The title of this post seems obvious, right? Of course not all school work is equal. Some is just busy work, plain and simple. My point of this post is to encourage us to really evaluate the work our kids are doing to see if it is value-adding or if it just keeping them busy a lot of the time. Do we have an educational plan for our kids, or are we just winging it from year to year? If we're following someone else's plan, have we really looked hard at it to see what our kids will know at the end? We can't do it all, of course, but is what we're doing causing us to miss something that is more critical for later on (like college)? Is the plan good on paper but not in practice (i.e. is it the sort of thing that could only be great with the right teacher and/or students?).
We educate classically on one hand. This means Latin is a key component to our school starting in the elementary years, we use science that approaches material in-depth rather than a cursory oversight, and we strive to have subject integration when applicable. It also means in the elementary years there is memory work--rote memorization of facts. In general it also means academic rigor is the standard, as well as reading classics. As the middle and high school years come in to play, opportunities to discuss subject matter are critical. The goal is to produce students that have a solid, Biblical faith that contains a depth and breadth to it which is often not found in society today. We want to create an atmosphere of questioning 'why' things are the way they are as well as help our students understand history and how it pertains to what is happening in the world and church today. Practically, the way we are educating is geared toward preparing our students to enter college ahead of their peers, as much as it reasonable for them as individuals.
I say all of this because it is just a given to me that homeschooling parents be able to explain what they are doing and why. Too often we see parents who go along with a program or way of doing things without looking at the whole educational picture. That can be fun in the early years, but will students be prepared for what needs to happen in high school, based on what path the child is heading for after high school? Even in programs where questioning is said to be encouraged, it seems to me that people often shy away from really doing it.
If we want to be taken as serious, competent educators, the least we can do is weigh what our students are learning and truly determine if it is a worthwhile use of their time. If others are teaching them, who are these people? Do we know what they believe? Are they producing, or have they produced, effectively educated students of their own or in prior years of teaching? I think of the qualifications for a leader in Scripture--and I wonder why we often don't seem to care who is teaching our own children based on their personal, at home, performance. Along a similar vein, who are we listening to in regard to what path we choose for our own children? Too often in homeschooling we let people whom we like, or who are good saleswomen, influence us. But I think we really need to be aware of what constitutes a quality education before we latch on to who we'll let influence us. For example, in some circles, Algebra II is considered higher math, but that is ridiculous if you look at what public school standards are for above average students and possibly even average students. Let's then look at what private schools would say is the norm for average or above average students and then finally, college programs. My point is this--we can't take someone's word for what is the norm. If you ask my husband (chemical engineer) and myself (BS in Forestry), we'll give different answers to what is acceptable for minimal high school math. I'll tell you a trig/calc class, he'll tell you a full year of calculus. That flowed along with the math we then started with in college. I took traditional calculus, he took the engineering 5 hr calculus class. We were both prepared adequately for what we wanted to do. No one would have told us Algebra II was higher math.
This is just one area to explore. Again, my point is that we need to be careful who we are listening to and do our own research. Are we being told our students are on a rigorous path and believing it because we're told it, or have we compared it to Governor's schools, private schools, online schools, public schools, and then made the determination? I think we often fall for the same tricks public educators fall for--they are told they are smarter than everyone else essentially, so they eventually believe it. But, according to Voddie Baucham in The Children of Caesar, teachers in universities test amongst the lower tier, not the higher.
We all have to make decisions based on what we can afford, mentally handle, the types of kids we have...the list goes on. My desire is just to motivate parents to be educated on what is required for college and to adequately prepare their students along the way. There is no shortage of parents who wing it and claim it all turns out just fine; or parents who have all sorts of ideas that differ from what they did AFTER their kids are out of the house.
What I'm interested in is seeing real academic or career success played out in a solid Christian life of a child who was homeschooled--and finding out how their parents did it.
Interesting Obituary Email I Received
What do you think of this? Do you think it is a reality that is happening here in America? Do you think these facts are accurate?
-----------------------------------------------
In 1787 Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the
University of Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the
Athenian Republic some 2,000 years prior: "A democracy is always
temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent
form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until
the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous
gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority
always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from
the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally
collapse over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a
dictatorship."
"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the
beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200
years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
From bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage."
The Obituary follows:
Born 1747 died 1813
It doesn't hurt to read this several times.
Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law in
St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning
the last Presidential election:
Number of States won by: Obama: 19 Romney: 29
Square miles of land won by: Obama: 580,000 Romney: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by: Obama: 127 million Romney: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Obama: 13.2 Romney: 2.1
Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory
Romney won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country.
Obama territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in low
income tenements and living off various forms of government
welfare..."
Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the
"complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of
democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population
already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase..
If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million
criminal invaders called illegal's - and they vote - then we can say
goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years.
-----------------------------------------------
In 1787 Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the
University of Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the
Athenian Republic some 2,000 years prior: "A democracy is always
temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent
form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until
the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous
gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority
always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from
the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally
collapse over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a
dictatorship."
"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the
beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200
years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
From bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage."
The Obituary follows:
Born 1747 died 1813
It doesn't hurt to read this several times.
Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law in
St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning
the last Presidential election:
Number of States won by: Obama: 19 Romney: 29
Square miles of land won by: Obama: 580,000 Romney: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by: Obama: 127 million Romney: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Obama: 13.2 Romney: 2.1
Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory
Romney won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country.
Obama territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in low
income tenements and living off various forms of government
welfare..."
Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the
"complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of
democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population
already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase..
If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million
criminal invaders called illegal's - and they vote - then we can say
goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years.
7 Habits of a Hot Marriage in the Middle of Monotony — We are THAT Family
7 Habits of a Hot Marriage in the Middle of Monotony — We are THAT Family.
This post makes some good points! Happy marriages are the best, but most go through some times of a lull...Enjoy!
This post makes some good points! Happy marriages are the best, but most go through some times of a lull...Enjoy!
Ezekiel
I've been praying about something for a while now, and have been spending more time in the Word because of it. In reading through the Bible this year, before I turn 40 I plan to finish, the place I'm in is Daniel. But this praying hard started while in Ezekiel. Wanting to hear from God is all I need or am seeking. There isn't advice I want; it's a matter for God. And so as I read last night I was asking Him to show me how He can help me with this. The thing I was left with was that God is such a God of power and detail. The details in Ezekiel, particularly the last chapter when the land is being divided up among the tribes, are so careful. The God that I'm praying to, who is THE God, is perfectly aware of what I'm asking. He is not an absent God who is out of touch or who requires explanations. It seems to make praying a lot more effective when we approach it from the right position.
How amazing that after coming to this realization afresh, I got to start in Daniel. What needs to be said here? Who can doubt the power of God or forget it when reading Daniel? I can't wait to delve in to it again tonight.
Aside from these thoughts, what I've been reminded of recently or realized for the first time recently: if God leads you to start something, He will tell you when it is time to stop. There is no need to fret over it, just trust Him and be willing to stay the course even if you really do not want to.
(can be easier said than done!)
How amazing that after coming to this realization afresh, I got to start in Daniel. What needs to be said here? Who can doubt the power of God or forget it when reading Daniel? I can't wait to delve in to it again tonight.
Aside from these thoughts, what I've been reminded of recently or realized for the first time recently: if God leads you to start something, He will tell you when it is time to stop. There is no need to fret over it, just trust Him and be willing to stay the course even if you really do not want to.
(can be easier said than done!)
Being There for Others
I don't know about you, but it seems decision-making sure can be hard! It isn't always the case--when something grates against us it can be quite easy to choose how to proceed. We know we can't be everything for some people, and we all know some people who are perpetually needy. Choosing to not 'be there' is easier in cases where unhealthy demands are made. But what about when our own emotions are tangled up in when someone needs us? It can be tough to sort through the healthy thoughts, unhealthy thoughts, priorities all around, what we really want, what we don't want and hope to find an 'out' from...making excuses shouldn't be our reasoning for big decisions, yet often that is how decisions get made. We'll search out the path of least resistance or look for the 'solution' that ultimately gives us what we want.
The question is, however, what does God want?
Being a support to someone, a help, is a blessing. It's something many of us love. It is a matter of prayer to keep our responsibilities and priorities in balance first and then see how we can avail ourselves for the 'greater good'.
I'm thankful God knows the right answers for each of us. And I'm thankful He hears the prayers of His children, with the intent to answer. I can't imagine being an enemy of God's.
The question is, however, what does God want?
Being a support to someone, a help, is a blessing. It's something many of us love. It is a matter of prayer to keep our responsibilities and priorities in balance first and then see how we can avail ourselves for the 'greater good'.
I'm thankful God knows the right answers for each of us. And I'm thankful He hears the prayers of His children, with the intent to answer. I can't imagine being an enemy of God's.
Is there a war going on between God and His forces on one side and Satan and his forces on the other?
This 'new Christianity' is like a silent killer, and the lack of discernment in the church allowing it to spread as it is, is rampant. We cannot afford to blindly go along 'doing church' and not be aware of the intentional method of many pastors today to leave sin out of the salvation equation. It is our responsibility to uphold the truth and not shrug off differences as minor issues when in reality, this 'new gospel' being preached is not the gospel of Christ at all.
Valentine's Day
It is Valentine's Day, love is in the air. I know it is a commercialized holiday, but aren't most of them, and focusing on love is never a bad thing!
I awoke to a dozen, gorgeous, fragrant red roses with a very thoughtful, romantic card leaning against the vase. My children had sweet gifts at their places around the table, and soon after we started school, I was given another bouquet of flowers and some chocolate that I l.o.v.e. My husband insists on showering me with these things, though honestly, I don't need them and my feelings wouldn't be hurt if we skipped it. I know Adam's post has a ton of truth to it though, so maybe I'm kidding myself.
I awoke to a dozen, gorgeous, fragrant red roses with a very thoughtful, romantic card leaning against the vase. My children had sweet gifts at their places around the table, and soon after we started school, I was given another bouquet of flowers and some chocolate that I l.o.v.e. My husband insists on showering me with these things, though honestly, I don't need them and my feelings wouldn't be hurt if we skipped it. I know Adam's post has a ton of truth to it though, so maybe I'm kidding myself.
It's good for the kids to see how a husband should treat his wife, and of course, I love flowers and chocolate. My dining room smells so pretty! ;) I showed my love by showering, wearing a red sweater I knew he'd like, and fixing my hair, which he appreciates. Generally the Mr. goes all of the bought gift-giving. Later I cooked up the best London Broil ever. It was free range grass-fed beef from some awesome variety of cow that I can't recall (better than Angus I'm told) from my friend's local farm. Snow Hollow Farm knows how to grow some beef! We've had meat from another Virginia farm and to say it pales in comparison is a ridiculous understatement. Snow Hollow knocks this other farm, which is very renowned, out of the beef game in my opinion. Anyway, we also had mashed potatoes, corn, Bonefish Grill's bang-bang shrimp, a pink butter cream Dutch chocolate heart-shaped cake and fresh fruit purees . YUM!
I'm on a bit of a rabbit-trail about the food. But in my cast iron Dutch oven, you should have had that London Broil...smothered in butter and onions, seasoned heavily with garlic and Sweet 'N Sassy's Rub. It was tender and delicious!
Anyway, even with all of this awesomeness, which included talking to my best girl friend on the phone about her beautiful new office and my 92-year-old friend finally getting released from the hospital, I've had this sad feeling most of the day. Ever have that happen? You should be feeling perfect, but because of other things, you just aren't?
Those other things---could it be that priorities need adjusting? Or maybe expectations? Sometimes when this happens it is because I'm not keeping God as my number 1. I've let other things, or people, overshadow the blessings and perhaps forgot to start out with God that day.
I'm on a bit of a rabbit-trail about the food. But in my cast iron Dutch oven, you should have had that London Broil...smothered in butter and onions, seasoned heavily with garlic and Sweet 'N Sassy's Rub. It was tender and delicious!
Anyway, even with all of this awesomeness, which included talking to my best girl friend on the phone about her beautiful new office and my 92-year-old friend finally getting released from the hospital, I've had this sad feeling most of the day. Ever have that happen? You should be feeling perfect, but because of other things, you just aren't?
Those other things---could it be that priorities need adjusting? Or maybe expectations? Sometimes when this happens it is because I'm not keeping God as my number 1. I've let other things, or people, overshadow the blessings and perhaps forgot to start out with God that day.
Man Finds Long-Lost Sibling…at Walmart | ABC News Blogs - Yahoo
Man Finds Long-Lost Sibling…at Walmart | ABC News Blogs - Yahoo.
I love this story. Siblings are irreplaceable. I can't imagine a life without them. Very happy this man is no longer alone.
I love this story. Siblings are irreplaceable. I can't imagine a life without them. Very happy this man is no longer alone.
Printable Maps of the 7 Continents
Printable Maps of the 7 Continents.
This may seem random, but I've had difficulty finding this sort of thing so hope to save someone the time. It's great for Apologia Zoology 3 activities!
This may seem random, but I've had difficulty finding this sort of thing so hope to save someone the time. It's great for Apologia Zoology 3 activities!
Train Up A Child in the Way He Should Go
I've been thinking about Proverbs 22:6 this morning...training up my children in the way they should go, even when they are old, they will not depart from it.
We come up with varying ways of what we think God intended in those verses. I understand it as meaning my training needs to be a long-term, purposeful event that focuses on what is best and right for my children, and that method of rearing will have the best chance of keeping them on the straight path later in life. Primarily, this is a spiritual issue of training them in the ways of the Lord as we go through the day in and day out of life.
But, when thinking of other parenting issues, I think this principle applies. What we do impacts our kids' choices.
Too often as parents I think we train our children up in the way that justifies our weaknesses, because we feel validated when someone else 'struggles' just like we do.
The only problem is, we 'trained' in the way that led to the weakness. It can make us feel better that someone is like us, and rather than help them overcome the struggles we've always had, we just make the way so that they don't actually overcome the problem areas either.
Sometimes I think as parents, we are quick to criticize the way others are parenting because our focus is on ourselves and our own insecurity, so we do a bunch of mental gymnastics to justify our actions. For example, a parent in a certain echelon of society refuses to encourage something different in their child (even if they may be better suited for it) because it will make them look bad. The doctor forces his son to be a white-collar professional even though he's clearly gifted more mechanically and wants to work on cars and run his own shop....the plumber shuns his son getting his PhD to become a lawyer because he can't deal with how that makes him feel personally about his own life choices. Neither option is good or bad here, but it is obvious the focus is not on the child, it's on the parent.
I think the hard work of parenting is becoming what our children need to see, since what we model is who they mimic in many ways. We need to remember that our life is on the closing end, while their lives are just beginning.
What is going to set them up the best for success in their own life?
Are we stepping back and empirically evaluating good life skills and seeking to send our children off with them?
Are we denying ourselves for the betterment of our kids or are we still trying to work through our own problems through our children?
What are we here for as parents?
Food for thought, particularly as those of us homeschooling dig in to get through these winter months that encourage snoozing rather than starting the day with purpose!
~Ann
We come up with varying ways of what we think God intended in those verses. I understand it as meaning my training needs to be a long-term, purposeful event that focuses on what is best and right for my children, and that method of rearing will have the best chance of keeping them on the straight path later in life. Primarily, this is a spiritual issue of training them in the ways of the Lord as we go through the day in and day out of life.
But, when thinking of other parenting issues, I think this principle applies. What we do impacts our kids' choices.
Too often as parents I think we train our children up in the way that justifies our weaknesses, because we feel validated when someone else 'struggles' just like we do.
The only problem is, we 'trained' in the way that led to the weakness. It can make us feel better that someone is like us, and rather than help them overcome the struggles we've always had, we just make the way so that they don't actually overcome the problem areas either.
Sometimes I think as parents, we are quick to criticize the way others are parenting because our focus is on ourselves and our own insecurity, so we do a bunch of mental gymnastics to justify our actions. For example, a parent in a certain echelon of society refuses to encourage something different in their child (even if they may be better suited for it) because it will make them look bad. The doctor forces his son to be a white-collar professional even though he's clearly gifted more mechanically and wants to work on cars and run his own shop....the plumber shuns his son getting his PhD to become a lawyer because he can't deal with how that makes him feel personally about his own life choices. Neither option is good or bad here, but it is obvious the focus is not on the child, it's on the parent.
I think the hard work of parenting is becoming what our children need to see, since what we model is who they mimic in many ways. We need to remember that our life is on the closing end, while their lives are just beginning.
What is going to set them up the best for success in their own life?
Are we stepping back and empirically evaluating good life skills and seeking to send our children off with them?
Are we denying ourselves for the betterment of our kids or are we still trying to work through our own problems through our children?
What are we here for as parents?
Food for thought, particularly as those of us homeschooling dig in to get through these winter months that encourage snoozing rather than starting the day with purpose!
~Ann
God Always Provides
Today was one of those awesome days (this was written on Saturday). I spent it with two of my favorite people to spend time with, my daughters, and we all had so much fun. Shopping till we dropped, and eating on the go.
My oldest sister and I have a really great relationship (my other sister and I do, too, for the record) :). We have often talked about seasons of life and friends, and that one thing she's really seen is that once you get out of high school, it is difficult to make super close connections with people. This is ironic because she has a good number of girlfriends, but I know what she meant and means. Those friends who are like sisters--you can call anytime and they are always interested in what you are saying and vise versa, and they believe in you and laugh with you, and cry with you...they are hard to come by when you are busy with raising children and in her case, working full-time. I recall her telling me this for the first time when she was around my age (we're 9 yrs apart).
For me, friendship has always been a top priority, and God provided. In college I had several people who were soul-mate type of friends. I was more than one person's closest friend. In my early married years, that was the same and I added a few. As the kids came and we moved some, the Lord still filled a desire for close girlfriends and up until the last year or two, going out as often as I felt I could, was a lot more important than it is now.
I think what has changed is that I can clearly see the years I have with my daughters are limited, and passing fast. (My son is precious to me, too, but we get plenty of time together during the day, so now I'm just talking about my girls.) My daughters are at such great ages, and important ones to keep connected to each other; we need and really enjoy time together. I want to keep their hearts and continue to influence them with our values, and one way to do that is relish in their company, which I genuinely do. When they are working full-time or going off to college, the last thing I want to do is look back and wish I'd spent less time worrying about my popularity and more time being in their 'inner circle'. It hasn't been entirely easy to change where my energy and efforts go, but God is providing.
Not long ago someone was saying to me that this season of life isn't really the time to focus on friendships, it's a time to invest in your children. A few years ago, I believed in order to enjoy what I was doing at home required time away and my own friends. Now it is interesting how fulfilling the time with my family members is and if I get a night 'away', I typically want it to involve my daughters.
For me, friendship has always been a top priority, and God provided. In college I had several people who were soul-mate type of friends. I was more than one person's closest friend. In my early married years, that was the same and I added a few. As the kids came and we moved some, the Lord still filled a desire for close girlfriends and up until the last year or two, going out as often as I felt I could, was a lot more important than it is now.
I think what has changed is that I can clearly see the years I have with my daughters are limited, and passing fast. (My son is precious to me, too, but we get plenty of time together during the day, so now I'm just talking about my girls.) My daughters are at such great ages, and important ones to keep connected to each other; we need and really enjoy time together. I want to keep their hearts and continue to influence them with our values, and one way to do that is relish in their company, which I genuinely do. When they are working full-time or going off to college, the last thing I want to do is look back and wish I'd spent less time worrying about my popularity and more time being in their 'inner circle'. It hasn't been entirely easy to change where my energy and efforts go, but God is providing.
Dogs, Mediterranean Food, Colds...
Tomorrow marks week 3 of me having a cold. It has gotten much better, but I'll still go in to coughing fits. Today was the first day I could make bread and vacuum. It's been one of those colds that has wiped me out of energy. Being a doer, it is obvious when I'm not 100%...or 75%. It was also a day where I felt well enough to go out to lunch, so after registering for our online classes for next year, the girls and I went out to celebrate at one of my favorite places to eat. It's a small Mediterranean cafe that is half restaurant, half grocery store.
If I were to go in to the details of why this food is so fantastic, it would not do it justice, but for some reason I love their Bulgar and moussaka. I mean--LOVE. With just 2 entrees, the 3 of us ate and were very full. What spoke to me was that our very friendly waitress gave me a piece of her fresh banana cake. It was more like banana muffins in cake form, but oh it was warm and delightful. She just shared it with me, and after a minute or two she asked if I wanted some tea with it. It was clearly going to be gratis, and the way in which she offered made it all taste so good. I felt very cared for--nurtured, and after feeling so badly for all this time, it was welcome. I don't think she thought it was weird when I told how it made me feel.
That brings me to my dog. He is a faithful, faithful friend. I rescued him from a traditional pound nearly 15 years ago. He doesn't bark, is forgiving, gentle, submissive and always there when you need him. I've never felt like I walked him enough, and that is a sore spot in my life, yet he's never failed to comfort someone hurting. Even at the vet not long ago, a little girl was sad at being there to say goodbye to her faithful friend, and what did our sweet boy do? Stood nearby while she squatted down to pet him. I saw our boy feel her pain and just 'be there' for her. He's never been a discriminating dog. Happy to go for a walk with anyone passing by, or a ride--he's a dog that loves people and wants to be there for them. God made this dog special.
We're nearing the time to do our last good deed for our dog. He's got congestive heart failure, pulse problems and arthritis. He takes 8 pills a day and sleeps most of the time. His legs are weaker and he's just not feeling good, especially this week.
Soon it will be time for me to offer him his last hot cup of tea. May God give us the wisdom to do it at just the right time, because I don't want to miss nurturing my dog when he really needs me to.
If I were to go in to the details of why this food is so fantastic, it would not do it justice, but for some reason I love their Bulgar and moussaka. I mean--LOVE. With just 2 entrees, the 3 of us ate and were very full. What spoke to me was that our very friendly waitress gave me a piece of her fresh banana cake. It was more like banana muffins in cake form, but oh it was warm and delightful. She just shared it with me, and after a minute or two she asked if I wanted some tea with it. It was clearly going to be gratis, and the way in which she offered made it all taste so good. I felt very cared for--nurtured, and after feeling so badly for all this time, it was welcome. I don't think she thought it was weird when I told how it made me feel.
That brings me to my dog. He is a faithful, faithful friend. I rescued him from a traditional pound nearly 15 years ago. He doesn't bark, is forgiving, gentle, submissive and always there when you need him. I've never felt like I walked him enough, and that is a sore spot in my life, yet he's never failed to comfort someone hurting. Even at the vet not long ago, a little girl was sad at being there to say goodbye to her faithful friend, and what did our sweet boy do? Stood nearby while she squatted down to pet him. I saw our boy feel her pain and just 'be there' for her. He's never been a discriminating dog. Happy to go for a walk with anyone passing by, or a ride--he's a dog that loves people and wants to be there for them. God made this dog special.
We're nearing the time to do our last good deed for our dog. He's got congestive heart failure, pulse problems and arthritis. He takes 8 pills a day and sleeps most of the time. His legs are weaker and he's just not feeling good, especially this week.
Soon it will be time for me to offer him his last hot cup of tea. May God give us the wisdom to do it at just the right time, because I don't want to miss nurturing my dog when he really needs me to.
» Students Sign Petition To Have Gun Owners Executed In Concentration Camps Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!
» Students Sign Petition To Have Gun Owners Executed In Concentration Camps Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!.
The level of sheer ignorance is deplorable, and it should drive us all to our knees in prayer and ask where our own kid's worldview is coming from and what is actually is. Are we knowingly raising children who think 'rounding up and killing' anyone is OK? We can't destroy those we disagree with, nor should we even wish them harm. God tells us to pray for our enemies. The root of the problem is not a lack of education, or having folks memorize the Bill of Rights (which they'll do in Classical Conversations), it is a sin problem, a heart problem. Of course, we need to educate our children to become self-learners and thinkers, to do otherwise would be irresponsible. Ultimately though, they need to respect life on all levels and realize their place in relation to God.
The level of sheer ignorance is deplorable, and it should drive us all to our knees in prayer and ask where our own kid's worldview is coming from and what is actually is. Are we knowingly raising children who think 'rounding up and killing' anyone is OK? We can't destroy those we disagree with, nor should we even wish them harm. God tells us to pray for our enemies. The root of the problem is not a lack of education, or having folks memorize the Bill of Rights (which they'll do in Classical Conversations), it is a sin problem, a heart problem. Of course, we need to educate our children to become self-learners and thinkers, to do otherwise would be irresponsible. Ultimately though, they need to respect life on all levels and realize their place in relation to God.
Panelist at Podesta Think Tank on Common Core: 'The Children Belong to All of Us' | CNS News
Panelist at Podesta Think Tank on Common Core: 'The Children Belong to All of Us' | CNS News.
Podesta is completely ill informed. The question regarding, "Where did this come from?" matters GREATLY. We want that question answered thoroughly. What is the worldview of those who created Common Core? What level of education is to be achieved through it? Why are classics not a part of the curriculum?
He characterizes in a dishonest way when he states those opposed to Common Core are resistant to standards and testing in general. That is patently false and unverifiable, he is just saying what aids his position. The truth is, which he's afraid of, is that many of us who are opposed have VERY HIGH standards for what comprises a thorough education; standards which, if endorsed in this nation, would snub out his communist ideology.
The Common Core standards and homogenizing of education will further dumb down this nation, and many of us know it. It is about controlling the masses and creating a lower standard of 'worker bee' people. The children do NOT belong to all of us. That is a lie. No one nurtures and appropriately loves 'en masse'. Children need parents to oversee and train them. It's a job meant for small batches, not an enormous orphanage mentality with an innumerable amount of 'overseers'. Podesta is the spokesman for a broad socialist mentality, which is opposed to individual thought because it threatens the debased ideals he holds to.
Podesta is completely ill informed. The question regarding, "Where did this come from?" matters GREATLY. We want that question answered thoroughly. What is the worldview of those who created Common Core? What level of education is to be achieved through it? Why are classics not a part of the curriculum?
He characterizes in a dishonest way when he states those opposed to Common Core are resistant to standards and testing in general. That is patently false and unverifiable, he is just saying what aids his position. The truth is, which he's afraid of, is that many of us who are opposed have VERY HIGH standards for what comprises a thorough education; standards which, if endorsed in this nation, would snub out his communist ideology.
The Common Core standards and homogenizing of education will further dumb down this nation, and many of us know it. It is about controlling the masses and creating a lower standard of 'worker bee' people. The children do NOT belong to all of us. That is a lie. No one nurtures and appropriately loves 'en masse'. Children need parents to oversee and train them. It's a job meant for small batches, not an enormous orphanage mentality with an innumerable amount of 'overseers'. Podesta is the spokesman for a broad socialist mentality, which is opposed to individual thought because it threatens the debased ideals he holds to.
Thorough Grammar and Spelling Program
I have level 1 and level 2 of this program, The Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading. It is quite thorough and I will say that the child with which I used both levels here in my home has shown to be the best speller and has the nicest handwriting.
Sadly, I get bored doing something like this year after year, AND it didn't seem to suit my middle child, so I changed it up for her. Years after using these, I find myself referencing the material. I like them better than Shurley English's, and they work well with Classical Conversations'. My favorite jingles by far come from CC, for the record.
http://www.thelatinroad.com/index.html
As a new homeschooling mom, I really needed the teaching Barbara provides in her DVD's. It taught ME the proper phonetic sounds and many rules. I'm presently using All About Spelling with my 2 younger students to teach them rules we've missed, and am planning to use The Phonics Road level 2 materials to double check where they are. It is great to have some really good resources like this at my disposal. Coupled with Shurley's sentence improving method, the Essentials of the English Language's charts and question/answer flow--though I do like identifying prepositional phrases first like Easy Grammar does, it makes for some good methods of learning English Grammar.
New to us this year is "Fix It!" from IEW. It's giving my middle child a tough lesson in editing for proper grammar, sentence structure and punctuation. Phew--it is not easy to turn Tom Sawyer into the 'kings English', but we're learning and hopefully it will aid in better writing. That is the goal of all this grammar after all!
Sadly, I get bored doing something like this year after year, AND it didn't seem to suit my middle child, so I changed it up for her. Years after using these, I find myself referencing the material. I like them better than Shurley English's, and they work well with Classical Conversations'. My favorite jingles by far come from CC, for the record.
http://www.thelatinroad.com/index.html
As a new homeschooling mom, I really needed the teaching Barbara provides in her DVD's. It taught ME the proper phonetic sounds and many rules. I'm presently using All About Spelling with my 2 younger students to teach them rules we've missed, and am planning to use The Phonics Road level 2 materials to double check where they are. It is great to have some really good resources like this at my disposal. Coupled with Shurley's sentence improving method, the Essentials of the English Language's charts and question/answer flow--though I do like identifying prepositional phrases first like Easy Grammar does, it makes for some good methods of learning English Grammar.
New to us this year is "Fix It!" from IEW. It's giving my middle child a tough lesson in editing for proper grammar, sentence structure and punctuation. Phew--it is not easy to turn Tom Sawyer into the 'kings English', but we're learning and hopefully it will aid in better writing. That is the goal of all this grammar after all!
When A Church is Concerned with Numbers
Something church members don't take time to think about it is this, "What are the repercussions if our church is worried about the numbers of people attending?" Sadly, this issue is one that gets to the heart of the gospel message, Christianity in general, how people come to Christ, and a whole host of other things.
When churches are worried about numbers reflecting their effectiveness, they've strayed from the Word of God. There were only 12 disciples of Jesus, and it was a noteworthy situation when multitudes believed. When that did happen, those multitudes were being given the Truth, not a watered down version of it.
When a church worries about numbers more than worship, they call members who are away on a retreat to return when suddenly they get a prominent speaker coming so that the pews look full.
When a church worries about numbers, it doesn't listen to concerned members over doctrinally false information. These churches are run like a corporation. There is no time for setbacks in a well-oiled machine. People with legitimate concerns are brushed aside as problems.
We had a young child who could read far before she should have been able to and one of her teachers didn't realize this. He spelled out bad words in playdoh which she read and recounted to us in the form of "What does this mean?". What did the youth pastor say to this? "He's been with us for a long time." He dismissed our concerns and kept this man on as an AWANA teacher. In the years after that incident, we saw that this church did not care about orthodoxy as much as it did with bringing in the masses. We made sure our kids didn't have this man as a teacher, but what else could be done? The pastor let it go.
In subsequent years, we'd see this pastor was not one to admire. He was comfortable blurring lines and having a different standard for the church members when compared to those for his own family.
Churches that care about numbers have revolving doors. When you live in an area with one of these, it is quite amazing how many people, "Used to go to _________."
To bring in the masses, a pastor needs to use phrases that can be interpreted one way by believers and another, more comfortable way, by unbelievers. And that is what you have in a seeker-sensitive church. It's sensitive to not being offensive with the words of the Bible. Tons of books are written by people who want to 're-invent' Christianity to MARKET it to this very depraved culture, it is these sorts of books where pastors learn to use this careful, squishy language.
We all care about the lost, we all have the Truth, but like evolutionists vs. creationists, we interpret the facts differently and then RESPOND to them differently.
All this to say, I'd rather my kids turn out Calvinists than seeker-sensitive "Christians", because one camp is far more likely to be saved than the other, and one camp will have less explaining to do than the other.
When churches are worried about numbers reflecting their effectiveness, they've strayed from the Word of God. There were only 12 disciples of Jesus, and it was a noteworthy situation when multitudes believed. When that did happen, those multitudes were being given the Truth, not a watered down version of it.
When a church worries about numbers more than worship, they call members who are away on a retreat to return when suddenly they get a prominent speaker coming so that the pews look full.
When a church worries about numbers, it doesn't listen to concerned members over doctrinally false information. These churches are run like a corporation. There is no time for setbacks in a well-oiled machine. People with legitimate concerns are brushed aside as problems.
We had a young child who could read far before she should have been able to and one of her teachers didn't realize this. He spelled out bad words in playdoh which she read and recounted to us in the form of "What does this mean?". What did the youth pastor say to this? "He's been with us for a long time." He dismissed our concerns and kept this man on as an AWANA teacher. In the years after that incident, we saw that this church did not care about orthodoxy as much as it did with bringing in the masses. We made sure our kids didn't have this man as a teacher, but what else could be done? The pastor let it go.
In subsequent years, we'd see this pastor was not one to admire. He was comfortable blurring lines and having a different standard for the church members when compared to those for his own family.
Churches that care about numbers have revolving doors. When you live in an area with one of these, it is quite amazing how many people, "Used to go to _________."
To bring in the masses, a pastor needs to use phrases that can be interpreted one way by believers and another, more comfortable way, by unbelievers. And that is what you have in a seeker-sensitive church. It's sensitive to not being offensive with the words of the Bible. Tons of books are written by people who want to 're-invent' Christianity to MARKET it to this very depraved culture, it is these sorts of books where pastors learn to use this careful, squishy language.
We all care about the lost, we all have the Truth, but like evolutionists vs. creationists, we interpret the facts differently and then RESPOND to them differently.
All this to say, I'd rather my kids turn out Calvinists than seeker-sensitive "Christians", because one camp is far more likely to be saved than the other, and one camp will have less explaining to do than the other.
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