In a former life that I now dimly remember, I occasionally got free music as a sales associate for The Ark Bookstore in Denver. Normally, the samples were of new, relatively unknown groups that their label was trying to push. There was the rare exception, however, and those were moments that made the low wages and long hours almost worth it. Chief among those moments was when our Sparrow representative stopped by with a pre-release copy of Steve Taylor's 1993 album, Squint. It was the last—so far—studio album that Taylor would release, capping a decade-long career in the Christian music industry. Most folks don't know who Steve Taylor is. However, most Christians have likely heard the Newsboys' song, Shine, which Steve produced and wrote the lyrics to. In fact, Steve's partnership with the Newsboys is what most credit them for their success.
Steve's music has had a huge impact on my life. Songs like Hero, Meltdown, On The Fritz and so many others fed my spirit when I faced religious hypocrisy and pretentious spirituality at a young age where I needed truth and solidarity. Truth confronts, but it also comforts. One of the best examples is in the song, "Curses," where the chorus (echoing Psalm 37:25) repeats,
Never have I seen the righteous forsaken
Never abandoned in the floodlands
Never have I seen their children out begging
Never have I seen them slip through your hands
This simple refrain would echo in my mind every time I faced worries about making mortgage or buying groceries. It remains a reminder that not only is God faithful, but that I am not the first of his children to encounter financial difficulty.
There is something else about the chorus. In this modern,"lower-middle class" lifestyle, I tend to forget the meaning of floodlands. Today, modern civilization has flood control. Rivers that used to rage and ravage towns and cities are now harnessed and regulated by dams and reservoirs. The floodlands were areas that were normally dry but prone to extensive inundation. As a result, no one who could afford to build would build in such an area. They tended to be vast areas with thick undergrowth crisscrossed by a myriad of foot trails. The only inhabitants were the poorest of the poor, vagrants living a nomadic lifestyle and eating hand-to-mouth. If a river were to flood, they would be among the first victims, sometimes the only victims. Being abandoned in the floodlands would never be by choice. It would be the last stop before dying.
God is always mindful of our situation. He never lets us slip through His hands. We make mistakes, but He never does. Also, notice what it doesn't say. It doesn't say that we would never see the floodlands, or walk through them. He may have us pass through the floodlands for any number of reasons, not the least of which would be to reach out to those are also in desperate need. Yet here is the one thing that brings me such comfort: we will never be abandoned! We have a God who carries us through the fiercest storms and the highest waves. Most importantly, when it's all over, we get to go home with Him. That's worth any trek we might face here on earth.
Just in case one thinks I'm blowing smoke, I'll offer a subjective proof, one of many small miracles God has done for me and my family. Two weeks ago, my mind turned to Christmas. It dawned on me that we might not make mortgage, let alone have the ability to purchase gifts this year for my children. Rather than fret, I told God about it and asked Him to please provide Christmas gifts for my kids. Later that week, I got a call from our church saying that a family wanted to bless a family in need with Christmas presents and asked if I would be interested. "Are you kidding? I was just praying about that this week!" I told them. Needless to say, everyone was blessed at how God worked the whole thing. He usually isn't so blatant and obvious. God uses subtle and practical ways for us most of the time. But once in awhile he offers us unmistakable signs that He's there. With God, we are never abandoned.
Outside my window...
It a beautiful morning! I'm greeted with sunlight reflecting off the snow on the mountaintops. Seeing the sun can be such a rare treat this time of year.
I am thinking...
of tons of things I need to do in the house this week.
I am thankful for...
Sunlight and Chris being back on day shift this week.
From the learning rooms...
We are reading (or listening to CD's which is a nice break for me) to Johnny Tremain. We are learning about the early colonial period before the American Revolution. Rachel and David are busy with piano, math, reading (although they have finished all of the Sonlight readers) and Aaron is busy on his workbooks. We are also learning about birds in Science.
From the kitchen...
Homemade Hamburger Helper, I have not decided which kind.
I am wearing...
PJ's
I am going... to stay home today. Chris is off work, but needs to be working on his class. We will be going to a Boy Scout Event tonight.
I am creating... ?? I am reading...
We are finishing up the Narnia books this week. I have tons of books on my night stand, but I have not touched them in awhile. I have been enjoying reading the Narnia books and some magazines (This Old School House and Answers in Genesis.)
I am hoping... the sun says around for awhile so that we can enjoy it today.
I am hearing... the sounds of the keyboard when the kids have headphones plugged in. I need to listen to them play today. I love the headphones! They can practice without disturbing anyone---like while the others are doing other schoolwork, but I don't always hear the progress they are making.
One of my favorite things... are winter mornings. I love watching the fire in our pellet stove and snuggling up on the couch a blanket and a book.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Boy Scout Court of Honor tonight, Piano Lessons and any errands I have on Tuesday and not sure about the rest of the week. Would you like to start your own daybook? Check out this website. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
Outside my window...grey & over-cast. A cold front moving in after our 2nd Indian Summer. But that's OK...it's fall, after all. :-)
I am thinking...that I need to get ready to leave. My DD#2 & I are going to lunch w/my mom.
I am thankful for...still having a warm house, cars & not missing a meal during my DH's layoff.
From the kitchen...lunch out w/my mom this afternoon; possibly pasta & sauce for supper.
I am wearing...jeans, & a red, pink & white shirt.
I am reading...sermon notes.
I am hoping...things will go well w/my mom while we're out. She's not a happy woman & it can wear on us.
I am creating...a peaceful home.
I am hearing...radio, DD#2 in the shower, a neighbor's leave blower.
Around the house...laundry, dusting, running sweeper, dust-mopping kitchen & bathrooms.
One of my favorite things...a hot mug of Hazelnut or Vanilla Biscotti coffee on a cold, dark morning.
A few plans for the rest of the week...household chores, taking DD#2 to/from work, praying for miracles.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
This is the Collins Schoolhouse in 1854. This was a working schoolhouse until the 1940's. The family who now owns it has hired 2-3 retired teachers who now 'teach school' for school & homeschool field trips; an entire day just like in the 1800's. When our girls were little you homeschool group went there - it was great - the kids dressed up, took lunches in a pail or basket, they drank from the well, played old-fashioned games, the school was heated by the Franklin stove, they worked from McGuffey Readers on their slates, make bookmarks. This was also a year when we were working through "The Priarie Primer" unit study, so it was awesome!
My wife came up and told me that Sesame Street had done another spoof. This time it was a skit called "Desperate Horse-wives." I got a groan when I asked if the characters were less than neigh-borly.
In all seriousness, I'm not that thrilled with how the folks at Sesame Street parody network TV shows. While I am sure that the creators mean simple and innocent fun with their skits, I believe it also sends the message that the shows they represent are normal and acceptable in normal households. I'm not sure how normal we are, but Desperate Housewives is a show that we do not let in our house. My children know that when Extreme Makeover Home Edition is over and they hear, "Previously on Desperate Housewives..." power to the television is to be immediately terminated. It's almost comical how they scramble to turn it off, as if they were diving on a live grenade.
While it may not be a grenade, many TV shows are painfully difficult for us to watch these days. Some of the shows are so corrosive, I wonder how anyone can possibly watch them. Consequently, some nights we simply don't turn on the television set. Instead, we will read a good book or play a game together, if we don't split up to do separate things. We avoid the shows not because we like feeling superior or cerebral, but because we've found that these shows actively interfere with our hearts and minds.
8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:8, The Message)
I can't come out with a list of TV shows that I think are bad or good. The verse above should be more than enough for the average Christian, especially when it's paired with the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Each person is responsible only to God for decisions like these. However, Jesus did give us a special charge with children.
"And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. Mark 9:42 (NIV)
To me this verse means that God takes the destruction of children's innocence very seriously. This is why the Sesame Street skits irritate me. It feels like they're playing with fire. Look smart all you want, but I would prefer if they would just stick with "C is for cookie," and the yip-yip monsters.
What? You've never heard of the yip-yip monsters? Yip Yip
Using wooly worms (Pyrrharctia isabella) to predict winter is old American folklore that traces its history back to early Americana. Supposedly, Native Americans taught the pioneers to read wooly worms to predict winter weather. Wooly worm is the common name for the larval stage of the Isabella Tiger Moth. They are also called wooly bears.
Step 1 Look for wooly worms under rocks and inside hollow logs. Step 2
Examine the wooly worm, paying attention to its bands of colors. The wooly worm will curl into a ball when touched or threatened. When they crawl, they can crawl very quickly! Step 3 Wooly worm forecasters say that the size of the brown band of color will tell you what kind of winter is coming. Legend says that the thinner the brownish red bands, the harsher the winter will be. If the wooly worm is mostly brownish red in the middle, winter will be mild. Step 4 Wooly worm enthusiasts claim an 85 percent success rate over the last few decades. Scientists tend to disagree and say wooly worm weather prediction is as unscientific as using groundhogs to predict winter weather. The groundhogs likely side with the wooly worms. Step 5
Whether or not you believe in the power of wooly worms, they can be a fun project for children and adults.
Articles and helpful information for support group leaders and Colorado homeschoolers.
My husband, Mike, and I serve Christian Home Educators of Colorado as their Support Group Leader Liaison. We pray this blog will bring encouragement and support to leaders.
