Simply Home Discipleship
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
November 23, 2010: Bulgarian homeschoolers hold fast in the face of resistance and an uncertain legal environment.
Supporters of the UN CEDAW treaty intend to use international law to coerce the restructuring of the family and the role of every man and every woman on the planet.
Thanks to the efforts of HSLDA’s members and friends, we are confident that for now a dangerous U.N. treaty will not be acted upon by the U.S. Senate.
November 22, 2010: A nationwide conference helped to encourage homeschoolers and grow the homeschool movement in Romania.
November 22, 2010: The first-ever homeschool congress in Spain drew attention to a “booming” method of education and brought together supporters of homeschooling.
This address was delivered by the late Dr. Schaeffer in 1982 and is from his book: A Christian Manifesto. This is quite lengthy but worth reading.
Christians, in the last 80 years or so, have only been seeing things as bits and pieces which have gradually begun to trouble them and others, instead of understanding that they are the natural outcome of a change from a Christian World View to a Humanistic one; things such as overpermissiveness, pornography, the problem of the public schools, the breakdown of the family, abortion, infanticide (the killing of newborn babies), increased emphasis upon the euthanasia of the old and many, many other things.
All of these things and many more are only the results. We may be troubled with the individual thing, but in reality we are missing the whole thing if we do not see each of these things and many more as only symptoms of the deeper problem. And that is the change in our society, a change in our country, a change in the Western world from a Judeo-Christian consensus to a Humanistic one. That is, instead of the final reality that exists being the infinite creator God; instead of that which is the basis of all reality being such a creator God, now largely, all else is seen as only material or energy which has existed forever in some form, shaped into its present complex form only by pure chance.
One of my favorite hymns written by Thomas Chisholm is Great is thy faithfulness. I’m not sure when I first heard this hymn…perhaps in church or on television watching a Billy Graham crusade. Matthew Ward from the group 2nd Chapter of Acts did an amazing and unforgettable job singing this hymn. This Youtube clip is not the usual arrangement. I’m the type person who likes everything to stay the same…so at first I did not like this version of the song. Now though, I love it!!! I hope you will enjoy it too. Same great faith building lyrics. Perfect for Thanksgiving. (scroll down past the clock and turn off the website music before beginning this song) I think you will like it too. 🙂
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
November 19, 2010: A family already suffering intense persecution at the hands of German authorities, in the form of fines and jail time, expects the treatment to escalate following a January court date.
Each year at Thanksgiving our family has a sharing time to discuss all that we we are thankful for. We are required to just name one thing. Sometimes we write this down to share with each other after dinner, sometimes we discuss it before dinner. When I’m put on the spot I struggle to come up with just the right thing. The truth is my heart is so very filled with gratitude. Where do I begin?
I’m Thankful most of all for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Without His sacrifice on the cross, I would have no hope or future. My life here on this earth would be empty and meaningless. He took the punishment for my sins and the sins of the whole world…. that really belonged to me. I have broken all of his commandments and have nothing to offer Him that can contribute anything to my salvation and hope of heaven. The hymn “Just as I am” says it all for me. Just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me. And that thou biddest me come to thee O lamb of God I come….I come. If I own nothing else in this world except the eternal life He has given me, I am overwhelmed and filled with awe and gratitude. There are no words that I can offer him that can adequately express my JOY! To God be Glory, To God be the Glory, To God be the Glory for the things he has done.
This short but powerful video will give you a sample of Voddie Baucham’s ministry. When I listen to Voddie I feel renewed and empowered again. I feel motivated to do a good job discipling and training up my children. He reminds us that the Government has no jurisdiction over our children! Check out what Voddie has to say about government schools. (Scroll down past the clock, and turn the music off before beginning)
My boys are big soup eaters. We’ve enjoyed Italian Wedding soup from a can and it was good but not very economical and there was never enough left for seconds. I’m anxious to try this recipe out after Thanksgiving and I’m sure it will satisfy more than the canned version.
1 10-ounce) package frozen spinach
1 medium onion, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
3 medium carrots, chopped
1 cup orzo
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tablespoon celery salt
6 cups chicken stock
Meatball Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 medium onion, minced
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1. Rinse frozen spinach well, let drain until very dry, then chop.
2. In a large skillet over moderate heat, saute the chopped onion, celery, carrots, and minced clove of garlic in olive oil. Season with celery salt. Place vegetables and chicken stock in a soup kettle and simmer for at least 1 hour.
3. Prepare meatballs by combining the lean ground beef, minced onion, salt, pepper, parsley, 2 minced cloves garlic, eggs, milk, cheese, and bread crumbs. Shape into 1-inch meatballs and brown in a skillet containing one tablespoon of olive oil until they are cooked through. Drain meatballs on paper towels as they brown. Add meatballs to the soup and boil gently for 20 minutes longer. Serve warm.
It takes a heap o’ livin’ in a house t’ make it home,
A heap o’ sun an’ shadder, an’ ye sometimes have t’ roam
Afore ye really ’preciate the things ye lef’ behind,
An’ hunger fer ’em somehow, with ’em allus on yer mind.
It don’t make any differunce how rich ye get t’ be,
How much yer chairs an’ tables cost, how great yer luxury;
It ain’t home t’ ye, though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow yer soul is sort o’ wrapped round everything.
Home ain’t a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute;
Afore it’s home there’s got t’ be a heap o’ livin’ in it;
Within the walls there’s got t’ be some babies born, and then 
Right there ye’ve got t’ bring ‘em up t’ women good, an’ men;
And gradjerly, as time goes on, ye find ye wouldn’t part
With anything they ever used—they’ve grown into yer heart:
The old high chairs, the playthings, too, the little shoes they wore
Ye hoard; an’ if ye could ye’d keep the thumbmarks on the door.
Ye’ve got t’ weep t’ make it home, ye’ve got t’ sit an’ sigh
An’ watch beside a loved one’s bed, an’ know that Death is nigh;
An’ in the stillness o’ the night t’ see Death’s angel come,
An’ close the eyes o’ her that smiled, an’ leave her sweet voice dumb.
Fer these are scenes that grip the heart, an’ when yer tears are dried,
Ye find the home is dearer than it was, an’ sanctified;
An’ tuggin’ at ye always are the pleasant memories
O’ her that was an’ is no more—ye can’t escape from these.
My husband and I have been friends with a dear couple who have been involved in Children’s Ministries for decades of their lives. They have no children of their own but have dedicated their lives to other people’s children expecting nothing in return but only the hope that these little one’s would say “Yes” to the Savior and begin a journey of following Christ. They are also big train buffs and each year have the children help them set up a huge train display with the theme “Keep on Track with Jesus.”
The Children learn new “Railroad Words” while they gain an understanding of the Gospel. When you “Derail” you are in sin and off the track. When you “Repent” you change direction with the help of the Lord. “Confess”.… You actually tell on yourself and your heart becomes clean again. You are “Forgiven” and welcomed back. Then finally you “Re-rail”.… You are back on track and begin to grow spiritually.
In order to keep on track with Jesus you must:
1. Let GOD be the source of your “power.” Matthew 29:19 tells us that All power is given to Me (Christ) in heaven and on earth….Therefore, Go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey all that I’ve commanded you…Remember, I am with you always.
2. When you de-rail, confess and then get back on the track. (1 John 1 :9) If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 lb. dried navy beans
1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup-1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. molasses
2 Tbsp. ketchup
1/2 tsp, dry mustard
1-1/2 tsp. salt
8oz. bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled
Soak beans overnight. Drain and rinse. Stir in the onion, brown sugar molasses, ketchup, dry mustard and salt into the beans. Add additional water if needed. Simmer covered for 5 hours. Stir in cooked bacon. Simmer 1 hour longer.
If you prefer, after the beans are soaked, mix with remaining ingredients and pour into a 2 qt casserole with a tight fitting lid. Bake covered at 300 for 3-4 hours. Stir occasionally and add boiling water too dry.
A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be very liberal, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words redistribution of wealth.
She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch conservative, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.
One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs.
The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.
Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn’t even have time for a boyfriend, and didn’t really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.
Her father listened and then asked, “How is your friend Audrey doing?”
I love to have curry with rice for dinner. It’s so good for you and now they are discovering that turmeric has so many health benefits including reducing inflammation and bone pain. I definitely need to start making more curry dishes for my family.
2 onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp oil
1 stick cinnamon
1/4 tsp whole cloves
1 Tbsp turmeric
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cumin
2 tbsp coriander
1 3-4 lb chicken. (1-2 cups deboned chicken)
2 cups tomato juice or sauce
1 c. chicken broth
(Thinly sliced carrot, celery, potato, or other vegetables may be added)
Saute onions and garlic in stock pot. Add seasonings and saute together. Add chicken. Add rest of ingredients and simmer for one or two hours. Thicken with cornstarch dissolved in a little cold water if desired. Serve with brown or white rice.
Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
The freedom to enjoy it all
And all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
We pray for health and strength
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
This we ask in the name of Christ,
Our Heavenly Father. Amen
~H. Jewell
Creamy Carrot soup with Scallions
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
1 quart low-sodium vegetable broth
1 quart water
2 pounds carrots, sliced 1/3 inch thick
6 large scallions, thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Melt the butter in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the onion, cover and cook over low heat, until softened. Add broth and water along with the carrots and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat until the carrots are tender.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the scallions and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until the scallions are softened, about 1 minute.
Working in batches, puree the carrot soup in a blender until smooth; transfer to a clean saucepan. Stir in the cream and milk and simmer over moderate heat, stirring. Season the soup with salt and pepper and ladle into bowls. Garnish with the scallions and serve.
