“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.” -Philippians 4:8
Rebekah Powell reviews…
Stepping Heavenward
by Elizabeth Prentiss
Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss, is hot on the heels of The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom, as my favorite book. Mrs. Prentiss (also the composer of the hymn, “More Love to Thee”) does an outstanding job of writing a straightforward, fictitious journal of a mid-19th century woman. The journalist, Katherine (who would much rather be called Katy), pens her struggles and victories through middle age in a journal given to her by her father on her sixteenth birthday.
I relate strongly to Katy; I have been encouraged the many times I’ve read it to see how Katy overcame her battles. The book begins on Katy’s not-so-sweet 16th birthday. Her strong will, passionate spirit, and quick temper gets her into trouble with anyone in her path. A tragic accident occurs, but she has not learned yet to turn herself over to Jesus and so finds little comfort. Her gentle mother anguishes over her rebellious daughter. Time passes, and Katy sees the error of her ways and zealously tries to mend them. She is black and white and painfully honest in her journaling. Stepping Heavenward will cause you to search your real self out, and want to be an open book for all to see.
Rebekah Powell is a homeschooled freshman on a ranch in West, Texas. She loves to be with her animals, read, and write.
4 Kinds of Readers
The first is like the hour-glass; their reading being as the sand, it runs in and runs out, and leaves no vestige behind.
The second is like the sponge, which imbibes everything, and returns it in nearly the same state, only a little dirtier.
A third is like a sieve, allowing all that is pure to pass away, retaining only the refuse and dregs.
And the fourth is like mining diamonds, casting aside all that is worthless, retaining only pure gems.
-from Apple Seeds, quoted by Samuel T. Coleridge from Miriam C. Hunter, Guidewords
“No books, no thought, no attainments.”
-John Ruskin (1819-1900)
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