Wednesday, October 8, 2008 Thoughts on the Debate
The debate had those who are undecided ask the questions on those issues which would decide their vote. In my view, there has been few elections with such diametrically opposing ideologies. I can't imagine why someone is truly "undecided."
Here are some things I took away from the debate that illustrates exactly how different the two candidates are.
Barrack Obama
1. Wants the government to provide services to help people.
2. Wants wealth re-distribution (it's "fair")
3. Wants tax relief for those individuals making under $250,000
4. Wants tax increases for individuals and corporations making over $250,000
5. Wants to tax small businesses making over $250,000
6. Believes health care is a right.
7. Won't protect Israel from an attack without discussions & support from NATO
8. Looks to the government for help
9. Considers his life a personal journey which the government and now voters are helping to lead him to the presidency
John McCain
1. Wants the government to protect the people
2. Wants people to keep their own money - poor and rich alike
3. Wants to leave tax rates alone for everyone - poor and rich alike
4. Wants tax breaks for small businesses as well as corporations
5. Believes health care is a responsibility
6. Will protect Israel from an attack
7. Looks to communities and individuals for help
8. Considers his life a personal service to his fellow man and country and now wants voters to help him continue in that service for the country
These are my observations. I am sure that much more could be said.
Energy independence was one area that is difficult to see a difference. They both want alternative energies, drilling, to be environmentally aware.
The war is another difference. I don't believe either will take attacking another country lightly. I don't think Obama has the support of his own people to go to war in another country; as a result I don't feel I can trust him to make an honest decision in protecting our nation. McCain has been in the military and understands what it is like to be in combat. I would hope, but don't know, that he wouldn't over extend our military into regions that we really don't belong. Either of these candidates will do what they feel is best when it comes to war and protecting this great nation.
I don't believe one or the other will cause other nations to love us or hate us more. Though I do believe that these two candidates represent a fork in the road of our nation's travels. Other nations love or hate us based on what we stand for. To change this image will take a fundamental shift in our ideology. Our nation would need to implode and emerge totally different for any change in the world's view of us. Where we go from here will be determined by who we elect. Each candidate has the opportunity to set that up for good or ill during their time as president. In reality, it will take many years for the fundamental shift to completely occur.
My husband has said that McCain is running for president because he loves his country; Obama is running because he hates his. I believe this to be the case. Obama wants to "change" this nation; McCain wants to protect it. McCain said many times last night how great the American people are, how industrious, how innovative. Our strength lies in our people.
McCain has the right view of our government. It is the people that are the force (or should be) of our nation. Our very foundation is of small government and personal responsibility. Of providing for your neighbor in need and allowing the government to protect your state. Of free market and keeping what you make - rich or poor and the ability to become rich or poor of your own merit. Obama believes that all good things flow from the government to the people. He believes the government is the force of our nation.
I believe the debate last night highlighted the fundamental differences - the belief systems, if you will - of these two candidates. For this reason and others I am fully supporting a McCain/Palin ticket. They represent what America stands for. Whereas Obama represents a more socialist - more government-centered life. I loathe government control in education, health, business, finances, art, industry, research & development, innovative technologies, etc... I adamantly reject government intrusion in my life and will do so with more fervor should Obama get elected. Government intrusion is antithetical to liberty.
"The liberties of our country, the freedoms of our civil Constitution are worth defending at all hazards; it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors. They purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood. It will bring a mark of everlasting infamy on the present generation – enlightened as it is – if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of designing men." -Samuel Adams
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Sunday, August 31, 2008 One of the Stupidest Bumper Stickers Ever...
I Love My Country
But I Think We Should Start Seeing Other People
Really? It seems to me if someone says this that in reality they do not love the receiver of the statement. If I was told, "I love you, but we should see other people," my thought would be something along the lines of "you jerk, go see all you want but don't come back to me! Clearly you don't love me as I am, the very core of my beliefs and dreams. "
This bumper sticker statement is disingenuous. People willing to put this statement on their vehicles don't really love this country. They don't hold to the values of this nation. Certainly they are not committed to the principles that guide our laws. Truly, they want to change this nation into something else that does not resemble our nation's heritage.
It is not change our nation needs, but strong leaders who will understand our heritage and our unique position in the world. We are a Christian nation. We are a free nation. We have liberty!
Here is the 1828 definition - Read it - Meditate on it:
LIB'ERTY, n. [L. libertas, from liber, free.]
1. Freedom from restraint, in a general sense, and applicable to the body, or to the will or mind. The body is at liberty, when not confined; the will or mind is at liberty, when not checked or controlled. A man enjoys liberty, when no physical force operates to restrain his actions or volitions.2. Natural liberty, consists in the power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, except from the laws of nature. It is a state of exemption from the control of others, and from positive laws and the institutions of social life. This liberty is abridged by the establishment of government.3. Civil liberty, is the liberty of men in a state of society, or natural liberty, so far only abridged and restrained, as is necessary and expedient for the safety and interest of the society, state or nation. A restraint of natural liberty, not necessary or expedient for the public, is tyranny or oppression. civil liberty is an exemption from the arbitrary will of others, which exemption is secured by established laws, which restrain every man from injuring or controlling another. Hence the restraints of law are essential to civil liberty.The liberty of one depends not so much on the removal of all restraint from him, as on the due restraint upon the liberty of others.In this sentence, the latter word liberty denotes natural liberty.4. Political liberty, is sometimes used as synonymous with civil liberty. But it more properly designates the liberty of a nation, the freedom of a nation or state from all unjust abridgment of its rights and independence by another nation. Hence we often speak of the political liberties of Europe, or the nations of Europe.5. Religious liberty, is the free right of adopting and enjoying opinions on religious subjects, and of worshiping the Supreme Being according to the dictates of conscience, without external control.6. Liberty, in metaphysics, as opposed to necessity, is the power of an agent to do or forbear any particular action, according to the determination or thought of the mind, by which either is preferred to the other.Freedom of the will; exemption from compulsion or restraint in willing or volition.7. Privilege; exemption; immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant; with a plural. Thus we speak of the liberties of the commercial cities of Europe.8. Leave; permission granted. The witness obtained liberty to leave the court.9. A space in which one is permitted to pass without restraint, and beyond which he may not lawfully pass; with a plural; as the liberties of a prison.10. Freedom of action or speech beyond the ordinary bounds of civility or decorum. Females should repel all improper liberties.To take the liberty to do or say any thing, to use freedom not specially granted.To set at liberty, to deliver from confinement; to release from restraint.To be at liberty, to be free from restraint.Liberty of the press, is freedom from any restriction on the power to publish books; the free power of publishing what one pleases, subject only to punishment for abusing the privilege, or publishing what is mischievous to the public or injurious to individuals.
I added the emphasis. Liberty is free from restraints in body, mind, and soul. I would add in learning, working, and living. In buying, selling, and taxing. The origin of liberty is from God. We are made in His likeness: He is free. He releases us from the bonds of sin and all the chains that come with sin. This is in the very foundation of our Nation. The liberty of Man's Soul expressed in the liberty of Man's Life and Living.
I am free, for the moment, to homeschool. To choose to stay at home with my children and to choose to have them with me while they are young and teach them my Source of love and liberty. I am at liberty to choose a curriculum tailored to each child. They are at liberty to begin reading when they are ready. To graduate when they are physically, emotionally, and spiritually ready to move to that next stage.
My husband and I are free to start up and own a business. We set our working hours, when to buy the materials, when to do the jobs, and even our wages to some extent. We are at complete liberty to work around our desires and our children's desires. We are free to grow our business or start a completely different one. We are at liberty to make money and equally at liberty to loose money. We are not at liberty to pay the tax or set that rate. We are restrained to do so and pay the penalty should we be late.
As we look at this political race, my husband and I ask ourselves who will protect our liberties? Who will protect our national heritage? Who will allow us to make decisions for ourselves and our children and our businesses? Who is wanting to "see other people"?
I can say with all confidence that talk of hope and American promises mean very little if there is no actual hope or promise in keeping America free from tyranny! For this reason I support that candidate that states freedom in homeschooling. That states liberty in life at conception. That states freedom in small business. That states freedom from excessive taxes on individuals and businesses. That states freedom in choosing health or not choosing health. That states liberty in worship and reading and speaking. That supports the foundation of society - the family. That doesn't state that the government is the source of our needs in health, financial, educational needs.
I see in our choice of candidates a choice that Americans must make. On the one ticket, liberals who see government as a means to wealth distribution and the care-taker of the nation. On the other, conservatives who protect life and personal responsibility and accountability.
November will determine the direction of our nation. My prayer and hope is that we will continue on that path of Liberty - body, mind, soul.
May the Lord direct us to elect those worthy men and women into office who will lead our nation as He directs.
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Saturday, August 9, 2008 New School Year
The summer has gone by incredibly fast and here we are at the start of a new school year. This year I am trying a few different things. Over the summer I reread " Teaching the Trivium" by the Bluedorns. I am implementing these ideas mixed in with my Principle Approach notions. Because of the age differences of my children, I have decided to include all of them in the lessons that I can. History, Literature, Science, Language, and labs and projects will be done as a group. What is required of each will vary according to their individual abilities.
We are studying from the Fall of Rome to the end of the Middle Ages. Our major textbooks are "Story of the Romans" and "Story of the Middle Ages" from Nothing New Press. We are also going to read "God's Mighty Hand" from Little Bear, "Foxe's Christian Martyrs" and "Uncle Eric's Book of Ancient Rome" from Bluestocking Press. Other resources we will use are the Webster's 1828 Dictionary, Strong's Concordance or e-Sword, the King James Bible, " Kingfisher History Encyclopedia", " The Wall Chart of World History", and " Ancient History from Primary Sources".
For our Literature reads I mainly chose books from the Veritas Press catalogue. I had a few books, my friends had some for me to borrow, and others I bought or were donated to us. My family really enjoys G. A. Henty. Four of his books from this time period are our read aloud books for the year. It might be more if we finish early with these books. I have a dozen or so other books of various levels for my children to read or have read to them. During the read aloud times, I have various Middle Ages coloring books from Dover for them to occupy their wondering bodies and (hopefully) keep their minds focused on the story. We also crochet sometimes; it'll be their choice.
Language is a challenge as I have Actress the High Schooler, Pilot the Grade Schooler, Jet the Preschooler and Baby (still no blog nickname yet  ) the, well, baby. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! The books we are using are:
Actress - "IEW Bible Based Writing Lessons", "Story Starters of the Middle Ages", "Grammar Made Easy", and "Poetry Daily Spark"
Pilot - "IEW Bible Based Writing Lessons" as much as he can do, Writing Road To Reading Phonics and Spelling Rules, Classical Writing Copy Book II, and McGuffey's 2nd Reader
Jet - WRTR, Classical Writing Copy Book II sharing with his brother, McGuffey Primer
We are also doing a little Latin using Latina Christiana and English from the Roots Up. All of them will participate, though just Actress will be required to do the work in Latina Christiana. They all will make the flashcards for ERU.
In Science we are all using Apologia Biology. Pray for me... and the kiddos for this one  . The Modules will be read allowed and discussed. Pilot will only be required for definitions and ideas as well as the labs. Actress gets to do the vocabulary, questions, test, and lab work.
Actress is doing Pre-Algebra from a book I had lying around the house. I have no idea where it came from, but it is here anyway. Pilot is using Rightstart Mathematics and Rays Arithmetic. Jet is going to do Rightstart Mathematics.
I am also planning History, Art, Science, Music projects and field trips and other such fun things. I am hoping to add a little PE in the day to help focus our minds. For extra curricular activities, Actress is in Drama (what a shock, I know) and Pilot is in Gymnastics. Jet wants to do Gymnastics; we are just waiting for the right time.
We use notebooks for everything, so they actually develop their own work and keep it well (hopefully) organized.
If you notice, there isn't a separate Bible section. The idea is that the Lord is Lord of all subjects - He is our source and sustainer. The Bible is the basic text for all subjects. In reality, I have only figured out how to implement this into History. I would love to get it into all of the subjects, but my mind gets overwhelmed. My hope and prayer is that the Lord will open my mind to implement His Word into the work of all subjects. Little by little for now and daily steps will lead to more inclusion of His Holy Word into our hearts through His subjects.
So that is my goal for the year. We start on Monday.
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Wednesday, June 18, 2008 Of Grace & Elegance and a Generation Passing
My grandmother, whom we called Grammy, passed away last week at the age of 90 years. Her health and mind has been slowly failing over the last few years. We were fairly certain we wouldn't have her through the summer. Now she is in the summer of Heaven with her Lord.
I have now, with my parents, buried all my grandparents in a short 15 month period. This has caused me to reflect on the cycles of life - children, parents, grandparents. My grandparents didn't give me the idea of loosing one - they all left en masse. Those dear old people that my parents discussed with their siblings on how to care for, no longer need caring for. It is a strange liberation for them and yet a strange new emptiness. Now their focus goes to the estates and their brothers and sisters who remain.
My view of life has changed. The old people were always my grandparents - not my children's! When I was in junior high, my great-grandfather died. I had such a good time with the cousins I didn't see often. We stayed up late, ran around everywhere, never saw parents until we needed to eat. As a result, I slept through my grandfather's funeral. This was a dear sweet man who lived so long on lemon drops and Freedent gum (that was what he told us kids). When I got home, I felt horrible! It didn't dawn on me until just this past week on what that man meant to my Dad. This was his grandfather, who loved him and helped raise him. I explained this to my daughter and niece, trying to impart the wisdom I just then realized. It took me over twenty years to realize that my parents had grandparents that they cared for and had to bury. How it hurt my Dad to have to bury this sweet man while his daughter slept. My Dad was blessed as his two grandma's lived for over a hundred years. WOW!!
Though Grammy was always this white haired lady to the girls, she wasn't that for me. In all truthfulness, she wasn't a cuddly grandma. When my sister and I were little, we called her "grandgemother." Whatever image comes to your mind upon the hearing of that word is probably a correct evaluation of her as a grandma. She was a harsh woman. Yet now I see why. She was a ranching wife, with a political husband. Not an easy job.
Prior to her marriage, she was the first XIT Queen. Beauty isn't word enough for her. She was elegant and graceful. Her red hair flowing. This I remember, rich red hair falling down like a sunset water-fall. Just as quickly as it fell, it was swooped up into her ranching bun. I did love her hair. As she got older and the hair turned whiter, she did soften tremendously. I really enjoyed her then.
Though she didn't play with us as grandchildren, she did adore her great-grandchildren. My daughter always caused great smiles on her. When my boys came around, she found endless delight into watching them play. She really didn't get to know my baby as her alzheimer's set in fully by then. She did see him and acknowledge him as her grandbaby.
Her passing marks the end of that generation, in my family anyway. My children no longer have great-grandparents to love on. Really, this is what they want - both of the children and the great-grandparents. Now my parents are retired and at the age where they can just enjoy the grandkids. It takes a bit out of them to keep them for a long time, but the so enjoy watching the boys play and the girls walk around whispering as teens tend to do.
I have to realize that it isn't just my parents getting older. Though I love hearing, "You're not old enough to have a teenage daughter!" The truth is that I do and I am. What a joy can be in getting older and watching the generations go! My grandmother's memories of the Dust Bowl and World War II are gone into the grave with her. But her stories are passed down and added to with each generation.
This one was told at her funeral: During the Great Depression, my Grammy and her mom only had one nice dress. Being that her mom was insistent that they attend church, they took turns. One would wear the dress one week, then the other would wear the same dress the next. This really impressed me as my Grammy always dressed well - even when ranching. In fact, I knew her mind was too far gone when I visited her in her room and she was wearing a pink and black sweat suit top with nice poly-blend sea green pants. Ohhh she would have had a fit had she known!!! I realized from the story that my Grammy's grace and elegance weren't just in her taste for clothes, it was the fabric of her being. She is grace and elegance! I would love those traits from her. Of the many traits of hers I have, I'm not sure those two fell to me ...
The kids and I visited Grammy after the baby was born. My parents came with me because at this time Grammy didn't always know who I was. Though she always recognized my daughter. My Dad took this picture for me. I am ok with my kids remembering Grammy like this; I have older memories and now stories to share. (Obviously, the person who dressed her this day was fired!)
I love you, Grammy! |
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Friday, April 18, 2008 My Riches
It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it. Proverbs 10:22
Last week, we welcomed our newest member to our family. The Lord has blessed us with another little boy. And we are amazed by him! I space my children out (not intentional, it just happens that way). I forget what it is like to have a new baby. The delight, the joy, the wonder!!!
He happens to be my smallest baby, so we have been enjoying taking pictures of him next to large objects. This is a Bolivian Pot my sister gave us for Christmas.
I am still considering his blog name, so for now he is new baby boy. The latest one to make my husband and I rich.
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Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Christian History Lesson 1 part 1&2 Response
This post is in response of PrincipledMom's lessons on her blog. I will admit right now that I am not going to go into the depth that others might, and for good reason. My baby's due date is today and we are waiting on pins and needles for this little guy to make his appearance. Needless-to-say, I am very distracted right now. (Your prayers for us would be greatly appreciated; we are so anxious to meet our newest child.)
The Christian Idea of Man
Simply, we are created in His image - Genesis 1:26&27. God stated "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.
An image is a representation - we are representations of God. We hold His qualities and characteristics. We hold His likeness. Not one of us holds all of God, but we all hold some measure of attributes of God. I have a sister who is incredibly nice and patient. She works in the ER here in NM. The patients adore her. I believe she reflects and aspect of God during her work - one of loving people, even in unlovable situations. Not everyone has this, yet we all have some attribute.
God is infinite! In the myriad of characteristics we could hold, God has given each of us an individual and unique representation of Him. This means that each of us is an unique individual. I love this! We are created with independent value. Each of us holds aspects of God's character within us that He has picked out. We are valuable to Him; we hold intrinsic individual - independent - value.
Is this profound enough? We are individual. We have intrinsic value.
This leads perfectly into ...
The Purpose of Government
Government is to protect that individual with independent value in his/her Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness. These rights derive from God and individuals give the government the responsibility to keep them. Government is the servant of the individual! The people united, though diverse and unique, give the government authority to protect our God - given rights.
These rights are God given. Life is in His hands. John 1:4 "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." God is the creator of life, we do not have that power. I know this little guy kicking inside me is not the doing of my husband and I (though, I know that God uses a husband and wife to bring children). God decides when that child will come and what that child will be and so on.
I am going to stop here for now. This study really does have me thinking about how our ideas of Man and Government reflect our nation. I am really pondering what is being said of our nation given our choices for the next president. Are we a nation governed by the people or are we a nation of people wanting to be governed?
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Learning from the Shepherd
Teaching from Biblical Principles *
Learning from the Source *
Our family's journey into BPA Homeschooling
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What Is Shepherd's Fold?
Our School's Motto is: Fidelis, Virtus, Continentia
Our School's Motto means: Faith, Virtue, Self-Control
We chose Shepherd's Fold as the name of our school to reflect Jesus, our Shepherd, leading and directing our learning and our lives. The Lord created us to be multi-dimensional. Each part of us needs His guidance. As He cares, directs, and protects for every aspect of our lives, then we, with His help, care for, direct, and protect our children.
The Good Shepherd Art Piece
African Gospel Art has several pieces. This one about the Good Shepherd really connected with me. The kind owner of the site is allowing me to use it in my blog. Please visit the art work; it really is delightful.
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But it sure does mess with his blood sugars.
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