Under His Construction
• Jun. 24, 2008 - A real life 'Make Way For Ducklings' story
If you and your kids have ever enjoyed reading Robert McCloskey's 'Make Way For Ducklings' then you are going to love this story that was sent to my mom through an email. Read and enjoy!
Something really amazing happened in Downtown Spokane this week and I had to share the story with you. Some of you may know that my brother, Joel, is a loan officer at a bank. He works downtown in a second story office building, overlooking busy Riverside Avenue. Several weeks ago he watched a mother duck choose the cement awning outside his window as the uncanny place to build a nest above the sidewalk. The mallard laid nine eggs in a nest in the corner of the planter that is perched over 10 feet in the air. She dutifully kept the eggs warm for weeks and Monday afternoon all of her nine ducklings hatched.
Joel worried all night how the momma duck was going to get those babies safely off their perch in a busy, downtown, urban environment to take to water, which typically happens in the first 48 hours of a duck hatching.
Tuesday morning, Joel came to work and watched the mother duck encourage her babies to the edge of the perch with the intent to show them how to jump off! The mother flew down below and started quacking to her babies above. In his disbelief Joel watched as the first fuzzy newborn toddled to the edge and astonishingly leapt into thin air, crashing onto the cement below. My brother couldn't watch how this might play out. He dashed out of his office and ran down the stairs the sidewalk where the first obedient duckling was stuporing near its mother from the near fatal fall. Joel looked up. The second duckling was getting ready to jump! He quickly dodged under the awning while the mother duck quacked at him and the babies above. As the second one took the plunge, Joel jumped forward and caught it with his bare hands before it hit the cement. Safe and sound, he set it by the momma and the other stunned sibling, still recovering from its painful leap.
One by one the babies continued to jump to join their anxious family below. Each time Joel hid under the awning just to reach out in the nick of time as the duckling made its free fall.. The downtown sidewalk came to a standstill. Time after time, Joel was able to catch the remaining 7 and set them by their approving mother. At this point Joel realized the duck family had only made part of its dangerous journey. They had 2 full blocks to walk across traffic, crosswalks, curbs, and pedestrians to get to the closest open water, the Spokane River.
The onlooking office secretaries then joined in, and hurriedly brought an empty copy paper box to collect the babies. They carefully corralled them, with the mother's approval, and loaded them up into the white cardboard container. Joel held the box low enough for the mom to see her brood. He then slowly navigated through the downtown streets toward the Spokane River, as the mother waddled behind and kept her babies in sight. As they reached the river, the mother took over and passed him, jumping into the river and quacking loudly. At the water's edge, the Sterling Bank office staff then tipped the box and helped shepherd the babies toward the water and to their mother after their adventurous ride.
All nine darling ducklings safely made it into the water and paddled up snugly to momma duck. Joel said the mom swam in circles, looking back toward the beaming bank workers, and proudly quacking as if to say, 'See, we did it! Thanks for all the help!'
Isn't that just the cutest story?! A co-worker snapped pictures of the whole event but I can't seem to get them to show up on my post so if you want to see them let me know and I will forward the email to you.
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• Jun. 11, 2008 - The ULTIMATE Kid's Summer Guide!
Just wanted to take a quick minute to share with you all
  
I can't tell you how much I love the ideas in this book and even more important is how much it has inspired my kids! They pour over this awesome book and then they sit together plotting out how they are going to execute their favorite ideas! So cute!
Not only are there new and original ideas throughout the book but even the classics are done in innovative, 'use what you have' ways! Most everything is done from beginning to end - meaning that when they give plans for flying your own flag they take you step by step in how to pick out a tree, cut it down (with help from an adult of course), strip the branches and bark, attach the pulley system for hoisting the flag, and finally how to place it firmly into the ground so the pole will stay up. In this guidebook you will find tons of great ideas for nature studies. But don't go buy a net for catching bugs - make your own following the simple instructions in this book. They have even included instructions for how to sweep-net and a small little guide to a few common bugs you will most likely find in your search! Truly this is just the tip of the iceberg here - there are hundreds of great ideas in this book and you can find it in the Amazon used bookstores for under a buck! Can't beat that! Oh and while you are at it - make sure to pick up the Kids Winter Handbook as well! We love it too! These would make great birthday presents.
Happy Summer!
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• Jun. 4, 2008 - Washingtonians: Are you breaking the law?
One of my favorite parts of planning homeschool lessons is finding good books to go along with the lessons. I scour the internet and our local library for everything I can find on the subject. Sometimes I just scour the library for fun and interesting books that would make a good lesson. I have been astounded to find children's books on subjects I never would have guessed. I have also found children's books that I was delighted to find on certain subjects. This was the case at our library yesterday as I found a great book by the title 'Washington Law for Kids: Make It, Don't Break It!" by Carole Marsh. The book is definitely not written from a Biblical worldview but I have been delighted by the majority of the content never the less. I wanted to share with you all from a fun chapter on old Washington laws. I knew my few Washington readers would like this especially.
-No Hunting on Main Street
-No Playing Marbles for Keeps
-You Must Get a Doctor's Prescription Before You Take a Bath
-You Can't Own a Cat and a Bird at the Same Time
-Women's Dresses Can't Be More Than 2 Inches Above the Ankle
-A Man Cannot Marry His Wife's Grandmother
-No Working in Bare Feet
-A Dead Person Cannot Serve on a Jury (has this changed?) ( :
-You Cannot Sleep in Someone's Outhouse Without Permission
Are those great?!
One last note before I leave the subject of great book finds - I also checked out a book called 'Germ Zappers' that is in a series of books about our cells and DNA. I found it to be very informative and understandable for even my 6yo who very much enjoyed it. Again this is not from a Biblical worldview but I don't know how anyone could read it and not recognize the intelligence in the design of our bodies. Truly incredible! My son and I decided it was like Star Wars going on in our bodies! ( : |
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• May. 31, 2008 - Summer Meal Ideas?
Hey everyone! Did you all miss me? I know it has been awhile since I posted - life is crazy for us at the moment. My posts through the summer will be few to non-existent. Please pray that we will find the rental house that we need so that our life can get back to some form of normalcy again. Rentals are scarce around here and if we aren't the first one to hear about them they are gone before we even have a chance at them.
Okay - so on to the purpose of this post. I am by nature an idea person. I am always full of ideas. I loves ideas and am always coming up with them. Be it kids' projects, lesson plans and activities, recipes, you name it - I have ideas for it. But, lately I seem to be at a loss for good summer meal ideas and so we are in a rut. I know, I know - it is not even summer yet and we really have just finished up winter up here in our neck of the woods, but we still seem to be having the same 3-4 meals over again and again this last month. So I am begging you to please help me out. I need some fresh inspiration. What are your families' favorite summer meals and/or recipes? |
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• May. 3, 2008 - How safe are feminine hygiene products and diapers?
Have you ever wondered why there is a label on tampon boxes warning against toxic shock syndrome?
Read the following article about dioxins:
Guess where dioxins are also found? Yep you guessed it - diapers and feminine hygiene products! No wonder so many women struggle with infertility. Sad!
Here are a few more related articles:
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• May. 1, 2008 - The greatest command of all is to love
If you have been reading along as I have been posting the incredible lessons (here, here, and here) God had for me at our local homeschool conference this year through the tremendous speakers, Reb and Beverly Bradley, then you will not want to miss this post as it is the most important of all. All of the other insights I have mention are meaningless without these truths. My heart was truly broken over this one as I recognized what they were saying in my own heart and thus in my household as well.
When you think about the people in your children's lives that they tend to gravitate to and desire to be around, what do you notice about them? Genuine acceptance - these people like our kids and accept them as they are. These people should be us my dear fellow parents. We should be the ones that our children gravitate towards because we not only love them but we like them just the way they are. Something the Bradleys said that really hit home with me was that our children are not ingredients in a cake we are baking, they are people. They have a need to feel wanted and accepted just the way they are, like everybody else. We parents tend to look towards the future and the end results we want to see. Our children see that in our eyes every time we look at them. They feel that they will never measure up. We love them but sometimes we don't like them just as they are. Ouch!
So what will the results be? Children who run to the first individual or group that offer them acceptance. Children who have not given us their hearts, so any obedience will be outward form only and not from their hearts. Children that do not feel safe to divulge what is in their hearts to us. Children who reject Christ because all He ever was to them was condemnation and scorn.
I urge you to examine your relationship with your kids and see if any of this is true in your home. Are you taking the necessary steps to win over your child's affection and devotion? Are they drawn to Jesus by how you example Him to them? Do you have expectations of your children that they can never meet? Are you constantly disappointed in them? Are anger and irritation daily displayed by you in your children's presence?
If you see yourself in any of these examples don't despair, you are a sinner just like your children! ( :
The Bradleys laid out some practical tips that I thought were well worth sharing along with a few of my own.
1. Touch - Be affectionate toward them.
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children 1 Thes. 2:7
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you Isa. 66:13a
2. Teeth - Discipline yourself to smile at your children. No matter what - even when entering a room where fighting or mischief has been going on (in fact remove suspicion and mistrust as well, but instead calmly and gently get to the bottom of the problem.)
When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a gentle rain. Prov. 16:15
Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. Mark 10:21a
3. Tone - Remove the Exclamation! at the end of your child's name when addressing them. ("Jacob! Get in here right now!")
Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Eph. 6:4b
And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you into his Kingdom to share his glory. 1 Thes. 2:11-12
4. Time - Is time with your children a variable or an absolute?
He must manage his own family well 1 Tim. 3:4a
5. Tender discipline - Always out of love, seeing discipline as a necessity, never out of anger or scorn, expecting perfect children. Again, we are all sinners and will continue to be so until we get our new incorruptible bodies!
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness Gal. 6:1
He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. Prov. 13:24
He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. Deu.8:5
My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Prov.3:11-12
And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who was never disciplined? If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all. Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Heb. 12:5-11
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• Apr. 22, 2008 - Advice taken from a Singer Sewing Machine Manual published in 1949
My dear SIL sent this to me and I just had to share it with you all! Too cute!
"Prepare yourself mentally for sewing. Think about what you are going to do. Never approach sewing with a sigh or lackadaisically. Good results are difficult when indifference predominates.
Never sew with a sink full of dirty dishes or beds unmade. When there are urgent housekeeping chores, do these first so that your mind is free to enjoy your sewing.
When you sew, make yourself as attractive as possible. Put on a clean dress. Keep a little bag of French chalk near your sewing machine to dust your fingers at intervals. Have your hair in order, powder and lipstick on.
If you are constantly fearful that a visitor will drop in or your husband will come home and you will not look neatly put together, you will not enjoy sewing as you should."
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• Apr. 17, 2008 - Who's Leading Who?
"Oh, Father, you can't think what grand fun hunting on an ostrich is. We flew along like the wind. Sometimes I could scarcely breathe, we were going at such a rate, and was obliged to shut my eyes because of the terrible rush of air. Really, father, you must make me a mask with glass eyes to ride with, or I shall be blinded one of these fine days."
"Indeed!" replied I. "I must do no such thing."
"Why not?" asked he, with a look of amazement upon his face.
"For two reasons; firstly, because I do not consider that I must do anything that you demand; and secondly, because I think you are very capable of doing it yourself."
-Swiss Family Robinson
How many parents would take issue with this command from their children today like the father of this wonderful, classic story did? We have become a very child-centered society in which the children in the households do more of the leading than the parents do.
My last few posts have been about some wonderful teachings God brought my way a few weeks ago through the insightful teachings of Reb and Beverly Bradley. This is the third problem area that the Bradleys shared on that really struck a chord with me. Before the conference I would have not thought this a problem in our home. Oh how sadly mistaken I was! How about you? Do you see this as a problem in your home? The following list may help you identify some blind spots.
Signs of a child-centered home:
-Parents conclude most commands with "Okay?"
-Parents are exasperated from nagging and trying to persuade children to comply with directions
-Parents are exasperated from their children's constant nagging to get their way
-Children are allowed to freely express their opinions, complaints, and criticisms regarding family decisions without being asked(We want to go to McDonalds!)
-Parents strive to keep their children from being bored
-Parents avoid situations where their children will have to sit still
-Menus are planned around the children's likes and dislikes
-The children's happiness and pleasure is the main factor in family decisions
After having these laid out for me I began noticing just how much this was going on in our house. My children felt that they had a say in everything that went on and they were right. They had been allowed to freely express their wants and desires whenever they felt the need to make their wishes known. I was avoiding making certain meals because my kids don't like one or more of the ingredients. They were allowed to continually nag me about doing something they wanted to do when told to wait. And so this is another area that I have taken action - here is what we are doing:
-My children no longer have a say in decisions unless asked
-They are not allowed to express displeasure (or approval) over decisions made
-They eat whatever is for dinner without complaints (everything that is offered is to be dished up and eaten)
-They are no longer allowed to use the words "I want" but instead need to politely ask "May I?"
My ultimate goal is for my children to learn that it is not all about them. They need to learn to let go of their own wants and desires and be led by what God wants and desires of them. Humility needs to be built in order to do this. Putting them at the center of our family decisions will only build pride in their little hearts. God is the only one that belongs in the center of our family decisions. |
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• Apr. 16, 2008 - A comma?
What punctuation mark are you?
I'm a Comma! Here is my description:
You Are a Comma  You are open minded and extremely optimistic.
You enjoy almost all facets of life. You can find the good in almost anything.
You keep yourself busy with tons of friends, activities, and interests.
You find it hard to turn down an opportunity, even if you are pressed for time.
Your friends find you fascinating, charming, and easy to talk to.
(But with so many competing interests, you friends do feel like you hardly have time for them.)
You excel in: Inspiring people
You get along best with: The Question Mark
I don't know if the entire description really fits me because I am actually a bit on the anti-social side and do not keep myself busy with activity, my friends almost always take the first initiative to plan things. I am working on being better but I just seem to get caught up in being at home with my kiddos. Not a bad thing necessarily, but it can be if it keeps me and my kiddos inwardly focused. And we have become. ) :
Anyways - I took this test because I was tagged by my new, fellow Washingtonian friend E-mom over at C h r y s a l i s to play along. Thanks for including me E-mom! ( : Please play along anyone else reading this that wants to. |
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• Apr. 4, 2008 - "Beacause I said so!"
Oh how I have rejected these words in my parenting methods over the years. I wanted my children to understand why I was requiring them to obey my commands. I wanted their hearts in their obedience and I thought that giving them a reason to obey would do just that. What I did not realize was that I was inadvertently teaching them that they need a good reason to obey. I was teaching them that they have some sort of say in my parental decisions, that they were co-parents with me. I was cultivating a child-centered home, not a God-centered one. Worse yet all of this was helping to build pride in them rather than humility. This will not bring the maturity that needs to take place in their hearts in order to subject their will to God, which is my very goal as their parent. They need to learn this first through their obedience to me, the authority God has placed over them.
Am I saying that giving reasons for what I was requiring is bad? No, but only after the kid's have learned to obey without a reason. They need to be ready to obey when God calls them to march around the walls of Jericho in their lives. So the rule is obey (with a good attitude) first ask questions (respectfully) later.
This is what I am seeking to do in our home right now and Oh man! is it hard! I have developed some very bad habits that I am finding very difficult to break! I can't believe the many ways I was trying to get around requiring obedience after instructions given once without an explanation.
Have you ever used any of the following?
1. Repeating instructions and making threats
"I mean it!"
"If I have to come in there!"
"I, 2, 3, 4...."
"If you don't do this, then I'll......"
"Don't you look at me like that!"
"Wait 'til your father gets home!"
"I'm not going to tell you again!" (of course you are - you're doing it right now)
"How many times must I tell you?"
"Want me to get the spanking paddle? Here I go" (stomp, stomp, stomp)
"Okay, we're leaving without you. Bye."
2. Bribery
"If you are on your best behavior then we might just get you a treat."
"If you go get in bed for your nap, I'll read your favorite story."
3. Allowing excuses
-Sometimes we even encourage excuses by asking "Why did/would you do that?"
4. Tricking or manipulating
-Making things into a game in order to get their cooperation
-Becoming animated or silly in order to coerce them to obey (doing a silly walk to naptime and such)
-Giving two choices ("Do you want to wear your pink or green mittens?") trying to eliminate the option of disobeying
-Not giving a direct order "Do you want to take the teddy bear or the doll to bed with you right now?"
-Making a contest in order to bring their obedience "Can you get your room clean in 5 minutes?"
-Reverse Psychology "Don't you eat that broccoli"
5. Condemnation and scorn
"Why would you do such a thing?"
"Can't you just obey for once!"
"Why do I have to tell you again and again?"
"Are you deaf?"
Don't these sound awful in your head as you read them? While I have not done all of these, I have done most of them. Ugh! And what are the results of these methods? Children who do not see our word as sufficient motivation to obey, who believe they are in charge, that we are at their mercy and that we are not worthy of their respect. Or we are developing children who obey out of fear of our harsh words and inwardly are saying to themselves "Why would I ever want to be a Christian? I can't wait to get out of here and do what I want!" Neither of these results are going to draw them to Jesus. And what's worse is that, in the employment of these methods, we are promoting defiance, aiding and abetting our children's disobedience.
I don't know about you but this is not what I want to happen, so I am taking action! Here is what I am doing:
1. My children are given an instruction calmly once and required to obey. If they can obey after the fifth time of being told, they can certainly obey after the first!
2. They are immediately and calmly (never in anger) disciplined if they do not obey quickly.
3. Their only response to my command is to be "Yes, mom" unless they have some sort of emergency in which they politely ask if they may tell me something. There are times where I do not have all of the information needed ("Mom, I need to go see Tommy because he is moving away tomorrow and I won't see him again") or when the task I have assigned can't be completed quickly ("I would bring the groceries in but the van is locked").
Amazingly this is still just one more of the many areas that the Bradleys spoke on that really struck a chord with me. Much of this post has come from their sessions at our local homeschool conference and from their book titled 'Child Training Tips: What I wish I knew when my children were young'. I just can't recommend their resources enough! I am hoping to cover a few more areas where we are making needed changes in our home as a direct result of their teachings from the conference. I hope and pray this blesses you as much as it did me.
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• Apr. 2, 2008 - When Family Becomes an Idol
You know that family - the one whose children are respectful and loving in their words and actions at all times. They eat everything set before them without complaint. They are obedient to every command given by their parents, and not only that, they do it quickly. The siblings all have a genuine love for each other and enjoy each other's company. They are a tight knit family unit that is a joy to be around. You know the family that I am talking about. They have either existed in your mind as your ideal that you are striving towards or you actually have the privilege of knowing such a family. We do. They have become very good friends of ours. We love them very much but...
this is the kind of family that can cause much turmoil in another home if the mother does not guard her heart against covetousness. I know this personally because God has revealed it to me recently in my very own heart. Amazing how the very thing we seek not to do creeps up and surprises us by being the very thing we are doing. We can be so blind to what is going on in our hearts. I totally and completely understand what Paul meant when he said "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do." Romans 7:15.
My focus had moved from winning my children's hearts to Jesus to my own success as a parent. I began desiring for my children to emulate the fruit of other families that appeared successful in my eyes. My family had become a trophy to me! I was just another Pharisee more interested in outward appearances. Amazingly many of our school lessons were about how the things we do are evidence of what is in our hearts but unfortunately I lost sight of where I was directing their sweet little hearts and what means I was to use to get them there. I was using a form of scorn and condemnation (that I was completely blind to) rather than consistent discipline, but this will only lead to outward changes for the sake of self-preservation and is never a true representation of Jesus to them.
But my God loves me so much that He does not let me continue on in these sins. He is so faithful to bring me just the teachings I need when I need them, in His perfect timing!
This last week He did just that by making it a priority for me to be at a local homeschool conference where the amazing speakers Reb and Bev Bradley were going to be sharing the incredible wisdom God has given them through some extreme difficulties they had experienced. How exciting it was to come away with a renewed sense of purpose and the tools I need to reach the goal God has for me and my family: To know Him and love Him.
So what am I doing to make the needed changes in our household? Recognizing the problem is the first step, unfortunately this was not the only problem we had. This was just one of my many "blind spots" that God used the Bradleys to show me about my parenting and I am hoping to begin sharing these lessons I am learning with you all in the next few posts (bear with me though - I am very busy working on child training right now). ( : |
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• Mar. 21, 2008 - Guarding against knowledge that puffs up
The Bible tells us in 1 Cr 8:1b that "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies". It is interesting to look at the this world's purpose for education. How much time is being wasted right now in classrooms across this nation imparting 'knowledge that puffs up'? How much time did I waste in my own youth learning facts that I would remember long enough to get the good grade on the test? Why? So that I can now look back and tell you about the things I knew at one time?
God has been guiding me to do things differently with my own children. I have rejected teaching anything to them out of tradition or following this world's schedule of when it needs to be taught. I do not want them to learn anything if it will only produce pridefulness in their hearts. God has been so faithful to guide me in my lessons to seek out the heart of the facts. And at the center of every study we always find Him and His plan for us. This is the kind of knowledge that leads us to our knees seeking Him as we recognize more and more each day that He is in control and we can do nothing good apart from Him. It increases our awe of who God is - His infinite, creative, all-powerful ways! This is really the heart of what our education should produce: hearts humbly turned towards Him, where the true tests results are seen in how our every word and deed reflect our love and faith in Him.
And yet I still struggle lately with fear. My kids will be taking a test in a month that is based on a system that is concerned with knowledge that produces pride. A System that could never measure the depth of my children's education because they don't recognize the the things I value as important. A system that does not believe in taking time to make sure my children know and understand the importance of each and every lesson. A system that does not see my children as unique individuals but instead has lumped them into a segregated group of students their own age. Their test could never measure the character lessons, the principles, the love I have sought to plant in my children's hearts.
And so in this my own education over the last few years is tested. Can I trust the God who spoke this world into existence? Can I depend on He who brings about each breath I take to make all things right? Will the God who parted the waters for His children of Israel continue to clear a path for this child too?
Yes - my heart is calmed, my education has been successful.
Thank you my beloved God for loving this unfaithful child and restoring peace to my soul.
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• Mar. 17, 2008 - My Testimony
My friend Jen has started a great new meme called My Testimony and she has tagged me to participate. Thanks Jen - I am happy to join in! Great idea!
1. When did you become a Christian?
I surrendered my life to Christ at the age of 18 while going to college. I use the word surrender because that was truly what happened. I had prayed the prayer of salvation many times before that but never in total surrender. I was trying to fake it to God (and everyone else) before my heart was really ready. My parents at that time were driving up to Spokane where I lived to get me and take me to a midweek Bible study. On one particular night the topic was hell. As the pastor was going through all of the scripture describing hell I became more and more terrified. I knew that if I died at that moment this is where I would be spending eternity and had known this for a long time but the stark reality of what hell was like straight from the Word of God put me over the edge. I was tired of living with the inner turmoil that this knowledge brought and this took me to a whole new terrifying level. I knew at that moment that I was really ready to completely surrender my life over. Right there as I sat in between my parents, completely unbeknown to my parents who thought I was already saved, I recieved that precious gift God was offering me. Tears ran down my face as my heart overflowed with joy. I had never felt so completely happy and free until that moment!
2. Was there anyone instrumental in your decision to be a Christian?
While the Holy Spirit was the most instumental influence in bringing me to Christ, there were several other strong influences. My parents would be the next largest influence that God used. They were, and remain to this day, a beautiful example of Christian love for me to follow. God has used them hugely in my brother's life and my own, as well as countless others. I am so very blessed to have them! ( : God also brought about friendships that were very important in my journey to Christ. My best friend in high school and her parents had a large influence in my life as well as some very close friends from college.
3. Were there any difficulties to overcome in your early walk with God?
Definitely! I was still dating my high school sweetheart who was not a Christian and although I knew this was not a healthy relationship for me, nor Biblical, I could not let go of him. I was very attached to him and we ended up getting married after I became pregnant (another area that I was not willing to submit to God in). I have also struggled from the very beginning of my walk to really get into God's Word. Throughout my years of education I developed a hatred for anything that required me to study. It was not until my second year of homeschooling that I really began to get into the Word. I know there have been many other difficulties that I have had to overcome but these are the two that stand out in my mind the most.
4. How did your life change after committing yourself to Christ?
As I look back over the last 13 years since I first came to Christ I see so much change, but the change was really very gradual and slow. I spent a lot of years carrying the burden of trying to change myself. I so wanted to be that 'Super Christian' that I thought God wanted me to be. I felt like He must be so disappointed in me as I came up a failure in every effort. God used a book called 'Classic Christianity'
by Bob George to show me that the sanctification process is God's job and it was prideful to think I could do it. Wow! What a concept this was for me! I could relax in Him and let Him change me? So many passages of Scripture that I thought I understood took on a whole new meaning and passages that I never understood starting making sense to me. I think this was the biggest turning point for me in my walk with the Lord. The growth in my life since I began letting God make the changes in me has been tremendous.
5. Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
I have many favorite verses but the ones that God reminds me of the most in my daily life are:
1. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. Romans 8:28
This is the verse that turns difficulties into blessings in my life. I can go through whatever God brings because I know that He will work it out for my good. What a promise! This verse has truly been the courage I needed to make difficult decisions. It has also been the verse that has brought peace to my heart over and over again.
2. he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus Phil. 1:6
This is the verse God brings to me every time I try to take back the reigns of my life. He gently reminds me that only He will succeed in changing me.
6. What does it mean for you today to be a Christian?
One word: Purpose! Being a Christian means there is a purpose for my life that directs the daily decisions I make. The purpose? To know God more every day. To let Him direct my steps as He uses me to lead my children and others towards Him. To let Him conform me to His image rooting me and grounding me in His love.
7. Any last words?
Last words...Hmmm? I would say that the most important lesson a Christian can learn is the message of Easter. Why did Jesus raise to life again? What does this mean for us? It means our old man (spiritually dead) was crucified with Christ on that cross and a new man resurrected with Christ so that we could have that life not just in heaven someday, but to live for Him every day (2 Cr. 5:17, Gal. 2:20). So often this part of the Gospel is missed and many Christians miss the most important truth they need to live the Christian life. Grace! God offers us the power to live for Him every day. We can humbly seek Him to give us His power each day or we can pridefully seek to do it on our own and fail miserably.
"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." James 4:6
This is the key to living the adundant life Jesus told us about! ( :
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly. John 10:10
I see so many Christians missing out on this as they continue to live under so many burdens that they are trying to change. Relax in Him and let Him live His life through you!
So now I get to do the tagging! Oooo - I want to hear all of your testimonies! Please if you are reading this consider sharing your own testimony and let me know when you have so I can come read it. If you read here and do not blog please share your testimony with me through email and if you are willing to share I would love to post it here to bless others as well. Thanks again Jennifer for starting this meme! ( :
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• Mar. 6, 2008 - Mr. Harvey Newcomb's Advice on Honoring Parents
Most everything I post on my blog is a little glimpse into the heart of my home, my thoughts and the lessons God is teaching me. I truly enjoy sharing these tidbits with you all, especially when God brings something to me that causes me to stop and ponder the far reaching application it has on my life. In a recent post I mentioned how God has often used great books as a catalyst in this santification process in my life. I promised to begin sharing these great books with you and since I am reading so many great ones lately I have much to share!
The kiddos and I are currently reading through an exceptional book titled 'How to Be a Lady' by Harvey Newcomb. I know, I know - you are thinking "but I thought she has three boys." I do and had only purchased this book with the intention of reading it to my daughter, but as I started to preview the book I was struck with how relevant most of it is for boys and girls. And it can't hurt to give my boys a vision of Biblical womanhood to aide them someday in the selection of a godly wife. 
The book was first published in 1850 and offers some first hand insight into the 'problems' Christians were seeing in society back then. Oh to have these be the only problems in culture today! I love Mr. Newcomb's gentle style of writing, which seemed to be the standard for children's books from this period. While these two attributes are enough reason alone to read the book, the best attribute is found within the practical and timeless advice for living out the Scriptural truths presented. Our reading this morning was in chapter 4 ,'filial piety', where Mr. Newcomb delves into what is means to honor your mother and father. Wow! How short we have fallen in this area. Here are a few excerpts that really struck me:
"Obedience must be prompt and cheerful. Your parents are not honored, when obedience is delayed to suit your convenience; nor when you answer back, or try to reason against your parents' commands, or plead for delay, that you mat first finish your own work. A parent who is honored will never have to repeat the same command."
"Neither is sullen obedience honoring your parents. Some children, who dare not disobey their parents, will go about doing what is required of them with great reluctance, with perhaps a sullen expression of the countenance, a flirt, an angry step, or a slam of the door, or some other show of passion. Such conduct is a grief to parents, and an offense against God, who will not count that as obedience, which is not done cheerfully."
Mr. Newcomb goes on to address the importance of honoring your parents whether they are present or not (Ah yes - the Biblical principle of Self-Government) by keeping their parent's authority with them always. He also addresses how our children's general behavior in public is a show of honor or dishonor according to how they behave. Here is what he says:
"If they are rude and uncivil, they reflect dishonor upon their parents; for people say, they have not been trained and instructed at home. But when their behavior is respectful , correct, pure, and amiable, it reflects honor upon the parents. People will judge of the character of your parents by your behavior. Are you willing to hear your parents reproachfully spoken of?No, your cheeks would glow with indignation at the person who should speak ill of your father or your mother. But you speak evil of them, in your conduct, every time you do any thing that reflects dishonor upon them in the eyes of others. The blame of your conduct will be thrown back upon your parents."
This is really just a small taste of this book, let alone this chapter! There is so much more that I would love to share (like his comparison of our soul - our will, judgement, conscience, feelings, etc. - with the inner workings of a watch from chapter 3!) I am being blessed daily by the self-examination this book is bringing about in my heart and in my childrens' hearts. I look forward to getting my hands on more of Mr. Newcomb's books. |
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• Mar. 5, 2008 - Mother Carey's Chickens
Just wanted to give you a sweet little taste of the delightful book I am reading.
"She had but one keen desire: to go to some quiet place where temptations for spending money would be as few as possible, and live there for three or four years, putting her heart and mind and soul on fitting the children for life. If she could keep strength enough to guide and guard, train and develop them into happy, useful, agreeable human beings, - masters of their own powers: wise and discreet enough, when years of discretion were reached, to choose right paths, - that, she conceived, was her chief task in life, and no easy one. "Happy I must contrive that they shall be," she thought, "for unhappiness and discontent are among the foxes that spoil the vines. Stupid they shall not be, while I can think of any force to stir their brains; they have ordinary intelligence, all of them, and they shall learn to use it; dull and sleepy children I can't abide. Fairly good they will be, if they are busy and happy, and clever enough to see the folly of being anything but good! And so, month after month, for many years to come, I must be helping Nancy and Kathleen to be the right sort of women, and wives, and mothers, and Gilbert and Peter the proper kind of men, and husbands, and fathers. Mother Carey's chickens must be able to show the good birds the way home, as the Admiral said, and I should think they ought to be able to set a few bad birds on the right track now and then!"
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• Feb. 25, 2008 - Inheritances: The Biblical Answer to Debt?
In our debt ridden society that we currently live in we have grown up with the view that going into debt at the beginning of one's life after leaving home is the normal. We take out college loans because this is just how it is done right? We believe that there is no other way to start a marriage then to go into immediate bondage to the banker in the purchase of a home.
Over the last few years God has been challenging to rethink these ideas and measure them against His Word. So what do I find? Well for one, I now regard getting a college degree with less value than I used to, in fact I find no value in it when it comes to secular institutions with only few exceptions, but that is another topic for another time.
In my research I am seeing that God has a lot to say about building inheritances for our children to be passed down from generation to generation. Not just money inheritances mind you, but spiritual ones as well.
A quick word search of the word inheritance at Blue Letter Bible brings up 203 verses in which the word appears 239 times. This is not even including all the related words that would be connected. in the OT God set up rules and regulations for how inheritances were to be passed down. Proverbs is loaded with verses about the wisdom of passing down an inheritance (spiritual and monetary) and what the character of a child should be in order to be worthy to have that monetary inheritance passed on to them. And while this inheritance can be passed on when the parents die it is by no means limited to this. We today tend to think that this is to be willed to our children and passed on when we die, Does God put these limits on it or do we? Isn't this really His money to be used for His glory? Can it be used to help our faithful children get a fresh start in life without going into debt? Can it be used to aid them in their endeavor to serve the Lord according to His calling?
It is interesting to look down through history and see that while debt is the normal of today this has not always been the case. Families did not used to just live "in the moment" for the here and now. They took their God given roles of training their children up to serve the Lord seriously. To build up an inheritance to be passed down from generation to generation to be used for God's kingdom. Going into debt was frowned upon. Don't believe me - ask your grandparents and even great grandparents if you have that option. Ask the elderly in your church. But don't go by that alone, go to the source of truth. What does God's Word say concerning debt?
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:8
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7
In Deuteronomy 28 God told the Israelites that if they obeyed Him (verses 1-2) one of the blessings would be that they would not need to borrow from anyone (verse 12) but if they disobeyed (verse 15) they would be cursed and one of these curses would be that others would lend to them (verses 43-44).
As with most everything in this post Christian culture we have forgotten the wisdom of the Bible. We have forgotten that God has the answer to all situations including debt. We have embraced debt and view it as the only means to getting an education and buying a home. We no longer hold to a generational view of families. We have quit looking at building an inheritance as a tool to be used for the kingdom of God and passed onto our future generations to continue that work. We are allowing our children to begin their lives in debt.
I encourage each of you to research this as a family and seek God for wisdom in how to break this cycle of debt bondage in your own individual family. It truly begins with each home.
For further Biblical insights into this problem and practical solutions based on Scripture get yourselves a set of these wonderful DVDs.
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• Feb. 21, 2008 - The measure of a great book (Part 1)
I love books! I have loved them every since I was brave enough to venture through my first large chapter book. Of course the right selection of book was vital in whether I would develop a love of reading or not. Fortunately for me I had a dearly beloved older cousin pass on some books to me and among the titles I found what would become a much cherished copy of Anne of Green Gables. Now if you have ever read the Anne of Green Gables series you will know exactly why this choice was a perfect first read for a little girl to begin a lifelong journey of avid reading! I wish I could say that every book I went on to read was as sweet and innocent as this delightful story. I have read everything from smut to junk to garbage with a few good books mixed in here and there. God, in His ever faithful sanctifying work, has developed a new taste for great books in my heart . I now only hunger for books that edify. I am forever seeking that great book that changes who I am for the better. That book that grips my heart and forces me to examine my life and see the needed changes. That story that I can't help but think of when making day to day choices. That book that when measured against Scripture, succeeds to bring God's truth into my life in a powerful and meaningful way.
These are also the very same books that I want my own children developing their taste for great literature with. I want to see their little eyes tear up when some great injustice has been done to their hero and/or heroine. I want them to be inspired by the steadfast character they see in that little hero when faced with these difficulties. I want them to look back through history in the eyes of those who lived it and be in awe of the incredible story God has woven together bringing us to this point and time. I want their little hearts to grab hold of the personal application of God's Word through the author's words. Most of all I want their love for their Creator to increase with every jot and title written.
So in honor of the great books I have found in my search I wanted to share with you all some of the reads that have been life changing books in my life, and I also wanted to begin sharing books I am currently reading to let you know how they measured up. I would love to hear from you as well - please share your favorites with me! Fiction, nonfiction, children's, adult, old, new, educational, just for fun, devotionals, etc - I want to hear about them all!
Since this is part one of this series I wanted to just leave you with a post about one of these great books I have already shared about. You can read all about Ned here. Until next time - HAPPY READING!
BTW - I have had the privilege of 'meeting' the author of Ned, Barbara Coyle, who is a very sweet lady over with an amazing family. She has a blog here at homeschool blogger! Go on over to HomeschoolinginIreland and say hello! |
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• Feb. 13, 2008 - Preparations of the Heart
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, [is] from the LORD. -Prov. 16:1
I have always loved lullabies. I can remember singing 'Rock-a-bye Baby' to my dolls as a little girl. I can also remember loving to sing 'Hush Little Baby' although I could never get past the horse and cart part. What was daddy going to buy next? Hmmm? I still don't remember! In fact I can't even get past diamond ring at the moment. ( : I can also remember lulling each of my babies to sleep by rocking them while singing hymns and lullabies to them. What better way is there to prepare our little ones' hearts to love home and the security it brings under the warmth, shelter and protection of their mother's song? And furthermore what better way to instill a love of language preparing their hearts and minds to receive communication from God almighty?
Lullabies are the first form of literature our children are exposed to, so it is most fitting that I began my 4 and 6yo's literature lessons with a study of lullabies. They are loving this study! What joy in hearing their sweet little voices sing these precious songs!
"Away in a manger
No crib for a bed.
The little Lord Jesus
Lay down His sweet head."
To have their eyes light up when they first recognize the author's use of personification!
"The stars in the heavens
Look down where He lay.
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay"
To have them listen to the words of the songs and realize that a mother sings these words to her baby to turn her baby's heart towards Jesus!
"I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there."
"What the mother sings to the cradle goes all the way down to the coffin." -Henry Beecher (1887)
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• Feb. 13, 2008 - Juice Bombs!
I just love when my kids are curious and seek to observe and investigate the world around them. I also love when they have fun playing with words and using them in creative ways. So you can only imagine how proud i was when my oldest son brought me an individual pulp out of his orange that was still fully loaded with the yummy sweet juice inside and said "Look mom! It's a juice bomb!" I expressed to him how much I loved his description.
Apparently my youngest son was more impressed with his brother's choice of words than with the orange itself. He then proceeded to put down his own orange segment in disgust and say "I don't like juice bombs!" |
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• Feb. 8, 2008 - Tagged Again!
New blogger Melissa over at HoneyBee10269 (please go give her a warm welcome to the bloggy world) has tagged me with another fun tag. This one is centered around a favorite particular passion of mine - BOOKS! SO here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book of at least 123 pages.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Post the next 3 sentences.
5. Tag 5 people.
The book I am using is a new favorite called 'How to be a Lady' by Harvey Newcomb written in 1850. I love this book! All you Principle Approachers out there will enjoy this little excerpt.
"The office of conscience is, to determine whether any thing you propose to do is agreeable to the rule, and to urge you, accordingly, to do it or not to do it. Suppose you wish to determine any thing is straight; you lay a rule upon it that you suppose to be straight, and if they agree, that settles the matter. Your eye, comparing the object with the rule, determines whether it is straight or not. But if the rule applied is crooked, your eye is deceived, and you misjudge."
Oh how I want to go on and share more! But I have already broke the rules by giving you 4 sentences instead of 3. So go out and get the book - you will not be sorry! Even if you only have boys - so much of what is shared is incredibly applicable to boys and girls (and mommies too!)
So now I am supposed to tag 5 people but since I just tagged 5 two posts ago I am going to leave this one open - please join in the fun if any of you wants to. I know I have many fellow book lovers that visit me here, so if you are one of them consider yourself tagged! ( : |
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