Evolution's Finest?

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a debate between creationist Jay Wile (PhD nuclear chemistry) and evolutionist Robert A. Martin (PhD zoology).  I was absolutely amazed at the depth of evidence, or rather I should say lack thereof, presented by the evolutionist.  Allow me to impress you with an example.

Early in his talk, the evolutionist promised that we would get to “lots of evidence” for how we can know that certain rocks are 65 million years old.  Along with the rest of the audience, I waited in anticipation.

This Is It!

When he finally got to it, I was astounded.  Keep in mind that he had come prepared, with printed slides.  Are you ready for this?  Here is what was printed on one of his slides:

“We have put a rover on Mars;

how difficult do you think it is to date a rock?”

No kidding; that was it—the irrefutable evidence we had waited for—his brilliant “lots of evidence” technical explanation for the reliability of geologic column dates.

But he didn’t stop there.  No, he skillfully further reinforced his position with this dazzling zinger:

“These dates are basically right.

Sophisticated labs are doing this; it’s not hard.”

We waited all night for more substance, but he offered none.  In all honestly, he was genuinely pitiable; I’m not sure Dr. Martin even realized the audience was underwhelmed.

Evolution's Finest?

If that is all that the evolutionists have to offer, I’m not convinced we should dignify this sort of dialogue by calling it a debate at all.  Real debates feature logical arguments—backed by evidence—from both sides.  However, in this particular dialogue, the logical arguments and actual evidence were all on the side of the creationist Dr. Wile, who, in the case of the aforementioned topic, pointed out numerous examples of where dates assigned by various methods are not in agreement.

And so it went for the entire night.  The creationist gave example after example supporting his positions, and, unlike the evolutionist, the creationist included the citations for his evidence, which in several cases came straight from peer-reviewed articles authored by evolutionists.

The evolutionist, on the other hand, employed sarcasm, cartoons--yes, cartoons, and bullying insults to make his points, accusing audience members, including myself and other fellow college graduates from scientific fields, of never having read anything but our Bibles. He tried to bolster his position by insisting that educated people no longer question these things.  Throughout the entire evening, he conducted himself as though extreme confidence in his position completely negated the need for any evidence.

Honestly, I had actually expected some real clash in this match-up, but I was seriously disappointed; the evolutionist’s arrogant disregard for logic and evidence made a complete mockery of scientific inquiry.

Don't Be Intimidated

Fellow parents, even assuming that evolutionists exist who are more convincing than Dr. Martin (though my university biology professors were not), we have no reason whatsoever to shy away from the issue of origins.  And in fact, we should be addressing the issue of origins head on.  Dig in together with your children to examine the evidence.  Recognize and question the presuppositions.  Scrutinize and evaluate the bold claims.  Teach your children to think critically and logically by engaging in discussion with them.

If you’re looking for materials, Dr. Wile’s textbooks are one good place to start.

"Do you not know?  Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth

does not become weary or tired.

His understanding is inscrutable."
Isaiah 40:28

Not only that, but He never loses a debate.

A homeschool mom since 2001, Carol is a passionate encourager and loves using creative means to do it--including blogging, speaking, writing music, and singing. Her blog, called Unsmotherable Delight (udelight.blogspot.com), is where you'll find musings and music to encourage your faith and lift your spirit.  Her original 'theme song' titled Captain's Anthem can also be heard on Vimeo at http://vimeo.com/30769152.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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.




3 Keys for Dealing with Parental Anger

Anger. What is it with anger? How can we be so in love and engaged with our children one moment, then so angry the next? Few parents escape that sick feeling of guilt after we've truly blown it with our child.

We know when our blow-ups are wrong. We know the damage they cause. We so often fear our own reactions because they seem to come from out of the blue--wreaking havoc, hurting those we love.

At the same time--at our core--we know we're right. Often, our anger is justified. Our children have done the very things we've spent so much time teaching against--hurting others; hurting us. How do we find the balance? How do we justifiably react to what is wrong without giving in to an anger that only damages.

Dr. S. M. Davis, pastor and noted home school speaker, calls parental anger the Number 1 destroyer of Godly families. If he's right, we must find a better way. Three keys for dealing with anger can show us that better way. The keys can be summed up in the phrase, "Anger is a great signal that something is wrong, but a terrible tool for fixing."

Anger is a great signal that something is wrong. When we're angry--there's a reason. God gives people emotions as tools for sensing the deeper layers of life going on around us. When we feel angry, that's the signal that something needs to be addressed.

Scripture teaches--first examine your own life. Matthew 7:3-5 Is the issue that needs addressing coming from within? Are you trying to teach the intricacies of Algebra on minimal sleep and no breakfast? Home schoolers have to do it all. We nurse babies throughout the night, encourage husbands facing job stresses, and figure out the strategies for teaching both beginning phonics and advanced Algebra all while managing a household. The stresses mount. Little sleep and a diet of coffee and children's left overs don't quite cut it. Our anger over child refusing to concentrate may have less to do with child's reaction and more with our need for a nap.

Once we've examined our own lives, we are then in a position to examine our child's. Anger is a great signal that something is wrong. When we become angry that our child won't concentrate on his work or keeps hitting his sister or back-talks when we give instructions--the anger is right. God has given our child a job of school. When child refuses to settle down and work, he is rebelling against God. When he hits his sister, he's rebelling against God's command to love others sacrificially. When he responds poorly to you, he's rebelling against the authority God has placed in his life. Our frustration with these behaviors rightly points us to heart issues that must be addressed.

Anger is a terrible tool for fixing what is wrong. James 1:2 says, "Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires." Our anger won't bring about righteousness in our children. This is the source of our confusion. We are rightly angry, but that anger can't bring about righteousness. So, when we act in anger, we fail to follow God's direction in dealing with the situation which means we are now as in the wrong as our child. Hence the guilt. Hence the havoc wreaked when we blow up.

Instead, we need to allow the anger to signal when a situation needs addressing. Then, we need to address by getting on our knees and asking God for guidance in dealing with our child's heart. James 4 tells us that if we seek getting our way, we will have quarrels and fights. But, if we seek God's wisdom, He will give it.

Sometimes He gives the wisdom right away. We know that the hitting shows a lack of love for sister that violates God's command to love. We can take son aside and say, "Son, what in your heart is causing you to hit your sister?" As he shares his frustration that she keeps taking his pencils or does better than him at his math, you can offer, "I'm sure that is frustrating. She isn't treating you well. But, how does God want us to treat those who are hurting us?" Then comes the very concrete lessons of loving those who hurt us, finding Godly ways to share frustration rather than giving in to sin, or taking the time to see from another's perspective--the real discipleship of home schooling lived out in the scenes of our life, daily.

The key is refusing to use anger to resolve the situation but instead using God's word. If you need help knowing where to find His direction for a specific situation, I love Kara Durbin's Parenting with Scripture. She categorizes scripture based on heart attitude. Incredibly helpful resource.

Focus on the hearts. When we develop the habit of letting our anger inform us of situations that need our attention but deal with those out of God's word bathed in our patience, gentleness, firmness, and love--we stop blowing up. The pattern moves from us living a guilt-ridden roller coaster of costly interactions with our children to a pattern of God's word shaping our relationships. Our focus moves from the outer behavior to the heart.

Our children's behavior gives a clear mirror of the activity of their hearts. So does ours. When we focus on the hearts--ours and our child's--we open our hearts to seek God's reign in everything. We let His word shape and mold us. We become the people of God we long to be.

As parents--we get angry. Anger is a great signal that something is wrong, but a terrible tool for fixing. As we use our anger to take note of issues we need to address but God's word as the tool, we take our families from damaged to healthy.

          

   

Dressing For Success

"Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."

Proverbs 20:11 (NIV)

Want to make a good first impression and then maintain an impeccable reputation, too? Do you want your life to be a true success?

There's no big secret to it.  Really.  It all comes down to what you wear.  That's right--what you wear.

Now, before you decide somebody snatched my brain, let me explain.

Of course, true success starts with becoming one of God's people.  As His people, we represent Jesus--as His Ambassadors--not only to our family but to everyone we know, everywhere we go.  And we must dress accordingly.  So what do His Ambassadors wear?

Here's what one of the original Ambassadors of Christ wrote about it to the church at Colosse. 

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, 

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Our foundational garment, which gives us a heart-level makeover, is the righteousness of Christ exchanged for our filthy rags of unrighteousness.  From there, godly fashion dictates that there are layers meant to be worn with it--compassion, kindness, humility gentleness, patience, and forgiveness.  And unlike our underwear, all of these lovely things should be showing.  Finally, crowning them all, the top layer is love.

Interestingly, this dress code reads a lot like the list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.  Getting properly dressed is a glorious combination of our cooperation and the Spirit's power.

Remember the story of the emperor who thought he was dressed in fancy new clothes but wasn't actually dressed at all?  How many times have we walked around, in fashion just as ridiculous, wearing nothing but our spiritual underclothes, so to speak, and a name-tag that says "Christian," while we're missing the rest of our necessary Ambassador attire?  Or worse yet, are there times we're still wearing the uniform of a soldier from our arch enemy's army--the very things we have been commanded to put off and lay aside?  ". . . Let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:12b NASB).

When we get dressed each morning, and every time we catch our reflection throughout the day, let's remember the dress code for Ambassadors.  When our work gets strenuous or the discussions heat up, let's not be tempted to shed the layers that are essential to our identity as Ambassadors of the King.  If we aren't properly dressed, no one will be inclined to take us seriously when we talk about Jesus--not our families or anyone else.

Let's teach our children by example what true dressing for success really means.

Who's with me for a good, deep closet cleaning?

P.S.  Fellow moms and dads, I'm thinking perhaps we could use clothing layers, some labels, and a touch of drama to make these truths come alive for our children. . .

Further food for thought or for sharing with your children:

II Corinthians 5:17-21  old and new, ambassadors, our sin exchanged for His righteousness
Colossians 3:1-17  new life, putting aside, putting something new on
James 1:21-25  what to lay aside, what to accept, the concept of a mirror, a life that's blessed
Ephesians 4:22-32  what to lay aside, what to put on
Hebrews 12:1-2  what to lay aside, endurance

For your convenience, each reference in the list above is linked to an on-line Bible.

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.

Held Together

Some days--especially at the start of a new school year--I look at what needs to be accomplished, and it’s overwhelming.  I’m already past the straw that broke the camel’s back.  If you were to but sneeze in my direction, I think I might actually fall to pieces.  Ever felt that way?

Look this way for a moment.

“Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars,

the One who leads forth their host by number,

He calls them all by name;

Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power

not one of them is missing.”  Isaiah 40:26

Not one of them is missing.  Wow.

“For by Him all things were created,

both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,

whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—

all things have been created by Him and for Him.

And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Colossians 1:16-17

Really?  Yes, all things.

So it’s no stretch to say He holds me together?  That’s right.

Not just holds you together, but holds you in His arms.

“The eternal God (eternal—as in not disintegrating anytime in the unforeseeable future) is a dwelling place (alternately translated refuge),

And underneath are the everlasting arms.”  Deuteronomy 33:27

(Parenthetical comments mine)

Whatever it is, you’ll make it.

In Him all things hold together.

And underneath are the everlasting arms.

Please, Lord, don’t let my heart ever forget it.

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.

By The Will Of God

Ever had one of those days when you wonder if you're really up to the job of parenting?  I have. Some days I think of other mothers I know, and I'm quite sure they're probably doing a much better job of it than I.  Lord, how could you have entrusted me with these children?

Enter Colossians.  I warn you; if you don't want to be changed, stay away from God's Word.  If, on the other hand, you know your mind desperately needs renewing, then dive in.  If you want the biggest impact, commit it to memory.  You will never be the same.  It's exhilarating.  It gets inside your mind, deep into your heart, and even under your skin in a good sort of convicting way.

Okay, you've probably guessed; I've been memorizing Colossians.  And I didn't get past the first verse before it changed my outlook.  It just might change yours, too.  The book (the letter) opens with this:

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

by the will of God. . ."

Stop right there.  "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God. . ."  His identity was wholly wrapped up in the will of God.  Who he was, where he was, his calling, his mission, and his role were all by the will of God.  And it came through in everything.  He opens five of his letters that way, and implies it at the beginning of three more of them.

Do you ever wish you could be that certain?  I mean in your particular role and calling.  In my case, Carol, husband to Scott, by the will of God; mother to Vera, by the will of God; mother to. . . here in Indiana.  You get the idea.  Try putting your own name in.  "____, ________, by the will of God."

Maybe that seems awkward, but if you are a believer in Jesus, you can be just as sure. He is working out His sovereign will in your life just as surely as He did in Paul's life, or Peter's, or any of those other famous guys' lives in the beginning days of His church. Very same God, you know.  And Peter reassured us in his second letter (II Peter 1:1) that we have received the same kind of faith as theirs.

We can be sure of our calling as His children and in the roles in which He has placed us. Not only that, but as Paul explained to the people in Athens, God even determines when and where we will live, so we can rest assured in that, too.  (Acts 17:24-27)

Listen in on Paul's prayer for the saints at Colossae,

". . . we have not ceased to pray for you

and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will

 in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that

you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,

to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work,

and increasing in the knowledge of God;

strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might,

for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;

joyously giving thanks to the Father,

who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

Colossians 1:9-12

(emphasis mine)

When His wise sovereign will slips out of our focus, when we are filled with something other than the knowledge of His will, we get discouraged and down, questioning our calling, doubting the success of our mission, and we are tempted to give up.  All we can see are the challenges in front of us, which seem to mount by the minute and even gather strength against us.

But if, instead, we are filled with the knowledge of His will, then we understand that our circumstances are part of His elaborate plan for our good and His glory.  And we understand what He desires of us--those good works He has planned for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).  Then our trust is in Him, we are strengthened by His power, we can be patient and steadfast, and we bear fruit, because we know it isn't all up to us.  Even as we wait on His timing or an answer to prayer, we have a confidence that comes from knowing that He will accomplish His will in our lives.  We can be "joyously giving thanks" because we have a living hope (I Peter I:3) that rests in His will.

This "being filled with the knowledge of His will" is so very crucial that Epaphras, who had brought the gospel to Colossae, was "always laboring earnestly in his prayers" for the Colossian believers that they would "stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." Colossians 4:12 (emphasis mine)

I think we can be pretty sure that the answer to that prayer wouldn't be a discouraged person who says, "I just can't do this. . . Lord, this just isn't working!"  When we begin to doubt the roles we have, or the callings we've been given, we must remember that our sovereign God makes no mistakes.  Our identity--our calling, our role, who we are, where we are--is wholly wrapped up in His will.

Let us, too, earnestly ask the Lord that He would make us stand fully assured in all the will of God; that He would strengthen us with His power, according to His glorious might; and that we would steadfastly, patiently, and joyously give thanks, as we trust in His wisdom and His will.

"Now the God of peace,

who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep. . . 

equip you in every good thing to do His will,

working in us that which is pleasing in His sight,

through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever.

Amen."

Hebrews 13:20-21

(emphasis mine)

P.S.  If you're looking for some especially encouraging Scriptures, I think you'll find Colossians 1, I Peter 1, and II Peter 1 are absolutely amazing.

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.

Bird Mother Philosophy: Part III

Strangely, this is one of the hardest posts I've ever tried to write; it seems everything got in the way of writing it.  I am now wondering if there is some spiritual warfare going on over it, as the stakes in this endeavor of home education are incredibly high.  For even if we start strongly, with biblical reasons for homeschooling, Satan may subsequently distract us from a biblical educational framework, essentially pulling an educational bait-and-switch routine.  If, all the while, we still think we're doing the right thing, then the Enemy has won a significant victory over us, and we may not even realize it.

"I say this so no one may delude you with persuasive argument.

For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit,

rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord,

so walk in Him,

having been firmly rooted

and now being built up in Him and established in your faith,

just as you were instructed,

and overflowing with gratitude.

See to it that no one take you captive

through philosophy and empty deception,

according to the tradition of men,

according to the elementary principles of the world,

rather than according to Christ.

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

and in Him you have been made complete,

and He is the head over all rule and authority. . ." 

Colossians 2:4-10

[emphasis mine]

So how about that background check?  (See The Bird Mother Philosophy:  Part II)  Have you learned something about where the ideas and philosophies behind your educational methods have come from?  I've been doing some investigating of my own, with both reassuring and alarming results.  Some of the ideas I have been investigating are ones I have actually used and others have only been recommended to me.

Here are some examples of what I've discovered:

One philosophy of education comes from the ideas of an educator, most of whose ideas seem to be in line with biblical principles, who believed that children could comprehend much, even when very young, and should not be talked down to.

In another case, I found an entire framework for a very popular educational system based on ideas which are rather child-demeaning, from a woman who neither was an educator, nor raised any children, who admitted that she was unqualified to address the topic of education, and is known for both feminist writings and humanist ideas.

At the heart of another homeschool methodology, I found the idea that each child's spirit came from the spirit world and will be reincarnated into another body after it's current life. Shocking, yes, yet this idea is more common than you'd suspect.

At the opposite extreme, another system begins with laying a scriptural foundation of truth and then measures everything else against it.

In contrast to the "The Bird Mother Philosophy," one method starts with the idea that a child will construct his own thinking and should be left alone to explore a prepared environment, without direct instruction.

I started this series with an introduction to what I called "The Bird Mother Philosophy." The name given by its foremost advocate is Mediated Learning, and its central idea is basically this:  A child learns to think and reason well, which lays the groundwork for future independent learning, when the parent acts intentionally as mediator between the world and the child, preparing the child for encountering the world and presenting and explaining the world to the child.  This mediator supplies and explains meaning beyond the topic at hand, as well as how the topic at hand affects other areas of life.  I mention it, not to promote a particular construct of man as infallible, but simply to use it as an example of an educational philosophy which does seem to be consistent with God's revealed truth found in His word and consistent with what we observe in God's created world.

I honestly was amazed at the wide spectrum of ideas I discovered behind many popular homeschooling methods.  Some of the most alarming, which either contradict Biblical principles or are based on pagan worldviews, have a presence at even the more conservative homeschool convention exhibit halls.  I have come to realize that living by the oft quoted maxim, "All truth is God's truth," could land us in trouble if we are not discerning.  Perhaps it would be more accurate to say, "Not all so-called truth is really truth."  After all, just because it's called truth doesn't mean it is.  If it's not consistent with God's truth, it's not truth at all.

Since teaching our children is one of the most significant things that we will do as followers of Christ, it would follow that we would certainly apply the teachings in the Bible that relate to our Christian walk to the context of our children's education.  Paul instructs in I Corinthians 3:9-15 that we be careful how we build.  The Galatians, who started strongly anchored in Christ, were confronted by Paul for being bewitched into following man's teaching instead of Christ's.

God's truth, revealed in scripture, ought to be not only the catapult that launches us into homeschooling, but it should continue to drive, permeate, and purify our educational philosophy and methods.  If, after a biblical launch, we subsequently land on, and ride on, from there on out, a philosophical and methodological bandwagon driven by ideas not consistent with biblical principles, we are heading straight over a cliff.

Together let's press on to walk in Christ in our educational choices, seeing to it that we are not taken captive by empty deception, and recognizing that He is the head over all rule and authority, taking His Word as our starting point, the heart of all we do, and our final authority.  For how could we ever expect to see godly fruit produced from unbiblical roots?

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.

Become a Dream Builder

Are you a dream killer or a dream builder?

Parents tend to fall into one of the two categories. Dream killers listen to their child's dream, then point out every obstacle, every reason the dream will fail. Dream builders listen to their child's dream, then find ways to nurture the dream and help their child succeed. Challenge for the summer--help your child build one dream.

Alan Scott offers a prime example of a dream-building dad. His son, Hunter, chose a near-impossible dream. As a history project for school, Hunter interviewed a sailor who survived the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis. Becoming enthralled with the stories of heroism and courage he heard, Hunter was devastated to learn the Captain of the ship, Charles McVay III, had been court-martialed to cover for a variety of military mistakes. Hunter determined to use his history project to overturn the verdict and restore Captain McVay's good name.

Mr. Scott could have pointed out that the court martial occurred 41 years before, that Hunter's  eleven years of experience were no match for the United States Navy, that McVay's death rendered clearing his name irrelevant. Instead, Mr. Scott chose to be a dream builder.

He drove Hunter to interviews and libraries for his  research, comforted Hunter when his project was disqualified on a minor technicality from the national competition that would have brought attention to the issue, and supported Hunter at every stage of preparing and presenting his research.

The result? Captain McVay's name now stands clear of any wrongdoing.

God has designed each of our children for a unique purpose--placing in them a passion to pursue this purpose. As home schooling parents, we have amazing opportunities to nurture the dream God has placed in our children's souls. How do we do this?

Listen. When we intentionally listen to our children, their dreams come through. Rather than immediately focusing on the obstacles, simply listen to what they want to do and why. Seek to understand their motives. Ask what they hope to accomplish. Not every dream will be as philanthropic as Hunter's, but they still reflect the passions of our child's design. 

One summer our eleven-year-old-son asked to make a back-yard movie with friends. Certainly this dream doesn't compare to the selfless sacrifice of Hunter on behalf of another, but son was passionate about trying. We listened. Today, that son has made documentaries all over the world. The direction for his life now began with a young dream.

Equip children to pursue their dream. Help them focus the dream and break the process for pursuing into manageable steps. Rather than taking over and doing for our children, help children discern how they can put muscle and energy into their dream. This serves double duty--the process trains our children in the hard work of following God's direction and helps them know if they are pursuing a true dream or a passing fancy.

Some aspects we will have to do. Hunter couldn't drive, so dad had to. But, Hunter set up the interviews, read the notes, wrote the paper, created the display. For our son, we bought the food, supplied the camera, and set up tents in the backyard for friends to sleep over the week of filming. But, son wrote the script, planned the filming schedule, directed the players, and edited the hours of film into a final story.

Finding the balance between equipping and taking over challenges most parents. Being a dream builder doesn't come naturally--we're often too pragmatic, too concerned with protecting our children from failure, too worried that our child's missteps will reflect poorly on us. But, investing in our children's dreams is worth it. When we listen to the passions of our child's heart and spend our time and resources to encourage the exploration of those, we communicate in a myriad of ways, "You matter."

So, over the course of the next few weeks, listen to the desires of your children, then ask them which of these desires they would like to achieve before school starts--or at least begin pursuing. What better investment of summer? Build on the passion God has placed in you child; connect with your child at his deepest heart level; become a dream builder.


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.

Bird Mother Philosophy: Part II

My family and I recently had the opportunity to view the film IndoctriNation.  Wow!  I highly recommend it.  What a compelling telling of where a system of education ends up when it’s filled with unbiblical influences.   IndoctriNation issues a clear call to flee a godless system.

But we’re already homeschooling.   So our watching the film was just more preaching to the choir, right?

Wait!  Not so fast.  If we think we already get it, and we're sure we’re already doing what we need to do, I wonder if we’ve actually missed the point of IndoctriNation altogether.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  (Proverbs 9:10)  If we’re going to live as God’s people, then His Word must, of course, be our starting point.

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”  (Joshua 1:8)  If we’re going to live as God’s people, then His Word and His ways must be not only our starting point, but also the very heart of all we do.

“Thus says the LORD, who created the heavens . . . ‘I am the LORD, and there is none else  . . . I am God and there is no other.’”  (Isaiah 45:18, 22b)  If we’re going to live as God’s people, in addition to being our starting point and the heart of all we do, His Word must also be our final word—our final authority.

His Word, then, should not be just the start to our days, not simply a jumping off point for our life strategy, and not merely the directional sign pointing us in the direction of home education—after which we seek out many other perspectives and voices.  Instead, His Word must remain the permeating and directing influence for all we do.

Have you ever thought about what that means for your homeschool educational philosophy?

What is your educational philosophy?  We all have one, whether we realize it or not.  We live by one, whether we’ve actually articulated it or not.  What has shaped it?  Do you know where the foundational ideas for your teaching methods and strategies came from?  (Not just where your initial idea to homeschool came from.)  Do you know whom you are following, even perhaps unwittingly, in your methods?

If we are going to live as God’s people, as we evaluate to whom we will listen regarding education, we must measure everything we hear by God’s Word.  If the messages or ideas are not consistent with what God already has revealed in His Word, they should not shape our ways—no matter how revered the sources may be.  And no matter how high or polished are the pedestals that fellow educators have built for those ideas.

On the other hand, if, and only if, an idea is consistent with God’s Word, then the source might actually be offering something worthy of further consideration.  But the only way to know what’s worthy of our consideration is to know God’s Word first.

Last time, I wrote about The Bird Mother Philosophy.  Before I say any more about it, though, I invite you to first take some time to consider your own working educational philosophy.  Think about who or what has influenced the way you think about and practice home education.  Do a little digging to find out who or what, in turn, shaped them, and to uncover what their ideas rest upon . . . a background check of sorts. . . and see what you discover.  I'm doing the same.

God’s opinion of the world’s wisdom, coming from those who do not worship Him, is not exactly high.  “ . . . They have no knowledge, who carry about their wooden idol, and pray to a god who cannot save.”  (Isaiah 45:20b)

Ultimately, if we are going to live as God’s people, the only foundation we have any business building on is God alone.

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, 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.

The Bird Mother Philosophy

As the traditional school calendar's schedule winds down, some families are not engaged in as much formal study.  But did you know that summer vacation, lived intentionally, will build thinking skills?  And your children won’t even realize their education is still in full swing.

I have friend whose life work is all about building thinking skills.  He tells the story of his observing two different mothers who brought their sons, who looked about five years old, to New York's Central Park one day.  The first mother was walking along with her son and they were engaged in conversation.  A bird flew overhead. 

“Do you see that bird?”  the mother asked, pointing.

“Yes!” replied the excited son.

“Do you know what kind of bird it is?”

“Yes,” the son answered, “It’s a __________.”

“Have we seen one like it before?”

“Oh, yes!”

"Where have you seen one, and when?”

“Mama, it was here, just yesterday.”

“Now why do you suppose that bird would be around here again today?”  the mother inquired.

“Maybe he has a nest near here,” the son offered with widening eyes.

“Let’s go look!” urged the mother, an obvious smile spreading over her face.

And at this point my friend says the two of them moved out of earshot and it would have been rude to follow, but they obviously continued in discussion as they followed the bird and were busily pointing up under a tree.

The second mother came walking with her son to the park, and, though it appeared that she and her son had a pleasant relationship, when they arrived, the mother took up her post on a bench and opened a Wall Street Journal, while the little boy skipped off to the playground.

My friend, who has made a life's work of studying how thinking skills are built, remarked that, though the second mother probably loved her son every bit as much as the first mother, it was the son of the "bird mother" who was being taught to think, and who would actually end up "smarter."

You see, the ability to think well, what the world calls intelligence, isn’t actually fixed. Children, and even adults, can learn to learn; they can learn to think well.  Science is finally catching up with God on this one, as scientists and educators are now beginning to acknowledge that the kind of parenting that God prescribes, in Deuteronomy 6 and Joshua 4, for example, is precisely the kind of content-rich, relationship-based interaction that builds intelligence--or thinking skills.

The experts are now admitting that thinking skills are actually built in relationships, and God, of course, knew it all along.

Why not adopt a methodology like He describes and watch your children thrive and grow in their ability to think, even without all the books this summer?  Engage them in conversations about anything and everything around you; ask them questions and let them pepper you with the same.  Figure things out together and seek out what God has to say about them, too.

And even when the school years ramps back up again, you just might want to reconsider solitary workbook time and trade much of it for real two-way conversations about the material instead--and find your children miles ahead.

Intrigued?

"The Bird Mother Philosophy:  Part II" coming next time I write . . .

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, 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.