Christian living

Abortion: murder, or chicken dinner?

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

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March 25, 2012 By kimc

I know I’m probably preaching to the choir, but I just had to say this out loud.

There’s an article circulating in which pro-abortion activist Jessica DelBalzo loudly proclaims that she loves abortion. I can’t quite bring myself to link directly, but you can find it easily enough on google if you want to read the whole column.

A few excerpts are enough to convey her viewpoint:

“I love abortion. I don’t accept it. I don’t view it as a necessary evil. I embrace it. I donate to abortion funds. I write about how important it is to make sure that every woman has access to safe, legal abortion services. I have bumper stickers and buttons and t-shirts proclaiming my support for reproductive freedom. I love abortion,” DelBalzo declares.

To put an even finer point on it, she goes on to say:

Suggesting that abortion be “safe, legal, and rare,” and crowing that “no one likes abortion,” accomplishes nothing for women’s rights. Pandering to the anti-choice movement by implying that we all find termination distasteful only fuels the fire against it.

I just want to say that she is absolutely right on one point. The pro-choice camp is divided, and a large number of them don’t seem to know on which side of the fence they really belong.

If abortion takes a human life, it’s murder and we should all be appalled at every instance. It should be illegal under any circumstances.

If abortion takes a non-human life, it’s no more “a necessary evil” than sitting down to a chicken dinner.

Which is it?

pf button Abortion: murder, or chicken dinner?

Filed Under: feminism 45 Comments

When Motherhood seems too hard

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

February 22, 2012 By kimc

I gave Kelly’s new ebook a plug on Facebook when she released it yesterday, but Perry called from work this morning to gently admonish me. He reminded me how eagerly many of you received my Life With Littles and encouragement For Tired Young Mothers of Many posts. ”Don’t you think Kelly’s book would strike a chord with your blog readers?”

I think he was right. He usually is.

Kelly Crawford of Generation Cedar has a new ebook for moms, and the title alone is perfect: Devotions, Advice & Renewal for When Motherhood Feels Too Hard. Isn’t that every day?

When Motherhood Feels Too Hard is the daily inspiration you need to not just get through a day, but to FLOURISH as a mother, to build a home, and to ignite a passion in your children that will impact the next generation for the glory of God!

If the title wasn’t enough, I would be totally sold on Jennie Chancey’s review:

“This eBook is Kelly’s “cup of cold water” to mothers. We all need refreshment and encouragement when the hard days come, and Kelly has provided bite-sized (but meaty and thought-provoking) daily devotionals that urge us to take our calling as mothers seriously but remember at the same time that we are vessels of clay in need of God’s filling. These words are true whether you are the mother of one or the mother of ten! Thank you, Kelly, for sharing your beautiful insights into the calling of motherhood “from the trenches!” -Jennie Chancey, Ladies Against Feminism

When Motherhood Feels Too Hard is available as an instant download (PDF) or for your Kindle. I’ll be starting my copy very soon. Anyone want to join me?

pf button When Motherhood seems too hard

Filed Under: books and poetry, Christian living, mom needs sleep, parenting, reviews 3 Comments

Cultural views of debt and children

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

February 15, 2012 By kimc

edit: code is now fixed. Sorry for the trouble!

I shared this on Facebook, but I was so tickled with Kaitlyn’s Photoshop work that I didn’t want those of you who are not on Facebook to miss it.

The Bible calls debt a curse and children a blessing, but in our culture we apply for a curse and reject blessings. Something is wrong with this picture. ~Doug Phillips

Like it? Grab the code:

<a href=”http://inashoe.com/2012/02/cultural-views-of-debt-and-children/”><image src=”http://inashoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/babies-vs-debt.jpg” width=”248″></a>

Or view the image on Life in a Shoe’s Facebook page to share it.

pf button Cultural views of debt and children

Filed Under: worldview 7 Comments

Twilight vs. Tangled

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

January 24, 2012 By kimc

I shared this on facebook and it was so wildly popular I didn’t want my non-facebook readers to miss it. The image below is not mine, but I think it’s a brilliant summary of what is wrong with the Twilight obsession that continues to consume our society. Girls, this is an intelligence test.

For a more in-depth analysis of the book that begat the movie, check out Doug Wilson’s multi-part book report beginning here, or his 8 minute video on the subject below:

Filed Under: worldview 6 Comments

Church retreat. Is it supposed to be this scary?

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

November 7, 2011 By kimc

Yes, I know. The church isn’t supposed to be retreating. We are to advance, as an army victorious! But we took a break to rest, regroup, and retreat over the weekend, and we liked it!

Last year’s gathering at Piney Woods was our first, though the event had been happening for years without us. This year, the kids wouldn’t let us off the hook. We were forced to go. They even paid for a portion of it when we hemmed and hawed about the expense. There was no way out. It was awful.

I jest.

It was wonderful.

Aside from canoes and kayaks and friends and fabulous food, it was also peaceful and beautiful and just plain fun. Bethany was in awe of “pumpkin pines” all over the ground – pine cones, of course – and PerryBoy (who has announced his intention to be known as Batman Perry or Monster Perry rather than Little Perry) spent nearly the entire time in a canoe perfecting his paddling technique.

Batman Perry 179x300 Church retreat. Is it supposed to be this scary?

The girls had a grand old time at the dance on Saturday night, topped off with midnight pizza, while the grownups stayed up way past bedtime. Perry and I learned to dance the exhilarating and complicated Posties Jig with 3 other couples.

Lydia, Natalie and Perry rocked the airsoft war. I think our girls put to rest any doubts that young ladies could take the heat, and Perry (Big Perry, that is. Not Batman Perry) had a glorious scene as Rambo in which he ran through the woods mowing down rows of outclassed combatants with his superior firepower. He expects to come up against some heavier weaponry next year.

And then there was the ropes course.

Kaitlyn suited up first.

She’s fearless. See her fearless face?

The first part of the course was climbing a pole and walking across another pole, using the rope as necessary to balance. Kait did it with panache, I think. I’m not sure what panache is, but it sounds cool and collected.

Lydia suited up too, and took on the course.

After the balance beam, the next task was to cross the converging cables. Stand on one cable and hold the other in your tightly clenched fists. As you inch along, the cable in your hands converges with the one under your feet, then another cable rises from your feet. The trick is to keep your grip and balance as you transition from one to the other.

Megan did it too.

Her favorite part of the course was the zipline. She didn’t even hesitate when it was time to jump off and freefall into the wild blue yonder, waiting to reach the end of the slack in the harness.

Oh, did I mention that a few adults did the course too? There were 3.

I know this guy:

He did the course just like the kids, zipline and all – but that’s not all. I haven’t told you yet about the scary part of the ropes course. Oh, you thought it was scary already?

The second part requires an additional harness. They call this part of the course the Pamper Pole. I’ll let you figure out why.

Up, up, up…

When you reach the last step, you’re not done yet.

Stand upright and brace yourself. The next step’s a doozy.

Technically, you’re supposed to try to catch the trapeze. Good luck with that.

I know this is a photo-heavy post. Maybe you’d like to be done now? But I have a few more photos I’d like to show off. I did the ropes course too. It was THE MOST TERRIFYING THING I’VE EVER DONE. CAN YOU SEE ME STILL HYPERVENTILATING 2 DAYS LATER?

I think I was more scared than anyone else there. For that, I get a separate post. Also, I have a knot in my stomach just from looking at the photos of my turn. I’m not sure I can edit and upload them without a drink first. What? I’m a presbyterian.

pf button Church retreat. Is it supposed to be this scary?

Filed Under: church, fun, photos 6 Comments

Giveaway: Shakytown and Monstrous Regiment of Women

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

August 19, 2011 By kimc

Edited to add more ways to win!

For this week’s giveaway, we have 2 films that we intended to give away long, long ago:

SHAKY TOWN: A Documentary

The Gunn Brothers take you to San Francisco (“Shaky Town”) to show you a history of Christian persecution including fire bomb attacks, threats, legal assaults, and now, more recently, a mayor who attacks the Christian institution of marriage.

You’ll hear testimonies from Christian Heroes involved in a front-line battle against immorality in the so-called “tolerant” city. You’ll also see real video footage of Christian churches in San Francisco being attacked by violent groups of homosexuals. So be warned, this movie is not for the faint-hearted!

and…

The Monstrous Regiment of Women!

The Monstrous Regiment of Women, The Gunn Brother’s award-winning second documentary, goes all out to demolish the feminist worldview. From a consistently Christian perspective, they show how feminism has had a devastating impact on the church, state, and family.

Starting with the infamous 16th century essay written by the reformer John Knox against the reigning female monarch, the Gunn Brothers find plenty of application to America’s political landscape; where feminists vie for every possible office including the presidency.

Featuring an all star, all female cast, the Gunn Brothers prove that feminism has in fact restricted choices for all women, brought heartache to the lives of many, and perpetuated the largest holocaust since the beginning of time.

Now the Gunn brothers have another exciting project in the works, this one guaranteed to stir up trouble. It’s not part of this giveaway because it’s not even finished yet, but watch for it soon!

IndoctriNation: Public Schools and the Decline of Christianity in America

“IndoctriNation” is a 90-minute documentary film that takes the audience on a panoramic exploration of one of the most important and controversial issues in the history of mankind, the issue of education.

Traveling all over America with his family in a big yellow school bus and conducting a series of candid conversational interviews, Colin Gunn, a Scottish filmmaker, actor, and homeschool father of seven children living in Texas, is on a quest to discover the origins of our modern educational system.

What he discovers is a masterful design that sought to replace God’s recipe for training up the next generation with a humanistic, man-centered program that fragmented the family and undermined the influence of the Church and its Great Commission.

Part documentary, part testimonial — a confessional and a rebuke, this film is above all a challenge and an encouragement to millions of Christians who need to know what history, experience, and the Scriptures have to say about what is perhaps the pivotal issue of our time: the discipleship and training of the next generation.

Help finish IndoctriNation

Are you eager to see this film? You can help! The Gunn Brothers are offering $50 Backstage Passes to raise funds for the completion of the movie. Pass holders receive:

“IndoctriNation“ DVD – first run copy, mailed to you before the premiere.
“The Monstrous Regiment of Women” – a full-length online version of the award-winning movie.
“Shaky Town” – a full-length online version of the award-winning movie.
Exclusive uncut footage of all of our interviews, updated throughout the production cycle. These include Samuel Blumenfeld, Doug Phillips, Herb Titus, Gary North, Erwin Lutzer, Ray Moore, David Goetsch, Kevin Swanson, Geoff Botkin, T.C. Pinckney, Martin Selbrede, David d’Escoto, Col. John Eidsmoe, Gary DeMar, Bruce Shortt, Israel Wayne, Joe Morecraft, and others.
Access to unique backstage footage, including exclusive videos of producer meetings and behind-the-scenes footage.
Access to our online VIP premiere of the film, to be experienced with friends and family as a tool to help stop the indoctrination of Christian children.

I’m gettin’ mine. Get your Backstage Pass here.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive both Monstrous Regiment and Shaky Town. To enter the giveaway, do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment here for each entry.

Leave a comment on this post.
Like IndoctriNation on Facebook.
Like Life in a Shoe on Facebook.
Share this giveaway on Facebook.
For 3 bonus entries, blog about this giveaway. Remember to leave 3 comments so you’ll be entered 3 times.
For 3 more bonus entries, blog about the IndoctriNation movie and Backstage Pass.

We will take entries until Friday, August 26, then choose a random winner!

Filed Under: feminism, giveaways & deals, videos 107 Comments

Femininity vs. feminism

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

August 13, 2011 By kimc

73566 s Femininity vs. feminism

Yesterday I listened to Adventurous Femininity by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin. I’m always so impressed with these 2 young ladies. They never fail to stretch my mind in new directions, and this message was no different.

Description from the Vision Forum website:

Which activity is more feminine: embroidering a pin cushion or digging up ancient artifacts in a foreign land? The answer may surprise you. In this practical message from Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin, femininity is examined in terms of how a young woman can fulfill her unique calling within her family—not by defining which adventures and activities girls “can” or “can’t” enjoy. The exhortation to young women is clear: Do not pursue a brand of femininity that is so obsessed with its own girliness that you can’t get your hands dirty with real service for Christ.

My favorite bit:

We need to be very careful that we don’t pursue a brand of femininity that is so obsessed with its own girliness that it can’t get its hands dirty with real dominion…This attitude defeats femininity’s real created purpose and it’s a lot closer to feminism…

There’s a lot more to [feminism] than a desire to dress up in pin-striped power suits and do man’s work. Essentially, feminism is the desire to be autonomous. It’s the desire to be independent from a man and out from under his authority, and this is a tendency that even the girliest girl wearing the frilliest apron and making the wholesomest muffins can have. If muffin making becomes a girl’s priority over serving her father in more urgent or useful ways just because she really, really likes to make muffins, then her motive is really no different from the feminists. It’s selfish at its heart.

Doesn’t it make perfect sense? I had an inkling of this, but had never been able to clearly formulate the thought. I knew that feminism was alive and well among thrifty, conservative SAHMs, and this is why. Many of us have lost our focus – or allowed it to become blurred because we are not self-conscious about the why’s and wherefore’s of what we are doing.

Filed Under: feminism 11 Comments

4 Moms talk about church

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

June 2, 2011 By kimc

4moms35kids 4 Moms talk about church

Welcome to 4 Moms. It’s Thursday again and the 4 of us are talking about church. Some of you have been wondering what kind of church we attend, and how friendly they are to our personal convictions and large families.

One of Kimberly’s readers asked, ”I’m curious about the kind of churches you all attend. We are protestant and can’t seem to find a church that teaches or even accepts our convictions about birth control. Do you all go to churches where there are other large families or do you just accept the differences?”

There are no easy answers to these questions, but I can share our own experience and reasoning.

Our family attends a CRE congregation, where we have been members for about 6 years. It’s an hour drive, and we drive past many other congregations of Christian brothers and sisters on our way. We spend a lot of money on gas and put a lot of miles on our van, but we believe it’s worthwhile to be in fellowship with like-minded believers whenever possible.

That’s not to say we never associate with others who disagree with us – we have friends in our home almost weekly who don’t agree with us or each other on many points of doctrine. Even at our church, not everyone thinks or walks in lock-step agreement on every point. Our large family is welcome there and in good company, though not all the families are large. Homeschoolers are in good company, though not every family in our group homeschools.

We chose to worship with this congregation because we are likeminded on the issues that are most important to us and while it is not insignificant, our position on birth control is not what we consider a core issue. Nor are homeschooling, large families, skirt-wearing, or other such outward signs of inward convictions…Instead, they seem to flow out of other issues.

Families worship as families in our church, and Sunday school is age-integrated. This is important to us, so we are thankful to worship with Christian brothers and sisters who agree. Our church baptizes infants of believing parents, welcoming them as communing members. This, too, is a priority to us.

There have been times when we didn’t know of any like-minded congregations within driving distance. In these cases, we worship with the Christian brothers and sisters around us as we are able, trusting that our worship is pleasing to God and seeking encouraging fellowship where we can find it – in the company of local Christian brethren, online, in visits to long-distance family and friends, etc.

The other moms are talking about it too:

Upcoming topics for June:

June 9 -
June 16 - Homeschooling the challenging child
June 23 – Q&A
June 30 -

Be smarter: Listen to Bahnsen

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

May 27, 2011 By kimc

Wednesday I spent 6 hours on the road, a little short on sleep. I had some young companions and the drive was broken by the usual bathroom breaks, nursing breaks, and a stop for gas/food – not to mention the normal chit-chat, so I didn’t have to fight drowsiness.

44630 m Be smarter: Listen to Bahnsen

Today I was behind the wheel again, this time with much less sleep. Fortunately I had Greg Bahnsen to keep me company. We love Greg Bahnsen’s lectures about philososphy and how to defend the Christian worldview against those who hold to atheism, evolution, and other fairy tales.

We love it so much that when I started playing it, there were calls from the back of the van to turn up the volume. Dr. Bahnsen is brilliant, but he is also entertaining and easy to understand. He makes you feel smart. You can do this.

His primary approach in debating worldviews is to direct the discussion back to its foundation – to force his opponent to acknowledge the presuppositions upon which all of his arguments rest. There is no neutrality, and atheists are no less creatures of faith than Christians. All of their beliefs, like ours, are ultimately based upon one underlying foundation. The question is, “What is your ultimate authority?”

I wanted to take notes as he spoke, but I know better. Typing/texting while driving = Colossally Bad Idea. No lecture necessary on that point.

There was something he said and repeated for emphasis, and I really wanted to remember it but I forgot. I’ll have to listen to that message again. I was more careful with the next statement that caught my attention, and repeated it to myself several times as he elaborated and expounded: All ultimate authorities must be self-authenticating.

Did you catch that?

When unbelievers ask us how we know the Bible is the true, infallible Word of the One True God, we can answer that we know because the Bible tells us. When you’re talking about an ultimate authority, you’re at the top of the food chain. If you can go any higher, then you’re not at the top yet.

This applies to unbelievers as well. Ask how they know what they know. Keep asking, “But how do you know?” until they reach the top.

Is it science? But how do they know the current research and theories are correct?

Is it their own eyes? Don’t they believe in many things they’ve never personally witnessed, like the existence of cells, atoms, or 3 toed sloths in the wild?

Is it their own opinion, or the majority opinion? Opinions change.

For most unbelievers, it comes down to logic in the end. And how do they defend the assertation that logic is the true, final answer? By use of logic, of course. How else? Their ultimate authority, like ours, is self-authenticating.

The difference is that they have faith in the authority they choose, while objecting to ours. This is not logical; it’s arbitrary, a foundational flaw in their reasoning. This is a failure to apply sound logic, their self-proclaimed god. You’ve got ‘em now.

Intrigued? You should be. He also clearly explains why Christians can appeal to logic but unbelievers can’t, and countless other such traps that your hapless victims will set for you and walk right into. OK, maybe I’m being a little flippant, but I’m not exaggerating. Now you have a taste of why we love these lectures.

If you’re on the Vision Forum mailing list, you should have received an email today with a single-use code to save 20% on any purchase. Use it to buy the Christian Worldview Training Set (22 CDs). Just do it.

No code? Use mine, if nobody else beat you to it: 93CB34547KNL (exp. 5/31)

Somebody beat you to it? Maybe another kind soul will share her code in the comments?

Filed Under: worldview 30 Comments

The problems in modern education

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

May 4, 2011 By kimc

ht: The Feast of Booths

Gkc16 The problems in modern education The basic cause of all the problems in modern education can be summarized in three words: Darwin, Marx, and Freud. The theories of these three men have pervaded all of modern thought. Their ideas are much alike in that they are narrow, materialistic, fatalistic, and utterly anti-Christian. Their influence has been felt far beyond their limited fields. Darwin’s ideas have contributed to a blind belief in progress…

Each of them took not so much a half-truth as a hundredth part of a truth, and then offered it not merely as something, but as everything. Having never done anything except split hairs, [each of them] hangs the whole world on a single hair [whether it be biology, economics, or psychology]. . . . It is yet another mark of this sort of agnostic that he is ready to assert his absolute knowledge of everything to the verge of a contradiction in terms. Just as he will always try to write a history of prehistoric man, so he will always struggle to be conscious of his own unconsciousness. . . . Just as it is the latest fad to prove that everything is sexual, so it was the last fad to prove that everything was economic. The Marxist notion, called the materialist theory of history, had the same sort of stupid self-confidence in its very insufficient materialism.

As the one fad conceives everything about the bird to be connected with mating, so the other conceived everything connected with it to consist of catching worms. . . . These fads fade very fast, and it may seem hardly worthwhile to prick bubbles that will burst of themselves. Nevertheless, there is one consideration that makes it worthwhile. It is a character of all these manias that they cannot really convince the mind, but they do cloud it. Above all, they do darken it. All these tremendous and rather temporary discoveries have had the singular fascination that they were not merely degrading, but were also depressing. Each in turn leaves no trace on the true and serious conclusions of the world. But each in turn may leave very deep and disastrous wounds and dislocations in the mentality of the individual man…

… instead of finding forgiveness for our sins, sins that we committed through our own fault, we get the most amazing psycho-babble, wrapped in the mantle of science, which explains that our sins are not sins, and whatever it was we did, it wasn’t our fault. It was our parent’s fault, or our teacher’s fault, or simply nature’s fault. The evil perpetuated by this sort of counseling is twofold: we become less responsible for our sinful actions even while we long for a forgiveness that never comes. It is the marriage of Freud and Darwin, of one pseudo-science to another.

~G.K. Chesterton

pf button The problems in modern education

Filed Under: education, worldview 3 Comments

Helping our Christian brethren

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

May 3, 2011 By kimc

Recognizing that each family has different priorities, there are 3 fundraisers that we would like to tell you about today. Each is for a cause that, we think, seeks to glorify God and further His kingdom. Please consider giving to one or more and also passing the information via social media. We make it easy for you with social media buttons at the bottom, but if you click through, all 3 have buttons to allow you to share directly from their sites. Passing word along via your social network will help each of these different efforts to meet their goal!

Honor WWII Veterans

normandy Helping our Christian brethren

One of Vision Forum’s core principles is teaching people to obey the 5th commandment by honoring their parents. That is the driving force behind their upcoming Normandy project, A Final Farewell to WWII’s Last Living Heroes.

As of right now they are 67% funded. If they do not raise the entire amount by May 7, they lose all of it.

Bring Kasey home

From our online friends, the Earlywine family:

Our son Kasey, that we are adopting from an orphanage in Eastern Europe is turning 5 on Wednesday, May the 4th. Also, Sunday, May the 8th is Mother’s Day! So, in honor of both we are doing an on-line event to raise money to pay for our plane tickets to go get our son and our in country expenses. Our goal for this fundraiser is to raise $5000! Please consider helping us however you can and share this event with your family and friends!

PLEASE HELP US ENSURE THAT THIS WILL BE THE LAST BIRTHDAY OUR SON HAS TO SPEND ALONE WITHOUT A FAMILY IN AN ORPHANAGE!

Every dollar counts and gets us closer to bringing our son and one of his orphanage-mates home.
GO here to donate to our family sponsorship page: http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsorearleywine

Help Alabama families

Last but not least, the Lee, Crawford and Boyd families were devastated by the recent tornadoes which blew through the South Wednesday night. These are exemplary, faithful, Christian families who now even in their loss are responding with faith and confidence in the Lord. They need help. Currently, there are more than a hundred people physically assisting them on the ground. Now they need the funds to begin the process of rebuilding. In some cases, with only the clothes on their backs, they will be starting over and need cash for shoes, food, temporary housing, immediate medical bills and basic needs.

Tom Lee died heroically protecting his family as their home collapsed around them. In God’s Mercy his wife and thirteen children survived after many hours of being trapped under rubble. Daughters Tiffany and Emily are in the hospital and suffered potentially severe nerve damage. Their insurance does not cover these medical bills, their father is dead, and their home and possessions are gone.

The home of Aaron and Kelly Crawford (of generationcedar.com) and their nine children was completely destroyed by a tornado on Wednesday night taking all of there earthly possessions including all of their vehicles and all of Aaron’s construction tools which are his source of livelihood.

Gary and Jane Boyd and their nine children survived without injury but their home was severely damaged by trees falling on it. Their home was the rendezvous point for the Lee and Crawford families in the hours following the tornado since it was the only one left standing.

You can see videos of each family here. The Moore family is providing additional updates on relief efforts. The donation buttons below send your money DIRECTLY to the local church, Christ Church Branch Cove, and your gift is tax deductible.

pf button Helping our Christian brethren

Filed Under: Christian living 3 Comments

Giveaway: Family-building webinar

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

February 22, 2011 By kimc

NOTE: This post as been edited to allow international readers and cutomers to enter the giveaway. Vision Forum will deliver your download – if you win or purchase -through an alternate system that BlueBehemoth.com Thanks!

Vision Forum is producing a new product that I’m really excited about. This time I made sure to get a copy for myself when I asked to do a giveway:

Just read the titles of the 20 weekly messages by Doug and Beall Philips:

How to Organize Your Home to Promote Family Unity
How to Cultivate a Love of Reading with Your Children
How to Make Mealtime Meaningful
How to Prepare for a Year of Home Education
How to Take Children Safely Through an Airport
How to Involve the Whole Family in Family Worship
How to Address the Plague of “Jive Talk” in Your Home
How to Encourage Masculinity in Sons
How to Encourage Femininity in Daughters
How to Handle a Social Worker Visit
How to Wage War on Sibling Rivalry
How to Use Household Decorations to Teach Character
How to Talk to Your Children about Miscarriage
How to Involve the Whole Family in Hospitality
How to Build an Entrepreneurial Spirit in Your Children
How to Watch a Movie As a Family
How to Cultivate a Love of Meaningful Poetry with Your Children, and Why Doing So Is Important
How to Prepare Your Children to Listen to a Symphony
How to Take a Road Trip with Your Family
How to Select the Best Locations for Family Vacations

Can you see why I’m so excited? It almost reads like a list of 4 Moms posts or FAQ for Families. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m full of good intentions that fall by the wayside, but I’ve resolved that I actually will make time to listen to these, because they are so relevant to everyday life for us.

Beginning March 1, every Tuesday morning for twenty weeks you will receive a link to your new downloadable message from Doug or Beall, hosted at Vision Forum’s partner website BlueBehemoth.com.

Don’t have a free BlueBehemoth account yet? Get one so you can take advantage of daily free downloads!

The Giveaway

These 20 weekly messages are being sold for $95. That’s a great deal at less than $5/message, but you can save $10 by ordering before Feb. 28. You can save another $25 by using the coupon code SAVE25 (exp. 2/28).

Or you just might get them free by entering our giveaway.

For your first entry, leave a comment telling which message from the list above you think would be most helpful to your family. You must do this to enter.

For up to 11 additional entries, do any or all of the following and leave a separate comment for each. Each legitimate comment will count as one entry.

Post about this giveaway on facebook, twitter, and/or your blog. Leave a separate comment here for each place you share.
Share a link to your favorite product from Vision Forum on facebook, twitter, and/or your blog. Again, leave a separate comment providing the link for each.
Share your favorite Life in a Shoe post on facebook, twitter, and/or your blog. Leave a comment telling where you shared it.
Create a free account on Blue Behemoth and leave a comment here to tell me.
Subscribe to Life in a Shoe and leave a comment to let me know. If you’re already a subscriber, just leave a comment saying so.

Don’t procrastinate: Because of the time-sensitive nature of this giveaway, we’ll take entries until midnight Sunday and announce the winner on Monday, Feb. 28. That will give the rest of you time to take advantage of the special $85 price.

Filed Under: Christian living, family, giveaways & deals, Vision Forum 284 Comments

4 Moms: teaching Bible

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

January 6, 2011 By kimc

Welcome back to the weekly 4 Moms post, in which 4 moms with a collective total of 35 children share our knowledge, experience and and helpful tips in maintaining health, order and sanity.

First, I recommend you see what the other 3 Moms have to say about teaching Bible:

Connie at Smockity Frocks

Headmistress at The Common Room

Kimberly at Raising Olives

If I seem a bit giddy, disjointed or just plain insane today, chalk it up to any or all of the following factors:

I’ve taken a month off of blogging and am having a bit of trouble getting my brain back into blogging mode.
My lovely children talk nonstop. To me. I love them, but holding a train of thought is about as easy as holding a real train.
I was up nearly all night with 3 sick children and a baby who is ruining my reputation by refusing to sleep through the night.
My washer exploded this afternoon, flooding the laundry room. Remember the part about vomiting children?

I’m not complaining. I’ve had worse days. Not many, but a few. There was the Great Poop Flood of ’99, for example. Hey, check it out: we’re #1 on Google for the search term Poop Flood. Call it a silver lining around that black, black cloud.

At any rate, days like these remind us why we need God. It’s easy to forget when everything goes right, but His Word is an encouragement when things go wrong, a light to our feet (Psalm 119:105), and a reminder that everything is part of His will and plan for us (Romans 8:28) – plans for our own good (Jeremiah 29:11), even when it doesn’t quite look that way.

I’ve blogged in the past about how we teach Bible and some of our favorite resources, so I hope you’ll forgive me if I don’t go into depth today. The methods change over time and some of those past posts look nothing like what we do now, but they served us well during other seasons.

Bible Time for Little Ones

George Sarris Bible CDs

It’s All Bible Time

Family Worship

Daily Proverbs

and more on Proverbs

Right now, everyone old enough to read is making their way through the New Testament at a rate of 10 chapters/day. Those too young to read are listening to me as I read a portion of each day’s selection aloud. Our plan is to begin and end in month of January. Of course you miss a lot of small details when you read at this rate, but you might be surprised at how much of the bigger picture you catch. It’s a very different way to read the Bible.

I would love to make this a yearly tradition, but we’ll wait and see how that idea is received next January.

This is something we did years ago, when we had 2 rather new readers who were still a little slow. They found the idea of 10 chapters/day daunting, but they buckled down and did it, and by the end of the month my reluctant readers were fluent bibliophiles who had done what I didn’t do until my 30′s: read the entire NT. After that, they willingly set themselves to the OT.

I have similar hopes for Natalie and Becca this year. Both are intimidated by what we have undertaken, but I know they can do it. It will be a challenge for all of us, and all of us will know God a little better at the end of January.

In fact, does anyone want to join us? If you start today, you can be done with the entire New Testament in less than 30 days. You might even beat us, because we’re not off to the best start. We’re learning a lot this week about bending our plans to God’s will for us on a daily level.

Upcoming topics for 4 Moms 35 Kids:

January 13: Favorite cold weather foods. Be ready to link up with your own recipe!
January 20: Book recommendations for preschoolers
January 27: Q & A. Got a question? Leave it in the comments on my last Q&A post.

Filed Under: 4 moms 35 kids, Bible 17 Comments

Tuesday poetry (and sometimes prose): C.S. Lewis quote

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

October 12, 2010 By Deanna

Posted by : Deanna

Grrrrr…..This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I could claim that I was busy all last week, (which is true by the way.) but I really was just being a flake. I’m sorry.

Alrighty then. This is an excerpt from C.S Lewis’ book Mere Christianity. I have yet to read the whole thing, but I love what I have read. He has such a way of putting things that just really makes me think.

…Even the best Christian that ever lived is not acting on his own steam- he is only nourishing or protecting a life he could never have acquired by his own efforts. And that has practical consequences. As long as the natural life is in your body, it will do a lot towards repairing that body. Cut it, and up to a point it will heal, as a dead body would not. A live body is not one that never gets hurt, but one that can to some extent repair itself. In the same way, a Christian is not a man who never goes wrong, but a man who is enabled to repent and pick himself up and begin over again after each stumble- because the Christ-life is inside him, repairing him all the time, enabling him to repeat (in some degree) the kind of voluntary death which Christ himself carried out.
That is why the Christian is in a different position from other people who are trying to be good. They hope, by being good, to please God if there is one; or -if they think there is not- at least they hope to deserve approval from good men. But the Christian thinks any good he does comes from the Christ-life inside him. He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because he loves us; just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it.

I love reading deep thoughtful stuff that he writes. I recently read “A Grief Observed”, and it really was some food for thought. I haven’t quite processed it all, and most likely I’ll read it again today or tomorrow. It was very thought provoking to read through someone else’s deep sorrow like that. I wish I could have read it when my little sister Sarah was stillborn. I think it would have helped. Maybe next week I’ll post an excerpt from that.

pf button Tuesday poetry (and sometimes prose): C.S. Lewis quote

Filed Under: Christian living, deep thoughts, thoughtful stuff 6 Comments

100+ Reasons to Have Children

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

July 19, 2010 By kimc

Lately I’ve come across several lists of reasons not to have children. I find it very sad and telling that nearly all of the authors’ reasons are based in immaturity, materialism, myths, and misconceptions. Yes, children require work, money and personal sacrifice, but these are all things we do willingly because we love them. These are joyful sacrifices for a worthwhile cause.

I couldn’t help but work on my own version. Here are a few of the perks of having children, in no particular order. Some are tongue-in-cheek, while others are dead serious. I’ll let you try to guess which is which.

Please understand that I am not criticizing those who do not have children, particularly those who struggle with infertility. I am also not suggesting that you or I should have children just so that we can save some bucks when it’s time to file taxes, or use the stork space in the grocery store parking lot. My point is that children are a blessing and a delight, not a burden to be avoided at all costs.

What would you add to the list below?

100+ Reasons to Have Children

Have a happier marriage.
Pay less income taxes.
Learn to share, and like it.
The ultimate diet plan: morning sickness and breastfeeding.
Enjoy snuggles on demand, around the clock.
Cuteness abounds.
Disposable diapers. There. I said it.
Receive preferential treatment in grocery lines.
Be seated first (or last, if you prefer) on planes.
Park in the “stork” space at grocery stores.
Have an excuse to buy cool toys and cute little outfits.
Children will love you on your worst day, and…
they think you’re beautiful, even on bad hair days,
or when you’re not wearing makeup.
Free entertainment: kids are hilarious.
Laughter is good for your health. See above.
Have family still living when you’re old.
Have someone to help you when you’re old.
Grandkids!
Have someone to help care for your pets.
But who needs pets? Kids are way cuter, and they last longer.
Unlike pets, kids eventually learn to take care of their own poop.
Get a lollipop every time you go to the bank, along with your children.
Tone your arms the old-fashioned way: tote a toddler.
Kids eat free at many restaurants.
Have an excuse to buy junk food.
Sharing your junk food means less stays on your own hips.
Children will eat and appreciate your failed cooking experiments.
Embarrass your kids. You won’t believe how fun it is. Displays of affection with your spouse work well for this.
Be better able to encourage other parents during rough times with their children because you’ve been-there-done-that.
Blow bubbles.
Give your friends somewhere to send their kids’ hand-me-downs.
Burn calories: play with your kids.
Kids will help hone your reactions with obstacle courses on the stairs.
Save money by not buying birth control.
Have sex without worrying about pregnancy. It’s fun.
Ask anyone who has given birth: the pains of labor are worth it.
Pregnancy reduces menstrual cramps in subsequent periods.
Pregnancy lowers your risk of ovarian cancer.
Breastfeeding lowers your risk of breast cancer,
and uterine cancer,
and osteoporosis.
Not using birth control lowers your risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Think pregnancy dooms you to getting fat? Take a look at my mom with her 14 kids. Can you even tell which one she is?
Pregnancy requires you to eat more. I can appreciate that.
Be motivated to be a better person. Little eyes are watching.
Help raise the languishing birth rate.
Learn alongside your children.
Read books you never would have discovered on your own.
Reread your childhood favorites with and to a new generation.
See the world through new, unjaded eyes.
See yourself through your baby’s eyes. It’s amazing.
See yourself through your children’s eyes. You’ll never be the same again.
See your flaws reflected in your children. It’s enlightening and humbling.
Kids will make you proud and keep you humble.
If you make a mess while eating, everyone will assume the kids did it.
Kid will say what you wish you could say, but can’t.
Strengthen your relationship with your own parents by becoming a parent yourself.
Stay physically active. It’s much harder to be lazy when little ones depend on you.
Improved immune system. It’s a law of nature: Moms never get sick.
If you do get sick, you have someone to take care of you without your spouse taking time off work.
Baby smiles.
Carrying a baby? Strangers will smile at you.
Babies are also a great conversation starter.
Learn to delight in everyday occurrences.
Translate toddler gibberish with ease for puzzled onlookers.
Your own love for your child gives you a small taste of how much God loves His children.
Live vicariously: remember that toy you never got as a child, but you’re too old to want it now? Let your kids try it out.
Relive your childhood: remember the toy you did get as a child? Let your kids try it out.
Rediscover the joy of crayons.
Job security: moms have it.
Learn and believe that happiness really doesn’t come from material wealth…
…yet be amazed at how much joy you can buy your child with a quarter.
Kids are cheap.
Marvel that 2 people can produce children that are better-looking than either parent. Heredity is a strange and wonderful thing.
Be welcomed home like a returning war hero every time you go grocery shopping or to the post office.
Be looked at like this:
Soft little fingers and toes. They’re cute on other people’s children, but utterly priceless on your own children.
The unbearable cuteness of newborn-size diapers. (credit: Deanna)
Discover your super powers: make milk, and heal mortal wounds with a kiss.
Ask any parent you know if they regret having kids.
Learn to appreciate simple pleasures: ice cream cones, a single M&M, homemade cookies.
Do you love your spouse? Experience a miracle: a new person who looks like both of you.
After 10 years of children, washing dishes becomes optional. (credit: Deanna)
Get special treatment on Mother’s Day.
Breakfast in bed is fun, even when it’s cheerios and multi vitamins. (credit: Becca)
Experience the triumph of potty training.
Have the advantage of a youthful memory again: have your kids remind you about important things. (credit: Megan)
Expand your wardrobe: share clothes with your teens.
Gather candy from the piñata without getting funny looks.
Have help cooking.
Be a safer driver,
In a safer vehicle.
Free or cheap manicures and pedicures. I pay a dollar.
Ditto for back/shoulder rubs.
Perpetually late? You don’t even have to blame it on the kids. People will assume.
Vanity? You’ll look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.
Paint your kids’ nails in a color you like but could never wear yourself.
Have your bed made for $.25/day. Maid service has never been so cheap or cheerful, and there’s no need to report payments to the IRS.
If you’ve never had a baby fall asleep on your chest, you just don’t know what you’re missing.
Homemade friends. My children are some of my favorite companions.
Kids with money ROCK! They buy their own clothes, treat you to Starbucks, and buy you unbelievable birthday/Christmas gifts.
World domination through militant fecundity! [maniacal laughter]
Children are part of God’s purpose for creating marriage:But did He not make them one,
Having a remnant of the Spirit?
And why one?
He seeks godly offspring. Malachi 2:15