I'm an Unschooling mom in Las Vegas, NV. I have all boys! A 14 yr old, a 6 yr old, a 1 yr old and 2 teenage stepsons.
4 of the 5 have some special need or another, and the 5th would be termed "gifted" if he was in school. They all have their own interests and abilities.
Join me as I blog about our Christ-led learning approach..things that work, things that don't, and the antics of family life!
Awhile back I started a mini-list of "imperfections" of mine. I've been thinking a lot about people believing "the grass is greener on the other side". I think it's important to remember that noone, except Jesus, is perfect. Everyone has their downfalls, every situation could be seen as less than perfect.
This is where faith comes in. If we stop asking "Why me", if we stop lusting after others, if we stop seeking financial gains and accept what we can't understand...it's faith. Faith in God's ability not to give us more than we can handle, and to know that everything will play out as God intended it.
Here's the beginning of my list...
anxiety
not changing beds often
throw up
I could go on and on and on...but to what end? My husband could go on and on, my kids could go on and on, I could make lists of my own about them..but why? Let's not concentrate on what we don't understand, but accept it and give glory to God about all the good in our lives.
One of the classes my teenager is taking this year is Apologetics. I've been blessed to sit in on this class 2x now and I LOVE it! Apologetics is basically understanding and being able to speak your point of view. The class has some great topics, evolution Vs creationism, cults, prophesies etc etc.
Anyway....so these types of topics are in the forefront of my mind....when I stumbled upon the below link I thought I'd share.
One of the most common arguments that evolutionists use against creation researchers is the old refrain that creationists are “against” or “anti-” science. However, the same critics fail to answer one important question. Ken Ham explains:
Recently a reporter from a secular magazine interviewed me for an article on the creation/evolution issue. One of the first things he asked was, “How do you react to those who claim you creationists are against science?”
As I always do in such instances, I asked him: “What do you mean by science?” He just looked at me and said, “Good question—so how do you define science?”
This is a question that many do not consider when examining the issue of creation versus evolution. The word science has the root meaning of “knowledge.” Scientists can make repeatable, testable observations about our present world and gain knowledge about the present—such knowledge has built the technology that puts humans into space.
Scientists also try to obtain knowledge about our past—our origins. But this sort of knowledge is very different from knowledge about the present. It must involve assumptions about how the universe and life arose—when no human was there to see it all happen. Fossils, rocks, dating methods, all of these require the observer to interpret the evidence, and this interpretation is always filtered through beliefs about the past.
There is a major difference between observational (or operational) science—what we can observe in the present—and origins science—interpretations about the past with no direct observation. Creationists are not against science, but they do want people to understand what the word science means.
Someone recently sent me this in an email, and I'm sorry to say, I let it sit and sit and sit....I'm glad I finally got around to watching it. Now I want to share it with you.
There are 3 segments, each under 10 minutes...probably some of the best 30 minutes I've ever spent.
The premise is...this conference speaker (sorry, I don't know him, but you may!) Rick Burgess, was speaking at a Christian conference when he got the news his 2 yr old son had died unexpectedly. The videos are him speaking about his drive and desire to continue speaking at that conference. This man shows the true love of the Lord to others...I feel so humbled and wish to be so like him.
Warning, have box of tissues handy. I also think its totally appropriate for children, especially teens! Great message
It's so funny, from child to child, and from age to age, what they call me!
Brian used to call me "mommy", for awhile I was "Kissy mommy" (HAHHA can you guess who got so much lovin?!?!) Now I'm "m-ooooo-mmmm" (teenage suffering voice)
To Elias...I'm "Mama". It's so funny! I didn't start this, don't know where he got it in a world of "mom" and "mommy"s, but I am Mama. I like it!
If we're all being honest, I would imagine every marriage has its trials and tribulations..mine is no different.
I recently heard someone say something to the effect of being tired of hearing TV and Radio personalities talk about their troubled PASTS, and noone claiming any troubles NOW.
We all have our troubles, our demons to cast aside. It may sound trite, but a verse that got me through a lot of "junk" was
Romans 8:28 (King James Version) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
If you believe the bible to be truth and infallible, take heart at this passage, because it doesn't say all thing pleasant, or all things that make you feel good, or even all things free...nope, it says all things.
I want to take a moment to share a wonderful resource for your marriage, if you ever find yourself in my position. It's called Rejoice Ministries. They stand for the restoration of marriages, throughout times when one would even biblically get a "get out of jail free card". Their daily devotionals, sent by Charlyne Cares kept me sane and my resolve strong.
If you are in any kind of "dark" place..I ran across this verse today and it physically struck me:
Joel 2:25 (King James Version) And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten
I'm in that time now. "Locusts" have eaten at my marriage, my health, my husband's spirit, but we are in a restoration period now, and I am grateful. Nope, it's not perfect. We're not perfect. But we're getting better!
I again say, I am grateful. God is in control, now, then and forever.
Sometimes a sentence or paragraph in a book just captures me...and I know it's totally in God's timing that I read them when I am meant to.
A few years ago I read this book and while it's message was good, I didn't GET it, or really ponder on it until I just re-read it. You have to know about me, that I HATE, hate is an understatement, abhor, re-reading books, or re-watching movies...not my thing. I hate the niggling feeling that I know what comes next but I can't remember it.
The book I'm reading is a Christian Fiction book called The Debt, by Angela Hunt. Within the first chapter I knew I had read this book previously, but it had likely been about 3-4 years ago. I figured I'd "suffer through" because I truly couldn't remember what happened. I'm glad I did.
The premise is a wife of a mega-church pastor meets a young man who makes her re-think her life and God's plan for it. See, this wife is so busy with her church and their programs and listening to her husband, that somehow she lost sight of the fact that God might be calling her in a different direction. She forgot to listen for that call. In addition, she was so busy concentrating on her "church folk" that she was blinded to the fact that there are unbelievers out there who also need to be shown love.
This young man came into her life and brought her into "uncomfortable" situations...a downtown smoky bar where he was friends with the bartender and some patrons, quietly loving them and witnessing through actions. Same with an adult-bookstore owner, and a drunk homeless man who he brought home, showered and fed.
While not everyone is called to street ministry, this young man made some simple proclamations that we can all live by:
He asked why she was surprised when sinners sin
He also said. "Believers look at Emma (mega-church pastor's wife) and think they have to do exceptional things for God, when that's not what the Father wants at all. I'm learning to be extraordinary in ordinary things, to be holy in unpleasant circumstances, surrounded by confirmed sinners. This is where faith sustains me"
The main character realized she'd been doing a lot of "good things" , but she was following her husband's call, and her husband's will, not God's will for her.
At a recent homeschool parent meeting we were challenged with a moment of silence....how often do we, especially homeschool moms, have a moment of silence to sit there and LISTEN for God's will in our lives? Are we doing His will, are we listening for Him to tell us? If not, let's try to have that moment of silence more often!
