1 : companionship, company
2 a : community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience b : the state of being a fellow or associate
3 : a company of equals or friends : association
4 : the quality or state of being comradely
5 obsolete : membership, partnership

I think we could all use some more fellowship (company, community, association, partnership) don't you?

Christmas really isn't about the presents.

And I tell myself that every year but this year I think God is helping us all to understand it's about relationship, not gifts.  And I find myself relieved, in a way, that we can't buy, buy, buy for Christmas.  Because it makes me stop and think.  What really is important to me at Christmas?

Is it that I want to have enough gifts under the tree for my kids?

Or is it teaching them about love, and fellowship, and togetherness?

What do I really want my kids to learn?

I'm sure, in my heart, that it's about relationship.

Now, if I can only get my brain to follow my heart I'll be in good shape.

IN HIM ALWAYS...

This morning I received an e-newsletter from CollegePlus!, in which an article by Lauren Bleser titled, "A Teacher Learns the Truth About Education,"  was shared.  Ms. Bleser's opening paragraph reads,

In 2002, I graduated with my Master’s degree as a reading specialist after having finished a teaching degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta. I was fast on my way to a full and busy career in the public school system when I was caught off guard by a homeschooling parent who asked if I could explain God’s mind on education. I had never really considered that before, always taking it for granted that we simply go through the system, memorize the information required, and graduate. This challenging question led me on a quest that changed the course of my life.

Bless that homeschooling parent, whomever he or she was...what a question!  It is one that every homeschooling parent should ponder.  Can you explain God's mind on education?  God's mind can be an intimidating thing to probe.  And yet, He desires us to do just that...by diving into the Scriptures. 

We are preparing our young adults, at this point in their lives, for independence.  In case you haven't taken a good, long, focused look at the world out there lately, you really ought to.  I'll warn you...it isn't pretty.  I know--I spend one hour a day, 4 days a week sitting in my local community college cafe or study lounge while waiting for my 16 year old son's German class to finish.  I do not have the "gift" of being able to simply "tune out" people's conversations.  I'm verbal.  I listen, whether I want to or not.  Words do not escape me.  The standard fare of conversation around me is typically what I would call "disgusting."  Often times the spiritual darkness that lives and thrives in this place feels stifling, oppressive, suffocating.  This time of week, I push myself to write this blog in the midst of the chatter.  Other days, I sit in front of my computer, or walk the halls, simply praying.  But I digress...

• Is your study of "Bible" in your homeschool viewed or treated by your student as a subject he must study and check off the "to do" list, just as history and math are? 
• Are you studying the Bible with a curriculum workbook that has them reading articles which explain the Bible to them, or tell them what the passages mean?  Are questions given in such a way that much of the answer is already given, with just a few "fill-in-the-blanks" required? 
• Is the time your student spends studying "Bible" going hand-in-hand with their history course?

None of these things are bad in and of themselves...it is vitally important that our students understand the Bible's role as a source of true history.  BUT...do they develop a hunger for and love of God's Word in our young people?  Do they bring about the things that our young adults are going to need in order to survive their first steps into independence--spiritual maturity, wisdom, and a consistent and close walk in obedience to Jesus Christ?

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10)

 "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." (Job 28:28)

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7)

We'll end here for today, and continue next week.  May God bless you and your homeschool this week!

Lori

Domestic Chaos Tamer and Homeschool Mom of Five, Dell writes about home, heart and hearth.

I found a very interesting website when researching this week's topic:

Cooking with the Bible

When you go to a recipe at this site, such as Elizabeth's Carob Cake, you will find the recipe, a photo, and also tabs that will take you to a Bible Reference page and the History page for that particular food.  

The site also has a  meals section  with links to recipes for each dish. 

I plan to spend more time at this site in the coming days, and perhaps take a look at the cookbook if I can find it at a local library. 

Another book that I find helpful in planning Biblical celebrations is Celebrating Biblical Feasts In Your Home or Church by Martha Zimmerman. 

I hope these sources help you to add some tasty foods in with your Biblical studies.

Blessings,

Catherine

 Catherine Love lives in the heart of Texas with her husband Carl, and their 3 daughters, Sarah, Hannah, and Cana.  They enjoy cooking, gardening, and learning new things as they seek to live a lifestyle of learning together as a family.  You can read Catherine's Kitchen Adventures and more on her blog- Seeds of Love.

I have been in need of that anchor in the last few months as I have been dealing with health issues.  These issues and the ensuing effects have caused me to doubt myself and my ability to educate my children.  I have even gotten so far as to seriously consider putting them in school after the Christmas break.  I feel like I have let my children down.  Not only am I not giving them a Classical Education but it might also be debated whether I am giving them any kind of education at all.

Those are the words that I mutter to myself when I sink into that bad place.  That dark, suffocating place that does not abide in hope.  I don't like that place so I combat it by turning to God's Word.  I read His Word and commit it to my spirit, so that when the darkness starts to enfold me, I can hold it off by the light of His Word.  

When I am at this place, there are quite a few scriptures that wards off the darkness.  Here are a few  that I have relied on in the last few months.

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.  Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.  Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of  truth.  (Ps. 31:3-5)

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.  (Ps. 31:24)

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness .  (Isaiah  41:10)

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.  (Ps. 5:3) 

I am so thankful for God's Word that I can cling to as my anchor through this rough time.  In clinging to His Word, I am assured that He will lead me to higher and drier ground  in time. 

Julia lives on the Canadian Prairies with her husband, homeschooling their 3 children (10,8,6) and is attempting to give them a Classical Education.  You can read more at her blog.