The Battle is the Lord’s
This coming school year promises to be an interesting one with all that is at stake for home educators. There is the U.S. Presidential election which so far has been a humdinger. First, John McCain was down for the count, then he was the nominee. Hilliary Clinton’s juggernaut crushes everything in her way as she heads to her coronation. Wait a minute. That didn’t happen; Barack Obama is now the guy. As of the writing of this article, Barack and John are in a statistical tie, but Obama is selling more T-shirts and bumper stickers. Stay tuned for more.
In the Congress and Senate, there is talk of a Democrat super majority, with stunning losses foretold for the Republicans. At the state level, Ohio could very well end up as a blue state with democrats running at least the House in tandem with a Democrat Governor. Oh, and did I mention the state Home Education Regulations are up for a formal review after 19 years?
Boring it ain’t.
I would submit that no matter what happens, that the Lord will still be on his throne. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians:
The bottom line is that we are citizens of another government. So, what happens here shouldn’t get us too shaken up, since after all it and they are all coming to nothing. However, we are temporary citizens of this world and I believe that scripture tells us to advocate for things like freedom, justice, and mercy.
6 “ Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
This election season, I suggest you make it your aim to advocate for freedom, to break any yokes. Certainly, many freedoms in our country and state are at risk. So, while the victory and the battle belong to the Lord, our God has given us power to act. The battle isn’t over. It is just beginning. So, this fall, I suggest getting involved as a family in the political process. Find out which state, local, and federal candidates support freedom. Since we as a group are dedicated to homeschooling, find out who is on our side and do what you can to support them. Work a precinct, help put up signs, make phone calls, get your kids involved. They will benefit much more by seeing and doing instead of studying how our political process works in a textbook.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the LORD.
Get your horse in the battle.
Worthship
While I was away on a trip to help my sister recover from surgery, I read chapter two of Satisfy my Thirsty Soul. In this thought provoking chapter, Dillow says that Scripture was key in giving her a deeper understanding of God’s holiness. To me, this sounds like a no-brainer. Of course Scripture is going to give us a deeper understanding of God’s holiness. But how many times do I read the Bible and not process it. I don’t come away with a deeper understanding of His holiness; but maybe a sense of accomplishment that I’ve read my Bible.
A.W. Tozer said, “God has been abridged, reduced, modified, edited, changed and amended until He is no longer the God whom Isaiah saw, high and lifted up.”
My prayer is that I will see Him, high and lifted up. That I will see my sinfulness, repent of it and then be able to worship Him fully. Dillow gives the definition of “worship”–”worthship”; to attribute worth to something or someone; an active response to God that declares His worth.”
He is worthy of so much more that I give Him.
Come let us worship and bow down
A friend recommended this book to me…Satisfy My Thirsty Soul by Linda Dillow. The verse in the opening chapter is Psalm 63:1
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water. (NIV)
Have you ever had a thirst like that? A thirst where you just longed for water to quench your parched throat? That is how we are to long after God. Earnestly seeking Him.
I’m not sure about you, but that is convicting to me. So many times my days move along at such a pace that I don’t earnestly seek Him. This book is a 12 week practical study of satisfying your thirsty soul with God. This summer, it is my desire to work through this book and bring snippets and nuggets of truth to you the PEACH blog readers. Adding in the blog aspect will give me a level of accountability. If you’d like to join me–that would be great. Grab a copy of the book and let’s get started.
Dillow says that “Worship is the path to experiencing the presence of God, the way to face-to-face intimacy.” She goes on to say, “Worship is not just a specific act. It is also a lifestyle. Worship is a specific act of bowing my knees and declaring, ‘Holy, holy, holy.’ Worship is also a lifestyle of bowing my life and living ‘holy, holy, holy.’”
“Come let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Psalm 95:6
Summer time
For homeschoolers summer means many different things. Some continue their studies as usual, some do special unit studies, some take a break from formal learning and some are somewhere in between these options. I’ve talked to some folks who are trying to finish up their year, others who are tackling household projects that they couldn’t get done during the year and yet others who are taking family vacations.
My focus this summer has been finishing up an insect unit study and completing some craft projects. I am also watching a couple extra children–which has made for some interesting times. It’s keeping me on my toes. I’ve made a schedule to help the day flow and have added the extra kids into our unit study.
Through the encouragement of friends, I’ve been meditating on Psalm 118:24
“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Apart from Him, I can do nothing. And I’m being reminded that my plans are not always His plans. So I need to keep my mind focused on Him.
What plans does the Lord have for your summer?
Life Lessons from Little Books
Recently a friend shared some book titles with me. Somewhere along the way, I’d heard of the books, but hadn’t checked into them. This time I did and I’m looking forward to seeing how God will use these books in the lives of our children.
The titles are: The Princess and The Kiss and The Squire and the Scroll. Each book has a Life Lessons book (sold separately) and coloring book (also sold separately). I’m really excited about the Life Lessons books. For book, the authors have come up with lessons that correspond to the book. Each lesson contains a short devotional, prayer, “jewel of truth”–Scripture, creative focus, royal reminders and helpful hints for parents.
From the back of The Princess and The Kiss: “Picking up where the storybook left off, this easy-to-use devotional covers biblical teaching on purity, relationships, and God’s plans for marriage (or singleness) with your child in a non-threatening and age-appropriate way. These life lessons are packed with wisdom from God’s Word, truths that all young girls need to know as they guard their purity, whether they’re six or sixteen. You and your daughter can build a godly heritage with these short practical, life-changing studies and activities that can be personalized for any age. An optional Princess Purity Ceremony is also included as an exciting and memorable way to formally celebrate your daughter’s growth.”
The boy’s counterpart book is very similar, except with a “knightly” focus.
I hope you will check out these books, and if you do, leave a comment to let me know.
Sometimes we need a reminder
Growing up I attended a Christian school. As part of the discipline procedures, the teachers would give out “reminders”. After a certain number of reminders, some other unpleasant punishment would follow. They were trying to remind us to do good, as to avoid the unpleasant punishment.
I find that I often need reminders–why exercise? Why try to eat healthy? Why do I homeschool? Why continue to be diligent with training my children? Some days are just hard, frustrating and discouraging, and a homeschool mom needs someone to come along beside her and remind her of the bigger picture. Our Heavenly Father is the first One she needs to go to for help. The Lord also has provided her husband, and at times, a good friend to help encourage. My husband often comes to my rescue at the end of a hard day. In addition, I have a good friend that I’ve be known to call and ask, “Tell me why we homeschool again!”
If I fail to reach out for help and “reminders”, I can start down a slippery slope that leads to further discouragement, irritability and other certain unpleasant things.
A friend let me borrow Help! I’m Married to a Homeschooling Mom: Showing Dads How to Meet the Needs of Their Homeschooling Wives by Todd Wilson. On page 32 he says:
We knew very little about homeschooling, except our reasons for doing it:
- To protect our children from ungodly, worldly influences.
- To train our children to influence the world for Christ.
- To teach our children to love God with all their hearts at all times.
Those reasons have been our solid ground because, like every other homeschooling mom, my wife has doubts.
Doubts assail us all. Having our reasons clearly identified serve as a foundational reminder of why we homeschool. Scripture verses written on note cards and taped around the house are also good.
Think about what encourages you and what reminds you to keep going because sometimes we all need a reminder.
Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (NAS)
Lest I forget Thy love for me
King of My Life, I Crown Thee Now
Jennie E. Hussey, 1921
King of my life, I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be; Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary.
Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid, Tenderly mourned and wept; Angels in robes of light arrayed guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.
Let me like Mary thro’ the gloom, Come with a gift to Thee; Show to me now the empty tomb, Lead me to Calvary.
May I be willing Lord, to bear Daily my cross for Thee; Even Thy cup of grief to share, Thou hast borne all for me.
Refrain:
Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony; Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.
Listen to this hymn on Cyberhymnal.org
May you and your family focus on the sacrificial atoning blood of Christ offered for us on the cross.