Jude, The Truth War, Culture

I have just about finished The Truth War by John MacArthur; I'm in the appendix so the crux of the book has ended. God's timing with a recent sermon at church blessed me so much in that the book ended with Jude and our pastor has been preaching on apostasy from the book of Jude. What an amazing and encouraging book Jude is for those of us longing to contend for the faith! When we stand nearly alone against the marketing of the gospel, a word outmoded in many evangelical churches, a book such as Jude is such a boon. In the appendix of MacArthur's book he includes a chapter from a book of his that is no longer in print, and a story he tells in that chapter is one that I JUST LISTENED to while walking the other day. My ipod is  used for sermon listening--I try to get in several a week in addition to the 3 I hear at church. How awesome for God to come to me in that way during a trying, trying day. Finally, because He is God, I was blessed to read about D. Martyn-Lloyd Jones in the final pages of The Truth War. Lloyd-Jones has written several books that grace our shelves, and one in particular that is quoted in MacArthur's book is one I am giving my husband for Father's Day. It's here at my house right now!! These encouragements that only God could orchestrate resonate within my soul tonight. (D Martyn-Lloyd Jones is who I generally listen to on my ipod, you can download many of his sermons from the MLJ Trust website. He was a medical doctor whom God called in to ministry.)

As I finished the book my middle child watched the oldest doing gymnastics. I sat there reading, praying, and even crying as I prayed to God for opportunities to share His truth. To offer such a weak vessel...I need the Lord to teach me and give me the words, to give wisdom, compassion, mercy and opportunities. All I can offer is myself, and if something great comes forth from this shell, it is wholly the manifestation of a gracious God. But like Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, an answer from God on one occasion does not mean we are going to continually be in His will. I want to remember what we studied today in this passage of Scripture because God worked so powerfully in Jehoshaphat's life at first (when J. sought the Lord) but by the end of that chapter, all had changed b/c of failure to seek the Lord and act according to His will.

Friends, let us not grow weary in having firm opinions regarding righteousness and truth. The world is full of sinners in need of a Savior. No matter how unpopular you are among peers--there are things that are wrong which God spells out. There is no shortage of seemingly godly, gracious, gentle women that lack discernment and biblical wisdom. They scorn debating the faith or thinking too much about it, but God spells out truth in His word and we are responsible to know it. Good intentions mean nothing in the realm of faith, and we are at risk of perpetuating lies about God and Christianity if we aren't careful.   We must know what the Bible says. Why do we believe what we believe? Are all churches which name Jesus equally holy? Is it OK for Bible believing Christians to celebrate Lent? Can we have real fellowship with people who attend a myriad of churches? Does eastern mysticism matter and how is it invading the church?

We believers have bought in to the mentality that is pervading our culture and tells us to agree and act as though all points of view are equal as long as a person says they are a Christian. We have somehow traded the definitiveness of God's word, which is very clear on what is sin and what is not, for the wisdom of the world which heavily promotes the idea that it is somehow MOST holy to be unsure about anything regarding the Bible or God. We have only a tiny number of absolutes, and we won't even boldly proclaim them. We've bought in to the idea our Christianity will show and we don't need words. I was so blessed by a sermon my pastor recently gave whereby he made it clear that living a moral life or one that looks Christian can easily be mistaken for some false religion. Words are required to share the gospel, our own or those from a Bible tract.

Where are those contending for the faith? Where are those willing to cast off melding with society and the comfort of always seeming agreeable? It is lonely and painful to stand for truth, but it is so worth it. We cannot be wishy-washy in our own testimony if our goal is to raise godly, God fearing, Biblically literate children. We must ourselves be Biblically literate. We must clearly not  be of the world if we want our children to be able to withstand the onslaught, and I mean onslaught, of influences beckoning them to be OF the world. We must think through the decisions we make and things we allow  in our homes, looking at where they will naturally lead given human nature--looking at the appetites we create in our children.

God in Heaven, use us to do Your will. Break our hearts for the multitudes being led astray by churches full of yes-men-leaders, and give us opportunities to snatch some from the fire as Jude admonishes us. Amen.

Ken Ham: The Unbiblical Noah Is a Fable of a Film | TIME.com

Ken Ham: The Unbiblical Noah Is a Fable of a Film | TIME.com.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him

I have been thinking about this in regard to raising my children. Should Christian kids be expected to be like worldly kids only with a Christian twist, or should we expect them to be altogether different?
~Ann

Community vs. Biblical Fellowship

Today's churches focus heavily on community. So does the homeschool community. What does community mean? What should it mean?

And is it a word for church or other areas of life?

Today we find community being 'preached' in church and just about everywhere else. People today believe community, a group of people who agree with them on a particular subject OR who simply gather where they gather, is essential to a happy, fulfilled life. It is something many pastors, the type that market Christianity rather than preach the gospel, talk about a lot.

The problem with this is that it promotes uniting on terms other than sound, Biblical terms. How many people stay in their church because of relationships they have with other people, even though they are not learning or growing in Christ? (insert red flag)

How many people dismiss critical thinking and evaluating homeschool groups that are supposed to be united in beliefs all in the name of 'community'?

True Christian fellowship rarely happens in today's churches, but it is essential to a satisfying Christian life. The difference is this: when you are with others who really believe God's word is true and they see what is going on in the world and church today, it allows for meaningful interactions. You leave feeling fuller when conversation is glorifying to Christ in truth. On the other hand, when you spend time with people who do not uphold God's word or do not see what is going on in the church today (ie people who are fine marketing the gospel or mixing mysticism with Christianity or who think it is damaging to really hash out truth from error), it is either draining or leaves you feeling discouraged.

Biblical fellowship is one of the best things I can think of in life. It is encouraging to see others contending for the faith in a day of deception in the church. Merely gathering with others on a basis of something other than biblical truth is wholly different and far less satisfying. Believers need to pay attention to this and realize if community is what is holding them or their children in their church, they may very well be at risk of having a weak faith or a false conversion. In churches that market the gospel and bring in droves of unsaved people, finding true Christian fellowship is extremely difficult, often improbable.

Regarding homeschool groups, we should be careful not to teach our kids to unite while overlooking or ignoring where the other people are when it comes to Christ and the gospel. Should unbelievers be in close relationships with believers ever? I think not. Being unequally yoked is a principle to give us all pause since we are told not to be. Can we interact with unbelievers? Of course, we need to in order to share Christ, but a steady diet and intimacy of believers and unbelievers is not wise.

Just my .02.

LifeWay, Rick Warren, and the Son of God

Excellent point is made here. When a pastor uses multiple Bible translations it is a RED FLAG that he is cherry picking to fit an agenda rather than boldly proclaiming the truth. If a pastor does not have the Bible front and center (as in, it's an afterthought to mention getting out your Bible, he doesn't have his own Bible, or the bulletin mentions nothing of the Bible passages he's preaching on....)--beware. Find another church.

6 Moves For Strong, Toned Abs | ThePostGame

6 Moves For Strong, Toned Abs | ThePostGame.

I like to post things I want to remember and which I think will be helpful to someone else. This is one of those things!

7 Signs Divorced Couples Say They Missed | Love + Sex - Yahoo Shine

7 Signs Divorced Couples Say They Missed | Love + Sex - Yahoo Shine.

Sometimes you find useful info on Yahoo. I'm surprised these signs were missed, but hey, living in denial is a powerful aspect of married life.

The top key not mentioned as a red flag is just not having sex in general. Going to bed at different times to avoid it comes close though. Marriage takes real communication and work, and men will have sex one way or the other, whether through an affair, porn, or some other perversion. In general I'm not a supporter of counselors unless they are nouthetic (you can Google NANC), but when a marriage gets so bad that you aren't doing things together, aren't having sex, and can't talk about anything meaningful, any marriage counselor is better than nothing if they can at least get you talking. Don't pretend, folks, that you can live together amicably but not be romantic or emotionally connected.

If children are a part of your family, the best thing you can do for the kids is have a healthy, loving marriage. It brings security and comfort in ways nothing else can.

~Ann

God has made foolish the wisdom of the world

I hope those I am praying for to grow in wisdom and discernment read this post. ~Ann

Off-Color Humor

I like to laugh; I'm sure some of you reading do, too. You wouldn't know I like to laugh by the majority of posts I put up, but be assured, it is true. If I watch a show or a movie (Netflix or Amazon---no cable TV here), humor being a component means it's a keeper. I've been into the BBC shows of late, and sadly Doc Martin just isn't funny like it feels it could be. I keep watching, hoping...but nothing there is funny. I've moved over to Scotland and am enjoying the new Laird there pretty well. Anyway, I digress.

I received a humorous email the other day, which upon seeing it, knew it was likely to have some elements that would not please the Lord. Debating on not reading it, I finally succumbed. It would have been wise to stop reading once I got further in to it, knowing it would bother me to have laughed. It was hilarious, but just not representative of who I am striving to be. The dilemma was that even via email, I didn't want to 'not connect' with the friend who sent it. I've been dealing a lot with feeling different from most people I know lately; I'm consumed much of the time with wanting to be transformed more to the image of God's Son. I want my interests to be His interests, and what pleases me to be what pleases the Father. I feel like I failed a test, and it's been bothering me. I hope for another opportunity to not fail. I want to be different when it comes right down to it-to the nitty-gritty, but it's hard sometimes. It's lonely sometimes...but my heart's desire is to be identifiable in all realms as one set apart for the King of Kings. Putting off course jesting, filthy talk, things unseemly for a woman of God, gossip, slander, idleness, covetousness...you know, all the sins listed in Galatians 5 (right?? 5?).

How to navigate being in the world but not of it...fostering relationships whose priorities are Gods...teaching children to first honor Him...putting ourselves last...having mercy and long-suffering with those in the faith and compassion and love for those outside of it remembering they are on a course toward Hell...

My favorite title for God--"Now to Him who is able..." It's underlined in my favorite brown leather NAS Bible. Praise God for preserving His word for us, before 1611 and after it.

Fellowship

I listened to a really great sermon today while working in the yard. It is #2010 by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Something I love about Dr. Jones is that he doesn't flaunt being a doctor. He wasn't just some random PhD either; he was a top medical doctor who was called in to the ministry. His British accent doesn't take long to get used to, and there is tremendous wisdom in his messages. I find they surpass much of the watery, feel-good, void of truth and power messages we often hear today or read about today.

Acts 2:41-47

http://www.mljtrust.org/collections/book-of-acts/2/

If you are seeing what is happening in the church, particularly how the American church is following the same path to unbelief as happened in Europe years ago, this sermon will encourage you. If you, like me, find true Christian fellowship hard to come by, this message will encourage you. If you are hungering and thirsting for a pastor to preach the truth of God's word, give Martyn Lloyd-Jones a try. He was an excellent minister of the gospel.

~May God help those of us contending for the faith to find others doing the same thing from time to time, that we may be mutually encouraged in the Lord. ~

The Holy Spirit

Just a reminder: God's Holy Spirit is completely able to save the lost, convict hearts of sin, and transform lives. He does not need modern marketing techniques. He does not need carefully thought-out methods that appeal to today's culture. He does not require a certain kind of music and volume. He is ABLE, simply, able.

What is the truth underlying pastors buying in to 'remaking Christianity'? It is a lack of faith. It's something to pray about, not merely discuss.

When the Bible isn't front and center, when relevancy is paramount, when community is preached often, when there are all sorts of opportunities to reach out but very little study, when there is no talk about how we are sinners in need of a Savior....ask yourself, "Why is that?" and "How did people come to have faith in Christ in the Bible?"

It is not outmoded or outdated, yet hoards are buying in to this idea that suddenly, in the 2000's...God's word is not enough. It needs our help to reach people 'where they are'. I don't see this idea in Scripture. And as often happens this verse comes to mind:

There is a way that seems right to a man, but it's end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12

Literal death?

Spiritual death.

Not that we always see literal death ruled out as a consequence of sin.

~Ann

14But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, 15but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 18For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 1 Peter

Bizarro Common Core kindergarten math homework stumps DAD WITH Ph.D. - Yahoo News

Bizarro Common Core kindergarten math homework stumps DAD WITH Ph.D. - Yahoo News.

Noah Movie- with Russell Crowe

Don’t Be Taken in by the Noah Movie’s Promotion | Around the World with Ken Ham.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/03/06/russell-crowe-film-noah-edited-appease-christians-upset-by-historical-inaccuracies/

http://www.christianpost.com/news/noah-blockbuster-least-biblical-film-ever-made-director-says-116002/

I was recently criticized for not wanting to see this movie, so naturally, I'm giving some posts that back up why I'm not. There are plenty of movies to see, but toying with this one is just not of interest. I'm a Christian. I don't need the big screen to not- accurately-depict Scripture. I fail to see that being helpful in my sanctification.

Gossip

From time to time I revisit the issue of gossip. As a newer Christian, it was something that consumed my efforts. Having been quite accustomed to gossip being a part of my life, it took some grit to cast it off.

I recall the first ladies outing with a former church of ours. The women, who I either barely knew or didn't know at all, launched in to a full on assault toward a fellow AWANA worker. Horrified, I asked if they were gossiping about someone they serve with at their own church. Needless to say, I earned a reputation and for a long time, no one gossiped with me.

Fast forward to today, where I'm training my daughters using a book entitled Personal Help for Girls from Pearables. While I do not agree with some of the opinions held by the authors, the section regarding gossip has some beneficial food for thought. It says that gossip is the result of having an unforgiving heart. When we don't forgive someone's sins, we are tempted to gossip about them. Being idle, or spending too much time with friends sitting around talking, lends itself to gossip for many women. If we are busy enough and focusing on what we ought to be focusing on, other people's short-comings won't enter in to our conversations.

This is a challenging topic when raising children. We want them to feel comfortable talking with us about anything, but we really need to watch their heart attitudes and train them in how to think and what to say out loud vs. just to God. Thankfully my children do not gossip about friends with other friends; hopefully, this will not become a problem. But what about when we are teaching our children things to be wary of or people to be wary of, more specifically? It is hard to know how much to point out about other people and not be gossiping ourselves in an effort to teach them.

. 

As I reflect on gossip and how much I do not like hearing about it (being gossiped to, which I try to nip quickly), I have little desire to have those who gossip around me. It is also a burden those who gossip put upon other people when they tell them negative opinions about us. Rest assured, no favors are being done when you use gossip to then try to "help" another person. You just end up looking like a busy-body and bring negativity into someone's life. There is a right way for interpersonal problems to be dealt with, either forgive and move forward, or gently confront someone about it. To discuss the matter with anyone other than that, unless a very careful seeking of advice from a mature Christian, is wrong. It only brings hurt and pain, despite how helpful you think you are being. 

Google Mail-Gmail

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-14/google-wants-e-mail-scanning-information-blocked.html

This goes in to why I left Gmail after having quite a good set up with two accounts.

I do not like my email getting scanned in order to send me ads based on what is read. That is outrageous to me. Juno does it and I've kept that account but it is only for business. Any newsletter I sign up for goes to that account. I've got a paid account for my friends. Of course my husband has had the same free account for over a decade. It is a steady one where people CAN find me if they lose track with all the changes. ;)

Tonight I was chatting with some friends, one of whom has known me through many email changes. It really is ridiculous  how often I change email! It's typically been due to too much spam taking over an account, so I'd move on. Sometimes a parameter changed with the server. Sometimes it was due to moving and we couldn't keep an email (sbcglobal.net comes to mind). The bottom line is, it truly is embarrassing how many email addresses I've had since starting with computers. At least my  mailing address has been the same for over 5 years; that is an accomplishment! My family's phone books are a mess under my name due to how much I moved while in college. ;) I guess we can't be perfect in EVERY way!

Psalm 40

Psalm 40

God Sustains His Servant.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

40 I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
² He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
³ He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.

⁴ How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust,
And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
⁵ Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count.

⁶ Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have opened;
Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.
⁷ Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
⁸ I delight to do Your will, O my God;
Your Law is within my heart.”

⁹ I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You know.
¹⁰ I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.

¹¹ You, O Lord, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
¹² For evils beyond number have surrounded me;
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see;
They are more numerous than the hairs of my head,
And my heart has failed me.

¹³ Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
Make haste, O Lord, to help me.
¹⁴ Let those be ashamed and humiliated together
Who seek my life to destroy it;
Let those be turned back and dishonored
Who delight in my hurt.

¹⁵ Let those be appalled because of their shame
Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
¹⁶ Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“The Lord be magnified!”
¹⁷ Since I am afflicted and needy,
Let the Lord be mindful of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God.

Back on My Knees

Do you remember that old song that says, "Where do I go, when I need some helping? Where do I go, when I need a friend? Tell me, where do I go, when I need some shelter? Where do I go?"

"Back on my knees, again."

I recently posted about having joy in our own lives when those we care about are making bad decisions or struggling in some way...that it is not wrong to separate enough to do have your own life, essentially. And I believe that. We each have our assignments.

But sometimes we are called to bear one another's burdens, and when that is going on, it can feel all-consuming. If only we could retreat from all the world during these storms and read scripture and pray continually.

When we pray for our enemies, God heaps burning coals upon their heads. Some people are our enemies because of what they do to those we love, right? To remember I was once God's enemy and He stretched out His arms and died for me helps me pray for those I may be feeling strong distaste for.

God help us pray for those YOU love.

Vengeance

I am thankful for the promise where God says that vengeance is His and He will repay. I love that He is a God of justice along with mercy and grace. Only He can rightly divide where to draw those lines. There are times in life when all we can do is fall at His feet asking Him to have the justice, to have the final word. To do a powerful work, quickly, to intervene in a life or lives...and this is when I go to my 'whatever it takes' prayer. It is an actual prayer that begins in my mind and attitude, fully relying on Him to work in ways no mortal can.

Tonight and for many nights to come, I'm asking the Almighty to not hold back any stops on doing whatever it takes for someone I love very much to be saved from eternal damnation, and protected from someone else's sin toward them.

--God, I implore you to intervene and save my unsaved loved ones. Do whatever it takes.

NO TEARS FOR LOST ROMAN CATHOLICS, BETH MOORE? : Apprising Ministries

NO TEARS FOR LOST ROMAN CATHOLICS, BETH MOORE? : Apprising Ministries.

I've posted at least one other concerning piece regarding the one sound and terrific teacher, Beth Moore. Quite sadly, she has gone the way of truth-deniers in these last days. God help us stay on the straight and narrow path, even if it means walking alone physically.

~Ann

Discernment and Christian Maturity

Amen! to this post. My prayer for all those who are not seeing the error infiltrating the church, is for God to give them discernment. That is the only thing that calms my soul. It is hard to be around those who do not see what is happening to the gospel message; they welcome in eastern mysticism, blend Romanism with true Christianity, encourage bringing in unbelievers and letting them dwell among the saved believing 'love' will eventually draw them to Christ (though all that happens is those people are made to feel so comfortable and they are not told they are sinners, so they never do get saved and the church gets more and more worldly).

The shouts of 'love' and 'community' are deafening in today's churches. Lots of people coming to the church is not an indicator of success; more often it is an indicator of a church selling out to this idea of reinventing Christianity.

Thank you, Mike, for standing for the truth and writing about it so thoughtfully time and again.

SBC Pastor's Conference ...

Will Christians take the time to investigate the claims herein? Nope, they will keep going to church where they go, believing everything their pastor tells them is orthodox, and aid the blurring of the lines between the true gospel and this reconfigured, relevant, mystical 'Christianity'.

Can light have fellowship with darkness?

I say, 'no'. Roman Catholicism is not the way to truth or Heaven, yet evangelicals, southern Baptists as well as others, do not care enough about the truth to learn what is happening and then take a stand. It is a lack of discernment and apathy, and it is not only distressing, it is disgusting.

Who is on the LORD'S side, I ask??

Wisdom?

We have just studied 1 Kings 18 with Bible study during school using the Greenleaf Guide to the Old Testament and Calvary Chapel's free study pages. It is an inspiring story as we see how God burned up the soaking wet sacrifice of Elijah's and how the prophets of Baal were left calling on a non-existent false god. What stands out to me, aside from how our powerful God licked up all the water, is how all the prophets of Baal needed to be killed. Their families could not be spared. Why is that?

It is a sad reality that willingly ignorant apostates will not be converted to the true way--they have had it, and left it. True believers should not intermingle with them, it poses a danger of the gospel being altered from what God intends. We cannot intimately co-exist with those who do not uphold the truth. How many Christians today are unhappy because of violating this Biblical principle? It is one that is ignored by many, many people even though we are not to be unequally yoked. Does that apply to marriage only? Larry Burkett said it also applied to business partners. I think it applies to any close relationships we have. There is a difference between relationships we adults have for ministry purposes and friendships we hold as personally close--those we would consider 'wise counselors'.

We play with fire when we ignore how important a godly father leading a family is when it comes to the children we let in our own kid's 'inner circle'. If asked if we think it's critical for dads to be the spiritual leaders of their homes, we'll say, "Yes", but it seems we don't think it is important enough to cause us to make decisions based on it. Do we not think that we create and feed appetites in our children to long for the company of kids that are in shaky 'Christian' homes? Too often we parents do what we want to do while merely giving lip-service to orthodox living.

The bottom line is, people always live what they really believe. That is why you will know who a person REALLY is by looking at their friends. The Christian life is a life of self-denial and sacrifice; at least that is what I see in Scripture. When we surround ourselves with people who do not inspire us to 'reach for the stars', so to speak...people who naturally make us feel better about our walk with the Lord because they are clearly off track, we will reap results from that. The law of sowing and reaping is irrefutable. We cannot pretend that appetites are created overnight, for ourselves or our kids. They are the result of intentional parenting decisions or personal decisions. Are we feeding lax attitudes in our own life because of who we call 'friend'? Are we showing our kids that what we decide as a family is just one option among others that are fine enough (since we let them be impacted by opposing ideologies often)?

Here is another example relating to bathing suit styles. We are blessed with some cute nieces in our family and my kids were ooing and ahhing over all the adorable, tiny bathing suits available. None are in a style my older kids would wear or even things we let them wear when they were younger, but still my kids think they'd be a fun gift. It was a good opportunity for me to explain that while it may not be a wrong idea for a tiny child in the same way it is for them as young women, it would make that child comfortable going about in very little clothing. That begins to create a person who is in general, comfortable being less than modest. What about the feedback that little girl will get in her tiny little baby bikini? Everyone will tell her how adorable she is, and anyone who has been around small children knows that long before a kid understands many things, they understand when they are pleasing people. We can inadvertently train them to want to wear revealing, cutesie outfits from an early age. Do we really think that won't have an impact on wanting them to wear, or shun, conservative swimwear later?

Friends, let us stop playing at being orthodox and wanting to make excuses for living a life that is clearly set apart for the King of Kings. Flirting with looseness and rebellion is not going to take any serious Christian where they want to go.

Eat | Simple and easy Vanilla Butter cake that you should know | Red Brolly

Eat | Simple and easy Vanilla Butter cake that you should know | Red Brolly.

I want to remember to try this recipe, maybe as soon as tomorrow, so here is my way to easily find it! Sounds pretty interesting, doesn't it? Weigh your eggs!

Grammar Formula

This being my 10th year of homeschooling, I'm finding it rather comical that it is apparent doing the same thing, in the same manner, is maddening to me. I've posted before comparing grammar curricula, this post is not that. It is what I've found to be a teaching mechanism for me and a way to have a well-rounded grammar program. It isn't likely I'll get down everything we do, but here is an idea.

For me, doing The Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading proved invaluable for learning what I consider some of the best jingles out there, as well as the proper sounds of letters. I also like the sentences in the back of Level 2 for diagramming and labeling, but I don't just do what Beers' suggests; I like incorporating the Essentials of the English Language (EEL) question and answer flow. This is very similar to Shurley English's, only it starts with, "Who or what is the sentence about?"

Sometimes I direct my students to locate all of the prepositional phrases first, or right after finding the subject and the verb.  Easy Grammar starts the labeling process with prepositional phrases since that minimizes the other words in the sentence. Regardless of where we start in the sentence, I've found that consistently discussing the word's part of speech AND it's job in the sentence is very important. It takes some children a long time to understand the fact that a noun can be labeled as several different things depending on how it's used.

Using EEL's charts is an important step in memorizing grammar facts, and the Foundations work in Classical Conversations is often used. You can get this info in Shurley English or Easy Grammar, but the manner in which facts are presented and memorized in CC is superior. Even I have learned the prepositions, though each program incorporates different words in their list, which is annoying. Where I do not like CC is in the definition of a noun.  I prefer sticking with a noun as naming a person, place or thing.

Diagramming sentences--where to get them? The Phonics Road and Shurley are good sources and I use them both. Along with this, I'll use Shurley's writing improved sentences as a way to mix things up a bit and Easy Grammar's "Daily Grams". We can label a sentence given in there for variety. Vocabulary words are great in the Shurley curricula. We use that as well as a simple vocabulary workbook purchased at a teacher store. For my youngest student, I have a punctuation workbook and a daily editing practice book. We incorporate these skills with IEW so the kids see why these things matter.

Finally, I'm doing Fix It! with my 5th grader. This is a terrific program to practice the grammar skills, but it is cumbersome and not as thorough with teaching skills as we need for an entire year's program.

I know this approach isn't for a new homeschooler, but for me, trying to keep surviving, it is working great!

Denying Oneself in Parenting

It is interesting in our culture that we parents rarely deny ourselves. The thought of whether it is a good thing (or the best thing) for our kids isn't a consideration, what is best for us is what we rule and reign with. It isn't always this way, of course, it often doesn't START that way, but it sure does come in to play, especially as our kids age.

When I say it doesn't start that way, take this example: it is easy for Mom to deny herself when her baby is young and depending on her for its nourishment. She avoids harmful foods and activities when pregnant, and that continues when she is breastfeeding. She gets up at all hours for a year, sits alone for long stretches, sometimes on a strange toilet seat, because she takes her responsibility seriously and attacks the task with self-denial. She is rewarded with a special bonding, unique lessons, breast health, and finances....but does Mom see the benefits of self-denial once the babe is older? Let that child grow and be awake during 'grown up' time, does Mom still deny herself for the better of her child? Do we learn these lessons a little at a time like we ought, or do we shut our minds to the opportunities to grow as our children grow?

Is Mom watching shows that are appropriate for a young Christian child? Is Mom going to bed at a decent hour, reading her Bible, praying, keeping the house orderly? If Mom believes too many kids today live on the computer or are poor communicators because of texting, is she willing to NOT do those things so her child grows up differently? If Mom has concerns about modesty, is she willing to curtail keeping up with the latest fashion, realizing her daughters will go farther with pushing the limits? Does she want to model the farthest point of modesty or does she want to leave some wiggle room for her girls? This issue is vast for Mom's with daughters--makeup, jewelry, gossip, complaining, shopping habits, attitude toward the husband as the head of the house...we should concern ourselves as children of the King with these things. Our kids are gifts from God used to mold us and shape us, and this is one area that can do wonders if we will choose to not ignore it.

For our sons, are we respecting their Dad when he is home AND when he isn't? Do we work to build his relationship with the kids when it's just 'us' and the kids, or do we stealthily try to have them align more with us than Dad on certain issues? Do we act like Dad should be doing what we as the Mom are called to do, particularly with the tasks needed with young children? So many Mom's are advised by liberals to split responsibilities with the man that gets up to work every day while she stays home full-time. The hours of the jobs aren't the same, that is for sure. There are differences in how a man succeeds in his career based on the support, or lack thereof, of his wife.

Moving on to Dad...what music does he play in the car? Does he dare be courageous enough to evaluate if what he is accustomed to hearing is really best for his child? Dad, are you trying to let your child 'live a little' when with you, subtly creating an appetite for worldly music thinking that connection with you and your pre-Christ lifestyle is actually helpful? What about Dad's use of his 'free' time? Is it all about him, or is he thinking of what is best for his children as the leader and example in their lives? Is he concerned with modeling the type of behavior he wants his daughters to seek out in a husband? Is he living as their future husbands will live in front of his future grandchildren? Or is he all about comfort and taking it easy once he comes in from a hard day's work? Do his sons see him as a servant leader of his home, or a disconnected father that leaves all home schooling decisions to Mom as well as most of the decisions on discipline?

Sadly, I think too often we parents justify our actions without really asking if they are best-- are they pleasing to the Lord? I think we want to be free to do whatever we want to do when we want to do it, and then we're surprised that our children act the same way. Just because it's about what they will wear or eat doesn't make the battle less serious. Our will must come under God's, just like our children's will must come under our authority. If our will isn't under God, it is our fault. If our child's will isn't under our authority, it is also our fault. And if our kids have appetites for all manner of things that are really more suited toward grown-ups, I think we need to shoulder that blame as well.

Denying ourselves is uncomfortable, it means we eat healthier than we want to because our kids are watching. It means we exercise because we want them to have a healthy lifestyle so they aren't falling apart at 40 yrs old like we are. It means not getting the latest iPod with FM radio because we know if we have it, they'll want it, and that is a lot of freedom to give a Christian child who you are trying to protect from the onslaught of smut going through the airwaves.

Our lives are not our own when we belong to Christ, and they aren't our own when we have children. If we want them to be successful, we need to be successful.

I remember for far too long sleeping in a little on the late side, expecting my kids to get up and do what they were supposed to do because they had a schedule. It was so hypocritical of me, but I did what I could to have them understand morning people are more successful in general. It wasn't until
my husbanda close friend mentioned that it isn't really reasonable for me to have been doing that, kids learn by example and if something is really important to me, then I needed to demonstrate it. Saying, "I'm not a morning person," was a cop-out; would that work with a boss?

I can't help but wonder how much of our sin is due to this fact of self-indulgence on many small levels day in and day out. If it's not sin, I wonder how many problems we deal with in our homes are the direct reflection of our personal daily choices. We can think we're winning, just like the women who pushed for oral contraception in the 70's, but we often shoot ourselves in the foot with our rebellious ways.

As we come in to spring here on the east coast, perhaps it is time we cut out things that aren't good for our kids, which will ultimately be better for us.

Striving with you--

Senior Thesis Paper from Liberty University

This looks like a very impressive senior thesis, written by someone named Mathew Harris. I hope he was successful with his academic pursuits. This was submitted as part of his graduation from Liberty University's honors program in 2010.

Rauschenbusch’s Regurgitations: Rob Bell’s Promotion of a Realized Eschatology and His Alignment with Walter Rauschenbusch and the Social Gospel Movement

http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1116&context=honors