This is the year of our more relaxed schedule; a school year that we are giving ourselves permission to step away from the textbooks in order to learn more about life.  We are calling it our learning lifestyle. We are still using a math textbook and keeping our reading and writing lessons up but we are allowing more time for extra curricular activities and life skills.

Recently, our oldest son  has been expressing a deep desire to volunteer at the Republican headquarters. He seems to be very interested in politics and is extremely  eager  to offer his services.   My husband and I want to encourage this interest and hope he will learn and grow through the experience.   Because we usually do things as a family, we are all volunteering by making telephone calls, walking precincts, and passing out fliers.  We will continue to do this for the next few weeks until Nov 2. After this we will  re-evaluate.  Read more...

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was an English Puritan, a poet, and a hymn writer. I thought this list that he created might be helpful to us in several ways. If we pray about it and ask the Lord how we can apply this to our lives, perhaps it could be used to help us grow spiritually. We can also use it to compare our lives today with the lives of a puritan man in the 17th century. I suppose this list could be a turn off to some people because it may appear to be legalistic; even boring. Personally, I love lists and find them helpful and interesting. I love history, and I truly enjoy reading about Godly men and women who lived generations ago. I hope you will benefit from the words of this puritan man. ~Anne

A holy life is inclined to be made easier when we know the usual sequence and method of our duties – with everything falling into its proper place. Therefore, I shall give some brief directions for spending the day in a holy manner.
Sleep

Measure the time of your sleep appropriately so that you do not waste your precious morning hours sluggishly in your bed. Let the time of your sleep be matched to your health and labour, and not to slothful pleasure.
First Thoughts

Let God have your first awaking thoughts; lift up your hearts to Him reverently and thankfully for the rest enjoyed the night before and cast yourself upon Him for the day which follows.  Read more...

The curling waves, with awful roar, a little bark assailed,
And pallid Fear’s distracting power o’er all on board prevailed–
Save one, the captain’s darling child, who fearless viewed the storm,
And, cheerful, with composure smiled at danger’s threatening form.

“And can you smile,” a seaman cried, “while terrors overwhelm?”
“Why should I fear?” the boy replied; “my father’s at the helm!”
So, when our worldly hopes are crushed, our earthly comforts gone,
We still have one sure anchor left — God helps, and He alone.

He to our prayers will lend his ear, he gives our pangs relief;
He turns to smiles each trembling fear, to joy each torturing grief.
Then turn to him, mid terrors wild, when wants and woes o’erwhelm,
Remembering, like the fearless child, our Father’s at the helm!

~Author Unknown~

This first appeared as a poem published in The Edinburgh Christian Magazine,
and was set to music to music by Arthur Sullivan in 1871.

Courage, brother! do not stumble,
Though thy path is dark as night;
There’s a star to guide the humble–
Trust in God and do the right.

Let the road be long and dreary,
And its ending out of sight;
Foot it bravely–strong or weary,
Trust in God and do the right.

Perish “policy” and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light;
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God and do the right.

Trust no party, trust no faction,
Trust no leaders in the fight;
But in every word and action
Trust in God and do the right.

Trust no forms of guilty passion,
Fiends can look like angels bright;
Trust no custom, school, or fashion,
Trust in God and do the right.

Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Turn from man, and look above thee,
Trust in God and do the right.

Simple rule and safest guiding,
Inward peace and inward light;
Star upon our path abiding,
TRUST IN GOD AND DO THE RIGHT.

Blessed are the Mothers who love God, for their children shall
not be ignorant of their Creator and His plans concerning them.

Blessed are the Mothers who love the word of God, for their
children shall know of the way, the truth and the life.

Blessed are the Mothers who love the house of God, for their
children shall enter there and sit with them in the presence of God.

Blessed are the Mothers who love to pray, for their children
shall feel the power of prayer and many shall find salvation.

Blessed are the Mothers who love to give to the cause of Christ,
for their children shall become supporters of the Kingdom of God.

Blessed are the Mothers who love the family altar, for they
shall have their reward in this world and in the world to come.

Blessed are the Mothers who love to speak kind words to their
neighbor’s children, for thereby they shall win
other boys and girls besides their own to Jesus Christ.

Blessed are the Mothers who love to be companions to their
children, for they shall be called understanding Mothers.

Blessed are the Mothers who love to fight life’s battles
bravely with a strong and steadfast faith in God, for their
children shall know where to find strength in time of need.

Blessed are the Mothers who, when they are old and gray,
can look back upon memory’s wall with no regret and can say,
“I brought my children up in the fear of the Lord.”
Theirs are the mansions in glory.  Read more...

Have you had a chance to see the Indoctrinate U series yet?  It is eye-opening.  It exposes the social and political agenda of many of  the colleges and universities.   Perhaps you would like to watch this before sending your children off.  You can watch it on youtube, order online, or watch it here.  Make yourself a cup of coffee, get your notebook,  and prepare to have your eyes opened up!  (Turn off the music ;)) ~Anne

www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-zz1HwxIjg (trailer)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU7_Ju5QTyY (Part 1)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=az7VZvLGvcs (Part 2)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezH1WTb_x6s (Part 3)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtEXflYl_Lc (Part 4)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehumseq10Eo (Part 5)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjPyLE6YmmI (Part 6)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_CH3dYvmDw (Part 7-9)

This document which was written in long hand by William Jackson, Secretary to the President, was lost for 130 years soon after it was written. It was signed by George Washington. Somehow it got mixed in with some private papers when the US Capitol moved from New York to Washington, D.C.   In 1921 Dr. J.C. Fitzpatrick found this at an auction sale in a New York art gallery. He purchased it for $300.00 for the Library of Congress where it now resides. This was the first official presidential proclamation issued int the United States.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”  Read more...

Do you remember celebrating Columbus Day when you were a child?

I vaguely remember reading about his accomplishments and recall being taught that he was  a hero and  a great explorer.  We were not given a ton of information about his faith, his prayers,  or his desire to spread Christianity,  but we were taught that he was a man we should admire and celebrate each Columbus Day.

Needless to say,  Columbus had some pride issues and he desired recognition, power and wealth—he was a sinner no doubt.  But these folks who are protesting at the Columbus Day parades and who are pressuring school districts to shun the holiday are out of line and not reading history in context.   Perhaps they have some new politically correct history books written by Columbia professors (with no original sources or bibliographies) that they are clinging to?

It is so sad and unfortunate, but today, special interest groups are depicting Columbus as an evil person in order to promote their own political and social agenda’s.  As usual these groups are small but very vocal and sometimes militant.  Columbus  has been called “The Hitler of the 15th century,”  as well as a murderer, robber, slave-trader,  and racist.  These groups have helped convince people of these lies by comparing  the values of a Renaissance man with those of a person in our contemporary world.  For example,  regarding the accusation of  him capturing and selling slaves….perhaps we should add some context.  Upon his return from Hispaniola, Columbus did capture Indians after all of his men had been massacred by the Taino tribe.  He and his men captured 2000 Indians from this tribe and took 500 as POW’s who were then sold as slaves as was the custom in 15th century Europe.  Slavery was not only practiced in Europe but it was also practiced in the Caribbean by the Caribs and Canibs who would kill their slaves and then eat them (cannibalism).  Read more...

My dearest friend and homeschool mentor wrote this article about her journey of understanding and growth regarding Halloween. I hope it will minister to you as you travel your road of growth and understanding as well.  She has a humble heart and wishes to share this so that others who are seeking answers or possibly deciding to eliminate this holiday, will not feel so alone. ~Anne

From the Heart…

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the colors, the weather, the anticipation of the holidays, the routine the season brings. I was happy to put out my fall porch decorations last week. They are nothing too special, but the colorful pumpkins and flowers greet me, and remind me of this beautiful, thank filled season. Yet, every year, my delight in the season is shadowed by a different holy day, blaring from every store window and isle, with all the gore and ghoul associated with this holiday. Yes, Halloween is the thief… that interesting “holiday” that is marketed to children and families, yet is saturated with the blatant celebration of death, gore and evil.
While I was hesitant, and afraid of being controversial, I decided to bring up this subject that troubles my heart every year at this time. Let me say quickly, that my repulsion towards Halloween was a process, a journey, and I realize your family may come to a different conclusion as you seek the Lord on this issue. Still, I will share a little of my story, in case someone else is struggling or feeling uncomfortable or praying about this for their family. I hope my heart comes through, and that you know this discussion is not fueled by any type of self righteousness. Rather, I simply wanted to bring up the discussion in case others might be evaluating what the Lord is desiring for their family.
Many years ago, in my pre-children days, I was the one on the planning committee for my church Halloween party, having a blast, making costumes, etc. My only associations with Halloween were fun and festive. It was in that masquerade of fun, that I think the truth behind this day was hiding, even from Christians and churches. It appears that for the most part, it still is.  Read more...

“This is a job for the printing press”

Hyperinflation here we come

By Jon Herring

There are so many headwinds and cross currents in the market today, it is all but impossible to predict what will happen in the short term. There is too much volatility and noise. So, it pays to keep your eyes on the horizon, focused on the long term and the biggest trends.

Today, I want to tell about the biggest of all possible financial trends: the eventual bankruptcy of the United States government. Or should I say the existing bankruptcy of the U.S. government?

The United States government is facing an impending fiscal crisis. Former Comptroller General David Walker calls it a “cancer growing from within.” And the wheels for this were already set in motion well before the financial crisis. With ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a costly stimulus package and falling tax receipts, the U.S. was already neck deep in debt.

A Trillion Dollar Deficit?

Even before the bailouts, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) projected that the 2009 federal deficit would be nearly $482 billion. Since then however, our government has jacked up spending by the trillions. In just a few months, we have already charted a course to triple that deficit. Some experts even suggest the 2009 deficit could be as high as $2 trillion!

But, believe it or not, this is just a drop in the bucket compared to the big picture  Read more...

Almighty God, You have given us this good land for our heritage. We humbly ask You that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Your favor and glad to do Your will. Bless our land with honorable endeavor, sound learning and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties and fashion into one united people the multitude brought here out of many nations and tongues. Endow with the Spirit of wisdom those to whom in Your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Your law we may show forth Your praise among the nations on earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble do not allow our trust in You to fail. Amen.

~~ by Thomas Jefferson, taken from “Prayers for Today,” published by Leaflet Missal Co.

Some sources are stating that this prayer is not by Thomas Jefferson and others are sure that it is a prayer from him.  Anyway, I thought it was a wonderful prayer….and a prayer that I will make my own for our America. ~Anne

The following hints on how to write a member of Congress were suggested by congressional sources and the League of Women Voters.

• Write to your own senators or representatives.  Letters sent to other members will end up on the desk of members from your state.
• Write at the proper time, when a bill is being discussed in committee or on the floor.
• Use your own words and your own stationery.  Avoid signing and sending a form on mimeographed letter.
• Don’t be a pen pal.  Don’t try to instruct the representative or senator on every issue that comes up.
• Whenever possible, identify all bills by their number.
• If possible, include pertinent editorials from local papers.
• Be constructive.  If a bill deals with a problem you admit exists but you believe the bill is wrong approach, tell what you think is the right approach.
• If you have expert knowledge or wide experience in particular areas, share it with the member.  Don’t pretend to wield vast political influence.
• Write to the member when  he does something of which you approve.  A note of appreciation will make him remember you more favorably the next time.
• Feel free to write when you have a question or problem dealing with procedures of governmental departments.
• Be brief, write legibly, and be sure to use the proper form of address.  Feminine forms of address should be substituted, when appropriate.

Correct Form for Letters to Public Officials  Read more...

We are slowly working our way through Christian Liberty Press’ , The Land of Fair Play.  Since we have our elections coming in a few short weeks,  I thought I’d skip ahead to our election chapter.

I believe it is our duty to educate ourselves,  learn about elections, the political parties, and vote for those who will defend and uphold the Constitution.  I know that folks everywhere keep saying,   “get out and vote”  but I would advise:  read about the issues first,  read the constitution,  and study our founding fathers.  Decide if you value your liberties and freedoms,  and if you do,  “get out and vote please”…. for the candidate that will protect and defend our God given liberties.  If you are voting because you think your candidate is a fine speaker,  good looking, or cool and hip,  do us all a favor and stay home please!!!!  If you are voting for someone because he is a favorite of your friend,  professor in school,  or Hollywood celebrity…..why bother?

Frankly,  these days I’m not impressed that a candidate is  Harvard Educated or a Rhodes scholar.  I don’t care if he is  ” smart” or a fine speaker or can “work”  a crowd.  I’ll vote for the person who truly loves America, who  fears God, upholds the Constitution, and is an honorable  man or woman of integrity.  I would love to vote for someone like that if they would run for office.  Read more...