How can we restore America? By recovering the original Pilgrim and Puritan vision of America as a shining “city upon a hill.”

Those first Christian settlers who stepped ashore on the beaches of Massachusetts were not just a bunch of religious refugees who came over here to avoid persecution. They had a compelling vision: to put the Bible into practice and create a self-governing society with liberty and justice for every soul. They were missionaries, intent on creating a Bible-based commonwealth that would be an example to the rest of the world — that would, as Abraham Lincoln would later phrase it, “hold out a beacon of hope to all men of all time to come.”

But we have lost that vision — we seem to no longer know who we are or why we are here. We seem to have developed a serious case of national amnesia, a loss of our collective memory. That means that in order to restore America we have to recover the truth about America’s Christian heritage, and God’s hand in our history. For example, Patrick Henry, a great Founding Father, and one of the strongest evangelical Christians of his time, said that “It can not be too often repeated, or too strongly emphasized that America was not founded by religionists nor on any religion, but by Christians on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” This is a statement that never shows up in the history books that are read by the vast majority of American schoolchildren. John Adams, our second President and a true son of the Puritans, spoke for all the Founding Fathers when he spoke these words to the Massachusetts Militia in 1798: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”  Read more...

Let’s keep the conversation going shall we?  Perhaps we can put some of these quotes to memory so that we can retrieve them when faced with liberal lies and revisionist history falsehoods.

“To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.” George Washington

”It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.  For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” Patrick Henry

“The greatest glory of the American Revolution was this: It connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.” John Quincy Adams

“The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.” The US Congress 1782

“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian Nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” John Jay (First Supreme Court Justice)

“The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: ‘that God governs in the affairs of men.’ And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” – Benjamin Franklin  Read more...

“Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of thee and thy son, Jesus Christ.” George Washington

So many of our leaders,  celebrities, professors,  and news commentators  seem to have a deep need to keep reminding us that our America was not founded on Christian principles.  Why do they keep harping on this?  Why is it so important for them to wipe out Christianity from our lives?  Why do they insist on removing all remnants of it from our history books?  Folks like Bill Maher have ignorantly yet so confidently barked out his rude and vulgar comments  that our founders had no regard for the Bible at all. (I cannot use his exact words because of the vulgarity)   Is it as disturbing to you as it is to me that these folks would  like our true history to be wiped away?  I heard that even some school districts are going to remove American History from their course of study.    I wonder why they would want to do that?

Karl Marx, the father of Communism, said:  “Take away the heritage of a people, and they are easily persuaded.” In our public schools, our libraries, our universities, our media, our government, our entertainment, our churches,  and sadly even in  our own conversations this Godly heritage is often bypassed and many times purposely discarded.  Read more...

I’m not able to attend many homeschool conferences during the year but whenever I have this opportunity,  I often return home inspired , motivated,  and even more enthusiastic about homeschooling.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of  hearing David & Shirley Quine; nationally recognized speakers and authors of Cornerstone curriculum.  They have been in the ministry of helping homeschoolers disciple and mentor their children for over 25 years.  They have also raised up 9 of their own children and homeschooled them straight through.  They are not newbies for sure and when I talk about finding a mentor or “seasoned homeschooler” to pepper with questions these are the type of folks I would love to ask. These are the type of people that I wish I could personally call or have chat with at a front yard gate…since I cannot, I’m grateful that they have made it their ministry to help the homeschool community.  Read more...

When I first read this poem, I thought of my dear husband. He’s mentioned a number of times that when he arrives home he feels the stress of his day slowly melt away. He works in the busy city, drives on the horrible California highways and looks forward to some measure of peace when he walks through the door each evening. Even though I do not go into his world or face the highways each day, I also feel the stress melt away when he arrives home each night. I hope you enjoy this very lovely poem. ~Anne

When Day Is Done

When day is done and the night slips down,
And I’ve turned my back on the busy town,
And come once more to the welcome gate
Where the roses nod and the children wait,
I tell myself as I see them smile
That life is good and its tasks worth while.

When day is done and I’ve come once more
To my quiet street and the friendly door,
Where the Mother reigns and the children play
And the kettle sings in the old-time way,
I throw my coat on a near-by chair
And say farewell to my pack of care.

When day is done, all the hurt and strife
And the selfishness and the greed of life,
Are left behind in the busy town;
I’ve ceased to worry about renown
Or gold or fame, and I’m just a dad,
Content to be with his girl and lad.  Read more...

I am no expert for sure…and  have my own share of struggles.  I have learned a few things on my homeschool journey though, and  I’d love to share them with you.  I’m hoping and praying that more folks will decide to homeschool their children…to train and disciple them in the ways of the Lord.  Homeschooling is hard on some days,  but for me it has been a wonderful fulfilling journey, with one   reward being  a close happy family life. Please consider this option for your family.  You will never regret making sweet memories together.  As you know, our children grow up very quickly…too fast for me. Homeschooling allows me to enjoy them a bit longer and gives them an opportunity to have the joys of childhood a bit longer as well!   Many Blessings,  Anne

1. Read as much as you can about homeschooling before you begin.  Subscribe to a few good magazines like Homeschool Enrichment & The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.

2. As you read keep a notebook of the ideas you like.  Try to form your own homeschool philosophy.  Don’t worry about it too much though because it will likely change as the years go on.

3. Remember you are homeschooling not copying the public school system.  You don’t need to sit at a desk all day, work until 3 o’clock or complete a bunch of workbooks.

4.Try to Relax, be flexible and enjoy your children. Work on building relationship with your children and making happy memories together.  Enjoy family life.  Read more...

Are there any abiding principles that should guide our government?

Most of us would consider the Constitution the source of those timeless principles but there are some who believe the document that established and guided this great country is outdated and should be discarded in favor of their more “modern” wisdom.

Liberal judges take a “Living Document” view of the Constitution—that is, it means what they want it to mean today—and they are constantly reinterpreting the text to accommodate their own vaulted view of what is good for the country. They see no problem with the government forcing you to buy a product or service against your will.

A second approach is taken by our President who has declared the document flawed or by our young intelligentsia represented by Washington Post writer Ezra Klein who said, “The constitution is impossible to understand because it is more than 100 years old.”

God save us from the intellectuals and elitists who think they know best.

www.inspireandignite.com/

When my dear niece was thinking about homeschooling, she asked if she could observe a typical homeschool day in our house. I tried to explain that homeschooling is a lifestyle of living and learning together, and therefore each day looks different.  We have a routine…sort of…. but as we all know,  life often sabotages even the best schedules and planning.  We try to go with the flow…trusting that the Lord has his own plans for our lives.  For example, if we have any negative attitudes (including mine) or complaining we may have to allow extra time for a good talk, prayer, or even refreshment.  If we decide to have a play date or friends over for lunch (because homeschoolers never have socialization ;)) we need to be flexible about our schedule and allow time for cleaning and preparing for guests.  It all depends.  Taking all that into consideration, we actually do get to our book learning.

Our mornings begin with cooking….I call this “Life-Skills.”   My boys are little chefs now and are always asking to cook, so I allow them to make themselves comfortable in the kitchen.  Most days they prepare their own breakfasts and sometimes mine as well.  They prepare scrambled eggs and toast, cheese omeletts, English Muffins w/ sun or peanut butter, Tortillas with eggs & cheese or  bowl of cold cereal or frozen blueberries & milk.  I’m so delighted with their independence and know in my heart that these life-skill lessons are contributing to the fact that one day I will be out of a job!!!  That’s okay though….I would not want them to be dependent on me just so I felt needed.  Besides….I’m often achy in the morning and I really appreciate that they can take care of themselves. 😉  Read more...

This Psalm written by David could be used by us all as we repent together as a nation.  Please forgive us Lord for the killing and hating.  Please have mercy upon us Lord and cause us to have a sorrowful and contrite heart.  Please remove our hearts of stone….and give us a soft heart that weeps over the things that you care about.  Please send revival to our country Lord Jesus.  We are a lost people who need to turn our hearts towards you. Thank you for being a good and holy God. Praise you dear Lord…Thank you for your forgiveness. Amen  Read more...

I went to sleep with a heavy and anxious heart last night because of all the disturbing news stories I heard.  I’m so troubled about the folks who lost their lives in Arizona this weekend. My prayers go out to Congresswoman Gifford, the family of the innocent little 9 year old girl,  and the others who lost their lives because of the evil man who shot them.  Dear Lord please help these families and minister to them all. Please allow them to feel your comfort and somehow give them a measure of peace through all of this.  Please Lord draw them close to you so that they may experience a peace that the world cannot give.  Please heal Congresswoman Gifford and give the Doctors wisdom and guidance as they work diligently to bring her to a full recovery.  Amen.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Adding to the grief instead of helping, are those who are desperately trying to blame someone else (for political gain & power)  besides this man who did the treacherous act.  Some in the media are blaming the left….many more are blaming The Tea Party Folks, or Republicans or even  Sarah Palin!!  I’m surprised someone hasn’t put the blame on President Bush. Even though the murderer said his favorite book was the Communist Manifesto and Mein Kamph…..I’m not going to blame the reporters  on MSNBC or the Democratic Socialist party or Van Jones!!  No one is to blame except for this man himself who acted of his own free will.  Read more...

My boys and I just began a  Beautiful Feet Geography curriculum called Paddle to the Sea.  We read the first three chapters today and tonight my husband is enjoying helping the boys with some detail work on their maps.  I think it is going to be a fun unit study and a different way to learn geography. This story begins with a young Indian boy who wishes he could see more of the world.  Since he cannot leave for his own canoe  adventure,  he  carves a little canoe with a figure inside and names him Paddle-to-the-Sea. Paddle’s journey, in text and pictures, through the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean provides an excellent geographic and historical picture of the region. If you purchase the maps…or make up your own you can follow Paddle-to-the-Sea and learn your geography while enjoying the adventure.

To my delight I just discovered a movie made years ago that tells the story of paddle to the sea!!! I’m looking forward to watching this with my family.  Blessings,  Anne

Don’t forget to turn off the website music before beginning the film 😉

John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress
Who would true valour see,
Let him come hither;
One here will constant be,
Come wind, come weather.
There’s no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a Pilgrim.

Who so beset him round
With dismal stories,
Do but themselves confound;
His strength the more is.
No lion can him fright,
He’ll with a Giant fight,
But he will have a right
To be a Pilgrim.

Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
Can daunt his spirit;
He knows he at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then, fancies, fly away;
He’ll not fear what men say,
He’ll labour night and day
To be a Pilgrim.

Evidently some Democrats are irritated by the reading of the Constitution.  I think it needs to be read because so many of our representatives do not have any respect or regard for it.  Hopefully this will help by reminding folks that yes indeed we do have to follow our Constitution and the Rule of Law.  Thomas Sowell reminds us:  “For more than a century, believers in bigger government have also been believers in having judges “interpret” the restraints of the Constitution out of existence.

They called this “a living Constitution.” But it has in fact been a dying Constitution, as its restraining provisions have been interpreted to mean less and less, so that the federal government can do more and more.”

(Please turn off the website music by clicking on the box after the clock.)