14 August 2010
. . . and many things to learn that can be found between the covers of books.
There is something very refreshing and satisfying about sitting down with a good book to read and study. With a long list of books to read, as well as a good deal of research to do, we will be enjoying many books over the next few weeks.
A book that I have been reading is “Beloved Bride” by Bill Potter. It is a collection of letters from General “Stonewall” Jackson to his wife, Mary Anna, with snippets about their life sprinkled throughout.
After the death of his first wife and their baby, General Jackson wrote the following in a letter to his sister, which is a wonderful example and depiction of his trust in the Lord:
“I have been called to pass through the deep waters of affliction, but all has been satisfied. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. It is his will that my Dearest wife and child should no longer abide with me, and as it is his holy will, I am perfectly reconciled to the sad bereavement, though I deeply mourn my loss.
“Oh! The consolations of religion! I can willingly submit to anything if God strengthens me. I have joy in knowing that God withholds no good things from them that love and keep his commandments. And he will overrule this Sad, Sad bereavement for good.“
What good books you have been reading lately?
I’ve just finished reading Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. Now I’ve started Little Women. =) I’m looking forward to many (more exciting) ones this school year.. ~*~
General Jackson…who declared he was as “safe on the battlefield as in his own bed”.:)
This book is a true gem. I enjoy the wit in his letters to his wife and I especially enjoy the letter he received letting him know of the arrival of his wee daughter,Julia ♥
Last week I finished reading Washington’s Lady by Nancy Moser. It’s a great historical fiction book about Martha Washington’s life. And right now I’m reading Pride and Prejudiced.
I am in the process of reading Debi Pearls “Preparng to be his help meet.” I have been married for 10 years this past May but I have heard from a friend that this even has some great things in for married ladies. I would recomend it to any lady married and esp. young unmaried ladies.
I have been reading through the Elsie Dinsmore series. I read about half the series a couple of years ago, but I’ve decided to start over and make it through the whole thing. :) Right now I’m going through Elsie’s Girlhood… one of my favorites! ;)
— Many Blessings,
Lindsay <3
i JUST finished reading Leota’s Garden by Francine Rivers tonight. (her books always make me bawl like a baby by the end–i highly recommend Redeeming Love) I was so excited to see this post, because I just rediscovered my love of reading, and how much facebook is over-used. I also just finished “How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World” by Jordan Christy. It was so refreshing, and wonderful to read!
Thanks for the post about books! =)
That’s funny Emily… I’m reading “I Rode With Stonewall” by Henry Kyd Douglas (a real-life friend of the General’s) :)
I just finished Class of 1846 last week. It was about the West Point class of 1846 and mainly about their role in the Civil War. Can I guess at one of the upcoming paperdoll characters?
Isn’t it horrible that I don’t know what I’ve been reading…due mostly to the fact that I can’t just pick up one book and stay with it. Know anyone else like that? Between “Judah Ben Hur entered the city gates…” I read “Ginkgo is also recognized for its mental properties…” There’s just no stopping the half a dozen books floating through the rooms of this house, following me throughout the days :)
Beloved Bride is on my list of books to read! Thank you for sharing that letter from Stonewall Jackson!
I have been reading Jane Austen lately. I finished Pride and Prejdice last weekend and I am working my way through Mansfield Park. I have read a few others and posted my thoughts on them at my blog.
Through Christ,
LH
Oh, Beloved Bride is a wonderful book! I read it a couple years ago, and have recently thought that it was about time to pick it up again….. Stonewall Jackson had such a sweet relationship with his wife. Right now I’m reading The City of God (by Augustine), which I started last year and never really got into, so I’m just now re-starting it. :)I do love Augustine’s writing style so very much: there is something so calm and soothing about it.
Oh! I’ve been wanting to read that book!
I just finished The Way She Chose, a based-on-a-true-story novel published by Rod & Staff (a Mennonite company). It shows the painful result of a young woman’s rebellion against the warnings and instructions of her parents and church. Very sobering, but a good encouragement at the same time.
I also recently read Through Stress and Strain (historical fiction about the French Huguenots, re-pubbed by a homeschool grad), and The Iron Peacock (historical fiction about indentured servants and the Mass. Bay Colony in the early 1600s – kind of reminded me of The Bronze Bow in story structure).
A Fellow Servant of Christ,
Michelle
P.S. Just started following your blog a few days ago. I like the simplicity of what you post, plus I love photography!
Emily Rose,
That is too funny, because I have read most of that book. I love the beginning, but I must say I started loosing interest when he writes about the war. I should pick it up again and see how the rest balances out.
Hannah
Oh… yes, indeed, books are so wonderful, Emily Rose!
Presently I am reading a book entitled “Holiness”
and a Bio on John Calvin’s life…. so rich!
Many Blessings~ Miss Jen
I’m currently reading “Wives and Daughters” (Elizabeth Gaskell), “The Portable Patriot” (documents about America’s founding), and “The Excellent Wife.” All are recommended. :)
Oh, I remember my mamma reading “Beloved Bride” and liking it. It’s going on my list now!
And I got some other good ideas from the comments, too.
Books are such a gift…
I’m reading The Wide, Wide World, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, and Heidi.
I just started reading “Christian Love’ by Hugh Binning (a puritan paperback book) and it is really good so far! :)
I just LOVE to read!
Blessings,
Miss Antoinette
That is such a beautiful quote~I read that book several years ago and have to get to reading Stepping Heavenward at your mom’s suggestion. Love to all,
Rhonda
I’ve just finished a book called ‘The Puzzle of Ancient Man’ by Donald E. Chittick. It is all about giving evidence of how smart post-flood civilizations were, and not dumb ‘cave men’ like our culture tells us. Altough the first half was really hard for me to get into, it is a fantastic book which I learnt a lot from.
I am reading North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell,It is really good,but other books I have read and enjoy were Jane Austen’s books,and anything Written by L.M. Montgomery (She wrote Anne of Green Gables)
I love reading!
I almost always have at least a few books that I’m in the middle of reading.
Right now I’m reading Stephanie Grace Whitson’s series Prairie Winds. It is Historical fiction based on pioneer times in Nebraska. My grandma started me on the series and I love it!
God Bless!
Sister in Christ,
Emily
General Jackson is one of my heroes. Yes, he was a tad eccentric at times and wrong about several important issues, but his trust in God’s sovereignty is so encouraging. The way he cared for the souls of those he met, whether fellow generals, slaves or soldiers, is such a good example.
Thanks for posting this!
I’m reading:
{Candy Bombers: Story of the Berlin Airlift, and America’s finest hour.- (love this)
{The Triumph of Liberty: A 2,000 Year History Told Through the Lives of Freedom’s Greatest Champions (Only for the lovers of history and chronological detail)
{Scaramouche: A True Story of the French Revolution (reading again… loved it)
{The Inextinguishable Symphony: A True Story of Music and Love in Nazi Germany
{John Adams
{The Scarlet Pimpernel
(Who doesn’t like it? It’s on the other side of the fence from Scaramouche though :)
Now it’s back to the textbooks …..