Fashion:

How to Wear Long Skirts With Style: I love wearing long skirts and this post written by Christa Taylor has some helpful hints on how to make them look modern and fashionable. Check it out!

-Victoria

Quote of the Week

"We never know we go-
when we are going
We jest and shut the door;
Fate following behind us bolts it,
And we accost no more."

-Emily Dickens

-Victoria

Things I've Been Thinking About

Even though I haven't been writing very much lately I have been reading a lot of other people's thoughts and ideas! Here's a few that I liked and really thought were profitable.

-Ever wondered if it can be just as modest to wear pants as a skirt? In this post Christa Taylor gives a few examples of how to make pants feminine. Very interesting and helpful! The Secret to Being Feminine in Jeans.

-Twilight is one of the most influential names in our culture right now, due to the books and movies. It seems to have just exploded and no matter where you turn you can see everything from life sized posters of Edward to little Ken dolls (yes I did see that). But I would caution myself and others not to just follow the popular trend in entertainment because everyone else is. The choices we make big or small will make an impact on our futures. We are to live our lives to reflect Christ. Take heed to carefully understand that I am not condemning you because you might read or watch Twilight- I have chosen not to because of the scriptures clear command in Phillipians 4:8:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
This passage is what I use to mirror our entertainment of the day...if it doesn't measure up to the scripture then I don't want to waste my time on it.
Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin perfectly explain my thoughts on Twilight in their article, How Twilight is Re-Vamping Romance. Whether you love the movies/books or your not sure what you think or maybe you live under a rock and don't know what Twilight is please take time to read their post to help you formulate your own ideas and convictions.

-No More Halloween by Tim Sweetman. With this topic you might be thinking, Victoria you've got the wrong Holiday we're in the Christmas season. But this article was just too good to pass up. You should read it and challenge yourself to think about what Halloween really is about.

All of these posts above that I've listed have spurred me to think about these topics and I've come to the same conclusion as the different writers. Tell me what you think, I'd love to have some discussion.

-Victoria

That is Dying to Self

Did you ever notice that it seems like the messages that you needed to hear just drops in your lap at the right time. Like me, you might not even realize that you needed to hear that but then you read it or hear it and it hits you square in the face with truth and meaning. Just recently I was over at agenttimonline.com and he had posted an article. This wasn't the first time Agent Tim had posted this article or I had read it. A little over a year ago I had read it for the first time on his blog. I had loved it so much that I copied it off and put one on the refrigerator and then linked it to share it with you on my blog.
When I was at agenttimonline.com a few days ago reading his most recent post, "That is Dying to Self". I suddenly remembered that I had read this article before and loved it! Somehow over our move from Louisville it had gotten lost and forgotten. Now once again this article is on our refrigerator and I'm re-posting it here. Please take time to read this great article...maybe it will find itself on your refrigerator!

-Victoria

That is Dying to Self

“When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you sting and hurt with the insult of the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ — that is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient loving silence — that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance, when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus endured it — that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any attitude, any interruption by the will of God — that is dying to self. When you never care to refuse yourself in conversation, or record your own good works, or itch after any commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown — that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances — that is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart — that is dying to self.” — Author Unknown (Taken from Different By Design by John MacArthur).

Oh, that each of us could be one who dies to themselves — oh, that I could be one that is dying to self!

My Reading List

The Norton Anthology of American Literature Third Edition/Volume 1:
This book is serving as my literature for this year. I'm beginning to forge my way through this rather thick book. Over the different pages it includes different writings of Americans from the past such as John Smith, Jonathan Edwards, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Phillis Wheatley, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and many others. I have found it challenging reading the many different writing styles and I've had to read at a slow pace. But I have also enjoyed stretching my imagination and learning a lot of things.

I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris:
I think I can safely say that this is one of the most well known book written on the issues of dating and courtship. This was the first book Josh Harris wrote at the age of 21. It is written in a truthful and sincere way. He tackles some serious issues but mixes humor into the book. I love the different stories he shares throughout the different chapters to make the points he's sharing come to life. After hearing several people talking about I kissed dating Goodbye I finally decided to pick it up and read it. I'm really glad I did because now I understand why people date and how truly horrible the system is and I know better how to defend why I am going to do courtship.

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem:
I've truly enjoyed reading through this book with some other teenagers and young adults on the Rebelution! This week I'm reading chapter 56 through the end of the chapter! I've learned so much through reading this book it is definitely on my favorite book list. Wayne Grudem is a wonderful writer and excellent communicator!

Mary Bunyan by Sallie Rochester Ford:
This is a wonderful book written on the life of Mary Bunyan the blind daughter of John Bunyan who wrote Pilgrim's Progress. I cannot tell you how many times I have read this book and never ceased to be encouraged and challenged. The language and style the book was written in is captivating being written originally during the 1800's. I promise you that if you can possibly get your hands on this book you will love it! Every time I read this book I am affected by how much courage and trust in God the Bunyan's had. They were willing to say in every circumstance, "Lord your will be done not mine." This book brings to life the challenges, romances, and determination that Mary Bunyan faced in her life.

-Victoria

Fellowship and Fun with Friends

Last weekend I was able to spend some time up in Indiana with my dear friends Megan and Brittany Dunphy and their family. It was so great to be able to see them again after several months of being apart!
Since we were all not feeling very well Sunday morning we decided to stay home from church and not spread our ickyness. So we all got our bibles and had a bible study together in the living room of their house. I enjoyed the time we spent reading our favorite bible verses and talking over them. It was a great time of sharing the convictions that God has laid on our hearts. Even though we started out with sharing one passage each, it seemed like whenever one person shared a passage that led another person to think of another passage and we all just bounced ideas off of each other. It was a great time with fellow sister's in Christ!

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
always in every prayer of mine making request
for you all with joy,
for your fellowship in the gospel from
the first day until now.
Being confident of this very thing,
that He who has begun a good work in you will
complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
-Philippians 1:3-6

-Victoria

Is it right for a women to be VP?

I've often wondered that as I think about this coming election. Senator Obama is very liberal and constantly against everything my family believes and now Senator McCain has made his VP choice of Sarah Palin. This has left some Christian families with nobody to vote for (without going against their beliefs) and an even tougher choice of what to do.
Some people might still be wondering, what is wrong with having a women for a VP?
I would like to suggest these posts to you to read:

Did McCain Make a Pro-Family VP Pick?
The Evangelical Two-Step
"Ten Reasons I don't want to be VP when I grow up"
Why Sarah Palin Inspires Us

These are four very well written articles about why our country shouldn't have a women as a vice-president.

-Victoria

Are there any Little People?

About a month ago, now Tim Sweetman wrote an article for boundless magazine. It's titled No Little People. This article encourages people to be content with where God has placed them. Even if it doesn't seem like God is doing amazing things in their lives.
This served as a great reminder to me of how I'm to live my life. Take a few minutes to go and read it...I am assured that it will impact you.
Click here to read No Little People.

-Victoria

Zach Hunter: A Modern Day Abolitionist

Zach Hunter has challenged so many people of all ages with his passion to end modern day slavery. Before hearing about Zach Hunter I had no idea that there was still a large number of slaves in the world today. Zach has written two books Be the Change and now Generation Change, which was just released last April. I've read Be the Change and would highly recommend it. The first time I read Be the Change I had a hard time putting it down! Zach is an excellent writer and is great at communicating his message.
Ever since before Generation Change was released I've been wanting to purchase it and read it. Now over at bookschristian.com for a limited time if you buy Zach Hunter's newest book, Generation Change then bookschristian.com will donate a dollar from each purchase to Zach's organization, Loose Change to Loosen Chains. I'm hoping to buy this book at this time.
Now is a great chance to be able to read Zach's book and at the same time help to free slaves! So while this opportunity is still available I would suggest you purchase a copy of Generation Change...and while your over there you might want to get Be the Change too. :D
In this interview Zach shares about his passion to end modern day slavery, how you can help to end slavery, and about his organization Loose Change to Loosen Chains.



-Victoria

The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters and The Birkenhead Drill

A Book Review:

Note: I have decided to combine these two books into one review since they are so much a like.

The Birkenhead was the first iron hulled vessel of war and was known for her speed. She could make the journey to the Cape of Good Hope in a matter of only 45 days where it would take other ships 64 days. On the final voyage of the Birkenhead she set out with 638 men women and children aboard. She was carrying troops of military reinforcements to the soldiers in the Kaffir Wars, her destination was the Cape of Good Hope.

Then, on the morning of February 26th 1852 sometime before two o 'clock she struck a rock ledge less then a mile off the beach of Danger Point. Once the Captain realized what had happened he ordered that the ship reverse engines. This caused the iron hull to scrape against the rock ripping a huge hole in the bottom. An interesting note that was mentioned in this book was that this fatal decision, to reverse engines was also made by the Captain of the Titanic speeding the sinking process of both ships.

All the passengers gathered on deck, everyone realized the seriousness of the situation, for the ship was sinking fast. There were not enough life boats for everyone to get away safely...so the decision was made that the women and children would be saved while the men would stay aboard the ship. There was no hope of saving the ship and it was known that there were sharks circling the sinking Birkenhead. Nevertheless the men stepped back and helped the women and children aboard the lifeboats. About 20 minutes after the Birkenhead hit the rock she split in two and sank. More then 400 men died that night, eaten by sharks or drowned. But all the women and children where saved!

In The Birkenhead Drill it tells the story of the Birkenhead but it also has the testimonies of several men who survived and lived to tell the story. I think it always makes stories more interesting whenever the there are tales told from an eyewitness. Also this book was a very easy read since the it was only 64 pages long. (At the end there was a few pages that listed the names of those who survived and were killed so that made it a little longer.) I was able to read the book in 45 minutes.

The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters is filled with information! It tells so much about the Titanic and the people aboard it. I really learned so much about how confident everyone truly was of this ship. The chapters cover everything from the building of the Titanic to stories of people on board the Carpethia and people in New York. This book is so great because it has a lot of wonderful sketches and photographs that illustrate the book. It also compares the Titanic to other ships that have sunk.

Most people don't want to remember or think about these stories and the losses that were suffered aboard both the Birkenhead and the Titanic. But it is impossible to forget the great heroes and heroins and the legacy they left behind. They truly lived and died showing us that, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13)

The Birkenhead Drill
The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters

-Victoria

Books I'm Reading

Spencer and I are going to start sharing about the books we've been reading. Hopefully we'll be able to provide truthful, christian reviews about certain books. I'll be posting a list of the books I'm reading so that I'll be able to outline what I'll be writing about in my reviews. Unfortunately I don't have a list of the books Spencer's reading...so I guess it will just have to be a surprise! :D

Victoria's reading list:

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathon Swift:
I haven't read this yet but it looks very interesting! It was penned in 1726 and said to be one of the most compelling books ever written.

Kipling A Selection of His Stories and Poems by John Beecroft:
This book just contains a few of Kipling's stories such as the well known Jungle book and a few shorter works. Daddy thought this would be a good book to get me introduced to the writings of Kipling.

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem:
I've been reading this book with the Forum on the Rebelution for about 10 months now. I love everything I've learned from this book. It is rather thick but the chapters are very short and relatively easy to understand especially if you know what you believe theologically. It has been challenging to stay on schedule but this week I will be reading chapter 41 (Death and the Intermediate State) and chapter 44 (The Church: It's Nature, It's Mark, and It's Purposes).

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen:
I love Jane Austen she is such a wonderful and captivating author! I haven't read a lot of her books but I'm hoping to start with Sense and Sensibility. I have seen the movie that was based on this book and in the two chapters I've read so far there exactly the same.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christy:
This book was so enjoyable to read! Agatha Christy so vividly explains her characters that you are never left to wonder how they look or act. It was comparable to if she had pictures. Murder on Orient Express was very different from your average mystery book - I never figured out who the murderer was until the very end whenever the detective found out. All the passengers on the train have such different personalities and express themselves in so many different, rather humorous ways.

The Birkenhead Drill by Douglas W. Phillips:
Most people don't know the story of the Birkenhead or just how similar the the happening and catastrophes of this ship are to the Titanic. The Birkenhead sunk about 60 years before the Titanic but the thing that is familiar is how both on the Titanic and the Birkenhead men stepped aside and chose horrible deaths over letting the women and children die.

The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters:
This book has compiled stories of survivors from the Titanic and other people surrounding the accidents such as a few stories from passengers on the Carpethia (which rescued the people in the lifeboats from the Titanic.) This book also contains a lot of pictures and sketches of the Titanic and it's passengers. I enjoyed the chance to read this book so much because it told every detail, fact, and theory.

-Victoria