Can You SEE With Your Heart?

I'm reading a book right now which simply amazes me and challenges me in all new areas. It journeys a man through his imprisonment & how this obviously changed his life.

Sometimes we feel imprisoned. Maybe your feeling comes when your children are grumbling with each other all day. Maybe you feel trapped within the confines of a particular job or job duty. Perhaps it is a choice you've made and it just seems there's no way out. Your imprisonment can be projected towards anything & many circumstances. What does the Word say, though? "Consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds."

The man writing my book says there were weeks he couldn't even think of a scripture because of the mental games his captors played with him and injections they gave him. His only prayer..."Jesus, I love you." He repeated this over & over again ... He knew the bible but the scriptures were so far from his tortured, distorted mind and yet he KNEW in his heart that Jesus was Lord of his life.

A few days after he realized this, Luke 10:23 came to his mind: "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.." You can apply that to so many situations but he related it to the disciples coming back from an oppressed country where everyone was tortured & there was sickness, hunger, etc...Nothing there was "beautiful." Jesus tells them this to remind them that this is not our home! They knew oppression but also knew boundless freedom. They each witnessed the stark contrast between being fed & being hungry ... LITERALLY! They saw the pain & misery, but they had seen the Savior. He showed them unending, freeing, always full~never hungry, pure LOVE! He goes on to say more regarding this but I love this point he makes as a kind of summing up point: "It was through their torturing that we learned to love."

(((((UMMMMMMM, C O N V I C T E D !!!!!!)))))

If you already know the Savior ... You can rest certain that you've been prepared & already seen what you need to see ... Keep your eyes open & fixed on Him, your heart ready, & remember that through each of these "prisons," God is showing you many things ... Continually teaching you to love above all else, even when someone or something "wrongs" you helps remind you to see with your heart ~ through His heart. 1 Peter 4:8 says, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" and John 13:34 says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." He gives no disclaimer that if your enemy or friend has hurt you, you can skip this command and love them when they're nice to you again or finally ask for forgiveness. He tells us that He has called us not only to love one another, but to do so in order to show His Father's heart & spread His Father's message. Period.

Share your heart today & love someone with reckless abandonment ~ let them see His heart ~ John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Loving Him ~ AND YOU!

I love football season. I don't understand all the "dime plays" or "nickel draws" or "zone defense" like my darling husband does (those words are probably wrong anyway!) & for the life of me, I cannot pick it up, even though PlayStation shows you the routes, details what each player's responsibilities are, & then puts it exactly as directed into action. Doesn't matter to me. I love the cheering & the friendly rivalries as much as I love the reason to get together with friends each & every week!

Can you picture the start of each game? Where do the lead players meet? That's right ~ there in the middle of the field with the official and sometimes a few others, both teams meet up, slap high fives or give each other a wink (I'm sure to say ~ Not today buddy!), & flip a coin. After the official directs which team won the toss & whether or not they will receive the ball, he also tells you which end zone is the "home" field. In boxing, the referee tells the boxers where they can hit & that they must listen for his call or the bell. In soccer & basketball, nearly the same procedure as football takes place. Everyone is aware. All players know what is happening. No one can say, "I didn't know that this wasn't my end zone!" (Although, I'm certain someone's tried!!!)

You need to do the same in your "classroom." If you have home schooled before, your children basically know the rules. If you have not, these are uncharted waters for you & your child & both of you are begging for someone to give you the parameters. But regardless of whether this is your first or tenth year, each year brings new challenges, new children, new curriculum, or at the very least, new wonders! Setting the expectations "for the game" are essential!

Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 says, "Whoever obeys His command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him."

Create a schedule. Show each child how long they will have to complete a given subject. Let them know when the school day will end. Let them know when it begins. Let them know when you will eat lunch, if your day is not ending at that time. Most importantly, let them know your flexibility. Some days are more flexible than others ~ Tuesday & Wednesday you have PE & a co-op class just after lunch so your child cannot work past the scheduled time that day. But Thursday's are wide open so if they are struggling with something, you can play catch up that day. Being flexible with a schedule takes practice ... And if you're the Type A scheduler like I am, it takes A LOT of practice! :O) I assure you, however, that you will make sure the task is completed.

Prepare your child for what they will learn. Show each child his/her curriculum. Tell him/her the "scope & sequence" of the year .... What he/she is going to learn throughout the course of the year. It can be as simple as saying, "In science this year, we're going to study Astronomy through Genesis 1:14-19 & how God created night & day & the things which separate them on the fourth day." You could also allow them to sit down and flip through some of their work text pages. You should let them know that each (day) (week) (month), you will be posting a task list for them to see the things which need to be completed. For younger children, daily or weekly is best. For older children, giving them a monthly list allows them to create a weekly/daily plan in order to meet these goal & take accountability.

Take an inventory of interests! I'm sure you know what your child is interested in but I find 9 out of 10 parents who do this, find out valuable information they DID NOT know about their child. Make it simple ... Ask questions like, "What do you want to learn?" or "Tell me something you already know and want to know about (a particular subject or topic)." With younger children, you can do this orally ... The older ones typically enjoy doing this on their own so typing it out for them is usually more beneficial.

SET BOUNDARIES! I cannot emphasize this last suggestion to you enough! Think of all the things which could possibly come up in a day & tell your child what to do in that instance. It's overwhelming to do ... So creating a list of 5 - 10 general "rules" or "boundaries" will at least give them direction. Things like My pencil broke! ~ or ~ I have to use the restroom. ~ or ~ I need a break! ~ or ~ I'm finished! ~ or ~ I just don't understand this stuff! Letting them know your expectations for how the day is going to work & what they are/are not allowed to do within those parameters when things arise, puts everyone at ease because we all know how to play the game now.

Do you remember what happens at the end of the game? Most of the time the players meet each other somewhere in the middle & shake hands or speak somehow to one another. But there are beautiful, rare occasions where you see players huddled together, knees bent, in the middle of the field, lifting up prayers of thanksgiving to our Lord for any number of things. While the scripture in Ecclesiastes tells us a wise heart knows the proper time & procedure for everything, it is not revealed to us via email from God. (If you're getting these though, PLEASE put me on His mailing list!!! HA!) It comes through knowing His Word & hearing His promises & listening for His timing. You are called to lead your children ~ So who is leading you? Listen to His call upon your heart for these procedures & plans. Begin & end each day with prayer & let your children know that regardless of the day's activities & how much work was completed or not completed, we need to thank Him for this opportunity of learning & for continuing to order our thoughts & minds day by day...Because He knows the proper time & procedure for it all!

HAPPY BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!

Fruit of the Spirit

There's a new link at the top of this page ... Look up ... Now over to the right a little bit ... That's it ... See where it says Fruit of the Spirit ... Check it out!

Back ~ To ~ School

I started a new bible study this morning ((Thank you sweet Amy!!!)) & since then, this entire post has changed. Last night, the post was basically, "Yay for a new school year ~ Everything is prepared ~ Look at what God is working for you!" Then the bible study introduction happened & I was broken to my knees.

You are homeschooling for a reason!

Reread that & soak it in: YOU ARE HOMESCHOOLING FOR. A. REASON! Somewhere between the reason & today though, has it been watered down? Out of your obedience to His plan, will HIS blessings flow.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 speaks to the blessings of our obedience. In major contrast, v. 15-68 (yea, that's over TRIPLE the amount of warning he gives!) tells us what we can expect our consequences to be if we choose to disobey. Allow me to succinctly phrase what He says: Obey me & follow my commands & I've got things in store for you which you cannot imagine! But if you disobey me, you will be cursed.

(L O N G pause of silence ..... look around ..... make sure no one saw you cringe!)

God hasn't brought you here for you to say to Him, "Thank you, God, for getting me to this point. I got it from here!" Quite the contrary. The things you teach this year are crucial & only when we are listening to Him lead us, will we see the blessings of His guidance. Jesus talks a lot about our hearts bearing witness as we act & speak. In Matthew 12 He says, "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."

How can you teach your sweet cherubs about salvation, forgiveness, obedience, taming your tongue, kindness, being faithful, honesty, ....If you aren't IN God's Word learning more about these things? If you aren't hiding His truth in your heart so that from your mouth pours the love of Christ, why do you expect your children will be any different? If your focus is always "getting through the lessons of the day" & you aren't seeking what God has intended for you & your child, why would you think your child would search for God's hand in the day-to-day activities of life?

Are you silent again? I was. I sat there for about 15 minutes nearly in tears as I thought of the things to which I am obedient & disobedient. God isn't to be used today for one purpose but discarded the next as things get rolling along. Yes, each day is filled with ever-fresh & radiant possibilities & every moment can be transformed into something new but out of my obedience can come many blessings & from my disobedience can come numerous curses. I'd like to be the obedient one.

Can I encourage you to read Deuteronomy 28 today & ask God to show you where you are being obedient & disobedient? Can I also suggest this not only applies to home schooling but to our every day life? Our friendships ~ Our marriage ~ Our relationship with our parents and/or in-laws ~ Our life's example to our neighbors or doctor's office. It might make you cringe ... but remembering our purpose is to serve Him, honor Him, & glorify Him, all through obeying Him, will make it all worth your while.


Shannan

Promoting Good Instruction

While there are many ways to say, "Great job" or "Well done" and even more ways to correct, I thought we could all use some fresh phrases to praise our children, even when correcting, especially in these first few weeks of getting back into the routine of school.

~ You did a lot of work today!

~ You really outdid yourself!

~ That's a neat idea!

~ You're really getting the hang of it now!

~ Wow, that's incredible!

~ You make it look so easy!

~ You're improving every day!

~ Nothing can stop you NOW!

~ You are doing a terrific job trying ~ Keep it up!

~ I'm proud of the way you worked so hard today.

~ You're really learning a lot.

~ Quite the improvement, sir or ma'am!

~ You have made my day!

~ You've got your brain in high gear today!

~ I see such an improvement in your work.

~ Tremendous job!

~ I couldn't have done it better myself!

~ You make teaching such a pleasure!

~ That was first-class!

~ You're getting better each & every day.

~ Super, groovy, hard work, my love!

~ God knew just what He was doing when he made you my son (or daughter).


Proverbs 16:21, "The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction."

Promoting Good Instruction alongside you ~

Shannan

Words Are Everywhere

I start out each school year reading 2 books. One: Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor. Clearly, this book (as well as the others in the "series") is chocked full of new words. The other: Donavan's Word Jar by MonaLisa DeGross.

Both encourage new vocabulary. Fancy Nancy finds words she likes that "sound" fancy. For example, her favorite color is fuchsia...which is a fancy way of saying purple. And Bonjour! is a fancy way to say hello. Donavan wakes up one morning and notices a word on a cereal box. It fascinates him and so he sets out to find all kinds of new words. He writes them down and...you guessed it...puts them in a collection jar!

I first read the Fancy Nancy book and my kids spend the entire day putting into practice some of her helpful suggestions. Then, I read the first two chapters of Donavan's Word Jar to my students and we start in on making our very own word jars (although, in classrooms, we usually do envelopes...sadly...not jars, due to lack of space). We cut strips of fancy papers and we start adding words!

Giggle. (You know you want to now!)

Bizarre. (It's way more fun to say than 'weird')

Quizzical. (Just makes me feel smart.)

Zany. (It's one of Fancy Nancy's favorite words, too!)

The words my kids come up with which fascinate them are hysterical. I always enjoy reading through them after a tough week. It helps me realize that they, in fact, weren't making paper fortune tellers, they were writing down new words. Phew! At times I wondered!

I've been thinking of the words we say to our children for a while now. I knew basically we should think carefully about them but did you know that He references either our spoken words or His words over 400 times in the bible? Our tongue is referenced another 130+ times. They must be important if He gave us such wisdom!

The scripture that echoed in my mind as I drove today: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand." Matthew 7:26.

What if you encouraged your children to put specific words into their vocabulary to build their small houses ... exchanging them for words you do not want in their house?

Forgiveness. Instead of bitterness.

Gladness. Instead of happiness.

Self-control. Instead of self-indulgence.

Obedience. Instead of rules.

The words we speak, He says, will either bring forth life or death. Walking out our faith in front of our children, is beyond important! They listen to everything we say...and don't. In 1 Corinthians, we are instructed to take every thought captive and in Matthew 12, we look at the things which bring forth good and those which do not. We should think first...not react...because ... "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

You are a success.

You are beautiful.

You are intelligent.

You are valuable.

You can make good choices.

So grab the old spaghetti jar or pickle jar or purchase a plastic jar from a craft store and start decorating! Teach your children the words you want written on their hearts.

Because in them, is life.

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." Deut. 11:18.

Shannan

Approaching a New Year

The month of August is upon us & I can hardly believe it! I thought yesterday was May...I vaguely remember June & quite honestly, I don't know where July went! Are you thinking what I'm thinking??? School will soon begin! So... How is your planning for next year going!?

Are you ready for your new school year? Do you have everything planned or are you scrambling to put together your lesson plans? Are you using the same curriculum as last year or is it new? Perhaps you're adding a child to the mix this year & you're not sure how it's all going to work.

What about your kiddos? Have they done some summer prep work to keep their minds fresh? Have you found any interesting books for them to read lately? Are there any holes you left from last year's curriculum which you said you would finish up this summer? What about their weakest subject ~ Have they done some practice work to try & "patch up" their understanding?

There are many reasons why we plan ... A wedding ... A special event ... A baby ... A trip ... A party ... An outdoor barbecue ... School ...and so much more! But do you make sure you ask that the Lord lead you through these steps? Remembering that the Word of God is as sharp as a double-edged sword and will judge both the attitudes and thoughts of your heart, what occupies your mind as you plan?

Are you thinking about the ways in which God can use you as you plan and prepare for your business trip? ...Or are you thinking that the company sure should have sent someone else because you have too many other things going on right now!

Do you ask the Lord to tame your tongue & allow His Words to flow forth when in conversation with your neighbor at the backyard barbecue? ...Or do you decide not to stand up for what you believe in because you "don't want to turn them away from Jesus by being zealous? and you gossip about the other neighbors"

What about the attitudes we get when planning? And no, it doesn't have to be an attitude that anyone can see.

Are you grumbling in your head as you purchase that gift for a sweet friend's wedding shower? ...Or are you still asking God why SHE gets to get married and not YOU?

Do you roll your eyes (publicly or privately) when you find out that "so-and-so" is going to be at the social tomorrow? ...Or do you continue to pray God heals this relationship in order to bring Him glory?

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Please don't think I don't stand here (okay, I'm sitting...) saying that I haven't done each and every one of those examples above...I HAVE! Maybe not the exact words, or the exact situation, but definitely the same attitude or thought. My dearest friend challenges me in such tremendous ways that I cannot thank God enough for her. During one of our most recent bible chats, we both resolved to continue pressing forward with the scripture which I will end with in mind.

There is no sin in preparing. We are charged with using our time wisely. I would be honored if you needed some assistance and called upon me to help. This is why God led me to begin this journey. I enjoy delving into curriculum and planning to make sure your home school year is successful! Please know I am here to help you prepare. Whether you call upon me for assistance or not, as you begin to prepare for next year, please continue to pray for God to lead you. Pray that God will guide you through your planning and selection of curriculum; Pray for God to order your thoughts concerning all matters regarding your choice to home school; Pray for the meditations of your heart and the words of your mouth and the attitudes you both portray and hide; Pray that in all you do and all you say and all you think, HE is at the forefront of your mind and heart and that bringing Him glory through all He has purposed for you is not only your heart's desire, but that it brings forth fruit through your actions.

"In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9.

Praying and Planning ...
Shannan