Our Mutual Friend

Our Mutual Friend is the last completed novel written by Charles Dickens.  It was published in serial form throughout 1864-5.  Containing many unique and fascinating characters, thought-provoking satirical subplots, and Biblical parallels, it is still read today and even more appreciated today than when it was first written, and has also been made into a six-hour film miniseries by the BBC in 1998.

Dickens’ last novel, and one of his most complex and unique plots, finds its beginnings with a man named Harmon. Harmon was a hard, greedy, and unfeeling man who gained a great fortune in dust mounds. Upon his death, his inheritance is to go to his son John, who has been living abroad for most of his life, on the condition that he marries a woman whom he has never met—one Bella Wilfer. However, at the time that young John Harmon was to return to claim his fortune and his bride, he is reported drowned.

At this unexpected turn of events, the Harmon fortune goes to Mr. Harmon’s most trusted servants, Mr. and Mrs. Nicodemus Boffin, while various people become suspect for the murder of the drowned man. Happy-go-lucky, endearing, and unspoiled Mr. and Mrs. Boffin decide to “go in for fashion” and take in John Harmon’s intended bride, beautiful but mercenary Bella, to help soften the injury at being willed “like a dozen spoons” and at losing a prospective fortune. Joining the Boffins to act as a secretary is a mysterious man called John Rokesmith, who appears to have no back history but who studies Bella quietly and faithfully.
At the same time, a carefree, idle young laywer named Eugene Wrayburn makes attempts to clear Gaffer Hexam, the man who recovered the body of John Harmon, of the suspicion of having done the murderous deed. Not only does he wish to clear Gaffer, but he also finds himself attracted to the man’s modest and gentle daughter Lizzie. He is not the only man attracted to Lizzie’s beauty and sweet temperament; the girl also finds herself followed by her brother’s somewhat psychotic schoolmaster.

In his masterful way, Dickens weaves together a tale so complex and so compelling, and at the same time packed with rich spiritual truths, and all of it finding its center in the “mutual friend” of the title. Approximately 800 pages of reading will sweep you up into a tale consisting of sweet romance, murder mystery, stalkers, the painted lives of high society and the stark realities of riverside London, wealth and poverty, disputed wills, midnight chases, and a vast array of unique characters (some totally loveable and some absolutely detestable).

Not only does Our Mutual Friend commentate on the social ills of the day, but it also portrays a variety of Biblical truths that leap right off the page into the very lives of the readers.  In this story, we see parallels of Christ's relation to the Church (how He draws us and proves us through testing), of faith and trust.  We see the difference between selfishness and contentment, between false love that seeks to gain for oneself and true love that wishes the good for others.  We see the mind of the redeemed, and we see the mind of a murderer.  We see the false expectations of the world and the heart of what truly matters.  Our Mutual Friend gives its readers much to think on and apply.

Our Mutual Friend is, at this point, my favorite Dickens novel (and miniseries), and I highly recommend it!  However, it may not be enjoyable to those who enjoy an easy read, a simple plot, light comedy, and few enough characters to keep track of easily.  Dickens was a writer with a master mind, and reading any book by him is no small undertaking.  However, it is both enjoyable and rewarding. 

Kirsten's Secret Friend ~ A Photo Story

 I recently made this photo story (with Amanda's help), based on a chapter in the second book of the American Girl Kirsten series by Janet Shaw.  Enjoy! :-)

http://picasaweb.google.com/105696927071578854141/KirstenSSecretFriend#

P.S. I know, my lack of posting is inexcusable... I really just haven't been taking the time to write down my thoughts... Hopefully I'll get some more posts up soon.

~God of Heaven~

We had the wonderful opportunity to see the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team last week. Each evening we heard wonderful, convicting, God-honoring preaching from Mr. Pettit, and each evening we heard stirring, beautiful music from the team. I decided to share a video of one of the songs they sang... it was SOOOOO beautiful. The quality of the video isn't tops, but I hope you will be blessed by the song anyway! (We ordered sheet music for this song, so in a couple days, Lord willing, I will post the words for you to read as you listen. :-) )

P.S. I'm so sorry for my lack of posts lately. I was so busy last week, and was feeling sick yesterday, and just haven't had too much to write. Or perhaps I do have much to write but don't feel like or know how to sit down and write it out. As one writer said, “In every serious human thought born in anyone’s brain there is always something left over which is impossible to communicate to others; not even if you were to write volumes on it for thirty-five years; there will always be something left which cannot be coaxed out of your brain, and which will remain with you forever; you will die with it, without ever communicating to anyone what is perhaps the essence of your thought.” :-)

That said, here's the video:

~A Poem~

O, Lord, how often I forget Thee,

in the fleeing hours of the day!

But when the sun lets forth its hues,

Splendid pinks, golds, and blues,

My thoughts oft' turn back to Thee!

O, Lord, take the keys to my heart and soul,

and keep them safe for Thee,

Lest I, in the passing days and years,

Forget, Thee, the Savior of my soul!

~written by a friend

Poem found at Gabrielle's blog-- thanks, Gabrielle!

Books

 For those of you who love to read, I thought I might let you know that Barnes and Noble is having a "Buy Two, Get the Third Free" deal on their classics until October 31st.

Here are some books that I purchased with a gift card last week.

 I can't wait to finish the book I'm reading now so I can start on these! :-)

And here's my whole Barnes and Noble Classics Collection...as it stands now. ;-)  I'm planning on going back and getting more before the sale is over.  But for now, I think these will keep me quite busy.  All the ones I bought are between 600 and 800 pages! :-)

What have you all been reading lately?  What is on your plan-to-read-soon list? :-)

Higher Ground ~ My Heart's Prayer

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” 

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 


~words by Johnson Oatman, Jr. 

Quote

“God made us: invented us a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on gasoline, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”

- C.S. Lewis

Updates on my Novel

H.M.S. Bounty

Writing has been going great lately.  After my ship got stuck in the doldrums (so to speak) for about a week, I finally pulled out of them and have been going at full speed, usually writing between 1,000 and 1,500 words a day.  I am on chapter 23, with (I'm guessing) fifteen chapters to go.  Wow, that seems like I a lot, especially if I am to finish by December. 

I've been able to get in a lot of study for it as well.  Last Saturday, we got to attend a Tall Ships Festival and tour some ships remarkably similar to the ones in my story.

I have chosen to model the pirates' ship, the Imperial II, after the merchant ship we visited, the H.M.S. Bounty.  The Bounty is a remake of the ship by the same name, involved in the famous "mutiny on the Bounty" (which, to be honest, I know absolutely nothing about) and has been used in several films, including the 1990 adaption of Treasure Island and Pirates of the Caribbean II.  It's a large, beautiful ship with a large deck and hold, which helped me get an idea of how to describe the interior of the pirates ship. 

The Lynx

The other ship we visited, the Lynx, is a remake of a privateer schooner used in the War of 1812.  While the model is about fifty or sixty years too late for my story, the Lion in The Marquis' Daughter is remarkably similar (with alterations to make it fit the era, of course).  Upon approaching the Lynx, I had the same reaction as Mark does in my book-- this ship is so tiny!  "I only wonder whether such a small vessel could take on a pirate ship" (to quote Mark).  But these little vessels were fast, and could take on a vessel or escape one very quickly.  There's no much room on deck or below, and it can be manned by at least ten people and be readied for sail in about fifteen minutes.


Some other study I've been doing takes the form of reading.  About a year ago, I read Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island and was less than enthusiastic about it.  I didn't dislike it, but it didn't really "do anything for me".  This time reading it, however, I was absolutely ENTHRALLED and stuck on the edge of my seat.  Not only did I find myself deeply entrenched in the adventure and finding the characters as real as anyone, but also I picked up a good deal of helps for my book.  Descriptions of the ship, nautical terms, and pirate grammar and lingo all gave me a boost in MD, and I feel like I have a better handle on the "sea flavor" now.

Me being author-ish and getting info about ships

I talked to one of the sailors on board the Lynx and she recommended a book that should help me with nautical terms for my book and a better understanding of ships and schooners so I plan to find that...somewhere.... and read it too. :-)


Please pray for me as I continue work on MD.  Of course, I love the adventurous storyline and characters, but most of all, I want to make the characters' spiritual journeys become alive and very applicable to my readers.  I don't want it to be merely a fun read; I want it to impact and, with God's help, change people's lives.  Please pray that I would be Biblical, that I would present the truth as God would have me to do, and that the plotline would not override the spiritual aspect but rather emphasize it and make it very real to my readers.  Thanks so much!


"Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3)

The Essence of Christianity

A topic that has been very much on my mind lately is the essence of Christianity.   Do we who calls ourselves Christians really know what we mean when we say we are Christians?  What is real Christianity?

So many people have so many different ideas of what Christianity is and means.  To some it is attending a church as opposed to a mosque or a synagogue, believing about God, and perhaps being baptized by one form or another.  To some it is merely doing nice or good things, and having good feelings about God.  To others it is yelling, "Beware of the judgment to come!", "God hates gays!" and "You're going to crack hell wide open!" at the top of their lungs, burning Korans, and slamming various individuals who don't think just the same way as they do; or it is to dress a certain way and refrain from certain holidays and practices in order to stand out from anyone else.  I am afraid that over half of the people who call themselves "Christians" don't even know what true Christianity is, much like the Pharisees of Jesus' day did not know what true religion is, and are very tragically deceived.

Christianity is not merely a "faith" or a name by which to call oneself.  It is not doing "nice" things or violently defending a cause, however good the cause may be.  In fact, these things done apart from Him disgust Him. Over and over throughout the Bible, particularly in the prophets, God expresses his abhorrence for religionist's ritualistic practices, fancy prayers, and smart words with no true passion for Him.  Repeatedly, He voices His displeasure in those who honor Him with their lips, but whose hearts are far from Him...who teach as doctrines the commandments of men". 

However, He does tell us very clearly, and very frequently, what true religion is.

"For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (Psalm 51:16,17)

"But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." (Isaiah 66:2b)

"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:8-10)

"'With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?  Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?'  He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:6-8)

INTERRUPTION:  There you have it in three simple, straightforward phrases that cannot be debated:
Do justice.
Love kindness.
Walk humbly with your God.

In the new testament, Jesus words the same message in another way and sums up the essence of Christianity in not three phrases but in one word-- LOVE, which goes hand in hand with the humility spoken of in the previous verses (because neither love or humility can have any thought of self).

"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'" (Matthew 22:37-39)

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

In the letter to the Philippians, Paul, inspired by God, confesses that everything-- his distinguished heritage, his flawless behavior, his zeal and works-- were nothing, absolutely nothing, they were all loss because of "the surpassing worth of KNOWING CHRIST." (Philippians 3:2-11)

There you have it.  These verses and hundreds more tell me that the essence of Christianity is, in the words of George MacDonald, to "know God and grow like Him".  And as we come to know God as He is, we will most certainly come to love Him, and as we grow like Him, we will think less of ourselves and come to have in us that same love for others with which He loved us.  For there cannot be true Christianity without the fruit of works pleasing to God, and there cannot be true Christianity in a heart that is marked by and full of hate or pride.  And there can be no Christianity without coming to know, for oneself, and to love with all that is in us, Jesus Christ of whom the Bible speaks, Jesus Christ who created, saves, and sustains us.

To know God and grow like Him.

This is the essence of Christianity.

Reading Tag :-)

Here's a fun tag I came across and thought I'd share. :-)

(1) Top 3 Authors:

• 1.GEORGE MACDONALD!!!
• 2. Jane Austen
• 3.Charles Dickens

(2) Top 3 male characters:

• Malcolm (The Fisherman's Lady and The Marquis' Secret by George MacDonald)

• Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen)

• Arthur Clennam (Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens)

(3) Top 3 female characters:

• Fanny Price (Mansfield Park by Jane Austen)
• Millie Keith (A Life of Faith series)
• Danielle DeBarbarac (Ever After; I know that's a book, not a movie, but still, she's a favorite female character...)
  

(4) Top 20 fictional books:

• Malcolm (George MacDonald)
• Northanger Abbey (Jane Austen)
• Mansfield Park (Jane Austen)
• What's Mine's Mine (George MacDonald)
• For One Moment (Christmas Carol Kauffman)
• Christy (Catherine Marshall)
• North and South (Elizabeth Gaskell)
• The Curate's Awakening (George MacDonald)
• Bleak House (Charles Dickens)
• Our Mutual Friend (Charles Dickens)
• Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson)
• Little Women (Louisa Mae Alcott)
• Little House series (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
• Calico Captive (Elizabeth George Speare)
• A Life of Faith: Millie Keith series
• Prisoners of the Sea (Florence M. Kingsley)
• Four Girls at Chautauqua (Isabella Alden)
• Emma (Jane Austen)
• Facets of Fantasy (a collection of short novels by Sarah Scheele)

(5) Top 3 books most recently read:

• What's Mine's Mine/The Highlander's Last Song (George MacDonald)
• Eric Liddell: Pure Gold (David McCasland)
• Halogen Crossing (Sarah Scheele)

(6) Worst 3 books ever read:

• THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK!!! (I couldn't even make it through it!!)
• The Scottish Chiefs (Jane Porter) (the overly flowery language and massacres every other chapter were a little too much for me :-) )
• The Rivers of Judah series (probably the worst-written series of books I have ever read!!)

(7) Top 5 scenes from any books:

Oh my-- that's not fair! Top FIVE scenes? How am I supposed to decide??

• The riot scene in North and South :-D :-D :-D
• The final confrontation between Malcolm, Florimel, and Lord Liftore in Malcolm/The Marquis' Secret
• When Henri Baillot escapes from the castle in Prisoners of the Sea-- hilarious and exciting at the same time! :-)
• Dark Island... This scene has "come back to me" many a time when I've found myself on my own "Dark Island, and it is so beautiful and comforting and encouraging. :) "Courage, dear heart!" <3>
• FAVORITEST: In Our Mutual Friend, the scene in which Mr. Boffin fires Rokesmith, and Bella comes to the point of realizing that she loves Rokesmith; that she was a foolish, worldly girl; and that money means nothing in light of the truly important things in life. Reading/watching her come to the decision to leave the Boffins and the wealth she could have there to live a life of poverty with her family, and then with her love, brings tears to my eyes! I love that scene. Oh, and of course, when Rokesmith appears: "My dear girl! My gallant, courageous and noble Bella. You are my love?" "Well I suppose I am if you think me worth taking." The sweetest thing ever!!! Love that scene. Love that story. :-D
  

(8) The book(s) that made me cry the most:

• Definitely Kathleen's Enduring Faith.... WAAAAHHH!!!! I was nearly sobbing towards the end of that. Though I was sobbing near the end of Bleak House too.

(9) The books that made me laugh the most:

• Hm....my goodness, I don't know. Possibly the Methuselah Chronicles. I don't read comedy too often.
  

(10) The books that made me feel good the most at the end:

Well, "feel good" isn't exactly a term I think in when I finished a book. How about the books that leave me feeling inspired? :-)

• The Curate's Awakening (George MacDonald)
• Mountain Rain (biography of J. O. Fraser)
• Green Leaf in Drought (Isobel Kuhn)
• Christy (Catherine Marshall)
• Eric Liddell: Pure Gold (David McCasland)

(11) Contemporary or Historical?

• HISTORICAL, DUH! (Hasn't this quiz been reading the titles I've been putting down? The only contemporary book I listed was in my "dislikes" section!!)

(12) Science fiction, Fantasy or Horror?

• fantasy (though I don't read much of it). Definitely not horror (I don't think I've ever read or watched anything of that genre, for which I am grateful), and I don't care much for Sci Fi except the mild kind that doesn't involve robots or aliens taking over the world :-P

(13) Hardback, Trade Paperback, or Mass Market Paperback?

• Nice paperback or hardback is fine.

(14) Barnes and Noble or amazon?

• I've never ordered from Amazon... and I have a Barnes and Noble gift certificate to use... so I'd have to say Barnes and Noble for right now

(15) Bookmark or Dog ear?

• Bookmark, definitely! I like to keep my books looking like new, if possible. :-)

(16) Alphabetize by Author, Alphabetize by title or no organization whatsoever?

• By author. Always. And size, if "author" doesn't apply. :-)

(17) Keep, Throw Away, or Sell?

• Keep!! Why would I buy a book to throw away or sell? Except I did throw away The Diary of Anne Frank...good riddance...

(18) Little Women or Anne of Green Gables?

• Little Women

(19) Short Story or Novel?

• Novel

(20) Stop Reading when tired or chapter breaks?

• Depends on the book. I like to finish at a chapter break, but if my attention span is particularly limited that particularly day, I might stop in the middle of a chapter.

(21) "It was a dark and stormy night" or "Once upon a time"?

• "It was a dark, and stormy night"... makes me think of Snoopy, actually ;-) Anyway, it's more adventurous feeling. Though "once upon a time" is nice too.

(22) buy or borrow?

• Buy, if possible
  

(23) Standalone or series?

• I think I prefer stand-alones best, though I do like some series. Trilogies are pretty cool. :-)

(24) Tidy Ending or Cliff Hanger?

• Tidy ending, of course. Unless there's a sequel.

I tag......

all my literary friends! :-)