Reading Great Books

“Because life and time are short, we will be able to read only a few thousand books in our lifetimes. When we pick any book, we are ruling out hundreds and thousands of other books. How important it is, then, to choose time-proven great books that will [uplift and transform us], and enable us to rise to greater levels of truth and beauty and insight and understanding and, hence, spirituality. Many great men and women have found that a steady, systematic approach to literature has enabled them to fill their beings, in a lifetime of good reading, with the great thoughts of men and women of all the ages, for through reading great books we are put in touch with the great minds of all time, and we become their spiritual and intellectual heirs.” [George W. Pace]

“With regard to the kind of books that are read, great precaution should be used.  No doubt the destiny of individuals has very often been decided by volumes accidentally picked up and eagerly devoured at a period of life when every new impression is powerful and abiding.  For this reason, parents, or some guardian friends, should carefully examine every volume they put into the hands of young people.” [Mrs. Child 1831 Author of The Mothers Book]

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

Our society has it’s priorities out of order. Our university professors,  politicians,  school teachers, and even our churches do not value the “Stay-at-Home” mother. Sadly, training up future leaders is not considered an important job. Loving and serving a family, keeping a home together, and teaching children is looked down upon. This author of The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, must have understood the high calling of motherhood.

Blessings on the hand of women!

Angels guard its strength and grace, In the palace, cottage, hovel,

Oh, no matter where the place;

Would that never storms assailed it, Rainbows ever gently curled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle,  Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy’s the tender fountain,  Power may with beauty flow,

Mother’s first to guide the streamlets, From them souls unresting grow–

Grow on for the good or evil, Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle  Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission, Here upon our natal sod!

Keep, oh, keep the young heart open, Always to the breath of God!

All true trophies of the ages,  Are from mother-love impearled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle,  Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!

Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,

And the sacred song is mingled With the worship in the sky–

Do We Really Need School?

“Do we really need school? I don’t mean education, just forced schooling: six classes a day, five days a week, nine months a year, for twelve years. Is this deadly routine really necessary? And if so, for what? Don’t hide behind reading, writing, and arithmetic as a rationale, because 2 million happy homeschoolers have surely put that banal justification to rest. Even if they hadn’t, a considerable number of well-known Americans never went through the twelve-year wringer our kids currently go through, and they turned out all right. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln? Someone taught them, to be sure, but they were not products of a school system, and not one of them was ever “graduated” from a secondary school.”
From: How public education cripples
our kids, and why
By John Taylor Gatto

Listen to John Taylor Gatto as he discusses the roots of the public schools. He states that according to the creators of the public schools,  “The family and tradition were the greatest obstacles to making a perfect society…a utopia ”

Honesty The Best Policy

I received this in an email and thought it was a good one to read to our children. It reminded me of the Lamplighter story “Clean Your Boots Sir.” The young boy in this story was promoted throughout his life because of his honesty. A totally honest executive or employee is worth more than gold to his company these days. Sadly, honesty is not valued in our society anymore…even many of our politicians cannot be trusted.

A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. “The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued. “I am going to give each one of you a SEED today – one very special SEED.. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you.

I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.”

Think Twice Before Signing Up

If you’ve browsed around this site for a while you already know how I feel about Christian families signing on with the government schools  in order to “help” them educate their children.  Seems there are not enough hours in a day to train up and disciple our children as it is,  and if we are going to jump through all of the hoops  that the charter school program requires,  we will have even less time with our children.  Discipleship requires a great deal of time doesn’t it?

To tell you the truth I’m getting weary of the whole thing and somewhat tired of even talking about it.  I’m ashamed of myself though because the folks at HSLDA have devoted their lives to defending and protecting homeschooling rights.  I should not be  so weary of talking.

It’s quite obvious to me that Christian families should not be yoked with the government when it comes to our children ….I just don’t understand why we would join hands with the very people who are antagonistic and hostile towards our Lord Jesus. Many of my dear homeschooling friends have chosen this route, and I’m not judging their choice….I just don’t  understand how they came to it. I’m dumbfounded.

America The Beautiful

When was the last time you paused to thank God you are an American?

Too often, I am guilty of taking the blessing of being an American for granted. I had no control over my birth place. The Creator granted me this blessing.

What a different world we would face if we were born in Somalia…or India…or Kenya. For all the problems we face…for all the issues raised on this daily broadcast…for all our political differences…living here is a blessing. The personal liberty and the limited government our forefathers developed and passed down to us through 100 generations of brave men and women has made this the best place on earth to live and to raise a family.

It has been passed on to our generation to defend this heritage of liberty and to preserve it for future generations. This shining light of freedom called America is not just for those born here…but a beacon for the entire world.

Pause now and say, “Thank you, Heavenly Father”.

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Leading Our Little Ones

“There is only one way to lead a child down the right path….that is to go that way yourself”

My children are getting to the age when they are beginning to notice the faults of my husband and I….they are noticing the human frailties, the inconsistencies and the shortcomings.  Even though we’ve told them over and over again that Mom and Dad are sinners and that we make mistakes all the time, I don’t think they were paying such close attention as they are now.  They are growing up and just as I knew about my own parents faults and imperfections,  they will know of mine.  My prayer is that they will still see Jesus in me and my husband and know that we are still a work in progress even though we are old. 🙂  My prayer is that they will see our hearts.  I hope they will see  hearts  full of love for them and love for our Lord who forgives and promises to continue the work He has begun in our lives.  My prayer is that they will  grow up to love the Lord and realize his mercy and grace in their own lives as well.  Many Blessings to you as you train and disciple your “little ones.”  ~Anne

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My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
By: Edward Mote

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteous;
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
In every high and story gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, his covenant, his blood
Sustain me in the raging flood;
When all supports are washed away,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found,
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Redeemed to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Hymn # 368 from Lutheran Worship
Author: John Stainer
Tune: Magdalen
1st Published in: 1836

Stories of the Pilgrims

We enjoyed reading Stories of the Pilgrims from Christian Liberty Press.  This book was a delight to read ; was easy and would be a fine book to read to the entire family.  We used it as a read-aloud and had a short discussion after each chapter.  The chapters were short sweet stories about the beginning days in the lives of the Pilgrims when they were being persecuted in England by King James. We enjoyed reading about their journey to live in Holland and especially liked reading about the Dutch families who were so welcoming to the Pilgrims.  Our grandmother comes from Dutch heritage and so we especially enjoyed reading about them and even found some similarities between the old Dutch and our very own grandmother!  Each short chapter helped our family realize  how faithful God was to the pilgrims in helping them triumph over persecution, hunger and sickness.  This book is a good beginning for young children when they begin their study in American History.  It will encourage an understanding of our nation’s rich Christian heritage as well. This book is quite simple but it is light-hearted, pure and lovely for our little ones.  ~Anne

A Complete Spiritual Diet

I count it a blessing to be able to attend a church where the pastor preaches and teaches the word of God passionately and without apology.  When I leave church on Sunday mornings I take great satisfaction in being encouraged as well as convicted and inspired to grow and learn more….to change and grow closer to the Lord.  It is so disheartening when  the gospel message is watered down and the sermon sounds more like a  self improvement or positive thinking course.  My husband and I are  grateful when we are able to discuss the sermons and then freely question the pastor on those that we feel confused about. We feel fortunate because clarification or infomation can mean the difference between growth or stagnation for us. We’ve never attended a church  before where the pastor encouraged questions from his congregation and made himself available…simply   by being  approachable most of the time.   This past week the sermon challenged me to think about the word of God differently.   This particular sermon was not one to easily forget, so I wanted to write about it.

Since I became a Christian I’ve always believed that the Bible was the word of God and that we should read it daily.  For some reason though,  I’ve felt like this was something I was doing “for God” or in order to please God.  It became something to put on a to-do list….it became legalistic. If I did not read it I felt guilty and asked God to forgive me.  Yet, the reading of God’s word is not for Him at all.  Reading God’s word is for my benefit….if I skip on this I am skipping my vitamins, my water, my protein, my milk and my meat.  I’m missing my sweets like delicious  honey and my carbohydrates or starches….I’m missing my bread for the day.

The Circle Game

Whenever I hear this old song, I feel somewhat melancholy and sad about life going by so quickly.  This lovely Joni Mitchell song makes me want to extend our homeschool years so that I can keep homeschooling my children forever.   Really though it makes me realize how fast the seasons pass, and although I want to hang on to the years, this is the Lord’s will for our lives here on this earth.  I’m so grateful for two things.  I’m blessed to be able to homeschool because the years do not rush by quite as fast…I’m also so grateful to know that this life is just the beginning.  This time on earth is simply a visit for us and we are pilgrims and strangers here.  Our true home is in heaven and we will live for eternity with our Lord.  Certainly this song makes me want to focus on the eternal, but it also causes me to drink in every moment here on earth with my family and those I love.  I want to cherish each moment with my boys and my husband knowing that these days will not last forever. I hope you enjoy this song…..which is a flash from the past…but to me it is a classic that will never go out of style!  ~Anne

(Be sure to turn off the website music before playing this song)

 

Yesterday, a child came out to wander
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star

Let Us Make Men!

Let us make men, alert, erect and strong,

For conflict girt, intense as surging life,

men who can meet the morning with a song,

Bearing a quenchless hope amid the strife,

No more let me be doomed to fail, at birth,

Let them be destined to be the kings of earth.

Let us make men of kindly heart and mind,

Brothers to all, and so true sons of God,

In every town may justice be enshrined,

In every field may gladness turn the sod;

And all around the world may Christ be King,

In every heart, in all men’s trafficking.

Let us make men of joyous destiny,

For whom the earth is home, and life is good…

Their glad todays a fit eternity.

Let souls be reverenced, and brotherhood

Grow more and more.  Let us make men to praise,

In love and trust, the Giver of their days.

Thomas Curtis Clark (Ideals 1965)

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Bedtime Prayers

Bless me as I fall asleep, Send your angels watch to keep.  Amen

It’s time for me to go to sleep. Dear Jesus, now I pray:  Thank You, dear Lord, for all I’ve done, I thank you for today.  Amen.

Gentle Jesus, hear my prayer, Keep me safe this night.  Stay with me until the dark Becomes the morning light.  Amen.

Lord Jesus, keep me in Thy sight, Through the coming hours of night.  Then when morning sunlight beams Wake me, Lord from sleepy dreams.  Amen.

Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me.  Bless your little child tonight .  Through the darkness, please be near me, Keep me safe till morning’s light.  Amen.

Now the light has gone away; Savior, listen while I pray, Asking Thee to watch and keep, and to send me quiet sleep.  Jesus, Savior, wash away, all that has been wrong today;  Help me every day to be, good and gentle, more like Thee.  Let my near and dear ones be, always near and dear to thee.  Oh, bring me and all I love, To thy happy home above.  Amen.



Waiting for Superman

I have not seen this film yet, but I’m looking forward to viewing it.  I’m not sure what solution they will come up with to deal with the failure of our public schools but I personally believe that the “buck” stops with the parents.  I’m convinced that a loving mom who is passionate about her children and eager to teach them can do a better job around her kitchen table than any “professional” teacher with her BA degree.  She can do this….and is doing this…. without all of the public money that the schools “need” and she can do this without any help from the government.  The solution  is not found in more money, nicer buildings, higher teacher salaries,  smaller classrooms, or better programs.  The solution rests with the parents.  We need to teach, train and disciple our children and not expect the government, the church, the youth pastor, or anyone else to do this for us.   My husband and I consider this to be our calling….our mission-field…and our job.    ~Anne

(Don’t forget to turn off the website music before watching.  Scroll down past the clock. :))

Teach Your Children Well

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
II Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
I Timothy 6:20-21 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

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No Time to Disciple Our Children

We have twenty-four hours a day with our children.  We have 24 hours each day to train, disciple, educate,  and mentor them.  If our children are in government school…or any school at all, it will be impossible for us to compete with these schools for the hearts and minds of our precious children.

Consider that:

They must sleep for 8 hours

Eat & bathe about 2 hours

Travel to &  from school 1 hour

Spend at school 8 hours

Homework 2 hours

Television, entertainment etc 2 hours.

That comes to 23 hoursleaving 1 hour a day to train our children and teach them biblical values and Christian worldview.

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