Who Are Your Closest Friends?

I've heard it said, and you probably have too, that you can tell a lot about someone by who their closest friends are.

I've heard it said that for a Christian, there is reason for concern if their closest friend is not a believer, or is one living outside God's will.  This is the issue at hand and which requires a close look.

We usually, or at least often, think of this verse with marriage, but it applies also to business. The late Larry Burkett was clear about not being bound with an unbeliever in business and finance. The Christian should honor God with their money, an unbeliever does not serve that God so knows nothing of this.

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Cor 6:14

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:24

We cannot serve God and wealth, we also cannot serve God and the world. The world does not know God. We cannot expect them to honor Him or live like those who belong to Him. There is no fellowship with light and darkness. 

But He knew their thoughts and said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls. Luke 11:17

 

High School Homeschooling

When homeschooling elementary aged kids it makes sense to take off here and there for field trips or fun. It is one of the thrills of homeschooling young kids.

High school level work is not isolated to one day or even one week. I feel this should be said to be unfortunate, but it is just reality. Work loads are heavy and carry over. There are tests,  papers, or projects underway or coming up, and missing days of school is so detrimental that the work cannot necessarily be caught up.

If a student is working 9 hours a day, including some additional evening hours and definitely weekend time to stay on top of their work, how many missed days would it take for them to have nearly double that workload? Unless Mom is doing all of the teaching, the work can't be slowed down or stopped temporarily, and too much slowing down or stopping means that school has to go in to summer if programs are being completed in their entirety.

Grades in high school matter greatly, not just for college entry but also scholarships. The discipline and commitment needed to do well builds character as well, particularly when studying subjects that aren't enjoyable to the student. There is a basic knowledge people need to be contributing members of society, so a well-rounded high school education matters. A student's primary job is to do well with school. There are tons of opportunities later for other activities, but while in school during the school year, academics should take priority.

Proverbs 18:17

The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.

Proverbs 18:17

If we all believed this verse, would it cut down on gossip?

Self-Control

It doesn't matter what circumstance is put before our children; each one is an opportunity to teach them to react in a way that honors God, and as their parent, it is our responsibility to rise to the occasion and teach them to respond with self-control. 

How to Overindulge a Child

To render a child what most would refer to as (or at least think even if they don't verbalize it) a spoiled brat, be sure to give them what they want every time they ask. If you fail to do this every time, do not despair, the damage can still be done by giving them what they want MOST of the time. If you are deft with saying NO halfheartedly and can give in after they protest and ask multiple times, you can still be successful in creating a child who cannot control themselves when they are denied something they want.

Advanced methods on overindulging: Be sure to fool yourself that if they ask NICELY after being told NO, you are somehow parenting well. This is actually manipulation and the child is merely being taught that nagging and then acting sweet is how to get what they want.

For those who wish to fail at making their child bratty: have high expectations. Tell your child what to do and calmly expect it the first time with a good attitude. If they fail to act quickly or fail to do it with a good attitude, discipline them and explain why they need to act differently next time. If this is a big change in your parenting, have a talk before trouble starts to outline what your new expectations are. Your part as the parent is to get off your phone or computer and pay attention to what your child is doing. Respond quickly, consistently, and appropriately to their actions. Set up opportunities for them to have to obey you as training. Be nice and sweet, but be firm in your expectations.

Spring Joy

Not the usual activities of Spring, but satisfying nonetheless.

Are You a Christian Interested in Dental Hygiene?

Colleges are continually looking for what programs will grow their school. If more Christians were interested in a Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene and would inquire about this, it would become an area of interest eventually. Of course, only genuine interests are wanted. We wouldn't want to give a college a false sense of who would want to come to their school since funding and staff are critical for a new program.

Please, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, contact a Christian college and ask them about an opportunity for DH, be it a partnership with a Community College or a degree completion program for those who have their DH certification but wish to get their Bachelor degree. There has to be a godly option for Allied Health students who are committed to serving their fellow man hands-on.

Dental Hygiene for Christians

How is it that there is not one Dental Hygiene program at a solid Christian college in America at an affordable price? Do not sit idly by, Christians! Humanistic ideals are plaguing Allied Health fields. Classes like sociology and Psychology are required if one will work with the public because the world system subscribes to the evolutionary mindset that either looks inward or to mankind for the answers to life's problems.

Work...A Recipe for Success

If you ever used Instruction for Righteousness' charts, you probably agree with this post. The "Go to the Ant" chart was a favorite when I was raising young children. The chore chart was also a hit; but you know what the best child training method in my arsenal is? It is a proper attitude toward WORK.

The Bible extols the virtues of hard work, diligent work, consistent work...and we see it in nature. Ants work continually and they have their specialized jobs for the benefit of the colony. Bees are the same. It is the same with people. We have jobs to do, and rather than expend energy explaining why we should have less work or different work, we'd do well to DIG IN and do the work God has set before us.

If you are a house wife, knock your husband's socks off with keeping an organized and efficient home, complete with nutritious and delicious meals.

If you are a stay-at-home mom, do likewise and train the children to respect Dad and work to help you with your duties of keeping the home and maintaining order. Demonstrate the importance of WORK by WORKING yourself. Nothing speaks louder to our kids than that, and you'll set them up for a happy future.

The most miserable people, besides Christians living outside God's will, are those whose god is fun. Those who shirk their responsibilities or fail to cultivate the competence to complete their house hold tasks independently and effectively.

Work embodies Christian principles--our hands aren't slack, falling to evil. It requires thankfulness for what God has given us, tangible and intangible gifts. Work causes us to put our focus outside of ourselves and satisfying our lusts. It keeps us from being driven and tossed by the wind. A busy mom who is devoted to her husband being able to come in from work and relax has no time for foolishness, slovenliness, gossip or the like. Keeping a proper home and training children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord takes work and lots of it.

Children are most secure when they see Dad and Mom united and loving each other. Mom, be pretty and ready to greet your husband, and have the children in order with the house straight and a meal ready or nearly so. Greet your husband first to show it is your union that is 1st--which is wholly Biblical. Dad can have time with the kids then, but make sure you two have a few uninterrupted minutes to talk and bond in front of the kids while they are taught to respect that time. You'll be strengthening your marriage and giving your kids what they most need. This takes WORK and discipline, Ladies. But you can do it.

You may be able to snow your husband that you are 'too busy' to keep the house, do the laundry, do the cooking, teach the children and look good, but remember, none of us live isolated on an island. He knows what his mother accomplished and he sees what other women accomplish. You are only hurting yourself and cheating yourself and your family out of a much better home life by shirking your responsibilities. A man who is supported by a loving wife is more successful at work and can balance his projects at home better than a man who has to do a lot of his wife's work.

Proverbs 6: 6-11
Go to the ant, O sluggard,
            Observe her ways and be wise,
      7Which, having no chief,
            Officer or ruler,
      8Prepares her food in the summer
            And gathers her provision in the harvest.
      9How long will you lie down, O sluggard?
            When will you arise from your sleep?
      10“A little sleep, a little slumber,
            A little folding of the hands to rest”—
      11Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
            And your need like an armed man.