Christian Light Publications March - April 2018 Christian Light Publications In the flurry of modern life, I am often struck with the simplicity of that which brings value and meaning to life: family activities, time spent with friends, or a walk through God’s world of nature. With our high-speed lifestyle, our maze of modern technology, and the availability of high- octane entertainment, it is easy to lose sight of these good things. The best things of life are usually simple things. Who can place a value on an evening with your family or the joy of watching the stars at night? Who can improve on the sound of good, four-part singing, especially with the little voices hitting their own special notes now and then? What restaurant can top the satisfaction of grilling hamburgers and hotdogs in a person’s own backyard? Can anyone beat the joy that comes from pulling one’s own produce out of his garden? These simple things cannot be replaced. The modern world tries to replace all of these. Society will tell you that you will be happier with your friends playing volleyball in a gym than you will be at home. And forget the stars at night; boot up the computer and play the latest electronic game. Oh, and tomorrow is my child’s birthday; celebrating at Cheddar’s Restaurant only makes sense. And, by the way, who in the world would want to sweat all summer just to get a few potatoes from the ground? Just stay at work a few minutes longer, come home later, and make the money to buy them at the supermarket. And while you’re there, pick up the latest issue of Hot Rod. As a society we are doing more things for amusement than ever before, and yet broken homes and dissatisfac- tion with life are on the increase. We’ve taken the desire for enjoyment, divorced it from real life, and have called it fun. Fun that is divorced from real life seldom, if ever, delivers on its promise of fulfillment. The electronic game cries out for more time. The restaurant beckons you back. Man-made entertainment quickly enslaves one to the next event, to the next escape from real life. Entertainment ruins our taste for the good things of life. Picture a young boy in church. The sermon can hardly over- ride the memory of his last electronic game. The same is true for older folks. The sunset can scarcely compete with the bright neon lights of the storefront. The quiet songs of the family seldom measure up to the beautiful music pouring from our stereos. The family game of croquet is not as exciting as the theater. The natural joys of life have blessed mankind for centuries, yet as unbelievable as it sounds, a couple short decades of modern entertainment has succeeded in spoiling our taste for those good things. The result is a net loss to the overall quality of life. That which promised more has delivered less. Life lived correctly has its own moments of joy woven throughout the day. Instead of seeking to escape daily life, we should seek to make daily life worth living. Getting one’s hands dirty in the garden is healing for the soul. Talking and playing with family builds memories that last a life- time. Sharing heart to heart with a friend brings peace to life’s struggles. The sunset heals the scars of the day; the sunrise brings the joy of new beginnings. God created the grind of daily life to be lived with satisfaction. Learn to enjoy life in its simplicity. It’s God’s way. Call it simply living. Simply Living Michael L. Overholt
Transcript
Christian Light PublicationsMarch - April 2018
Christian Light Publications
In the flurry of modern life, I am often struck with the
simplicity of that which brings value and meaning to life:
family activities, time spent with friends, or a walk through
God’s world of nature. With our high-speed lifestyle, our
maze of modern technology, and the availability of high-
octane entertainment, it is easy to lose sight of these
good things.
The best things of life are usually simple things. Who
can place a value on an evening with your family or the joy
of watching the stars at night? Who can improve on the
sound of good, four-part singing, especially with the little
voices hitting their own special notes now and then? What
restaurant can top the satisfaction of grilling hamburgers
and hotdogs in a person’s own backyard? Can anyone beat
the joy that comes from pulling one’s own produce out of
his garden? These simple things cannot be replaced.
The modern world tries to replace all of these. Society
will tell you that you will be happier with your friends
playing volleyball in a gym than you will be at home. And
forget the stars at night; boot up the computer and play
the latest electronic game. Oh, and tomorrow is my child’s
birthday; celebrating at Cheddar’s Restaurant only makes
sense. And, by the way, who in the world would want
to sweat all summer just to get a few potatoes from the
ground? Just stay at work a few minutes longer, come home
later, and make the money to buy them at the supermarket.
And while you’re there, pick up the latest issue of Hot Rod.
As a society we are doing more things for amusement
than ever before, and yet broken homes and dissatisfac-
tion with life are on the increase. We’ve taken the desire
for enjoyment, divorced it from real life, and have called
it fun. Fun that is divorced from real life seldom, if ever,
delivers on its promise of fulfillment. The electronic game
cries out for more time. The restaurant beckons you back.
Man-made entertainment quickly enslaves one to the next
event, to the next escape from real life.
Entertainment ruins our taste for the good things of life.
Picture a young boy in church. The sermon can hardly over-
ride the memory of his last electronic game. The same is
true for older folks. The sunset can scarcely compete with
the bright neon lights of the storefront. The quiet songs
of the family seldom measure up to the beautiful music
pouring from our stereos. The family game of croquet is
not as exciting as the theater. The natural joys of life have
blessed mankind for centuries, yet as unbelievable as it
sounds, a couple short decades of modern entertainment
has succeeded in spoiling our taste for those good things.
The result is a net loss to the overall quality of life. That
which promised more has delivered less.
Life lived correctly has its own moments of joy woven
throughout the day. Instead of seeking to escape daily life,
we should seek to make daily life worth living. Getting one’s
hands dirty in the garden is healing for the soul. Talking
and playing with family builds memories that last a life-
time. Sharing heart to heart with a friend brings peace to
life’s struggles. The sunset heals the scars of the day; the
sunrise brings the joy of new beginnings. God created the
grind of daily life to be lived with satisfaction.
Learn to enjoy life in its simplicity. It’s God’s way. Call it
simply living.
Simply LivingMichael L. Overholt
Christian Light Publications 1051 Mt. Clinton Pike, P.O. Box 1212 Harrisonburg, VA 22803-1212
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God’s Secret AgentDiane YoderNicu wanted to serve God, but he had not anticipated an assign-ment full of danger and sleepless nights. Nicu constantly had to place his life in God’s hands. He began to realize his unique posi-tion of taking precious cargo to his closed home country, as he witnessed miracle after miracle. A faith-strengthening story of how God’s hand protected His secret agent time and again.265290 $12.95 256 pages, 6 x 9, TGS
Protecting Their PurityWhat can be done to prevent sexual abuse? How can we protect innocent children from its emotional, physical, and spiritual consequences? Should we talk about sexual things? When? How? How much?The seventeen authors of Protecting Their Purity provide Biblical encouragement and practical answers to one of the most important parenting questions of our day. Many of them have expe-rienced abuse personally. They offer how-tos, encouragement, and most of all, hope—hope for parents who take seriously their responsibility to protect their children’s purity. Intended for adult reading.
241935 $12.95 192 pages, 6 x 9, Carlisle Press
God’s Wild Creatures Coloring Book Olin BontragerBeautifully detailed artwork of North American wildlife for children and adults to color.
334260 $4.95 63 pages, 10½ x 8, TGS
A Single Page Brooke BrubakerHow excited Andrew is when Grandfather asks him to come along on the long wagon ride to the Ephrata Cloister! He can hardly believe that he will finally get to see the printing press and the great Martyr Book he has heard so much about. Follow Andrew’s adventurous trip and learn how the gift of a single page from the Great Book changes the way he responds to those who mistreat him.
265280 $10.95 61 pages, 7¾ x 10¼, TGS
Bad Enough and Good EnoughSimon SchrockRelive joys, sorrows, regrets, and nostalgia with Preacher Simon Schrock as you are drawn into the captivating lines of his journey. Begin-ning with his Amish childhood on a Maryland farm and continuing through turbulent teen years, traumatic loss, pioneering book rack evangelism and service as a pastor, Simon’s memoirs are a unique slice of Anabaptist church history.
NEW! Wonders in the SeaDive into the wonders of discovering the amazing ocean creatures. Uncover astonishing similarities of nature below the surface to those that “creep upon the earth.”
265275 $8.95 48 pages, Hard, 7 x 9¼, TGS
NEW! A Day at the ZooChildren can visit the zoo every day as they page through this beautiful book. Featuring gazelles, bears, gorillas, leopards, and many more zoo animals, this book is a special trip.
265270 $8.95 48 pages, Hard, 7 x 9¼, TGS
Birds in My BackyardBright birds aren’t only in zoos and faraway places—they are also in your backyard, ready to delight you with their feathers and frolics.
265070 $8.95 48 pages, Hard, 7 x 9¼, TGS
Life in the WoodsDid you know a fly’s eye is made up of hundreds of little eyes? Have you ever seen the details of a crane fly’s wings?
265080 $8.95 48 pages, Hard, 7 x 9¼, TGS
God Made the MarshEnjoy a visit to the summer marsh. Observe an unusual water lily. Take a close-up look at the eye of a damselfly.
265075 $8.95 48 pages, Hard, 7 x 9¼, TGS
Blind Martha Velina ShowalterAll around Martha are beautiful things she cannot see—the green grass, the sky, and the light of the sun. But Martha’s life is full of light because she walks with God. She spreads sunshine wherever she goes. Her neighbors know her as a person who lives to give and does not complain. A full-color children’s book.
265285 $7.95 48 pages, 7½ x 9½, TGS
Amish Frontier Series Rebecca MartinEach book in this series features the adventures and troubles of pioneering Amish families.
NEW! Storm SongElam is facing challenges. How should a conscientious objector act when he boards a train full of sneering soldiers? The year 1943 is a difficult year for the Yoder family. But tumults and storms are the chariots of the almighty God; all is in His power. Book seven in series.
265265 $9.95 164 pages, 5½ x 8½, Ridgeway Publishing
Blossoms on the Roof264830 $8.95
160 pages, 5½ x 8¼, Ridgeway
The Treasure Hunt264835 $8.95
155 pages, 5½ x 8¼, Ridgeway
A Song for the King264836 $9.95
196 pages, 5½ x 8¼, Ridgeway
Paradise Valley264837 $9.95
187 pages, 5½ x 8¼, Ridgeway
Arrow in the Sky265130 $8.95
181 pages, 5½ x 8¼, Ridgeway
Steamboat Rock265125 $8.95
181 pages, 5½ x 8¼ Ridgeway
Nature Discoveries with Uncle Mike is a series of photo books introducing plants and animals from different habitats. Preschool through second grade.Mike Atnip
Christian Light Publications is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) ministry. Founded in 1969, CLP is dedicated to proclaiming God’s truth through a wide range of Christian literature including books, tracts, Sunday school material, school and homeschool curriculum, and more. This Newsletter is published bimonthly for friends, supporters, and people interested in CLP’s products and ministry.
CLP Board: Leon Yoder Chairman (VA), Elmer Glick (WV), Stephen Good (VA), John Hartzler (VA), Amos Kauffman (PA), Allen Martin (PA), David Martin (PA), Ira Mast (PA), Eugene Schlabach (VA), Andrew Zimmerman (PA).
VA customers add 5.3% sales tax to order total. CAN customers add 5% GST.
Kindergarten 1 is a gentle but thorough introduction to the things 4- and 5-year-olds love: matching, coloring, trac ing, counting, and more. Five LittleLight Workbooks provide the student’s activities. An optional teacher’s guide gives detailed lesson instructions, including extra activi-ties in motor skills, Bible memory, songs, and stories. Reproduction of student pages with answers are included. Call or visit our website for more information.
