While we were on vacation, down in New Mexico, we went to Cowtown Boots to buy Eric some… well… boots. It was actually a late birthday present. He had already gotten his hat so all he needed was some real, authentic cowboy boots. Just so happened to by a cowboy store right there in town so we all went.
All of our Littles have cowboy boots and hats. You should see the lot of them. Today they all got dressed up to play outside as I’m assuming Cowboys and “bad guys”. Haha
There were many, many pairs of boots to look at when we went to Cowtown Boots, but these were my favourite. They look tough enough to ride a horse, yet they have a simple prairie look about them. Iffen I had the money I would bought fer myself. Not to mention the fact they were a purrty shade of green and brown that gave them that old-fashion look, and they lace up. Like ‘em?
Cowboy Caleb had fun being surrounded by all them boots. He tried a dozen pairs on before we had to stop him from shuffling through. I followed him down an aisle to see what he was doing and he said, “Joshalyn, where all them boots go?” as if he couldn’t find a pair…
While we were on vacation, down in New Mexico, we went to Cowtown Boots to buy Eric some… well… boots. It was actually a late birthday present. He had already gotten his hat so all he needed was some real, authentic cowboy boots. Just so happened to by a cowboy store right there in town so we all went.
All of our Littles have cowboy boots and hats. You should see the lot of them. Today they all got dressed up to play outside as I’m assuming Cowboys and “bad guys”. Haha
There were many, many pairs of boots to look at when we went to Cowtown Boots, but these were my favourite. They look tough enough to ride a horse, yet they have a simple prairie look about them. Iffen I had the money I would bought fer myself. Not to mention the fact they were a purrty shade of green and brown that gave them that old-fashion look, and they lace up. Like ‘em?
Cowboy Caleb had fun being surrounded by all them boots. He tried a dozen pairs on before we had to stop him from shuffling through. I followed him down an aisle to see what he was doing and he said, “Joshalyn, where all them boots go?” as if he couldn’t find a pair…
America has nearly 115,000 orphaned kids in foster care waiting to be adopted. Some wonder how this is possible in a country with Christian families. Surely, there are 115,000 missional families in America, right? Missional families, for example, embrace the redemptive mission of God and practice "true religion" in their local communities (James 1:27). Missional Christians in America could eliminate the foster care system tomorrow if we would stop "shootin' up" with the American Dream (heroine) in order to get high on a lame life lived for the sake of comfort and ease.
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world," writes James (1:27). As a matter of fact, the Bible has over 40 verses mandating God's people to look after orphans and the fatherless for various reasons.
According to the American Religious Identity Survey, conducted by the City University of New York, there are over 224 million Christians in the United States. So, why are there 115,000 orphans in a country that has over 224 million Christians?
Since God's people have always been called to live missionally we are not surprised to see that James is not saying anything new. "When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow" (Deuteronomy 24:21).
Let's break this down further. The Washington Times reports that there are about 65 million evangelicals in America. So, again, why are there 115,000 orphans in America's foster care system? Does this mean that there are 65 million people missing huge sections of their Bibles? Would someone please alert Crossway and Zondervan!
Historically, the early church was known for taking in their culture's orphans and the needy. This is such an ancient tradition of the church (except for post-1960s American evangelicals) that Pope Benedict XVI even talked about it in his first encyclical "God is Love." He writes, "the Church cannot neglect the service of charity any more than she can neglect the Sacraments and the Word. . . Justin Martyr in speaking of the Christians' celebration of Sunday also mentions their charitable activity, linked with the Eucharist as such. Those who are able make offerings in accordance with their means, each as he or she wishes; the Bishop in turn makes use of these to support orphans, widows, the sick and those who for other reasons find themselves in need, such as prisoners and foreigners. The great Christian writer Tertullian relates how the pagans were struck by the Christians' concern for the needy of every sort."
Sadly, some of you are now more concerned about the fact that I quoted a Pope than you are about his actual point. Here's the deal: pagans were introduced to Jesus because Christians were taking care of the needy in obedience to Scripture. Taking care of the needy is not done only for the sake of evangelism. Practicing "true religion" is an extension of the kinds of Kingdom-oriented, salt and light, truth-bearing, grace-filled, Jesus-loving people who live to treat other people the same way God treats them (Ephesians 2:8-10).
We were all orphans and God adopted us in his family, remember? "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (Rom 8:14-16). As such, the best possible home for an orphan is in a home where a family is following Jesus together as former orphans themselves.
If your church is not cultivating an ethos that practices "true religion" it may not be missional at all. It may be dying or sinking into a consumeristic, entertainment quicksand where people come to have their "felt needs" stroked. Your pastor might wear "cool" clothes, have a "cool" blog, or be in the process of trying to make God and Jesus androgynous but God seems to care that his people are being led by capable men who lead the rest of God's people in bringing the Kingdom to their local neighborhood in all its forms.
While not all Christians are gifted or equipped for taking in orphans it's pretty convicting that 65 million American evangelicals can't rescue 115,000 kids from an unstable hell. If the pagans in our neighborhoods aren't struck by how our churches are applying the Word of God to the needy it's possible that we aren't the real deal yet. May we all pray that our churches are soon as mature as James commends. The revolution continues. . .
Anthony recommends: Bethany Christian Services (a Christian adoption agency operating in the US and abroad; www.bethany.org) and Adopted by God: From Wayward Sinners to Cherished Children by Dr. Robert A. Peterson.
Oh what fun! This week's featurd blogger, oldschoolmarm of Forty Acres, A Husband, and Three Kids, had her birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday Julie! Her birthday post also gives her testimony, the best beginning anyone could have.
Speaking of birthdays, what about the birth of a homeschool? Our Homeschool Beginnings describes how this homeshcool started and what they did. It's amazing how quickly a homeschool can grow up!
Another new beginning is Julie's first blog post here at HSB, I Found It! While she had lost her ring and later found it, she also found peace with Christ for a prideful heart.
As you read Julie's blog you'll see that she truly has a heart for the Lord and that she is excited by His creation. Go say hello and wish her happy birthday! You'll be so glad you did and that you found a new friend!
Sorry it has been such a long time since I updated. Here is what we know: Nothing. We have to make a decision about what we want to do by the middle of August, but still we don't have a clue. We are looking into working on the North American team with our current mission board, but that means re-locating to New Jersey ( NYC area) or Washington DC. Neither really appeal to us as a place that we want to raise a family! We though about joining another board, but that takes time. We thought about taking a pastorship, but that is even harder to break into.
Good grief! I guess I did not make myself clear in the post about Mercola's article on shyness and the comment made by one of his readers. I was specifically addressing the commenter's quote supposedly written by the author of the book about the "alexander technique" stating that we "just don't do bad things."
The passage highlighted in black in the previous post about shyness is by the author of the comment on Mercola's blog--not my comment. The passage highlighted in red was the specific part of the comment that I was making observations about. My thoughts are in green. The specific issue I have, is with the comment about ""assuming we are bad," and that we have been "made correctly and just don't do bad things." I believe that taking the complete comment alone, without any clarification (which the author of the comment did not do) to the logical conclusion leads one to believe that "all people are made good" and that is not true. If all people are made good, then none of us need a Savior and Christ died for nothing. If all people are good, then the logical conclusion is that their actions are good as well, and it leads us to the conclusion of humanism, and the belief that there is no absolute truth, which leads to the "I'm Okay, You're Okay" mentality--which is not true. It would also lead to murder, stealing, rape, abortion, etc, etc. being okay.
I know nothing about this book or the Alexander technique" I have no idea how the "alexander technique" relates to back pain or anything else. Although I do believe stress can lead to backpain and an assortment of other problems as well.
Personally, I am not a shy person by nature, so I wasn't reading the article to find out how to overcome my shyness, but I thought it sounded interesting, so I read it. I was soley commenting on the comment quoted in the original post in red--if this quote is in fact written in the book, it is an untrue statement and is humanistic in nature. That is all.
Anonymous, what you describe is different than what the commenter on Mercola stated. Or maybe the commenter on Mercola's site didn't explain themselves thouroughly.
BTW,. it would be nice if you identified yourself because it gives your comment more credibility.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - Come join Small World's Housewarming Party!
She's opening her doors to all who want to come inside!
Just click on the beautiful garden-themed button above.
We are half way through summer!This is the time of year when homeschool parents start planning for the Fall.This time of year can also be a great time to start working on some fun review items with your kids to get them ready for the new school year.Here are some great Math items we just added to the schoolhouse Store.
25 Engaging, Reproducible Stories with Math Problems That Build Early Math Skills. Kids read easy and adorable math stories, then solve companion word problems! Reinforces addition, subtraction, shapes, patterns, time, money & more!
Reproducible easy-to-read stories and activities that invite kids to add, subtract, measure, tell time, and practice other important early math skills.
Reproducible, Easy-to-Play Learning Games That Help Kids Build Essential Math Skills
Play Hickory Dickory Clock, Pocket Change, and other games to build skills, such as time, money, patterns, and more!
Jul. 23, 2008 - Two New Bills That Should Scare You
The Pre-K Act (HR 3289) and Education Begins at Home (HR 2343) are two bills that if made into law could give the government control over how to raise your own children. Click on the links above to read the full bill or you can go to World Net Daily to read a summary of the bills.
Education does begin at home but the teachers are the parents, not the government. While this bill seeks to intervene for those infants that may be at risk, the bill does not clarify whether or not a parent has the right to say no. Instead it reads that if the child fits under this category or that category they are at risk and must be given help. Not everyone with a low-income is a drug addict or an abusive parent.
The Pre-K Act would encourage parents to put their children in a government approved pre-school, with a degree holding pre-school teacher, so that the government can raise them up. This of course would happen with a visit by a state trained employee who will know how to make preschool sound like a wonder no child should miss and make you feel neglectful for not even considering it.
As it stands right now, many hospitals already have a visiting nurse come to your home after you have had a baby, on the premise "to help you if you need it". I had a friend who lived just across the street from me who had a visiting nurse come by and then turn her in for child abuse because her house was a mess. Imagine that, a mom with a newborn baby and a three year old running around in a messy house. The nurse claimed that it was unhealthy for the baby. There was no mention of how unhealhty it was for the three year old and the baby couldn't even roll over yet or pick up things off the floor to put into its mouth. I asked my friend why she had even allowed the woman to come visit her. She said, "I didn't know that I could tell her no." The charges were later dropped and my friend learned a lesson, it's your house, it's your child, you can say no. Especially to someone who isn't there just for the purpose they are claiming to be there for.
Both bills point out that states, teachers, and parents must comply with the law in order to gain the funds and services, as always. It's their way or no way.
Concluding this week with my series, A Day Without Communication is like...IMPOSSIBLE!
You may be able to get through your entire life without ever having to make a speech but you can't get through one single day without communicating something to somebody!
9. Friendship "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs 25:11
Good communicators enjoy:
Self Confidence
Leadership
Personal Presence
Credibility
Ability to Explain and Persuade
Understanding of Others
Interaction Enjoyment
Happiness
And all of these qualities help us make friends and maintain relationships!
A study by the National Communication Association in 2001 revealed that "Youngsters with poor communication skills are sometimes viewed as less attractive by their peers and enjoy fewer friendships. Antisocial and violent behavior often accompany or occur with underdeveloped social and conflict management skills. On the positive side, the ability to communicate orally supports sound psychological development. One's self concept is acquired through interaction with others."
The study shows that effective communicators are more likely to make contributions in groups, exert influence over others to achieve a desired result and use socially acceptable behavior in doing so to accomplish many of their wants and needs.
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24
Effective communicators are also better equipped to handle anger in a positive way. The American Psychological Association outlines four communication based steps to take when dealing with anger:
Talk about your feelings
Calmly express yourself
Listen to others
Negotiate
"An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of the citadel." Proverbs 18:19
Those with ineffective communication skills are unable to share their thoughts and calmly express themselves in order that their friends might understand them. Further, they are unwilling to listen to others and negotiate with them in order to work through the inevitable issues friends have.
Communication skills have always been important to master, but recent technological advances have left individuals with the impression that communication is easy and unimportant to study. Many have come to think of communication as the very narrow speech and debate necessary only for lawyers and politicians. If communication skills were not an important subject worthy of the attention given to math, science and history, then why has the Lord seen fit to mention it hundreds and hundreds of times in His Word?
"Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1Peter 3:15
"From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied." Proverbs 18:20
"The wise in heart accepts commands, but the chattering fool comes to ruin." Proverbs 10:8
"He who answers before listening-that is his folly and his shame." Proverbs 18:13
"A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul." Proverbs 18:7
"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but delights in airing his own opinions." Proverbs 18:2
"With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape." Proverbs 11:9
"The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgement." Proverbs 10:21
"-So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11
The world is a smaller place through technology and we are no longer sharing our thoughts with only like-minded individuals. Communication technology does not equal communication skill and effective communication is required in every day life more today than ever before!
In a recent article some disturbing statistics are found in the UK which I believe are mirrored in the United States today:
"The number of children who arrive at primary school unable to speak in full sentences is rising, according to a government review which today reveals that 7% of children now have a serious communication problem."
"In some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country, up to 50% of children had speech problems"
"If a child is exposed to a relentless diet of TV and computer games and deprived of interaction at home, that is very damaging."
The article goes on to say that "Instead of being an optional add-on, communication skills should be at the heart of the primary curriculum ... speech and listening have been elbowed out of schools for literacy and numeracy for too long." And it confirms that "...people have fewer options through life if they cannot speak"
Virginia Beardshaw, chief executive of I CAN, a speech charity, said: "Communication is the fundamental life skill for the 21st century."
Don't make the mistake of thinking that your child will learn to communicate well just by talking. Don't wait until he is in high school or college to begin teaching communication skills to your student. Speech and debate classes can teach a great deal but speech and debate are NOT the only communication skills we need to master!
Communication touches every aspect of our every day lives and each communication skill is unique and distinct. You cannot learn to communicate effectively in your marriage, as a parent, to share or defend your faith or in business by taking one college speech class. There is much more to communication skills than just speech and debate and it is vital that we take steps to ensure our children have the skills they need for success all areas of life!
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JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication, but it is her humorous approach to communication skills which has made her a highly sought-after Christian speaker and writer. Her articles appear in homeschool publications, such as Homeschool Enrichment Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, which also endorses her Say What You Mean curricula. You can also find JoJo on web sites such as Crosswalk.com and Dr.Laura.com. For more information on communication FUNdamentals and Christian-based communication skills for the whole family, including Say What You Mean Every Day, please visit http://www.ArtofEloquence.com
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