A Mighty Fortress is Our God from: Martin Luther by: Frederick Henry Hedge
(Approximately 1529) (Poem, Religious-Christian- one minute) This poem was written by Martin Luther and translated by Frederick Henry Hedge. It most closely represents Psalms 46. Luther uses the poem to represent the Protestant Reformation and proclaims Luther’s confidence in God.
Commonplace by: Susan Coolidge
(About 1 min read) Poem by Susan Coolidge. The poem conveys the world’s image as God created it.
Extracts from Adam's Diary by: Mark Twain
(1904)( About 15 minute read) This short story was written by Mark Twain. It is a recollection and reflection of the biblical Adam and his experience in the Garden of Eden. His reflection also account on his counterpart, Eve, and what he observes about her. This short story puts a comical spin on the book of Genesis in the Bible.
Extracts from Eve's Diary by: Mark Twain
(Description)
(early 1840s) (Poem-about 1 minute read) This poem was written by Anne Bronte. It is speculated that many of Anne’s poems were influenced by her feelings for William Weightman but whether or not this is true is unknown. This particular poem is about letting go of a loved one after they die while still keeping them in your thoughts and prayers.
(1902) (Poem - a brief read) “God’s Garden” was written by Robert Frost. Robert Frost was an American poet that was highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life. He was honored with four Pulitzer Prizes in his lifetime. “God’s Garden” portrays the fall of man and urges readers to keep their eyes on God and His ways to avoid straying from the right path.
Hansel and Gretel by: The Brothers Grimm
(1812) (Short story-about 15 minute read) This short story was written by the Grimm brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm, after they heard it from Dortchen Wild in 1812. The story is about two siblings who are abandoned by their father and stepmother in the woods and are then threatened by a witch who lives deep in the forest. It is believed that this story originated during the medieval period of the Great Famine because people resorted to desperate measures to survive during this time.
Hope is the Thing with Feathers by: Emily Dickinson
Hope is the Thing with Feathers is a sweet and simple poem by Emily Dickinson that represents a metaphor between the concept of hope and a dove. It is comforting and inspiring. Reading Time: Less than a minute
How Still, How Happy! by: Emily Bronte
(1846) (Poem - Brief Read) The poem “How Still, How Happy,” written by Emily Bronte, includes creative nature imagery to focus on taking time to relax and enjoy the beauty in front of us everyday. Emily Bronte, better know for the English literature classic, Wuthering Heights, published 21 poems in one collection that also included poems from her 2 sisters, Anne and Charlotte. The Bronte sisters took on fake masculine names and named the volume Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell.
I Have Found Such Joy by: Grace Noll Crowell
(20th century) (Poem- 1 minute) Crowell takes the reader on her exploration of finding joy in the most simplistic things she encounters in her daily life. This poem allows the reader to find happiness in the most unexpected places.
I Have Learned by: Kathy Kane Hansen
(Attributed to: Kathy Kane Hansen. Publication information pending)
(1971) (Poem-Brief Read) This is a brief poem that narrates some valuable lessons that the author has learned over her lifetime.
Into The Wild by: Jon Krakauer
(Not in Public Domain Yet)
(1996) (Excerpt - About 15 minute Read) The author, Jon Krakauer, writes extensively about nature, especially the mountains, due to his upbringing in the mountaineering world. This excerpt from Into the Wild details the final leg of Alex’s journey to Alaska. Alex, the main character, has left the material comforts of his life in the lower 48 in order to satisfy his longing to connect with nature in Alaska.
Jane Eyre Ch 9 by: Charlotte Bronte
(1847) (Excerpt - about 20 minute read) Jane Eyre was written by Charlotte Bronte under the pen name Currer Bell. It has been described as “an influential feminist text” due to its explorations of the thoughts and feelings of a strong female character. Bronte’s novel revolutionized the art of fiction by focusing on the gradual growing of Jane’s spiritual sensibility and portraying events with a heightened intensity that previously belonged only to poetry. In this excerpt of Jane Eyre, Jane must deal with the death of her friend. Jane is still very young and living at the Orphans Asylum when a typhus outbreak strikes. Her best friend, Helen, dies of consumption and Jane must face grief and decide what she truly believes spiritually.
Joy and Peace in Believing by: William Cowper
(Mid to late 18th century) (Poem, Religious-Christian- one minute) The hymn was written by William Copper to portray his belief in God. God is the almighty and the savior and if you believe in him everything will work out the way it is supposed to.
Life Owes Me Nothing by: Anonymous
(About 5 min read) Poem written by an anonymous author. It is about learning to appreciate every moment of life and living it to the fullest.
Luck was written in 1886 by Mark Twain. Like many of Twain's works, this short story has a twinge of humor but also deals with jealousy. The story recounts the elevation of a military hero through what seems to be pure luck.
Pride and Prejudice Ch 34 by: Jane Austin
(1813) (Excerpt » 30 mins) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of the most popular novels in English literature. The novel is set in the turn of the 19th century and follows the main character, Elizabeth Bennet, as her opinions on upbringing, education, morality and marriage are addressed in her search for a husband.
Chapter 34 sets the reader almost exactly in the middle of the book. Prior to this excerpt, Elizabeth opinion on Mr. Darcy is one of dislike due to her assumption that he is too arrogant and obnoxious. This is based on her first impression of him at the Meryton ball where he refuses to dance with her and because she believes that he disinherited Wickham, a young soldier, and admittedly disrupted the romance between her sister Jane and Mr. Bingley. When Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, he allows his pride to guide him by spending more time talking about Elizabeth’s lower rank than the actual marriage proposal. At this point, Elizabeth relies on her prejudices against Mr. Darcy and refuses him immediately. This is a major turning point since the two central characters seem to be at completely different emotional places. After this excerpt, you see Elizabeth discover the falsehood in her prejudices and begin to allow herself to have feelings for Mr. Darcy.
Test Test Test
Test Test Test
Test Test Test
Test Test Test
(1999)(Excerpt-about 15 minute read) John P. Milton is a behavioral ecologist who has strived to share his profound connection with nature since his first vision quest at age 7. Many of his works are geared toward expressing his spiritual cultivation of nature. This excerpt from “Sky Above, Earth Below” is a mediation that honors and provides a deep bond with mother Earth.
(Various - BC) (Biblical Poems/Excerpts - about a 10 minute read) These scriptures come from Psalms and 2 Corinthians in the Christian Bible. The psalms are often attributed to King David or to King Solomon, but many scholars believe they were written over a period of about 500 years. The psalms are poems that are often sung. 2 Corinthians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. The letter details the painful reality of life as a minister and the need to rely on God. The excerpts from 2 Corinthians offer comfort and a urgence to look to God for all of your needs.
Surprised by Joy by: William Wadsworth
This poem is written in the form of a sonnet, and its about a man who's surprised by joy and wishes to share that joy with the love of his life that had passed away, and towards the end of the sonnet he recalls his lost and realizes that nothing could ever restore her to him.
Thank You, M'am by: Langston Hughes
(2000) (Short story- 15 minutes) A teenager attempts to steal the purse of Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and is rebuked in an unpredicted manner. This short story allows you see to the opportunities can potentially come along with punishment and the values of integrity.
The Arrow and the Song by: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
(Poem – Brief Read) The poem, “An Arrow and a Song” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) is an entertaining poem that has good rhythm and a thought provoking metaphor that can be interpreted in a number of ways. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is known as one of the most famous American poets and educates, much of his work is often recognized for its melody-like musicality.
The Boys of Pointe du Hoc by: Ronald Reagan
(1984) (Speech-12 minutes) Ronald Reagan was the 40th president of the United States. He delivered this speech on June 6, 1984 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy. Pointe du Hoc is a clifftop location on the coast of Normandy where the U.S. 2nd Ranger Battalion attacked on D-Day to destroy a battery of captured guns. President Reagan delivered the speech at Pointe du Hoc where a memorial is erected. This speech remembers the veterans who so bravely fought in this battle of World War II, stresses the importance of allies and freedom, and recounts the lessons that the United States learned from this war.
The Dancing Partner by: Jerome K. Jerome
(1893) (Short story-15 minutes) Jerome K. Jerome was an English writer and humorist. He tried several careers--a railwayman, an actor, a school teacher, a packer, and a clerk--before becoming a successful writer. This piece is a somewhat comical story with a dark twist of the creation of a mechanical dancing partner ending in quite a disaster.
The Gift of the Magi by: O. Henry
(1906) (Short story-15 minutes) O. Henry This piece was originally published in O. Henry’s short story collection The Four Million. O. Henry from Greensboro, NC and is known as a master of surprise endings. This is about a poor couple who cannot afford to purchase Christmas gifts for each other, so they both have to sell something of their own. It shows the love between two people and is comforting.
The Great Gatsby Ch 3 by: F. Scott Fitzgerald
(1925) (Excerpt - About a 25 minute read) The author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, wrote The Great Gatsby in response to the wild culture of excess surrounding him in the 1920’s. His first famous novel, The Great Gatsby has become a such an important piece of literary history that it was named the second greatest English novel by The Modern Library. This particular excerpt from the novel focuses on a party thrown by the mysteriously wealthy Mr. Gatsby, the neighbor of the main character Nick Carraway. In this excerpt, Nick describes his experiences at Gatsby’s extravagant party, and after his first meeting with Gatsby, he is left to speculate about the mysterious Jay Gatsby.
The Highwayman by: Alfred Noyes
(1906) (Poem- 10 minutes) Noyes takes the reader on an adventure with an unnamed highwayman who is in love with Bess, a landlord’s daughter. The poem portrays hurtles and deviations that come along with the adventures of love.
(Poem-Brief Read) Edgar Guest was a popular American poet born in Britain in the 1800s. Many of his poems centered around the themes of home, mother, and the value of hard work. This selection is a sentimental poem about the value of all people. It reminds the reader to never give up on a person because every person has something to offer.
The Necklace by: Guy de Maupassant
(1884) (Short story-15 minutes) Guy de Maupassant was a French writer and is known as one of the fathers of modern short story. His stories are known for their clever plots and ending styles. “The Necklace” is about a lower class woman’s night at a ball. After making arrangements to borrow a friend’s jewelry, she ends up losing the necklace and must work to hide her secret from her friend. This story is slightly humorous and has a great ending.
The Patient Old Man (FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY)
(Unknown) (Short story-Brief read) This is an Islamic children’s story. It is about an old man who is very sick, but is grateful for what Allah has given him. It poses a very positive outlook of his condition.
The Power of Littles by: Anonymous
The Power of Littles was a poem written by an Anonymous writer. The writer wrote it to present an image of life and how the little moments are often the biggest moments in ones life.
The Road Not Taken by: Robert Frost
(1916) (Poem - Brief Read) The author, Robert Frost, frequently wrote about New England life in his early 19th century works, reflecting his own ties to the area. “The Road Not Taken,” perhaps his most famous work, has been read in classrooms across the world since its rise to popularity in 1916. In this work, Frost explains the dilemma of a wandering man who must choose between two paths in the woods. The man’s dilemma inspires the reader to look at his own life choices.
The Village Blacksmith by: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
(1840) (Poem - Brief Read) The author, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, was one of the most widely read poets of his day. Gaining fame for such works as, “Paul Revere’s Ride” and “The Song of Hiawatha,” Longfellow cemented a spot for himself among the table of America’s greatest poets. This short, lyric poem centers on the everyday actions of a blacksmith and draws a wonderful parallel between the blacksmith’s work and a man’s actions in life.
(20th century) (Poem-Brief read) Henry Van Dyke was a Princeton graduate and literature professor. This poem, “Time” has been used as inspiration to a song by Mark Masri. The poem speaks of the many aspects of time in our lives.
Who Hath a Book by: Wilbur D. Nesbit
(1906) (Poem-Brief read) Wilbur D. Nesbit was a mid-western poem who wrote with a Masonic theme. He also wrote for a local newspaper. This poem, published in his book A Book of Poems speaks of the power of literature and the value of books.
Windows of Nature by: Ken Gire(2011) (Excerpt - About a 10 minute read) The author, Ken Gire, has written over twenty books pertaining to living the Christian faith. This excerpt, “Windows of Nature,” comes from Gire’s novel Windows of the Soul. In this novel, the author explores the many “windows” that God utilizes to reach individuals. In “Windows of Nature,” Gire draws images from nature and interjects various biblical passages and quotes to express God’s love and peace.