Homeschooling Update

I wanted to take a moment to update all my readers of what is happening with the homeschooling situation in California. Thanks to all the prayers and active participation of many homeschooling families and organizations, the California Court of Appeals has agreed to re-hear the case regarding homeschooling! Hallelujah!! Thank you all for your prayers. Below is an excerpt from the newsletter that I received from Advocates for Faith and Freedom detailing the status as of now.

California Court of Appeals Agrees to Re-Hear Case Regarding Homeschooling
As a result of the prayers of Christians from all across the Nation, the California court of appeals will re-hear its February 28, 2008, ruling stating that a family enrolled at Sunland Christian School, a private homeschooling program, could be criminally liable under California law for choosing to educate their children at home. The ruling further stated that a teaching credential is required in order for parents to educate their children at home. This ruling has been vacated and the court will re-hear the case. Praise the Lord! Advocates will file a “friend of the court brief” regarding the constitutionality of California’s homeschooling laws with the court of appeals. It is crucial that the court understand that the initial ruling ignores the fundamental right of all parents to make educational choices for their children. Please pray for wisdom for all the attorneys involved in this case!

If you would like more information regarding lawsuits and legislation that impacts your faith, I would encourage you to visit Advocates for Faith and Freedom. For more information about homeschooling, specifically, please visit the Home School Legal Defense Association or your regional homeschooling partner (For California, one of the organizations is Homeschool Association of California.

As many of you know, I have my eldest daughter at home, doing a form of homeshooling. She attends California Virtual Academy, through K12.com. K12 has programs for 20 states, and an international program as well. It is free (the programs available in the United States only), and it's a little bit easier, due to the fact that you don't determine a curriculum yourself, and the parent is not the teacher- only a mentor, and study helper. Because it is actually a virtual public school, the subjects taught do still retain the secular viewpoint, but at least at home, you can KNOW when those issues come up, and be available to discuss them right away. Anyway, that was just a little plug for the school that we use, and I highly recommend any kind of homeschooling program for any family, interested in ensuring a productive education for their children. It is time consuming at times, but oh-so worth it.

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Knowing the Word of God

"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. Joshua 1:7 NKJV (emphasis mine)

I was listening to a sermon by Dr David Jeremiah on Turning Point last night, and was struck anew as to the importance of knowing the Word of God. Over and over again in this first chapter of Joshua, God instructs Joshua to know the Word, and all His commands, so that he keeps them all his days, and never strays from them.

Not only does God instruct Joshua to know the Word of God, so that he does not stray, but He also instructs him to always speak of it, no matter the circumstance.

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8 NKJV (emphasis mine)

Now, though the "Book of the law" that is being described here, is only the first five books of the what is now the Bible, we should be aware that it now applies to the whole of the Word.

Not only are we to never stop speaking the Words of our Lord, and His commands, but we are to teach them to all we come into contact with, especially our family members. This was part of the "Book of the law" that Joshua was to have meditated on always:

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. " Deuteronomy 6:7-9 NKJV

I feel convicted today, that I have not been doing this nearly enough. Though I do witness, to some degree, I do not meditate on His Word, ALL the time. My every conversation is not about the Lord and His commands, as it should be. Can you imagine what life would be like, if we could- and would do this, as we ought? There would be a lot less confusion, and division in the Church, today if we did, I think. Also, there would be a lot less hypocrites giving Christ a bad name, if we did. It would also be patently obvious to anyone that we are followers of Christ. There would never be any question. Talk about being Salt and Light!

What excuses do we use, to not make Christ the center of our every day lives. Is our Lord central and the MOST important part of our lives? Or is our relationship to Him, more of a distant acquaintance, than the personal, close relationship He wants with us? I shall be meditating on this today. How about you? Blessings to you!

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Becoming a Titus 2 Woman by Shalene

the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:3-5 NKJV

On Friday, I left you with requests for your prayers and for the hope that I would continue to write my inspirational thoughts for all to read. Well, today, I'm back to say that after much thought, prayer, and discussion, I here and I'm staying, until I'm led by God to quit. That moment has not come. Yeah!!!!

What I have learned this weekend is that it is not an all or nothing endeavor that I employ. I have learned that I must adjust to my roles in both my home life and my writing, and the ministry that my writing is to be. I also must adjust the amount of time I spend "visiting" others.

My entire life, I will be striving towards Proverbs 31 status. Sometimes, I may fall short. Other times, I may seem to be fitting her description. I have found though, that perhaps my role, is more of a Titus 2 wife, now. Though the two are much the same, and I am loathe to call myself an older woman, that is precisely what I am, as a mother to 3 girls (and one boy.)

I am going to continue to write. However, I am going to put more emphasis on my home life, and a bit less on my blog, website, and visiting other blogs. I'm thinking there probably will not be a noticeable difference to anyone except my family. :) I will be spending more time teaching my girls to love God, love their husbands, and to love their future children. It's kind of hard to teach them that, if I'm not doing that (or even not enough).

I thank you again for all your prayers and your words of encouragement. May the blessings of the Lord be upon all of you!

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The Good News by Shalene Kearney

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Galatians 1:6-7 (NLT)

Now this will be a controversial post for some, but I press on nonetheless. Those of us that believe the Bible to be the only infallible Word of God, know which groups, that call themselves Christian, do this. I won't name them. That's not my place. However I will say this: Paul was preaching to the church in Galatia because they were beginning to preach that salvation through acceptance of Christ as savior, was not in itself enough. That doctrine and practices of the Jews must also be accomplished in order for salvation to occur. This is just not correct.


In fact, Paul goes on to say in Galations 1:8-10 (NLT) "Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News that the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant."

How is it then, that we can know whether or not what is being preached is truly the Good News that was given to us by Jesus? We must "test the spirits." We must read our bibles, study it, word by word, and line by line. Read other versions to be sure that what you're reading is consistent. Do whatever you must to know that you are not preaching a version of the Good News that is not true.

While reading the bible is not the only way to know that what you're preaching, or being preached, it is by far the best. Another way to know whether or not you are preaching the true Good News, is to ask yourself, is this "Good News" telling me that anything I can do will guarantee my salvation? If the answer is yes, then you are not speaking or hearing the true Good News.

Today, take the time to think about what it is you have learned from your bibles, and no other books or doctrine. Do you believe that your salvation is guaranteed solely because you have accepted Christ Jesus as your savior? If so, great! Hallelujah! If not, perhaps you should re-evaluate what it is that you think you can do to guarantee something that we all know not one of us can, or does, deserve. A gift is only a gift so long as nothing is required in return. Are you throwing Christ's "gift" back in his face?

--Lord, today I pray that my words may reach those that are hearing a "Good News" that is contrary to Yours, and that they might hear the truth in these words. I pray that they will seek out Your truth, and Your Good News. I pray this in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

LOVE IN ANY LANGUAGE by Vonette Bright

"Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst" ( 1 Timothy 1:13-15). Becka answered the knock at her front door. There were three nicely dressed women. Becka was from a Middle Eastern country and didn't have many friends.

She opened the door and spoke to the women. Becka explained that she didn't speak English very well. Then to her surprise, one lady spoke to Becka in her language! She asked if she could tell her about Jesus. Becka said, "Yes."

The woman opened her Bible. And Becka was amazed to see that the woman's Bible was written in Arabic! But she was more shocked by the words from the Bible. The words opened Becka's heart to God's love. She invited Jesus into her heart through prayer. Becka believed God sent the ladies to open her eyes to His truth.

Friend, use the abilities God has given you to reach others for Christ.

A True Proverbs 31 Woman

As a Christian wife and mother, I find myself wanting to be a Proverbs 31 Woman. I strive to be all that she is. In doing so, I often find that I am trying to be all that she was, all at one time. Do you find yourself doing this? Do you find that you try to be a homemaker, business person, a giver of wise council, profitable in your dealings, able to spin fabrics or do other arts and crafts to beautify your home, and be faithful to the Lord all at once? The Proverbs 31 woman is said to be more precious than rubies, because of all that she does. I challenge you though, to find anywhere in Proverbs 31 that states she did all these things at the same time.

So often, I think we, as women living in the 21st century, try too hard to be all that society tells us we should be, while also attempting to keep that Word of God uppermost in our lives. I think that we forget that society is not the ruler by which we should measure ourselves. When we fall into the trap of perfectionistic performance, we subject ourselves to all manner of feelings that lead us into sinful behaviors and to have sinful feelings. Feelings of worry, anxiety, worthlessness, anger, self-pity, and on and on. How can we be givers of wise council, if the lives we lead to not illustrate that which would give glory to the Lord?

What happens to you when you feel worried, anxious, or unworthy? Do you, like me, take it out on those closest to you? Do you cease to be a mother whose "children stand and bless her" Proverbs 31:28 (NLT) or a wife whose "husband praises her." Proverbs 31:28 (NLT) Are you "clothed in strength and dignity, laughing without fear of the future"? Are your words "wise" and do you "give instructions with kindness"? Proverbs 31:25,26 (NLT)

We that are called to be wives and/or mothers are not called to perfection. We are called to be examples to our children of what Godly living is all about, and to be helpmates to our husbands. We are also called to be Titus 2 women: to "teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." Titus 2:3-5 We cannot do this if we are trying so hard that we miss the prize.

---Lord, I pray today that you show me the path to serenity and balance in my life. Convict me of my sinful desires to be perfect in every way. Show me where I can improve. Be merciful in your correction, Lord, in the same way that I am to be to my children. I desire first and foremost to serve you and to mirror Christ's love to my family and to all I come into contact with. I thank you for your guidance every day.
In Jesus Holy Name I Pray.
Amen