Jul. 16, 2008
Book of Centuries
Posted in Notebooking
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I finally got around to making a Book of Centuries that you can actually put into a 3 ring binder. Unfortunately, it's not a "traditional" Book of Centuries. It kills me to waste paper & ink, which is what I'd do if I started in 5000 B.C. and put one century per page-spread. But then I'd "cramp" the more recent years, not having enough space. Therein lies the dilemma. What to do? So I took a few pointers from Donna Young, and made a few changes, but the result is a great time-line book (with a really great cover, I might add. I just love historical images  ). You can find it on my group Homeschool Treasure Trove (link to right). It is also stored at Homeschool Launch. It was a large file so I had to break it into 3 parts (Cover choices, 5000 BC-1000 AD, and 1000 AD-2030 AD). It makes it faster to upload/download, but if you'd like it all in one file, you may download it from MediaFire. |
Jun. 23, 2008
When My Heart Is Overwhelmed...
Posted in Christian Life
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This is a short and sweet entry. Lately, I have been feeling like God keeps putting more and more one me...or rather allowing things to come into my life that make me want to cry out "WHY, GOD?!? Why are You allowing this? Don't I have enough to deal with?" There are no answers in sight and nothing is going according to my plan...which I can see now was not God's plan (Is. 55:8-9). And so I rest in the Psalmist's words... "From the end of the earth will I cry out to Thee When my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I" ~Psalm 61:2~ When my heart is overwhelmed...the only thing that will ease it is to go to the Rock...the strong fortress..and rest inside safe from the attacks of the prince of this world. High above the rough seas of life that I feel will drown me if I spend one more moment trying to tread water in them. The Rock will not be moved. And when I rest in Him...neither will I. |
Jun. 23, 2008
Free Giveaway to Heart of the Matter's Homeschool Conference
Posted in Homeschooling
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Hey...I just wanted to mention that ENDING TONIGHT is Amy's giveaway for free tickets to Heart of the Matter's Homeschool Conference. In her words... "How to enter Leave a comment with a good I’ve-been-doing-long-division-all-day-and-now-you-people-want-to-eat recipe, a kid funny, or some pep talk for me. Two entries for you if you use a Bible verse that isn’t in Psalms. (Oh Lord, how long?!) Three entries if you link on your own blog. We’re like the only people on the planet still doing school, and I need to feel the love. Don’t make it complicated. Something like, “Hang tough, Amy, and eat ice cream,” works completely. Contest ends at midnight Eastern this Monday, June 23rd." Hope you get the other 2 free tickets that I don't win.  Just kidding. |
Jun. 22, 2008
Sunday School Lesson for the Teacher
Posted in Christian Life
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This morning, I was teaching the older elementary Sunday school class at church. I had prepared for the passage that we were talking about, but I felt like it was a very difficult passage to properly explain to children that young without confusing them. It was the passage in James about faith without works being "dead faith". Now, I understand this, and I understand how to separate it from salvation by grace alone...not by our works. However, as I was trying to explain it to the kids, it was becoming more and more apparent to me that the kids were not "getting" the difference. A few kept referring to "no works" = "not saved" and they weren't understanding the concept of justification vs. salvation...however, we got onto a rabbit trail about worshiping idols (still can't figure out how we got there, but I know it had something to do with the lesson). Anyway, after a few minutes, I realized that the kids really cared about the "idols" discussion, and they weren't getting the "faith-works" discussion. The dilemma...should I re-direct and finish the lesson? or should I let them follow the rabbit trail of "idols" then quickly sum up the lesson at the end. Then the homeschool teacher kicked in and I decided to talk about what the kids cared about and were interested in. The result was a great discussion that the kids left talking about...and I'm sure they'll remember. They were asking questions and really getting into the discussion...as opposed to the same kids at the beginning of the class time...when I asked them who wanted to be there...2 kids raised their hands, and I told the rest of them (13 kids) they could go back to their parents if they didn't want to be there. (I know...I'm cruel. ) Less than 30 minutes later, 15 totally different kids. This is why I love to teach these kids. I know that some of them just don't want to be there...but they'd much rather be with me than with their parents in the church service...which is the only other option. When I can latch onto something that interests them instead of sticking to the lesson, they go home "full and satisfied"...and hopefully wanting to come back for more. I just hope that one day they'll remember their old Sunday school teacher who loved God and His Word so much that she just couldn't help getting excited about it and be thankful that they had a great teacher...even if they didn't apply it or fully understand it at the time. I love planting seeds. One day, maybe someone will come back and thank me for taking my time to teach them. Maybe not...but I'm just happy that there are those moments when the kids really truly are seeking to know what God says in the Bible about something that THEY are interested in at that moment. Child-directed learning. Love those kids, they really keep me on my toes.  BTW...I'd like to take a moment to thank an "old"...not really old...just "former"..Bible teacher from high school. Mr. Pyle, if you're out there, thanks for being such a phenomenal Bible teacher. I'm glad that God in His providential plan allowed you to be my Bible teacher...not just my senior year, like everyone else...but also the ONLY non-senior class you had during my Freshman year. I can't specifically recall half of what you taught, but the principles and foundation you taught have stuck with me, and that you loved God's Word and loved teaching teens...when you could have been a phenomenal pastor/teacher. Thanks for choosing to teach at my school. And even for the great classical music you played during class time. As much grief as we gave you over your classical music, I'll bet you never thought you'd hear anyone thank you for it years later, right? |
Jun. 21, 2008
Lapbook Templates Tutorial on Squidoo
Posted in Homeschool How To
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I have just created a lens on Squidoo on How to Create Basic Lapbook Templates in MS Word. My brain is now officially fried. However, There is a wonderful new lens including step-by-step screenshots on how to make the basic lapbook templates...Q&A books, Shutter-fold books, (also a Tri-fold as a variation of the shutter-fold), and a Pentagon shape book. I used the 2003 version of MS Word. I imagine Word 2007 is similar if not the same for this particular use. You can use the same directions for Word Perfect and possibly other word processing programs. And just a side-note...Jimmie...a friend of mine and a lensmaster, who's created some of the most popular lenses on Squidoo including the Lapbooking Lens, just created a tutorial on how to create notebook pages in MS Publisher. (Most of the directions are similar/same as those for MS Word.) It's a really great resource. Take a look at it HERE. |
Jun. 10, 2008
What Ticks Can Teach You About God...
Posted in Christian Life
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I am exhausted and humbled. God saw it in His great wisdom to create a creature so tiny...yet so vile to some humans that in it's tiny size, it could bring a grown woman to her knees in tears, crying out to God "Why me?!?!" This creature...The Brown Dog Tick. This past week I found not a few but many, many...many in my house which we had more than likely brought in from a recent camping trip which we took our dog on. We actually didn't start finding them in the house until we'd been back for about a week, so they had time to explore the house unnoticed for a few days. I recall mentioning to my husband that I didn't think it was a good idea to take the dog camping, but didn't really put up much of an argument...now...many days of hard work vacuuming and washing clothes...and dollars spent on tick medicine, tick dips, groomers, tick collars, and the almost $70 I spent at the laundromat to wash everything we own in one shot rather than dragging it out over a week...and possibly having to spend $200+ more for pest control to COME BACK to re-treat for ticks if they don't go away after the first treatment...I think back to what I said before we went camping...that it would have been easier and less expensive to board the dog for the couple of days we were gone. In the midst of it all...I was looking at the mountain of laundry to be washed (re-washed in some cases) and the unending carpet and upholstered furniture that needed to be vacuumed (including moving the heavy furniture to vacuum under it)...looking through every toy box and Rubbermaid bin..behind all the books on the bookshelves...Wondering if that little brownish spot on the carpet (the same ones I keep checking) is a stain or a tick... Feeling very overwhelmed, I just started to cry and said...WHY ME, GOD?!?! Why me!! I can't do this...There is no way I can do this by myself." And in that still small voice, I "heard"..."I know, my child. You can't...but I CAN." So my prayer went from "Why me?"...to "Help me!!" In one night (and I stayed up all night), I finished all the kids rooms, and packed up close to 20 loads of laundry to take to the laundromat (which would have taken me a week to do at home with all the interruptions and distractions), and finished the laundry in 5 hours. I don't think I would have been able to do that if I had tried to do it on my own...I hadn't gotten that much work done in the two days prior...total. It felt good...but what felt even better is that I know that I didn't do it on my own. I had someone there helping me all along the way. I've always noticed that I enjoy working so much better with a friend...what better friend than the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Creator of the universe, the Almighty God, the God who sees me...Who knows me and meets me right where I am in my need and says..."I know you can't do it, but I can if you'll just let go and let Me at it." What an Awesome God! I'm still cleaning each day to make sure that we get all the ticks, but the task seems a bit less overwhelming when I know that I'm not working all by myself. ...and BTW...yesterday, I had a friend from church just to see how we were doing. When I told her what was going on, she offered to come help. I had hesitated to ask anyone because ticks are one of those things that no one wants to help you with..for fear that they might take them home...kind of like a bad staph infection or fleas...I didn't even want my kids helping for fear that I'd have them crawling all over them. And this lady even has a dog. You know, I was a bit shocked when she asked, because I only expected an "I'll be praying for you" (translated..."I'm so sorry. That must be hard to deal with, and I'll probably forget all about this as soon as I walk away") rather than "What can I do to help?" I even told her that "she didn't have to"...like we always do when we don't want to impose on people, portraying outwardly that we can do it ourselves, but inwardly wanting the help desperately. But In His great wisdom, God had laid it on her heart and she said..."You don't understand...I'm coming over to help, you just need to decided what day and time." Not only did God help me to get more work done on my own..he also sent me a helper. I love You, Lord, And I lift my voice... To worship You...O, my soul rejoice Take joy my King in what You hear May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear. So what can ticks teach you about God?...Well, they taught me (once again) that when I realize my need and cry out to God, He can do through me far more than I can accomplish on my own...when I'm BLAMING God. And they also taught me that in this busy world where people are more and more self-absorbed in their daily lives (including Christians), God still moves people to come alongside and help and not just "pray." May God also use me to be the one who helps others when they are overwhelmed... |
May. 29, 2008
Lapbooking Without a "Plan"
Posted in Lapbooks
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I just attended a Lapbook workshop recently (OK...yes, I have created a few and done a number of lapbooks that have been created by others...but I still like seeing and hearing how someone else does lapbooking...AND I'm feeling the need to venture into "uncharted territory" at least in my home..so.....) One of the things I picked up (that I didn't already know) is lapbooking "without a plan." Basically you study a subject, make mini-books along the way, store them all, then when your kids get sick of the subject, put them all into a lapbook. What a novel concept!! And so, now I am off to discover this wonderful world of what I call "Lapbooking Without a Plan"...or "Child-Directed Lapbooking"...boldly going where no one (in my house) has gone before. This should be fun...and possibly freeing to me. I'm obsessive when it comes to making sure that the kids are "prepared" for their schoolwork. I usually end up doing more than they do per subject. I've always worked with a picture of the finished product, or finished a product then fit the booklets into a book. It ought to be fun to see what my kids can come up with on their own....while I sip my Cherry Coke, and read those warm fuzzy homeschool mom encouragement books I've always wanted to read. This is what I took away from the workshop...
I think I've heard most of what was presented...and probably have been doing most of it without realizing. I'm just a very auditory-visual learner. I need to have someone tell me AND show me at the same time...even if it's just to affirm that what I'm doing is "right." LOLThere are a number of places to find blank templates for mini-books to put into your lapbooks. Here are a few links...
Happy Lapbooking!! |
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May. 21, 2008
A Message From Pat...on Worldview Training
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This is from my friend..whom I did not ask permission to use her name before I posted my last post, but after sending her the link, she asked me to post the following message she sent me. I think she is far too "humble"...as I have seen the fruits (or at least a little bit of the fruits) of her and her husband's labors. All children will go through those "times of questioning." That is the critical moment whether they will follow God or follow their own path....where the worldview training is crucial and necessary. I did when I was in college...but I praise God that I had phenomenal Bible and science teachers in high school that made sure that the biblical worldview was ingrained in me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As wonderful as our family sounds (thanks Sonia), we have had our challenges. We have children who have gone through (and are going through) periods of questioning as well as times of worldliness. I attribute this, mainly, to three things: hypocrisy (which my husband and I are working on), addressing behavior instead of issues of the heart (behavior modification), and not discussing biblical issues sooner. Praise God we have nine children and we learn from our mistakes and, praise God for His grace to the older children who have survived our learning process.Also, I do believe in sheltering -- not isolation. I took my children to POTC because someone said it was a great family movie. I took young children. They loved it. I regretted taking them. I can't remember exactly what all bothered me (it's been too long and I'm getting old) but, as I recall, it was mainly due to the ghost images. My son, Jonathan, saw the second movie and said it was worse and that there was no redeeming reason to see the movie except to discuss it. We haven't seen it. My children have seen clips of it and it looks hilarious and they are still trying to talk me into letting them see the movie. I hear the third POTC was even worse. A few of my teens saw one of the Harry Potter movies at the 50c theater the same day they saw Lord of the Rings. That doesn't bother me. My younger children have not seen it. I have observed that as my children grow and mature, and as a result of "picking the movies apart" that they do become more discerning. My 16 year old went to see 27 Dresses after hearing rave reviews (I haven't seen it). My daughter came home and said, "I thought I'd love that movie, but I didn't." She went on to explain why she didn't love the movie and I was impressed with her insight. Part of teaching our children to live out a Biblical worldview means teaching them to understand and identify false logic. Why do we love movies like Oceans 11 and Italian Job (or, for children, Catch that Kid?)? In these movies the behavior is immoral and criminal yet because the end result is portrayed as something good, we root for the "good guys" when, in fact, the good guys are really bad guys (usually better looking and humorous -- but bad, nevertheless). I was very bothered by the ending of The Shooter. Even in National Treasure the "end justifies the means." On another note, I was recently discussing reincarnation with someone and they said that the God I believe in isn't a God she would believe in because to allow pain and suffering of innocent people is just wrong. If Karma didn't explain pain and suffering then she couldn't believe in God. I shared these comments with my children and again, my 16 year old, immediately discerned the problem with her argument. She said, "The result is the same -- she is still believing in a God who allows pain and suffering, but in her mind it is for the 'right' reasons. The end result is the same." Being a parent is challenging. We all make decisions that we hope and pray are best for our families. The ratings of the movies are only guidelines. I've seen far better PG 13 movies than some G movies. I do read comments, ask friends, or preview a movie before seeing it. I went to see Juno alone. Although "The Bucket List" contains language and a few suggestive (mild) scenes, I loved this movie but I won't let my young ones watch it. It is a GREAT movie to watch with unsaved family and friends because of the discussion that can take place afterwards. My 19 year old looks at movies entirely different than most people (teens and adults included). I love his responses because he often sees things that went right past me. He doesn't watch very many movies, however, because he has a stack of books he would prefer to read -- and that warms a mom's heart! This son will be helping to teach at FPEA. He's a little concerned that we are provoking the young children to discernment without knowing if the parent's will take the ball and run with it. A result of this could be children who become arrogant in their opinions without having gained the ability to communicate their opinion in a mild and meek manner. What we hope to accomplish is to challenge the children NOT to segregate "secular" and "sacred" but rather to realize that every thing we do, everything we say, every thought we have --- should be pleasing to God. Everything is sacred. I'm off to FPEA and I'd love your prayers. We have more than 400 children enrolled! We are also organizing seminars for FL in August, our website is www.worldview101.com Blessings ~ Pat Wesolowski |
May. 20, 2008
Re: "Anonymous" About Prince Caspian Review
Posted in Christian Life
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[Note: For some reason, I am not able to insert hyperlinks at the moment, so you'll have to copy/paste the ones below if you want to see more information...I apologize for the inconvenience. For the time being...I have disabled comments for this entry since it really seems to be a "hot" topic and I am going to be busy over the next few days with family in town and other things. I do like receiving comments, but at this time I can't monitor them closely enough to feel comfortable leaving this post open.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm sorry to hear that someone couldn't get past the fact that I took my almost 3yo to Prince Caspian that they couldn't "rate" my review. I was going to reply to the comment with another comment...but I felt that it deserved so much more than a short reply. I wish I could email "Anonymous", but since the comment was left anonymously, I really have no other option than to place the reply here. First of all, let me state that I am going to try really hard not to "defend" my husband's and my decision to allow our children to watch what they watch...but rather explain what the Lord has shown us through digging through the word and conversations with highly respected Christians. I understand that as Christians, God convicts us all of different things at different times. I also understand that as we grow in our relationship with the Lord, God changes our hearts in certain areas, and we end up doing things that at an earlier point in our Christian walk seemed "unthinkable"...and probably still does to others. I felt like "Anonymous" at one point in time...I didn't want my children to see any violence, "suggestive" or otherwise questionable content...even potential bad attitudes in any kind of entertainment. I didn't want it to be something that they "mimic" or would eventually be "deadened to." I didn't want them asking questions I didn't feel comfortable answering. I didn't 'want them to be frightened by things that I felt might be too scary for them. So I "sheltered" them as much as possible and we lived in "Utopia" for a while. (It was really more like "isolation" from the "cruel outside world") This was when my children were much younger. In the past few years, I met a woman who I highly respected "spiritually" speaking. She would take her children to all kinds of movies that I would never DREAM of taking my kids to...causing the "gasp-reflex" in me when I heard it...but there was one difference in her from the average parent. When their family left the movie, they DISCUSSED it. They picked it apart. They recalled all the different parts of the movie which portrayed an ideology directly contrasting Christianity...and they discussed the parts that also portrayed Christian principles...even if they were not overtly related to the Bible or Christianity. They did what we all should be doing with any movie, television show, music, or any other thing that is set before our eyes. She told me that I was doing my children no favors by "sheltering" [isolating] them from the world around them since when they will eventually be on their own...they will have to face the evils of the world around them later...WITH NO PRIOR TRAINING to help them stand against them. This was after listened to a phenomenal speaker (John Stonestreet with Summit Ministries ...the same organization Jeff Meyers is affiliated with)...he said that 80% of youth leave their faith in college...the same percentage applied to homeschoolers as applied to public and Christian school teens (a little higher in public school). He had story after story of CONSERVATIVE homeschool families who "lost" their children after what they thought was careful upbringing ...homeschooling ...church ...reading the Bible daily... Why?...because they didn't prepare their children for what was lying ahead waiting for them at the end of the "homeschool" road.) I am in no way saying that everyone needs to drag their 8yo child to a movie that they know will frighten her into nightmares. That would be "torture." However, I hope that you understand that not everyone has the same "convictions" when it comes to what their children watch. I DO NOT let my children watch some movies that I watch. I am older, and I can discern on my own what is evil and what is good...enjoy the good and turn my eyes from the evil. (BTW...not even all Christian movies are that great...case in point...the Love Comes Softly Series...In the last few movies Missy as a very strong-willed, borderline unsubmissive wife who sometimes acts as the spiritual leader of the household without consequence.) I will not let them watch everything that their friends watch. With the exception of Prince Caspian, I typically watch a movie before my children watch it. My children are also brought into a discussion after every movie that we see to make sure that they picked up on all the "evil" and "worldly" points and situations in it. Even the 5yo...He's old enough to know basic right from wrong. He knew and understood (ahead of time) that Miraz was evil...and all of his actions were a "no-no" for him to repeat. Much like "Anonymous'" daughter, my oldest would NOT have been OK with this movie when she was 8yo (she's 13yo) now. Some people are more sensitive to/frightened by violence than others. I believe that God created boys and girls differently...one of those ways is how they respond to violence. Girls (and women) FEAR violence (this explains why there are far more men who abuse their wives or girlfriends than women who abuse their husbands or boyfriends). Boys are FUELED by violence. (By that I mean that "aggression" is in their nature...whether it be in sports, in working hard outside, or God forbid...in their anger.) There is a reason why God said that the Israelite MEN were to go to war and the WOMEN were NOT. Even today, women are not allowed on the front lines of war (at least not the last time I checked, but that could have recently changed). Men are also "built" to be aggressive...they have larger frames and muscular structure on average than their female counterparts. God intended for them to "protect" and "provide" for the "weaker" (women and children) and therefore "instilled" the natural aggression in them so they could do what God intended them to do. Unfortunately, MAN has corrupted this God-given characteristic as well...which is why we have wars and "evil" people trying to take that which is not theirs...often times succeeding...and will be even more so as the Day of the Lord nears. You don't have to agree. The beautiful thing about the Christian life is that...much like what Aslan says in Prince Caspian..."It cannot be the same twice." It is always changing based on the situation we are in. What we may do in one situation, may not be right to do in another at another time....as long as neither of them contradicts the laws of God. What may be right to do at one age, is not right at another. What might be right to do early in our Christian walk. God will allow us to do later because we will be able to "stand against the wiles of the devil" that we would not have been able to stand against earlier in our Christian walk. As Christian homeschoolers, we should also understand that each child is different...as in the way they learn...so in their personalities. I want my children to have "valiant" role models. My husband and I were careful to uplift the valiant characteristics of all the characters while not condoning the "ungodly" characteristics OF ALL the characters....not just the "evil" ones. I also want them to see that there is a "struggle" in the Christian life...knowing what is right, but being tempted to do what is wrong...which will they choose? What are the consequences? Are they willing to displease their Lord to make their life "easier?" Do the ends REALLY justify the means in the end? As far as the movie rating...I honestly did not know that POTC (Pirates) movie was rated PG-13 before I let my children watch it (I never saw it in the theaters...only on DVD)...but if I recall correctly, The Passion was rated R. Never took my children to that one...as a matter of fact I never saw it either. But that was a Biblical story...so does that make it OK for all the parents who took their children or let them watch it on DVD? I think you'd have to leave that up to the parents who know their children best and who are there to "train" them through it. If I am not mistaken, the PG-13 and R ratings are a GUIDELINE...not a LAW. (BTW...NONE of my kids saw the 3rd one...and the 2nd one is now "banned" in our house after watching it a number of times). Most of the violence in POTC is NOT "righteous" nor "valiant." It mostly "gratifies the flesh," although a few characters do the "right thing" now and then. But it has a great example of the consequences of self-gratification. The same violent actions in Prince Caspian have a purpose...to portray an evil man as evil...and to show that when evil men take that which does not belong to them in an "ungodly" manner for "ungodly" reasons, they will come to a violent end. That is referred to again and again in Proverbs and exemplified throughout the Bible...the flood...Sodom & Gomorrah...the Pharaoh (opposing Moses) ...Amnon ...Absolom ....the officials who set Daniel up ...and the list goes on (I don't even recall all the names of the non-Israelites who opposed Israel). I am not defending POTC...It is not the most "righteous" movie...and we don't watch it a whole lot, but the plain and simple fact is that they have seen it, and the violence does not "frighten" my young boys. They are not deadened to it as some might think. That would mean that they no longer have the ability to discern right from wrong. We discuss that "killing that man" was not right, and stealing is sin, etc. There is much more to it than just violence. If we only let our children watch non-violent shows...Barney would be about it (as well as a few other PBS kids shows)...We couldn't even let them watch many of the Bible stories. The Flood would be out...too many people drowning even though Noah knew ahead of time they would...the Bible doesn't say that he made any attempt to save them (although I'm sure his heart was breaking to know that they would all be dead as the flood waters rose....but that's my inference into the Bible...not actually inspired scripture.) Jericho...out. Anything from Judges...out. Pretty much anything having to do with David...out. Moses...out (he killed an Egyptian, and then all the Egyptian army drowned, don't forget the death of the firstborn and all the other plagues). Adam & Eve...out (Cain killed Abel). Daniel...out (lion's den, fiery furnace, YIKES!). Esther...out. The Crucifixion...out. Early church....out (too much persecution). There's much more, but I'm getting a bit side-tracked. Answers in Genesis is devoted to this same line of thinking. We NEED to teach our children evolution...but from a Biblical perspective. If we completely, "shelter" [isolate] our children from evolution by not even mentioning it, then they will not be able to discuss it "intelligently" with those who support it and not able to effectively defend intelligent design. Why is it that doing this for evolution is acceptable...the single most influential concept on the modern world...yet to do it for other areas of life is NOT acceptable in the homeschooling/Christian community? It's time to tear down the deceptions of Satan to the homeschool community. He uses our "fear" of the "outside world" and it's "apparent" evil influences to fuel our fear of our kids not turning out right if we expose them to the "wrong" things. Many people who allowed this fear to fuel them...also "lost" their children...and now wonder what they did wrong...but they are too filled with pride to think that they could possibly be even partially at fault. (Not all...but some with completely blame the grown child.) I understand that all children are going to have to answer for themselves ultimately, but parents are here to train them...I don't want to forget that "Godly" training is not just training them to do what is RIGHT...but also helping them to RECOGNIZE and RESIST that which is wrong....regardless of how subtle or obvious it is. Again, I am not telling you how to raise your child...but I am holding to my own convictions of how God has shown me through His Word and the wise, godly counsel of others older than myself that have "traveled the road" ahead of me. I am not too proud to take a hard look at the things that I once did to "protect" my children...and discern in the light of revealed knowledge if they still "hold water" when examined closely. And I will continue to adjust my mindset as God continues to reveal things to me throughout my life. The verse in the Bible that says, "I will set no vile [wicked] thing before my eyes"...in context is talking about the enjoyment of wickedness...can we get away from all wickedness? Of course not. It is everywhere and in almost everything in this fallen world...probably even in this post you are reading right now (hopefully not though). However, we are not to enjoy it and relish it. We are not to cheer (even to ourselves) when the bad guy senselessly kills yet another innocent victim or think it was cool. We are not to look longingly at the "spoils" and "plunder" of evil men wishing that we could have even a little bit of it. We are not to gaze upon a member of the opposite sex (or same sex as we must now include) in a way that is reserved for our spouse (who should be the opposite sex for us to be biblically obedient). We should not be happy when sin is lifted up, but crushed in our spirit over a world that has been so deceived into thinking that there is no absolute right or wrong. We need to look beyond the surface and down to the root of why our world acts the way it does in order to reach them for Christ. That is exactly how Paul won so many to Christ throughout the book of Acts. He observed "where they were" and focused his message there. We need to be men and women of God who "understand the times"...not men and women who are "afraid of the evil world" and bury our heads in the sand thinking that is the way to protect our children. This is not Biblical. I am reminded that an ostrich who buries his head in the sand is a prime target for death...HE CAN'T SEE OR HEAR THE HUNTER OR PREDATOR WHO IS CREEPING UP ON HIM. The Bible says that the devil is like a roaring lion going about seeking whom he may devour. He roars to try to scare us into burying our heads or hiding...then we are no longer effective to be a light. If a light is hidden in a bushel basket, how can it then shine to a dark world. But if we know that it is him roaring...then we can be on guard and watch out for his deceptions and attacks. THIS is what we need to teach our children. They are to be a small light burning with the family until it is time for them to shine on their own. Some of the best discussions I've had with people (even Christians) are about movies. They are a great way to open up biblical thinking to someone who may not be thinking biblically (both Christian and non-Christian)...and therefore can be a very effective witnessing tool. Star Wars is my all time favorite "discussion" movie. People are so blinded into thinking that Anakin is a type of Christ...when in essence, he's really a type of Anti-christ. Immaculate conception...something "special" about him...Then he turns evil...lives his life as Darth Vader, the right-hand man of the evil "Emperor"...then at the end is "saved." All that screams of Anti-christ...except for the end. However, when the end of Anti-christ comes...we will have realized too little too late that this person who is trying to mimic Christ in order to win the trust of the saints and the unsuspecting world is not who we thought he was, God is still on the throne and Star Wars didn't predict real life. But I would have never known that to discuss with others if I hadn't watched the entire Star wars series....with a critical eye. And there would be people out there that wouldn't have looked much deeper. Now...let me close by saying this....the woman that I referred to above...What became of her and NINE homeschooled children? According to some lines of thinking, her children would probably be on their way to hell and have a highly ineffective life for the Lord. Right? ...Well, here is what I recall....one is a missionary to South America. One is a happily married mother. One is (by their own choice) a highly respected college which teaches all their students a correct Biblical worldview and gives them the tools to stand strong when they leave that college (they have a very high rate of "equipped" Christian graduates compared even to the most "respected" Christian colleges). One is working for Summit Ministries as an intern (I believe) and also has worked with Communicators for Christ. Four are still at home being actively trained by mother and Father in correct Biblical worldview (the last one...I've forgotten...sorry)...but I know that none of them have been "lost" to the world's deceptions...not because they were "sheltered" [isolated] from it...but because they were exposed to it from a BIBLICAL worldview....no "gasping" from this mama or daddy. The woman...well...she, her husband, and her well-prepared children still at home are running the children's program (on how to have a Biblical worldview) for one of the two largest homeschool conventions in the United States. (I would say the largest, but there is another one that is so close...it's hard to say until they actually count the numbers.) I'd say that this woman..although she's exposed her children to a LOT...has done a FINE job of showing her children how to live in the world but stay "separate" from the world around them. And the Lord is rewarding her obedience, by giving her more "responsibility"...to whom much is given...much is required. God blesses us with more as we show ourselves worthy to handle the tasks He's previously given us. (See Matthew 25: 14-30) I do not condemn anyone who has a different conviction than I do about movies, music, clothing, denominations...etc... There is a reason that God convicted you that way and I do not presume to oppose His direct command to you...which was meant to strengthen you in your walk with Him. Nor do I condone allowing children to watch "whatever" without some sort of guidance (and some movies should be avoided altogether). I do not think it is right to "immerse" our children in violence and ungodliness so they can be sure they are exposed to it for "discussion's sake." We need to protect our children and keep as much of that "childhood innocence" as possible for as long as possible. (My 13yod still thinks the term "sex" only means whether you are a boy or girl...and I'm glad that she still has that innocence.) However, I feel it necessary to explain where I am coming from when someone misunderstands what I have said so my comments can be better understood...and you still may not agree..but I as with all convictions...they are personal and separate from the written commands of God. As all of us have done at one point in time or another, we choose words that are inadequate (or wrong) to make a point. We offend others by what we say and do (although God has given us the freedom for us to do so. I don't know everyone who reads this blog, and I can't possibly please you all). We all sin...I can't make everyone happy...so I choose to please my Lord and Savior who died for my sins. He is the only one who matters to me. I will take flack for it. I willingly embrace that because Jesus took so much more for me throughout his entire life...so I would never have to endure it...and after which I would have still ended up in Hell because my payment would not have been good enough for the Father. Don't think that the only "difficulties" he had were in the last days of his life. He faced criticism quite regularly...even from the religious leaders who should have KNOWN BETTER. Their sin was pride. They did NOT realize that they were children of the devil. Jesus called them that, but they were too proud and self-righteous to admit that they could possibly be wrong....and hated Jesus because He was preaching a message which encroached on their "religious authority." When I stand before my heavenly Father...I want to hear HIM say "well done, my good and faithful servant"...Coming from anyone else just wouldn't be the same. |
May. 16, 2008
My Review of Prince Caspian...The Movie
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I just got back from the 9:30 AM showing of Prince Caspian. First, I have to say that I really enjoyed the movie. I need to say that because what I'm about to write about it may sound like I didn't. Just like all movies that are based on an actual book, the book is ALWAYS better. With that disclaimer set forth...here's the review... I was a little concerned when I read the Plugged In Online review about the violence and the attraction between Prince Caspian and Susan that was eluded to throughout the movie (if you watch for it...it wasn't "obvious" to my younger children until the end). Also, I was a little disappointed that Peter and Caspian were "at odds" most of the movie instead of working together to free Narnia as in the book. I was also disappointed with the progression of the story line. Most of the plot "elements" that are in the book were also in the movie, but not in the same "progression." The children and Narnians attack Miraz's castle...while he's in the castle. Not something in the book. There is a "incantation" said by a hag to call up the White Witch...and Caspian and Peter almost "fall for" her deception...but it is Edmund (the one who fell for her deception in the first book) who put an end to her temptation/lies. (Which was a very cool part of the movie...which I'll touch on later). There were a few things that happened in the movie that were not clear WHY they happened (unless of course you read the book...but even then I still didn't understand why Lucy left Aslan's How near the single combat scene. I could guess, but it wasn't clear even after she found Aslan). At the end of the movie, there is a scene between Susan and Caspian where she tells him that "it would never work out between them"...followed by a...dare I say it...kiss....which was never in the book and I found that it really didn't add that much to the movie...still wondering why it was included. There is a "birth scene" at the beginning. I was "warned" about this by a friend, but when I saw it, it really wasn't all that graphic. A lady is screaming in pain with a lot of women around her...then all of the sudden there is a baby. Not even a touch of blood or fluid on it. Near the beginning, Peter is in a brawl in the subway...which turns out to have been "started" by him even though he was provoked by some other boys...which he justifies. Susan wisely says "you could have just walked away." The horn was blown at a different time than in the book...MUCH earlier. Trumpkin is captured as Prince Caspian is knocked out and the badger & dwarfs find him...He really doesn't have a chance to build the relationship with Caspian...so bringing the kids back to Prince Caspian is hard to understand without reading the book. Although, Trumpkin does have the "I don't care, and definitely don't believe in Aslan" attitude as in the book. He has a few good lines. I don't want to spoil the movie. It actually was very good. If I hadn't read the book (countless times), I would have thought it was a good movie. I read in Plugged In Online that they don't ''consider it a children's movie...nor a "family" movie." They said it was a "war" movie. I have to partially agree. It was a war movie, because the underlying setting of the book is about the Old Narnian's taking back their country through a series of battles...leading up to single combat and a "last ditch effort" battle for the Telmarines to hold onto Narnia. But if you read the book, I'd say that 80% or more of the book is war-related. The movie is probably closer to 90-95% war-related. Miraz is portrayed to be a very evil and violent man...which he is. I think they did well to make the "bad guys" into "bad guys...and keep the "good guys" good. They could have given a little more background on why things happened in the movie. There were a number of things added into the movie that were not in the book...much more than in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (which I will refer to as LWW from here on). The progression of the story was NOT as close to the book as I would have liked although many elements were tied into the storyline (but not all). The movie was 2 1/2 hours long, which was hard for my almost 3yo to sit through. (Yes, I brought all of mine.) There were a number of "shut up's" in the movie...more so than LWW. A few "bad attitudes" and condescending remarks did crop up, even in the "good guys." Aslan is not in the movie as much as I would have hoped...not nearly as much as LWW. He says at one point when asked why he doesn't come in and save the day, "Nothing is the same twice." (or something to that effect...explaining why he isn't helping in the same way as LWW). The good things...During the scene where the White Witch is summoned, the children kill the werewolf, the hag and Nikabrik who want to try the "black magic" because they'll do "anything" to defeat Miraz...even sell their soul to the "devil." Then Edmund (who had been deceived by the White Witch before) realized that Caspian and Peter may very well fall for her deception again and "shatters" the ice wall...and as you're looking at the ice crumbling, a relief carving of Aslan appears on the wall behind the ice. It reminded me that sometimes the devil will try to block our view of God with his deceptions...but when the deception is "shattered," we see the Lord clearly and the somberness of realizing our weakness comes over us..and strengthens us to stand up to the deceptions the devil throws our way. Reepicheep is hilarious. I loved this character. He was always there with a funny line, and a flashing sword. Very chivalrous. The violence was obviously there, but there was very little blood. It wasn't gorey (sp?) at all. The one time that someone gets "decapitated"...I missed. It was so quick and they were wearing a helmet...to me it looked like they got their helmet knocked off and then it was lying on the ground. I would say that the violence in Pirates of the Caribbean was more gorey than in Prince Caspian. There is one scene at the beginning where a group of soldiers come into Caspian's room and "shoot" at his bed repeatedly with crossbows (not realizing that he wasn't in it until after they were "done"). I found this rather disturbing, but with the character of Miraz in mind, I was able to draw that into "building" the character of Miraz and his evilness. I actually liked the way the "challenge to single combat" scene was done in the movie. One of the few changes that I actually liked. I won't tell you about it. I don't want to spoil too much. The "door in the air" scene at the end was also a very interesting but pleasant change. Very well done. There is also a '"surprise" attack during the battle that was a pleasant "change." If you're concerned about taking young children to see this movie, I would definitely watch it first before you take them. Some children may be able to handle it, some may not. My 5yos sat engrossed in the movie for the 2 1/2 hours, but my almost 3yo did not. I would say that sitting through a movie...5yo and down...probably not. My youngest girl was 8yo, and she was fine with the violence (didn't bother her). I would say if your children have no problem with Pirates of the Caribbean, they will be fine with this. In Pirates... the violence is not as "chivalrous" as it is in Prince Caspian...which could be a factor in the children accepting /dealing with it. It is for a "righteous" cause (much like the violence in the Bible...just read Judges). All in all...I thought it was a very good movie. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't read the book. I plan on going back again to see it without my kids (mainly so my husband can see it since he was out for about 30 minutes with the 3yo so I could enjoy the movie...have I ever mentioned that he's a great guy? ). I give it 3.5 stars out of 5...and if I hadn't read the book...it would be about 4.5 stars. It was a great movie and the special effects were awesome, just like LWW. The acting was great. The scenery was amazing. The costumes were incredible (of course I LOVE medieval costumes anyway). The violence would be the only thing I foresee where some children could have a problem. My 5yos did OK with it. But he's seen Pirates of the Caribbean without problems, so it was nothing new to him. If you're concerned at all...see it first. I'd say that by 10yo, children should not have a problem with it. Overall it was a good movie....just be aware that it does not follow the book nearly as closely as LWW, even though the crucial elements are there. Afterwards, my kids spent the entire afternoon "playing Prince Caspian", which goes to prove that even though it didn't completely follow the book, it was still enjoyable. I'm sure they'd go back to see it if they could. [ For my comments on how a Christian should handle violence and other "questionable" things with their children, please see my follow-up post... Re: "Anonymous" About Prince Caspian Review at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gidget/535382/ ) ] |