The Winner of the Art Poll Is...

orman Rockwell! He is one of my favorites, too. His paintings evoke the charm of yesteryear, with closer-knit families, outdoor playing, etc. And the detail of his paintings are stunning! Not to say every one of the paintings is perfect in subject matter, but a vast number of them are good.

Since he won the poll (3 votes), I decided to share some of his pictures here. Click Here for more of his work.


Coming in second on the poll were Monet and "Other"....Third place is tied between Van Gogh, Waterhouse, and Cassatt.

Evenings with Victoria Botkin

emininity has been distorted in our country and in our day. There are misconceptions and confusion. Does femininity mean weakness and old-fashioned dowdiness? Not really, though old-fashioned does not always equal dowdy. But does true femininity try to be like a man? If so, why were we made to be women and not men? What are the right differences? If you want to learn more about our true roles and be an encouragement to others, you may want to tune into Evenings with Victoria Botkin. She is a woman who has, along with her husband, raised productive, distinctive children with a love for learning and a love for the Lord.

Click Here to find out more.

ere are two thought-provoking quotes from The Family (aka Home-Making) by J. R. Miller. It's an "oldie but goodie"--available to buy at Vision Forum.

These are from the chapter about the wife's part.

"Let it be remembered that Christ's work in the home is the first that he gives to every wife, and that no amount of consecrated activities in other spheres will atone in this world or the next for neglect or failure there."

"A woman whose heart is not touched by the sickness of sorrow and whose hands do not go out in relief where it is in her power to help, lacks one of the elements which make the glory of womanhood."

Modesty

1 Timothy 2:8-15 (NKJV)
^'I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.'

A Maid in the Kitchen by David Emile Joseph de Noter

Some of these quotes are about the other kind of modesty: humility. But I enjoyed them, and hope you do, too!

“Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue” - Joseph Addison

“Nothing is more amiable than true modesty, and nothing more contemptible than the false” - Joseph Addison

“Modesty is to merit, as shades to figures in a picture, giving it strength and beauty” - Jean de la Bruyere

“Modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues.” - Oliver Goldsmith

Modesty used to be considered a natural female attribute. No more. - Linda Chavez

No education can be of true advantage to young women but that which trains them up in humble industry, in great plainness of living, in exact modesty of dress. - William Law

There are no better cosmetics than a severe temperance and purity, modesty and humility, a gracious temper and calmness of spirit; and there is no true beauty without the signatures of these graces in the very countenance. - Arthur Helps

With people of limited ability modesty is merely honesty. But with those who possess great talent it is hypocrisy. - Arthur Schopenhauer

You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long, and the great charm of all power is modesty. - Louisa May Alcott

Haiti

We're praying for the people in Haiti, and like to follow the news of a godly team down there on Mr. Phillips' blog. You can donate to their cause here.

Don't forget there are other needy people elsewhere, even in our own country. Ones who need the gospel. And here is another worthy cause, for the people in Darfur, Africa.

I'm not a good door-to-door evangelist type of person, but I want to do what I can, and pray that even my life is a good witness. There is much I need to work on, much grace needed. What things can we do to be a better witness? Thoughts and ideas welcome.