Oct. 29, 2009 - Real World Government and Social Studies Resources
My family has handed out Wallbuilder's inexpensive voting resources at church; they are the best we've seen. Wallbuilders offers more resources for history and social studies including historical and original documents. They also provide "Know the Candidates and Issues" sources to track Federal legislation and find out how your Congressman and Senators are voting. Visit Project Vote Smart, On The Issues, iVoteValues, Easy Voter, and The Ballot, American Family Association: Voter Resources, Catholic Answers: Voter's Guides, Christian Coalition: Voter Guides, Eagle Forum: Election Central, Family Research Council: Voting Records, Focus on the Family: CitizenLink, National Right to Life Committee: Voting Records, and the Pew Forum.
I love Finney's quote: "The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them..."--Wallbuilders, http://www.wallbuilders.com
Wow! Unfortunately, I think the cursing thing may be already happening to US.
Oct. 14, 2009 - Do My Kids Know Right From Wrong?--Review of McDowell and Hostetler's Book
I recently reread McDowell and Hostetler's book Right From Wrong. I read it the first time a decade ago; since then, my two older children have become adults, and my youngest is ten years old. If anything, the moral foundation in America is collapsing more rapidly than it was in the previous decade, and our youth are hanging onto what truth they have by a thread. And the majority in that generation without truth is now raising their children based upon what they learned from professors, who teach that reality is whatever you make it to be.
As I have gotten older, I am more convinced than ever that the authors of Right From Wrong are correct; it is essential for "adults to equip their youth with the ability to resist the erosion of their values and determine what is right from wrong."
In Part I: A Crisis of Truth, the authors describe the problem: what has happened to erode truth, and how it has affected the current generation. The nature and character of God was dethroned by man, starting with humanism during the Renaissance, and devolving into the so-called Age of Reason, the Enlightenment, when standards of right and wrong began to be determined by human reasoning rather than God. In addition, with the Industrial Revolution man looked further toward man and away from God, and Darwinism presented a ready replacement for God, for those who wished to replace God with man.
The Barna statistics convincingly demonstrate that although churched youth fare slightly better than unchurched youth,churched youth increasingly reject biblical values of right and wrong. They do not believe in objective truth, but have bought into the world's view that each of us can decide right and wrong for ourselves. This has resulted in an explosion of Christian kids who are adopting the world's views and culture of corruption, including premarital sex, drugs, lying and cheating.
I agree that the reason "our children are not adopting our values is not because of the state of American society, but because of how we, as parents, have responded to it." I especially appreciated the example of the Israelites, who gave their children material blessings, but did not teach them what God had done for them. Here in America, we have abundant material provisions, but we are spiritually starving to death.
I heartily concur that "if we wish our youth to remain active in church throughout their teen years, if we desire for them the assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ, if we want them to espouse biblical Christian belief, then equipping them with solid convictions of truth and morality may be the single most influential gift we can give them."
God has made Himself known in His Word; Truth is absolute, not relative. As I have gone back to school at GBS.edu , I hope to become better equipped to transmit God's absolute truth to the next generation, as a mom, a wife, a writer, and a teacher.
If you'd like to try out GBS, ask them about their free Wisdom Literature course.
Sep. 29, 2009 - Education or Indoctrination? Obama Worship Songs in School
You can’t get away from it, so we might as well discuss it. Obama worship songs; they’re all over the internet, including Youtube. (Read more about Obama schooling at Homeschooling With Heart. )
We should teach our children about our government, and about our president. However, these songs and curriculum go way beyond teaching children facts. Should public school dollars—your money—be spent to teach kids to love Obama—some may say to practically worship him as a god?
“One song that the children were taught directly quotes from the spiritual "Jesus Loves the Little Children," though Jesus' name is replaced with Obama's: "He said red, yellow, black or white/All are equal in his sight. Barack Hussein Obama."-- Fox News Politics.
I’m not sure if I should be rotfl or covering myself with ashes because of the blasphemy. I guess it doesn’t really matter what I think. What really matters is what God says. So I searched His Word, to try and find out.
I don’t find public school in the Bible; God’s Word, in Proverbs 22:6, charges parents with the responsibility for child training.
Proverbs 1:8: “Hear, my son your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
Deuteronomy 11:19: “And you will teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.”
Furthermore, in the Ten Commandments, children are commanded “Honor your father and mother.” Ephesians 6:4 commands parents to not “exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” How can children honor parents, if schools are teaching values that parents disagree with? Won’t that exasperate the children, and incite them to anger?
This may surprise many of you, who would expect me to be opposed to the almost idolatrous promotion of Obama that is occurring in many public schools. However, let’s pretend for the moment that all of the parents of the children involved were in agreement with what the teachers did. If so, then it is appropriate to use your tax dollars to teach what you want, to your kids (not to mine). Although Obama worship really looks stupid, and promotes group think, that is the parents’ responsibility, not mine. I am responsible for what my kids learn; you are responsible for your kids.
Actually, however, in the case of the New Jersey school, at least one parent was horrified, and not in agreement. "I'm stunned -- I can't believe it's our school," said Jim Pronchik, who told FOXNews.com his 8-year-old son Jimmy was one of the 18 students in the video. "We don't want to praise this guy like he's a god or an idol or a king or anything like that. That's the wrong message to be sending."
I may not agree with you in what you say and do, but I will defend your right to have your children say it.
If my kids were in your school, and I wanted them to learn that the Bible says homosexuality is a sin, would you defend my right to have my child taught that way, using your tax dollars? Do you say “No?” Then so-called “public” schools are only public for you—not for me. Read more about government school indoctrination at Are We Sacrificing Our Children?
Daniel Webster, of dictionary fame, wrote that "If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country, and the people do not become religious, I do not know what is to become of us as a nation. If truth be not diffused, error will be; if God and His work are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy; if the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will; if the power of the Gospel is not felt through the length and breadth of the land, then anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end."
Sep. 17, 2009 - Free Darwin book Giveaway Planned for Students
Do you believe Nothing created everything? Intuitively, you know that is nonsense, don't you?
Ray Comfort's Living Waters ministry will be giving away free 50,000 copies of a special edition of Darwin's Origin of Species book. Comfort's book includes an introduction revealing the theory's many hoaxes and also Darwin's own thoughts on the existence of God.
Sep. 5, 2009 - Laborers, Democrats, Republicans and Patriots: Remember the Republic!
Most textbooks (including many, if not most, used by homeschoolers) teach students that America is a democracy. However, our founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, establish a Constitutional Republic, based on immutable principles (yes, from the Bible) that are not subject to the whims of democracy.
Why does it matter? In a simple democracy, the majority—not the law--will rule in all matters. That may work for awhile, if the majority of the people are just. However, in a simple democracy, if the majority of the people vote for tyranny and evil--say, eliminating a weaker part of society--then that evil becomes the law. History is a teacher; the French Revolution and Madame Guillotine aptly illustrate the extreme tyranny of the majority.
We can debate semantics until the cows come home (or the chickens roost!)—definitions may vary. The point is that the key to America’s greatness has always been the origin and author of our rights--The Author of our rights--given by God.
AWR Hawkins notes”Our Founders saw the dangers that democracy posed for our great experiment in freedom and risked “[their] Lives, [their] Fortunes, and [their] sacred Honor” to create a republic instead. It is to honor them and preserve our own liberty that we don’t just pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States, but also to “the republic for which it stands.” (Read the enlightening comments and discussion along with the article.)
In our Democratic Republic, our government of the people is restrained by laws, based upon the idea that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights--life, liberty, pursuit of happiness. Note the right is "pursuit of happiness," not a guarantee of happiness.
These rights emphatically cannot be given or taken away--they belong to all, for all time. This is the uniqueness of America. This is the Christian concept that makes America a "shining city on a hill" and the envy of the world. This envy causes other nations to either malign (or sometimes kill) or emulate us.
Of course America is inhabited by corrupt and wicked people, just like everywhere else in the world. Sometimes we have even elected those evils into our government and enacted unconstitutional laws, especially as we have forgotten our Creator and the Author of our rights. We have forgotten that all men are CREATED equal.
We have our share of horrors, such as slavery and ill treated workers over the centuries. However, as long as Americans remember that we are a Constitutional Republic (democracy limited by the rule of law), our God-given rights give hope to downtrodden people everywhere. True republicanism--all are Created equal, one nation, under God--eliminated slavery and brings equal justice to workers and business owners alike.
Yes, our Republic stands, a shining example, not perfect, but the closest example of God-given government on earth, as long as we remember that our Rights are from God, not from men. What God has given can not be taken away, as long as we remember.
As Patriots Day follows Labor Day, remember the Republic.
A student at University of Oregon concludes, after study, that "lack of ideological diversity on college campuses is a dangerous threat to free and open discourse in academia."--www.horowitzfreedomcenter.org
If you are considering college for your homeschoolers, it is something to think about. It also is never too early to think about career guidance counseling. For a free assessment, go to USA Jobs.
Aug. 11, 2009 - High School History Studies in Biblical Archeology--Real Raiders of the Lost Ark
Perhaps your homeschool high schooler is getting a bit bored, and you are concerned that they aren't learning much this summer. What could be more intellectually tantalizing than a search for the real biblical Ark of the Covenant? However, beware, Ark raiders: is our desire for the glory of God, or for money? Explore these resources to get you started.
For now, I don't see credible evidence that conclusively proves the Ark has been found. If the stories are true, the evidence is not being shared with the general public. Why does all this matter? How would a confirmed discovery of the Ark of the Covenant change the political and religious balance in the middle east and the entire world? Will a new Jewish Temple be built, igniting an apocalyptic war?
Answers in Genesis reminds us that "The Bible does not say we should ‘believe all things,’ but rather that we should ‘prove all things’ (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Neither does it encourage a gullible approach toward those claiming the name of Christ. Rather, it warns about wolves among the flock, and also teaches that the heart of man is deceitful and depraved (Jeremiah 17:9).
As in other areas, extraordinary claims carry an extraordinary burden of proof. There is already a huge amount of archaeological and other evidence consistent with the truth of the Bible. Bible-believing experts exist in many fields, such as the archaeologist author of our article on Jericho (The walls of Jericho). They are always glad to assess and publicize actual evidence of genuine finds (there have been many over the years) supporting the historicity of the Bible."-- www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v21/i2/ark.asp
We don't need to find the Ark, to find God's Covenant. Look in your Bible, Exodus 20, to find the Ten Commandments. Through the Commandments, the Law of God, comes the knowledge of sin. We don't need temple sacrifices of animal blood for sin. Whether the Ark of the Covenant has been found or not, Jesus the Christ has already paid the sacrifice for sin for all who receive Him. So what do you think?
What does the next generation think about abortion? View the Winners of Lia's Challenge: Pro-Life Video Contest (ages 11 to 18). Click here to watch the videos, such as "Hero," asking questions such as "What if I was never born?"
Jul. 28, 2009 - Real World Learning Plan for Economic Prosperity
Can government, working alone, provide prosperity? In this time of economic uncertainty, skeptical Americans consider various plans from Washington D.C. that may jumpstart, fix, or derail our modern society.
Our grandparent's generation held a different view--God wishes that we help and build up our local community!
"No town has room for the knocker; but rather, every community should bestow unstinted praise upon the individual or group of individuals who strive unselfishly to assist home progress, and lend them every assistance.We are just a great family of men and women living in the same neighborhood, and forming a community of souls intended by the Almighty to live an amiable, unselfish life, ready to assist one another in time of need and sorrow and to vie with each other in promoting the welfare of our municipality in its upward progress through all time to come.Patronize home business men, uphold your institutions, be proud of your homes, boon your town and everything worthy of mention in it, and
prosperity will be yours."-- Little Cities of Black Diamonds, New Straitsville Social and Athletic Club
We can help kids "develop empathy for others, which is entirely different from classroom "socialization." Helping an elderly or handicapped neighbor repair their home can provide learning experiences as well as character development. Kids and parents can volunteer together for community service, such as working in a food pantry, volunteering at a shelter, or planting flowers or vegetables at a dilapidated street corner. Families can join a neighborhood watch program to learn about law and safety in the real world."--Real World Learning for Less, Melissa Morgan
Read the full article for inexpensive and free sources for Real World Learning for Less, at Homeschool World. So, what's your view?
Jul. 18, 2009 - Progress Report on Free Ebook Reader--Jornada Mini Laptop Project
In June, I first reported on my Jornada MIni Laptop Project (See Summer Festivals and Reading Lists), so it is time for an updated progress report. I've downloaded and installed over a hundred free, public domain Ebooks, most in mobi (.prc) format.
For Ebooks that don't come in .prc format, MobiReader offers a free Mobipocket Creator program, as well as hundreds of free, public domain downloadable (and not so free) Ebooks. Here's a small sample:
Stevenson's Treasure Island
Kipling's The Jungle Book
Craik's The Little Lame Prince
Potter's The Tale of Tom Kitten
Twain's Tom Sawyer Detective
Hope's Bobbsey Twins in the Country
Alcott's Little Women Stratton-Porter's Freckles
So far, we've filled up several flash drives with children's literature books. So many books, not enough time!
Jun. 29, 2009 - Independence Day Challenge: Beat My Score
The Intercollegiate Studies Institute, ISI, reports that a random sample of Americans took a simple test designed to assess each respondent’s “knowledge of America’s founding principles and texts, core history, and enduring institutions...over 70% of Americans failed this basic test of the kind of knowledge required for informed and responsible citizenship."
Here's my score on the American Civic literacy Quiz,
"You answered 30 out of 33 correctly — 90.91 %."
I'm disappointed; my score should have been 100%. I'm not that good with money. Come on, you can do better. Take the test here, www.americancivicliteracy.org/..
American heroes risk their lives to keep freedom safe; I pray we don't waste their sacrifice through ignorance.
Jun. 25, 2009 - Free Young Student Magazines, Focus on the Family, Breakaway and Brio & Beyond
As long time subscribers to Focus on the Family magazines Breakaway and Brio & Beyond, we were saddened when we heard they were eliminated from publication. However, they are now available for free on the internet, at http://www.korministries.com/site/#brands. If you are a Christian young adult, or simply young at heart, check them out for information on student issues, music, and more. They are looking for reader feedback and ideas, so now is the time to help them with their future direction.I filled out a survey, and received a free music download.
Jun. 23, 2009 - Summer Festivals and Reading Lists
We made it through graduation, and are transitioning into our summer schedule. Last week we enjoyed a family camping trip to celebrate graduation, and we attended the Alive Festival in Ohio (www.alive.org). I especially liked performances by Point of Grace, Skillet and Hawk Nelson.
Summer is for exploring new books. I have a bit more free time, so I'm enjoying Lyn Cotes' Texas Star of Destiny historical fiction series, as well as L.A. Kelly's Tahn, Return to Alistair, and the Scarlet Trefoil.
I'm working on turning a decade old HP Jornada handheld computer into an ebook reader, so that my youngest homeschooler (who has visual challenges) can read large print electronic books. So far, we're using free software from Mobireader, and finding an overwhelming selection of free downloadable electronic books to try.
Please note: the University of Virginia eText site is changing. The new address is lib.virginia.edu/digital/collections/finding_digital.html . Their free digital collection will still be available at the old site for a short time, but after they move, you'll need the new address. I'm also investigating free public domain audio books at .librivox.org/.
May. 21, 2009 - High School Graduation, Online College
It's official; our oldest daughter is graduating from homeschool high school! Great job, Lori; we're so proud of you!
We're also very happy with your progress at Clovis Community College, taking college classes online while still in high school.
If you're interested in shortening your path to a college degree, try these free College Level Examination Program (CLEP) study resources: Free University CLEP INfo
Apr. 18, 2009 - Fight Back Against Deflating Income; Inflating Education Expenses
What about homeschooling college, in these days of deflating income and inflating education expenses? Kathleen Knudsen, Home School Enrichment, has some insights on non-traditional college:
"Tragically, in the pursuit of a college degree, untold numbers of young people have had their faith and values undermined. Unwilling to compromise on faith and values, my family hit roadblocks as we looked into options for higher education. Most options seemed to contain land mines in one of three areas—faith, cost, or accreditation. It seemed that any accredited college was either publicly funded and sponsored secular indoctrination in the classroom or solid in faith and values with an exorbitant price tag. Unfortunately, in our research, the only schools which had reasonable prices and were committed to Christ and His word were also unaccredited.
Accreditation is important. Very important. Unfortunately, the price tag on accreditation has in effect limited accredited schools to two categories: Christian but expensive or inexpensive but secular. For our family, this inspired a look into nontraditional college options. Could there be a way to gain that college credential without sacrificing the Christian foundation or busting the budget? If traditional education seemed rife with pitfalls and land mines, perhaps nontraditional was the way to go.
And that is exactly what I did. Two aspects of nontraditional education worked exceptionally well for me—online learning and credit-by-examination. A little over two years after starting my college career, I took my last test, thereby completing the requirements for my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. For me, a combination of online courses and credit-by-examination provided an excellent answer to concerns about faith, cost, and accreditation."
Read more of this helpful article here: http://www.crosswalk.com/root/homeschool/11598466/page0/
If you’re one of the many homeschooling families feeling senselessly trapped on a tight budget—just remember, it’s not too late to start saving money! From inexpensive curriculum, affordable teaching tools, to low-cost field trips, author Melissa Morgan talks about a few ways families can save on a shoestring budget and give their children a rich education. Tune in for more on this week’s Homes School Heartbeat.
Program Listing: Click on a program title to listen online and read a transcript
Have you been naughty or nice? Will you get a digital media player for Christmas, to use during your travels? Give yourself free ebook downloads for your media player or computer:
This Christmas, may we remember the child, and remember with the wise. I can never adequately express my thanks to my Lord, Creator and King for coming to earth as the least of these, the weakest of humankind, a child from the womb of Mary.
Merry Christmas, and in the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless us every one!" All praise and honor to the king; Happy Birthday Jesus!
Dec. 12, 2008 - State of Emergency--Bail-Out Needed Immediately for Christian Children!
The emergency is real! Jesus is not allowed in school--why do we want our children there? Christian parents are urged to bail out of the government schools, and take responsibility for the education of their children. It is time to rescue our children from an educational system that seeks to remake Christian children into a godless image.
Of course, many, many Christian teachers try and present a faithful witness in the government schools. However, children are powerless and vulnerable to adult leadership. "Children are not little adults. Until they reach the age of 15 or so they are not capable of reasoning as an adult."--Stages of Intellectual Development in Children and Teenagers, http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/development/piaget.shtml .
"If you control the schools, you control the future...we need to march right out the front door of the Christ dishonoring, academically inferior, soul killing government indoctrination centers."--Exodus Mandate video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRGZLSVph3A .
Matthew 22:36-38 and Deuteronomy 6:5-7 give parents a Biblical mandate and responsibility in the education of their children. Read more about Christian education and government schools at http://www.eaglesnesthome.com/pagan.htm . Please join with me in prayer this Christmas that God would turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children, and that Christ would be honored in every area of our lives.
Algebra hurting your brain? Do you need to get ready for high school or college testing, CLEPs, GED, ACT or SAT exams? This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for abundant free resources:
Homeschool mom/author (Co-author "Educational Travel on a Shoestring," "Homeschooling on a Shoestring," Practical Homeschooling columnist), shares frugal family, educational and travel resources and tips. Check back for frequent educational freebies and cheapies, including literature, unit studies, special needs, teens, high school, distance education, homeschooling college, health, home learning freebies (preschool - young adult), debt-free living, avoiding business scams, writers resources, bio-ethics, abortion violence, science, creationism, intelligent design, evolution, internet safety, Biblical worldview curriculum sources and book reviews.
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