TAKE THIS!
3 +
1 = 4
Blrrrrrrpppppppp!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Read Between the Lines
Okay- I'm back. Since I've been a slacker I thought this is a good comeback to my blogging days and ways. So all I have to say is:
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Apologetics
Dearest cult like blogger followers- you know who you are.
I apologize for neglecting you for the past few months. I will return soon with more antics of the Ross household. In the mean time, sit back and relax- all is well here after a tumultuous summer of one family crisis after another. Nothing the Lord hasn't handled and used for the good of those that love him. I hope to write more soon...until then...
I apologize for neglecting you for the past few months. I will return soon with more antics of the Ross household. In the mean time, sit back and relax- all is well here after a tumultuous summer of one family crisis after another. Nothing the Lord hasn't handled and used for the good of those that love him. I hope to write more soon...until then...
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Random acts of...
Ireson was in his bed, he was supposed to be sleeping, and I caught him with his feet up pushing up under the top bunk and tugging at this cover I made to hide/block the slats under the top bunk. During his acrobatics he pulled a part of the cover out from under one of the push pins nails that I had hammered in. After I startled him with my stealthy motherly moves and snuck up behind him and stood there, I told him that if he was caught again and ruined another spot on the cover than he would be disciplined and punished.
He sat there frozen and then with his big Eeyore eyes looked up at me with eager repentance and asked, "Punished? By God?"
I couldn't help but chuckle and replied, "No, God would be a LOT nicer and fair. You'd be punished by me!"
Apparently, that was satisfactory because then he said "Oh, okay," rolled over and went to sleep.
Today in Church, Ireson had to go for a potty break and he wanted me to go with him. So, as usual, we went into the ladies bathroom and into the large handicap stall where there is ample room for a fleet of family members to assist the youngins with their potty performing.
Now, lately at home I have been on the boys like crazy about their potty etiquette: turning the light on in the morning when you go to the bathroom, flush when you're done with going to the bathroom, aiming for the potty when you go to the bathroom, and most especially paying attention so you don't soak the floor or the potty when you go to the bathroom! I'm convinced there is no safe/non toxic chemical way to get the "you smell like you're in a gas station bathroom" smell out of the kids bathroom. Okay- perhaps it's not that bad but white tile and grout and 2 boys just don't go well together.
Anyhow, Ireson proceeded to stand in front of the potty at church and do his business when I hear him say with some panic in his voice, "MOM...I need your help."
"What's the problem buddy, just finish up?"
"Noooooo," he pleaded. "I'm all done but, (insert grunt and shoulder shrunking) I don't want to pee on God's potty and I just did!"
"Ireson, it's okay- he'll forgive you and I'll just clean it off." I reassured.
"Yeah, but this is HIS place and HIS potty and I don't want to mess up HIS stuff." he said very concerned.
"No problem buddy. See, I'll just clean it up right now and it's fine- see?" I said as I wiped it off with a wet wipe.
Big sigh of relief . "It's a good thing you know a lot about cleaning up potty's Mom."
"Yeah- I've had a LOT of practice."
He sat there frozen and then with his big Eeyore eyes looked up at me with eager repentance and asked, "Punished? By God?"
I couldn't help but chuckle and replied, "No, God would be a LOT nicer and fair. You'd be punished by me!"
Apparently, that was satisfactory because then he said "Oh, okay," rolled over and went to sleep.
Today in Church, Ireson had to go for a potty break and he wanted me to go with him. So, as usual, we went into the ladies bathroom and into the large handicap stall where there is ample room for a fleet of family members to assist the youngins with their potty performing.
Now, lately at home I have been on the boys like crazy about their potty etiquette: turning the light on in the morning when you go to the bathroom, flush when you're done with going to the bathroom, aiming for the potty when you go to the bathroom, and most especially paying attention so you don't soak the floor or the potty when you go to the bathroom! I'm convinced there is no safe/non toxic chemical way to get the "you smell like you're in a gas station bathroom" smell out of the kids bathroom. Okay- perhaps it's not that bad but white tile and grout and 2 boys just don't go well together.
Anyhow, Ireson proceeded to stand in front of the potty at church and do his business when I hear him say with some panic in his voice, "MOM...I need your help."
"What's the problem buddy, just finish up?"
"Noooooo," he pleaded. "I'm all done but, (insert grunt and shoulder shrunking) I don't want to pee on God's potty and I just did!"
"Ireson, it's okay- he'll forgive you and I'll just clean it off." I reassured.
"Yeah, but this is HIS place and HIS potty and I don't want to mess up HIS stuff." he said very concerned.
"No problem buddy. See, I'll just clean it up right now and it's fine- see?" I said as I wiped it off with a wet wipe.
Big sigh of relief . "It's a good thing you know a lot about cleaning up potty's Mom."
"Yeah- I've had a LOT of practice."
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
No really, what About Socialization?
By: Rebecca Kochenderfer
Seriously- people still ask that question.
If only homeschoolers had a nickel for every time they heard the question, "…but what about socialization?" I'd be rich! That infamous socialization question, for any seasoned homeschooler, is quite a humorous one!
Although non-homeschoolers worry that homeschooling may turn children into social misfits, we know that the opposite is true and the positive socialization is one of the best reasons to homeschool your children.
For centuries, children have learned socialization within the context of their own family and community. Institutionalized education is relatively new to the human condition. It is, and it always has been, through the home environment, that children learn the vast majority of their socialization skills.
[I've also heard the "well, eventually they'll have to face the real world." Exactly! And where does most of our "real world" happen when a child's grown?- IN THE HOME. And where do we want them learning the skills of how to "deal with the real world"? FROM THE HOMEMAKER! Homeschooled kids are out in the community dealing and communicating with people of ALL ages, ALL ethnic backgrounds, of ALL socioeconomic classes, ALL the time. Just because one is home-educated doesn't mean they're home alone. Yes, people still think this. Being stuck behind 4 walls for 8 hours a day with only people of their own age and maturity doesn't define effective socialization to me.]
Research supports this. According to Home Schooling and the Question of Socialization by Richard G. Medlin, "Home-schooled children are taking part in the daily routines of their communities. They are certainly not isolated; in fact, they associate with--and feel close to--all sorts of people."
He continues, "Home schooling parents can take much of the credit for this. For, with their children's long-term social development in mind, they actively encourage their children to take advantage of social opportunities outside the family. Home-schooled children are acquiring the rules of behavior and systems of beliefs and attitudes they need. They have good self-esteem and are likely to display fewer behavior problems than do other children. They may be more socially mature and have better leadership skills than other children as well. And they appear to be functioning effectively as members of adult society."
This and other studies support the irony of the socialization issue in homeschooling that we have known for years, which is that traditional schools are actually more on a path of de-socialization. In traditional schools students learn to stay in a class to which they've been assigned and are grouped according to age and academic level, and generally with students from the same geographic area and socio-economic background.
So in a sense, as I like to say, many people are homeschooling because of socialization reasons.
I remember my daughter, while she was in a traditional school, getting in trouble because she wanted to talk to her friends in class and the teacher kept saying ‘We're not here to socialize, young lady." The structure and reality of traditional schools are teaching students to be passive and compliant, which can follow the children throughout life. Children can learn to take abuse, to ignore miserable bosses or abusive spouses later on. In a traditional school someone else usurps authority.
This is where homeschooling comes in. Kids in homeschooling develop self-confidence and self-esteem; they learn to deal with difficult people when they are developmentally ready. When they are ready to go out into the world they know they have choices, a foundation developed in homeschooling.
So, the big question in homeschooling socialization is "Who do we want them learning life skills from? Caring adults, or peers who don't know any more than they do?"
In other words, socialization in homeschooling works better because children have more opportunities to be socialized through the modeling of good social behavior by caring adults rather than through peers, who do not know much more than they do. Parents give their kids the skills they need to interact with other people and also have the chance to protect their children.
Now what about the good stuff like Prom and Graduation? Many non-homeschoolers ask if I feel that I am depriving my daughter of these experiences. However, my daughter both participated in Prom and Graduation—they were just not organized by the state or a school. Many states and homeschool organizations have established proms and graduations for homeschoolers and a homeschooling family can even create their own private way to celebrate rites of passage.
Homeschoolers can participate in these activities because learning is faster in a homeschool setting, which means that students have more time to socialize. Contrary to popular belief, students are not at home chained to the kitchen table and crying over their worksheets every day, or peering out their work room windows with fear and disdain!
Quite the opposite! Homeschooling gives children more time to be out in the world, with people of different ages so they can figure out where their place in the world is, what they like/dislike, etc. With the extra time, homeschoolers also make an effort to create socialization opportunities for themselves, and to take advantage of those offered in their communities.
Organized spelling and geography bees, math leagues, and science clubs give homeschoolers a chance to compete academically; and swimming, soccer, baseball and other sports also allow them to interact with their peers in athletic competition.
Scouting, 4-H, and other activities are community-based and open to anyone and so provide homeschoolers with a variety of choices for socialization. Below are some other useful ideas for finding chances to socialize.
Opportunities to Socialize:
Get connected with homeschooling support groups, both state and local organizations.
(Homeschool.com has a complete list of local homeschooling support groups at: http://www.homeschool.com/supportgroups)
Find pen pals or e-pals (email).
Participate in homeschool family get-togethers, where you can often find out about non-publicized cooperative classes and field trips.
Get involved in community resources and opportunities - sports, scouting, dance/theater, etc. Contact your local parks and recreation departments.
Check out your community college, which is a good source for older students and allows them to interact with a lot of different people of different ages.
Volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to socialize but be aware there may be age restrictions, but some organizations will allow a child to accompany a parent volunteer.
Look into Camps. Camp is a wonderful chance for socialization and most camps have multi-age groups and counselors who act as role models.
Think about summer school, which is an opportunity to experience a school setting.
The homeschool support groups mentioned above work as support for the entire homeschooling family, which is important because homeschooling parents also need socialization; they need to have support, advice, and a sounding board from time-to-time and it is especially helpful if it is another homeschooling parent. Homeschooling organizations make it a priority to provide support for the homeschooling family and to allow them to feel connected.
So, as we've always known, there is no "socialization issue" in homeschooling. If anything, homeschoolers make a concerted effort to seek out and engage in many social activities and in many ways have more opportunities for doing so than traditionally schooled children do.
*This article published November 3, 2009.
Seriously- people still ask that question.
If only homeschoolers had a nickel for every time they heard the question, "…but what about socialization?" I'd be rich! That infamous socialization question, for any seasoned homeschooler, is quite a humorous one!
Although non-homeschoolers worry that homeschooling may turn children into social misfits, we know that the opposite is true and the positive socialization is one of the best reasons to homeschool your children.
For centuries, children have learned socialization within the context of their own family and community. Institutionalized education is relatively new to the human condition. It is, and it always has been, through the home environment, that children learn the vast majority of their socialization skills.
[I've also heard the "well, eventually they'll have to face the real world." Exactly! And where does most of our "real world" happen when a child's grown?- IN THE HOME. And where do we want them learning the skills of how to "deal with the real world"? FROM THE HOMEMAKER! Homeschooled kids are out in the community dealing and communicating with people of ALL ages, ALL ethnic backgrounds, of ALL socioeconomic classes, ALL the time. Just because one is home-educated doesn't mean they're home alone. Yes, people still think this. Being stuck behind 4 walls for 8 hours a day with only people of their own age and maturity doesn't define effective socialization to me.]
Research supports this. According to Home Schooling and the Question of Socialization by Richard G. Medlin, "Home-schooled children are taking part in the daily routines of their communities. They are certainly not isolated; in fact, they associate with--and feel close to--all sorts of people."
He continues, "Home schooling parents can take much of the credit for this. For, with their children's long-term social development in mind, they actively encourage their children to take advantage of social opportunities outside the family. Home-schooled children are acquiring the rules of behavior and systems of beliefs and attitudes they need. They have good self-esteem and are likely to display fewer behavior problems than do other children. They may be more socially mature and have better leadership skills than other children as well. And they appear to be functioning effectively as members of adult society."
This and other studies support the irony of the socialization issue in homeschooling that we have known for years, which is that traditional schools are actually more on a path of de-socialization. In traditional schools students learn to stay in a class to which they've been assigned and are grouped according to age and academic level, and generally with students from the same geographic area and socio-economic background.
So in a sense, as I like to say, many people are homeschooling because of socialization reasons.
I remember my daughter, while she was in a traditional school, getting in trouble because she wanted to talk to her friends in class and the teacher kept saying ‘We're not here to socialize, young lady." The structure and reality of traditional schools are teaching students to be passive and compliant, which can follow the children throughout life. Children can learn to take abuse, to ignore miserable bosses or abusive spouses later on. In a traditional school someone else usurps authority.
This is where homeschooling comes in. Kids in homeschooling develop self-confidence and self-esteem; they learn to deal with difficult people when they are developmentally ready. When they are ready to go out into the world they know they have choices, a foundation developed in homeschooling.
So, the big question in homeschooling socialization is "Who do we want them learning life skills from? Caring adults, or peers who don't know any more than they do?"
In other words, socialization in homeschooling works better because children have more opportunities to be socialized through the modeling of good social behavior by caring adults rather than through peers, who do not know much more than they do. Parents give their kids the skills they need to interact with other people and also have the chance to protect their children.
Now what about the good stuff like Prom and Graduation? Many non-homeschoolers ask if I feel that I am depriving my daughter of these experiences. However, my daughter both participated in Prom and Graduation—they were just not organized by the state or a school. Many states and homeschool organizations have established proms and graduations for homeschoolers and a homeschooling family can even create their own private way to celebrate rites of passage.
Homeschoolers can participate in these activities because learning is faster in a homeschool setting, which means that students have more time to socialize. Contrary to popular belief, students are not at home chained to the kitchen table and crying over their worksheets every day, or peering out their work room windows with fear and disdain!
Quite the opposite! Homeschooling gives children more time to be out in the world, with people of different ages so they can figure out where their place in the world is, what they like/dislike, etc. With the extra time, homeschoolers also make an effort to create socialization opportunities for themselves, and to take advantage of those offered in their communities.
Organized spelling and geography bees, math leagues, and science clubs give homeschoolers a chance to compete academically; and swimming, soccer, baseball and other sports also allow them to interact with their peers in athletic competition.
Scouting, 4-H, and other activities are community-based and open to anyone and so provide homeschoolers with a variety of choices for socialization. Below are some other useful ideas for finding chances to socialize.
Opportunities to Socialize:
Get connected with homeschooling support groups, both state and local organizations.
(Homeschool.com has a complete list of local homeschooling support groups at: http://www.homeschool.com/supportgroups)
Find pen pals or e-pals (email).
Participate in homeschool family get-togethers, where you can often find out about non-publicized cooperative classes and field trips.
Get involved in community resources and opportunities - sports, scouting, dance/theater, etc. Contact your local parks and recreation departments.
Check out your community college, which is a good source for older students and allows them to interact with a lot of different people of different ages.
Volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to socialize but be aware there may be age restrictions, but some organizations will allow a child to accompany a parent volunteer.
Look into Camps. Camp is a wonderful chance for socialization and most camps have multi-age groups and counselors who act as role models.
Think about summer school, which is an opportunity to experience a school setting.
The homeschool support groups mentioned above work as support for the entire homeschooling family, which is important because homeschooling parents also need socialization; they need to have support, advice, and a sounding board from time-to-time and it is especially helpful if it is another homeschooling parent. Homeschooling organizations make it a priority to provide support for the homeschooling family and to allow them to feel connected.
So, as we've always known, there is no "socialization issue" in homeschooling. If anything, homeschoolers make a concerted effort to seek out and engage in many social activities and in many ways have more opportunities for doing so than traditionally schooled children do.
*This article published November 3, 2009.
Why I Homeschool
Below is an editorial piece that completely speaks too much of the frustrations I’ve been facing lately primarily from dealing with the ignorance and persecution coming from within the brotherhood of believers. I don’t get offended easily, we're told to expect this type of persecution, yet I’m finding myself more and more aggravated at the blatant ignorance and stupidity, often by choice, of many who choose to ignore walking the “countercultural road” rather than “the only ever traveled road.”
I do thorough research on things, so far as checking footnotes and references for verification. All through Nursing School they ingrane in you the need for research, research, research. Yet, most nurses I know come out of school believeing that what the FDA says and does is sacred, the end all be all of health, if you will, and they fail to ever do their own research.
When I feel I need to form a Biblical opinion about something, eg. nutrition, medical interventions, how to use our bodies for exercise, healthy living, etc. I research it, thoroughly. Once I’ve heard about something “different” I believe it is my responsibility to figure it out based on sound and thorough research. I don’t just believe something because “that’s they way most people do it/believe it” (you can’t follow that line of thinking when it comes to your religious beliefs- why would you take that approach with anything else even half as important?) Or the attitute of “that’s how it’s always been done”, or “because I turned out alright.” That attitude right there should indicate that we’re not alright and that line of thought doesn’t hold up to scriptural scrutiny. If I need to assert my “own” opinions, I prefer to take them straight from scripture, 1-because it’s easier to effectively argue a point because God always wins:), and 2- I believe we are “thoroughly equipped” as it says, not partially equipped “for every good work” and we need look no further than the Bible for the answers.
Where I could use further assistance and practice is in the part of the delivery of these biblical opinions and communicating them effectively in a positive and convicting matter. I think the following article does a great job of that for me as it is a powerful, straight forward article that confronts, affirms, and convicts. It’s fairly lengthy so I will post it in numerous posts divided by primary subject. If I have anything more to say then I’ll insert my own comments in brackets as well. I post this within an American context of course and how it relates to our individual society and cultural.
Homeschooling: Living Out a Christian Worldview
Dr. Deborah Wuehler, Senior Editor
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
“Homeschooling is most likely the best option for your family, but we don’t feel that God has called us to homeschool.” I’ve heard this from many Christians. I’m sure you have heard it as well. How do you respond to a statement that sounds so spiritual?
If we are not thinking Biblically, we might make the mistake of passing that statement off as a good reason not to educate our children at home. However, we are aware of God’s principles related to the instruction of our children, which are recorded in His Word, then we know that this statement does not and cannot stand.
So, what exactly has God “called” us to do? He has called us to live a life of obedience. (See Deut 6:4-7 and Ephesians 6:4)
In simple terms, living a life of obedience to God means living out a Biblical worldview. It means that we are to obey God’s commands, principals, and precepts taught in the Word of God as they relate to our lives- on a daily basis. But when the rubber hits the personal preference road, many of us either forget or don’t take the time to find out what that worldview should be.
The worldview of many Christians is so broad that it covers only the big picture. Thy believe in Jesus, go to church, and pray when they need to…Many, however, do not live out a Biblical worldview on a daily, more personal level, making every life decision based on Biblical principles. Decisions about marriage, family, finances, entertainment, and education are often made without even a though as to what is laid out in Scripture on the matter, and therefore such Christians unknowingly adopt the cultural, hence secular, worldview.
Let’s look briefly at some of these areas and identify the differences between the secular worldview and a Biblical or Christian worldview. [I posted Marriage and Entertainment in later posts.]
Education
A secular worldview is normally the only worldview in our public institutions, whether in elementary or higher education. Humanism and tolerance training are inherent within the system. Even now, homosexual organizations such as GLSEN and cohorts are pushing the anti-bullying legislation for all schools. This is really not about anti-bullying at all but rather is a pro-homosexual agenda to try to control the education world and promote tolerance for all of their godless behaviors and vain philosophies. [A most excellent point of this article!] The children they are purporting to protect are actually being subjected to a far worse end scenario of godlessness. Planned Parenthood unceasingly reaches into the school system to promote their abortion agenda, and all manner of anti-God agencies come into the schools to talk to little children-with or without parental acknowledgment or permission.
Under the guise of compulsory education, the public education system has slowly and systematically taken children captive in order to teach them the philosophies of the enemy. The lie is that only the government knows how and what to teach your children. The flipside of that lie is that you know nothing about teaching. Another deception parents have bought into is the lie that public education is neutral. What parent don’t see, and may not see until their children are grown, is that they are being bought by vain philosophies and sold to ideas that contradict those of God. The truth is that the public school institution is more about indoctrination than it is about education. Everything from atheistic curricula (especially the sciences), to amoral, relativistic ethics, to tolerance of homosexuality (and every other form of sensuality), all in unison, serve as a constant drumbeat aimed at undermining our children’s Christian foundation. These are the very philosophies and “strong holds” that the Apostle Paul says we are supposed to be warring against- II Cor 10:4-5. Paul says that it’s we, the Church, that are supposed to be “pulling” and “Casting down…every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God….” How is it, then, that 80% -90% of us have our children enrolled in the very institution that opposes God on every front? [The latest documentation finds that 1 in every 25 school aged children (K-12th grade) is homeschooled! I've verified this statistic as I like to do! That's one in every classroom and those are the kids that have to be "reported" to their County Governments. Some states don't require you to "report" that you're going to hs. That's over 3% of all school aged children in the country are hs-ed. It's obviously growing for obvious reasons.] We are raising our children to be disciples of Christ today, but if we don’t bring our children home, whose disciples do you suppose they will be tomorrow.
Therefore, the real issue has nothing to do with education or schooling or academics. The real issue is DISCIPLESHIP! [I’ve always told people when explaining why we homeschool- that it’s a matter of character and it's a discipleship issue not an academic issue.] Even the subjects we think of in terms of strict “Academics”- even these should be taught from a Biblical perspective. [This is a lot easier to do than people think. All subjects are God’s and of God and there are numerous curriculum plans out there that teach you "how to teach" and do so from the biblical perspective.]
Let’s look at what the Bible says at the very beginning: Creation. God made Adam and Eve and gave them children. God taught Adam and Eve, and they taught their children. God created the family unit, and discipleship was to occur naturally within that unit. Throughout Scripture, God tells fathers (and by default, and under their authority, mothers, too) to “teach your children that they may teach their children.” [This is not just in regard to God’s ways, this is where ALL knowledge begins. Look at the context!] This is where all knowledge begins. God created the family unit so that first and foremost children might be taught and trained to embrace the wisdom and knowledge of God. Therefore, I believe home education is one piece of the big picture of walking out a Biblical worldview.
Why should we keep our children home? Because God created the sacred institution of family, with fathers and mothers as the teachers and trainers and nurturers of their own children. We must take seriously the assignment God has given us to train up generations for His glory and His purposes. To do that, we must protect them from vain philosophies. We also must disciple them-with instruction and by daily example-to follow after righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. We must teach them to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life. Most importantly, as Deuteronomy 6:4-7 proclaims, we are to teach our children-all day long-to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. God is still looking to bless those whose hearts are fully His, “but without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb 11:6)
Homeschooling ensures that our children are not left on their own to defend themselves against the attacks of the enemy, which daily are carried out through the teachings of a secular worldview. As homeschooling parents, we are right there with our children, discipling, protecting, sheltering, teaching, and training them, so that when they become older and more mature, they will be able to face the world on their own, and do so in victory. They will grow up to become true ambassadors for Christ, representing the King, because we have taught them on a daily basis to honor that King.3
“But though, O man of God, bless these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (I Timothy 6:11-12) “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…” (II Cor 5:20)
Homeschooling is living out a Christian worldview in our daily lives. It’s saying we don’t belong to this culture; we belong to God, as do our children. God rewards families that are fully His. Keep those children Home Where They Belong.
Editor’s Note: An extensive list of Scriptures that promote home education may be found at the following link: http://TheHomeschoolMagazine.com/ScripturalSupport.php
Endnotes:
1. www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1300.pdf, accessed November 18, 2010.
2. Craig Groeschel, The Christian Theist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist, Zondervan, 2010
3. Several excerpts in this section were taken from HomeschoolBlogger.com’s Free Classes presentation of “Why Homeschool?” (http://homeschoolblogger.com/webinar/homeschooling-teaching-a-love-of-reading). Scroll down to the second presentation by Deborah Wuehler.
I do thorough research on things, so far as checking footnotes and references for verification. All through Nursing School they ingrane in you the need for research, research, research. Yet, most nurses I know come out of school believeing that what the FDA says and does is sacred, the end all be all of health, if you will, and they fail to ever do their own research.
When I feel I need to form a Biblical opinion about something, eg. nutrition, medical interventions, how to use our bodies for exercise, healthy living, etc. I research it, thoroughly. Once I’ve heard about something “different” I believe it is my responsibility to figure it out based on sound and thorough research. I don’t just believe something because “that’s they way most people do it/believe it” (you can’t follow that line of thinking when it comes to your religious beliefs- why would you take that approach with anything else even half as important?) Or the attitute of “that’s how it’s always been done”, or “because I turned out alright.” That attitude right there should indicate that we’re not alright and that line of thought doesn’t hold up to scriptural scrutiny. If I need to assert my “own” opinions, I prefer to take them straight from scripture, 1-because it’s easier to effectively argue a point because God always wins:), and 2- I believe we are “thoroughly equipped” as it says, not partially equipped “for every good work” and we need look no further than the Bible for the answers.
Where I could use further assistance and practice is in the part of the delivery of these biblical opinions and communicating them effectively in a positive and convicting matter. I think the following article does a great job of that for me as it is a powerful, straight forward article that confronts, affirms, and convicts. It’s fairly lengthy so I will post it in numerous posts divided by primary subject. If I have anything more to say then I’ll insert my own comments in brackets as well. I post this within an American context of course and how it relates to our individual society and cultural.
Homeschooling: Living Out a Christian Worldview
Dr. Deborah Wuehler, Senior Editor
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
“Homeschooling is most likely the best option for your family, but we don’t feel that God has called us to homeschool.” I’ve heard this from many Christians. I’m sure you have heard it as well. How do you respond to a statement that sounds so spiritual?
If we are not thinking Biblically, we might make the mistake of passing that statement off as a good reason not to educate our children at home. However, we are aware of God’s principles related to the instruction of our children, which are recorded in His Word, then we know that this statement does not and cannot stand.
So, what exactly has God “called” us to do? He has called us to live a life of obedience. (See Deut 6:4-7 and Ephesians 6:4)
In simple terms, living a life of obedience to God means living out a Biblical worldview. It means that we are to obey God’s commands, principals, and precepts taught in the Word of God as they relate to our lives- on a daily basis. But when the rubber hits the personal preference road, many of us either forget or don’t take the time to find out what that worldview should be.
The worldview of many Christians is so broad that it covers only the big picture. Thy believe in Jesus, go to church, and pray when they need to…Many, however, do not live out a Biblical worldview on a daily, more personal level, making every life decision based on Biblical principles. Decisions about marriage, family, finances, entertainment, and education are often made without even a though as to what is laid out in Scripture on the matter, and therefore such Christians unknowingly adopt the cultural, hence secular, worldview.
Let’s look briefly at some of these areas and identify the differences between the secular worldview and a Biblical or Christian worldview. [I posted Marriage and Entertainment in later posts.]
Education
A secular worldview is normally the only worldview in our public institutions, whether in elementary or higher education. Humanism and tolerance training are inherent within the system. Even now, homosexual organizations such as GLSEN and cohorts are pushing the anti-bullying legislation for all schools. This is really not about anti-bullying at all but rather is a pro-homosexual agenda to try to control the education world and promote tolerance for all of their godless behaviors and vain philosophies. [A most excellent point of this article!] The children they are purporting to protect are actually being subjected to a far worse end scenario of godlessness. Planned Parenthood unceasingly reaches into the school system to promote their abortion agenda, and all manner of anti-God agencies come into the schools to talk to little children-with or without parental acknowledgment or permission.
Under the guise of compulsory education, the public education system has slowly and systematically taken children captive in order to teach them the philosophies of the enemy. The lie is that only the government knows how and what to teach your children. The flipside of that lie is that you know nothing about teaching. Another deception parents have bought into is the lie that public education is neutral. What parent don’t see, and may not see until their children are grown, is that they are being bought by vain philosophies and sold to ideas that contradict those of God. The truth is that the public school institution is more about indoctrination than it is about education. Everything from atheistic curricula (especially the sciences), to amoral, relativistic ethics, to tolerance of homosexuality (and every other form of sensuality), all in unison, serve as a constant drumbeat aimed at undermining our children’s Christian foundation. These are the very philosophies and “strong holds” that the Apostle Paul says we are supposed to be warring against- II Cor 10:4-5. Paul says that it’s we, the Church, that are supposed to be “pulling” and “Casting down…every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God….” How is it, then, that 80% -90% of us have our children enrolled in the very institution that opposes God on every front? [The latest documentation finds that 1 in every 25 school aged children (K-12th grade) is homeschooled! I've verified this statistic as I like to do! That's one in every classroom and those are the kids that have to be "reported" to their County Governments. Some states don't require you to "report" that you're going to hs. That's over 3% of all school aged children in the country are hs-ed. It's obviously growing for obvious reasons.] We are raising our children to be disciples of Christ today, but if we don’t bring our children home, whose disciples do you suppose they will be tomorrow.
Therefore, the real issue has nothing to do with education or schooling or academics. The real issue is DISCIPLESHIP! [I’ve always told people when explaining why we homeschool- that it’s a matter of character and it's a discipleship issue not an academic issue.] Even the subjects we think of in terms of strict “Academics”- even these should be taught from a Biblical perspective. [This is a lot easier to do than people think. All subjects are God’s and of God and there are numerous curriculum plans out there that teach you "how to teach" and do so from the biblical perspective.]
Let’s look at what the Bible says at the very beginning: Creation. God made Adam and Eve and gave them children. God taught Adam and Eve, and they taught their children. God created the family unit, and discipleship was to occur naturally within that unit. Throughout Scripture, God tells fathers (and by default, and under their authority, mothers, too) to “teach your children that they may teach their children.” [This is not just in regard to God’s ways, this is where ALL knowledge begins. Look at the context!] This is where all knowledge begins. God created the family unit so that first and foremost children might be taught and trained to embrace the wisdom and knowledge of God. Therefore, I believe home education is one piece of the big picture of walking out a Biblical worldview.
Why should we keep our children home? Because God created the sacred institution of family, with fathers and mothers as the teachers and trainers and nurturers of their own children. We must take seriously the assignment God has given us to train up generations for His glory and His purposes. To do that, we must protect them from vain philosophies. We also must disciple them-with instruction and by daily example-to follow after righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. We must teach them to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life. Most importantly, as Deuteronomy 6:4-7 proclaims, we are to teach our children-all day long-to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. God is still looking to bless those whose hearts are fully His, “but without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb 11:6)
Homeschooling ensures that our children are not left on their own to defend themselves against the attacks of the enemy, which daily are carried out through the teachings of a secular worldview. As homeschooling parents, we are right there with our children, discipling, protecting, sheltering, teaching, and training them, so that when they become older and more mature, they will be able to face the world on their own, and do so in victory. They will grow up to become true ambassadors for Christ, representing the King, because we have taught them on a daily basis to honor that King.3
“But though, O man of God, bless these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (I Timothy 6:11-12) “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…” (II Cor 5:20)
Homeschooling is living out a Christian worldview in our daily lives. It’s saying we don’t belong to this culture; we belong to God, as do our children. God rewards families that are fully His. Keep those children Home Where They Belong.
Editor’s Note: An extensive list of Scriptures that promote home education may be found at the following link: http://TheHomeschoolMagazine.com/ScripturalSupport.php
Endnotes:
1. www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1300.pdf, accessed November 18, 2010.
2. Craig Groeschel, The Christian Theist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist, Zondervan, 2010
3. Several excerpts in this section were taken from HomeschoolBlogger.com’s Free Classes presentation of “Why Homeschool?” (http://homeschoolblogger.com/webinar/homeschooling-teaching-a-love-of-reading). Scroll down to the second presentation by Deborah Wuehler.
Biblical Worldview of Marriage
Marriage
The world today picks a spouse like they pick their favorite ice cream or football team: they hope for compatibility, love, and loyalty but fin that none of these is long-lasting. Consequently, their crumbling moral foundation, which is based on a religion of self-pleasure, brings separation and divorce to more than half of those who wed. In 2007, for every 10.9 marriages per a population of 1,000, there were 5.4 divorces. In the US alone, there were 10,6000,000 single parent households.1 Unfortunately, a comparable percentage of divorce exists within our churches. One reason may be that those in the church have followed the world’s patterns and have not lived out a Biblical worldview of full commitment to their spouses, and more importantly, to God. Therefore, their commitment wanes and ebbs in perfect sync with a lack of conviction to uphold the vows they made before God and man. Following God’s principles for marriage “until death do we part” just isn’t in their worldview.
The Biblical fact that God hates divorce is ignored while couple after couple break their vows and pastors turn their heads the other way and fail to respond with proper disciplinary measure. (See Malachi 2:13-16.) A Christian worldview of marriage upholds the Biblical principle of keeping vows made both to and before a holy God, who takes these vows much more seriously than we do, as is evident in the Church.
We do not pledge our marriage vows as an experiment that is easily turned aside when things get difficult, any more than we pledge our lives to Christ as an experiment and abandon Him when “life doesn’t work out.” As our society rejects God’s design for marriage, marriage partners end up rejecting each other. In my own personal view, this “try it on” view of marriage stems from the “try it on” view that a superficial dating system provides beforehand. No commitment necessary obviously leads to no commitment ever-at least half of the time. [I have said this since I was a teenager! The whole “you’re young, date for fun, fall in love, a relationship shouldn’t be hard work but feel easy, God just wants us to be happy” mentality makes me sick. First of all, “falling in love” is NOT a biblical term or concept. I hate that term. Love is a decision, plain and simple. We shouldn’t be encouraging our young people to date unless they can say “this person would be a person that God wants me to marry and I should pursue that for his Glory to bring them and me closer to God. If this relationship doesn’t accomplish that then don’t waste you time.” You can’t find biblical support to think otherwise, I challenge you. God doesn’t “just” want us to be happy, he wants us to be holy! Second of all, every single problem in a marriage, or any relationship for that matter, stems from selfishness. “The center of sin is always I.”]
“Before this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” (Ephesians 5:31-33)
The world today picks a spouse like they pick their favorite ice cream or football team: they hope for compatibility, love, and loyalty but fin that none of these is long-lasting. Consequently, their crumbling moral foundation, which is based on a religion of self-pleasure, brings separation and divorce to more than half of those who wed. In 2007, for every 10.9 marriages per a population of 1,000, there were 5.4 divorces. In the US alone, there were 10,6000,000 single parent households.1 Unfortunately, a comparable percentage of divorce exists within our churches. One reason may be that those in the church have followed the world’s patterns and have not lived out a Biblical worldview of full commitment to their spouses, and more importantly, to God. Therefore, their commitment wanes and ebbs in perfect sync with a lack of conviction to uphold the vows they made before God and man. Following God’s principles for marriage “until death do we part” just isn’t in their worldview.
The Biblical fact that God hates divorce is ignored while couple after couple break their vows and pastors turn their heads the other way and fail to respond with proper disciplinary measure. (See Malachi 2:13-16.) A Christian worldview of marriage upholds the Biblical principle of keeping vows made both to and before a holy God, who takes these vows much more seriously than we do, as is evident in the Church.
We do not pledge our marriage vows as an experiment that is easily turned aside when things get difficult, any more than we pledge our lives to Christ as an experiment and abandon Him when “life doesn’t work out.” As our society rejects God’s design for marriage, marriage partners end up rejecting each other. In my own personal view, this “try it on” view of marriage stems from the “try it on” view that a superficial dating system provides beforehand. No commitment necessary obviously leads to no commitment ever-at least half of the time. [I have said this since I was a teenager! The whole “you’re young, date for fun, fall in love, a relationship shouldn’t be hard work but feel easy, God just wants us to be happy” mentality makes me sick. First of all, “falling in love” is NOT a biblical term or concept. I hate that term. Love is a decision, plain and simple. We shouldn’t be encouraging our young people to date unless they can say “this person would be a person that God wants me to marry and I should pursue that for his Glory to bring them and me closer to God. If this relationship doesn’t accomplish that then don’t waste you time.” You can’t find biblical support to think otherwise, I challenge you. God doesn’t “just” want us to be happy, he wants us to be holy! Second of all, every single problem in a marriage, or any relationship for that matter, stems from selfishness. “The center of sin is always I.”]
“Before this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” (Ephesians 5:31-33)
Biblical View of Finances and Entertainment
Finances and Entertainment
Where we spend our finances and where we spend our time declares our worldview. A secular worldview spends its finances and time on self and pleasure. High-cost housing, food, clothing, and Hollywood entertainment fill a secular worldview with a motto of “Live well now!” Add to that the “what’s in it for me?” worldview and you have a formula for a society imploding in its own selfishness. [I love that phrase!] This entertainment/entitlement philosophy has obviously made its way into the Church, blurring the lines between secular and sacred. This ought not to be. To stay in balance here, I’ll quote author Craig Groeschel: “God isn’t against people having money and things, but He certainly hates when money and things have His people.”2 [One most often misquoted verse is “money is the root of all evil.” Money isn’t the root of all evil- the Bible says “the LOVE of money is the root…” Again, it’s vital to examine scripture closely.]
A Biblical worldview spends its finances wisely so as to share with the poor and spread the Gospel. Those who hold to a Biblical worldview spend their time on things that are worthy of honor before God. They set no wicked thing before their eyes. They do not waste precious time on fruitless entertainment but rather deepen their relationships with God, family, neighbors, and country thereby being “entertained” with real life. (See Colossians 3:1-4)
[It blows me away that, in even the financially strained economical state of our society, the entertainment world continues to be the largest growing self pleasure industry. I know so many people that complain “I’ve got no money” and yet continue to spend near $100/month on their satellite TV, go out to eat numerous times a week, spend $100s/month on their souped-up phones and app packages, and yet “feel the pressure” of these “hard times.” It’s hard to have sympathy for those who refuse to help themselves and radically amputate that which enables their habitual irresponsiblity. Let’s be honest, we choose to work to maintain the lifestyle that we chose for ourselves. Granted there are the exceptional cases of necessities for a 2-income family like the need for health insurance, etc. though very few and far between.]
Biblical view of finances:
“And if thou draw out they soul dot the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall they light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday; And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy they soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” (Isaiah 58: 10-11)
“Wherefore do ye spend your money for that which is not bread? And your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good.” (Is 55:2)
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.” (I Timothy 6:17-19)
Biblical view of your time
“That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (I Peter 2:7)
Biblical view of entertainment:
“I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me; I will not know a wicked person.” (Psalms 101:2-4)
Much like the aforementioned views on marriage, family, finances, and time, our final focus on education also will prove to be insightful as it relates to our worldview.
Where we spend our finances and where we spend our time declares our worldview. A secular worldview spends its finances and time on self and pleasure. High-cost housing, food, clothing, and Hollywood entertainment fill a secular worldview with a motto of “Live well now!” Add to that the “what’s in it for me?” worldview and you have a formula for a society imploding in its own selfishness. [I love that phrase!] This entertainment/entitlement philosophy has obviously made its way into the Church, blurring the lines between secular and sacred. This ought not to be. To stay in balance here, I’ll quote author Craig Groeschel: “God isn’t against people having money and things, but He certainly hates when money and things have His people.”2 [One most often misquoted verse is “money is the root of all evil.” Money isn’t the root of all evil- the Bible says “the LOVE of money is the root…” Again, it’s vital to examine scripture closely.]
A Biblical worldview spends its finances wisely so as to share with the poor and spread the Gospel. Those who hold to a Biblical worldview spend their time on things that are worthy of honor before God. They set no wicked thing before their eyes. They do not waste precious time on fruitless entertainment but rather deepen their relationships with God, family, neighbors, and country thereby being “entertained” with real life. (See Colossians 3:1-4)
[It blows me away that, in even the financially strained economical state of our society, the entertainment world continues to be the largest growing self pleasure industry. I know so many people that complain “I’ve got no money” and yet continue to spend near $100/month on their satellite TV, go out to eat numerous times a week, spend $100s/month on their souped-up phones and app packages, and yet “feel the pressure” of these “hard times.” It’s hard to have sympathy for those who refuse to help themselves and radically amputate that which enables their habitual irresponsiblity. Let’s be honest, we choose to work to maintain the lifestyle that we chose for ourselves. Granted there are the exceptional cases of necessities for a 2-income family like the need for health insurance, etc. though very few and far between.]
Biblical view of finances:
“And if thou draw out they soul dot the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall they light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday; And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy they soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” (Isaiah 58: 10-11)
“Wherefore do ye spend your money for that which is not bread? And your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good.” (Is 55:2)
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.” (I Timothy 6:17-19)
Biblical view of your time
“That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (I Peter 2:7)
Biblical view of entertainment:
“I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me; I will not know a wicked person.” (Psalms 101:2-4)
Much like the aforementioned views on marriage, family, finances, and time, our final focus on education also will prove to be insightful as it relates to our worldview.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Poop-sicle
I'm fine with the dog using our front walkway as her personal toilet when she can't get into the yard because the snow is well above her head. However, I am NOT okay with snow blowing poop half way across the yard and having it streamline and hit one of my children in the head...though this speaks to the awesome manliness that is my snow blower.
Indeed, I launched freshly laid dog doo way across the yard where I thought the kids were out of reach. It was though I was out of my body and I saw it as it was happening but couldn't stop it. I felt like I was stuck in slow motion and all I could think of was..."Oh, S***! (Pun intended!)
I then yelled at Teagan to stop in her tracks and to: "COME HERE NOW!" I figured she would think that I was scolding her for not being out of the way (which they're usually very cautious about), and there was no way I could tell her what just happened or she would be in hysterics. Fortunately, the poo got mixed up with the snow and ice from the ice storm, froze almost instantly and simply slid off without leaving any stinky residue of any sort. Yes I smelled to make sure. Shocking I know. I then sent her on her way, was careful not to step in any of the numerous piles that I had just strewn across the lawn and busted out laughing since it was all I could do to contain myself.
Now, if only to figure out a way to strap a camera onto the snow blower to record some of the hilarity that is my life and win me some money!
Indeed, I launched freshly laid dog doo way across the yard where I thought the kids were out of reach. It was though I was out of my body and I saw it as it was happening but couldn't stop it. I felt like I was stuck in slow motion and all I could think of was..."Oh, S***! (Pun intended!)
I then yelled at Teagan to stop in her tracks and to: "COME HERE NOW!" I figured she would think that I was scolding her for not being out of the way (which they're usually very cautious about), and there was no way I could tell her what just happened or she would be in hysterics. Fortunately, the poo got mixed up with the snow and ice from the ice storm, froze almost instantly and simply slid off without leaving any stinky residue of any sort. Yes I smelled to make sure. Shocking I know. I then sent her on her way, was careful not to step in any of the numerous piles that I had just strewn across the lawn and busted out laughing since it was all I could do to contain myself.
Now, if only to figure out a way to strap a camera onto the snow blower to record some of the hilarity that is my life and win me some money!
It's...it's....it's A...............
James after a week of blechy weather: "MOM! LOOK!....up in the sky! It's a bird, It's a plane. It's....................(wait for it!) THE SUN!"
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