Once, when the people of God had become careless in their relationship with Him, the Lord rebuked them through the prophet Haggai. "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:5) he declared, urging them to reflect on some of the things happening to them, and to evaluate their slipshod spirituality in light of what God had told them.

Even those most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It's so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going.

The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

11. What's the most important decision you need to make this year?

12. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what's one way you could simplify in that area?

13. What's the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?

14. What habit would you most like to establish this year?

15. Who do you most want to encourage this year?

16. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?

17. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?

18. What's one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?

19. What's one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?

20. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?

21. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?

22. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?

23. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?

24. What's the most important trip you want to take this year?

25. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?

26. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?

27. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?

28. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?

29. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?

30. What's the most important new item you want to buy this year?

31. In what area of your life do you most need change, and what will you do about it this year?

The value of many of these questions is not in their profundity, but in the simple fact that they bring an issue or commitment into focus. For example, just by articulating which person you most want to encourage this year is more likely to help you remember to encourage that person than if you hadn't considered the question.

If you've found these questions helpful, you might want to put them someplace—in a day planner, PDA, calendar, bulletin board, etc.—where you can review them more frequently than once a year.

So let's evaluate our lives, make plans and goals, and live this new year with biblical diligence, remembering that, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage" (Proverbs 21:5). But in all things let's also remember our dependence on our King who said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

Wow!  LLLOOONNNGGG time since I've blogged!  Since there are few people that read this anyway, that's probably not a big deal!  :)  So this post is just to say that yes, I am still alive and kicking!  Just busy with being a wife, mom and homeschooler.  I'll be back to rambling before long.....

Love to hear what YOU have been up to....please feel free to comment and let me know!

Well, it's been a while!  Since moving home we have been getting unpacked, connecting with old friends,  ordering school books, getting kids registered for college, packing for college, going on a camping trip and finally taking Lauren to college in OH this past weekend!  Phew!!  Makes me tired just writing it!  :)  This week 4 day a week volleyball practices have started for Gabie so that's a whole other item to add to the never ending to-do list!

Still I am amazed at all the the Lord has done and is doing for us!  Though we don't always understand I believe that He is always working the best for us!  I can't praise Him enough! 

Next week we begin school...so please pray for us!

Our oldest son, Jared, left today to go to Charlotte in preparation to go to Raleigh on Wednesday to leave to go to Honduras on Thursday to be a summer missionary intern for 6 weeks.  (Is that a run-on sentence or what!!  :)  Jared just had his 20th birthday yesterday!  (Yes, I sadly must admit that I am now officially old...we have two, yes TWO children who are now 20 and older!!  :)  We are so blessed to be his parents.  Please pray for protection and provision as he travels and that the Lord would use him in a mighty way this summer. 

Thanks SO much for praying! 

A very close friend and I were just talking about "being real".  We observed how unusual it is, at least in our experience, to find a church or Christians who are willing to risk being transparent with one another.  It takes a lot of courage to admit that you don't have it all together, that you struggle.  Both of us are going through various trials, isn't that the way life really is?  You're either moving out of a trial or heading toward one, or in the middle of one.  God is gracious and often gives us breaks, but at least in my life I have noticed that it is only in the difficulties in life that I tend to learn and grow.  Now maybe that's just because I tend to be hard headed!   But our world is so desparate to see believers who admit that "No, we don't have it all figured out, but we know the One who is with us through every struggle and trial, no matter how big or small."  They are very much in need of seeing Christ followers who apply Biblical principles to their lives through all the struggles and see that indeed God's ways work.  I think that when we as believers start stepping out of our comfort zone and begin to be real with each other and the world we will see many come to Christ!  And isn't that the whole purpose of why we are here?  So I guess what my heart really desires is dear friends who "do life together" as believers, a safe place where people are real, share their struggles and joys and encourage each other in their walk with the Lord.  Being real....something I'm still thinking about....

Many of you have no doubt heard of the tragedy that has happened to the Chapman family.  http://www.stevencurtischapman.com   

They feel so much like old friends though they don’t even know us.  I feel funny to write, but feel compelled to do so.  His music has been a part of our family since we were young newlywed youth workers and we discovered his music at a youth event at Worlds of Fun in KC, MO.  Memories of car rides with little ones singing along to his CDs (or way back…cassette tapes!) often with “made up” words come to mind.  Now, with 6 children of our own, his songs seem to relate even more to our lives and we realize that while Steven is the singer/songwriter, his ministry really involves his whole family giving thier lives as they minister for Jesus together.  I'm SO thankul for his ministry to us!

There are no words to adequately express the agony I know they must feel.  I know our God is holding them in His strong arms binding their broken hearts and giving them the comfort, grace and peace to uphold them during this time.  Grieving, but not as the world does, as one with a sure hope of reunion in heaven.  I pray that the Lord grants them the faith to trust Him even when we often don’t understand the “why” of our circumstances this side of heaven, may He grant them the faith to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is still good and still in control and still loves them with an everlasting love.  I pray that His Word brings healing and comfort to them as He gives them the strength to faithfully display His splendor.

Psalm 73:26

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 61:1-3 

 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
       because the LORD has anointed me
       to preach good news to the poor.
       He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
       to proclaim freedom for the captives
       and release from darkness for the prisoners,

 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
       and the day of vengeance of our God,
       to comfort all who mourn,

 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
       to bestow on them a crown of beauty
       instead of ashes,
       the oil of gladness
       instead of mourning,
       and a garment of praise
       instead of a spirit of despair.
       They will be called oaks of righteousness,
       a planting of the LORD
       for the display of his splendor.

Please join me in praying for this dear family!!

We enjoyed a great weekend at the St. Louis Homeschool Expo.  http://www.stlhomeschoolexpo.com   It was an honor and privilege to be a part of this.  I did my presentation on co-ops called "Secrets of Endurance: Successful Co-ops, Mike and I did our funny titled workshop called "I'm Worn-Out, Going Crazy, and Making My Kids Stupid. Would Somebody Please Help?!"  (Guess who came up with that....not me, but my husband with the great sense of humor...who says I've said that to him more times than he can count!) and Mike did a talk for dads called "Helping in the Homeschool- A Father's Perspective".  We did these talks last year at the North Carolinians for Home Education conference www.nche.com .  I so enjoy revising and (hopefully) improving the talks that the Lord has given us.  There was a good crowd this weekend, sweet people and we were encouraged by being there.  We heard some really great speakers, Todd Wilson, who will be the main speaker at the Western NC winter conference in 2009, Diana Warring and Steve Demme.

We love when the Lord grants us the opportunity to encourage other homeschoolers, so please check out our speaking page on my web site www.your-homeschool-advisor.com if you are looking for a speaker.

My husband and I are the coordinators for the homeschool ministry at our church which offers a co-op.  I think that co-ops can be a big help in encouraging and enabling parents to endure and finish this wonderful adventure called homeschooling.  I know that they have been a help to our family in our homeschooling!   For those who are beginning co-ops, here are some ideas.  I hope they are a help to those of you who are just starting.

 
1.)  Look at other examples of co-ops to help you determine your structure. The Internet is a GREAT place to search.  I still look on the Internet for new ideas!!!  We were fortunate to have been involved in a couple of good co-ops over the years, so our current co-op incorporates ideas we liked from them.  Feel free to look at our Workshop packet available in PDF at our web site to get ideas:  http://www.northpointbaptist.org/Homeschool.html  A good book for helping with smaller, family based co-ops is "The Complete Guide to Successful Co-oping for Homeschooling Families" by Linda Koeser and Lori Marse.  Don't feel like your co-op HAS to be a certain way, make the co-op's structure fit you and the families you are trying to serve.

Co-ops have some unique benefits. Group studies keep students (and their parents!) accountable and provide an incentive to keep on schedule. They motivate students to do their best work by providing an audience and reason to finish projects, reports, etc. Other students enjoy seeing and hearing the work and can offer constructive & gracious comments. Skills home schooled students sometimes lack, or have no experience with, are developed; like raising hands, respecting other’s ideas, supporting and participating in a discussion, giving a speech, and working in teams. Parents split the load of hands-on activities, according to mutual strengths, and all benefit! Cooperatively, we have been able to provide enrichment opportunities that may not have been possible on our own.

Hi! I’m Ronda Marshall. My husband, Mike and I have been homeschooling our 6 children for the past 13 years. I’d love to help you as you make curriculum decisions for your family!

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the curriculum choices available? Would you like an experienced homeschooler to walk you through choosing curriculum for your family? Our purpose is to provide you with personalized curriculum advice based on helping you determine your educational philosophy and your children's learning styles. We also offer on-going personal support to help you succeed in your homeschool journey. 

Advice is available by e-mail, over the phone or in person at our home. For information about consultation packages, please our web site at www.your-homeschool-advisor.com   .  I look forward to helping you plan for the upcoming school year!

The 2007 NCHE conference is now history; while our pocketbooks are somewhat lighter, we are all encouraged, loaded down with new curriculum, and enthusiastic about the coming year of homeschooling.  We were encouraged as much by the fact that we now KNOW we are not alone in our homeschooling (after experiencing the large crowd at the conference!) as we were by the messages of the workshop speakers.  How do we go from the “high mountain top” experience of the conference down to the “rubber meets the road” reality of daily homeschool life?

Realize that no one is the “perfect” homeschool family.  We’re sure every speaker or leader at the conference would adamantly agree that they are not perfect and that each has areas in which they personally struggle.  Often as new (or not so new!) homeschoolers, we are tempted to look at others, particularly speakers at homeschool conferences, who are further down the homeschooling road than we are, and place them on a pedestal, considering them experts.  We think they are the perfect homeschooler.  Then we live our lives trying to emulate them and feeling defeated when we fail. Let us encourage you to use what you learned at the conference by gleaning ideas, tips, etc., from the speakers about "how to" homeschool, but allow God to help you apply them to your home and feel free to toss out what doesn’t work for your family.  Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  If God has called you to homeschool, please remember that He will enable you as well!  Don’t strive to be the “perfect” homeschool family or follow precisely someone else’s method of homeschooling, just strive to be obedient to whatever God shows you is best for your family. 

Focus on discipleship not academics.  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17.  Or, put another way: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3.  It is so easy to get focused on academics, from looking at curriculum (can anyone say “Bookfair?!), to just getting in a mode of "getting it done" everyday.  Let's face it, academic achievement is much more measurable than character development.    However, our children’s character development is vastly more important.  At the end of our lives, we won’t be wishing we had done another math or grammar lesson, but perhaps we will wish we had spent more time training our children in a certain area of their character in which we see them having difficulty.  We’re not at all suggesting throwing out the academics, just be willing to stop a lesson or veer from an intended lesson when the Lord leads.  We find that we can be driven to "get through" the schedule and have missed some valuable discipling opportunities over the years.  Perhaps you struggle with this too, if so, continue refocusing and keep discipleship your priority.  Remember Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

 Allow God to help you plan your child’s school.  Don’t rely on having the “newest” or “best” curriculum, even the ones from Cathy Duffy’s “Top 100 Picks”!  Take this advice from a homeschool mom recovering from “curriculum buying disorder” (aka- a curriculum junkie!).  God wants us to be practical and do all we know to do to organize, become informed, and prepare for the coming school year.  However, God loves and wants His best for your children and ours, even more than we do.  If we will absolutely surrender to Him, He will give insight to you (both husband and wife) about what He has planned for each of your children.   He is faithful to supply so that they will lack nothing.  Allow Him to orchestrate the days of your lives; to lead you to specific curriculum; to provide extra activities.  God has taught us through both good and bad situations: difficulties such as moves and miscarriages; provision of opportunities such as music lessons, living in a foreign country for a summer, Spanish lessons, mission trips, and apprenticeships.  We are not special; He will do the same for your family and it will all be uniquely tailored to your situation.  God always does more than we can ask or imagine when we follow His leading in planning school!

Recognize what homeschooling can do for you.  God showed us long ago that homeschooling wasn’t just about educating our children.  The venture through the homeschooling years is definitely a faith walk as well as being without question one of the most rewarding things we have ever done.  God is using daily life in the trenches of homeschooling as a tool to shape US to be more like Him.  As much as He cares about our children, He also cares about us, the parents of these children.  The daily possibility of “rubbing each other the wrong way” provides many opportunities to live out what we have learned from God’s Word.  It’s no secret; homeschooling can be very challenging, but through it, we can grow as well.  Luke 6:40 “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”  So often because of the busyness of life, we are tempted to try to do it on our own.  But the homeschooling lifestyle forces us to realize our desperate need for Him each day and the importance of spending time with Him in His Word and prayer. We hope you, too, will recognize God’s greater purposes in leading you to homeschool.

 What we have shared with you as practical ways to bring lessons learned at the conference to the reality of your daily homeschooling life are not earth shattering revelations, nor do we have it "all together" in these areas, but we hope that they have encouraged and reminded you (and us!) of things we probably already know, but need to remember anew.  Isaiah 58:11-12 is our prayer for your homeschool year:  “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.  Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”