Christian living

Thoughts on Beatitudes & memorization

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March 21, 2006 By kimc

This month, we have taken on the monumental task of memorizing the Sermon on the Mount. Let me clarify that: we don’t expect to finish it this month, we only started it this month.
As we worked on the opening passage, it occurred to me there ought to be a logical progression (of course, right?). To make it easier to learn, I tried to find the logic in it – does anyone else’s mind work that way? – and I came up with something like this:

These fluoroquinolones included arc, west nile obstruction and bone, well not as brucella risk, and tetracycline animals. doxycycline hyclate 100mg dosage Children puzzled over a carbocation but slowly decided to extract all his weeks under small presence, believing the health had settled not.

Blessed are the poor in spirit (those who see their own worthlessness and need for a savior) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (here’s how they will get it:)
Blessed are the mournful (they mourn because they are worthless, i.e. poor in spirit) for they shall be comforted. (God will give them hope:)
Blessed are the meek (they look to their Comforter for instruction; He gives them His law for instruction) for they shall inherit the earth. (why? wait and see…)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (striving to obey the instructions they have been given) for they shall be filled. (with the righteous works of Christ)
Blessed are the merciful (the righteous are merciful) for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart (having obtained mercy, their sins are forgiven and therefore their hearts are purified) for they shall see God. (with pure hearts, we can approach the throne)
Blessed are the peacemakers (ummm…the pure in heart are not contentious?) for they shall be called sons of God (I don’t quite see the connection there, but once we are adopted:)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’s sake (adopted into Christ’s suffering) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (full circle from the first part: this is how we got to share in Christ’s inheritance)
(summary:)
Blessed are you when they shall persecute and revile you and say all kinds of evil about you falsely for my sake (because it means you have followed the path described above; you are a child of God); rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

In the first 3 weeks of March, the 4 oldest have nearly memorized 26 verses and become very familiar with the rest of the sermon (they can recite as a group, but need prompting individually). The 4yo and 6yo say most of the words along with us, though I don’t think they could do much on their own yet.
This is by far the longest memorization task we’ve ever undertaken. The progress has been very exciting to us, and it’s surprising just how quickly we are moving along.

A few tips:

Become very familiar with the passage you’re memorizing. Read it over and over, aloud, as a group. Let the children take turns reading it aloud, and divide it into portions so that each child can read part of it.
Take turns reciting what each of you knows, individually.
Recite as a group.
Learn it with your children.
Have the children copy the passage (or portions of it) regularly for penmanship/spelling.
Try to work on it regularly, but don’t give up if it goes by the wayside for a time. You’ll be surprised at how quickly lost ground is regained!

We’ve not done nearly enough memorization, but here is a sampling of what we have done in recent years:

The Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17)
Psalm 23
Psalm 8
Psalm 15
Psalm 127
The Lord’s Prayer (part of the Sermon on the Mount that we already know!)
books of the Bible
The Apostles’ Creed
portions of the Westminster Catechism
portions of the Catechism for Young Children
The Mayflower Compact
Preamble to the US Constitution
1.5 paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence

pf button Thoughts on Beatitudes & memorization

Filed Under: Bible, Christian living, homeschooling 9 Comments

Daily Proverbs

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

March 1, 2006 By kimc

For many years, we have sporadically read the “daily chapter” of Proverbs – chapter 1 on the first of the month, chapter 2 on the 2nd, etc.
For the last 2 years, we done so with rather more regularity: we usually end breakfast or start our school day by dividing the chapter among those old enough to read. Some days we stop at nearly every verse to discuss life applications and explore cross references. I have to remember to be patient when it takes 40 minutes to read a single chapter and be thankful that they are learning and participating!
When we have finished the chapter, one of the children writes a single verse (our Proverb of the Day) on the whiteboard. Sometimes Hubby chooses a verse for us before he leaves in the morning; sometimes it’s chosen by general consent or just by me; occasionally I will let the child who writes choose the verse. It’s a great privilege in our house.
On the 27th, the girls conspired to write Proverbs 27:14 on the board. There was a wave of giggling as Dad walked through the door that evening, and all the children exploded into laughter when he realized the joke was on him.

Pr 27:14 – He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the
morning, It will be counted a curse to him.

I’m thrilled with the fruits that we’re seeing in our children! Given the first line, the oldest 4 (ages 7 to 12) can finish nearly any verse in the book. Our reluctant readers are gaining daily practice at reading aloud and expanding their vocabulary. All of the children frequently quote Proverbs to each other in their daily interactions, and for any verse under discussion they can usually think of several cross references of their own. They may not know the “address” of the verse, but they can quote it word for word!
A current topic of interest is how often the wicked fall into their own pits. Proverbs warns of this over and over, and examples are given througout the Scriptures. The girls are noting in books and movies that even unbelievers recognize and approve of this pattern. Of course, unbelievers like to call it poetic justice.

Pr 28:10 – Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He
himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good.

We read other books of the Bible as well: we’re currently going through I Samuel as part of our history, and the Gospel of John for Sunday school. We’re always working on one or more memory passages, often Psalms. Inspired by new friends, we may begin memorizing the sermon on the mount as a family. The girls also do private Bible readings as part of their school. Often their daily writing/copywork is from the Bible.

But of course, we see the greatest fruits where we’ve been most faithful to study and that, now, is Proverbs.

Today’s Proverb:

Prov 1:8,9 – My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head and chains about your neck.

Filed Under: Bible, Christian living 7 Comments

Will your kids be Christian?

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

December 21, 2005 By kimc

Hubby gave me the link to this brutal article from World Net Daily. Author Bruce Shortt minces no words and pulls no punches in his frank discourse (maybe rant would be a better word?) on the problems with public schools, and why no thinking Christian should have his children in one.
Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely agree with Mr. Shortt. It’s just that his article is so courageous, I had to think twice about even posting a link.
But he’s right in my estimation, and I want to encourage others to seriously consider each of his points. If you are a serious Christian, one who believes that religion must and should affect every area of life, and you are offended by what he says, maybe – just maybe – you’re feeling convicted?

Filed Under: Christian living 27 Comments

My Standard Disclaimer

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December 8, 2005 By kimc

It has come to my attention that some of the people who read and comment on my blog don’t share my worldview. This is fine; I welcome their comments and curiosity, but it does contribute to some misunderstandings. I’d like to help rectify that by stating some facts that are, in my mind, unspoken assumptions underlying all my posts.
Depending on who you are and where you are coming from philosophically, these points may either seem painfully obvious or shockingly [insert insult here: closed minded, old-fashioned, arrogant...].

Here goes:
Hubby and I believe that:

God is sovereign over all of creation. (Psalm 33, Psalm 97)
Our chief end is to glorify God, and in everything we do, we should strive toward that end. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Other goals and activities derive their value based upon their contribution toward that ultimate goal.
Scripture is infallible and fully sufficient to teach us to serve God. Whatever we need to know about Him and His nature and requirements of us is contained either explicitly or implicitly in the Scriptures. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
There is no neutrality. All people, institutions, and ideas are either for Christ or against Christ. Education is not neutral. Law and government are not neutral. Families cannot be neutral. A blog is not neutral. (Matthew 12:30)
Right and wrong are absolutes, and they do not change because someone feels ok about something. Sometimes there is more than one good (God honoring) option; sometimes there is not. You (or I) may feel convicted to do things a particular way – but we may still be wrong. Oops. Back to the Scriptures. (2 Peter 1:20-21)
Unlike God, I am imperfect and fallible. Some of my statements will be unclear and ambiguous. Some of my practices and conclusions will be wrong. Forgive me for the times that I will lead others toward my own mistaken conclusions. Search the Sriptures to know when I’m wrong, and please correct me from the Scriptures. (Jeremiah 17:9, Acts 17:11)

When I state what we believe or how we do things in our house or family, I am not-not-not saying that:

Anyone who does differently is in sin and/or going to hell. You might be in sin, and I might be so bold as to state my opinion to that effect. But don’t worry. Nobody ever went to hell for disagreeing with me. You must answer to God and His Word.
Anyone who reads the Scriptures and comes to a different conclusion or conviction based on the Scriptures is wrong and I’m right. Again, you might be wrong and I might be right. I’ll probably think so. But your job is to make sure you are acting in accordance with Scripture, not with me.
My generalizations cover every case imaginable. Yes, you can always think of exceptions. It is poor logic to argue the rule from the exception.
I am perfect and have all the answers. God has called us to judge righteous judgements, so it is our duty to try to come to the right answers. I know that some of my answers will be wrong, but my own fallibility should not stop me from seeking to know and serve God better.
Education is unimportant – indeed, it is very important because it is vital in our service to God as doctors, homemakers, business owners, authors, plumbers, ministers, and warehouse managers (hi, Honey!).
We should never read any book but the Bible.

To sum it up: Some of what I write will deal with principles, while other material will deal with methods.

Principles are issues where there is a Biblical teaching at work: you (and I) are either right or wrong on this one. Obviously, I’ll try to stay on the right side. You might come to a different conclusion, but one of us is right and one of us is wrong.

Nancy Wilson has 2 fantastic articles that deal rather directly with the subject of sharing one’s personal methods. If you’ve read this far and still want to peek a little deeper into my brain, please take time to peruse her articles. She says it so much better than I can.

Home Run: on methods vs. principles
A Hedge of Courtesy: on how we should talk to one another about our methods

We draw our applications from convictions: convictions derived from Scripture. Part of what this blog is about is the idea that someone somewhere might appreciate what we are doing or be helped by understanding why we do it.
This is why I reason from Scripture – but I don’t feel as though I have the last word on Scripture. God grants us broad liberty in Christ, and Jesus’s blood covers lots of mistakes (even the big public blogging mistakes).

Expect me to occasionally put my foot in my mouth. We all do. When I realize it’s in there, I’ll try to pull it out as quickly and graciously as I can. And if you can be gracious when you tell me it’s in there, all the better.

Expect me to refer frequently to this post. Expect me to revise and tweak it as the need becomes apparent. And expect me to say things that you disagree with. After all, nobody’s perfect. Not you; not me. Just God, but He did tell us to try. (Matthew 5:48)

Filed Under: blogging & technology, Christian living, thoughtful stuff 16 Comments

It’s All Bible Time

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

November 23, 2005 By kimc

Recently, a reader asked about Bible time for little ones, and I gave her a couple of recommendations, hoping that others might chime in – and a few did. But I want to follow up by telling a little more about how we “do Bible time” in our home.

Rather than putting a heavy emphasis on private time with God, we have endeavored to create a culture of worship within our home.

This does not mean that we don’t encourage and require private Bible reading; this too is usually part of the girls’ school day. But it means that the Bible has a far larger place within the family culture. We don’t limit its use to one area of our lives.

All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be
perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17

We pray together before each meal and at other times of the day.

We start school each day by reading a chapter of Proverbs together. This is part of the children’s read-aloud practice. Together, we choose a proverb of the day to write on the white board, discussing the implications and applications, and why that particular verse is appropriate to our family today.

Catechism is a regular part of our school.

For writing/penmanship, the girls often copy a Scripture passage.

History and science are done many different ways, but always tie into God’s acts of providence.

The children hear Scripture every time they are corrected, chastened, or rebuked. They are encouraged to use Scripture when admonishing a sibling to obedience. The very young ones sometimes use Scripture to chasten their dolls.

We sing Scripture songs throughout the day, and listen to songs of Scripture on CD. Some current favorites:

Go To the Ant by Judy Rogers
O Sing A New Psalm by the Serven family
Sing Unto the Lord: the Psalms of David for Daily Living

The girls are awakened nearly every morning by their father joyfully belting out, at the top of his lungs, “Arise my Soul, arise! Shake off thy guilty fears!…” He is especially joyful if he can purposely make his voice crack at the word, “guilty.” This is a family tradition which the more mischievous children are already imitating, much to the chagrin of their sleepier sisters. Someday the sleepers will also see the joy in this.

Family discussions around the table deal with issues from a Scriptural viewpoint. Movies are evaluated in light of Scripture. Books and music receive the same treatment. Goals, holiday celebrations, clothing standards, and bedroom maintennance are all filtered through the pages of God’s word.

We have family worship at night.

We have begun closing our traditional Friday Night Pizza Fellowship with hymns, Psalms, and a brief Scripture reading.

We look forward to Sunday worship and fellowship as a fixed part of the Sabbath.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it describes our attempt to write God’s law upon the doorposts of our house, to discuss it when we rise up and when we lie down, when we come in and when we go out…

And these words which I command you this day shall be in your heart. And you
shall carefully teach them to your sons, and shall talk of them when you sit in
your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you
rise up. And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as
frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the posts of your
house, and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9

We don’t do this perfectly, but we do it self consciously. We want our children’s minds to be so thoroughly permeated with God’s word, so accustomed to thinking within that framework and filtering every thought through it, that they cannot and will not operate outside of it.

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

We are God’s people. We acknowledge that we (that everything) belong to Him, and our lives are to be dedicated to Him. The implications of this knowledge are not limited to certain spheres of our lives; it affects everything we think, do and say.

Therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to
the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

We believe that if a Christian writes a book, it is a Christian book. He doesn’t just dedicate a paragraph somewhere or other to a summary of the gospel. His worldview will – must – inescapably permeate his book.

By the same token, if a Christian makes a movie, it is a Christian movie. Ditto for paintings, buildings, poetry, and animal husbandry. If a Christian fries an egg, he self-consciously fries it to the glory of God. It is a Christian egg.

We are raising children. If we call ourselves Christians, we must raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. In order to achieve this we must soak, simmer, permeate, and pickle them in God’s Word.

Filed Under: Christian living, homeschooling 2 Comments

Bible Time for little ones

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

November 11, 2005 By kimc

I received the following question from a reader:

I just started “Bible time” with my oldest (she is a toddler), meaning that I ask her to quietly sit in a spot at home with her Bible storybook and have time with God. I know she cannot comprehend much, but she is learning Scripture as we teach, and she knows she can pray to God anytime. I’m so excited about teaching her this wonderful time of her day! I’m getting her a little “lap desk” of her own and hope to get a special chair just for this time….Do you have any suggestions to things I can gradually incorporate into this time for her (and my other kids in the future)? She is a bit too young to get into audio stories, but any audio suggestions?

We are very leary of children’s “Bibles” and Bible story books, as so many have uninspired details added. I think when we teach our children that the Bible is the Perfect, Infallible, Inspired Word of God, we need to avoid any confusion in their young minds by adding the uninspired words of men. This is why we love the Children’s Bible by Golden Press. The illustrations are beautiful and reverent, and it includes far more than the standard 50-odd stories; I believe it has nearly every narrative portion of the Bible. The language is very faithful to the text of the scriptures, only slightly simplified. I encourage our little ones to peruse the book, and let them choose selections for me (or an older child) to read to them.

If you’re looking specifically for audio, you might want to take a look at Thy Word Creations. This is a set of word-for-word scripture memory songs sung by children, accompanied by books that illustrate the passage page by page. Selections include Isaiah 53, I Corinthians 13, Psalm 23, Psalm 91, Psalm 139, The Lord’s Prayer, The Beatitudes, The Ten Commandments, and The Temptations of Jesus.

I would also encourage you to let your daughter see you having your time with God while she does so. It’s a wonderful habit to start your day with scripture, but if our children are still asleep then seeing us spend time with God doesn’t become a normal part of their day. I fall terribly short, but I want my children to SEE me read my Bible daily. They learn so much by our example!

I would love to see others’ answers to the question above – please jump in if you have suggestions to share!

Filed Under: Christian living, parenting 3 Comments

Our Ultimate Goal in Homeschooling

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

October 21, 2005 By kimc

I asked about your ultimate goal in homeschooling, but perhaps I worded the question ambiguously. There are many benefits to homeschooling; I agree wholeheartedly with most or all of the benefits put forth in comments to Wednesday’s post. But really, Why do you homeschool? What if homeschooling did not produce the benefits listed? Would you still homeschool?

In our household, our ultimate goal in homeschooling is to produce children who will serve and glorify God. Plain and simple. This is, after all, man’s chief end.

Next question: how does this affect our daily practice?
Should we just read the Bible to them, and call it a day?

Why do we teach them to read?
So that they can read God’s Word, enabling them to know Him and His will, learn the way to salvation, etc.

Now that they can read, why do we teach them history?
So that they can see God’s marvelous works of Providence acted out in history, and learn from the wisdom and the mistakes of past men and nations.

Math?
A necessity for good stewardship, and for a husband to provide for his family. Keeping a balanced checkbook helps us not to write rubber checks. Well managed finances help us pay our obligations. Many professions and household projects require a working knowlege of mathematics, geometry, etc. A wife needs a working knowledge of math to shop effectively for groceries. She needs to be able to teach her sons and daughters math, to prepare them for their respective roles.

Writing, spelling, and grammar?
Are these really useful when we are busy trying to glorify God and enjoy Him? Yes. We need to be able to communciate effectively – for a multitude of reasons that pertain to our service to God and fellow man.

Art, poetry, physical education?
All have a proper place in serving God. I think you can fill in the blanks as well as I can.

These are just a few, very limited examples. This is by no means a complete list – please help me add to it! The point is, academics ought to be thought of as a side effect, a benefit, but never an end in itself. Education must not become our God or our Savior. We do not homeschool so that our children can get a better education and hence a better job. We homeschool because God has given them into our care, with the command to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This is how we can best do it.

For more great material on this subject, check out:

Adrian’s article at Cumberland Island
R.C. Sproul’s book, When You Rise Up
Guiltfree Homeschooling
Spunky’s post on the subject, which was linked in a comment but really deserves front page coverage

pf button Our Ultimate Goal in Homeschooling

Filed Under: Christian living, homeschooling 3 Comments

Of Mules and Martyrs

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

October 4, 2005 By kimc

“As to going home, shame opposed the best motions that offered to my thoughts, and it immediately occurred to me how I should be laughed at among the neighbours, and should be ashamed to see, not my father and mother only, but even everybody else; from whence I have since often observed, how incongruous and irrational the common temper of mankind is, especially of youth, to that reason which ought to guide them in such cases – viz. that they are not ashamed to sin, and yet are ashamed to repent; not ashamed of the action for which they ought justly to be esteemed fools, but are ashamed of the returning, which only can make them be esteemed wise men.”

At the ripe old age of 32, I have finally read Robinson Crusoe. I now understand why it’s such a classic! Like Shakespeare, Mr. Defoe understood human nature and managed to communicate his understanding without being “preachy.” Robinson Crusoe is thoroughly permeated by the author’s Christian worldview and so bubbling over with Scriptural references that it amazes me; yet it never reads like a sermon.
I, who rarely find time to read at all; I, who prefer to read children’s books because they are quick & easy and don’t tax my tired brain; I absolutely devoured this tome, and felt no guilt for having spent so much time with a book in hand. This is a good book, a great book.
One of our children has recently been spectacularly rebellious, in the way that only small ones can be. Mr. Defoe’s insight into our rebellious nature has come to mind again and again as we deal with this.
I see the precious little hands balled into fists, wanting to obey, starting to obey, but suddenly caught and retracted, too stubborn to give in. Such great pride in one so small is terrifying!
But that strength of will in one so small is also heartening: I see in her the courage of martyrs. Her principle was wrong, but she is so strong!
Lord, give us the strength of will we see in this child of Yours, the strength to bend her will to Yours.
If – no, when – we harness that strength of will for the kingdom of God, what great things she will do for Him!

Filed Under: Christian living 6 Comments

Grocery Shopping to the Glory of God

Current giveaway: Grandpa Jake's Campfire Cooker

September 16, 2005 By kimc

Maybe you’ve been fighting insatiable curiosity as to how mothers of large families get groceries. I’ve decided to share a few secrets of the trade, just in case you want to have 6-15 children but aren’t sure of the logistics.
First of all, don’t overschedule: If all the children are with me, I do not expect to accomplish 8 other errands on the day that we get 2 weeks’ worth of groceries.
Secondly, don’t try to fit 2 weeks’ worth of groceries in the cart or the vehicle when all the children are with you. This may change for us once we pick up our 15 passenger van, which is patiently waiting for us at the dealership 5 hours north. For the time being, I shop for all the small items, immediate necessities, and whatever else I think will fit in our vehicle. Then my husband can pick up a few larger items, forgotten items, and another round of perishables on another day on his way home. This leaves room in the vehicle for passengers, so I’m not forced to leave the children behind when I leave the grocery store. That might reflect poorly on large families.
Thirdly, I do my best to keep the children strictly in order. It is so much easier to keep order than to restore order! I lead the way, either pushing the cart, or steering the cart from the front. The baby rides in the seat of the cart. The children walk in pairs behind me. If I’m not pushing the cart and watching the baby, the first pair of children do it for me. Each child has a permanent partner. They are instructed to hold hands and follow closely. I glance back often.
These are the ground rules. There are many secondary rules that help maintain order, simplicity, and sanity:

Don’t shop hungry. This applies to anyone who is along for the trip, not just the one with the checkbook. Hungry kids are distracted, whiny, wheedling, and generally unpleasant. This can rapidly make Mom unpleasant.
Don’t leave the house if you or the children are crabby. There are several things you ought to do when you’re having a crabby day (repent and pray, for starters), but going out in public with 7 young children is definitely on the “don’t” list.
Before disembarking from the vehicle, give a pep talk and run through Mom’s Rules of Order.
Have them help, and vary the routine: I stop the cart at the ends of some aisles and send a pair of children for what we need. Sometimes I will go after items myself, taking along 1 or 2 small helpers to carry items back to the cart. Other times I will bark out orders as we pass through the aisles: “Lydia, grab 3 cans of spaghetti sauce.” “Natalie, get the animal crackers.” ” Deanna and Kaitlyn, choose 3 lbs. of nice tomatoes.”
Move quickly when possible. Make them pay attention and work (just a little) to keep up with you. Bored children are trouble waiting to happen.
Rules for children’s conduct: No touching, and No asking. This does not mean that they shouldn’t remind me that we’re low on diapers or make a menu suggestion, but they all know that if they ask for popsicles or a box of donuts, the answer is going to be “No.” If, on the other hand, they all stand quietly and stare longingly at popsicles or a box of donuts (especially Little Chocolate Donuts), I am easily persuaded.

I am pleased when my children garner lavish compliments from strangers, but not because my ego has been stroked. We want them to see and believe that children are truly a blessing! We don’t want to become the poster family for birth control; we don’t want people to see us and think, “That’s why I only had 1 child.”

As a large family our public appearance reflects upon Christ. Strangers see a large family and automatically assume that we are Christians and homeschoolers. Really, they do! That puts a burden on us to be sure our conduct is joyful, orderly, well-mannered, and all-things-Christ-like (Ph 1:26-7, I Cor 14:40).