Living By Daily Grace

Apr. 12, 2008 - Review of TEACH Magazine Spring 2008, Vol XII, Issue 1

This is a long overdue review of the must reach TEACH Magazine release. My apologies to Mrs. Lorrie Flem for taking so long to get this done.

I don't have much time to read anymore so magazines are really exciting to me. I have now received three issues of TEACH and it's the third time I haven't been let down. In fact, this issue showed up in the midst of a personal struggle I have been having before the Lord as I seek His will regarding our school and a few issues I am facing with my children. The theme of this issue is "Discerning God's Will in Your Life." Very fitting for anyone. . .especially for this time of year when so many moms are seeking the Lord for direction with our upcoming school year.

Lorrie starts out the magazine with her fun Letters From Lorrie Laundry Room. I love to hear from anyone who would write a letter from the laundry room. Laundry is my favorite chore. LOL!!!!! She discusses Spring Fever, which we all have alot of right now. She tells a great story about a TEACH writer, Pamela Bethume, whom was paralyzed from the waist down. TEACH did a found raiser to buy her a scooter. She includes a letter from Pamela. Next, Lorrie moves into family news. I love reading about family news. I am a people watcher and I often wandering what the lives of the people in pictures are like. Lorrie shares some great stories of her family and their growth. Finally, Lorrie moves into discussing the theme of the magazine. I was so convicted at this point. She points us to 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Enough said. I didn't need to keep reading. I have been forgetting thankfulness in my life recently. That is God's will. I didn't stop there though. It's only gets better.

I think my favorite article of the whole magazine came right after Lorrie's "Letter". In Conversations with Cory, Cory Lisk discusses "Seeking God's Design for My Day." This is exactly where I am at right now. I get so side tracked in my day. Someday I even forget Whom I should be living to bring glory. Cory brought a gentle reminder of just exactly how I am get through my day and live His will out. My favorite quote of the whole article says it all for me: "I know that without the Holy Spirit operating in my life, it would be better for me (and most definitely better for my family) if I stayed in bed!" I can so relate to that myself. It is only by God's grace that I am able to do anything in life.

Another impacting article that touched me personally was from Marilyn Boyer in Swinging on the Back Porch. Mrs. Boyer is one person I would love to have the opportunity to just sit and talk to. Her article this month was called "Beware of Bitterness." I knew when I read the title that this was for me. I struggle immensely with bitterness at times. I go in and out of it. Someday days are better than others. But Mrs. Boyer's words gave me some helpful advice. She says:

"I think there's a strong tendency to become bitter when we feel like we've invested so much and or kids don't appreciate it, or haven't done what we expected them to do. in some ways, we have added pressure from other to see that our kids 'conform' to expectations fo excellence, academic proficiency, etc. We are tempted to put pressure on our kids to conform to what others think they should be doing. We must guard against this and let God lead each child as He sees fit, not what others pressure us to do."

This quote made me sit up and think. It is so easy for me to get caught up in just what she describes. But I don't want that for my children. More than conforming I want to see them grow into what God has specifically created them to be. As I am making big changes in my school, this has freed me to go through with the changes I believe the Lord is leading me to instead of constantly questioning whether I was in His will.

One finally thought from Mrs. Boyer's article that still leaves me thinking and considering my heart. When she addressed bitterness directly she didn't mince words. "A clue that you may be harboring bitterness is feeling hurt often. Bitterness masquerades as hurt, which is actually selfishness. Another symptom is that a bitter person is hardly ever able to be pleased." When I read that quote I knew I was in need a great repentance. I have been in this place for far too long. I am so grateful for the gentle words of Mrs. Boyer and the wonderful reminder that the Spirit used to pull me out of my long wallow in bitterness.

Other articles through the magazine include "Monsters, Inc, & God's Will." Monster's Inc is one of my favorite Pixar movies (which are the only movies we watch and purchase) so this article was intriguing. I don't want to ruin the end and tell how this movie and God's Will are related. Buy the magazine. It's well worth it. :)

There was one story printed in this magazine that had chills running up and down my spine as I read. It's called "Push-Ups and Donuts" and the author is Unknown. It's the story of a Bible profession trying to help his classes understand the true impact of the gospel. He finds a way with the help of a popular athlete who loves Jesus. I related to the story for some reason because I attended a small Baptist university in Oklahoma. Although this was a private religious school, the gospel was absent in so many ways. I would have loved to seen a scene like this take place on my own campus. This story was so wonderful to read and left hope that perhaps the gospel can still be effective to a generation of children that seems so oblivious to it.

There is so much more I could say about this magazine but I would really like to encourage you to purchase it yourself. TEACH is well published. The paper is slick and sleek with a shiny gleam to it. The front and back cover are printed in color. Each page is enhanced by wonderful graphics that really bring them to life. TEACH magazine is a well published and I might say well loved by it's publisher. You won't be disappointed.

Apr. 30, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by boysrus

Thank you for sharing about this magazine - I will have to check it out - I love homeschooling magazines!
Blessings,
Dee@boysrus

Permanent Link

<- Last Page :: Next Page ->

I love having a place on the web to simply write out my thoughts. I am a wife and mother to 5 very special blessings ages 6 months to 8 yod. As I am growing through this season of my life, I hope to share how the Lord is teaching me to live by His daily grace and not by my own strength.

Links

Home
View my profile
Archives
Email Me

Template design copyright

Photoshop Brushes Credited to These Sites

Apr. 12, 2008 - Review of TEACH Magazine Spring 2008, Vol XII, Issue 1

Apr. 30, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Recent Posts

Links

Friends

Template design copyright