Today is the day of Pentecost, according to God's Word. Most Christians know that God sent His Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, but there really is much more to it than that.
Leviticus 23 outlines all of God's holy days for us. The timing for Pentecost is tricky, and it took me several years to get it figured out (at least, I think I have it figured out now!). We need to start at verse 5, where God first explains Passover, which is on Nisan 14 (around March/April timeframe), which is Christ's death. God then explains that Nisan 15, the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread which lasts for 7 days, is a day of holy convocation, or a Sabbath day. The Sabbath can mean the last day of the week (Saturday) or it can mean a holy day, certain holidays God sets aside to be holy. Then in verse 11, He explains about the Feast of Early First Fruits, which is Christ's resurrection. This takes place on the day after the Sabbath. Which Sabbath? The first regular sabbath after the holy Sabbath of the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, so generally it is the first Saturday after Passover. So the Feast of Early First Fruits (Christ's resurrection) is to take place on the first Sunday after Passover.
Now we come to verse 15, which tells us how to count the days until Pentecost. "And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath." So to figure out the right date, we start with Passover, go to the first Sunday after the first Sabbath after Passover, and count 50 days to the day after the 7th Sabbath. Normal Sabbaths are always on Saturday, so the day after would have to always be on a Sunday.
(I digress here: I have heard both sides of the "worship on the Sabbath/worship on Sunday" argument. With both Early First Fruits (Christ's resurrection) and Latter First Fruits (Pentecost) ALWAYS falling on a Sunday, this is the strongest argument FOR Sunday that I see in Scripture. I, personally, have not come to a firm conclusion either way at this point.)
I put so much into figuring out the date because if you look on a calendar, you will find Pentecost on any day of the week, and the beginning of the counting time doesn't always seem to mean anything either. Even Jewish calendars do not use God's reckoning of time for Pentecost. My Jewish calendar says it falls on June 2 this year, while God's time would put it on Sunday, June 4. We'll see more later about why that is important.
The very first Pentecost (Greek for 50 days) , or Feast of Weeks (counting the 7 weeks), or Feast of Latter First Fruits (wheat harvest), or Shavuot (hebrew name), took place 50 days into the wilderness trek, when Moses brought the Law down to the Israelites. God writing the Law in stone was a very significant day for all Israel, but they were impatient in waiting for it and easily turned to idolatry and wicked, vile behavior before Moses returned. So God told the sons of Levi to put every man to the sword for this wickedness and about 3000 were killed that first day of Pentecost.
Fast forward about 1476 years to the second major Pentecost festival, which is one of the 3 main Feasts that God requires all Jewish men to attend in Jerusalem each year. Acts 2 is the famous "birthday of the church" event, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon all who believed. What an incredible fulfilling of the prophecies of Pentecost! Until this time, God's chosen people were Israel. There were a few Gentiles here and there who chose to believe in God, such as Ruth, but those who mostly belonged to God were Jews. On the day of Pentecost, Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Not only did God send His Holy Spirit on Pentecost, but He chose this day to include Gentiles in His family, as many as He will call. The word church, as used in Acts 2, literally means the "called out ones," which is different from the other New Testament uses of the English word church, which usually means "belonging to the Lord." Although Pentecost is recognized as the birthday of the church, there were really already many people, mostly Jews and a few gentiles, who belonged to the Lord before Pentecost, but now God was calling out both Jews and Gentiles.
Although God wrote His Law on stone on the first Pentecost, He wrote His Law on our hearts of flesh on the second great Pentecost. And while the Levites killed 3000 souls that first Pentectost, after Peter preached his great sermon, Acts 2 tells us that about 3000 souls were added to them that day. What a restoration!
Leviticus 23:17 tells us to celebrate Pentecost with "two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to the LORD." In other words, bake 2 loaves of leavened bread, 16 cups of flour each, and wave them before the Lord as an offering. We use unleavened bread at Passover as a symbol of the sacrifice Lamb being without sin; we use leavened bread at Pentecost as a symbol of believers still being sinful. The 2 loaves represent the Jews and the Gentiles, coming together for the first time. So we now have sinful Jews and sinful Gentiles, together, with the Holy Spirit, as the called out ones, believers together in Christ Jesus, believers with God's Law written on our hearts of flesh, celebrating Christ's resurrection and the giving of the Holy Spirit to the called out ones both on the first day of the week, Sunday.
Have you ever wondered why this great Acts 2 sermon included references to King David's death and burial and tomb? It is well known among the Jews that King David died on Pentecost, so his death is commemorated that day as well; hence, Peter would naturally have mentioned it in his sermon.
Another aspect of Pentecost is found in Leviticus 23:22 - "‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the LORD your God.’” This is a time of year to focus on helping the poor and the strangers, especially the widows.
Most Jews celebrate Pentecost by reading the book of Ruth. Not only was Ruth probably the most well-known Gentile convert before Pentecost, this story takes place at the time of the harvest, which is a main part of the celebration of Pentecost, and it explicitly tells about Ruth gleaning from the corners of the field, but also of helping the poor and the stranger. We read the book of Ruth aloud today, with a new perspective!
Leviticus 23:21 tells us that Pentecost "shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. " The Law, the Holy Spirit, the harvest, the union of the Jews and Gentiles together in Christ. There are many great reasons to celebrate God's holy day of Pentecost!
Jun 4, 2006
My Creation Science Treasure
We've been studying creation science for almost ten years now and have used many different sources. We thought we had a pretty good handle on the whole issue, until a friend recently lent me a video series by Kent Hovind.
Talk about a steep learning curve! I watched the first video 3 times and still didn't get it all! This guy has SO much to teach about creation science that I didn't realize was even related. Here a few things he covers in his 17-hour seminar:
6 day literal creation
evolution
age of the earth
gap theory
the flood
dinosaurs
Grand Canyon
the Ice Age
900 year old people
lies in the textbooks
marxism
communism
socialism
New World Order
marriage licenses
vehicle license plates
Pangea theory
magnetic fields
plate tectonics
continental drift
petrified wood
geological columns
fossil dating
layer dating
... and much more!
I am learning so much, I am really getting interested in science for the first time in my life!
He also brings everyday life according to God's Word into every aspect of what he teaches. I really think that God's Word applies to everything that I do, so it was quite refreshing to see him live it out.
A word of caution: you must have a well-developed sense of humor to appreciate this guy's corny jokes! He does tend to be a little sarcastic now and then, and he doesn't quite have my theology, but since I am not one to throw the baby out with the bath, I still heartily recommend his video series.
I haven't tried any of his other products yet, but they look like they will be life-challenging material. I'm up for a good challenge about now! He also has a dinosaur creation-science theme park in Pensacola, where we are headed in July. I will post a field trip report afterward.
Talk about a steep learning curve! I watched the first video 3 times and still didn't get it all! This guy has SO much to teach about creation science that I didn't realize was even related. Here a few things he covers in his 17-hour seminar:
6 day literal creation
evolution
age of the earth
gap theory
the flood
dinosaurs
Grand Canyon
the Ice Age
900 year old people
lies in the textbooks
marxism
communism
socialism
New World Order
marriage licenses
vehicle license plates
Pangea theory
magnetic fields
plate tectonics
continental drift
petrified wood
geological columns
fossil dating
layer dating
... and much more!
I am learning so much, I am really getting interested in science for the first time in my life!
He also brings everyday life according to God's Word into every aspect of what he teaches. I really think that God's Word applies to everything that I do, so it was quite refreshing to see him live it out.
A word of caution: you must have a well-developed sense of humor to appreciate this guy's corny jokes! He does tend to be a little sarcastic now and then, and he doesn't quite have my theology, but since I am not one to throw the baby out with the bath, I still heartily recommend his video series.
I haven't tried any of his other products yet, but they look like they will be life-challenging material. I'm up for a good challenge about now! He also has a dinosaur creation-science theme park in Pensacola, where we are headed in July. I will post a field trip report afterward.
Jun 1, 2006
The Old Paths
I liked the old paths, when Moms were at home.
Dads were at work. Brothers went into the army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!
Crime did not pay;
Hard work did;
And people knew the difference.
Moms could cook; Dads would work;
Children would behave.
Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive;
And children were polite.
Women wore the jewelry; And Men wore the pants.
Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen;
And children looked decent.
People loved the truth, And hated a lie;
They came to church to get IN, Not to get OUT!
Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful;
Rejoicing sounded normal; And crying sounded sincere.
Cursing was wicked; Drinking was evil;
and divorce was unthinkable.
The flag was honored; America was beautiful;
And God was welcome!
We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school;
And preached from house to house.
To be called an American was worth dying for;
To be called a Christian was worth living for;
To be called a traitor was a shame!
Sex was a personal word.
Homosexual was an unheard of word,
And abortion was an illegal word.
Preachers preached because they had a message;
and were not afraid to preach the truth, even if it got on people's toes...
And Christians rejoiced because they had the VICTORY!
Preachers preached from the Bible; Singers sang from the heart;
And sinners turned to the Lord to be SAVED!
A new birth meant a new life; Salvation meant a changed life;
Following Christ led to eternal life.
Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God;
Being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord;
Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus;
And being a sinner meant someone was praying for you!
Laws were based on the Bible; Homes read the Bible;
And churches taught the Bible.
Preachers were more interested in new converts,
Than new clothes and new cars.
God was worshiped; Christ was exalted;
and the Holy Spirit was respected.
Church was where you found Christians on the Lord's Day,
Rather than in the garden, on the creek bank, on the golf course,
Or being entertained somewhere else.
I still like the old paths the best.
~author unknown~
Dads were at work. Brothers went into the army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!
Crime did not pay;
Hard work did;
And people knew the difference.
Moms could cook; Dads would work;
Children would behave.
Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive;
And children were polite.
Women wore the jewelry; And Men wore the pants.
Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen;
And children looked decent.
People loved the truth, And hated a lie;
They came to church to get IN, Not to get OUT!
Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful;
Rejoicing sounded normal; And crying sounded sincere.
Cursing was wicked; Drinking was evil;
and divorce was unthinkable.
The flag was honored; America was beautiful;
And God was welcome!
We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school;
And preached from house to house.
To be called an American was worth dying for;
To be called a Christian was worth living for;
To be called a traitor was a shame!
Sex was a personal word.
Homosexual was an unheard of word,
And abortion was an illegal word.
Preachers preached because they had a message;
and were not afraid to preach the truth, even if it got on people's toes...
And Christians rejoiced because they had the VICTORY!
Preachers preached from the Bible; Singers sang from the heart;
And sinners turned to the Lord to be SAVED!
A new birth meant a new life; Salvation meant a changed life;
Following Christ led to eternal life.
Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God;
Being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord;
Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus;
And being a sinner meant someone was praying for you!
Laws were based on the Bible; Homes read the Bible;
And churches taught the Bible.
Preachers were more interested in new converts,
Than new clothes and new cars.
God was worshiped; Christ was exalted;
and the Holy Spirit was respected.
Church was where you found Christians on the Lord's Day,
Rather than in the garden, on the creek bank, on the golf course,
Or being entertained somewhere else.
I still like the old paths the best.
~author unknown~
A Win, Win Situation
1. Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border
2. Take the dirt and raise the levies in New Orleans
3. Put the Florida alligators in the border moat!
(This is just a joke, so take it in stride!)
2. Take the dirt and raise the levies in New Orleans
3. Put the Florida alligators in the border moat!
(This is just a joke, so take it in stride!)
May 31, 2006
Movie Review: The Water is Wide
"The Water is Wide," a Hallmark Hall of Fame production, is a movie I feel comfortable recommending in this world of mostly evil entertainment. While not a Christian film, this true story has a lot each of us could learn from, especially homeschoolers. A white man, Pat Conroy, takes a position teaching in a 2-room schoolhouse on an island in an all black, poor, illiterate community in the 1970s. Watching the remarkable metamorphosis of children who live in constant dread and drudgery to, well, you're just going to have to see it! Anyone who teaches, in any capacity, will be deeply moved.
May 29, 2006
I Wish You Enough
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."
I wish you the presence of the Lord in all your trials and the wisdom of God to know what to do with them.
Blessing by Bob Perks; last line by SM Davis.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."
I wish you the presence of the Lord in all your trials and the wisdom of God to know what to do with them.
Blessing by Bob Perks; last line by SM Davis.
May 27, 2006
Character Treasures
For church right now, our family is watching SM Davis videos. I believe that God has given SM Davis an incredible wisdom to be able to clearly see character truths in God's Word in a way I've never heard from the pulpit before. It seems that every message we hear changes our hearts to become more like Christ! SM Davis is a very passionate preacher, but not a hell-fire and damnation type. Oh, he absolutely believes the truths of God's Word regarding sin and salvation, but he will never beat you over the head with it. This is a real treasure in my life right now and I wanted to share the titles of his character messages with you. It is a long list, but I didn't know which titles would catch your attention, so here goes:
Anger, the Destroyer
Are You a Giver or a Taker?
Bible Pictures of Godly Children
Bible Principles That Relate to Getting to the Marriage Altar
Bible Teachings About the Bride Price
Breaking Family Curses
Changing the Heart of a Rebel
Christ, the Husband’s Example
Conquering Satan’s Strongholds
Deliverance From the Destructiveness of Lust
Dig Another Well
Expectations, the Enemy of Relationships and Gratitude
Foreseeing the Problems That Could Wreck a Marriage
Freedom From the Spirit of Anger
God’s Plan for Finding a Mate
God’s Seven Purposes for Authority
God’s Viewpoint of the Church
God’s Viewpoint on Having Babies
God’s Way to Deal With Your Wrong Emotions
God’s Weightiest Commands to Husbands, Wives, and Parents
How a Wife Can Use Reverence to Build or Save Her Marriage
How to Avoid Confusion Concerning Betrothal
How to Avoid the Destructiveness of a Wrong Self-Image
How to Be Reconciled to Your Friend or Enemy
How to Bless Your Children and Others
How to Build a Storm-Proof Marriage
How to Develop Character in Your Children
How to Get or Give Wise Counsel
How to Help a Man Deal With His Anger
How to Help Weak Children Become Strong
How to Humble Yourself
How to Increase Your Life’s Potential
How to Keep Children From Getting Bitter
How to Lengthen Your Life by Honoring and Obeying Your Parents
How to Parent as a Team
How to Pass On Your Convictions to Your Children
How to Rebuild Broken Trust
How to Tell Right From Wrong in Confusing Areas of Life
How to Tell the Right Kind of Music
How to Tell True Repentance
How to Train Children to Refuse Evil and Choose Good
How to Train Up a Child in the Way He Should Go
How to Treat a Wounded Spirit
How to Use Acceptance to Build Others
Integrity, the Parent of Character
Key Character Qualities of a Godly Man
Knowing When to Let Go
My Son, Give Me Thine Heart
Nothing Shall Offend Them
Overcomer or Survivor?
Overcoming Discouragement
Personal Responsibility
Questions and Answers About Betrothal
Repairing Really Rotten Relationships
Satan’s Plan to Destroy the Husband-Wife Relationship
Seeds of Disintegration
Seven Bible Truths Violated by Christian Dating
Seven Keys to Unlock Doors of Communication
Seven Reasons Why a Man’s Home is a Biblical Priority
Strategy for Victory in Spiritual Warfare
Ten Steps to Victory Over Lust
The Attitude No Lady Should Have
The Danger of Sinning Against Great Spiritual Light
The Influence of Older Children on Younger Ones
The Kingdom of Your Influence
The Language of the Christian’s Clothing
The Mistakes Rebels Make
The Providence of God
The Seven-Fold Power of a Wife’s Submission
The Sin of Silence
The Two Trails in Every Trial
Three Key Elements of Successful Parenting
Twelve Reasons Why I am For the Permanence of Marriage
Understanding Biblical Leadership
Understanding How Homes Relate to Each Other and the Church
Understanding Loyalty in a Disloyal World
Understanding the Hazards of Friendships
Understanding What the Bible Has to Say About Scorn and Mockery
Victory Over the Dating Spirit
What Bitterness Does
What Character Is and Does
What God Expects from a Twenty Year Old
What Impatience Does
What Pride Does
What the Bible Has to Say about Spanking
What to Expect From a Twelve Year Old
When Forgiveness Won’t Work
When God's Will Becomes Multiple Choice
When You Have to Drink the Bitter Cup
Why Satan Wants the Firstborn
Why Should I Repent?
Why the Will of God is Best
Why You Keep Sinning and How to Stop
Anger, the Destroyer
Are You a Giver or a Taker?
Bible Pictures of Godly Children
Bible Principles That Relate to Getting to the Marriage Altar
Bible Teachings About the Bride Price
Breaking Family Curses
Changing the Heart of a Rebel
Christ, the Husband’s Example
Conquering Satan’s Strongholds
Deliverance From the Destructiveness of Lust
Dig Another Well
Expectations, the Enemy of Relationships and Gratitude
Foreseeing the Problems That Could Wreck a Marriage
Freedom From the Spirit of Anger
God’s Plan for Finding a Mate
God’s Seven Purposes for Authority
God’s Viewpoint of the Church
God’s Viewpoint on Having Babies
God’s Way to Deal With Your Wrong Emotions
God’s Weightiest Commands to Husbands, Wives, and Parents
How a Wife Can Use Reverence to Build or Save Her Marriage
How to Avoid Confusion Concerning Betrothal
How to Avoid the Destructiveness of a Wrong Self-Image
How to Be Reconciled to Your Friend or Enemy
How to Bless Your Children and Others
How to Build a Storm-Proof Marriage
How to Develop Character in Your Children
How to Get or Give Wise Counsel
How to Help a Man Deal With His Anger
How to Help Weak Children Become Strong
How to Humble Yourself
How to Increase Your Life’s Potential
How to Keep Children From Getting Bitter
How to Lengthen Your Life by Honoring and Obeying Your Parents
How to Parent as a Team
How to Pass On Your Convictions to Your Children
How to Rebuild Broken Trust
How to Tell Right From Wrong in Confusing Areas of Life
How to Tell the Right Kind of Music
How to Tell True Repentance
How to Train Children to Refuse Evil and Choose Good
How to Train Up a Child in the Way He Should Go
How to Treat a Wounded Spirit
How to Use Acceptance to Build Others
Integrity, the Parent of Character
Key Character Qualities of a Godly Man
Knowing When to Let Go
My Son, Give Me Thine Heart
Nothing Shall Offend Them
Overcomer or Survivor?
Overcoming Discouragement
Personal Responsibility
Questions and Answers About Betrothal
Repairing Really Rotten Relationships
Satan’s Plan to Destroy the Husband-Wife Relationship
Seeds of Disintegration
Seven Bible Truths Violated by Christian Dating
Seven Keys to Unlock Doors of Communication
Seven Reasons Why a Man’s Home is a Biblical Priority
Strategy for Victory in Spiritual Warfare
Ten Steps to Victory Over Lust
The Attitude No Lady Should Have
The Danger of Sinning Against Great Spiritual Light
The Influence of Older Children on Younger Ones
The Kingdom of Your Influence
The Language of the Christian’s Clothing
The Mistakes Rebels Make
The Providence of God
The Seven-Fold Power of a Wife’s Submission
The Sin of Silence
The Two Trails in Every Trial
Three Key Elements of Successful Parenting
Twelve Reasons Why I am For the Permanence of Marriage
Understanding Biblical Leadership
Understanding How Homes Relate to Each Other and the Church
Understanding Loyalty in a Disloyal World
Understanding the Hazards of Friendships
Understanding What the Bible Has to Say About Scorn and Mockery
Victory Over the Dating Spirit
What Bitterness Does
What Character Is and Does
What God Expects from a Twenty Year Old
What Impatience Does
What Pride Does
What the Bible Has to Say about Spanking
What to Expect From a Twelve Year Old
When Forgiveness Won’t Work
When God's Will Becomes Multiple Choice
When You Have to Drink the Bitter Cup
Why Satan Wants the Firstborn
Why Should I Repent?
Why the Will of God is Best
Why You Keep Sinning and How to Stop
May 26, 2006
The King's Assignment
In general, we use the Charlotte Mason method of education. One of the joys of life for me has been to discover Charlotte Mason's method in the Bible. This was the first aspect of the Charlotte Mason method I discovered in God's Word, and I can still remember how excited I was that day!
The background of this story is that God is telling Moses that when the Israelites get to the Promised Land, they are going to ask for a king. Therefore, God lays out some instructions for what He expects of the kings of Israel.
“Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel." Deut. 17:18-20.
God actually expected each king to write out a copy of the law, which is Genesis through Deuteronomy, in his own handwriting. I wonder how many kings actually did that? I don't believe we have record of any kings actually doing that, but some may have. I wonder what would have happened differently if they had obeyed the Lord in this. Well, I guess we don't have to wonder too long, because God tells us all the benefits that He promises to the kings that do obey Him in this.
Charlotte Mason calls this copywork; we call it "The King's Assignment." We each copy God's Word for 15 minutes a day. I know one young man who had an attitude problem and his parents told him his assignment to graduate from high school was to copy Genesis through Deuteronomy. By the time he finished, he was a changed young man, and is diligently serving the Lord today, many years later.
It takes quite a bit of work and effort to write the Bible yourself, but do we really have more to do than the king of Israel did? Think of it this way: if you are a son or a daughter of the King of Kings, shouldn't you tackle the "King's Assignment," too?
Writing out God's Word in my own handwriting has provided more benefits than I ever dreamed of. Rather than tell you what they are, I shall encourage you to give it a try for yourself, and see what God reveals to you!
The background of this story is that God is telling Moses that when the Israelites get to the Promised Land, they are going to ask for a king. Therefore, God lays out some instructions for what He expects of the kings of Israel.
“Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel." Deut. 17:18-20.
God actually expected each king to write out a copy of the law, which is Genesis through Deuteronomy, in his own handwriting. I wonder how many kings actually did that? I don't believe we have record of any kings actually doing that, but some may have. I wonder what would have happened differently if they had obeyed the Lord in this. Well, I guess we don't have to wonder too long, because God tells us all the benefits that He promises to the kings that do obey Him in this.
Charlotte Mason calls this copywork; we call it "The King's Assignment." We each copy God's Word for 15 minutes a day. I know one young man who had an attitude problem and his parents told him his assignment to graduate from high school was to copy Genesis through Deuteronomy. By the time he finished, he was a changed young man, and is diligently serving the Lord today, many years later.
It takes quite a bit of work and effort to write the Bible yourself, but do we really have more to do than the king of Israel did? Think of it this way: if you are a son or a daughter of the King of Kings, shouldn't you tackle the "King's Assignment," too?
Writing out God's Word in my own handwriting has provided more benefits than I ever dreamed of. Rather than tell you what they are, I shall encourage you to give it a try for yourself, and see what God reveals to you!
May 25, 2006
The Town of Allopath
There once was a town called Allopath. It had many people, streets and cars, but due to budget limitations, there were no stop signs or traffic lights anywhere in Allopath. Not surprisingly, traffic accidents were common. Cars would crash into each other at nearly every intersection. But business was booming for the auto repair shops and local hospitals, which dominated the economy of Allopath.
As the population of Allopath grew, traffic accidents increased to an alarming level. Out of desperation, the city council hired Doctor West, a doctor of the Motor Division (M.D.) to find a solution.
Dr. West spent days examining traffic accidents. He carried an assortment of technical gear -- microscopes, chemical analysis equipment, lab gear -- and put them all to work as part of his investigation. The townspeople of Allopath watched with great curiosity while Dr. West went about his work, meticulously documenting and analyzing each traffic accident, and they awaited his final report with great interest.
After weeks of investigation, Dr. West called the people of Allopath to a town meeting for the release of his report. There, in front of the city council and most of the residents of Allopath, he announced his findings: "Traffic accidents are caused by skid marks."
As Dr. West explained, he found and documented a near-100% correlation between traffic accidents and skid marks. "Wherever we find these cars colliding," he explained, "we also find these skid marks."
The town had "Skid Marks Disease," the doctor explained, and the answer to the town's epidemic of traffic accidents would "...require nothing more than treating Skid Marks Disease by making the streets skid-proof," Dr. West exclaimed, to great applause from the townspeople.
The city paid Dr. West his consulting fee, then asked the good doctor to propose a method for treating this Skid Marks Disease. As chance would have it, Dr. West had recently been on a trip to Hawaii paid for by a chemical company that manufactured roadaceuticals: special chemicals used to treat roads for situations just like this one. He recommended a particular chemical coating to the city council: teflon.
"We can treat this Skid Marks Disease by coating the roads with teflon," Dr. West explained. "The streets will then be skid-proof, and all the traffic accidents will cease!" He went on to describe the physical properties of teflon and how its near-frictionless coating would deter nearly all vehicle skids.
The city council heartily agreed with Dr. West, and they issued new public bonds to raise the money required to buy enough teflon to coat all the city's streets. Within weeks, the streets were completely coated, and the skid marks all but disappeared.
The city council paid Dr. West another consulting fee and thanked him for his expertise. The problem of traffic accidents in Allopath was solved, they thought. Although the cure was expensive, they were convinced it was worth it.
But things weren't well in Allopath. Traffic accidents quadrupled. Hospital beds were overflowing with injured residents. Auto repair businesses were booming so much that most of the city council members decided to either open their own car repair shops or invest in existing ones.
Week after week, more and more residents of Allopath were injured, and their cars were repeatedly damaged. Money piled into the pockets of the car repair shops, hospitals, tow truck companies and car parts retailers.
The town economic advisor, observing this sharp increase in economic activity, announced that Allopath was booming. Its economy was healthier than ever, and Allopath could look forward to a great year of economic prosperity!
There were jobs to be had at the car repair shops. There were more nurses needed at the hospital. "Help wanted" signs appeared all over town: at the paramedic station, the tow truck shops, and the auto glass businesses. Unemployment dropped to near zero.
But the traffic accidents continued to increase. And yet there were no skid marks.
The city council was baffled. They thought they had solved this problem. Skid Marks Disease had been eradicated by the teflon treatment. Why were traffic accidents still happening?
They called a town meeting to discuss the problem, and following a short discussion of the problem, an old hermit, who lived in the forest just outside of Allopath, addressed the townspeople. "There is no such thing as Skid Marks Disease," he explained. "This disease was invented by the roadaceuticals company to sell you teflon coatings."
The townspeople were horrified to hear such a statement. They knew Skid Marks Disease existed. The doctor had told them so. How could this hermit, who had no Motor Division (M.D.) degree, dare tell them otherwise? How could he question their collective town wisdom in such a way?
"This is a simple problem," the hermit continued. "All we need to do is build stop signs and traffic lights. Then the traffic accidents will cease."
Without pause, one city council member remarked, "But how can we afford stop signs? We've spent all our money on teflon treatments!"
The townspeople agreed. They had no money to buy stop signs.
Another council member added, "And how can we stop anyway? The streets are all coated with teflon. If we build stop signs, we'll waste all the money we've spent on teflon!"
The townspeople agreed, again. What use were stop signs if they couldn't stop their cars anyway?
The hermit replied, "But the stop signs will eliminate the need for teflon. People will be able to stop their cars, and accidents will cease. The solution is simple."
But what might happen if stop signs actually worked, the townspeople wondered. How would it affect the booming economy of Allopath? Realizing the consequences, a burly old man who owned a local repair shop jumped to his feet and said, "If we build these stop signs, and traffic accidents go down, I'll have to fire most of my workers!"
It was at that moment that most of the townspeople realized their own jobs were at stake. If stop signs were built, nearly everyone would be unemployed. They all had jobs in emergency response services, car repair shops, hospitals and teflon coating maintenance. Some were now sales representatives of the roadaceuticals company. Others were importers of glass, tires, steel and other parts for cars. A few clever people were making a fortune selling wheelchairs and crutches to accident victims.
One enterprising young gentleman started a scientific journal that published research papers describing all the different kind of Skid Marks Diseases that had been observed and documented. Another person, a fitness enthusiast, organized an annual run to raise funds to find the cure for Skid Marks Disease. It was a popular event, and all the townspeople participated as best they could: jogging, walking, or just pushing themselves along in their wheelchairs.
One way or another, nearly everyone in Allopath was economically tied to Skid Marks Disease.
Out of fear of losing this economic prosperity, the townspeople voted to create a new public safety agency: the Frequent Drivers Association (FDA). This FDA would be responsible for approving or rejecting all signage, technology and chemical coatings related to the town's roads.
The FDA's board members were chosen from among the business leaders of the community: the owner of the car shop, the owner of the ambulance company, and of course, Dr. West.
Soon after its inception, the FDA announced that Skid Marks Disease was, indeed, very real, as it had been carefully documented by a doctor and recently published in the town Skid Marks Disease journal. Since there were no studies whatsoever showing stop signs to be effective for reducing traffic accidents, the FDA announced that stop signs were to be outlawed, and that any person attempting to sell stop signs would be charged with fraud and locked up in the town jail.
This pleased the townspeople of Allopath. With the FDA, they knew their jobs were safe. They could go on living their lives of economic prosperity, with secure jobs, knowing that the FDA would outlaw any attempt to take away their livelihood. They still had a lot of traffic accidents, but at least their jobs were secure.
And so life continued in Allopath. For a short while, at least. As traffic accidents continued at a devastating rate, more and more residents of Allopath were injured or killed. Many were left bed-ridden, unable to work, due to their injuries.
In time, the population dwindled. The once-booming town of Allopath eventually became little more than a ghost town. The hospital closed its doors, the FDA was disbanded, and the Skid Marks Disease journal stopped printing.
The few residents remaining eventually realized nothing good had come of Skid Marks Disease, the teflon coatings and the FDA. No one was any better off, as all the town's money had been spent on the disease: the teflon coatings, car parts and emergency services. No one was any healthier, or happier, or longer-lived. Most, in fact, had lost their entire families to Skid Marks Disease.
And the hermit? He continued to live just outside of town, at the end of a winding country road, where he lived a simple life with no cars, no roads, no teflon coatings and no FDA.
He outlived every single resident of Allopath. He gardened, took long walks through the forest, and gathered roots, leaves and berries to feed himself. In his spare time, he constructed stop signs, waiting for the next population to come along, and hoping they might listen to an old hermit with a crazy idea: ...that prevention is the answer, not the treatment of symptoms.
This fable was authored by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger and is posted with permission by Mike Adams at www.NewsTarget.com
As the population of Allopath grew, traffic accidents increased to an alarming level. Out of desperation, the city council hired Doctor West, a doctor of the Motor Division (M.D.) to find a solution.
Dr. West spent days examining traffic accidents. He carried an assortment of technical gear -- microscopes, chemical analysis equipment, lab gear -- and put them all to work as part of his investigation. The townspeople of Allopath watched with great curiosity while Dr. West went about his work, meticulously documenting and analyzing each traffic accident, and they awaited his final report with great interest.
After weeks of investigation, Dr. West called the people of Allopath to a town meeting for the release of his report. There, in front of the city council and most of the residents of Allopath, he announced his findings: "Traffic accidents are caused by skid marks."
As Dr. West explained, he found and documented a near-100% correlation between traffic accidents and skid marks. "Wherever we find these cars colliding," he explained, "we also find these skid marks."
The town had "Skid Marks Disease," the doctor explained, and the answer to the town's epidemic of traffic accidents would "...require nothing more than treating Skid Marks Disease by making the streets skid-proof," Dr. West exclaimed, to great applause from the townspeople.
The city paid Dr. West his consulting fee, then asked the good doctor to propose a method for treating this Skid Marks Disease. As chance would have it, Dr. West had recently been on a trip to Hawaii paid for by a chemical company that manufactured roadaceuticals: special chemicals used to treat roads for situations just like this one. He recommended a particular chemical coating to the city council: teflon.
"We can treat this Skid Marks Disease by coating the roads with teflon," Dr. West explained. "The streets will then be skid-proof, and all the traffic accidents will cease!" He went on to describe the physical properties of teflon and how its near-frictionless coating would deter nearly all vehicle skids.
The city council heartily agreed with Dr. West, and they issued new public bonds to raise the money required to buy enough teflon to coat all the city's streets. Within weeks, the streets were completely coated, and the skid marks all but disappeared.
The city council paid Dr. West another consulting fee and thanked him for his expertise. The problem of traffic accidents in Allopath was solved, they thought. Although the cure was expensive, they were convinced it was worth it.
But things weren't well in Allopath. Traffic accidents quadrupled. Hospital beds were overflowing with injured residents. Auto repair businesses were booming so much that most of the city council members decided to either open their own car repair shops or invest in existing ones.
Week after week, more and more residents of Allopath were injured, and their cars were repeatedly damaged. Money piled into the pockets of the car repair shops, hospitals, tow truck companies and car parts retailers.
The town economic advisor, observing this sharp increase in economic activity, announced that Allopath was booming. Its economy was healthier than ever, and Allopath could look forward to a great year of economic prosperity!
There were jobs to be had at the car repair shops. There were more nurses needed at the hospital. "Help wanted" signs appeared all over town: at the paramedic station, the tow truck shops, and the auto glass businesses. Unemployment dropped to near zero.
But the traffic accidents continued to increase. And yet there were no skid marks.
The city council was baffled. They thought they had solved this problem. Skid Marks Disease had been eradicated by the teflon treatment. Why were traffic accidents still happening?
They called a town meeting to discuss the problem, and following a short discussion of the problem, an old hermit, who lived in the forest just outside of Allopath, addressed the townspeople. "There is no such thing as Skid Marks Disease," he explained. "This disease was invented by the roadaceuticals company to sell you teflon coatings."
The townspeople were horrified to hear such a statement. They knew Skid Marks Disease existed. The doctor had told them so. How could this hermit, who had no Motor Division (M.D.) degree, dare tell them otherwise? How could he question their collective town wisdom in such a way?
"This is a simple problem," the hermit continued. "All we need to do is build stop signs and traffic lights. Then the traffic accidents will cease."
Without pause, one city council member remarked, "But how can we afford stop signs? We've spent all our money on teflon treatments!"
The townspeople agreed. They had no money to buy stop signs.
Another council member added, "And how can we stop anyway? The streets are all coated with teflon. If we build stop signs, we'll waste all the money we've spent on teflon!"
The townspeople agreed, again. What use were stop signs if they couldn't stop their cars anyway?
The hermit replied, "But the stop signs will eliminate the need for teflon. People will be able to stop their cars, and accidents will cease. The solution is simple."
But what might happen if stop signs actually worked, the townspeople wondered. How would it affect the booming economy of Allopath? Realizing the consequences, a burly old man who owned a local repair shop jumped to his feet and said, "If we build these stop signs, and traffic accidents go down, I'll have to fire most of my workers!"
It was at that moment that most of the townspeople realized their own jobs were at stake. If stop signs were built, nearly everyone would be unemployed. They all had jobs in emergency response services, car repair shops, hospitals and teflon coating maintenance. Some were now sales representatives of the roadaceuticals company. Others were importers of glass, tires, steel and other parts for cars. A few clever people were making a fortune selling wheelchairs and crutches to accident victims.
One enterprising young gentleman started a scientific journal that published research papers describing all the different kind of Skid Marks Diseases that had been observed and documented. Another person, a fitness enthusiast, organized an annual run to raise funds to find the cure for Skid Marks Disease. It was a popular event, and all the townspeople participated as best they could: jogging, walking, or just pushing themselves along in their wheelchairs.
One way or another, nearly everyone in Allopath was economically tied to Skid Marks Disease.
Out of fear of losing this economic prosperity, the townspeople voted to create a new public safety agency: the Frequent Drivers Association (FDA). This FDA would be responsible for approving or rejecting all signage, technology and chemical coatings related to the town's roads.
The FDA's board members were chosen from among the business leaders of the community: the owner of the car shop, the owner of the ambulance company, and of course, Dr. West.
Soon after its inception, the FDA announced that Skid Marks Disease was, indeed, very real, as it had been carefully documented by a doctor and recently published in the town Skid Marks Disease journal. Since there were no studies whatsoever showing stop signs to be effective for reducing traffic accidents, the FDA announced that stop signs were to be outlawed, and that any person attempting to sell stop signs would be charged with fraud and locked up in the town jail.
This pleased the townspeople of Allopath. With the FDA, they knew their jobs were safe. They could go on living their lives of economic prosperity, with secure jobs, knowing that the FDA would outlaw any attempt to take away their livelihood. They still had a lot of traffic accidents, but at least their jobs were secure.
And so life continued in Allopath. For a short while, at least. As traffic accidents continued at a devastating rate, more and more residents of Allopath were injured or killed. Many were left bed-ridden, unable to work, due to their injuries.
In time, the population dwindled. The once-booming town of Allopath eventually became little more than a ghost town. The hospital closed its doors, the FDA was disbanded, and the Skid Marks Disease journal stopped printing.
The few residents remaining eventually realized nothing good had come of Skid Marks Disease, the teflon coatings and the FDA. No one was any better off, as all the town's money had been spent on the disease: the teflon coatings, car parts and emergency services. No one was any healthier, or happier, or longer-lived. Most, in fact, had lost their entire families to Skid Marks Disease.
And the hermit? He continued to live just outside of town, at the end of a winding country road, where he lived a simple life with no cars, no roads, no teflon coatings and no FDA.
He outlived every single resident of Allopath. He gardened, took long walks through the forest, and gathered roots, leaves and berries to feed himself. In his spare time, he constructed stop signs, waiting for the next population to come along, and hoping they might listen to an old hermit with a crazy idea: ...that prevention is the answer, not the treatment of symptoms.
This fable was authored by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger and is posted with permission by Mike Adams at www.NewsTarget.com
May 24, 2006
Boycott Ford
It is very rare that I participate in a boycott, since I don't think they work unless there is a really worthwhile cause and in-your-face type sin involved, and unless they are widespread enough to make a difference. I boycotted both Disney and Pampered Chef a while ago and was very pleased to see that, although their pocketbooks were ultimately more important to them (which is why the boycotts worked), they both gave in to the demands of the boycotters. This boycott of Ford and the other automobiles they manufacture is far more serious than the previous two I participated in, I think. The following is from the Boycott Ford website.
Several pro-family organizations are boycotting Ford Motor Company automobiles because of Ford’s support of homosexual groups promoting homosexual marriage. For a more detailed review of Ford’s promotion of the homosexual agenda, go to BoycottFord.com on the internet.
Ford’s commitment to the homosexual agenda was summarized by the Detroit Free Press: “Ford Motor Company, led by Chairman Bill Ford, donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to homosexual groups, sponsors gay pride parades and holds mandatory diversity training for employees…"
One would be hard-pressed to find a company which has done more to support the homosexual agenda than Ford Motor Company. The Human Rights Campaign (a national homosexual organization whose goal is homosexual marriage) gave Ford a 100% corporate rating. Ford makes not only Ford, but also Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover.
When asked by 44 pro-family leaders to remain neutral in the battle over homosexual marriage, Ford refused to do so. The company chose to continue to support the homosexual groups promoting homosexual marriage. Ford has every right to give hundreds of thousands of dollars to groups promoting homosexual marriage, but individuals have the right not to purchase automobiles made by Ford Motor Company.
From redefining family to include homosexual marriage, to giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to support homosexual groups, to forcing employees to attend diversity training on how to promote the acceptance of homosexuality, to sponsoring Gay Pride Day parades, to sponsoring a “commitment (marriage) ceremony,” Ford leads the way. The goal of every homosexual organization supported by Ford is to get homosexual marriage legalized.
Yes, I’m supporting the boycott of Ford Motor Company automobiles until Ford stops supporting homosexual groups promoting homosexual marriage.
If you want more information, or need to see the proof, check out Boycott Ford.
Several pro-family organizations are boycotting Ford Motor Company automobiles because of Ford’s support of homosexual groups promoting homosexual marriage. For a more detailed review of Ford’s promotion of the homosexual agenda, go to BoycottFord.com on the internet.
Ford’s commitment to the homosexual agenda was summarized by the Detroit Free Press: “Ford Motor Company, led by Chairman Bill Ford, donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to homosexual groups, sponsors gay pride parades and holds mandatory diversity training for employees…"
One would be hard-pressed to find a company which has done more to support the homosexual agenda than Ford Motor Company. The Human Rights Campaign (a national homosexual organization whose goal is homosexual marriage) gave Ford a 100% corporate rating. Ford makes not only Ford, but also Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover.
When asked by 44 pro-family leaders to remain neutral in the battle over homosexual marriage, Ford refused to do so. The company chose to continue to support the homosexual groups promoting homosexual marriage. Ford has every right to give hundreds of thousands of dollars to groups promoting homosexual marriage, but individuals have the right not to purchase automobiles made by Ford Motor Company.
From redefining family to include homosexual marriage, to giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to support homosexual groups, to forcing employees to attend diversity training on how to promote the acceptance of homosexuality, to sponsoring Gay Pride Day parades, to sponsoring a “commitment (marriage) ceremony,” Ford leads the way. The goal of every homosexual organization supported by Ford is to get homosexual marriage legalized.
Yes, I’m supporting the boycott of Ford Motor Company automobiles until Ford stops supporting homosexual groups promoting homosexual marriage.
If you want more information, or need to see the proof, check out Boycott Ford.
May 22, 2006
My Treasure Collection
It occurred to me recently that I really love sharing some treasures that I find along my walk in life. If I find something that is really special to me, I want to show it to everyone! I want to tout its good points; I want others to share in my enthusiasm. I don't necessarily want everyone to have the same treasure collection that I do, but maybe one person could share this wonder, and another could share that beauty. It really is true, you know, it is more blessed to give than to receive.
I hope that as you peruse my ever-growing treasure collection of gems, you will find one to share with me once in a while. Let me know which ones glow in your treasure collection, too.
My treasure collection will consist of my favorite homeschool curriculum gems, my favorite spiritual teachers who are gems, my favorite music and movie gems, and other gems that have enriched my treasure collection. Sift through them as I add them here and there. I hope you find a gem to add to your treasure collection, too!
I hope that as you peruse my ever-growing treasure collection of gems, you will find one to share with me once in a while. Let me know which ones glow in your treasure collection, too.
My treasure collection will consist of my favorite homeschool curriculum gems, my favorite spiritual teachers who are gems, my favorite music and movie gems, and other gems that have enriched my treasure collection. Sift through them as I add them here and there. I hope you find a gem to add to your treasure collection, too!
Cats and Cockroaches
What do cats and cockroaches have in common? My cat dearly loves to catch cockroaches nearly every night (I don't think we actually have any in our house; the only ones I've seen are the ones who come in under the garage door while my cat waits patiently to attack!) As the cockroach makes it way under the door - poof! my cat pounces upon it straight away, only to let it go immediately. Then she picks the cockroach up in her teeth, ever so gingerly, not seeming to hurt it in the least, bounding across the house to deposit her most beloved gift in my bed, while I'm there, sleeping, on my lap. It always pleases me so much! Then, pounce! Let go! Pounce! Let go! On and on until the poor cockroach is so worn out it can hardly resist any longer. If I don't kill it first, after about an hour of torturous playing and batting it like a hockey puck, the poor thing finally kicks the bucket. But this cat just goes for the kill; she'll never eat them. My other cat, however, won't touch the things until they are dead, at which time she feasts on the delicacy. She doesn't seem to care for the prickly legs, though, so we have to be careful when walking barefoot, as we may step on a very small, neat little pile of cockroach legs. End of story.
However, cats and cockroaches have even more in common than being in the same food chain. Catnip! One goes nuts over it, while the other is repelled by it.
Did you know that a little catnip a day can keep the roaches away? Nepetalactone is a chemical found in catnip that repels roaches, Chris Peterson and Joel Coats, researchers from Iowa State University found.
I know that the only kind of cockroaches I like are dead ones, but the chemicals used to kill them are so toxic, I really don't want those chemicals in my house either. I wonder what would happen if I sprinkle a little catnip around the garage door, where they seem to enter. Or maybe I should try growing catnip plants around the perimeter of my home. Can't hurt. I know my cats would love them!
However, cats and cockroaches have even more in common than being in the same food chain. Catnip! One goes nuts over it, while the other is repelled by it.
Did you know that a little catnip a day can keep the roaches away? Nepetalactone is a chemical found in catnip that repels roaches, Chris Peterson and Joel Coats, researchers from Iowa State University found.
I know that the only kind of cockroaches I like are dead ones, but the chemicals used to kill them are so toxic, I really don't want those chemicals in my house either. I wonder what would happen if I sprinkle a little catnip around the garage door, where they seem to enter. Or maybe I should try growing catnip plants around the perimeter of my home. Can't hurt. I know my cats would love them!
Heat! Heat!
It is currently 99 degrees outside so we just turned on the heat! Stay tuned!
(Several hours later) The A/C quit working on Saturday, so the repairman came out today to take a look, which is really all he could do - just look. He looked at that big block of ice totally encasing our air conditioning unit, even though it is upstairs in our attic, at well over 100 degrees, and hasn't been used for 3 days now.
So he decided to we needed to turn the heat on to max so that the furnace would blow hot air on the block of ice. After leaving the house for several hours, we returned with great hopes of finding it totally melted (he assured us it would only take 30-60 minutes). However, we returned home to a very warm house and a still solid block of ice.
I hope it melts soon! He can't begin to look at the a/c until it's completely melted!
You know, sometimes I think God allows situations like these to happen in our lives just so we are truly grateful for what we have. I will be truly grateful for air conditioning soon, I hope! And I am very grateful for trained, professional workmen who do the dirty work I can't, and don't really want to, do.
Day 4: No a/c. The block of ice is still frozen solid and very thick, so we turn on the heat again early this morning. The thermostat only goes up to 90 degrees for the furnace, and since it is already that hot in the house, we have to open all the windows and turn on all the fans to cool it down enough for the furnace to come on. I so enjoy heating up the outside on such a nice, hot day!
Several hours later, the repairman comes and, still finding a solid block of ice, proceeds to hose down the compressor which, although HOT to the touch, is completely emtombed in more than 1 inch of solid ice. Finally, the block in the attic begins to melt.
We change the filter and look for the cause. Nothing wrong! Probable cause: dirty air filter.
Lesson learned: It is cheaper and less hassle in the long run to keep up with routine maintenance, so I signed up for a routine maintenance program for both the a/c and the furnace with the company who came out today. They were a small company, been in business for a long time, and sent a real good worker. I hope to stave off these problems next time!
Anticipating needs.
(Several hours later) The A/C quit working on Saturday, so the repairman came out today to take a look, which is really all he could do - just look. He looked at that big block of ice totally encasing our air conditioning unit, even though it is upstairs in our attic, at well over 100 degrees, and hasn't been used for 3 days now.
So he decided to we needed to turn the heat on to max so that the furnace would blow hot air on the block of ice. After leaving the house for several hours, we returned with great hopes of finding it totally melted (he assured us it would only take 30-60 minutes). However, we returned home to a very warm house and a still solid block of ice.
I hope it melts soon! He can't begin to look at the a/c until it's completely melted!
You know, sometimes I think God allows situations like these to happen in our lives just so we are truly grateful for what we have. I will be truly grateful for air conditioning soon, I hope! And I am very grateful for trained, professional workmen who do the dirty work I can't, and don't really want to, do.
Day 4: No a/c. The block of ice is still frozen solid and very thick, so we turn on the heat again early this morning. The thermostat only goes up to 90 degrees for the furnace, and since it is already that hot in the house, we have to open all the windows and turn on all the fans to cool it down enough for the furnace to come on. I so enjoy heating up the outside on such a nice, hot day!
Several hours later, the repairman comes and, still finding a solid block of ice, proceeds to hose down the compressor which, although HOT to the touch, is completely emtombed in more than 1 inch of solid ice. Finally, the block in the attic begins to melt.
We change the filter and look for the cause. Nothing wrong! Probable cause: dirty air filter.
Lesson learned: It is cheaper and less hassle in the long run to keep up with routine maintenance, so I signed up for a routine maintenance program for both the a/c and the furnace with the company who came out today. They were a small company, been in business for a long time, and sent a real good worker. I hope to stave off these problems next time!
Anticipating needs.
My Stressbuster Lists
Here are 3 lists that directly relate to my energy levels.
List of Things I Enjoy Doing
(These things increase my energy, so I will continue to do them.)
Starting my day with 30 minutes in God's Word
Sing
Family devotions
Homeschooling my children
Taking field trips
Playing games
Fresh air
Exercise
Sunshine
Being with my family
Working with family/friends
Fellowshipping with a group of like-minded believers
Reading a good book
Sewing
Cooking (usually)
Baking
Studying God's Word
Studying Nutrition
Studying our Christian Hebrew foundation
Studying parenting
Studying homeschooling
Healthy "junk" food from Whole Foods (or should that be "healthy" junk food?!!!)
Relationships with people who know how to both give and take
Answering questions from people who are honestly seeking answers
Sharing what God has taught me
Organization
Blogging a small amount
Reading e-mail a few minutes per day
Reading the news a few minutes per day
Play piano
Play clarinet
Listening to teaching tapes while driving
A rare telephone conversation with a good friend
Things I Must Do
(If I do these with a good attitude, they will not rob my energy.)
Keep a clean home
Pay bills/taxes
Forgive
Errands that are of a necessary nature for this 21st century
Business telephone calls
Repair and maintenance of cars, home, and appliances
Eat a salad every day
Things I Neither Enjoy Nor Must Do
(Energy robbers that I need to remove from my life)
Watching movies in the evening
Relationships with people who do all the talking
Relationships with people who undermine my parenting
Relationships with people who question my every move
Relationships with people who falsely accuse me
Relationships with people who are easily offended
Relationships with petty people
Relationships with pessimists
Spending money on unnecessary items
Junk food
Spam
Window shopping (even online)
Reading print that is grammatically incorrect or spelled incorrectly
Talking to telemarketers
This is not a list with which to tag people. This is a challenge to anyone who wants to identify what is important in your life. This will be a working post, so there may be changes at later dates.
List of Things I Enjoy Doing
(These things increase my energy, so I will continue to do them.)
Starting my day with 30 minutes in God's Word
Sing
Family devotions
Homeschooling my children
Taking field trips
Playing games
Fresh air
Exercise
Sunshine
Being with my family
Working with family/friends
Fellowshipping with a group of like-minded believers
Reading a good book
Sewing
Cooking (usually)
Baking
Studying God's Word
Studying Nutrition
Studying our Christian Hebrew foundation
Studying parenting
Studying homeschooling
Healthy "junk" food from Whole Foods (or should that be "healthy" junk food?!!!)
Relationships with people who know how to both give and take
Answering questions from people who are honestly seeking answers
Sharing what God has taught me
Organization
Blogging a small amount
Reading e-mail a few minutes per day
Reading the news a few minutes per day
Play piano
Play clarinet
Listening to teaching tapes while driving
A rare telephone conversation with a good friend
Things I Must Do
(If I do these with a good attitude, they will not rob my energy.)
Keep a clean home
Pay bills/taxes
Forgive
Errands that are of a necessary nature for this 21st century
Business telephone calls
Repair and maintenance of cars, home, and appliances
Eat a salad every day
Things I Neither Enjoy Nor Must Do
(Energy robbers that I need to remove from my life)
Watching movies in the evening
Relationships with people who do all the talking
Relationships with people who undermine my parenting
Relationships with people who question my every move
Relationships with people who falsely accuse me
Relationships with people who are easily offended
Relationships with petty people
Relationships with pessimists
Spending money on unnecessary items
Junk food
Spam
Window shopping (even online)
Reading print that is grammatically incorrect or spelled incorrectly
Talking to telemarketers
This is not a list with which to tag people. This is a challenge to anyone who wants to identify what is important in your life. This will be a working post, so there may be changes at later dates.
Why Do We Say "No?"
When my children ask me for something, I have learned along the way to pause and consider before giving an answer. It is very easy to just say "no," but do we always have a good reason for saying "no?"
Sometimes children just need to learn the meaning of the word "no." Plain and simple. It is good to build discipline and character by learning to submit to "no."
Sometimes Mom doesn't want the hassle of what "yes" would entail, so she says "no." But is she really missing out on something special, on an opportunity to tie some heart strings with her children at that moment?
Sometimes what the child wants would not be in his best interests, even though he may not be able to see that right now, or he may not even agree with Mom or Dad. But "no" still stands.
But do we always have a real good reason to say "no?" Most of the time, my answer to my children is "maybe" or "I'll think about it." I don't want to ever make a promise I might not be able to keep, so I might say, "We'll try," or "I hope so." But when I tell my children I will give them a definite answer later, I MUST give them a definite answer later. I do not want to be wishy-washy, or uncommitted.
So, I've learned to think it through a little. "Is there any good reason to say "no" (other than what I've already listed)? If not, am I able to say "yes?" Is there a good compromise? I am careful not to say "no" just because it is the easy thing to do.
I have one child who is full of ideas all the time, so I get lots of practice in this area. Here is an example from her life. When she got to be a young lady, she became very "girly." I, on the other hand, have always been very plain and simple, so her room, her clothes, etc. reflected my own tastes. She desired to have a change in her room toward more femininity, so as she grew up, we changed things here and there, until her room is bursting with tea things, Victorian decorations, fans, ribbons, bows, dolls, smelly things, hat boxes, and all kinds of pink and purple things I would never dream of putting in my own room. But, oh how beautiful it is! (All items purchased at garage sales!)
There is really only one time in life when a girl gets to be a girl. She already knows she will not decorate this way for her husband some day, but the joys she has of being a girl during girlhood is a sweet memory for life.
I thank God that her desire to decorate her room was still glorifying to God. Had she wanted to decorate with anything that would lead her toward the world's ways, that would have been a "no." I am not at all advocating giving in to all a child's whims and wishes, but just to pause and consider, before we are too quick to answer.
Sometimes children just need to learn the meaning of the word "no." Plain and simple. It is good to build discipline and character by learning to submit to "no."
Sometimes Mom doesn't want the hassle of what "yes" would entail, so she says "no." But is she really missing out on something special, on an opportunity to tie some heart strings with her children at that moment?
Sometimes what the child wants would not be in his best interests, even though he may not be able to see that right now, or he may not even agree with Mom or Dad. But "no" still stands.
But do we always have a real good reason to say "no?" Most of the time, my answer to my children is "maybe" or "I'll think about it." I don't want to ever make a promise I might not be able to keep, so I might say, "We'll try," or "I hope so." But when I tell my children I will give them a definite answer later, I MUST give them a definite answer later. I do not want to be wishy-washy, or uncommitted.
So, I've learned to think it through a little. "Is there any good reason to say "no" (other than what I've already listed)? If not, am I able to say "yes?" Is there a good compromise? I am careful not to say "no" just because it is the easy thing to do.
I have one child who is full of ideas all the time, so I get lots of practice in this area. Here is an example from her life. When she got to be a young lady, she became very "girly." I, on the other hand, have always been very plain and simple, so her room, her clothes, etc. reflected my own tastes. She desired to have a change in her room toward more femininity, so as she grew up, we changed things here and there, until her room is bursting with tea things, Victorian decorations, fans, ribbons, bows, dolls, smelly things, hat boxes, and all kinds of pink and purple things I would never dream of putting in my own room. But, oh how beautiful it is! (All items purchased at garage sales!)
There is really only one time in life when a girl gets to be a girl. She already knows she will not decorate this way for her husband some day, but the joys she has of being a girl during girlhood is a sweet memory for life.
I thank God that her desire to decorate her room was still glorifying to God. Had she wanted to decorate with anything that would lead her toward the world's ways, that would have been a "no." I am not at all advocating giving in to all a child's whims and wishes, but just to pause and consider, before we are too quick to answer.
May 16, 2006
Scars of Life
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.
He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.
Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy, the world, is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.
He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.
Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy, the world, is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.
May 15, 2006
The Preambles of all 50 States
Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.
Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe ... In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction ..
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness ... Establish this Constitution .
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ...
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ... Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution ...
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath ... so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those
North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common ...
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this ...
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences...
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties.
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to .enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ...
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other .
Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility
Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties ... establish this Constitution.
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." ~William Penn
Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.
Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe ... In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction ..
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness ... Establish this Constitution .
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ...
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ... Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution ...
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath ... so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those
North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common ...
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this ...
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences...
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties.
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to .enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ...
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other .
Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility
Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties ... establish this Constitution.
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." ~William Penn
May 14, 2006
Take Care of Yer Friends
I found this cowboy poem at the car wash this week. Consider this as my heart to yours.
Friend is a word that I don't throw around
Though it's used and abused. I still like the sound.
I save it for people who've done right by me
And I know I can count on if ever need be.
Some of my friends drive big limousines
Own ranches and banks and visit with queens.
And some of my friends are up to their neck
In overdue notes and can't write a check.
They're singers or ropers or writers of prose
And others, God bless 'em, can't blow their own nose!
I guess bein' friends don't have nothin' to do
With talent or money or knowin' who's who.
It's a comf'terbul feelin' when you don't have to care
"Bout choosin' your words or bein' quite fair
'Cause friends'll just listen and let go on by
Those words you don't mean and not bat an eye.
It makes a friend happy to see your success.
They're proud of yer good side and forgive all the rest.
And that ain't so easy, all of the time,
Sometimes I get crazy and seem to go blind!
Yer friend just might have to take you on home
Or remind you sometime that you're not alone.
Or ever so gently pull you back to the ground
When you think you can fly with no one around.
A hug or a shake, whichever seems right
Is the high point of givin', I'll tell ya tonight.
All worldly riches and tributes of men
Can't hold a candle to the worth of a friend.
by Baxter Black
Friend is a word that I don't throw around
Though it's used and abused. I still like the sound.
I save it for people who've done right by me
And I know I can count on if ever need be.
Some of my friends drive big limousines
Own ranches and banks and visit with queens.
And some of my friends are up to their neck
In overdue notes and can't write a check.
They're singers or ropers or writers of prose
And others, God bless 'em, can't blow their own nose!
I guess bein' friends don't have nothin' to do
With talent or money or knowin' who's who.
It's a comf'terbul feelin' when you don't have to care
"Bout choosin' your words or bein' quite fair
'Cause friends'll just listen and let go on by
Those words you don't mean and not bat an eye.
It makes a friend happy to see your success.
They're proud of yer good side and forgive all the rest.
And that ain't so easy, all of the time,
Sometimes I get crazy and seem to go blind!
Yer friend just might have to take you on home
Or remind you sometime that you're not alone.
Or ever so gently pull you back to the ground
When you think you can fly with no one around.
A hug or a shake, whichever seems right
Is the high point of givin', I'll tell ya tonight.
All worldly riches and tributes of men
Can't hold a candle to the worth of a friend.
by Baxter Black
May 7, 2006
Healthy Greens
I used to think that having lettuce daily counted as getting my "greens," then I progressed to eating Romaine lettuce, which is still not my favorite. But, thanks to a friend who is a much healthier eater than I am, I am now realizing that most of us just don't eat enough greens, plain and simple. Oh, I eat spinach now and then, but collard greens or kale or some such - no thanks! So, I have set about to find ways to incorporate this life-giving food into our family's diet, while still being able to enjoy our dinner!
This was my first attempt, and we tried it two different ways, really enjoying it both times. My friend informed me that greens are best cooked for a LONG time, so I decided to put them in a crockpot.
First, I chopped some onions and put them in the crockpot on high to cook a little while I prepared the rest of the ingredients. I added some healthy meat (you pretty much need it for flavor). I put in one whole steak once, which I cut into little pieces after cooking, and I diced one package of turkey bacon the other time. Both were great. Then I washed the greens and sliced and diced them. I chopped LOTS of tomatoes and put everything in the crockpot up to about 1 inch from the top. Then I covered it with water (you could add bouillon and/or s/p, if you want) and cooked on low all day. About 3 hours before serving, I added 2 cups uncooked brown rice, real quick. Rice only takes about 3 hours in the crockpot, so add it later. This particular crockpot is 6 quarts. I made this up, so the ingredients are very flexible. My friend did tell me that onions and tomatoes are a must with greens, so keep that in mind. I made mine slightly soupy.
This was my first attempt, and we tried it two different ways, really enjoying it both times. My friend informed me that greens are best cooked for a LONG time, so I decided to put them in a crockpot.
First, I chopped some onions and put them in the crockpot on high to cook a little while I prepared the rest of the ingredients. I added some healthy meat (you pretty much need it for flavor). I put in one whole steak once, which I cut into little pieces after cooking, and I diced one package of turkey bacon the other time. Both were great. Then I washed the greens and sliced and diced them. I chopped LOTS of tomatoes and put everything in the crockpot up to about 1 inch from the top. Then I covered it with water (you could add bouillon and/or s/p, if you want) and cooked on low all day. About 3 hours before serving, I added 2 cups uncooked brown rice, real quick. Rice only takes about 3 hours in the crockpot, so add it later. This particular crockpot is 6 quarts. I made this up, so the ingredients are very flexible. My friend did tell me that onions and tomatoes are a must with greens, so keep that in mind. I made mine slightly soupy.
I Am, I Can
I have been tagged, but the name of the post is changed to protect the grammar!
I am - saved by grace, through faith.
I want - to be holy, even as God is holy.
I pray - that my children would do great and mighty things for the Lord.
I hate - sin in my own life.
I miss - true friends.
I hear - frogs courting in my pool at night! What beautiful praise music!
I wonder - if Alicia understands all those sermons she listens to.
I regret - not knowing 20 years ago what I know now.
I am not - creative.
I dance - to Messianic Jewish music with my children, as we dance before the Lord like David did.
I sing - as many different styles of music as possible that still truly glorify the Lord.
I cry - when watching nearly every Michael Landon production.
I am not always - full of enough energy to get up and do anything except sit.
I make - almost everything from scratch, including grinding my own grains, preparing LOTS of fresh fruits and veggies daily, and even making totally healthy, delicious desserts.
I write - what I wish I had known when I was younger.
I confuse - plants, animals, insects, flowers, trees.
I need - lose weight and get back into shape.
I should - read more.
I start - sewing projects, organization projects, crafts, gardening, and probably other projects that are on my "to do" list for years and years and years.
I finish - almost everything by a deadline (so-and-so is coming over).
I liked this list a lot, so I added a few more:
I forget - my friends' names; or rather, I panic when I am in public and I see someone I know because I am afraid I will forget their name as soon as I start to say it.
I dream - of being a missionary some day.
I hope - that my everyday life is pleasing to Lord.
I read - more magazines than books, at the moment, probably all Christian.
I practice - improving my handwriting daily.
I study - our Jewish heritage as Christians.
I love - to work side by side with my children.
I expect - nothing from others (outside of my children); that way I'm never disappointed.
I fear - God's wrath, yet I know He has saved me from it. I fear it for those who don't trust in Him.
I yearn for - more time, more energy, more fresh air, more sunshine, more exercise!
I tag - Mark, Natasha, those who tagged me can add some extras, and anyone who reads this is tagged! Feel free to post here if you don't have your own blog, or better yet, start your own blog!
I am - saved by grace, through faith.
I want - to be holy, even as God is holy.
I pray - that my children would do great and mighty things for the Lord.
I hate - sin in my own life.
I miss - true friends.
I hear - frogs courting in my pool at night! What beautiful praise music!
I wonder - if Alicia understands all those sermons she listens to.
I regret - not knowing 20 years ago what I know now.
I am not - creative.
I dance - to Messianic Jewish music with my children, as we dance before the Lord like David did.
I sing - as many different styles of music as possible that still truly glorify the Lord.
I cry - when watching nearly every Michael Landon production.
I am not always - full of enough energy to get up and do anything except sit.
I make - almost everything from scratch, including grinding my own grains, preparing LOTS of fresh fruits and veggies daily, and even making totally healthy, delicious desserts.
I write - what I wish I had known when I was younger.
I confuse - plants, animals, insects, flowers, trees.
I need - lose weight and get back into shape.
I should - read more.
I start - sewing projects, organization projects, crafts, gardening, and probably other projects that are on my "to do" list for years and years and years.
I finish - almost everything by a deadline (so-and-so is coming over).
I liked this list a lot, so I added a few more:
I forget - my friends' names; or rather, I panic when I am in public and I see someone I know because I am afraid I will forget their name as soon as I start to say it.
I dream - of being a missionary some day.
I hope - that my everyday life is pleasing to Lord.
I read - more magazines than books, at the moment, probably all Christian.
I practice - improving my handwriting daily.
I study - our Jewish heritage as Christians.
I love - to work side by side with my children.
I expect - nothing from others (outside of my children); that way I'm never disappointed.
I fear - God's wrath, yet I know He has saved me from it. I fear it for those who don't trust in Him.
I yearn for - more time, more energy, more fresh air, more sunshine, more exercise!
I tag - Mark, Natasha, those who tagged me can add some extras, and anyone who reads this is tagged! Feel free to post here if you don't have your own blog, or better yet, start your own blog!
May 1, 2006
Weekly Recipe: Cape Cod Salad
This has a beautiful mixture of flavors and textures! My current favorite meal salad!
First, roast 1 c. walnuts or pecans in dry pan in 350 oven for 20 minutes.
1 red apple, cored, cut into eighths, sliced thin into a bowl with 2 T. lime/lemon juice
8 oz. turkey breast, sliced and diced
8 oz. cheddar cheese, sliced and diced
1/2 c. dried cranberries
Salad Dressing:
1/3 c. olive oil
1/2 c. cranberry chutney (for best flavor)
(can use apricot preserves)
1 additional T. lime/lemon juice
2 t. Dijon mustard
s/p
Mix salad dressing with all other ingredients, including nuts. Serve over lots of lettuce for a main salad meal.
First, roast 1 c. walnuts or pecans in dry pan in 350 oven for 20 minutes.
1 red apple, cored, cut into eighths, sliced thin into a bowl with 2 T. lime/lemon juice
8 oz. turkey breast, sliced and diced
8 oz. cheddar cheese, sliced and diced
1/2 c. dried cranberries
Salad Dressing:
1/3 c. olive oil
1/2 c. cranberry chutney (for best flavor)
(can use apricot preserves)
1 additional T. lime/lemon juice
2 t. Dijon mustard
s/p
Mix salad dressing with all other ingredients, including nuts. Serve over lots of lettuce for a main salad meal.
Field Trip Review: Lyndon B. Johnson Ranch
For my husband's birthday last week, we decided to study some history together as a family, so we took a beautiful drive up into the Hill Country to visit the Lyndon B. Johnson Ranch. Although he was not a president of our values, necessarily, we thought it might be interesting to learn about him anyway, since he lived so close (about 1 1/2 hours for us).
As instructed on the website, we first stopped in Johnson City at the visitor's center (a very small sign on the main road - good thing we were searching for it!). They showed a couple movies, one about Lyndon B. Johnson's life and politics, and the other about his wife, LadyBird. We only had time for the one about the President. We were surprised to learn that what we thought we knew about him wasn't really the whole truth! The visitor's center is very nice, with some museum-like articles and a great bookstore. (Museums usually have the greatest bookstores, especially for homeschoolers! I have a hard time keeping my spending down there!) They told us a bus ranch tour was starting soon, so we headed 14 miles down the road to the main ranch.
The bus tour was $6 for adults and $3 for children (cash, please), money well spent! The tour lasted about 1 1/2 hours, with many stops. We did get out once for 20-30 minutes to visit his birthplace and burial place, located yards from each other. What an unusual story that was. We saw the Texas White House, the one-room schoolroom where President Johnson got his start in life. We waved to the Secret Service as they watched us from behind very dark windows, while guarding LadyBird, who still lives there. We saw several of his cars and and got out again to see his still working ranch. Our tour guide did an excellent job! The beauty of the whole place was well worth the trip alone!
What a fascinating personality Lyndon B. Johnson was! We would like to go back and learn more, and maybe have time to learn about his wife next time, too!
While there, we had a picnic under the gorgeous trees at one of several picnicking areas. After lunch, we went to the Sauer-Beckman Farm, which is a living history German farm set in 1918 that is still a working farm, on the Johnson property. They had chickens and roosters and turkeys running around under your feet, with brand new baby chicks! The sheep had just had a baby lamb 4 days ago. There were horses and cows and pigs as well as a large growing garden. We had a personal tour of the two houses that were used on that farm, about one hour of just the tour guide and our family. We learned so many details about life at that time, including seeing how they kept food, such as raw milk, fresh daily, from spoiling in the heat. They have a special living history day every year, usually on June 17, which we went to last year, and HIGHLY recommend it.
Exponential learning at its best!
As instructed on the website, we first stopped in Johnson City at the visitor's center (a very small sign on the main road - good thing we were searching for it!). They showed a couple movies, one about Lyndon B. Johnson's life and politics, and the other about his wife, LadyBird. We only had time for the one about the President. We were surprised to learn that what we thought we knew about him wasn't really the whole truth! The visitor's center is very nice, with some museum-like articles and a great bookstore. (Museums usually have the greatest bookstores, especially for homeschoolers! I have a hard time keeping my spending down there!) They told us a bus ranch tour was starting soon, so we headed 14 miles down the road to the main ranch.
The bus tour was $6 for adults and $3 for children (cash, please), money well spent! The tour lasted about 1 1/2 hours, with many stops. We did get out once for 20-30 minutes to visit his birthplace and burial place, located yards from each other. What an unusual story that was. We saw the Texas White House, the one-room schoolroom where President Johnson got his start in life. We waved to the Secret Service as they watched us from behind very dark windows, while guarding LadyBird, who still lives there. We saw several of his cars and and got out again to see his still working ranch. Our tour guide did an excellent job! The beauty of the whole place was well worth the trip alone!
What a fascinating personality Lyndon B. Johnson was! We would like to go back and learn more, and maybe have time to learn about his wife next time, too!
While there, we had a picnic under the gorgeous trees at one of several picnicking areas. After lunch, we went to the Sauer-Beckman Farm, which is a living history German farm set in 1918 that is still a working farm, on the Johnson property. They had chickens and roosters and turkeys running around under your feet, with brand new baby chicks! The sheep had just had a baby lamb 4 days ago. There were horses and cows and pigs as well as a large growing garden. We had a personal tour of the two houses that were used on that farm, about one hour of just the tour guide and our family. We learned so many details about life at that time, including seeing how they kept food, such as raw milk, fresh daily, from spoiling in the heat. They have a special living history day every year, usually on June 17, which we went to last year, and HIGHLY recommend it.
Exponential learning at its best!
Apr 30, 2006
Field Trip Review: Body Worlds
We went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science last week to view the Body Worlds exhibit. I realize it can be quite controversial to cut up dead bodies and put them on display for others to gawk at, but there really is no better learning experience for studying the human body that I know of! Even medical students flock to this exhibit to learn more about the human body here than they can with a cadaver.
Using a process called plastination, bodies are not only carefully preserved, but still moldable, so much can be done to show the body in motion, as well as the many intricate details of this amazing machine God has given each one of us for our time here on this earth. All bodies used are donated specifically for this research.
Although this exhibit was considerably smaller than the original in Germany, which we saw about ten years ago, it was still a great exponential learning opportunity. We were able to easily observe each of the major systems of the human body, separately. Most people have seen a skeleton, but have you seen the nervous system - just the brain, the spinal cord, and all the attached nerves - nothing else? Or how about the circulatory system, with nothing attached? And then there were the many poses showing different muscles being used, as well as tendons, ligaments, etc. There were two digestive systems side by side: one was just as it would be inside one's body, all squished together, and the other was stretched out the length of a human body. What a contrast!
Another section showed each organ separately; some were healthy, some were diseased. We observed cirrhosis of the liver, smoker's lungs, cancer, spina bifida, and many other diseases.
We saw a 3 week old fetus. That was amazing!
This horse and rider gave us a new appreciation for both the horse and how we are created in God's image. There are a LOT of differences here.
There were audio tours available, if you desire, that explain in great detail about how each part of the body works as you are looking at that particular part. It was very informative, but I didn't like the fact that it drew you into your own little world, and even though we were there as a group, we were all listening to our headphones separately. I would love to have a tour guide talk us through instead.
We watched a planetarium show and an IMAX about the human body to maximize our science day. They were both fairly good. The museum human body bookstore was outstanding! I picked up several things there that I have not seen in the homeschool community. Good stuff!
Body Worlds will be on display through September 4. I recommend going in late August.
On another note, we were listening to Jonathan Park in the car on the way to Houston and when we arrived, we were about halfway through the episode where they discover the hidden treasures of Ur of the Chaldees. When we stepped into the museum, the featured traveling exhibit was "The Royal Tombs of Ur: Ancient Treasures from Modern Iraq." That was a God thing! It briefly mentioned Abraham, and it was quite interesting.
Lesson learned: don't plan a field trip when 50 public school buses are going to the same place! The noise was deafening, but after 2 p.m. it was quite enjoyable!
Using a process called plastination, bodies are not only carefully preserved, but still moldable, so much can be done to show the body in motion, as well as the many intricate details of this amazing machine God has given each one of us for our time here on this earth. All bodies used are donated specifically for this research.
Although this exhibit was considerably smaller than the original in Germany, which we saw about ten years ago, it was still a great exponential learning opportunity. We were able to easily observe each of the major systems of the human body, separately. Most people have seen a skeleton, but have you seen the nervous system - just the brain, the spinal cord, and all the attached nerves - nothing else? Or how about the circulatory system, with nothing attached? And then there were the many poses showing different muscles being used, as well as tendons, ligaments, etc. There were two digestive systems side by side: one was just as it would be inside one's body, all squished together, and the other was stretched out the length of a human body. What a contrast!
Another section showed each organ separately; some were healthy, some were diseased. We observed cirrhosis of the liver, smoker's lungs, cancer, spina bifida, and many other diseases.
We saw a 3 week old fetus. That was amazing!
This horse and rider gave us a new appreciation for both the horse and how we are created in God's image. There are a LOT of differences here.
There were audio tours available, if you desire, that explain in great detail about how each part of the body works as you are looking at that particular part. It was very informative, but I didn't like the fact that it drew you into your own little world, and even though we were there as a group, we were all listening to our headphones separately. I would love to have a tour guide talk us through instead.
We watched a planetarium show and an IMAX about the human body to maximize our science day. They were both fairly good. The museum human body bookstore was outstanding! I picked up several things there that I have not seen in the homeschool community. Good stuff!
Body Worlds will be on display through September 4. I recommend going in late August.
On another note, we were listening to Jonathan Park in the car on the way to Houston and when we arrived, we were about halfway through the episode where they discover the hidden treasures of Ur of the Chaldees. When we stepped into the museum, the featured traveling exhibit was "The Royal Tombs of Ur: Ancient Treasures from Modern Iraq." That was a God thing! It briefly mentioned Abraham, and it was quite interesting.
Lesson learned: don't plan a field trip when 50 public school buses are going to the same place! The noise was deafening, but after 2 p.m. it was quite enjoyable!
Exponential Education
I have recently discovered something about education.
Do you remember learning about exponents in math? I don't suppose I can actually show one here, but it was a smaller font number to the upper right corner of another number, such as 3 "to the power of" 4, whereas 3 is the main number and 4 is the little number in the corner. These always fascinated me. If we were just to take 3 X 4, for example, the answer would merely be 12. However, with exponents, you multiply the number times itself for however times the exponent says to. So in this case, we would multiply 3 X 3 X 3 X 3, which would give us 81! What a tremendous difference!
So what does this have to do with education? I have recently applied this same principle to learning. As we have increased our field trips, our museum trips, our hands-on learning, I have noticed that our learning has increased exponentially as well. You know that old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Oh, how true that is! An educational picture, of sorts, can dramatically speed up learning. (And likewise, the evening news can dramatically speed up learning as well, but those are not the kinds of pictures I want my children to have seared upon their brains. I want to be very careful what "impressions" I put upon our minds.) So I feel good about "investing" in the IMAX theater for a great educational movie, which may take many, many hours of reading a great book to get the same educational impact.
Now, if just seeing something has such an exponential educational impact on our brains, I started thinking about what else learning could do. Several years ago, I heard a great Sunday School lesson that forever changed my life (don't you love those memorable lessons?). The man was talking about reading God's Word and he started with talking about just reading the Bible, where the only sense that is used is seeing. Then he talked about reading God's Word out loud. Now, we not only see the words, but we are saying them and hearing them also! Wow! That was an exponential leap! In the same amount of time, we can now see, hear, and say the words of God! As I started experimenting with this, I noticed that my disabled daughter would come and join me every morning, so that she could hear God's Word, too. I am not reading to her, but she is able to hear the word of the Lord. What an extra blessing! (Moms, don't push away your little ones when you are spending time with the Lord. They can learn, too, although you are not speaking to them.) A little while later, I discovered even more exponential learning from God's Word, which I will cover in a post entitled "The King's Assignment," coming soon!
We have never done too many field trips, but this last year we incorporated quite a few of them into our schedule. We don't go for the ones that are more for amusement (muse = think; a = not or without; a-muse = not thinking; without thinking), but there are lots of great educational opportunites out there. Have you ever studied something in a book, and then gone to see it, or do it? It's that "Aha!" feeling, isn't it? Before we went to Sea World a couple years ago, for example, we always liked dolphins, we read about them, we looked at pictures of them, we'd even seen them afar off. But when we were able to spend an hour with the dolphins with almost no one else around, to play catch with them, to pet them, to feed them, to play with them, to laugh with them - our learning about dolphins increased to tremendous exponential proportions. No amount of book learning, and I'm all for book learning, could match this one hour experience!
So, I will be giving field trip reviews on this blog now, for my local readers especially, or maybe those who would like to come for a visit!, but we do like to travel once in a while, so I will write field trip reviews for wherever we might go. I hope these reviews will encourage you to exponential learning, no matter how old you are! The day you stop learning is the day you grow old.
Exponential learning also includes science experiments, gardening, cleaning house, a walk in nature, seeing the baby ducks grow up, and a million other areas of life. Explode your learning with exponential education!
Do you remember learning about exponents in math? I don't suppose I can actually show one here, but it was a smaller font number to the upper right corner of another number, such as 3 "to the power of" 4, whereas 3 is the main number and 4 is the little number in the corner. These always fascinated me. If we were just to take 3 X 4, for example, the answer would merely be 12. However, with exponents, you multiply the number times itself for however times the exponent says to. So in this case, we would multiply 3 X 3 X 3 X 3, which would give us 81! What a tremendous difference!
So what does this have to do with education? I have recently applied this same principle to learning. As we have increased our field trips, our museum trips, our hands-on learning, I have noticed that our learning has increased exponentially as well. You know that old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Oh, how true that is! An educational picture, of sorts, can dramatically speed up learning. (And likewise, the evening news can dramatically speed up learning as well, but those are not the kinds of pictures I want my children to have seared upon their brains. I want to be very careful what "impressions" I put upon our minds.) So I feel good about "investing" in the IMAX theater for a great educational movie, which may take many, many hours of reading a great book to get the same educational impact.
Now, if just seeing something has such an exponential educational impact on our brains, I started thinking about what else learning could do. Several years ago, I heard a great Sunday School lesson that forever changed my life (don't you love those memorable lessons?). The man was talking about reading God's Word and he started with talking about just reading the Bible, where the only sense that is used is seeing. Then he talked about reading God's Word out loud. Now, we not only see the words, but we are saying them and hearing them also! Wow! That was an exponential leap! In the same amount of time, we can now see, hear, and say the words of God! As I started experimenting with this, I noticed that my disabled daughter would come and join me every morning, so that she could hear God's Word, too. I am not reading to her, but she is able to hear the word of the Lord. What an extra blessing! (Moms, don't push away your little ones when you are spending time with the Lord. They can learn, too, although you are not speaking to them.) A little while later, I discovered even more exponential learning from God's Word, which I will cover in a post entitled "The King's Assignment," coming soon!
We have never done too many field trips, but this last year we incorporated quite a few of them into our schedule. We don't go for the ones that are more for amusement (muse = think; a = not or without; a-muse = not thinking; without thinking), but there are lots of great educational opportunites out there. Have you ever studied something in a book, and then gone to see it, or do it? It's that "Aha!" feeling, isn't it? Before we went to Sea World a couple years ago, for example, we always liked dolphins, we read about them, we looked at pictures of them, we'd even seen them afar off. But when we were able to spend an hour with the dolphins with almost no one else around, to play catch with them, to pet them, to feed them, to play with them, to laugh with them - our learning about dolphins increased to tremendous exponential proportions. No amount of book learning, and I'm all for book learning, could match this one hour experience!
So, I will be giving field trip reviews on this blog now, for my local readers especially, or maybe those who would like to come for a visit!, but we do like to travel once in a while, so I will write field trip reviews for wherever we might go. I hope these reviews will encourage you to exponential learning, no matter how old you are! The day you stop learning is the day you grow old.
Exponential learning also includes science experiments, gardening, cleaning house, a walk in nature, seeing the baby ducks grow up, and a million other areas of life. Explode your learning with exponential education!
Apr 29, 2006
Weekly Recipe: Colcannon
We first tried this Irish dish on St. Patrick's Day one year, and it quickly became a standard in our family. It is basically mashed potatoes with cooked cabbage, so feel free to play with the recipe - a lot! I don't measure anything in this recipe, so I will attempt to relate amounts here.
Potatoes, cut in chunks, to steam or boil in a 3-4 qt. pot, filled. I place celery leaves and bay leaves on top of the potatoes for flavor and then throw the leaves away when done cooking. Cook until tender.
One green cabbage, diced about 1/2", to steam or boil in another 3-4 qt. pot. Cook until tender.
I drain my potatoes, add one stick butter, and mash by hand. Add drained cabbage, s/p to taste, and then add plain (I like Bulgarian) yogurt to taste. I use about 3 cups. Serve!
This works well to then put in a crockpot and take to a potluck if you put the colcannon in while hot. If you try to start a crockpot with cold colcannon, it will take a few hours because it is so dense (not recommended!).
Potatoes, cut in chunks, to steam or boil in a 3-4 qt. pot, filled. I place celery leaves and bay leaves on top of the potatoes for flavor and then throw the leaves away when done cooking. Cook until tender.
One green cabbage, diced about 1/2", to steam or boil in another 3-4 qt. pot. Cook until tender.
I drain my potatoes, add one stick butter, and mash by hand. Add drained cabbage, s/p to taste, and then add plain (I like Bulgarian) yogurt to taste. I use about 3 cups. Serve!
This works well to then put in a crockpot and take to a potluck if you put the colcannon in while hot. If you try to start a crockpot with cold colcannon, it will take a few hours because it is so dense (not recommended!).
Apr 28, 2006
Lamed
What in the world is Lamed? (pronounced lah-med)
Lamed is a letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Lamed is the middle letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Lamed is also the tallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. To the Jew, this is very important. Why?
Lamed is also a word in the Hebrew language. It means two things: to teach; to learn.
How can one word mean both to teach and to learn? And why is this important?
First, the Jews consider the meaning of things to be highly important. Since Lamed is the very center of the alphabet and since it is the tallest (overshadowing the other letters), the Jews have said that Lamed is our highest endowment, our greatest gift, from God.
Teaching and learning are our highest endowment from God? What does that mean?
Paul tells us in II Timothy 2:15: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
In Acts 17:11, the Bereans "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."
In Isaiah 34, we read a long list of prophecies of the end times and then the Lord ends with verse 17: "Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these shall fail."
When you spend time studying and searching God's Word, does it bring you closer to the Lord? If your heart is to study His Word to learn, is it an act of worship? The Jews believe that studying God is the ultimate act of worship of God. Think about it. If you are studying God's Word to know Him better, to know His will for you, to know what pleases Him, to know what is an abomination to Him, wouldn't that be worship? "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy ... mind!"
Do you worship the Lord daily by studying for yourself what He has to say to you? I John 4:1 tells us, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." How do you test those spirits? Against the Word of God! Let us study God's Word daily and search diligently to test all that we hear and read. Let us show ourselves approved unto God!
Is studying God's Word the only we can study to worship God, though? How about considering His creation? Take a walk in the beauty of His creation (which man has damaged) and consider what God has done in each little flower, the spring greens, the birds' songs, a million little aspects of His creation. In that same vein, when we study science, we are studying about God. It is God who created science, and provided so many opportunities for humans to learn, both believers and not. As Christians, though, we should study science as being from an incredible Creator, which leads us to worship again, doesn't it? And how about history - His Story! God has allowed everything in history to happen for a reason, some for His glory, some to teach us something, and much of it for reasons we do not know now. But we can study and find out many of God's ways in history as well!
There are many other subjects of study, of learning, that will lead us to worship God as we learn more about Him and His ways. Let us look for the sovereignty of God in all of life!
Hear.
Study.
Do.
Teach.
If we want to retain knowledge, when we first hear something, we must study it for ourselves, walk it out, and teach it to others. Those who teach learn the most!
What an awesome gift God has bestowed upon us - to learn; to teach! Now that you are responsible for this knowledge, go and make disciples, disciples of Christ, teaching them ALL things that Jesus taught!
Lamed.
Lamed is a letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Lamed is the middle letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Lamed is also the tallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. To the Jew, this is very important. Why?
Lamed is also a word in the Hebrew language. It means two things: to teach; to learn.
How can one word mean both to teach and to learn? And why is this important?
First, the Jews consider the meaning of things to be highly important. Since Lamed is the very center of the alphabet and since it is the tallest (overshadowing the other letters), the Jews have said that Lamed is our highest endowment, our greatest gift, from God.
Teaching and learning are our highest endowment from God? What does that mean?
Paul tells us in II Timothy 2:15: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
In Acts 17:11, the Bereans "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."
In Isaiah 34, we read a long list of prophecies of the end times and then the Lord ends with verse 17: "Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these shall fail."
When you spend time studying and searching God's Word, does it bring you closer to the Lord? If your heart is to study His Word to learn, is it an act of worship? The Jews believe that studying God is the ultimate act of worship of God. Think about it. If you are studying God's Word to know Him better, to know His will for you, to know what pleases Him, to know what is an abomination to Him, wouldn't that be worship? "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy ... mind!"
Do you worship the Lord daily by studying for yourself what He has to say to you? I John 4:1 tells us, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." How do you test those spirits? Against the Word of God! Let us study God's Word daily and search diligently to test all that we hear and read. Let us show ourselves approved unto God!
Is studying God's Word the only we can study to worship God, though? How about considering His creation? Take a walk in the beauty of His creation (which man has damaged) and consider what God has done in each little flower, the spring greens, the birds' songs, a million little aspects of His creation. In that same vein, when we study science, we are studying about God. It is God who created science, and provided so many opportunities for humans to learn, both believers and not. As Christians, though, we should study science as being from an incredible Creator, which leads us to worship again, doesn't it? And how about history - His Story! God has allowed everything in history to happen for a reason, some for His glory, some to teach us something, and much of it for reasons we do not know now. But we can study and find out many of God's ways in history as well!
There are many other subjects of study, of learning, that will lead us to worship God as we learn more about Him and His ways. Let us look for the sovereignty of God in all of life!
Hear.
Study.
Do.
Teach.
If we want to retain knowledge, when we first hear something, we must study it for ourselves, walk it out, and teach it to others. Those who teach learn the most!
What an awesome gift God has bestowed upon us - to learn; to teach! Now that you are responsible for this knowledge, go and make disciples, disciples of Christ, teaching them ALL things that Jesus taught!
Lamed.
Apr 26, 2006
Go, Teddy!
Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American ... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag ... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American ... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag ... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907
Apr 16, 2006
This is the Day!
I used to sing "This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" every morning with my family to start our day. In my Bible studies, I have often looked up to see what "day" means when that word is used, but this particular instance of "day" somehow escaped my attention (habit, I suppose!). So, what day is it, really? Is it talking about the newness of each day that the Lord gives us to live for Him? I suppose it does not hurt anything to have that attitude toward each day, but let's take a quick look at the context of this verse.
As Christians who celebrate the feasts the Lord gave us, we recently celebrated, and studied, Passover. Most Christians know that at the end of the Passover supper Jesus had with his disciples, it is recorded that they sang a hymn and then went out. Wouldn't you love to know what hymn that was? Well, Jews by nature seem to be creatures of tradition (Fiddler on the Roof was quite accurate in that respect!). Jewish tradition often goes back to its biblical roots. Now, granted, there are many jewish traditions that God did not institute, such as keeping kosher, but we do find many "traditions" that even Jesus kept. One of these traditions would have been the hymn sung at the end of Passover. That same hymn has probably been sung since the time of David, and is still sung in Jewish homes all over the world today at the close of the Passover.
Have I kept you in suspense long enough? What hymn is it? It is called "The Hallel" or "The Great Hallel," and is actually Psalm 113-118. Yes, they sing the whole thing even today! Here is one passage from the Hallel:
Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This was the LORD’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I pray, O LORD;
O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
This is obviously a messianic psalm, talking about the coming Messiah who would be rejected, which Jesus fulfilled. The main thing we want to look at here, though, is the "day." This is the song that Jesus sang after the Passover supper. Jewish days start at sundown the evening before, so it was actually the day Jesus died, and here Jesus is singing the psalm, the hymn, the song, that is sung on EVERY Passover, "This is the DAY the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!" Did you realize that Jesus was rejoicing as He went to His death on the cross to be the Passover lamb, the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world?
The Jews use a Haggadah, an official order of service, for the Passover, which all Jews use. It is interesting to note that this verse of the Hallel is the only one that is mentioned twice. Just a side note for now!
To understand more about God's purpose for Passover, try reading the Hallel. It was all fulfilled in Christ!
As Christians who celebrate the feasts the Lord gave us, we recently celebrated, and studied, Passover. Most Christians know that at the end of the Passover supper Jesus had with his disciples, it is recorded that they sang a hymn and then went out. Wouldn't you love to know what hymn that was? Well, Jews by nature seem to be creatures of tradition (Fiddler on the Roof was quite accurate in that respect!). Jewish tradition often goes back to its biblical roots. Now, granted, there are many jewish traditions that God did not institute, such as keeping kosher, but we do find many "traditions" that even Jesus kept. One of these traditions would have been the hymn sung at the end of Passover. That same hymn has probably been sung since the time of David, and is still sung in Jewish homes all over the world today at the close of the Passover.
Have I kept you in suspense long enough? What hymn is it? It is called "The Hallel" or "The Great Hallel," and is actually Psalm 113-118. Yes, they sing the whole thing even today! Here is one passage from the Hallel:
Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This was the LORD’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I pray, O LORD;
O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
This is obviously a messianic psalm, talking about the coming Messiah who would be rejected, which Jesus fulfilled. The main thing we want to look at here, though, is the "day." This is the song that Jesus sang after the Passover supper. Jewish days start at sundown the evening before, so it was actually the day Jesus died, and here Jesus is singing the psalm, the hymn, the song, that is sung on EVERY Passover, "This is the DAY the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!" Did you realize that Jesus was rejoicing as He went to His death on the cross to be the Passover lamb, the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world?
The Jews use a Haggadah, an official order of service, for the Passover, which all Jews use. It is interesting to note that this verse of the Hallel is the only one that is mentioned twice. Just a side note for now!
To understand more about God's purpose for Passover, try reading the Hallel. It was all fulfilled in Christ!
The Evolution of My Homeschooling Philosophy
When I first began this homeschool journey eleven years ago, I was mostly concerned about protecting my daughter from the bullies in school who kicked her and hit her every day; about the teacher in her public school who informed me that she would not have time for my daughter that year because she had to spend all her time disciplining certain boys in the class whose fathers were high-ranking military officials; and about the extremely low academic standards that frustrated me even in kindergarten.
As I continued homeschooling, and as I grew in my walk with the Lord, my reasons for homeschooling changed and grew and became personal convictions. I learned to truly love learning for the first time in my life, and had a great desire to pass on a love of learning, a lifetime of learning, to my children. Someone introduced us to living books from the very beginning, and I am very grateful for such an enjoyable start even to this day. We learned how subjects that used to be dreaded were now so much fun!
Gradually, I realized that homeschooling is more than just school at home. I began to realize that training my children in every aspect of life was something I could do, something I should do, and something I loved doing! We have learned how to function in every day life, cooking, cleaning, car maintenance, lawn care and gardening. We learned every detail of moving and setting up a home, including organization, house painting, repairs, and deep cleaning. We learned how to set up a library, build a chain-link fence, and as many things as I can possibly fit into each day. But most of all, we learned about living our life by God's Word. How should we act in this situation? What should we wear? How should we spend our time, money, etc.? What does the Bible say about _____? Homeschooling is preparing my children for the rest of their lives.
That began to evolve into the realization that all of life can be "homeschool." I learned how to identify, and eventually use, teachable moments. We learned about character through the examples of others' behaviors, some good, some not so good, and from the books we read and the movies we see. We learned that we can learn something from every small experience in life. I learned that the best way to teach is through real life. We learn early math through going shopping or doubling a recipe. We learn science through taking a walk and considering God's creation. I learned about exponential learning, how doing something hands-on, or seeing a museum exhibit, or how a live experience greatly increased the amount of learning taking place vs. reading about that same subject. Field trips took on tremendous importance!
Along the way somewhere, I realized that homeschooling should be fun! I determined that I wanted to pass on the joy of learning so that my children would not only have pleasant memories of learning opportunities while they are growing up, but that they will delight in learning for the rest of their lives. We enjoy great books, we put on the music while we have fun working around the house, we dance to the Lord together, we exercise together, we laugh together! What a joy it is to learn together!
During this whole venture, God quietly began showing me that homeschooling was really His plan for families. We are told to diligently talk about the things of the Lord to our children when we sit in our house, take a walk, when we sit or lie down and get up. That's a lot of time! I am so grateful that God put a desire to homeschool in my heart before He gave me a conviction about it. I am grateful that my children always saw a mother who homeschooled them because she wanted to and not because she had to.
Now we come to the latest revelation for why I continue to homeschool. In this last year, the main thing God has been teaching me in my walk with Him is how important relationships are. In fact, I think NOTHING is more important than relationships. God left us here on earth, upon our profession of Christ, not just for one reason - to glorify God and serve Him forever - but for a second important reason - people! Jesus told us to love God first, and then love others. One of the reasons I homeschool is to teach my children to love God more than anything else! But another huge reason I homeschool is to have that relationship with my children!
I LOVE being with my children! I love working with my children. I love reading to my children. I love going on field trips with my children. I love going to the symphony, to the park, to the museum, even on errands, with my children! I love just talking with my children. Everytime we are together, we are working on our relationship, whether for good or for bad. What an opportunity homeschooling is to work on relationship: relationship with God and relationship with family. Even relationships with other families are afforded many oppotunities to grow as well. Life is not about me; it is about God, and others, namely my husband and my children.
While there are many altruistic reasons for homeschooling, when I discovered that relationship-development with my children was God-ordained, I could then enjoy homeschooling even that much more. I so look forward to spending each and every day with the precious children God has allowed me to raise and homeschool. What an awesome privilege and delight!
As I continued homeschooling, and as I grew in my walk with the Lord, my reasons for homeschooling changed and grew and became personal convictions. I learned to truly love learning for the first time in my life, and had a great desire to pass on a love of learning, a lifetime of learning, to my children. Someone introduced us to living books from the very beginning, and I am very grateful for such an enjoyable start even to this day. We learned how subjects that used to be dreaded were now so much fun!
Gradually, I realized that homeschooling is more than just school at home. I began to realize that training my children in every aspect of life was something I could do, something I should do, and something I loved doing! We have learned how to function in every day life, cooking, cleaning, car maintenance, lawn care and gardening. We learned every detail of moving and setting up a home, including organization, house painting, repairs, and deep cleaning. We learned how to set up a library, build a chain-link fence, and as many things as I can possibly fit into each day. But most of all, we learned about living our life by God's Word. How should we act in this situation? What should we wear? How should we spend our time, money, etc.? What does the Bible say about _____? Homeschooling is preparing my children for the rest of their lives.
That began to evolve into the realization that all of life can be "homeschool." I learned how to identify, and eventually use, teachable moments. We learned about character through the examples of others' behaviors, some good, some not so good, and from the books we read and the movies we see. We learned that we can learn something from every small experience in life. I learned that the best way to teach is through real life. We learn early math through going shopping or doubling a recipe. We learn science through taking a walk and considering God's creation. I learned about exponential learning, how doing something hands-on, or seeing a museum exhibit, or how a live experience greatly increased the amount of learning taking place vs. reading about that same subject. Field trips took on tremendous importance!
Along the way somewhere, I realized that homeschooling should be fun! I determined that I wanted to pass on the joy of learning so that my children would not only have pleasant memories of learning opportunities while they are growing up, but that they will delight in learning for the rest of their lives. We enjoy great books, we put on the music while we have fun working around the house, we dance to the Lord together, we exercise together, we laugh together! What a joy it is to learn together!
During this whole venture, God quietly began showing me that homeschooling was really His plan for families. We are told to diligently talk about the things of the Lord to our children when we sit in our house, take a walk, when we sit or lie down and get up. That's a lot of time! I am so grateful that God put a desire to homeschool in my heart before He gave me a conviction about it. I am grateful that my children always saw a mother who homeschooled them because she wanted to and not because she had to.
Now we come to the latest revelation for why I continue to homeschool. In this last year, the main thing God has been teaching me in my walk with Him is how important relationships are. In fact, I think NOTHING is more important than relationships. God left us here on earth, upon our profession of Christ, not just for one reason - to glorify God and serve Him forever - but for a second important reason - people! Jesus told us to love God first, and then love others. One of the reasons I homeschool is to teach my children to love God more than anything else! But another huge reason I homeschool is to have that relationship with my children!
I LOVE being with my children! I love working with my children. I love reading to my children. I love going on field trips with my children. I love going to the symphony, to the park, to the museum, even on errands, with my children! I love just talking with my children. Everytime we are together, we are working on our relationship, whether for good or for bad. What an opportunity homeschooling is to work on relationship: relationship with God and relationship with family. Even relationships with other families are afforded many oppotunities to grow as well. Life is not about me; it is about God, and others, namely my husband and my children.
While there are many altruistic reasons for homeschooling, when I discovered that relationship-development with my children was God-ordained, I could then enjoy homeschooling even that much more. I so look forward to spending each and every day with the precious children God has allowed me to raise and homeschool. What an awesome privilege and delight!
Weekly Recipe: Zucchini Kugel
Do your children hate zucchini as much as mine do? Have you looked for ways to "sneak" it into them? If so, this is our biggest hit so far (except chocolate zucchini cake, which I will post soon). A kugel is typically a Jewish noodle dish, but this uses zucchini (or yellow squash) instead of the noodles. We really liked it!
1 lb. grated zucchini, drained for 10 min.
1 T healthy sugar/honey
1/8 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. raisins
1/4 c. chopped walnuts/pecans
1 T butter, melted
4 eggs, lightly beaten
Mix together all ingredients except zucchini and raisins; mix well. Add zucchini and raisins; mix lightly. Place in lightly greased pie pan and bake at 400 deg. for 25 min. or until well set. Serves 8.
1 lb. grated zucchini, drained for 10 min.
1 T healthy sugar/honey
1/8 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. raisins
1/4 c. chopped walnuts/pecans
1 T butter, melted
4 eggs, lightly beaten
Mix together all ingredients except zucchini and raisins; mix well. Add zucchini and raisins; mix lightly. Place in lightly greased pie pan and bake at 400 deg. for 25 min. or until well set. Serves 8.
Apr 12, 2006
Charlotte Mason - Updated
Are you interested in the Charlotte Mason "Original Home Schooling Series," but have a difficult time wading through all that old Victorian era English? Here is a free online modern version written by Leslie Laurio, also available for sale in print. When I first heard of this version, I was concerned that it might be too freely paraphrased, or even dumbed down from the original, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it maintains the full integrity of the original insofar as I have read it. I would say that the original reads like the KJV Bible, and is really not too hard to read if the KJV is your regular Bible, but that the modern version reads like the NKJV. Just the odd words have been updated. She has also added links to the online version where a poem, book, author, etc. might be mentioned by Charlotte Mason that we might not be familiar with. That was very helpful. I still heartily recommend the "Original Series," but this is a good supplement. What a blessing this is in my life!
Apr 10, 2006
Weekly Recipe: Cheddar-Crusted Tart Apple Pie
Joshua chose this pie for his birthday this year instead of a cake. This is a real family favorite!
(from Ken Haedrich)
(Makes 1 9” pie. For a 9 ½” / 10” pie, use 1 ½ recipes filling.)
This is a mix between a sweet and savory pie.
Pastry
1 2/3 c. flour (I use soft wheat pastry)
1/3 c. stoneground yellow cornmeal
½ t. salt
10 T. unsalted butter
1 c. grated (raw) sharp cheddar cheese
~ ¼ c. ice cold water
Mix flour, cornmeal and salt in large bowl. Cut in butter. Sprinkle in cheese and lightly mix. Add enough cold water to make a dough that will hold together without cracking or dry spots. Divide dough into 2 balls, wrap each in a piece of plastic wrap, flatten balls to ~ 1/2” thick. Refrigerate at least 45 min. Roll out one at a time between wax paper for top and bottom crusts.
While dough is chilling, mix Filling.
5-6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, sliced very thin
½ c. healthy sugar (or brown sugar)
2 T apple cider vinegar
1 t. Dijon mustard
¼ t. ground cloves
1 ½ T flour (pastry is fine)
Slice apples into very large bowl. Mix remaining ingredients except flour in small bowl. Pour over apples and mix well. Sprinkle flour over apples and mix well. Mound mixture in bottom crust and add top crust as usual. Slice vents.
Bake at 425 for15 minutes, pie crust edges covered. Lower to 375 and remove edge cover for ~45 more minutes or until juices are bubbling. Larger pies take longer.
(from Ken Haedrich)
(Makes 1 9” pie. For a 9 ½” / 10” pie, use 1 ½ recipes filling.)
This is a mix between a sweet and savory pie.
Pastry
1 2/3 c. flour (I use soft wheat pastry)
1/3 c. stoneground yellow cornmeal
½ t. salt
10 T. unsalted butter
1 c. grated (raw) sharp cheddar cheese
~ ¼ c. ice cold water
Mix flour, cornmeal and salt in large bowl. Cut in butter. Sprinkle in cheese and lightly mix. Add enough cold water to make a dough that will hold together without cracking or dry spots. Divide dough into 2 balls, wrap each in a piece of plastic wrap, flatten balls to ~ 1/2” thick. Refrigerate at least 45 min. Roll out one at a time between wax paper for top and bottom crusts.
While dough is chilling, mix Filling.
5-6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, sliced very thin
½ c. healthy sugar (or brown sugar)
2 T apple cider vinegar
1 t. Dijon mustard
¼ t. ground cloves
1 ½ T flour (pastry is fine)
Slice apples into very large bowl. Mix remaining ingredients except flour in small bowl. Pour over apples and mix well. Sprinkle flour over apples and mix well. Mound mixture in bottom crust and add top crust as usual. Slice vents.
Bake at 425 for15 minutes, pie crust edges covered. Lower to 375 and remove edge cover for ~45 more minutes or until juices are bubbling. Larger pies take longer.
Apr 9, 2006
Observations
People who seem to really love the Lord
Beautifully landscaped grounds
Modest ladies, but still very modern
Conservative men (no bedheads!)
Delicious food
Diverse offering of majors
High academic standards (A's are EARNED)
Extremely professional
No TVs
Well-planned community of beautiful buildings
High standards
Prepared for emergencies
No body piercings/tattoos
No electronic gadgets attached to personages
Confidence-building
No talking in class
Very meaty sermons
25 students in a class
No male-female touching
Church 7 times a week
No concern for leaving personal belongings in open cubby holes
No locks on doors
Lights out - 11:10 p.m.
Church bells ringing
Clean dorm rooms
Teachers care and take time with students
Clean campus
Quiet atmosphere
Respectful students
Enjoyable lectures
Prayer at beginning of every class
God's Word naturally brought into every class
Apparent desire to only please the Lord
Missions/ministry opportunities galore
Sports attitude - glorify God first
Lots of fun things to do
Private beach
Good attitudes
Very friendly one with another
Almost 5000 students
~500 international students
Great library
Wonderful music
"Safe and secure"
$5998 annual tuition/room/board
Very refreshing!
Pensacola Christian College
Beautifully landscaped grounds
Modest ladies, but still very modern
Conservative men (no bedheads!)
Delicious food
Diverse offering of majors
High academic standards (A's are EARNED)
Extremely professional
No TVs
Well-planned community of beautiful buildings
High standards
Prepared for emergencies
No body piercings/tattoos
No electronic gadgets attached to personages
Confidence-building
No talking in class
Very meaty sermons
25 students in a class
No male-female touching
Church 7 times a week
No concern for leaving personal belongings in open cubby holes
No locks on doors
Lights out - 11:10 p.m.
Church bells ringing
Clean dorm rooms
Teachers care and take time with students
Clean campus
Quiet atmosphere
Respectful students
Enjoyable lectures
Prayer at beginning of every class
God's Word naturally brought into every class
Apparent desire to only please the Lord
Missions/ministry opportunities galore
Sports attitude - glorify God first
Lots of fun things to do
Private beach
Good attitudes
Very friendly one with another
Almost 5000 students
~500 international students
Great library
Wonderful music
"Safe and secure"
$5998 annual tuition/room/board
Very refreshing!
Pensacola Christian College
Trippin'
12 hours. 711 miles. How do we pass the time?
What a wonderful opportunity driving across country is! We enjoyed the beautiful wildflowers this time of year and Texas has to offer. A wide variety of good music. "Little Women." Some good sermons. And lots of great conversation. Lots of laughing and silliness. Opportunities to thank the Lord for His protection over us.
I really enjoy these memory builders.
What a wonderful opportunity driving across country is! We enjoyed the beautiful wildflowers this time of year and Texas has to offer. A wide variety of good music. "Little Women." Some good sermons. And lots of great conversation. Lots of laughing and silliness. Opportunities to thank the Lord for His protection over us.
I really enjoy these memory builders.
Pride Goeth Before a Fall!
On our way to Pensacola recently, Natasha and I were attempting to navigate through Houston traffic when we happened upon the much-loved HOV lane (high-occupancy vehicle - 2 or more persons in one vehicle). Seeing a sea of red brake lights off to our right while we soared through Houston at 70 mph, we were laughing and joking about our good fortune. I did kind of wonder why we were the only ones in our lane, though, when all of sudden, without any warning at all, the lane very unceremoniously dumped us right in the middle of downtown Houston, with a gate in front of us with a red stop light. After the gate opened to let us through, I thought I could just cross over the overpass and get right back on the freeway, but, alas, there were no freeway entrances to be found. So we drove and drove and drove, until we finally found ANOTHER freeway to get on. Thankfully, we had a Houston map with us, so we were eventually able to find our way back onto I-10, but I think I lost all the time I thought I was saving as I drove past everyone else, waving with silly pride!
Apr 4, 2006
Weekly Recipe: Impossible Quiche
This used to be one of my favorite recipes when I used a lot of box mixes like Bisquick. I experimented until I found a good substitute. I make it with veggies, but you can use meat if you're a meat eater. Tomatoes are a must in our family! This makes one 9x13, but you could put it into 2 pie pans as well.
4 c. steamed broccoli, chopped tomatoes, asparagus, raw zucchini, etc.
green onions
2 c. grated cheese
(2 c. meat, optional)
3 ½ c. milk
8 eggs
scant cup butter
1 1/3 c. biscuit mix
(To make your own, use 1 c. flour, 1 t. salt, 2 t. BP, 1 t. soda, 1/8 t. cream of tartar, 1 t. sugar)
S/P to taste
2 t. curry, cumin, basil, or marjoram, etc.
In a greased 9x13, layer veggies including green onions and then the grated cheese. If using fresh herbs, mix with veggies. Mix all other wet together in blender and pour into a separate bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix well and carefully pour over the veggies and cheese. Bake at 350 for 45 – 60 min. or until well set. Should be well browned on top.
4 c. steamed broccoli, chopped tomatoes, asparagus, raw zucchini, etc.
green onions
2 c. grated cheese
(2 c. meat, optional)
3 ½ c. milk
8 eggs
scant cup butter
1 1/3 c. biscuit mix
(To make your own, use 1 c. flour, 1 t. salt, 2 t. BP, 1 t. soda, 1/8 t. cream of tartar, 1 t. sugar)
S/P to taste
2 t. curry, cumin, basil, or marjoram, etc.
In a greased 9x13, layer veggies including green onions and then the grated cheese. If using fresh herbs, mix with veggies. Mix all other wet together in blender and pour into a separate bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix well and carefully pour over the veggies and cheese. Bake at 350 for 45 – 60 min. or until well set. Should be well browned on top.
Apr 2, 2006
Spring Cleaning!
Growing up, we did a thorough spring cleaning nearly every year that I can remember. We cleaned cupboards inside and out, washed windows inside and out, vacuumed books and baseboards, and swept the ceiling for cobwebs. We worked hard to clean the whole house. And for what? To have a clean house? Oh, I suppose that's a good reason, but is that enough to motivate me to spring clean?
I think God has not only given us a reason for spring cleaning, He is the originator of spring cleaning! Did you know spring cleaning is in the Bible? In Ex. 12:15, God is giving the Israelites instructions for the first Passover/Unleavened Bread Feast and all those that would follow: "Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses."
Leaven is anything that causes rising, such as yeast, sourdough, baking powder, baking soda, and cream of tartar. There are several other lesser-known leavening agents as well, but they are not essential to our story.
So how did the Israelites get rid of the leaven in their houses? Did they just throw out all the jars of yeast, cans of baking powder, and boxes of baking soda? (Well, since those items weren't in vogue then, probably not!) But if we were to just throw out those items in our pantry today, would our house be totally free of all leaven? If we all also threw out all breads, crackers, cookies, muffins, tortillas, doughnuts, and almost anything made from a grain, would our homes then be leaven-free? What about those cookie crumbs under the couch or the bread crumbs that find their way to some unseen corner?
The only way to be absolutely sure all the leaven was gone, and this was extremely important to the Israelites and still is for Jews today, was to clean every nook and cranny, and especially the corners of the house. We know that today as spring cleaning!
So here we have God's idea for a special house cleaning, and then what was to follow? A feast! A solemn, yet joyous, celebration! Look for this special celebration coming up April 13 this year!
Now, I don't know about you, but I can't "spring clean" my whole house in one day, even with my children helping me, so I will start early. It sure does make a difference to have a reason to clean! And I get to enjoy the clean house!
I think God has not only given us a reason for spring cleaning, He is the originator of spring cleaning! Did you know spring cleaning is in the Bible? In Ex. 12:15, God is giving the Israelites instructions for the first Passover/Unleavened Bread Feast and all those that would follow: "Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses."
Leaven is anything that causes rising, such as yeast, sourdough, baking powder, baking soda, and cream of tartar. There are several other lesser-known leavening agents as well, but they are not essential to our story.
So how did the Israelites get rid of the leaven in their houses? Did they just throw out all the jars of yeast, cans of baking powder, and boxes of baking soda? (Well, since those items weren't in vogue then, probably not!) But if we were to just throw out those items in our pantry today, would our house be totally free of all leaven? If we all also threw out all breads, crackers, cookies, muffins, tortillas, doughnuts, and almost anything made from a grain, would our homes then be leaven-free? What about those cookie crumbs under the couch or the bread crumbs that find their way to some unseen corner?
The only way to be absolutely sure all the leaven was gone, and this was extremely important to the Israelites and still is for Jews today, was to clean every nook and cranny, and especially the corners of the house. We know that today as spring cleaning!
So here we have God's idea for a special house cleaning, and then what was to follow? A feast! A solemn, yet joyous, celebration! Look for this special celebration coming up April 13 this year!
Now, I don't know about you, but I can't "spring clean" my whole house in one day, even with my children helping me, so I will start early. It sure does make a difference to have a reason to clean! And I get to enjoy the clean house!
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