On the eighth day of CHRISTmas my true love gave to me...
eight maids a milking.
I'd take one maid, cleaning house, but these eight maids are a-milking. They are to remind us of the eight beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12 and Luke 6:20-26)
In Matthew's telling we read: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
I imagine this sermon turned a few thoughts upside down, and made those present listen, shake their heads, and wonder if they had heard right. I mean, the meek inheriting the earth. We all know the meek are the ones who get stepped on and over; they never get those promotions or drive those big fancy cars. They slog away at whatever job they have, maybe doing it well, but without much recognition. They are certainly not the ones seeking the limelight.
And the pure in heart seeing God? What about all the laws? The Pharisees must have choked on that one. (And maybe a few of us "good" Baptists.)
There doesn't seem to be much room in this sermon for the prosperity gospel.
January 2, 2009 - Homeschooled Highschoolers Face discrimination ...
Posted By Merit K
A group of Homeschooled High School students has banded together to make FaceBook aware that Homeschoolers are not included as a category on their Social Network Website. They are respectfully requesting that Facebook find a way to include Homeschoolers who would like to connect on FB. Here is a link to an online petition that they have come up with to make the company aware of this discriminatory act:
Please check it out, and if you feel it is a valid point, sign the petition. I am supporting Homeschoolers in this way, as I have found it very difficult to locate and connect with others who educate their kids at home on FaceBook . It is a great way to get in touch with others who have similar interests. A word of caution to parents if you do let your HS'ers use FB, of course, you have to be careful not to allow access to the quizzes which can be ( surprisingly) crude and FB can surprise you every once in a while with a picture that is im- modest. Be sure to monitor all that they do online.
If you FB, I have set up a Parents Support group here, Parents as Teachers:
Why do we make New Year's resolutions? I wonder where the tradition comes from? The perfectionist in me really loves the New Year. It's like a completely clean slate. A fresh start. A brand new year that I haven't messed up yet. Wow. Maybe this year I'll be able to do everything perfectly.
Nope. I know I won't be able to do everything perfectly, so maybe I shouldn't make any resolutions. I'm just going to be disappointed right?
This is the kind of thinking that I am sometimes plagued with. My pastor's wife uses a little phrase that I'd like to borrow. She says that we need to preach ourselves a little sermon. So, I just entered "perfect" into the search bar in Blue Letter Bible. What a wonderful reminder of God's grace that I got as I read the verses.
Who is perfect?
[He is] the Rock, his work [is] perfect: for all his ways [are] judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right [is] he. (Deut. 32:4)
[As for] God, his way [is] perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler to all those that trust in him. (Ps. 18:30)
How am I made perfect?
God [is] my strength [and] power: and he maketh my way perfect. (2 Sam. 22:33)
[It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. (Ps. 18:32)
The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. (Ps. 19:7)
The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. (Ps. 138:8)
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Gal. 3:3)
I know that God alone is perfect. I know that I have been given Christ's perfect righteousness through His shed blood. I know that He is sanctifying me. I can rest in His perfection and don't have to try to be perfect in my own strength!
Every woman longs for change in some area of her life. Unfortunately, fear, fatigue, adversity, heartbreak, past failures, and even the choices of other people get in the way and make lasting change seem out of reach. Having been there herself, Karen Linamen knows exactly how to take readers from where they are to where they want to be.
In Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight, sheexamines 52 powerful actions readers can apply to any change they long to embrace. Her insights apply to career, finances, personal health and fitness, relationships, faith—in fact, every facet of a woman’s life.
Blending laugh-out-loud humor and sage advice, Linamen shows readers the link between dissatisfaction and transformation, how to remodel habits, the little-known truth about procrastination, how to generate the energy they need to pursue the life they desire, how to benefit from options and resources they never dreamed they had, and much, much more!
Karen Linamen is a popular speaker and the celebrated author of ten books for women, including Due to Rising Energy Costs the Light at the End of the Tunnel Has Been Turned Off and Just Hand Over the Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt. She has been featured on more than one hundred radio programs, including FamilyLife Today. Publishers Weekly describes her as “funny, forthright and unforgettable.” Linamen lives with her family in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visit her website at www.karenlinamen.com.
Heidi Says: I haven't yet finished this book, but there are definitely some great tips in here for making changes in your life - both small and large. I would recommend it, especially at this time of year, when everyone is in the mood to make changes (i.e. New Years Resolutions, etc.)
Christmas is over, and the New Year has officially begun! Most of you have heaved a sigh of relief as "normal" life starts to return.
But Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is still ahead. Bright red lanterns are being hung all over our city. Soon the children will be out of school for a long winter break. And I'll accordingly let Sprite take time off from homeschool so that she can enjoy extended times with her friends. Our "normal" is still a long way away!
According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, 2009, the year of the ox, begins on January 26, 2009.
If you'd like to teach your children about this holiday celebrated by much of the Asian world, I've gathered some resources at Chinese New Year.
But Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is still ahead. Bright red lanterns are being hung all over our city. Soon the children will be out of school for a long winter break. And I'll accordingly let Sprite take time off from homeschool so that she can enjoy extended times with her friends. Our "normal" is still a long way away!
