Knowledge and Wisdom

Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

I’m a life-long learner.

I confess, I didn’t like school. Elementary school was okay, but by the time I reached junior high and high school, I wasn’t a fan. Not being a social butterfly, I was quiet and everything kind of overwhelmed me. I did like having friends and going to basketball games, but I preferred to stay home and read or wander outside.

The funny thing is, I loved learning and I still do. After high school, I attended college for two years, but it took me until I was forty-eight years old to complete my bachelor’s degree. In the meantime, ironically, I worked in education. In the library of the elementary school and in a college library, I encouraged students to read and learn.

Even though I wasn’t a fan of school, I loved gathering knowledge and wisdom, and I do believe school is extremely important. As I tell my grandchildren, whether you enjoy school or not, you need to do your best.

The apostle Paul is writing to the Philippian church and reminding them to keep learning. He prayed they would grow in knowledge and insight. Knowledge of God’s word and insight into the people God called them to love. He encouraged the people to discern or consider what was best when it came to loving people as Jesus loved them, and he reminded them they would grow in the fruit or righteousness, or the fruit of the Spirit.  

God wants me to keep learning and use what I learn to love people better. As I seek the truth in His word, I grow in His love for other people. As a result, I glorify my heavenly Father through my actions.

Are you learning more about Jesus every day?

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Fiction Book Review: Christy by Catherine Marshall

About the book:

New edition of Catherine Marshall's inspirational classic! 

The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting her to another world. The Smoky Mountain

community of Cutter Gap feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.

But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her - and her one-room school - as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove.

Yearning to make a difference, will Christy's determination and devotion be enough?

Learn more, download a free map of Cutter Gap, and purchase a copy.

About the author:

Catherine Marshall (1914-1983), The New York Times best-selling author of 30 books, is best known for her novel Christy. Based on the life of her mother, Christy captured the hearts of millions and became a popular CBS television series. Around the kitchen table at Evergreen Farm, as her mother reminisced, Catherine probed for details and insights into the rugged lives of these Appalachian highlanders. Catherine shared the story of her husband, Dr. Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the United States Senate, in A Man Called Peter. A decade after Dr. Marshall's untimely death, Catherine married Leonard LeSourd, Executive Editor of Guideposts, forging a dynamic writer-editor partnership. A beloved inspirational writer and speaker, Catherine's enduring career spanned four decades and reached over 30 million readers.

Find out more about Catherine at http://gileadpublishing.com/christy/.

My Review:
Cracking open Christy was like going home for me. I read Christy probably six or seven times between high school and college, back in the 1970s. I even wrote a paper using Christy as the core book. I can honestly say that Christy is my all-time favorite novel. Yes, I love it that much. Catherine Marshall's writing is simply beautiful. Her descriptions pulled me into the story and made me feel I was in the Smoky Mountains right along with Christy. And the characters! She has a knack for breathing life into each person Christy met. I love Fairlight and the beauty she brings to her life regardless of her circumstances. Alice Henderson is amazing. How fun to read about the doctor and David. Marshall wove so much of the Appalachian culture into the story. Although the book is based on her mother's experiences, the story is much more the tale of a young naive woman who grows up by jumping into a new experience with both feet as she finds her calling. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I believe it should be read by anyone who wants to serve others, particularly teachers. The book is fairly long, but once you're hooked, you'll want to keep reading. This is a perfect read for the cold months of winter. Snuggle up with a cup of tea or coffee and a favorite old quilt and journey to the mountains with Christy. (I received the book for free from Lightfuse.)