Our's societies' behavior hasn't changed as much as you think:

The Bolter- Book Review

(caution- some passages would get an "R")

The history of dress, note in the French Revolution and Empire periods, women's garments were often translucent- yeah, see through.  Note the low cut of the dresses at Napoleon's coronation. 

History of Dress

I wish I could find a better reference.  When I studied this subject in college, we learned that during various periods of time different body parts were considered more or less attractive and dress was designed to feature the desired part of the body.  There were periods when the bosom was completely revealed and other times when sheer fabrics were used.  So while today's fashions are immodest- no argument there, I don't think the desire of humans to act and dress immodestly is so far changed from the past.  It's just that there's not a lot of focus on modesty and moral practices in most history classes so we assume what we don't know about must not have existed. 

Many folks have recommended this devotional, and I think I have in the past as well, but it deserves mentioning again:

Streams in the Desert

This link indicates that the featured devotion is for November, but it was actually the May 10th entry in my hardcover copy.  If you click "next" you can continue to read the devotions in order. 

Here's the reading for today:

Streams in the Desert March 7

I found March 6th's entry to be very convicting as well.

Crosswalk also provides daily readings and archives from Streams in the Desert, but the daily readings don't match the dates in the hardcover copy of the book.

I can't recommend this devotional enough.   Each day I gain new wisdom and courage from the passages I find.  I found my copy at a used book store and it's still available at CBD and elsewhere if you like to read your books "in person." 

This was the February 1st entry in Streams of the Desert, I really gained a lot from it and wanted to share:

This Thing is From ME

Have a blessed day.

I found this website today and wanted to share it:

The Grace of God

During the next few days, please take the time to remember those who dwell in a country where they are not free to worship their God or even to choose the number of children they may raise. 

http://www.persecution.com/ 

This is the book I'm reading to the kids right now.  I read one story a week most weeks.  It's a collection of stories about early missionary workers and evangelists.  I'm hoping to inspire the children to think beyond our little corner of the world. 

One thing I have noted about the stories though is that in many of the instances, the person being profiled is not the first in his or her family to serve God in a mighty way.  Some are first generation of course, but over and over again I am reading that the person's mother or father was a missonary or a minister or just a devout parent who guided their child to dream big for the Lord.

So, this book is actually inspiring me whether it inspires the children or not.  What I do, and what you do, does matter.  You don't know what your child will grow up to do but you can impact the foundation upon which his or her future is built. 

John 15:8

I'm reading through a Bible study by Charles Swindoll on Solomon and it's a pretty thorough study.  Through references to the Scriptures in Kings, Chronicles and Eccelsiasties I am learning more about Solomon- the heights that God raised him to and how he fell. 

On that note, I just wanted to share this little insight:

The Bible says that Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived.  He was given the most knowledge and wisdom.  In Ecclesiastes Solomon tells us that this wisdom did not leave him, even when he sought to indulge his every physical whim in an effort to seek happiness.  So he remained wise beyond all imagination throughout his life.  Yet, despite having this wisdom, he still made horrible destructive choices, betrayed friends, indulged in sin and turned away from God.

Thank God we are forgiven!  Because if a man with that level of wisdom can't control his nature and turn away from a destructive path, then there is no hope except for the guidance of God himself and the Holy Spirit. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding!

"When an opponent declares,
'I will not come over to your side.'
I calmly say, 'Your child belongs to us already…
What are you? You will pass on.
Your descendants, however,
now stand in the new camp.
In a short time they will know nothing
else but this new community.'"

~ Adolf Hitler

Just a note to my non-homeschooling friends- I don't have a problem with anyone's choice for schooling.  I know our choice is ours and it isn't the right one for every family.  But I believe it should be a choice, for you and for me.  I believe that the schools should serve the family and not the other way around.  Your children should be free to learn how to read, write, compute and research without being forced to accept values or beliefs that are not yours.  My children should have the same freedom.  I hope that all of our children will be free to learn in whatever setting you and I choose without being subjected to the indoctrination of the week. 

I have been very reluctant to comment regarding the recent court ruling in California to anyone but my DH because I know that each of us is called in a different way at a different time.  We must choose our own actions and sometimes we are called to wait, sometimes not.  Quite honestly, I don't know what my calling now is so I can only observe and wait for my direction to come. 

But...

What I *see* is one more step being taken down a path that I don't want to be marched down.  IMO, if there was a 20 year history with a particular family that necessitated intervention by the courts on behalf of the children, then a finding could have been made using those facts that resolved the issue without creating a constitutional question.  Perhaps the appellate court felt that it could not do so because of the need for deference to the trial court on issues of fact. But it is my experience that if a judge wishes to make a ruling, his clerks can find a way to make it happen.  Thus, for me personally the decision by the court to create a constitutional issue is telling.  This is a step toward an ultimate federal constitutional challenge in which we face the outcome being a declaration that the state's right to indoctrinate and socialize our children to conform to the state's standards supercedes individual parental interests.

I'd like to think that such a ruling would never happen in this country.  But look around and you'll see that it has been happening, step by step for some time.  The court is the final determinator between the state's interests and yours.  That's why you are pushed to vaccinate your child, regardless of his or  her personal risk of infection.  That's why certain behaviors are outlawed and others made compulsory.  The state has a recognized interest and to the extent your choices interefere with that interest, the court will decide whose interest supercedes. 

This situation (and it isn't new- just newly relevant) impacts every parent, yet many parents will never realize that they are next until it is too late.  Don't count on the next generation of jurists and citizens to be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to maintain liberty for all.  Complacency is not the standard bearer of freedom. 

We know that we serve an awesome God who is all powerful and laughs at the plans of man.  But know also, He has told us that the day will come when we are persecuted for His sake.  Know what you believe and why and always seek His guidance. 

Recently I was again reminded that many parents believe that their child is better behaved, smarter, more polite and generally all around superior to his or her peers because of the parents’ own choices of faith, teaching style and discipline.  To this I say, it may be correct that the parents have made “good” choices that are to the benefit of their child,  but to take credit for those choices, to look down upon someone else or feel the right to judge others who don’t meet these individual standards to me is an offense.

Now I will concede that I am being quick to take offense, particularly since I don’t really know the individuals expressing these opinions personally nor do they know me or my child.  I apologize for my impatience.  But I feel strongly that every now and then we all need a reminder that God didn’t just die for us personally but for each and every one of the many people we encounter each day- even the ones who don’t always behave as He might wish, especially for those.  How we think of those people we encounter, how we treat them, how we minister to them has eternal impact not only on their lives but on our own. 

Consider the following lessons that God has given us about holding ourselves in too high esteem:

Daniel 4

"The king reflected and said, 'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?' While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.'

and

Daniel 5

"But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him. He was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of beasts, and his dwelling place was with the wild donkeys He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and that He sets over it whomever He wishes.

Ecclesiastes 5:7

For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 28:26

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

Philippians 2:3

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Luke 18:9-14

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:

"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

So, as you contemplate your many blessings, God’s grace in your life, and the suffering of others (or your own) remember that just maybe it’s not all about you.  Maybe it’s not all about you and what a great parent/Christian/homeschooler/housekeeper/wife/lay leader/ etc. you are (or are not). Maybe God has a plan for you and He’s guided your steps and your decisions to fulfill that plan.  Maybe the only reason you made a “good” parenting choice or were led to homeschool or have lots of energy to volunteer is because it serves His purpose.  Maybe the only reason you’ve faced challenges is because it served His good will.  Maybe it’s for His glory.  

1 Corinthians 13:3

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

May we all remember that but for God's grace, we would remain broken and without hope.  I know I sure couldn't do anything good on my own! 

This is for the ladies who have been or are married only. 

On Marriage

but as a note to myself that I've decided to share. 

I was disrespected this holiday season.  I went out of my way to do what I thought was nice and appropriate and received a less than gracious response to my efforts.  It genuinely hurt my feelings.  I had to take a week or so to shake off the ill will that came about as result of this interaction.  (Because I failed to take that initial ill thought captive.)  But I did get over it. 

Now, since it was a holiday issue, I could have chosen to be twice as upset as is customary when one receives a holiday “dissing.”  You know about holiday insults, right?  Your children aren’t invited or they are but your schedule wasn’t taken into consideration; you bought one gift but are expected to give something else; you bought a gift and one wasn’t bought for you; your kids didn’t get as nice a gift as someone else did; you are broke but the whole world is buying stuff and telling you about it; or you don’t “do” gifts but someone insists on getting your children something nice anyway and then it’s not even educational (the nerve!)   The list goes on and on and we tell ourselves we’re entitled to be really angry over each slight because it is after all, Christmas. 

But then what purpose would my deciding to fuss about how my “season” has been disrupted serve?  How does a perceived insult to me really impact my ability to celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior? 

That’s a pretty easy question to answer- it doesn’t.  Unless of course, I’ve forgotten that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior and instead decided that it was about honoring my husband, my children or me.  Now, as I mentioned, it did take me about a week to get over being upset- so I’m not immune from putting the focus on “we” instead of He.  But that’s not what I want to do. 

If I can’t remember that I’m celebrating God’s gift to all mankind because I am so stressed out about purchasing and paying for gifts and pouting in my room because I have to purchase a gift for someone who I don’t really even like and who isn’t going to appreciate it or because I’m so angry that someone isn’t coming to see my child in the Christmas play or scheduled their party at the same time as mine then something has gone seriously wrong in my spiritual life.  If it can’t be “Christmas” because I’m not going to be in the town I want to be in or am not able to purchase the gifts I want my children to have, then I have a mistaken idea of what “Christmas” is;  or maybe I don’t and I need to really think about what Christmas in our society has become. 

Think about it.  If all I wanted to do for Christmas was celebrate God’s wondrous gift then nothing could stop me from doing that- not poverty, mean people, imprisonment even!  Unless you are in a coma, you can always celebrate the birth of Christ. 

But that’s not all we want to do.  We want to tell ourselves that we can celebrate God’s greatest gift AND have the parties, make the crafts, buy the gifts, deck the halls and not get off track.  Maybe we can, but it’s going to take a lot of effort.  You can’t just throw ten times the amount of normal activity (and spending) into your life and expect not to have some stress.  So if you find yourself getting angry with your in-laws, shouting at your spouse and honking at the car that just cut you off you may need to drop a few things from your schedule and get back to the basics. 

Just remember when you start dropping things out of your life not to start with God.  Don’t stop having times of prayer and study.  Don’t stop asking God his opinion on how you should handle difficult situations in your life.  Don’t forget that your purpose here is to worship Him. 

Because dear friends, nothing else matters.  It may seem like other things are very important, but do not be deceived.  Nothing else matters- only your relationship with your Lord and Savior. 

This week we celebrate a gift of incomprehensible value.  It’s a gift that was chosen especially for us and was completely undeserved. 

Let’s show our gratitude to the Giver by remembering the instructions that came with His gift. 

Here are just a few that I try to keep in focus amidst all the worldly distractions-

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; (Matthew 6:33)

But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20)

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… (Matthew 5:44)

Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how many times could my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" "I tell you, not as many as seven," Jesus said to him, "but 70 times seven… (Matthew 18:21-22)

As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and don't turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:40-42)

Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love.  (1 Corinthians 13:12-13)

I have to be honest, I've not actually read this article. I don't subscribe to Newsweek and never would have heard about the article at all but for a marketing e-mail I received from a vendor of a prominent homeschool writing curriculum. 

So, just in case some of you received the same e-mail, I wanted to share my response:

Perhaps I'm just in a bad mood today, but I don't like it when people try to get me to buy their product by making me doubt myself or my child. 

So I recently volunteered to "babysit" for our school district's alternative education program.  I will look after the child/children of young students who need to complete their education.   I wasn't going to actually begin until next week, but I received a call asking if I could come in on Tuesday because the woman who had volunteered for that shift had to go to a doctor's appointment.  But, Tuesday morning comes and I have a sore throat.  Oh no!  I know they need me, but I don't want to make a little baby sick.  I hoped it was just my allergies. 

So I arrive for my shift and wait.  The shift starts an hour or so before the child they are expecting actually shows up just in case someone is needed early.  I had an hour all to myself to read and "do my nails."  Those of you who have littles underfoot know what a gift that is. LOL!  Anyway, we get a call before baby is to arrive that he's not coming after all.  He's going to stay home with grandma because the weather was just too icky to bring him out. 

And that's the good news!  Because today when I woke up, I felt even worse and I would feel really terrible if that little guy had gotten sick because of me. 

Next, there was an orientation meeting for the above volunteer program scheduled for Thursday.  Thursday is the ONLY day I am not available.  But I convinced DH to go into work a bit late so he could watch our littles and I could go into this meeting.  Just a few moments ago, he went upstairs to call into work and make his arrangments and found a message on our voice mail.  The meeting has been cancelled and will be re-scheduled.  Now I'll have plenty of time to make arrangements AND I won't have to go into the meeting while I have a cold and pass it on to everyone else. 

We have been planning a pretty good-sized technology purchase for a week or so now, DH has been doing the research.  There were certain options we wanted and certain software selections.  These just weren't coming up with the vendor we were using.  Then last night, DH discovered that the business customers are offered different options than the home customers!  So, we just signed in as our homeschool and ordered as a business user and got some really great options and software- just what we needed!  Plus, today the vendor had just started a new promotion on the website so we saved $$$ on the purchase price AND received free shipping. 

This cut our total cost substantially as I had expected to pay shipping and to have to pay a lot for the software options we wanted.  I am so excited that we could get everything we needed at just the time we needed.  God knows, ladies.   He knows. 

I am sure there are more things that I'm forgetting we have been awash in blessings lately and I can hardly keep track.  The paycheck that has extra "holiday" pay that comes just when you have an unexpected cost, the book you find on your shelf just when you need to study that topic, the ground beef going on sale just when you need to restock... 

We celebrate our Lord's faithfulness in our times of sorrow and we celebrate them now. 

I hope YOU have a blessed day.