Homeschool study for the week for Mom...surveying...shooting grades!  The Laser is an interesting tool.  It is attached to a tripod, and turned on.  A little "dealy-bop" inside spins, and there is a laser light produced...it's a little tough to see the light in the brightness of day, but dh has used it in the early evening, and I've seen that light, so I *know* it's there. 

The tripod and laser are set up in the place you want to measure from, and everything you want to level, or grade is compared to that of the laser.  A measuring rod is used, and an adjustable device (another "dealy-bop", for lack of knowing the correct term) is turned on, moved up or down until it exactly reaches the level of the laser light, and screwed tight to the rod.  This rod then serves as the tool for checking everything else against the laser for being the same, too high, or too low.  Setting the rod on the ground at a given location, a small arrow shows up or down, if you're close, you get an intermittent beep, and once you're right on, a steady beep. 

Great study in math, and technology with a slant toward career applications!  Nothing formal for the dc...they can move the rod around, help figure out if things are too high or too low, and for the older ones, I'll probably ask some questions to get them to think about life in the days of the likes of George Washington, when such fancy tools were not an option.  Perhaps they and I shall learn a little about the older tools in the process. 

Great Bible study!  Huh?  Yep.  Comparing things to a standard that has been set in order to determine whether something lines up, or is way off or a little off.  Did I mention that I spent 2 hours yesterday working on this leveling?  Plenty of time to think, especially when the dc got tired of it...so aside from reminding myself that I need about a gallon of sunscreen for the coming months, I pondered. 

God is that unchanging One who sets the standard by which He wants us to live, and the Bible is the measure of that for us.  We have been given in it everything we need that pertains to life and godliness.  It is the tool we use, and that He uses in guiding us.  When we examine areas of our lives in light of this standard, we can determine whether things are in line or not.  The standard is not emotion, culture, opinion, speculation...it is the Word of God...living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Our lives are a work in progress.  We do not come to Him already level and perfect.  It is a life-long process.  We get to participate in it with Him.  Some areas get leveled off rather easily, some, not so easily.  I can eyeball my garden and guess as to wether an area is getting closer or not, but my eye may deceive me...the standard will not.  I can examine my life, and guess as to wether an area is in line or not...my emotions, culture, opinion, and other influences may deceive me, they may be just a little off, or a lot...my Bible will not.  I can attempt to justify by mis-interpreting...the Bible, however will still be the same, and my mis-interpretation will not cause me to be in line with the Word.  I can embrace the standard, or object...the question is, what work do I want Him to do in me?  Do I want to be that fruitful life, or am I content to feel good about the status quo?  

A few other thoughts...

As I memorize scripture, I'm able to carry that standard with me in daily life..."I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You."  (Psalm 119:11)

As a nation, we are blessed to have the Bible so easily available.  Walking into a Christian bookstore, we are faced with a multitude of options, not only in versions, but also in covers, size...large print, compact, cd-rom...we have little excuse for not using the tool given us...there are nations and languages with fewer translations, languages with only the New Testament having been translated for those who speak, and there are those with only portions of scripture translated.  There are those languages with no translation.  There are those living in lands that outlaw this book.  We have been given much.  For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.  (Luke 12:48)

As I said, lots to think about...lots more garden to get level this weekend...lots more time to spend with curious children whose patience quickly wanes, lots of anticipation over what the work will look like months down the road.  Will it be fruitful?  I hope so!