With No Apologies

Warning:  Exclusive claims ahead.

No, not about what curriculum or method of education to use, these claims are about something much more basic--more foundational--than that.  

I am about to make an exclusive claim about a foundation. Actually, I’m not personally making the claim.  Someone else did; I’m just committed to publicizing it.  

Allow me to digress for a moment.  I find the word “panoply” fascinating.  According to my Apple dictionary, panoply means a “complete or impressive collection of things; a splendid display”--especially, historically, in the context of a “complete set of arms or suit of armor,” and originally referring to “complete protection for spiritual warfare.”  

But what’s a panoply got to do with a foundation and exclusive claims?  Well, everything actually.  Many leaders, even some among those who claim to be part of Christendom, would have us believe that all the varied ideas and diverse religious philosophies promoted around the world today represent a panoply from which it is perfectly right and proper to choose our spiritual tools and practices.  People speak of drawing from the wells of various “wisdom traditions” (i.e. other religions) in order to enhance their relationship with God. (An example of one prominent practice drawn from non-Christian wells, yet white-washed and paraded through Christendom in an intricate deception, is what's commonly called "contemplative prayer.")  

And here I show my hand, with no apologies.  This highly touted, supposed panoply, brought to you courtesy of the world's religions, is an absolute fraud, an elaborate deception--highly billed, yes, but a hoax all the same.

All ideas, all philosophies, and all religions are not equally valid.  There, I said it. But the idea is not originally mine.

It was Jesus of Nazareth who made exclusive claims to truth. Listen to this from Luke 6:46-49.

“And why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them,  I will show you whom he is like:

he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”  (italics mine)

Do you see?  Jesus didn’t say that the ones who don’t listen and act on His words didn’t build a house.   No, they built a house all right.  They invested the effort, the time, and the money to build.  But they did all that “without any foundation.” Interestingly, until the storm came, the house with no foundation may have looked to the casual observer to be just as solid as the house built on rock.  But, in fact, what they built on was loose and shifty.  Let’s face it; even wind can push sand around.

Further, He doesn’t even say they built on a wrong foundation. He says they built “without any foundation” at all.  And He says the only way to have a foundation that withstands the deluge is to listen to His words and act accordingly.  Nothing else but His teaching will do as a foundation.  Nothing else even is a foundation.

This is an exclusive claim.  It’s His way or nothing.  There aren’t any alternate foundations.  The options are 1) a solid foundation of obedience to Jesus’ words or 2) no foundation at all.

Jesus most certainly made exclusive claims.  He said if you’re not acting according to His teaching, you have no foundation.  No foundation.  That’s not just what I like to think.  It’s what He said, and a person who is true to the real Jesus will uphold those claims.  

Contrary to today’s popular thought, Jesus most certainly did not proclaim either the equality of all religions, or their neutrality.  In the Old Testament, God said, “I am the Lord, and there is no other.  Besides Me there is no God.”  (Isaiah 45:5)  In the New Testament, Jesus said (John 14:6), “No one comes to the Father, but through Me.” And, yes, in Luke 6, if you’re not putting "My" words into practice, you have "no foundation," and you are doomed to go down with a big crash one day.  A person who is true to the real Jesus will not contradict His exclusive claims by embracing the idea of “truth” in all religions.  In fact, Jesus said good fruit isn’t produced on a bad tree.  (See Luke 6:43)  It would be foolish to go looking for true spiritual fruit on a tree of false religion whose roots grow straight out of hell.

Consistent with this, in Acts 17, God’s messenger Paul didn’t tell the Athenians they were just fine for adding one more statue (“to an unknown god”) to their line-up of idols.  Rather, in verse 16, “...his spirit was being provoked within him as he was beholding the city full of idols.”  He boldly told the Athenians where they were theologically wrong, and that though the Creator had overlooked their prior ignorance, God was “now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man who He has appointed [Jesus], having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (verse 30, italics mine)

What has this got to do with education and parenting?  Just why should we care? Here’s why: our children’s spiritual destiny hangs in the balance.

If we believe our children’s spiritual life is the most important aspect of their lives, then intentionally teaching them the truth should be highest priority.  Warning them of false teachers and false teachings, as the New Testament writers did, should be highest priority.

I would grant that traditional subjects, like Math and English, are important, even necessary, but in the final analysis, they have no strong and direct link to our children’s spiritual destiny. While we make time for the necessary traditional subjects, and for sundry extra-curriculars, have we neglected to also devote sufficient time to giving them the only real foundation to build the rest of their education and lives upon?     

Right now, we still have an opportunity to teach our children the truth.  We can anchor them in God’s Word.  We still have the freedom to expose the lies and arguments of the “no absolute truth” and “truth in all religions” crowd.  But even as we do, the heralds of “no absolute truth” and “truth in all religions” are mobilized, strategizing, and boldly advancing. It could be that your family has already crossed paths with some of the most famous proponents of these ideas, though you may not have recognized them at the time.  They are even showing up in homeschool catalogs.

We still have freedom, and there is still time, but realistically, it may not last. Sometimes, carefully thinking through and spelling out the things we are going to regret not doing can help to clarify which things we are doing that aren’t really worthy of as much of our time.

The context of the original word “panoply” was spiritual warfare.  Interestingly, if all religions and all ideas are equally valid and good, then what is the point of spiritual warfare anyway?  Why would there be a war of ideas if all ideas are all equally good?

The fact is that there is a war of ideas over Jesus' exclusive claim that there is only one foundation.  The only real panoply--the complete set of armor for protection in spiritual warfare-- is found in Jesus and His Word.  The only foundation for building a life on is Jesus and His Word.

If we don’t want our children stepping out in fake armor, cherry-picked from the false religions of the world, building lives “without any foundation” that are destined for great ruin, then we must make a serious priority of making sure they understand and can choose to apply and defend the exclusive truth of God’s Word and the exclusive claims of His Son.  And that means we have got to be willing to dig in and do the hard work to understand, apply, and defend the truth ourselves, if we’ve any hope of properly arming them.  We dare not leave it to the church or to anyone else.  Though the choice to obey is ultimately theirs, the responsibility is squarely in our own laps to make them well-aquainted with the truth.

There is only one foundation. It's time to build on the Rock--while there's still time. The coming storm will reveal whose house stands and whose house falls.

May yours be one that stands.

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.

In Step With The Spirit

Just think what our homes could be like

and how it would affect our children

if we were truly in step with the Spirit,

devoted moment by moment to God's purposes . . .

Only three verses in all of Scripture about her, but I’m convinced I would have loved her.  Anna was one amazing old lady in love with an amazing God.

Someone in her circumstances might have become overwhelmed, bitter, and lonely, being married only seven years before becoming a widow, but not Anna.  She spent her time attached to the Lord’s interests—and He communicated with her (she was a prophetess, says Luke 2:36).  Now as an 84 year old, “she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.”  (Luke 2:37)  I wonder just how long she had been doing this.

Nowadays, people twenty years younger than Anna was are retired, but not Anna.  She obviously wasn’t sitting around at home doing nothing or feeling sorry for herself.  No, she was in step with the Spirit.  “At that very moment . . .” as Simeon was prophesying about little eight-day-old Jesus as he held Him in his arms, she came up and starting giving thanks to God.  Oh, to be so close to Him, so in step with the Spirit, that when the Lord is doing something significant in my vicinity I, too, would be in the center of it, and not missing it.

Most of the people on the planet, whether young or old, let their own selfish purposes dictate their lives, but not Anna.  Anna let God’s purposes direct her time and energy.  She “continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”  (Luke 2:38)  Interestingly, it was those who were looking to see what God would do who got in on the news of what God was up to.  I wonder if the ones who weren’t looking for the redemption of Jerusalem ever found out what God was doing?

And that’s it.  Just three verses, yet her life has inspired and challenged mine.

Where is my focus?  On my situation or on the Lord’s interests?

Am I in step with His Spirit, or I am I too focused on me to see what He’s doing?

What directs my time and my energy?  Am I ready at any moment to step up and begin giving Him thanks?

O Lord, in all my days, I don’t want to miss even one moment of what You are doing or one opportunity to give You thanks!

Moment by moment, may I, too, be a praying woman who hears from You, keeps on speaking of You, and gives You thanks that others can hear.  Shape me in such a way that the simple snippets from my life would point others to bless Your name.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

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.

One Mother's Night Job

This post is dedicated to everyone

who has ever lain awake worrying over something,

or might ever be tempted to. . .

At 5:12 last Wednesday morning the lights came on.

No, not the electric lights.  Something dawned on my heart--and I realized something.

I awoke to use the bathroom, and as I got out of bed, I began to marvel.  The things I have historically worried about in the night are never the really "big" things.  The things I know I have absolutely no control over--and that are entirely in God's hands--are not the things that keep me awake.

No, what keeps me awake are those smaller things that I think I have some control over.  The things I think are up to me, that I somehow control the outcome of.  I lie awake concerned about how I am going to get them done.

And then it hit me.  This line I've drawn between what's in my control and what's in God's control is an illusion--it's a non-existent line!  There's really no difference at all.  He is sovereign over the big things, and He's no less sovereign over the small ones.  What ever was I thinking?!  He reminded me that apart from Him I can do nothing (John 15).  My life is fruitful only as I depend on Him.  And His power to mastermind and accomplish the big things is more than sufficient for the smaller things of my life.

So I resolved to retire from my night job as worrier.  I've known all along it wasn't right, but somehow, I kept getting pulled into it.  Without actually consciously acknowledging it, I sort of imagined that I ultimately had control over the things I stayed awake over.

I'm learning to trust Him more.

"Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why have you become disturbed within me?

Hope in God,

for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.

The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;

And His song will be with me in the night*,

A prayer to the God of my life.

Hope in God,

for I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance, and my God."

Psalm 42:5, 8, 11b

P.S. * So I've taken a new a new night job (when I'm not asleep, that is).  I'm singing His song.

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.

Can Good Be Bad?

“My kingdom is not of this world.”

 ~Jesus Christ, the Master and great Shepherd of the sheep

As recorded in John 19:36

If we have chosen to follow Christ, we have committed to a life that is clearly outside the world’s cultural norms and is governed by heavenly priorities instead.  The lives of those who have chosen to homeschool fall even farther outside cultural norms.  But even in the homeschool world, we are not immune to distraction from what is of central importance to our Lord.  In fact, especially in the homeschool world, we may be lulled into a false sense of security when it comes to our priorities.  It is often said that the good can be the enemy of the best.  It is of prime importance that we regularly take stock of our lives to make sure that we have not received His grace in vain.

Might it be possible that we have become yoked to things that are really not of Him?   (See II Corinthians 6.)   Are we honestly and truly not of this world?   Or could it be, that in spite of a valiant attempt to keep from being conformed to and entangled in “the world” and its pagan, cultural wrappings and trappings, we are sometimes unwittingly lured into what is simply an alternate “world” to keep us occupied?

 “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life,

is not from the Father, but is from the world.

And the world is passing away, and also its lusts;

but the one who does the will of God abides forever.”

I John 2:15-17

Could it be that an obsession with a morally clean cultural world might serve Satan’s purposes just as well—to sufficiently distract us from God’s real priorities?

The world has dark and dirty hobbies to keep its lives too busy for God.  Those who claim to follow Christ may have refreshingly clean hobbies, which ironically, however, often accomplish the same end.  Neither group has much time for God’s priorities.  My fear is that we are far too often energetic—exceptionally so—for things that are empty, feverish in our activity for that which is fading.

The world’s teenagers follow the latest fashion trends—daringly envelope-pushing, immodest ones.  Meanwhile, Christian young people can be equally enthralled with fashion, except, of course, that theirs would tend toward modesty.

The men of the world love sports and beer.  Multitudes of Christian men, too, can talk of nothing but sports.  They just generally prefer a less addictive drink to go with it.

While the world may be addicted to the dark side of technology, the Church may be equally addicted to its cleaner forms.

The world takes it view of Christianity from everything but the Bible.  And tragedy of tragedies, so does most of the “Church”, as is evidenced by way it whole-heartedly embraces the core beliefs of the rest of the world’s religions, while having not a clue where the ideas have come from.

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord,

so walk in Him. . . .

 See to it that no one takes 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.”

Colossians 2:6, 8

Honestly, is what we let ourselves be consumed with actually prescribed in the Bible, or has some smooth talker just convinced us that it is?  Do we latch onto things, thinking they are worth our time, when in reality they, too, are passing away?  Are our priorities really the same as His?  

It is imperative that we ask ourselves these questions.  These are the kind of questions we need to be asking.  I have to ask myself these kinds of questions on a regular basis, and especially at holiday times when our schedules get even tighter than usual.  If we don’t ask ourselves these questions, and honestly stare the answers in the face, we may find that our dear Master is grieved with our hardness of heart and with our willingness to be distracted from what matters most to Him.

Lately, I’ve been reading the last letters of Peter and Paul (II Peter and II Timothy).  They’ve really gotten to me.  I have felt their emotion, as they knew their time on this earth was coming quickly to an end.  Those dear men, under the Spirit’s influence, were intensely passionate—and increasingly so, it seems, as they aged—that we should faithfully carry on what Jesus passed on to them, without getting sidetracked, deceived, or lead astray from their—and our—beloved Master.

I was going to share some verses from II Peter and II Timothy but couldn’t narrow them down; they were all too relevant.  So instead, I urge you to go pull out the actual letters and soak them up as you would precious pen and paper letters that just arrived today in your mailbox.  You certainly won’t regret it; in fact, it may save you from regret.

“And now, little children, abide in Him,

so that when He appears, we may have confidence

and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”

~From yet another intensely devoted follower of Jesus Christ

As recorded in I John 2:26-28

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.

Thanksgiving--The Season That Never Ends

When we first returned from Ukraine with our newly adopted thirteen-year-old daughter, my dad went around the house with her, labeling things with sticky-notes.  Her repertoire of English vocabulary was very small, so he was helping to add to it.  I still smile when I remember his labeling of legs—"table leg," "chair leg," and "people leg."

Recently, I heard about another use for sticky-note labels that I've not been able to get out of my head.  Someone suggested that each of us ought to get two stacks of sticky-notes. On the notes in one stack, write the label "temporary" and attach those notes to everything that is just that—temporary.  Cars, computers, toys, furniture . . . even money.  You get the idea.  All the stuff that, in the end, will burn.  On the notes in the second stack, write "eternal" and stick those on people, because their souls are, in fact, eternal.

Even though I didn't actually make the labels, I now can't picture my stuff without seeing those labels attached in my mind.  And I find myself asking myself why I'm spending time on certain things that won't last or that won't impact the eternal in any way.

Surrounded by invisible labels, I've been thinking of their implication on my thanksgiving, too.  The temporary can certainly be cause for thanksgiving.  The glory and magnificence of the created world—all that we can see, taste, smell, hear, or touch—can point us to the wisdom and goodness of our Creator.  Majestic mountains, the cheerful sound of children's laughter, or the savory smell of pumpkin pie can inspire praise to our Father.  He is the one who gave us ears to hear.  He gave us eyes capable of seeing color and detecting depth.  He is the one who created flavor and gave us the ability to enjoy it.  As wonderful as the created world is though, it still gets a "temporary" label.  And that's really got me thinking.

I’ve tried to imagine being in what we'd be likely to call less-than-ideal circumstances.  What if I lost my sight?  What if I could no longer hear the laughter of children?  What if I were truly hungry or out in the cold?  What if my life were the one the Voice of the Martyrs magazine asked you to pray for?  What then?  In that light, a focus on the temporary seems terribly shallow.  What would I be thankful for then?  It would be the things that transcend and that can’t be stolen by circumstances good or bad.  Think of it!  If our joy is attached to the things that can’t be stolen, then our joy can’t be stolen either.  But if our joy is attached to temporary things . . .

God knows our hearts need a greater focus on the intangible blessings that are enduring, a focus that goes beyond thanksgiving for the albeit lovely, but nevertheless temporary.  It’s those eternal blessings that will remain and bring joy even when our lives are stripped of all those temporary things.

That's what the Apostle Peter was getting at in chapter one of his first letter:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away...”  

I find it interesting that Scripture focuses very little on the temporary, and even the examples of gratitude for temporary things point to God's character as Provider.  Not that I don't enjoy the temporary or won't be grateful for the blessings that I know will fade, but the temporary is definitely second tier, and the real issue is one of priorities.  Recognition of the enduring importance of the eternal is the cure for a hollow life.  Seeing with God's eternal perspective keeps us from being shallow.

So while I will still be thankful for temporary blessings, I'm all the more determined to cultivate an ardent attitude of gratitude for "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places," as Paul says in Ephesians 1.  Though I can’t attach sticky-notes to them, they are no less real.  I want my joy to be anchored to the eternal, not to the temporary.  If I’m anchored to the eternal, I can't be shaken.  I’m convinced that’s what Peter was talking about as his first letter continues:

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials … and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory … [Therefore] fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Yes, 'tis the season for being thankful.

If you know Jesus, the season never ends!

By the way, parents, if we model a life of heavenly aligned priorities, we equip our children well to live a truly rich life.

"Godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment.

... Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited

or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches,

but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy."

I Timothy 6:6,17

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.

Transcript Season

It's transcript season at our house, and I've been reminiscing.  One of my dear girls has started her last year of high school.  We have been through so much and learned so much together.  And most of it could never be reflected on a transcript.

Oh, yes, she has learned to balance chemical equations, to make bread and berry pie, to use imaginary numbers and subordinating conjunctions.  She can play the piano and tell you who Thaddeus Kosciuszko was.  But a transcript could never reflect who she has become.

In the progress of gathering up samples of her work for a portfolio, I came across a notebook wherein lay perhaps some of her most significant work.  It was work that went far deeper than history facts or geometry proofs.  It penetrated her heart and ignited something inside her.  This work hadn't been assigned for an official class.  It was what she had done during the time she devoted to God's Word at the beginning of the day during one of her school years.  The notebook contains the notes she made as she read through the Old Testament books of Joshua and Judges.

As I read through tears of joy, I saw that she had carefully catalogued, verse by verse, what was taking place, grouped the verses into logical divisions, and summarized the content.  She made observations on the overarching themes, and then applied them to her own life and the life of our nation with incredible insight.  God challenged her to align herself with His priorities, and she said, "Yes!"  He spoke, He revealed His faithfulness, and her faith grew.  And mine grew, too, as I read what the Lord had taught her.

Contrary to popular opinions of some, studying God's Word is no dry, meaningless, intellectual exercise; it has been a living and powerful shaping force in her life.  As I observe her attitudes today and hear her speak with passion, I know that the living God who revealed Himself in those passages has molded her faith with His own hand.

As we spend each passing day with our children, let's not forget that the most relevant things they will ever learn are the spiritual truths from God's Word that will anchor them long after they've left home and long after we have moved on to heaven ahead of them.

And more rewarding than anything that could be recorded on a transcript is knowing that our children's names are recorded in the Book Of Life.

". . . You know in all your hearts and in all your souls

that not one word of all the good words

which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed;

all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed."

Joshua 23:14b

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.

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.

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.

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.