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“Do we really need school? I don’t mean education, just forced schooling: six classes a day, five days a week, nine months a year, for twelve years. Is this deadly routine really necessary? And if so, for what? Don’t hide behind reading, writing, and arithmetic as a rationale, because 2 million happy homeschoolers have surely put that banal justification to rest. Even if they hadn’t, a considerable number of well-known Americans never went through the twelve-year wringer our kids currently go through, and they turned out all right. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln? Someone taught them, to be sure, but they were not products of a school system, and not one of them was ever “graduated” from a secondary school.”
From: How public education cripples
our kids, and why
By John Taylor Gatto

Listen to John Taylor Gatto as he discusses the roots of the public schools. He states that according to the creators of the public schools,  “The family and tradition were the greatest obstacles to making a perfect society…a utopia ”

Romans 1: 20 speaks of God’s creation. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible attributes-his eternal power and divine nature-have been understood and observed by what he made, so that people are without excuse.” He is clearly seen in all He has made.
Our God is an Awesome God!!! I hope you will take a few minutes to watch this beautiful video and song.  ~Anne

I received this in an email and thought it was a good one to read to our children. It reminded me of the Lamplighter story “Clean Your Boots Sir.” The young boy in this story was promoted throughout his life because of his honesty. A totally honest executive or employee is worth more than gold to his company these days. Sadly, honesty is not valued in our society anymore…even many of our politicians cannot be trusted.

A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. “The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued. “I am going to give each one of you a SEED today – one very special SEED.. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you.

I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.”

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that
were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.

Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.

By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by — still nothing in Jim’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil – He so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.

Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful — in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back. “My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown,” said the CEO. “Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!”

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot.. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, “The CEO knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!”

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed – Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, “Behold your next Chief Executive Officer!

His name is Jim!” Jim couldn’t believe it. Jim couldn’t even grow his seed. “How could he be the new CEO?” the others said.

Then the CEO said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead – it was not possible for them to grow.

All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!”

Prov. 12:22 – “lying lips are an abomination to the Lord”
Prov. 13:5 – “a righteous man hates falsehood”
Prov. 6:12 – “a worthless person, a wicked man, is the one who walks with a false mouth”
Prov. 6:19 – “things which the Lord hates…a false witness who utters lies”
Prov. 12:17 – “He who speaks truth tells what is right, but a false witness, deceit”
Prov. 12:22 – “lying lips are an abomination to the Lord”
Prov. 13:5 – “a righteous man hates falsehood”

If you’ve browsed around this site for a while you already know how I feel about Christian families signing on with the government schools  in order to “help” them educate their children.  Seems there are not enough hours in a day to train up and disciple our children as it is,  and if we are going to jump through all of the hoops  that the charter school program requires,  we will have even less time with our children.  Discipleship requires a great deal of time doesn’t it?

To tell you the truth I’m getting weary of the whole thing and somewhat tired of even talking about it.  I’m ashamed of myself though because the folks at HSLDA have devoted their lives to defending and protecting homeschooling rights.  I should not be  so weary of talking.

It’s quite obvious to me that Christian families should not be yoked with the government when it comes to our children ….I just don’t understand why we would join hands with the very people who are antagonistic and hostile towards our Lord Jesus. Many of my dear homeschooling friends have chosen this route, and I’m not judging their choice….I just don’t  understand how they came to it. I’m dumbfounded.

This post is intended for the young family who is thinking about homeschooling but does not know where to begin.  If you are thinking about homeschooling,  find a true homeschooler  and pepper them with questions.  A true biblical homeschooler will be so willing to give you as much information as they can…as well as share their books and supplies.   PLEASE DO NOT GO TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL AND ASK THEM HOW TO HOMESCHOOL. That would be like going to a butcher and asking them if they do computer repair work!!!   They will not tell you how to homeschool but are very eager to sign you up for the public school at home program in their school district.  They cannot wait to do this as they depend upon the money that they will receive when you do.  It’s all about the money……the money they will receive……and the pittance they will pass on to you for books, piano lessons and art supplies. Please consider the following list before you sign up for a government program.

If you choose to homeschool independently you will be able to bring God into every academic subject.  You will be able to choose curriculum from a Christian perspective.  Your children will know that God is the God of science, history, language arts, arithmetic and all other subjects.  You will learn that you are truly equipped to teach, love, train,  and disciple your children without any help from the government.  You will learn to depend upon God and your husband instead of the government.  You will be willing to learn with your children and  study yourself in order to fill in the gaps of your own public school education.  You will become a family that learns together. Instead of setting up a mini-public school in your home, you will be FREE to plan your child’s education as you wish. You will have 100% of the responsibility, authority and control over your child’s education, just as the Bible requires, and just as our Constitution allows.

Before you sign up for a charter, independent study, virtual, online , cyber computer based, workstudy, distance learning, or public school at home program please consider the following information. Please feel free to email me for more information on biblical independent homeschooling.  Blessings,  Anne

1.  The term “charter school” means a public school. They are under the jurisdiction of the public school system.

2. According to the CA education code (and most states) No public money shall ever be appropriated for the support of any sectarian or denomination school.

3.Charter schools are funded by taxpayer monies, and all publicly funded schools must be under the “exclusive control of the officers of the public schools” (CA Constitution)

4.In order to fulfill the requirements of the California Constitution, religious instruction cannot be given in public schools, even indirectly.  During school hours parents may not legally talk about the Lord, read the Bible, pray etc.  They must wait until school is over just as parents who have their children in a regular brick & mortar public school must wait until dinner or bedtime to pray with their children. Religious instruction is not legal in any type of public school….period.

5.Parents who are enrolled in a charter who wish to offer religious instruction of any kind must circumvent this law during school hours.  If they wish to explain a bible truth or simply pray over a bad attitude, they legally cannot do this during school hours because they are receiving money from the government while enrolled in the charter program.

6.The Philosophy and goals of the charter school are most likely  polar opposite of your goals for your children. Ask the charter school for their philosophy or mission statement and see if they match up.

7.Charter school children who participate in school activities, classes etc. will be subject to peer pressures and influences similar to what one would find in any other public school.

8.  Charter schools are prohibited from purchasing materials which include any promotion of religion, and they are prohibited from allowing such materials to be used in their programs even if they are purchased by the parents.

9.Although some well meaning charter school teachers have told parents to go ahead and use their own Christian materials….they do not record them on the schools records.  These parents us their charter school budgets for other items like computers or lessons.  This seems like an ethical compromise in doctoring school records in order to hide Christian teaching.

10.If a parent chooses to supplement their child’s secular school books with Christian materials, the compromise will be in teaching two different world views to their children.  I question whether it will even be possible to teach Christian worldview after completing all of the requirements of the public school program. Charter school programs take a lot of time.  There are not enough hours in the day to provide parallel education programs…one secular and one Christian.

11. Charter school programs require the same testing as brick and mortar schools do.  Just as teachers do….you will be required to spend time learning materials simply to pass the test even if the content has little value to you or your family.

12. In Ca all graduating public schools students  must pass a High School Exit Exam in order to get a high school diploma. This includes charter schools.

13.Charter schools are not free.  The books, computers, lessons etc. are paid for by the tax payer.  Parents pay the same amount of taxes whether their children to the public school, private school,  or homeschool; charters add to the tax burden.

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When was the last time you paused to thank God you are an American?

Too often, I am guilty of taking the blessing of being an American for granted. I had no control over my birth place. The Creator granted me this blessing.

What a different world we would face if we were born in Somalia…or India…or Kenya. For all the problems we face…for all the issues raised on this daily broadcast…for all our political differences…living here is a blessing. The personal liberty and the limited government our forefathers developed and passed down to us through 100 generations of brave men and women has made this the best place on earth to live and to raise a family.

It has been passed on to our generation to defend this heritage of liberty and to preserve it for future generations. This shining light of freedom called America is not just for those born here…but a beacon for the entire world.

Pause now and say, “Thank you, Heavenly Father”.

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“There is only one way to lead a child down the right path….that is to go that way yourself”

My children are getting to the age when they are beginning to notice the faults of my husband and I….they are noticing the human frailties, the inconsistencies and the shortcomings.  Even though we’ve told them over and over again that Mom and Dad are sinners and that we make mistakes all the time, I don’t think they were paying such close attention as they are now.  They are growing up and just as I knew about my own parents faults and imperfections,  they will know of mine.  My prayer is that they will still see Jesus in me and my husband and know that we are still a work in progress even though we are old.   My prayer is that they will see our hearts.  I hope they will see  hearts  full of love for them and love for our Lord who forgives and promises to continue the work He has begun in our lives.  My prayer is that they will  grow up to love the Lord and realize his mercy and grace in their own lives as well.  Many Blessings to you as you train and disciple your “little ones.”  ~Anne

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My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
By: Edward Mote

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteous;
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
In every high and story gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, his covenant, his blood
Sustain me in the raging flood;
When all supports are washed away,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found,
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Redeemed to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Hymn # 368 from Lutheran Worship
Author: John Stainer
Tune: Magdalen
1^st Published in: 1836

I count it a blessing to be able to attend a church where the pastor preaches and teaches the word of God passionately and without apology.  When I leave church on Sunday mornings I take great satisfaction in being encouraged as well as convicted and inspired to grow and learn more….to change and grow closer to the Lord.  It is so disheartening when  the gospel message is watered down and the sermon sounds more like a  self improvement or positive thinking course.  My husband and I are  grateful when we are able to discuss the sermons and then freely question the pastor on those that we feel confused about. We feel fortunate because clarification or infomation can mean the difference between growth or stagnation for us. We’ve never attended a church  before where the pastor encouraged questions from his congregation and made himself available…simply   by being  approachable most of the time.   This past week the sermon challenged me to think about the word of God differently.   This particular sermon was not one to easily forget, so I wanted to write about it.

Since I became a Christian I’ve always believed that the Bible was the word of God and that we should read it daily.  For some reason though,  I’ve felt like this was something I was doing “for God” or in order to please God.  It became something to put on a to-do list….it became legalistic. If I did not read it I felt guilty and asked God to forgive me.  Yet, the reading of God’s word is not for Him at all.  Reading God’s word is for my benefit….if I skip on this I am skipping my vitamins, my water, my protein, my milk and my meat.  I’m missing my sweets like delicious  honey and my carbohydrates or starches….I’m missing my bread for the day.

We are blessed to have the Incarnate word who became Christ (John 1:1) and dwelt among us. He walked with us and we saw him in the flesh.  He ate with us and lived with us.  The “Word” became flesh.  We have  the  Carnate word which is the Holy Bible to use as our compass, guide measuring rod, comfort,  and teacher. The whole Bible is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. (2 Tim. 3:16)

Jesus and his Word are inseparable.  Jesus was human and divine.  The Bible is divinely inspired,  yet  written by men.  Jesus was loved and hated.  The Bible is loved and hated.  Jesus was received and rejected.  The Bible is received by some and rejected by some.  To the believer the Bible is a survival package.  To the unbeliever it is a thorn in his side.

God’s word provides a complete spiritual diet for us to live on.  Luke 4:4 states that  man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Psalm 119:103 likens the word to honey.

” How sweet are thy words unto my taste! [yea, sweeter] than honey to my mouth!”, and  in 1 Peter 2:2 the Lord reminds us to , desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.  Hebrews 5:14 teaches us that strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. The word of God is called both milk and meat.  Milk is for the new believer and meat is meant for the strong older believer who can handle the more profound  doctrines of the Gospel.

In addition to our nourishment the word of God is a fire (for refinement), a hammer (Jeremiah 23:29) and a sword (Eph 6:17)  God’s word can even read our thoughts!   Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The word of God is our water. ” That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26)  God’s word is also a lamp and a light.  With the Bible on hand we can survive anything including any attacks that the enemy may throw our way.  The Bible is our ultimate survival kit.

I’m ashamed of myself because I’ve become so “mal-nourished”  I have not realized how vulnerable I have been by neglecting to use my survival kit, and have not partaken of the bread, water, honey, milk, and meat.  I have not used the proper tools….the lamp, light, fire, sword and weapons that have been so freely given to me.  This life is so hard and we need the word of God to help us….to teach us and guide us.  We need his word to reveal our own stubborn hearts to us.  We cannot survive without it.  Our preacher asked us how our appetite was.  He questioned, “Have you been eating regularly?”   I pray that we will all partake of God’s word regularly so that we will have a complete spiritual diet.  ~Anne