="woj" style="">And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'"</span><br /><br />"When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-4480">8</sup>and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. Thus the plague on the people of Israel was stopped. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-4481">9</sup>Nevertheless, those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-4482">10</sup>And the LORD said to Moses, <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-4483">11</sup>"Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-4484">12</sup>Therefore say, 'Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-4485">13</sup>and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.'"<br /><br />The first passage is important because it labels the cause of laziness: we are thinking about ourselves. The second passage, while it does not address laziness directly, shows us the opposite of thinking about ourselves: putting the Lord above ourselves and fixing our eyes on Him. In fact, the passage is labeled "The Zeal of Phinehas" in the ESV version.<br /><br />If laziness is a form of self-centeredness, zeal for the God must be a proclamation of His worthiness. Notice that Phinehas was not angry for his own sake, or Israel's. (Also, notice that he <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> angry.) He is jealous for God's name to be praised in the camp. Phinehas ends up turning God's holy wrath away from Israel and preventing the Lord from consuming them.<br /><br />We can also see that God rewards zeal and despises laziness through the reward and punishment each man gets. God kills the rich man during the night. He makes a covenant with Phinehas and gives him and his descendants perpetual priesthood.<br /><br />Laziness is not God-honoring. In contrast, zeal for the Lord is a virtue. It is even prophesied about Jesus: "Zeal for your house will consume me,". Our lives are clearly too short to spend being lazy.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-48287031449781264592009-12-09T12:43:00.000-08:002009-12-09T15:07:11.385-08:00Christmas NamesTime was that Carol was a smash hit. Back then, it was chosen particularly often during the Christmas season, obviously because of the association with Christmas carols. While that's a rather cheesy way to tip your hat to the season, there are plenty of better options, such as names that mean Christmas, and names connected with Christmas. Names that mean Christmas:<div><br /></div><div>Natalie/Natalia - popular names with a well-known--but not too well-known Christmas meaning</div><div><br /></div><div>Noel - For a girl, pronounced Noelle and sometimes spelled that way; for a boy, pronounced NO-uhl</div><div><br /></div><div>There are also Christmas cultural icons to consider:</div><div><br /></div><div>Nicholas</div><div><br /></div><div>Norman (Rockwell)</div><div><br /></div><div>Irving (Berlin)</div><div><br /></div><div>George (Bailey)</div><div><br /></div><div>We all have things we love most about Christmas, and some of them have quite lovely names related to them:</div><div><br /></div><div>Holly/Hollis (holly)</div><div><br /></div><div>Celyn (holly)</div><div><br /></div><div>Oren (pine)</div><div><br /></div><div>Douglas (like the fir)</div><div><br /></div><div>Nousha (sweet, like cookies)</div><div><br /></div><div>Miela (sweet)</div><div><br /></div><div>Edur (snow)</div><div><br /></div><div>Eira/Eirwen (snow)</div><div><br /></div><div>Nevada (snow)</div><div><br /></div><div>You could acknowledge your real favorite thing about Christmas and choose a name that means 'gift':</div><div><br /></div><div>Darina</div><div><br /></div><div>Cassandra</div><div><br /></div><div>Dorothea</div><div><br /></div><div>Jesse</div><div><br /></div><div>Matthew</div><div><br /></div><div>Theodore</div><div><br /></div><div>Or, you can just go for Mary or Joseph. Merry Christmas!</div><div> </div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-88994086212774040682009-12-08T13:30:00.000-08:002009-12-08T14:41:19.218-08:00The Unconventional HeroineAnyone who has ever read Mansfield Park has been surprised at its heroine, Fanny Price. A typical heroine is physically vigorous; Fanny is weak and sickly. A typical heroine is strong-headed and stubborn; Fanny is compliant. A typical heroine Fanny Price is not. Her character remains the most debated point in the book, more debated than the seemingly two-faced Sir Thomas Bertram or the slaves the family owns in Antigua. <div><br /></div><div>In many ways, Fanny is mystery. She dislikes the woman who is courting her cousin, but she doesn't try to stop her. She cares about her cousin, but never attempts to inform him of his love interest's mercenary tendencies. The obvious reason for this is that Fanny thinks that he knows already, but, in that case, what was he doing winning her affection? And why doesn't she tell anyone about her engaged sister's flirtation? The character appears extremely reticent, not even giving her reasons for not joining in the play everyone else puts on. </div><div><br /></div><div>While Fanny appears unconventional, she adheres strictly to the rigid laws of society for women at that time. She is astounded by the behavior of Mary Crawford--not just because she is flirting with her cousin, but because she is improper. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fanny rises in the reader's opinion when she emphatically refuses to marry the unprincipled Henry Crawford. While her will-power here seems to come out of nowhere, she has actually been preparing for this moment during the whole of the novel. Like the proverbial "bump on a log" Fanny refuses to budge, despite the fact that many of the characters see this marriage as a duty for her. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the most universal points about a typical heroine is that she is, or thinks of herself as, an unconventional heroine. She's headstrong; she's athletic; she's outdoorsy; she questions society's rules. Why shouldn't she be unconventional? Because "unconventional" has become a convention, and of course, all of the poor "unconventional" heroines have become conventional.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which means when we meet a truly unconventional heroine like Fanny Price, we're sure surprised. </div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-86038017788539214212009-12-07T13:08:00.000-08:002009-12-07T13:15:03.345-08:00Flying In CirclesA few years ago my dad brought up the subject of my sister (who was not there) at family dinner,<div>"She's pretty right-winged." My brother piped up,</div><div>"She can only fly in circles."</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-14271878159552794082009-12-06T08:33:00.000-08:002009-12-06T09:17:37.178-08:00"Volunteerism"Yesterday, while Christmas shopping, I saw a poster broadcasting what one store supported in its charity efforts. One surprising item on the poster was "volunteerism". Now, seeing such a vague "-ism" is rare as they are usually quite succinct: abolitionism, Judaism, McCarthyism. Which, of course made me wonder, what exactly is volunteerism? Like any self-respecting modern citizen, I googled it. From what I discerned, volunteerism must be a movement of people towards volunteering. <div><br /></div><div>That made me remember Friday, when I spent about three-and-a-half hours inspecting boxes for Operation Christmas Child. (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/) For those of you who have never heard of it before, Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful ministry that delivers the gospel to children in hurting countries in a tangible way: shoe boxes filled with small toys and necessities. Not every shoe box is perfect; some have "inappropriate items" or are not full enough. That's why I was inspecting them. It's tiring work. After just a few hours I was ready to go home and take a nap. But the invisible pay check for this volunteer work is huge.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wikipedia lists the benefits of volunteering as:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>1) economic benefits (for the country or company, not the volunteers)</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>2) social benefits</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>3) individual career benefits</div><div>But I got a whole lot more out of working at the OCC processing plant: rather than economic benefits to the company, all the things in the small box go to increase the joy and welfare of a poor child. Rather than "help[ing] to build more cohesive communities", I got to help make an eternal impact advancing the gospel of the Lord.</div><div><br /></div><div>Can you think of any better benefits? </div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930233169999146629.post-21318276089157923812009-12-05T14:41:00.000-08:002009-12-05T15:00:00.409-08:00Random ThoughtsWelcome all Random Sententia readers! As you might have guessed from the title of this post, Random Sententia means random thoughts in Latin. I have created this blog to help me organize and share my thoughts. Thank you for visiting. You keep this blog alive. A brief outline of my labels:<div><br /></div><div>Religion: This is where I will be blogging my thoughts on Christianity. It will include passages of scripture I have recently read. Please feel free to comment and correct on these and all posts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Books: This is the label for posts I have made on works of classic literature. Examples of books I might post on include Mansfield Park, A Tale of Two Cities, and Hamlet. </div><div><br /></div><div>Overheard: Most of these posts will not, in fact, be overheard. They will be funny lines not jokes. Jokes are so unoriginal. </div><div><br /></div><div>Miscellaneous: This will be a hodge-podge of posts that I could not decide what to post under.</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13173425478596521470noreply@blogger.com1