The Portable Patriot Review

This book took me almost a year to read, but it was a valuable read.

First of all, I have to say that I love the design of the book. It may seem a small thing, but it made the book more readable to me. It's a small hardcover book, with a smooth cover, cloth binding, attractive fonts, rough page edges, and a few illustrations throughout. There are even the signatures of the Declaration of Independence signers in the front and back, which helps bring the people and the times alive.

Secondly, the passages were well chosen with a variety of kinds of documents, including sermons and poems, which I enjoyed. I am not at all a legal mind and don't know much about politics, so some of the documents were hard for me to wade through and understand, but with patience and concentration, I did get something out of most selections.

I was impressed with the far-reaching foresight some of the men of that day had.

I was challenged to learn more of the history of America and to help keep the original goals of the country alive.

Here are a few inspiring and insightful quotes from Noah Webster:

"The consideration, also, that the intended effects of a free government, are mostly defeated by an abuse of its privileges, should make us more solicitous to acquire a deep and correct knowledge of its true principles, and more vigilant in guarding against the impositions of designing men. . . . men who seek offices by fair promises, and flatter only to deceive."

"Let them consider that upon them has devolved the task of defending and improving the rich inheritance, purchased by their fathers. Nor let them view this inheritance of National Freedom and Independence, as a fortune that is to be squandered away, in ease and riot, but as an estate to be preserved only by industry, toil, and vigilance. Let them cast their eyes around upon the aged fathers of the land, whose declining strength calls for their support, and whose venerable years and wisdom demand their deference and respect."

I was given this book for free by booksneeze.com in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks!

Poll Results

Here are the results from the last poll (what time do you normally go to bed):
8:00-9:00 PM 1 (4%) 9:00-10:00 PM 6 (24%) 10:00-11:00 PM 4 (16%) 11:00 PM-12:00 AM 7 (28%) 12:00-1:00 AM 2 (8%) 1:00-2:00 AM 4 (16%) 2:00-3:00 AM 0 (0%) 3:00-4:00 AM 1 (4%) I work a night shift and sleep in the day. 0 (0%)
Why did I choose such a question? I guess I was curious to see if I was the only night owl. ;) I'm trying to do better, but it's so hard....
And there's a new poll up!

Springtime!

Springtime! by hismercysurrounding

Hope in God

by Melissa M.
4-13-11

Balanced honesty and humility,
And encouragement every day--
That is what I want to give
In everything I say.

I may be weak and sinful--
Oh, I know it's true, indeed!--
But the Lord is strong to save,
And give victory the lead.

So don't be downcast, O my soul,
Hope in God, your only hope!
His glory is the object,
His strength your saving rope.

Faith, as from the Canaanite Woman in Matthew 15

'This woman is next of all an example to those who think they have been repulsed in their endeavours after salvation. Have you been praying, and have you not succeeded? Have you sought the Lord, and do you seem to be more unhappy than ever? Have you made attempts at reformation and amendment, and believed that you made them in the divine strength, and have they failed? Yet trust in Him whose blood has not lost its efficacy, whose promise has not lost its truth, and whose arm has not lost its power to save. Cling to the cross, sinner. If the earth sink beneath thee, cling on; if storms should rage, and all the floods be out, and even God Himself seem to be against thee, cling to the cross. There is thy hope. Thou canst not perish there.'
-Humility and How to Get It by Charles Spurgeon

Old (Classic) Poems

In this poem, found in The Treasury of David, v's are written as u's and e's were extremely popular, which makes for an interesting read. :) But it is a great poem, based partially on psalm 36.

Thy mercie Lord doth to the HEAUENS extend,
Thy faithfullnes doth to the CLOUDES assend;
Thy justice stedfast as a MOUNTAINE is,
Thy JUDGMENTS deepe as is the great Abisse;
Thy noble mercies saue all liueinge thinges,
The sonnes of men creepe underneath thy winges:
With thy great plenty they are fedd at will,
And of thy pleasure's streame they drinke their fill;
For euen the well of life remaines with thee,
And in thy glorious light wee light shall see.

-Sir John Davies.

And I love this one, written by Jeroninus Segerson, while he was in prison at Antwerp (he was a Baptist martyr). He wrote it to his wife, Lysken, who also was a prisoner there, 1551. (From The Treasury of David.)

In lonesome cell, guarded and strong I lie,
Bound by Christ's love, his truth to testify,
Though walls be thick, the door no hand unclose,
God is my strength, my solace, and repose.

Photo Set #2

Keys to Delightful Springtime Memories by hismercysurrounding

(This is for a contest.)

Sweet Sojourn - Photo Set

Sweet Sojourn by hismercysurrounding

(This was fun, and was made as a possibly contest entry. Polyvore is not without its pitfalls, though, so I'm not sure I'd recommend it.)

Another Post on Reading

If you haven't read this post by Chantel yet, please do! Especially if you are an avid reader.

The Reading Balance

Verses and Message

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. - Galatians 5:22-24

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. - 1 Peter 1:5-7

~~~~

My brother, Joel, gives a message here that I needed to hear. We can be too accepting or too condemning, and I have fallen on both sides at times, but probably more often the latter (in my heart if not outwardly). Here's his message:

Teaching and Correcting in Love and Humility