Stand for Truth

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life."  

--Jesus of Nazareth, God come in the flesh  

recorded in John 14:6

In today's postmodern world of relative truth, a strategy has emerged for dealing with uncomfortable ideas.  People just simply choose not to believe something and feel confident that they have sufficiently invalidated the idea by doing so.  They choose to deny whatever they don't like or whatever makes them uncomfortable.  If they view truth as relative (so nothing is absolute), they are able to let themselves off the hook when an idea has implications they don't wish to face.

Strategies like peacocks—fancy, but they don’t fly

The grim fact is that denial is only a delusion.*  It changes nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  If my house is on fire, no amount of denial will put the fire out and restore my burnt possessions.

*Delusion-- (from the Apple Dictionary) an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument.

Denial is often accompanied by a companion strategy that is equally delusional.  Denial's companion strategy is that of concocting one's own "truth."  Simply create a belief system that appeals to your personal whims and live by it.  However, no amount of dreaming will put money in the bank to cover my checks when my account is empty.  No merchant will accept my concocted delusion as payment. 

This is your world

The problem is that neither of these strategies acknowledges reality.  Yet the world we live in embraces and promotes these strategies.  Christian apologist Josh McDowell pointed out in 2011 that 91 percent of evangelical Christians said there is no absolute truth apart from themselves.  In today's world, both in our culture, and even in the Church at large, truth has been watered down, at the least, if not outrightly denied.  This is the kind of world we must prepare our children to live in, to survive in.

Truly, we want them to do even more than just survive; we want them to thrive.  We want them to shine the light of God's truth in the darkness.  We want them to be used by God to set others free from denial and delusion.

For twenty years, we have sought God's wisdom to prepare our children to stand unashamed and to speak boldly and winsomely for His truth.  While that may seem like a long time, it has literally flown, and our first daughter is now in her second week of college.

Now is the time

Parents, our time is truly limited.  We can't afford to think we'll get to deep discussions with our children some other day.  The time to model a hunger for God's truth in His Word is now.    By our daily example, we teach where we believe the answers to life's questions lie.

We must warn our young people ahead of time of the kinds of strategies they will face in the battle over truth.  We can't afford to let them walk blindly into an ambush.

We must help them understand that Truth is unchanging and that the only place to find it is in God's Word.  We must talk together and wrestle with ideas, continually comparing them to God's truth.  We can't afford to give our children less than a solid foundation.

This means war

There is a very real enemy of our souls, who prowls like a lion, seeking someone to devour, Peter tells us.  (I Peter 5:8) This battle over truth is very real and it's a battle for our children's hearts and minds.

This battle over truth is no surprise to God, however.  He inspired Peter to deliver a relevant warning long ago.

"But false teachers also arose among the people,

just as there will also be false teachers among you, 

who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, 

even denying the Master who bought them, 

bringing swift destruction upon themselves.


And many will follow their sensuality, 

and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;

and in their greed the will exploit you with false words; 

their judgement from long ago is not idle, 

and their destruction is not asleep."

II Peter 2:1-3

(excerpt from a letter from one of Jesus' original followers)





Don’t give up

We don’t have to be afraid or dismayed when truth is denied.  But neither can we assume that all will be well if we keep silent.  Our job is to earnestly contend for the faith, starting right at home.

"Beloved, while I was making every effort 

to write you about our common salvation, 

I felt the necessity to write to you appealing 

that you contend earnestly for the faith 

which was once for all delivered to the saints.  

Jude 1:3

Never be ashamed to hold fast to truth,

For no matter how hard denial tries to undo,

Unbelief will never make truth untrue!

Homeschooling with her husband, Scott, since 2001, Carol believes nothing is too difficult for God.  She is a passionate encourager and loves using creative means--including writing music, singing, speaking, and blogging--to encourage others to trust God through all the adventures He calls them to.  You can read more from her at her Unsmotherable Delight blog (udelight.blogspot.com), where you'll find faith-filled original songs, favorite scriptures, family stories, and even a little film about adoption, all designed to inspire and lift your spirit.  Her original 'theme song' titled Captain's Anthem can be heard on Vimeo at http://vimeo.com/30769152.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, except where otherwise specified.




Starting Strong

Back to school. For many of us the desire for a return to structure competes with a deep fear of, "Can I really do this?" So many home schoolers begin the new year wondering if they are making the best choice for their children--or hopelessly failing them. The worst part is that we won't know which for about 20 years. By then it will be too late to fix it.

Is there a proven way to start strong? Yes.

Begin with a plan. Sounds simple--sure. But, too often it's a step we skip. As we troll the curriculum fairs, consult fellow home schoolers, and surf the web for ideas--we often go straight to trying to find the "right" curriculum. The one that will do it all for us. The one that replaces us with an expert.

You are the expert on your children. God made it so. When He designed you in your mother's womb, he included the elements you need to parent--disciple--train up the children He would send. Of course you're not perfect, but you are designed for this job. A curriculum can help you. It cannot replace you.

So . . .first, get on your knees and ask God, "Lord, what is Your plan for this year?" Take an afternoon of quiet to consult God on His goals for your children. It can help to create a chart listing each child's learning style, personality style, and personal desires. (Some great books to guide this effort are The Way They Learn and Different Children, Different Needs.) Once you regain an appreciation for each child and where he or she is right now, you can ask, "God, how do You want me to use this year to minister to the family as a whole and to each individual?"

For some children--this simply needs to be a year where reading skills are firmly established. Sure--you will throw in a little math and some hands-on experiments, but the reading must come and this is the year to do it. For others, their budding musical talent means hours of practice on the violin, a place in the local orchestra, and baseline academics on the side. Still others need a year of challenge as they pull all the subjects together to gain a holistic view of God's world. Each year is different. What is God's design for this year?

Develop a plan. What steps will it take to achieve the larger goals? Put those down.

Break your goals into specific steps that are both measurable and achievable. If math skills are a focus--you might focus on multiplication tables in the morning, word problems in the afternoon, and fun, math-oriented computer games each Friday. Measure progress by setting a timeline for achievement--multiplication facts up to 5's down pat by November 1. Achieving that goal means you have a plan that is working. Even if you don't--the timeline causes you to consider how the plan is going. Either, the plan is working but time expectations need adjustment, or you need a different approach to finish the year. Specific measuring points allow you to keep the larger goals in mind as the dayliness of life unfolds.

Once the plan is in place, it's easier to pick curriculum. You can compare curriculum options to find the best fit for overall goals. Even if you already have your curriculum--look at it with a focus on how it will serve your plan. Don't worry about doing every assignment the author lists. Rather, focus on how this material can serve the larger picture.

Put the plan into a schedule. For me--this step both discourages and ensures a more productive year. Once I start writing out when we will do what for each child, I tend to find I have about 15 hours of school to do each day. Then, I go back to the goals.

The first schedule typically includes "The Goals" plus whatever else my friends and the co-op are doing--just in case. I return to the goals God dictated for the year--and fit those into a workable schedule that also includes buffer. When I focus just on God's goals--the time works. Sometimes that includes the co-op classes as a huge tool in our endeavor. Other years, we are more on our own. Each year, however, fits when I focus on the guidance God has given in our time together. The plan for our family.

Since my husband's stroke, life has been amazingly hard. Schedules have given way to hospital trips, rehab, and a myriad of other appointments. Yet, in the middle of all this--I simply stuck to the plan God has given each fall for our schooling. Last year, I was amazed when in late-March my son brought his math book and noted, "Mom, I'm almost done." We have rarely finished the math books by June. How could this have happened? I looked at our science, language, and other subjects. By and large--all the kids were on track to be completely done by end of April. I had just kept plodding along on each subject without fully realizing how far we were going. Obviously, God was at work--multiplying the time, easing the load, accomplishing His plan.

Can we be sure of a strong start? Yes. Ask God for His plan for your year. Make your curriculum and your time serve His plan. He will not only guide you to minister to your children in all the ways they need--He will build fruit into every effort.

Tess Worrell writes and speaks to groups regarding issues of family life and living as a Godly woman. She and husband, Mike Worrell, live in Madison, Indiana, where they are in their 14th year of home schooling. She would love to hear your insights. Comment here or email her at tess@YourFamilyMatterstous.com. If you would like Tess to speak to your home school or church group, you can learn more about her speaking at YourFamilyMatterstous.com.

Mom Advice from the Heart

"This too shall pass."
As I sat with a group of moms who were contributing insights for an upcoming book, one mom offered this as her touchstone for the years of raising her children. "In everything," she said, "I try to remember, 'This too shall pass.'" What a great source of hope, of encouragement, and of wisdom. The true beauty is that the phrase works both ways.
In times of sorrow or struggle--this too shall pass. When our oldest was nine months old, I was still walking the floor with him every night as he screamed in pain. I remember thinking, "I am never going to get a full night's sleep again." I think I fully believed that I would be hauling his nineteen year old body on my shoulder and pacing the floor.
The despair of believing life would never change nearly took me under. I wish someone had shared the truth, "this too shall pass"--because it did. As he turned one the stomach issues resolved, and we were both sleeping. Learning this lesson made it so much easier to face colic in subsequent children. I knew the stage wouldn't last forever, so I could face each night with strength and hope.
Whether we face illness, a bad behaviour pattern, or a time of conflict within our family; we can take encouragement knowing--this too shall pass.
In times of joy--this too shall pass. The days of snuggling on the couch with toddlers, the family dinners where everyone competes to share their highlight of the day, the tender conversations where children open their hearts--these too shall pass. Remembering this helps us treasure the moments. Take time for the moments. Set other opportunities aside to focus on the moments because this time with them won't last forever.
In all the bad and good we can take heart and treasure joy knowing--this too shall pass.

Tess Worrell writes and speaks to groups regarding issues of family life and living as a Godly woman. She and husband, Mike Worrell, live in Madison, Indiana, where they are in their 14th year of home schooling. She would love to hear your insights. Comment here or email her at tess@YourFamilyMatterstous.com. If you would like Tess to speak to your home school or church group, you can learn more about her speaking at YourFamilyMatterstous.com.