I've often wondered what the title of this post means.  I've heard it said many times, but honestly, I wasn't confidant I could define either term.  I knew those who used the two terms together were implying that Greek was bad and Hebrew was good, but beyond that, I was a little fuzzy.  In fact, I was leary that our way of teaching history chronologically was somehow too Greek-minded and that maybe Hebrew teaching was nothing but the Bible.

Recently, I stumbled across this definition, and finally made sense of it all!

To the Greeks, the goal of education was for the students to LEARN what their teachers KNEW. The focus was on their intellect. They focused on the content to be transferred from the teacher’s mind to that of the student. On the contrary, to the Hebrews the goal of education was for disciples to become LIKE their teachers. The focus was on their heart, their character, their life. The learner was not a "student" (defined by studying), but rather a "disciple" (defined by following). This is how Jesus taught. He said (Luke 6:40), "everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher." ~Jonathan Lindvall

This only served to solidify many of the thoughts that have been floating around in my head of late.  I need to reach my children's hearts, not just their brains.  In fact, if I do nothing else in a homeschool day, I need to have spent time focusing on their character and who they will become in Christ.  In addition to all of this, I need to be focusing on my own attitude and my own walk with our Lord. 

I am sure many of you have been accused of SHELTERING your child/children because you homeschool.  This is one of those words that makes us homeschoolers cringe...right up there with the word SOCIALIZATION.

Why is it that the fact that we like our children, want to have them near us, and actually enjoy parenting them has the rest of the world in an uproar?  But, what is even more disturbing to me is the reaction some homeschoolers have to the accusation of sheltering their children.

In response, many homeschoolers have tried to "prove" they are not sheltering their children.  They come up with a myriad of ways to look just like the rest of the world, demonstrating that somewhere within them, they too FEAR their children are too sheltered.  Maybe it is the countless anecdotal stories of the child who was "sheltered" only to rebel wildly once 18.  Maybe we don't truly believe home is the best place for our children.  Maybe we fear they will not know enough of the world to function once out on their own.  Whatever the reason, far too many of us are buying into the idea that shoving them out of the nest before they know how to fly is a good way to teach them to soar.

Rather than preaching at you, I thought I would link to two articles from Jonathan Lindvall's website Bold Christian Living that address the sheltering of our children.  I'd love to hear your comments on this issue!

Sheltering our Children Part 1 ~ God's Mandate to Holiness

Sheltering our Children Part 2 ~ Parental Responsibility for Influence

Things are going well for the most part.  I'm really enjoying spending more time with the kids just talking and playing.  I'm not constantly rushing them to get done with what they are doing so that we can get to the next thing.  Instead, I'm trying to take my time and really listen to what they have to say.  I must admit that this is not easy for me.  I tend to want to make myself heard and then move on without having any regard for their thoughts.  Shame on me!  But I am doing better.  Hopefully this will become habit and I won't have to work so hard at it.

We've played more games together the last few weeks than I can remember playing in the last few years.  And while we are playing we are having fun, not just trying to win or finish the game.  Almost every day Taylor reminds me that it's time for loving each other.  She really is very snuggly.

Our Bible and character training times are really merging together, but this might be a good thing.  It will help when we add other subjects back in.  Right now we are studying diligence.  We are also doing a family devotion after supper each night.  This really needs some spicing up.  The kids just want to get it over with so they can go play and it's turning into drudgery.  I don't want to just go through the motion.

I need some new ideas for serving others.  We've done cards, baking, pictures, letters, and outdoor chores.  Any suggestions?

We finished the first section in Growing with Grammar so I'm probably going to do a writing unit next.  Spelling is going well using the right-brain methods.  Math is still just so-so.  Some days are better than others.  My friend Charity made this video that is a very good picture of math at our house on most days.  She knows of our math woes so we were part of her inspiration. 

I  am really missing history.  Especially when I look at Kristen's blog and see all the fun that she is having with history projects.  Maybe we will be able to add it back in soon!

Yes, it is true. I brought home another animal. A brother in Christ passed away last week. He left a Great Dane. :) What a priviledge to give this sweet animal a home! He and our other dogs are getting along fairly well. Time will tell. He finally ate tonight dog food! He loves to go on walks and rides in the truck.  Just an update...

This poem was sent to me via e mail. It's very touching and very sad, that so many of our elderly are forgotten in nursing homes. But more than that, it's sad to that so many of the elderly are not saved and have no hope of eternity with the Lord. They've placed their faith in all the wrong things and they have nothing to look forward but an eternity of suffering and some don't even know it.. They have not placed thier faith in Jesus and what he did for them on the cross. They have not asked for forgiveness of their sins. They placed their trust ( in error) in man made doctrines and traditions to get them to Heaven. That is what is truly sad.

Crabby Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . What do you see?

What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me?

A crabby old man, . . . not very wise,

Uncertain of habit . . . . . . . . with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food . . . . . . . and makes no reply .

When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'

Who seems not to notice . . . the things that you do .

And forever is losing . . . . . . . . . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . . . . . . . . . lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking?   Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . . you're not looking at me .

I'll tell you who I am . As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding, . . . . . . as I eat at your will .

I'm a small child of Ten . . . . . . . with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters . . . .. . . . . . who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen . . with wings on his feet

Dreaming that soon now . . . . . a lover he'll meet .

A groom soon at Twenty . my heart gives a leap .

Remembering, the vows . . . . . . that I promised to keep .

At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . . . . . . I have young of my own .

Who need me to guide . . .. . And a secure happy home .

A man of Thirty . . . . . . . . . My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other .20. . . . . . With ties that should last .

At Forty, my young sons . . have grown and are gone,

But my woman's beside me . . . . . . . to see I don't mourn .

At Fifty, once more, . ......Babies play ' round my knee,

Again, we know children . . . . . . . My loved one and me .

Dark days are upon me . . My wife is now dead .

I look at the future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I shudder with dread .

For my young are all rearing . . . . . . young of their own .

And I think of the years . . . . . . . And the love that I've known .

I'm now an old man . . . . . . . . . and nature is cruel .

Tis jest to make old age . look like a fool .

The body, it crumbles . . . . . . . . . . grace and vigor, depart .

There is now a stone . .. . . . . . . where I once had a heart .

But inside this old carcass . . A young guy still dwells,

And now and again . . . .. . . . my battered heart swells

I remember the joys . . . . . . . . . . . I remember the pain .

And I'm loving and living . .. . . . . . . . . . . . life over again .

I think of the years . all too few . . . . . . gone too fast .

And accept the stark fact . . . . . . . . that nothing can last .

So open your eyes, people . . . . . . . . open and see..

Not a crabby old man ..   Look closer . . . . see . . . . . . . . ME!!

 Kristy

Also posted at..

This morning the weather was very nice, it was comfy outside and so bright and pretty. We decided to do school outside. We got all set up, we both got our ice tea and Brandon declared the day chip day!! We made it for 2 hours before it got to hot and we had to come inside.