The Pear Tree
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.
The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.
The second son said it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.
He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, the fulfillment of your fall.
Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later.
Author Unknown
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Quote
"Ambition is a passion, at once strong and insidious, and is very apt to cheet a man out of his happiness and his true respectability of character."
- Judge Edward Bates, July 1859 diary entry, as noted in Dois Kearns Goodwin's book Team of Rivals - The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.
Friday, March 26, 2010
How 'the pill' led to societal infantilism
Very interesting article by Geoffrey Botkin in response to the birth control pill being introduced 50 years ago this year and it's affects on society.
How 'the pill' led to societal infantilism
How 'the pill' led to societal infantilism
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Don't Be Afraid
1 Peter 3:3-6
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.
They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master.
You are her daughter if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
..................................................................................................................................
Proverbs 3:25-27
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
Raising and training our children to love God and their fellow man is a good thing! Our desire to do so comes from knowing God ourselves and then understanding the impact we are to have on raising godly offspring that will be used in God's Kingdom.
As daughters of Sarah, we have a distinct privilege to influence the world through the generation that we raise up for Him. The sacrifices we make today for our children so that they are given every opportunity to grow up in the knowledge and wisdom of Christ may bring more to the world than any other area of contribution we could make.
Our sons and daughters may grow up to be politicians, lawyers, Supreme Court Justices, college deans, college founders, teachers, and parents. The world needs these positions to be filled with Christians who love and honor Christ.
I don't want to be afraid to prepare my daughters for whatever God calls them to do for him in his kingdom. I will not let the world influence me and make me afraid to do what God is calling me to do today.
I will not be afraid!
Diagnostic Testing Has Begun!
The Alpha Omega diagnostic testing came in the mail yesterday for our middle school daughter.
As you know, we are considering home schooling next year and we need to understand where our daughter is at academically in each core subject and if there are any learning gaps that need to be addressed. She is currently in the sixth grade.
Alpha Omega is the curriculum we would use initially if we proceed down this route, and from what I see so far, is much harder than the curriculum she is currently using in school. It is possible, based on this curriculum, that she would not start out in the grade she would be at in public school in all of the subjects because it just seems like more challenging work.
We will be testing in five areas: Math, Language Arts, Science, History & Geography, and Bible.
Our testing packet is for grades 2-8. We start two grade levels below or current grade and work our way up until the work becomes too difficult for her to complete. The test is then graded. From this we will identify gaps in prior grades that need to be reviewed and can also determine the proper grade placement to start out with in each of the core subjects. It might show that she is in a grade ahead in one subject and a grade behind in another.
She was so excited that she wanted to start the testing right away last night - even after being in school all day. I thought that showed real initiative and a real desire to get us to the point of deciding for home schooling for her. See, she has been asking us for over a year and has been praying about it just as long. She's waiting on us to get to where she as already arrived.
The fact that the test may show she is a little behind does not discourage her at all. Her contention for home schooling as always been because she wants to be smarter and if the test show she is behind in something it just reinforces for her she is not getting the education she desires. In her mind, it will not be her fault but the public education systems fault. She is very positive about all of this.
Each grade level of the test can take up to an hour or more so just in the math area it could take 3-4 hours to get to the point where she can't go any further. She completed two grade levels last night and we will keep plugging along until we have completed them all.
I noticed one thing already about her study/work habits. She likes to talk out loud through her problems. She makes inquiries to herself, exasperated comments, etc. as she works out the answer.
One thing I over head that I am still laughing about this morning is her response to a question about the point at which freezing occurs. She read the question out loud and added in an exasperated tone, " How am I suppose to know - it's different for everybody!"
I am sure she knew the answer and that it is just her personality that comes out in her thinking process but regardless I thought is was hysterical. Seriously, though, I can see already how she might feel restricted in a traditional classroom setting because she cannot be free to express herself while she is problem solving.
We have hours and hours to go yet just to determine her aptitude in each topic. I'll keep you posted on our journey.
As you know, we are considering home schooling next year and we need to understand where our daughter is at academically in each core subject and if there are any learning gaps that need to be addressed. She is currently in the sixth grade.
Alpha Omega is the curriculum we would use initially if we proceed down this route, and from what I see so far, is much harder than the curriculum she is currently using in school. It is possible, based on this curriculum, that she would not start out in the grade she would be at in public school in all of the subjects because it just seems like more challenging work.
We will be testing in five areas: Math, Language Arts, Science, History & Geography, and Bible.
Our testing packet is for grades 2-8. We start two grade levels below or current grade and work our way up until the work becomes too difficult for her to complete. The test is then graded. From this we will identify gaps in prior grades that need to be reviewed and can also determine the proper grade placement to start out with in each of the core subjects. It might show that she is in a grade ahead in one subject and a grade behind in another.
She was so excited that she wanted to start the testing right away last night - even after being in school all day. I thought that showed real initiative and a real desire to get us to the point of deciding for home schooling for her. See, she has been asking us for over a year and has been praying about it just as long. She's waiting on us to get to where she as already arrived.
The fact that the test may show she is a little behind does not discourage her at all. Her contention for home schooling as always been because she wants to be smarter and if the test show she is behind in something it just reinforces for her she is not getting the education she desires. In her mind, it will not be her fault but the public education systems fault. She is very positive about all of this.
Each grade level of the test can take up to an hour or more so just in the math area it could take 3-4 hours to get to the point where she can't go any further. She completed two grade levels last night and we will keep plugging along until we have completed them all.
I noticed one thing already about her study/work habits. She likes to talk out loud through her problems. She makes inquiries to herself, exasperated comments, etc. as she works out the answer.
One thing I over head that I am still laughing about this morning is her response to a question about the point at which freezing occurs. She read the question out loud and added in an exasperated tone, " How am I suppose to know - it's different for everybody!"
I am sure she knew the answer and that it is just her personality that comes out in her thinking process but regardless I thought is was hysterical. Seriously, though, I can see already how she might feel restricted in a traditional classroom setting because she cannot be free to express herself while she is problem solving.
We have hours and hours to go yet just to determine her aptitude in each topic. I'll keep you posted on our journey.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Real-Life Example
I met my first real life example of a Proverbs 31 woman last night!
My husband and I have been considering homeschooling our children for the past year. We've gone back and forth on the issue and have prayed for discernment but still we did not feel a clear sense of calling to do so yet.
My husband became aware of a co-worker, and a fellow Christian, who has been homeschooling for the last 15 years. A quick discussion between the two led to an invitation to their home to talk further about it. His wife would show us the curriculum they used and they would share their insight with us.
So, last night was the night. We viewed the curriculum, the content, and the methods of tracking. We came to appreciate their struggles as they learned what was right for their family and adjusted accordingly over the years. We had all our questions answered and we moved closer to being able to make a final decision on this. However, this is not what made the night a success. It was the unexpected vision of a true Proverbs 31 woman and what her household felt like that impacted me the most!
All the qualities I have read a Proverbs 31 woman should possess, I saw clearly portrayed in this woman. I was awed by her manner, her speech, her attitude, her demeanor, her dependence on God. I was even more in awe of the home environment she created. Her home was inviting, peaceful, respectful, honoring, serving, full of love and purpose. She told me all she ever wanted to be was be a wife and mother and to be able to stay home with her children. The Lord honored her with her deepest desire because of her faithfulness to Him, and with that same faithfulness she poured love into her home, and into her relationships, and she was enjoying the fruit of her labor. I was enjoying the fruit of her labor!
I have much to 'undo' in my life and allow God to recreate in me. I have renewed hope that it is possible. I pray he creates in me everything he did in her. I am thankful for the wonderful, concrete example He arranged for me to meet last night. I learned much more than I anticipated!
Stay tuned to see where this will all lead.
My husband and I have been considering homeschooling our children for the past year. We've gone back and forth on the issue and have prayed for discernment but still we did not feel a clear sense of calling to do so yet.
My husband became aware of a co-worker, and a fellow Christian, who has been homeschooling for the last 15 years. A quick discussion between the two led to an invitation to their home to talk further about it. His wife would show us the curriculum they used and they would share their insight with us.
So, last night was the night. We viewed the curriculum, the content, and the methods of tracking. We came to appreciate their struggles as they learned what was right for their family and adjusted accordingly over the years. We had all our questions answered and we moved closer to being able to make a final decision on this. However, this is not what made the night a success. It was the unexpected vision of a true Proverbs 31 woman and what her household felt like that impacted me the most!
All the qualities I have read a Proverbs 31 woman should possess, I saw clearly portrayed in this woman. I was awed by her manner, her speech, her attitude, her demeanor, her dependence on God. I was even more in awe of the home environment she created. Her home was inviting, peaceful, respectful, honoring, serving, full of love and purpose. She told me all she ever wanted to be was be a wife and mother and to be able to stay home with her children. The Lord honored her with her deepest desire because of her faithfulness to Him, and with that same faithfulness she poured love into her home, and into her relationships, and she was enjoying the fruit of her labor. I was enjoying the fruit of her labor!
I have much to 'undo' in my life and allow God to recreate in me. I have renewed hope that it is possible. I pray he creates in me everything he did in her. I am thankful for the wonderful, concrete example He arranged for me to meet last night. I learned much more than I anticipated!
Stay tuned to see where this will all lead.
Monday, March 8, 2010
2010 Earthquakes - Do You Wonder, Too?
Matthew 24:7-8 (New International Version)
7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.
2010 Earthquake list as of 3/8/10
1/3/10 Solomon Islands 7.2
1/10/10 Offshore of Northern California 6.5
1/12/10 Haiti 7.0
2/10/10 Illinois 3.8
2/27/10 Offshore Maule, Chile 8.8
3/8/10 Eastern Turkey 6.0
Are we in the end times? Read Matthew 24:1-35 for signs of the end of the age.
I believe we are nearing the end but only God knows for sure when our Lord will return and the prophesy of the end times will play out.
Are we preparing for his return? Will the Master find us ready when He returns? Will we recognize the Good Shepherd's voice?
Luke 12:40 (New International Version)
40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Have you made a decisive decision on whom you will follow - Jesus or Satan?
There are only two sides you can be on - the side of good or the side of evil.
I fear too many are on the fence. Too many are waiting to commit to the Lord because they are trying to enjoy the offerings of the world and satisfy selfish desires, so they delay doing what they know is the only good decision to make. They want it all but you can't have it both ways. You can't live as the world and follow Jesus. The two don't mix.
1 Kings 18:21 (New International Version)
21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."
7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.
2010 Earthquake list as of 3/8/10
1/3/10 Solomon Islands 7.2
1/10/10 Offshore of Northern California 6.5
1/12/10 Haiti 7.0
2/10/10 Illinois 3.8
2/27/10 Offshore Maule, Chile 8.8
3/8/10 Eastern Turkey 6.0
Are we in the end times? Read Matthew 24:1-35 for signs of the end of the age.
I believe we are nearing the end but only God knows for sure when our Lord will return and the prophesy of the end times will play out.
Are we preparing for his return? Will the Master find us ready when He returns? Will we recognize the Good Shepherd's voice?
Luke 12:40 (New International Version)
40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Have you made a decisive decision on whom you will follow - Jesus or Satan?
There are only two sides you can be on - the side of good or the side of evil.
I fear too many are on the fence. Too many are waiting to commit to the Lord because they are trying to enjoy the offerings of the world and satisfy selfish desires, so they delay doing what they know is the only good decision to make. They want it all but you can't have it both ways. You can't live as the world and follow Jesus. The two don't mix.
1 Kings 18:21 (New International Version)
21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."
Who have you decided is God? Satan, Man, Money, Fame, Comfort, etc., or God?
Who are you following? The answer to that question will reveal to you who or what you have elevated as God in your life.
Is it the God who truly saves?
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Are You Behaving Like a Teenager?
The first line in my prayer journal today read like this, "Father, I need some parental advice!"
As a mother of five daughters, I am sometimes completely overwhelmed by parenting. My daughters ages are 26,20,16,11,2. My oldest is married and is a mother herself to a 4 year old daughter and a 3 week old son. Under my care, or influence, are daughter's from every season imaginable ( toddler to preteen to teen to young adult to young married mom). I just seem to master one area and the next daughter moves in to that same area and challenges me all over again. No two are the same and what worked for one never seems to work for the next. It's a constant battle to adapt.
Lately, the teenager has been giving me a run for my money. Today, I needed to vent a little during my prayer time and then seek some parental advice from my heavenly Father. As I vented, I already could sense the tables turning away from my daughter and turning toward me. I could see this was going to head in a correcting session for me instead of getting the sympathy I was maybe seeking.
As I wrote words like, "I have given everything to my daughter who is not grateful and instead returns the favor by being rebellious and deceitful. I have sacrificed everything for her and she just wants to run far away from me. I love her and she rejects my love and instead wants to embrace the love of someone who is not good for her. I know what awaits her - pain, suffering, and maybe, destruction. I desperately want to stop her from having to experience what lays in wait but she refuses to heed my words."
Can you see for yourself where this is going? The Spirit convicted me that Jesus would know EXACTLY what I was saying because this is how believers act all the time toward him. He sacrificed everything. He poured out his whole life for us. He loves us. He knows what waits in store for us because of the foolish decisions we have made and the stubborn, self sustaining, know-it-all attitude we wear.
The parental advice came as I saw exactly how Jesus handles these situations with us. He is patient. He is forgiving. He knows our sinful, earthly frame - our tendency to want to do things the hard way-our way.
I saw first of all, that I needed to seek his forgiveness for my own foolishness. I saw myself behaving toward Jesus just like the teenager I was complaining about.
Then, I knew to follow his example by extending the same patience, love, forgiveness, and understanding to my daughter that he so graciously extends to me every minute of the day. In his strength, I can do that, and I can hope for the day her love returns to me. His advice came in a round about way but I am thankful for the opportunity to examine my own heart and seek repentance.
What about you? Are you behaving like a teenager? Do you need to repent of rebellious ways and foolish choices? I know firsthand how gracious our Father is to those who repent and turn back to him. I hope you will experience that gracious love today as well.
As a mother of five daughters, I am sometimes completely overwhelmed by parenting. My daughters ages are 26,20,16,11,2. My oldest is married and is a mother herself to a 4 year old daughter and a 3 week old son. Under my care, or influence, are daughter's from every season imaginable ( toddler to preteen to teen to young adult to young married mom). I just seem to master one area and the next daughter moves in to that same area and challenges me all over again. No two are the same and what worked for one never seems to work for the next. It's a constant battle to adapt.
Lately, the teenager has been giving me a run for my money. Today, I needed to vent a little during my prayer time and then seek some parental advice from my heavenly Father. As I vented, I already could sense the tables turning away from my daughter and turning toward me. I could see this was going to head in a correcting session for me instead of getting the sympathy I was maybe seeking.
As I wrote words like, "I have given everything to my daughter who is not grateful and instead returns the favor by being rebellious and deceitful. I have sacrificed everything for her and she just wants to run far away from me. I love her and she rejects my love and instead wants to embrace the love of someone who is not good for her. I know what awaits her - pain, suffering, and maybe, destruction. I desperately want to stop her from having to experience what lays in wait but she refuses to heed my words."
Can you see for yourself where this is going? The Spirit convicted me that Jesus would know EXACTLY what I was saying because this is how believers act all the time toward him. He sacrificed everything. He poured out his whole life for us. He loves us. He knows what waits in store for us because of the foolish decisions we have made and the stubborn, self sustaining, know-it-all attitude we wear.
The parental advice came as I saw exactly how Jesus handles these situations with us. He is patient. He is forgiving. He knows our sinful, earthly frame - our tendency to want to do things the hard way-our way.
I saw first of all, that I needed to seek his forgiveness for my own foolishness. I saw myself behaving toward Jesus just like the teenager I was complaining about.
Then, I knew to follow his example by extending the same patience, love, forgiveness, and understanding to my daughter that he so graciously extends to me every minute of the day. In his strength, I can do that, and I can hope for the day her love returns to me. His advice came in a round about way but I am thankful for the opportunity to examine my own heart and seek repentance.
What about you? Are you behaving like a teenager? Do you need to repent of rebellious ways and foolish choices? I know firsthand how gracious our Father is to those who repent and turn back to him. I hope you will experience that gracious love today as well.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Taking Our Cue From the Birds
In Luke 12 verses 22-34 Jesus talks about replacing worry with faith. He says do not worry about what you will eat or what you will wear.
Verse 23 says, "Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."
He then gives an example of the ravens and how they do not sow or reap, yet God feeds them.
Question: If life is not about working for food or clothes, what is it about?
I contemplated the life of a bird this morning and this is what I saw.
A bird is born and is first cared for by its' bird parents. The parents teach the bird what it means to be a bird and how to live and act like a bird. Eventually, the bird goes off on his own, mates, and they reproduce. They then care for their offspring and teach them how to live like birds. They also fly and soar peacefully in the sky for others to see and be in awe of their beauty and ease. Basically, their life is about relationships, caring and teaching their young, and bringing glory to their Creator by staying within the framework of who God created them to be.
A couple of quick differences between birds and man I noted were:
1. A bird doesn't say he would prefer a bigger nest and thus decide not to reproduce so he has more time to work on getting and keeping the bigger nest.
2. A bird doesn't say he doesn't have the time, the resources, or the know how to raise a child and so then decide to kill their own baby bird out of convenience for them.
3. A bird doesn't care what the other birds say about them. They just keep on being who they are.
4. A bird doesn't try to be something their not. I've never seen a bird trying to be a giraffe. I don't see them envying what others have or wanting to be different.
5. I don't see birds sending their children off to someone else to be taught how to live as a bird. A bird doesn't send their offspring to a fox to learn how to be a bird. They take the responsibility on themselves knowing the best way for the little birds to become adult birds is to teach them themselves.
The question was, if life is not about food and clothes, what is it about?
If we take our cue from the birds, maybe it's about relationships, caring and teaching our offspring, being content with who God created us to be, and bringing glory to him in all we do.
Are we living the life God created us to live? Are we soaring in the sky? Are we content, peaceful, and beautiful because we are resting in his providence for us and being obedient to his way and plans?
Doesn't that sound like an awesome way to live? I desire to soar today! I hope you do too!
Verse 23 says, "Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."
He then gives an example of the ravens and how they do not sow or reap, yet God feeds them.
Question: If life is not about working for food or clothes, what is it about?
I contemplated the life of a bird this morning and this is what I saw.
A bird is born and is first cared for by its' bird parents. The parents teach the bird what it means to be a bird and how to live and act like a bird. Eventually, the bird goes off on his own, mates, and they reproduce. They then care for their offspring and teach them how to live like birds. They also fly and soar peacefully in the sky for others to see and be in awe of their beauty and ease. Basically, their life is about relationships, caring and teaching their young, and bringing glory to their Creator by staying within the framework of who God created them to be.
A couple of quick differences between birds and man I noted were:
1. A bird doesn't say he would prefer a bigger nest and thus decide not to reproduce so he has more time to work on getting and keeping the bigger nest.
2. A bird doesn't say he doesn't have the time, the resources, or the know how to raise a child and so then decide to kill their own baby bird out of convenience for them.
3. A bird doesn't care what the other birds say about them. They just keep on being who they are.
4. A bird doesn't try to be something their not. I've never seen a bird trying to be a giraffe. I don't see them envying what others have or wanting to be different.
5. I don't see birds sending their children off to someone else to be taught how to live as a bird. A bird doesn't send their offspring to a fox to learn how to be a bird. They take the responsibility on themselves knowing the best way for the little birds to become adult birds is to teach them themselves.
The question was, if life is not about food and clothes, what is it about?
If we take our cue from the birds, maybe it's about relationships, caring and teaching our offspring, being content with who God created us to be, and bringing glory to him in all we do.
Are we living the life God created us to live? Are we soaring in the sky? Are we content, peaceful, and beautiful because we are resting in his providence for us and being obedient to his way and plans?
Doesn't that sound like an awesome way to live? I desire to soar today! I hope you do too!
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