The Respite Before Church

A loud sermon played on the CD radio in my kitchen. I washed the dishes, swept the floor and polished the stove.  I listened to spiritually quickening nourishment, while I tidied the parlour. Then I heard the church bells ring. I knew it would be time to leave soon.

There is a short time between daily tasks and religious duties that are like a "respite" for the soul.  It is when we prepare for the unseen joy of seeking holiness.

Yet, if we left the house a mess, or did not prepare in advance to take care of our earthly work, oh how restless and distracted we would be during the church time!

We can slowly walk away from our work, knowing it was well done.   We take a worldly break and head to the sacred time of heavenly things.    Is this a foreshadowing of things to come?

Some preparation time is necessary. If we are having a quiet Bible time at home, we gather our Bible and books and papers. We settle ourselves in our usual place before we begin. This is part of the respite. This is all part of the expectation and the eagerness, during the break between earthly and heavenly matters.

If we are to attend church and must travel, the time we get ready, or walk or drive is the respite.   It is a time of contemplation, and a readiness, to rid of us worldly thoughts, so we can focus on better things.

I wonder if those few moments before mortal death, the saints feel a blissful peace as they enter their long-awaited home in the heavenly realm?

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

The Wasting of Money - Electricity as an Entertainment Expense.

Every Home Should Have - A Housewife on Duty.

Through the Good and the Bad - As Sorrowful Yet Always Rejoicing at Home.

 

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

The Virtue of Silence

Painting by Adriana van Ravenswaay,1872.

 

The world is full of gossipers, people who talk about others and don't keep to their own affairs.

The world is full of reality. There is no discretion.

The world is laden with careless, thoughtless discussions which bring nothing but idle pain.

The world is full of arguing and always wanting to be right or to win.

The world is full of people who are not loyal to friends and family and share things they ought not.

Yet there is virtue in silence.

Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the peacemakers.

There is virtue in silence.


The art of dignity and privacy are virtues we need to cultivate. 

 

Blessings,
Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

 

Peace despite trials - Mother's Rose Colored Glasses.

God's precious care of our lives (Includes a story about Mrs. Charles Spurgeon) - All of God's Children Have Shoes.

Peaceful old time Living - Quiet Duties of Home.  

Beautiful Summer days at home (and living on a "Walton's Budget") - Old Time Homemaking. 

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

Be sure to Order a copy of this Peaceful devotional, Reprinted from a rare miniature book from the 1800's.

"Daily Food for Christians." 

 ISBN: 978-1956616064

Includes one year's worth of daily devotions. Preface by Mrs. White. 

Originally published by the American Tract Society. We have brought this book back into print through The Legacy of Home Press.

 Paperback, 215 pages. 

Excellent and highly recommended! 

 For more information, and to see the special features of this book, please visit The Legacy of Home Press blog. 

*  This same book was owned by 1800's author, Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss. *

 

Encouragement for Hard Times - A Quote

A snow-storm at our home in Vermont.

"I have held many things

and have lost them all.

But that which I have

placed in God's hands

I still retain."

- Martin Luther

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

Some of my favorite hymns - with beautiful photographs of Vermont scenery. 

"Hymns for Revival: Devotional with 28 Old Time Hymns"  by Mrs. White

 

126 pages, paperback

A Lovely Old Fashioned Study for You

The Elizabeth Prentiss Study

Elizabeth Prentiss

In October of 2009, I created a life transforming study. It is designed to help you have daily personal devotions.

The format helps discipline us, using daily assignments like Prayer, Keeping a Journal,  Bible Reading, Listening to hymns (or gospel music) and reading portions from a wonderful book written in the 1800's by Elizabeth Prentiss, "Stepping Heavenward."


This is a 90 day program and has been adapted for individual use. This was originally a free download,which is no longer available.

 In 2021, we expanded the study into a book.  

The original study was a printout that one would place into a binder notebook

.

.

 

The new deluxe edition includes these special features:

- Introduction by Mrs. Sharon White

- Portrait of Mrs. Prentiss, from 1882.

- About "Stepping Heavenward," including reviews written in 1871.

- Detailed directions for the study with inspiring details from the letters of Mrs. Prentiss. 

- Instructions for an optional Group Study format called "The Prentiss Study Club." It also has 12 weeks of weekly check-ins for those who want to do the program with others.

- The Study itself has 90 days of assignments with a place to check off each item as completed.

- A brief biography of the Prentiss family at their summer home in Dorset, Vermont (in the 1800's). This includes details of their family life, and photographs taken in 2019 by Mrs. White when she visited Dorset a few years ago. You will see a little of the town and the Prentiss home. 

- Reference notes include details of sources and other helpful information and guidance.

                        -------------------

 In addition to having a copy of "The Prentiss Study" book, you will need the following in order to do the study:


- Your Bible. (I use the KJV.)

- A copy of the 1800's book, Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss. (This is a fictitious journal, which has inspired and changed women all over the world.)

- A journal or notebook to record your diary entries.

- Access to hymns or gospel music.

- Time for Prayer each day.

                                                                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Below you will find a link to each edition of "The Prentiss Study Deluxe Edition" It is available in both paperback and hardcover.  Both editions are 105 pages.  The hardcover edition is especially sturdy and beautiful and will make an excellent addition to any home library. 

The Prentiss Study Deluxe Edition paperback.

105 pages, 6 x 9.        ISBN: ‎ 978-1956616040

The Prentiss Study Deluxe Edition hardcover. 

105 pages, 6 x 9.      ISBN:  978-1956616057

I hope you enjoy the study! If you are able to get "The Prentiss Study" and like it, I hope you will be able to leave a review on Amazon. It would be a great help to me. Thank you!

- Also available from The Legacy of Home Press:

 

Stepping Heavenward - The paperback edition:

ISBN # 978-1956616002

295 pages.

6 x 9

Enjoy!

Blessings
Mrs. White

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

Mrs. White's special book for homemakers:"Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking."

Find stories of home life, with photographs of my home, in this encouraging book. 

 Paperback, 200 pages. 

Mother Teresa

Painting by Adriana van Ravenswaay, 1872

I just found the perfect quote from Mother Teresa. I will print it out and put it on my fridge. I seriously had tears in my eyes as I got to the end of it.

Here is the quote:

The version found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

-this version is credited to Mother Teresa

 

Blessings

Mrs. White

 

From the Archives -

Ideas to minimize stress - Peace be Upon this House.

Tea Time with Grandchildren - The Importance of Formal Ceremony at Home.

What happened when I rushed ahead - Waiting for the Door to Be Opened.

Mrs. White's special book for homemakers:"Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking."

Find stories of home life, with photographs of my home, in this encouraging book. 

 Paperback, 200 pages. 

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

 

Courtiers and Holy Presence

The following quote is very important. I have a copy of this (handwritten) on a small index card right next to my telephone, where I can see it everyday.

-----------------------

"Courtiers are more polite in their
manners than ordinary subjects,
because they are more in the prince's
eye and company.

The oftener we are in God's court,
the more holy shall we become."

-Thomas Manton [Puritan Minister]
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Duty - A Devotion

The following is a quote taken from the book, "The Bruised Reed" by (Puritan) Richard Sibbes, 1630:

"As we set about duty, God strengthens the influence that he has in us.

We find a warmness of heart and increase of strength, the Spirit going along with us and raising us up by degrees, until he leaves us at it were in Heaven."

Passing on the Faith

The following is a quote from an old book:

"We would affectionately remind you, that to you the eyes of the church are directed; and on you the responsibility will soon devolve, of transmitting the cause of God in its purity and integrity, to succeeding ages. Your Fathers will soon be called to their rest, no more to serve their God in the land of the living. Let it be your aim to be prepared to step into their places."

- James M. Henderson

Simplicity Devotion

A Quote:


"To reorder one's own world, the need to simplify is imperative. Otherwise, we will find ourselves unable to be at rest within, unable to enter the deep, silent recesses of our hearts, where God's best messages are communicated.

And if we live very long in that condition, our hearts grow cold toward Christ and we become objects of seduction in a wayward world."

"What perils await us in that condition!"

 - Chuck Swindoll, from  ~ Intimacy with the Almighty~




(Updated on June 2016:  I found this quote on another blog, which no longer exists. I had originally included a link to their blog.) 


Blessings
Mrs. White

Devotion

"For what is our conversion but a turning of our back upon the world
and bidding farewell to all that the heart had hitherto been entwined around?
It is then that like Abraham we forsake all and go out not knowing whither."
- Horatius Bonar

A Devotion on Holiness

"The Family of God - that is the Church's name. As such, He dwells in the midst of it, cares for it, and watches over it. His dealings with it are those of a father - fond yet strict - loving yet wise - sitting among His children, having His eye on each, and ordering His gracious wisdom all the concerns of His household."

- Horatius Bonar