Seven years before, Anne Elliott had listened to well-intended but mistaken advice and had broken off an engagement with Captain Wentworth.  Now’s he’s back, and this time Anne lets love conquer all.  Author Jane Austen had also turned down a proposal, and might have been having second thoughts, but soon after writing his novel, she died of tuberculosis.  This is Jane Austen’s last and greatest novel.

If you long for classic literature contrasting modern literature’s emphasis on the bawdy, this is not the book for you.  The book does contain references to those activities perpetuating the human race.  However, the book does have elegant description, uproarious high spirits, and has been described as “epic, comic, tragic” and still true to life.

The story focuses on Tom, born in the mid-1700s of uncertain parentage, but of definite pure heart and warm blood.  In life, he meets virtue, vice and various people richly described, suffers funny misfortune finds fame and fortune.

This Time-Life book pictures South American civilization starting with the Chavin civilizations of 1400-400 BC, then the Paracas, Nazca and Moche cultures of 400 BC to 550 AD, then Tiahuanacans and Hauris of 550-900, then the Chimi of 900-1476, then the Incas, who established overall control, only to be defeated by the Spaniards in 1532.  By 1572, the last Inca resistance had been crushed with its last king’s death.            The Incas divided their society into 10s, 50s, 100s, 500s and 1,000s, and so on, almost the same as Moses divided

Dickens wrote during the height of the industrial revolution, when factories and mines hired children because their hands and bodies were small and they could do detailed work or fit in tiny places more easily than adults.  When children’s hands were chopped off by machinery, factory bosses said it was the children’s fault for carelessness.   Boarding schools were frequently simply stages on which frustrated adults could strike out physically, emotionally and psychologically at children under their so-called care.  Nicholas Nickleby contains one of Dickens’ most vivid characters, headmaster Wackford Squeers.  Along with Nicholas’ unethical uncle, Ralph, the title character goes through the usual heartaches we expect in Dickens, befriends a retarded orphan who had been abandoned at the boarding school, and comes out safe and sound at the end—we also expect that in Dickens.  In Great Expectations, the main character rises in society through writing; in Nicholas Nickleby, through drama.

This book contains excerpts from his previous books Failing Forward:  Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones for Success, The 21 Indispensible Qualities of a Leadeer:  Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow, The Success Journey:  The Process of Living Your Dreams.  He says the secrets of success are:  Dream (what he in other books calls Vision); Persevere (don’t give up);  Grow (develop yourself).  Tastefully done illustrations matched with bon mots of wisdom.  Excerpts in this issue’s Leadership Lessons section.

This is the wittiest play I know.  John Worthing lives in the country with his young-lady ward, Cecily Cardew, and her fussy teacher, Miss Prism.  To escape, Ernest pretends to have a young profligate brother named Ernest who lives in

“Lord, what fools these mortals be.”  Still true.  One of Shakespeare’s earlier plays, this one focuses on mixing humans and make-believe creatures of fantasyland.  Well-meaning fairies interrupt a human romance while having their own arguments among themselves.  And a group of tradesmen practice a home-made drama under the stars in the forest, where they think no one will bother them.  A good time is had by all and, of course, this being a comedy, all are happy in the end.

This home is like a haven, place of rest,
As quiet harmony and loving care
Bestow upon each visitor and guest
A sense of peace and true contentment there.
Its roots are deeply anchored in the past
When diligence and faithfulness were taught,
And bread upon the waters, freely cast,
Has multiplied with benefits unsought.
By faith in God this citadel was built
Its air of welcome without pomp, acclaim…
Extends the hand of fellowship to all,
A sharing of great blessings in His name.
This home reflecting earthly joy and love
Yields foretaste of those mansions up above.

Arlet Osnes Vollers

When you will be leaving your house for a period of time:

1.A stack of newspapers and/or mail on your veranda is an invitation to a burglar.  Therefore, cancel mail and newspaper delivery.  If the PO will not agree, then have a trust person pick up mail and/or packages every day.
2.NEVER leave a note telling people to leave all deliveries with the next-door neighbor.
3.Trim back all bushes near your house.  Burglars love to have that cover when approaching your home.
4.Don’t leave messages for people saying you’re not home.  Say you’re not available presently.
5.Safeguard valuables.  Move things of value to another location—bank safety deposit boxes, or a friend’s home.  Record everything of value in your home.
6.Don’t close curtains completely—that advertises to everyone that you’re not home.
7.Make sure all ground floor windows and doors have no broken panes or loose locks.
8.Put up sign for “Beware of Dog.”
9.Don’t leave an extra key under an outside mat or rock.  Thieves know these hiding places.
10.Have a neighbor watch the home.  If your neighborhood has a program for this, use it.  And provide a neighbor with a way to contact you or a responsible party in case of an emergency during your absence.
11.You might leave a key with a trusted neighbor—this will avoid damage from water leaks or some other minor disaster.
12.Call your local police so that they can watch.
13.Make sure all electricity bills, etc, are paid in advance.  If you’ll be gone a long time, make advance payments.
14.If you have a car and a garage door opener, don’t leave the door opener in the car during your absence.
15.Now have peace of mind and enjoy your journey.

Youth Corps is an idea gathering young people for the purpose of evangelizing new places.  For instance, on 24 August 2001 Youth Corps members gathered in Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada, and for three days witnessed to people in the entire city, inviting them to church services.  On Saturday morning, they had a prayer meeting, and, ever since, the local church has had visitors—105 total.  Attendance has increased and the Youth Corps put them in touch with one hundred new families. (reported in Reflections, pMarch-April 2002, p11).

AFRAID?

1.  Afraid what other people will think of you?  But what if they don’t mock you, but applaud you instead?  Or think you have a great idea and want to help you do it?  Base your worth on what Jesus thinks.  Through Him you’re more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).

2.Afraid you’re not good enough?  You don’t have to be the best, just your best.  Just use the abilities and talents God gave you.

3.Afraid you’ll fail?  If you do, you won’t be the first.  But you can also succeed!
Therefore:

A.Pray that God will change your mind.  You’re created in God’s image and you can accomplish what He has for you.

B.Pray that God will give you opportunities.  Look for them right where you are.

C.Pray that God will give you courage.  We can’t do all things alone, but we can move forward with Jesus giving us strength.

(excerpted by Stanley Scism from Teresa Cleary’s “Letting God Use You Right Where You Are” in The Conqueror March-April 2002, p12-13)