"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. 

I should have written about this earlier, but there are so many factors that God brought together that I'm not sure I yet comprehend them all.  Nor can I really explain in less than a novel-lenght post all the factors that have led us to this place.  But since God does deserve to have His glory shouted, I felt I could not longer keep it just our family's little secret.  I'll try to give you enough details to get the story without dragging it out forever... so here goes.

My dad is nearly dead.  He has been nearly dead for years, literally.  Before my DH and I were married (15 years ago) he had emergency by-pass surgery.  It wasn't the last hospitalization by any means.  Years before that he received the injuries that triggered the whole long chain of events in an explosion that hospitalized him for months and killed two other men.  I guess I'll try to start there and just give you the highlights.

My dad worked at an oil refinery.  One day, it blew up.  He was thrown through the air in flames and over a wall.  Miracle 1- the wall saved him from the remaining flames so he was able to roll around on the ground and as he puts it "quit smoking."  (Yes, he was a smoker prior to these events.) Because of the man he is he bravely/foolishly returned to the flames and tried to save one of his fellow workers.  The young man didn't survive and dad suffered further burns and injuries as a result.  The bottom half of his body was not burnt because he was wearing brand new jeans that day that held up through the flames (#2 for those of you keeping count). 

When he arrived via lifeline at the state's primary burn unit they opted not to treat many of his non-life threatening injuries because he was so far gone that a- they didn't think he could take it and b- they didn't think he'd survive to benefit anyway.  He survived.  (#3)

Skip ahead several years.  My father suffered severe injuries to body, mind and spirit. But he is still "in good health" as compared to what would come later.  On a weekend he and my mother travelled to a park in a neighboring state.  Who knows if they would have had the time to develop the interests that led them there on that Sunday had he been working full time.  They might have already moved away to another part of the country had he retired as he had always hoped rather than becoming disabled.  Nevertheless, the horrible sequence of suffering in his life brought him to that road on that day.  It also brought an 18-wheeler and and motorcycle  to that same stretch of road.  When my parents arrived on the scene the woman who had been on the motorcycle was on the road, dying.  Other witnesses were so frozen in horror that they could do nothing to help her. 

My father, his body still scarred from skin transplants, his arm unable to bend due to the deep tissue damage, his whole mind abhoring the summer heat of a highway, held that woman in his arms.  He kept her body above that hot pavement until the paramedics arrived.  He has been told by all involved that his actions saved that woman's life.  I don't know about her walk with God before that day.  But I know today she contacts my father every year and remembers the Lord's miracle for her on that day.  Dad tells my dd the story as she cradles the guardian angel pin this woman sent him.  (Where were we, oh yes, that's #4).

Now I am sure there are others out there, my dad's not a perfect man.  Actually he's a cantankerous, sometimes bitter and sinful (as we are all) man.  He's pretty "normal" by most standards.  But he also keeps pretty busy, so I'm sure he's been involved in a few other miracles I haven't heard about .  But let's just skip ahead to number 5.  I did promise to try to keep this short. 

Well, maybe there's 5 1/2...

When our third child, now 2 was an infant we thought grandpa was going to die. We actually had our son baptized at my parents' home because dad couldn't leave the house.  The doctors had wanted to send him to a hospice to die at that point, but he insisted on dying at home.  He recovered.  If you haven't noticed yet, he does that a lot.

The man literally has about 1/3 or so of a working heart- maybe less, I don't know.  We joke that he doesn't have one it's so far gone.  Lots of dead tissue in that muscle.  When they sent him home to die, I think he had about 45% lung capacity.  In the story I'm about to tell... it was 30%.

So here's the real #5.  This year our son is 2, we've made it to Florida and back with grandpa twice since this littlest one has been born.  Each year is 12 months of torture to me as we approach the departure date and I wonder if dad's going to make it.  So he makes it up to the departure date, despite the 30% lung capacity.  (Yes, we know- you can't live like that. But somehow he does.)  He uses oxygen, has a wheelchair and huffs and puffs and hurts a lot.  But- Florida with the grandkids.  It must happen so he survives.

Keep reading- here comes the really good part-

The grandparents leave a day early, knowing that travel will be a challenge.  They spend their first night in a hotel and take advantage of the free breakfast in the morning.  My parents notice a couple their age who openly say their morning prayers before eating. Later, noticing dad's wheelchair and oxygen, they ask about his health and he answers.  The couple says (I'm sorry I don't have the direct quote)- We will pray for you today. 

That day, they chose my father to lift up to the Lord.

That night, my parents (along with my sister) spend another night in another hotel.  While my sister and mom are out buying dinner, my father takes his medication.  10 ml of fast acting insulin, 100 of the regular stuff.  Except that's not what he takes.  He takes 100 ml of the fast acting stuff. On an empty stomach.  If you're really curious- research insulin overdose.  I'm sure you can guess though, any medical professional would tell you- that's a potentially fatal overdose.

He nearly died and he sure got a good look at a painful death.  He hallucinated, he was incoherent, he stopped breathing at least 4 times and my mother had to beat on his arms to get him to take in air.  He could hardly move for close to a week and for three days thought he was still in the process of dying.  We told him the name of the grandchild we thought he would be the first to meet.  We discussed what he wanted me to tell the grandchildren.  I braced myself for handling all these family members so far away from home when it happened. 

But you know where this is going, right?  This is a story about miracles after all. 

HE RECOVERED!

The man has next to no lung capacity, barely has a pulse, is diabetic and is covered in skin grafts.  But they prayed for him and he survived. 

He is insulin intolerant and he did eat a meal when my mother and sister returned. Perhaps that's how he survived a dosage of a powerful and dangerous medication that was 10 times the amount prescribed.  But I think we all know the truth.  Never doubt the power of a faithful servant's prayer.

After a week of slow and tortuous recovery, dad started to feel better.  In fact, three weeks later and one week home from vacation, he is now in better health than he was when he left.  He is able to walk sometimes rather than being wheelchair dependent and his breathing is much less labored.  I wonder if his lung capacity has gone back up (maybe to a whopping 40%). 

So again I say, "Never doubt the power of a faithful servant's prayer." 

I don't know the couple who prayed for my father and thus blessed my family (particularly my children)  with another two weeks of time together in Florida and whatever more days we have to come, so I can't thank them for their intercession.  But I do know their Lord and I praise Him for hearing their plea and putting them in my father's life.  Though I know God needs no prayers to heal.  Through this couple, we can all now see clearly God's glory and His work in our lives.  And I can share miracle number 5 with all of you.

If you feel like praying for someone today, don't put it off.  Raise up your heart to your Lord and let those blessings fly free!  If you feel that your suffering in this life can surely have no purpose.  Ask yourself, am I suffering or am I witnessing the birth of a miracle? 

From BibleGateway (English Standard Version):

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Hebrews 12:3-11

Do Not Grow Weary

 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

  "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
   nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
   and chastises every son whom he receives."

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

These are verses that were selected by Cynthia Heard in her Bible study Becoming a Woman of Purpose.

Isaiah 40

Comfort for God's People

 1 Comfort, comfort my people,
       says your God.

    2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
       and proclaim to her
       that her hard service has been completed,
       that her sin has been paid for,
       that she has received from the LORD's hand
       double for all her sins.

    3 A voice of one calling:
       "In the wilderness prepare
       the way for the LORD ^[a];
       make straight in the desert
       a highway for our God. ^[b]

    4 Every valley shall be raised up,
       every mountain and hill made low;
       the rough ground shall become level,
       the rugged places a plain.

    5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
       and all people will see it together.
       For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

    6 A voice says, "Cry out."
       And I said, "What shall I cry?"
       "All people are like grass,
       and all human faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

    7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
       because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
       Surely the people are grass.

    8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
       but the word of our God endures forever."

    9 You who bring good news to Zion,
       go up on a high mountain.
       You who bring good news to Jerusalem, ^[c]
       lift up your voice with a shout,
       lift it up, do not be afraid;
       say to the towns of Judah,
       "Here is your God!"

    10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
       and his arm rules for him.
       See, his reward is with him,
       and his recompense accompanies him.

    11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
       He gathers the lambs in his arms
       and carries them close to his heart;
       he gently leads those that have young.

    12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
       or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
       Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
       or weighed the mountains on the scales
       and the hills in a balance?

    13 Who can fathom the Spirit ^[d] of the LORD,
       or instruct the LORD as his counselor?

    14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,
       and who taught him the right way?
       Who was it that taught him knowledge,
       or showed him the path of understanding?

    15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
       they are regarded as dust on the scales;
       he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

    16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
       nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.

    17 Before him all the nations are as nothing;
       they are regarded by him as worthless
       and less than nothing.

    18 With whom, then, will you compare God?
       To what image will you liken him?

    19 As for an idol, a metal worker casts it,
       and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
       and fashions silver chains for it.

    20 People too poor to present such an offering
       select wood that will not rot.
       They look for a skilled worker
       to set up an idol that will not topple.

    21 Do you not know?
       Have you not heard?
       Has it not been told you from the beginning?
       Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

    22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
       and its people are like grasshoppers.
       He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
       and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

    23 He brings princes to naught
       and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

    24 No sooner are they planted,
       no sooner are they sown,
       no sooner do they take root in the ground,
       than he blows on them and they wither,
       and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

    25 "To whom will you compare me?
       Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

    26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
       Who created all these?
       He who brings out the starry host one by one,
       and calls them each by name.
       Because of his great power and mighty strength,
       not one of them is missing.

    27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
       Why do you say, Israel,
       "My way is hidden from the LORD;
       my cause is disregarded by my God"?

    28 Do you not know?
       Have you not heard?
       The LORD is the everlasting God,
       the Creator of the ends of the earth.
       He will not grow tired or weary,
       and his understanding no one can fathom.

    29 He gives strength to the weary
       and increases the power of the weak.

    30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
       and young men stumble and fall;

    31 but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who ^[k] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

From BibleGateway.com (NIV version)

Also from this study the words of Oswald Chambers (paraphrasing here)- Wherever you are, know that God placed you their to serve His good purpose.  Keep to the light and His purpose will be served. 

I don't know, maybe you've read some of my other posts and are thinking, look to thine own eye.    If so, I apologize, I don't want to be a gossip.  I know though, that it is a HARD habit to break.  I used to be a world class gossip so I wouldn't be surprised if I sometimes slipped back into old habits. 

The Bible warns us against it, reminding us that young women with time on their hands in particular can fall prey to this particular sin.  I'm not going to quote the other scriptures that I've found on the subject, but I will give you a link. Suffice it to say, God does not care for the habit.  Bible Gateway Keyword Search: Gossip

This post is probably not going to be popular.  But then again, my blog's not that widely read- so maybe there won't be any readers to annoy.  (In case you hadn't guessed, the "My View" category is the catch all for things I have to say that someone's probably not going to like.)  The following is a harsh reproof. But I'm not addressing it to anyone, I include myself as someone in need of this reminder, and you are absolutely free to stop reading right now.  Only continue reading if you are willing to accept that this is a reproof and that it is made in love to fellow believers from one who seeks to obey the Lord. 

If you are still reading (don't way I didn't warn you) lets think for a moment about what we talk about with our friend "IRL" and online.  When you are together with friends who share your beliefs, do you talk about others who do not?  What do you say?  Do you say, "I'd like us all to pray for Gladys, she is so burdened by the pressures of this world that she doesn't truly value her time with her children."  Or do you say, "If I hear one more person say how they can't wait for their kids to go back to school..." 

When you read a story about a high school in disarray, teachers who've commited crimes, students out of control, what do you do?  Do you immediately post a link to the story so you can share with others this group in need of prayer?  Or are you posting that link so that you can crow about how great it is to homeschool?  Do you really believe that you are sharing this information because somehow, someone homeschooling miles away from where the incident took place needs to know about it?  I understand, there is a time and a place for using such information.  But I am not talking about well researched advocacy here- I'm talking about posts that start out with a title like "One More Reason Why I Homeschool" and  "You Are Not Going To Believe This." 

Homeschooling is a wonderful choice and our family has been blessed in every way since we made it.  But we've not become superior beings because we made that choice.  We still sin, our sins are just different.  And that's what it comes down to.  When you are tsk tsk'ing about someone else's choice you are really just seeing their sin rather than focussing on your own. 

I am no mind reader, but God is.  Think about your motivations because you can be assured that your Father is. 

Speaking of fathers.  When you read a post about someone, a neighbor, MIL, co-op member, etc. ask yourself as you read- would the person who is writing this post be willing to say all these things about the person in front of their father?  Because dear friends, every word you write, everything you say about someone, is said in front of their Father.  He loves them every bit as much as He loves you.  He wants them saved and uplifted, not torn down or ridiculed. 

So whether it be the family who doesn't raise their children the way you do, the principal who made a bad decision, the parent who speaks about their children in a way you would not remember this- There but for the grace of God go you.  Your sinful nature is controlled only because God so chooses.  Rather than being like the Pharisee who thanks God that he is not like those other sinners, remember who you are.  You are forgiven, not perfect- just like me. 

I just received several books via Paperback Swap and I'm so excited.  One is a Bible study on the names of God another is a study on the Sermon on the Mount.  I am so looking forward to delving into each of these.

I've read the Bible a few times now, some straight through and at least once using the "Bible in a Year" format that offers a selection from both the OT and NT as well as Psalms and Proverbs each day.  So these studies are a nice way to have individual scriptures selected each day to read.  I am also very slowly working through the Bible from start to finish again- this time reading aloud to the family which takes quite a bit longer.  So I realy needed something just for me. 

But back to me telling you what to do (in the title of this post)...

If you've not found time in your day (between reading to the littles, taking care of the house, eating bonbons...) to have some time alone with God, please give it a go.  I try, though I don't always make it, to spend some time reading on my own each day a book that will help me develop a closer relationship with God.  My preference is to read books that don't necessarily tell me what the author thinks- but lead me to scripture that tells me a story.  I've reviewed several of my recent readings in this blog, just look in the Book News category. 

I just wanted to share how much my days have been enhanced by taking this time, sometimes in the morning while the kids watch a television program (yup, I let 'em watch TV), sometimes late at night after everyone else is in bed.  I am even willing to do less school to do more time with God.

But you know God, always faithful. The more of my time I give to him, the more he gives me in return.  Giev it a try.  You'll be amazed at how your soul will soar. 

Yes, I said "celebrating."  Let us celebrate God’s wonderful creations and provision for each of us each day.  Let us celebration the fruition of His will and rejoice in knowing that this world will be perfected in His time. 

As I mentioned in a previous entry, while researching World Population Day I found that many do not see it as a day to celebrate man’s achievement and God’s great plan, but a day of hand-wringing and despair over how “we” are overpopulating the earth.  Apparently the reason people go hungry, children die of disease and animals become extinct is because there are just too many of God’s greatest creation- humans.  Now, I tend to think that all of these bad things happen because we live on a fallen world, Satan enjoys destroying God’s wondrous works, and ultimately because of original sin.  God gave us the earth and all that is in or on it to subdue and tend.  In fact, He told us to fill it. 

In Genesis 1:28 he says to Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.  Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”  So let’s be clear, there is no sin in increasing our number.  There is no sin in making use of the resources God has provided for us.  Our sin comes from gluttony, greed and callous disregard for that with which we have been blessed.  If people starve it is not because this earth cannot feed them, it is because we who have plenty do not share with those who do not. 

The answer is not as some would have you believe to stop having children and destroy as many in the womb as possible.  But instead we must learn to value and appreciate each and every life just as we do our own.  If we truly love our neighbor as ourselves, then we each will split whatever food is found, one will not suffer from the ills of obesity while the other starves.  God has promised to provide for our needs, always.  (see Matthew 6:25-34, “…do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;…)  If we obey Him and follow His laws, we need never worry about “overpopulation.”  For He has made a covenant that “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and not will never cease.”  Further He has promised that when this earth is destroyed in its place will be a “new heaven and a new earth.”  Human beings are not a plague on this earth, but are God’s chosen creations. 

So let us celebrate each soul, each person who has the opportunity to know God, His love and His eternal gift!

July 11th is World Population Day, so named because on that date in 1987 the world's population reached 5,000,000,000.  It's now over 6,000,000,000.  So, as I was putting together links for the July Get it Together calendar I set out to find a link to help homeschooling parents celebrate this milestone marking date. 

Much to my surprise (though I suppose it shouldn't have been), the only links I could find were ones encouraging all forms of child prevention.  The entire day has been taken over as a means to communicate the message that we all need to stop having children and that women need to have the "freedom' to destroy their young. 

So, then I tried to look around for some countering message. Some Christian based site that would specifically address the "World Population Day" propaganda.  I got nothing.  Nada.  Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of sites that promote the welfare of the unborn. But apparently either no one has thought to address this particular date head on, or I was unable to find it. 

So, I wanted to do my tiny little part.  God gave this world to His creation, man.  We were instructed to be good stewards, but no where were we instructed to kill our young to do so.  No where were we told that a barren womb is a "freedom."  Quite to the contrary.  I am not ignorant as to the poverty and opression of this world.  We live in a fallen world, there will be strife and difficulty.  But I am adamant in my belief that God does not require us to go against His word to right these wages of sin. 

so on the 11th, celebrate World Population Day.  Celebrate each and every soul that God has brought into this world in His time for His purposes.  And have faith that His plans for you are good.  

Beware the Viper in the Garden

Eve fell to his deceit and all mankind pays the price to this day. Yet we do not learn.  We still fall for his tricks.  They are so varied and insidious.  He is after all the Great Liar.  Don’t be fooled because he is under the thumb of our great God, he remains very clever and very much alive and well in this world. 

I have noticed that in many a beautiful garden, this Viper has found a nest.  I’m sure his selected henchmen have no idea or goal to serve him.  But dear sisters remember the Word- you serve one or the other there is no in between.  In the garden he practices his tricks as follows: 

A beloved child of the One seeks advice and it is given. The advice comes from believers and nonbelievers alike and both often give advice that is not of the Truth.  We as humans all too often fall for the lie that within us is the wisdom to set ourselves free, that we alone can solve our problems, and that we need look no further than our own reasoning to find solutions.  This is folly.  Counsel not grounded in the Word and prayer is not well founded.  Nonetheless counsel we seek and counsel we give without thought to the eternal consequences.

This initial deceit is not the most insidious of his tricks however. It is what comes next.  Invariably someone will attempt to point out a dissenting point of view, one given with sincerity and founded in the Word.  This is when the Viper makes his final strike.  This is the move that separates the unwatchful from their spiritual moorings.  The Viper will tell the unhappy advice seeker that whomever dissents does so cruelly.  “If she cared, she would not say such things;”  “She’s trying to make you feel guilty;” She just doesn’t want you to be happy.”   

How clever he is!  Now, will you listen to her words?  Will you take them into your heart and pray over them?  Will you seek out her Bible verses to see for yourself where Truth lies?  Oh no, this unsuspecting lackey of the Great Liar has turned you away and in doing so left you with only his advice to follow.  “She doesn’t care about you, but listen to me, I care.”   Why should you listen to her painful advice to forgive or make sacrifices or endure  or trust or just keep trying when your “true friends” offer you instant solace and support?  Why take the narrow road when the wide one looks so inviting? 

But I say to you, beware the Viper.  He knows our weaknesses.  He strikes at one and steals away their spirit, then turns them to strike the next.  He does not sleep and he does not accept his fate.  Make no mistake- his goal is to destroy. 

So here’s a little piece of advice from me.  If I post to you, offer advice, ask a question or pray for you it is not because it’s my “Christian duty.”  It’s because I do care.  If someone tells you that I am trying to hurt you, make you feel bad, trick you or simply do not care about you, ask yourself “why would I bother?”  God grants us the gift of the Spirit and through this gift we are filled with love.  I do not desire to tear down but to build up.  But I am no “yes person” I don't sacrifice my beliefs for the sake of being popular.  

I would never expect or insist that someone follow my advice as I am a mere human and subject to many, many flaws and sins.  But I would expect that if a little snake whispers in your ear and tells you I’m out to get you; you’ll be wise enough to know better.