Rewiring Dyslexic Children’s Brains Using Sound Training
October 31, 2007
Scripture of the Day, Luke 6:27-28
October 29, 2007
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
- Luke 6:27-28
Homeschoolers Help Louisiana Pick a New Governor
October 21, 2007
Louisiana just elected Republican-100%-pro-life-born-again-Catholic-Indian-American Bobby Jindal as Governor. And, who do you think had a hand in this achievement?
From Redstate:
The homeschooling army of young Christians is out in force for Bobby. They've knocked on 633,000 - yes, SIX HUNDRED THIRTY THREE THOUSAND doors since Monday.
Congratulations homeschoolers of Louisiana, we are proud of your achievement. Stand your ground and guard the gates. We hope to repeat your victory throughout the land.
I have been going down memory lane of late and rereading a lot of our writings, so this story was a personal comfort and a sort of vindication of what Kathy and I (as well as others) have been preaching through the years. Here's a couple of homeschool army impacting the world references:
Every Christian homeschool support group, ISP, state and national organization needs to put a serious and immediate focus on reaching this new generation of homeschoolers. Unless the private Christian homeschool movement takes decisive action now, most Christians will continue to hand their families over to those who hate God, and those who choose homeschooling will choose the world’s way. As we watch the ungodly steam roll America with homosexual marriage and all kinds of other curses, can we really wonder why there is no army to rise up against them? Realize that the children God gave His people, they allowed to be put under teachers and curriculum that destroyed their faith in Jesus. Each of these children became, as the Lord Jesus said, “like his teacher.”
And from 2003:
The vision we had for Considering Homeschooling when we started it two years ago was quite specific: to raise up a generation of children who know and will serve the Lord Jesus. To create an “army” so to speak of Believers who have excellent communication, technical, social, activist skills. These children will use the superior family-anchored and Christ-centered education they received -- only found in homeschool -- to transform the nation, and even the world for Jesus. Our purpose is not just to recruit numbers out of the public school (although we long for the demise of that demonic system, and we are a recruiting group) -- rather, we are deeply concerned with the worldview our recruits will teach in their homeschools.
God made all powers and principalities for His glory. To Him be all glory, honor, and praise.
25th Anniversary Of BIDMC Dyslexia Research Lab
October 17, 2007
Public-schools to prescribe “the pill” to 11-year-olds without parents knowing!?!
October 16, 2007
Middle-schools in Portland to give contraceptive pills, patches or injections, as well as the "morning-after" abortion pills without parents specific consent. Read the details here. Now, not only can the teachers molest these little girls in school, but they can keep it even more of a secret by preventing an inconvenient pregnancy.
Please wake up Christian parents! Your little girl is depending on you to protect her. If you have been considering homeschooling, take the bold move and start exploring homeschooling today.
Scripture of the Day, John 3:19-20
October 16, 2007
Jesus says in John 3:19-20:
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
Out of the Pressure Cooker
October 16, 2007
To all our old friends and families considering homeschooling in Orange County, California, don't miss this great Homeschool Information Night that Exploring Homeschooling is having October 27th:
"Out of the Pressure Cooker and Into a Joyful Simmer"
Mom of Eight Shares on How to Have a Low Stress Homeschool Where Everyone Is Excited About Learning
Presented by: Cristy Eirich
For too many, homeschooling becomes nagging children to drudge through textbooks, fill in the blanks in their workbooks, and the pressure to keep up with what the schools are doing. Then there is the housework that seems to all fall on Mom's shoulders, the question of how to get the children to obey and how to find time to take a shower, let alone have daily devotions. And that is when we only have a few children!
Don't stress - help is on the way! Cristy Eirich, mother to eight children whom she and her husband are raising up in the Lord Jesus, will share with you a Christ-centered way of homeschooling and home management that will bless you and give you a new outlook on learning, and what really matters in your homeschool.
Cristy will give her testimony on how she went from being a high pressure homeschooler to a joyful mother who discovered a creative way of teaching academic subjects that captivates children's interest. She will be sharing her top picks in curriculum, as well as tips on disciplining children, how to get organized and other hard-earned wisdom this mom of many has learned over the years. As a special treat, some of her children will share their insights as well.
If you are thinking of homeschooling, just starting or even in the midst of the journey, don't miss Cristy's wit and knowledge about biblical homeschooling. So step on out of the pressure cooker and simmer down to the Exploring Homeschooling meeting on October 27th.
Brett and Cristy Eirich have been married 20 years this November. They have been homeschooling for 12 years (really since the first ones were born). They have 8 children, and are hoping to adopt 2 from Africa soon. Their children range from 17 down to 2 1/2. They all reside in Tustin with a menagerie of dogs, cats, and various other critters. Cristy holds a B.S. in exercise physiology from Cal State Fullerton. Brett is a physical therapist in Tustin.
Get all the details here.
Scripture of the Day, Matthew 19:23-26
October 16, 2007
Matthew 19:23-26...
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Peacemaker Ministries
October 15, 2007
We were recently introduced to Peacemaker Ministries, and I must say that I am blessed for it. To be honest, I had been skeptical of Christian mediation/arbitration in the past. I figured that the poor man would have no chance against the rich -- just like the courts. And at times I have wondered if all the church has neglected scripture (James 2:2-6):
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
Although I have not gone through the mediation/arbitration process completely with them, I was blessed to find that Peacemaker Ministries has a wonderfully professional and apparently thorough process to resolving conflicts among believers -- that glorifies God.
I have copied the article below from the Peacemaker Ministries website and offer it so that you too may be blessed if you are in conflict. I also hope that the individuals with whom we are in conflict would prayerfully reconsider and accept our offer to enter into mediation/arbitration through Peacemaker Ministries.
The original article can be found here.
The Slippery Slope of Conflict
Conflict can make life very awkward. It often catches us off guard and leads us to say and do things we later regret. When someone offends us, we often react without thinking. Soon it is as if we are sliding down a slippery slope and things are going from bad to worse. As the illustration shows, this slippery slope can drop off in two directions.
Escape Responses
The three responses found on the left side of the slippery slope are commonly used by people who are more interested in avoiding or getting away from a conflict than resolving it.
Denial — One way to escape from a conflict is to pretend that no problem exists. Another way is to refuse to do what should be done to resolve a conflict properly. These responses bring only temporary relief and usually make matters worse (see 1 Sam. 2:22-25).
Flight — Another way to escape from a conflict is to run away. This may take the form of ending a friendship, quitting a job, filing for divorce, or leaving a church. Flight may be legitimate in extreme situations (see 1 Sam. 19:9-10), but in most cases it only postpones a proper solution to the problem (see Gen. 16:6-8).
Suicide — When people lose all hope of resolving a conflict, they may seek to escape the situation (or make a desperate cry for help) by attempting to take their own lives. Suicide is never a right way to deal with conflict (see Matt. 27:1-5).
Attack Responses
The three responses found on the right side of the slippery slope are often used by people who are more interested in winning a conflict than in preserving a relationship.
Assault — Some people try to overcome an opponent by using various forms of force or intimidation, such as verbal attacks (including gossip and slander), physical violence, or efforts to damage a person financially or professionally (see Acts 6:8-15). Such conduct usually escalates conflict.
Litigation — Although some conflicts may legitimately be taken before a civil judge (see Acts 24:1-26:32; Rom. 13:1-5), lawsuits usually damage relationships, diminish our Christian witness, and often fail to achieve complete justice. This is why Christians are commanded to make every effort to settle their differences within the church rather than the civil courts (see Matt. 5:25-26; 1 Cor. 6:1-8).
Murder — In extreme cases, people may be so desperate to win a dispute that they will try to kill those who oppose them (see Acts 7:54-58). While most people would not actually kill someone, we should never forget that we stand guilty of murder in God's eyes when we harbor anger or contempt in our hearts toward others (see 1 John 3:15; Matt. 5:21-22).
Conciliation Responses
The Gospel Is the Key to Peace. A true peacemaker is guided, motivated, and empowered by the gospel, the good news that God has forgiven all our sins and made peace with us through the death and resurrection of his Son (Col. 1:19-20). Through Christ he has also enabled us to break the habit of escaping from conflict or attacking others, and he has empowered us to become peacemakers who can promote genuine justice and reconciliation (Col. 3:12-14).
The six responses found on the top portion of the slippery slope are directed at finding a just and mutually agreeable solution to a conflict. These responses may be divided into two categories: personal peacemaking responses and assisted responses:
Personal peacemaking responses are carried out in private between the parties themselves. Although it is appropriate for one or both parties to seek advice on how to implement these responses, they should normally try to resolve their differences one-on-one before asking others to intervene in the dispute.
Overlook an offense — Many disputes are so insignificant that they should be resolved by quietly and deliberately overlooking an offense. "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense" (Prov. 19:11). Overlooking an offense is a form of forgiveness, and involves a deliberate decision not to talk about it, dwell on it, or let it grow into pent-up bitterness or anger.
Reconciliation — If an offense is too serious to overlook or has damaged our relationship, we need to resolve personal or relational issues through confession, loving correction, and forgiveness. "[If] your brother has something against you ... go and be reconciled" (Matt. 5:23-24). "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently" (Gal. 6:1; see Matt. 18:15). "Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Col. 3:13).
Negotiation — Even if we successfully resolve relational issues, we may still need to work through material issues related to money, property, or other rights. This should be done through a cooperative bargaining process in which you and the other person seek to reach a settlement that satisfies the legitimate needs of each side. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4).
If the parties cannot resolve a dispute through personal peacemaking, they should pursue one of the assisted responses. This will require that they seek help from other people in their church or community.
Mediation — If two people cannot reach an agreement in private, they should ask one or more objective outside people to meet with them to help them communicate more effectively and explore possible solutions. "If he will not listen [to you], take one or two others along" (Matt. 18:16). These mediators may ask questions and give advice, but they have no authority to force you to accept a particular solution.
Arbitration — When you and an opponent cannot come to a voluntary agreement on a material issue, you may appoint one or more arbitrators to listen to your arguments and render a binding decision to settle the issue. "If you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church" (1 Cor. 6:4).
Accountability — If a person who professes to be a Christian refuses to be reconciled and do what is right, Jesus commands his or her church leaders to formally intervene to hold him or her accountable to Scripture and to promote repentance, justice, and forgiveness: "If he refuses to listen [to others], tell it to the church" (Matt. 18:17).
As you can see, the escape responses only postpone a proper solution to a problem, and attack responses usually damage relationships and make conflicts worse. Therefore, you should generally try first to deal with conflict personally and privately by using one of the first three conciliation responses (overlooking, discussion, or negotiation). To learn how to carry out these steps in a biblically faithful manner, see The Four G's.
If repeated efforts at personal peacemaking do not resolve a matter, then you may need to pursue one of the other conciliation responses (mediation, arbitration, or accountability), which will require the assistance of other people in your church or community. For more information on these assisted responses, see Resolving Conflict through Christian Conciliation.
Copyright © 2007 by Peacemaker Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
“We’re brainwashing our children…”
October 15, 2007
So says Dr. William Gray of Colorado State University, "a pioneer in the science of seasonal hurricane forecasts" in this article.
"One of the world's foremost meteorologists has called the theory that helped Al Gore share the Nobel Peace Prize 'ridiculous' and the product of 'people who don't understand how the atmosphere works'."
If you have not been keeping track, there are countless horror stories of public-school children being forcibly subjected to watching Al Gore's movie An Inconvenient Truth -- often repeatedly -- and required to expound upon the validity and rightness of the particular humanist/neo-pagan/collectivist philosophy with which their teachers reinforce the presupposed supposition that humans -- especially western societies (read Christians) -- are evil destroyers of an otherwise homonymous and unchanging eco system.
"'We'll look back on all of this in 10 or 15 years and realize how foolish it was,' Dr. Gray said." And so says 1 Corinthians 1:19:
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.
Christian homeschoolers need not suffer this humiliation.
Certainly, we can teach our children to respect God's creation and to be good stewards over the earth for which he gave us dominion. We can also avoid the pitfalls of group think and the mob mentality when it comes to important issues of the day by grounding our children in the Word.
Philippians 1:9-11:
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
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