First day back to school {happy, happy days!}

HOORAH!!!

Today was the first day back to school!!!

I love my breaks, but I hugely love the rhythm of life when we are in "school" mode.

In some ways, I don't like to call it "school" or "not school" time. Really, what I mean is that we are returning to structured, more formal education. They are, after all, learning ALL the time! In reality, our "structured, more formal" is "less structured and less formal" than it used to be. I try to be more fluid in how we learn, and yet we DO have structure.

I thought I would share with you some of the new things we started doing today. I've learned a lot over the summer about philosophies of education and educational styles, which has shaped how I want to do things.

As I shared a while ago, we had started doing what I called "Morning Time".  My desire had been that, no matter what else crowded into our day or interrupted what we were doing, we had certain elements I felt we MUST do.

Bible.

Prayer.

Operation World.

Reading Aloud.

Maths.

English/Grammar.

The first four parts we would do in "Morning Time", the latter afterwards (done independently).

That was going well and was well loved by us all. However, I was introduced to the ideas of doing several other things - all suggested and supported by many highly respected proponents in the field of home education.

Nature Study.

Memory Work. (scripture and poetry)

Hymn Singing/Memorisation.

Art appreciation.

Music Appreciation.

In true "first day back" style, I didn't manage to do EVERYTHING new I had planned.  Oops.  Never mind.  There's always tom... Erm... Thursday (tomorrow is a birthday - so, one day back, and immediately another day "off"!!! HA!)

I intend our routine to look something like this.

Prayer I feel it is always good to start your morning with prayer - acknowledging the One to whom we desire to honour and bless in all that we do. Thanking Him for His goodness and grace.  Asking Him to help us in our day, for wisdom as we learn and to give us strength for all we need to do.

Bible Reading  We are still working our way through the Gospel Story Bible. I wanted to finish that first and then begin Catherine Vos'  Children's Story Bible.

Scripture Memorisation  As much as we have always learnt Bible verses together, I wanted to particularly learn whole passages together, verse by verse.  I also wanted to incorporate copywork - something we had never done before, but felt it was good to begin. The first passage we are learning is the passage from Ephesians 6 about the Christian Armour, as we are learning about WWI for Tapestry of Grace in Unit 1 of Year 4. I will write it on our chalkboard each week.  We simply went over it, taking just a few minutes, by me reciting portions and them copying.  By frequent repetition, it should be committed to memory.

(copywork created at www.worksheetworks.com where you can choose font, size, types of lines etc )

Hymn Singing/Memorisation  We are in a Church where we do sing traditional hymns. I grew up on the same, and learnt many hymns by heart, simply by singing them repeatedly.  I wanted to be more intentional about it, though, and also include it in copywork, to reinforce what we are learning.  I chose "May the mind of Christ my Saviour" - it's one I have always loved.  (If you are on FB or IG you will have seen and heard me play the tune, but it's tricky to put videos on here.) It has 6 verses, and they are in quite a short metre, so simple to learn the tune and memorise the words.  I thought at least my older children would know it, but it seems it's one they haven't sung much, so I am gad I chose it.

Operation World. For us, this is a focus on another country, in order to understand how we should pray for them.  BUT, it is also an excellent way to learn geography, weather, climate, trade, language, demographics, politics, and general cultural studies. We often end up deviating as we find some terminology we don't understand, or some interesting piece of information we can't leave without learning more!  We've learnt everything from what coral islands look like, to how to produce heroin!!! (It came up when we learned about the Opium trade!!! No plans to start production ourselves!) If we only did this ONE thing for school we could absolutely use it as a backbone for most key subjects and still gain an in-depth, all-round education.  It's a book that is truly worth the investment.  Maybe I should do a blog post just on an example of what we learn from one country in this handbook.  I also got a lovely big Readers Digest atlas in a charity shop for only £2, which we used to find the country we were looking at. (Morocco today!) That led me to teach them about topographical maps, thus allowing them to work out the level of the land in Morocco. (Mostly higher elevation, interestingly!)

Prayer Board.  We started a prayer board just before the summer, with specific people and causes we wanted to pray for, as a family.  They range from missionaries, to people in need, to new people coming to the Church, and our coffee morning we have just begun at the Church.  Today we added Texas and Oregon, which also gave me the opportunity to teach the children about hurricanes, flood damage, forest fire causes and results (not always bad, as my daughter remembered from a homeschool co-pop lesson!), and what items we would choose to take with us if we had to evacuate! Today I also did something new.  I asked my oldest child, who knows and loves the Lord as his Saviour, to lead us in prayer.  That was such a wonderful thing to hear him speak - so grown up now - and to bring these things before our Heavenly Father.

We finished our time with reading aloud.  I read from a book we are reading "for pleasure" as well as a read aloud fro Tapestry of Grace.  For pleasure (although all reading aloud is pleasure!), we have been reading through this particular series for a while, and are nearly finished book 2, Race for Freedom.  The series is called "Freedom Seekers", by Lois Walfred Johnson and is a captivating story of a young girl who lives on a steamboat with her father and how they help with the Underground Railroad.  It's brilliant historical fiction and the stories are gripping for both adult and child alike! (The children find my attempt at the accent of the slaves quite amusing... I AM improving!!) If you don't know anything about the Underground Railroad, it will whet your appettite to find out more about the brave people who helped slaves escape to freedom, in 19th century USA. We have two chapters left, after which I need to make the decision as to whether we should read the next book or switch to something else.  Such hard decisions...  Our current Tapestry of Grace read aloud is Pollyanna.  I have never read it, but when I told the children what we were reading they initially groaned. I was puzzled, until they explained we have it on our Audible selection. "We've listened to it LOADS".  I was insistent, as *I* wanted to read it. My persistence paid off. They actually ENJOYED it, and claimed I was more captivating a reader than whoever narrates the version we have (his voice is "boring" I was told... oops) I'm hoping it will be an enjoyable read for us, and this way I can also raise topics that are good to discuss or terminology they don't understand.  That is just one reason why reading aloud is such a good idea.

I will do a blog post next week about our nature study (which we began today) and our other new additions which I am yet to add - music and art appreciation - and explain what we are using and why we are doing it.

Getting back to blogging was on *MY* schedule for our "back to normal routine" life, so I can tick that off my to-do list for today! WHOOT WHOOT!

I hope this post is useful and maybe even inspires others to look into trying something new with their family - whether you home educate or not, many of these things can be woven into your family life VERY easily, but maybe not in one block like we do it.

"Bible" isn't just a subject {how we start our school day}

I've been meaning to share with you, for a while, about our new morning routine, during school time.

I can't remember exactly where I was challenged about our mornings. It may have been a podcast, or a book I was reading, or a Facebook post from someone.

That part doesn't matter.

What I WAS convicted about was that our schooling was working around me desperately trying to get the children to complete X, Y and Z. It was always a rush to DO. Any Bible learning we did was just part of any Bible centred curriculum we are using (and I try to use plenty with a Bible-centred emphasis). I became convicted about my priorities. Instead of rushing to do "learning", I needed to start off the day with what was most important. God, His Word, His people. If we didn't do ANYTHING else then so long as we had spent time learning about God, His Word, and His ways, then we had learned something FAR more important than any intellectual gain.

I decided we would jump back in with Sally and Clay Clarkson's "Our 24 Family Ways".  It's a great book guide that uses 24 "ways", that the Clarksons used in their own family, as the backbone. They are all based on scriptural principles, and each day has scripture that ties in with the character trait being taught. We have used it before, but it had been a while. I saw some character traits in my children that needed some training, so it was perfect to go through again.

I also decided to use "The Gospel Story Bible" every morning. This book takes all the major Biblical events and ties the gospel into each one, teaching children to see everything as working towards the Saviour coming, and the great plan of salvation. It's wonderful to see it all woven together and a simple read aloud for children.

Recently, I was talking to some homeschool friends about geography, and what curriculum they used. They told me about using "Operation World" prayer guide as a backbone to learn about countries and cultures around the world. I had NO idea what Operation World WAS! It turns out that it is a FANTASTIC resource. (As a side note, this is a "Must have" for any Church! It is packed full of helpful information that could be used in multiple settings as  Church - prayer meetings, children's ministry, youth work, outreach - it's simply super!!!) It goes through all the countries in the world, outlining some basic general information, and then praise and prayer points for that country. Some countries have fairly extensive information, which we have picked through. It's a massive tome, but an incredible resource. We also got the book "Windows on the World" which goes through many people groups, specifically from a child's perspective, and again highlights areas for prayer. It isn't as extensive as the Prayer Handbook for OW, but it's more child directed and visual. Operation World also has a fantastic website, also including prayer videos for many of the countries in the world.

What we will also be adding, in September, are the scripture memory verses from "Matters of the Heart". I think that Scripture Memorisation is something that I have not been intentional enough about with my children. They learn their memory verse for Friday Club, but I don't even put as much effort into THAT as I ought to.  *blush* As I plan to learn these verses myself, it seems sensible to do it as a family.  I  have now printed out the printable verses, which we will then learn together daily, with a new verse each week.

Don't forget that for this week only, all the Matters of the Heart product are on special offer, for the launch! (Click on the visual below to go to the online shop.)




And, I have also found out that if you order the book this week, you get ALL the products below for FREE! Yes, for FREE!!! There are some really helpful resources in there. 

31 Days to a Better Marriage eBook by Carlie Kercheval of Fulfilling Your Vows

12 Printable Pocket Bible Verses for Women from Today's Frugal Mom

More than Words for Moms Devotional by Stephanie Eidson of Multi Taskin Mom

Mini Prayer Book Printable by Brittany Ann of Equipping Godly Women

DIY Personal Spiritual Retreat Kit by Arabah Joy

Without Regret (a Christian Fiction Novel) by Elaine Mingus of Radcial Christian Woman

Inspirational Quote Pack (3 Printable 8 x 10’s) from The Modest Mom Blog

Family Favourites Meal Plan from Sharla at Freezer Meals 101

3 Printable Scripture Verses (8 x 10) from Sunu at Faith Art Designs

That's a whole lotta love and kindness given to you for NOTHING, out of the generous spirit of those who have produced them - they want to bless YOU! These are other mums and women in the spiritual trenches, who desire to build up others in their faith, to the glory of God.

In addition, don't forget about the prayer and praise journal to go alongside the book, as well as the printable verses, all available at the special launch week prices, or as an extra special bundle price. 

One of my favourite parts of our new morning routine, though, is that I am now regularly praying with, and for, my children. They have heard me pray for them before - but now, specifically, they hear me plead before the throne for their souls. There is nothing I desire more in life than that my children come to know the Lord as their Saviour. I can teach them character - that's great. I can teach them facts and figures - useful and profitable. But, the best thing I can do is point them towards the one who alone can be their life and all, and only if they place their faith in Him, and seek forgiveness for their sins. That is what they hear me seeking the Lord for EVERY DAY. I trust that the Lord would even use that to lead the to Himself.

I think it's so important to have God and His ways at the centre of all we desire to teach our children. When we raise our children, God's Word shouldn't be incidental - it should be intentional. How can we ever expect our children to follow God's ways if we don't TEACH them to our children?

I'd love to hear what other people do to teach their children about the Lord and His Word. Do you have a daily Bible time? How does it work for your family? What do you love about it?

I trust you have a blessed Lord's Day tomorrow, and don't forget to make use of the Matters of the Heart book deal. Don't miss out - it ends in around 48 hours! 

You CAN fly {lessons from a bumble bee}

(This post contains affiliate links)

Yesterday I went for a walk. It was supposed to be a power walk to try and get a bit fitter. A pleasant walk in the sun, whilst also exercising. Plus, I had Ezekiel attached. He has another cold, and I thought that a walk, with him in the sling, would settle him.

Best laid plans, and all that...

He cried. He cried for most of the 1.3 miles round our village. I'm sure that people were peeping out their windows, wondering who was torturing the small person. It was certainly a motivation to power walk as fast as I could, to get home and feed him! (It was that, or plonk myself down in the middle of the pavement and feed him instantly - on second thoughts, I decided I already adequately fulfilled the criteria of "local crazy woman", with my band of 9 offspring, who are home educated, without adding any further to my qualification...)

But, in true home educating mother style, I saw something on the ground and picked it up to bring home.

Ezekiel wasn't very impressed with me bending over at such a strange angle, but I was determined to bring it home, and do some impromptu, Charlotte-Mason-esque learning with them. All in the name of education, my son.

What do I speak of?

This little guy was just lying there, sadly dead, its work on earth complete. I felt it should continue to be of benefit, beyond its days of pollination. So, home it came.

(I say "it". It's probably female, from our further studies...)

We studied it carefully. I used "Are you a bee?" to learn more about bees. The book is about honey bees, and Daniel then managed to find a dead honey bee in our garden! It's a book perfect for younger readers. (I used it with mine, up to age 9)  We did a compare and contrast venn diagram to look at differences between bumble and honey bees. Then, the children drew pictures and wrote down some of the facts we learned. It was fun, and I recommend learning about bees! 

To top off our learning experience, I remembered that my sweet friend, Jan, away over in the US of A, keeps bees! She had previously shared a video fo how they caught a swarm, so she sent me the links for us to watch.

This is them installing bees on a rooftop.

And this is the one of them catching a swarm.

capturing bees from Tessa Danielle Anderson on Vimeo.

Thanks, Jan, for educating us!

But then, I had one of these moments where *I* did some learning.

Not in an "educating the mind" sense, but a whopping "spiritual lesson" moment.

I remembered we had a book called "Bombus the Bumblebee".  I decided it would be a good book to read together, as I knew it was a book written by Christians. I, however, had never read it. The children have, but I haven't. Bad Mummy. 

So, I curled up and started to read. 

It is all about a bumblebee who doubts his purpose, because he's not quite like the other bees - the honeybees.

They tell him he cannot fly because he is big and heavy. He's not built like them, so he couldn't possibly fly like they do. 

The ultimate lesson of the story culminates with God giving Bombus this message...

"I told you to fly.  No matter what your shape or weight, you can fly because I gave you flight. Now, lift up your wings.... and FLY...... and away he flew - not like a honeybee or a dragonfly or beetle - but like a bumblebee"

The book went on to explain how God has created to the bumblebee to defy the odds, and fly - despite their body "not shaped for flight", and their wings being so short. God gave them the power to fly. 

What a message to MY heart!

How easy it is to look and listen to those around us and begin to doubt our ability to live fully for our God and Saviour. If we constantly fall prey to the comparison disease, then we will just sink into depression and misery, and never attempt to live out abundantly for Christ. I may have already told you, I can't remember, but my word for this year - the one I am keeping in my heart and mind to encourage me - is ABUNDANT. Christ came not only to give us life, but so that we could live abundantly! Fully living out our life for Christ. We can only do that if we "fly".  We need to accept who we are  - even if we aren't quite like the next person, whether it be in our skill set, circumstances, or our looks - and rise high on the wings of faith and live out our life as God intended us to.

Don't look around at everyone else. Just obediently and contentedly be satisfied with your circumstances. Don't crawl along, dragging yourself around in misery, because your situation looks different from someone else's. 

Rise.

Rise high and soar. 

Soar above disappointment, trials, negativity and comparison. 

Rise up to the heights of communion with the Lord, and acceptance of the circumstances HE has placed you in. He has given us all we need to be able to do what we are to do, in service for Him. We aren't called to do what someone else is doing, but simply what we are to do. 

Our situation may not even look like we should be able to "fly". Others may look on and think that our trials are too great, or the circumstances are overwhelming. But, if God has given us a job to do, He also gives us the ability to do it. We rise "on eagles wings" because we trust in the Lord, and receive strength from Him. We only rise because God gives us the power to do so. 

I wonder if you are feeling like Bombus today? Are others looking at your, in  your circumstances, and expecting you not to be able to "fly"? 

You CAN soar, because God created you to fly. 

Digging for gold {how to make the most of Church, when you don't always get to listen}

It was happening again.

I was at a Church meeting, and my baby needed my attention. Not just my baby, but my toddler. And then the next child up.

If you are also a mother with small children, I can guarantee one thing - when you go to Church, you don't always get to hear all of the sermon. In fact, sometimes you may do well to hear anything at all!

The thoughts of "Why do I even try?" can so easily try and push into your mind.

It would be very easy to become disheartened, and discouraged, but we mustn't allow that to happen. We need to to look at the situation with the right perspective, and yesterday I was reminded of WHY I have the perspective I have.

What is it?

Well, for a start, we don't just go to Church to benefit ourselves. We should be there, first and foremost, to worship God. It's about giving, not receiving. We also should be there to receive teaching. But, when we have children, we are also there to TRAIN them to sit. That, invariably means that we don't get to concentrate, in order to try and teach the CHILDREN to concentrate!

What I try and consider is that if I just take ONE thing away with me, that I can remember and put into practice in my life, or encourage someone else with, then it's been worth being there. In the moments between telling a child to sit quietly, and sit still, we hopefully get to hear SOMETHING of the sermon! I pray that the Lord will give me a "golden nugget". Just a little precious truth to take away with me. That's my "golden nugget" perspective!

Well, I was at a special Easter convention yesterday, where there were three sermons. One in the afternoon, and two in the evening. Needless to say, by the time we got to the third one, I heard little. I had just the baby through the first sermon, and that was my "golden nugget" moment. I actually was able to take away several things from THAT sermon.  The next one I heard even less, with my toddler there too (the first sermon my hubby had looked after the children, the second sermon was HIM preaching, so that didn't happen!), and by the third sermon my three year old had also come out the back! Quietness just wasn't happening, as they were tired and it was into the evening. I was so glad to have taken something away from the earlier sermon!

But, the moment that gave me joy was when I was able to so very quickly apply what I HAD heard. Speaking to various friends who I met at that Church, I was able to refer back to the sermon we had just heard, when trying to encourage them in their lives. THAT is what God wants. He wants us to hear and to put His Word into action - to be able to apply it to our lives, and to encourage each other with it. God's Word is LIVING! It's powerful. It's able to teach and guide us. It's certainly not something that should go in one ear and out the other, never to be thought of again.

Better still, the verse then came up in my everyday life in the days that followed. More opportunity came to apply those words to my heart and life, and the Lord engrained it further into my mind. He is faithful and good, and His word does not return void.

Take heart, fellow mother of small children.  Try and listen out for that "golden nugget" when you are in a Church service. Amidst the training of small children, which is very time consuming and can be distracting, we CAN take away precious truths and apply them to our heart and lives!

(I know this isn't a long post, but I am desperately trying to get back into blogging, even if my posts are short. Life isn't quite returning to the way I had hoped, as fast as I would like - a whole lesson on its own....bear with me, please? I trust that my words, though few, will still bless someone's heart, as much as the Lord blesses them to mine)

Long Story Short {children's Bible book FREE on Kindle today!}

(this post contains affiliate links)

I have been meaning to share about a book we got recently, but today I have prompted to tell you RIGHT NOW. Why? Well, a book by the same writer is FREEEEE on Kindle today, so here's me telling you!

Recently, our poor Susie had an accident when riding a scooter, and got a nasty gash above her eye. What started out as nasty, but treated with glue, turned into something nastier. She got a swelling above her eye that wouldn't go down like normal swelling, then she got a raised temperature and became quite poorly a week later.

I took her to the Dr, who sent her to the paeds ward in the hospital. It transpires she had an abscess, which then needed a hospital admission and surgical intervention to clear it.

Very kindly, the Church we were visiting when it happened (they have a games evening for children), sent a gift to Susie, to wish her a speedy recovery.

It was "The Gospel Story Bible", by Marty Machowski.

It's a fab book. It goes through the many stories of the Bible, at a level suitable for children. More to the point, it brings "the gospel" into each one. It points them to Christ, and tells them of their need of the Saviour.  What better story book can you have, than one that makes THAT application for boys and girls?

I highly recommend the book, and there are 156 stories, which is LOADS! I worked out, with our 4 day week, that there are nearly enough to do a whole year of devotionals to tie in with our school day!

You could use it in Children's Ministry, too. There is even a Bible curriculum with printable PDF resources, suitable for all ages of Sunday School. ( I could only find it in the USA)

Well, what I found out today, is that she has written OTHER books, and one of them is FREE on Kindle today!

Long Story Short.

No, I'm not about to tell you something briefly.

It's the title of the book!

This is a family devotional, again bringing the gospel clearly into the stories. It is based on the Old Testament, and points the children towards Christ through it all. It seems like it's also really good, and I can't wait to use it with the children.

Of course, if you read this when the offer is gone, you can still get it as a hard copy, from Amazon USA, and from Amazon UK.

But, today (and I don't know how long the offer will last), it is free both on Amazon.com  and Amazon.co.uk , so not only on one side of the Atlantic! (which does happen! - and usually the OTHER side of the Atlantic)

Now come on... WHO doesn't like something for FREEEEE????

Better still, a good quality Bible book for children?

Perfect combo, in my opinion.

Now, go off.  Run as fast as you can to your device of choice and get it ON there!

And, if you are too late, consider buying the hard copy, because these are books worth having in your home, as you raise your children for the Lord. (See the carousel below)

Brighten the corner, where you are {Intentional illumination}

This week our home has been filled with teaching.

IT'S THE SUMMER!??!

Yes, it's the summer, but as I had mentioned before, there were things that I could see that needed some work.  The summer lends itself to working on such things, because the work that "gets in the way", the rest of the time, is paused.

You see, I realised that my children weren't going to make progress, without me being intentional in those areas. I had often heard women in "blogland", talking about being "intentional", but hadn't reallllly grasped what they were meaning.

Purposeful?

Focussed?

What I realised was that it was the opposite of accidental.  It's not something that happens by chance, but something you CHOOSE to do, with the intent of making a change or improvement.

It's been blessing my heart, to see the children making progress, but it's taken effort and focus from me.

It took ME to light the candle and shine it into the "corners" that were dark and dusty in our home.

Not literal darkness and dust - no, that's still there, in many a corner, and I have no great intentions to make that a priority when HEARTS need dusting - but in lives. Darkness caused by sin in the lives of this family that God has given me.  Failings and faults that need a light shone into them, so we can see where improvements need to be made.

It's so easy, isn't it, to look OUTWARD at the faults and failings - the dismal conditions and frightening news - in the world further afield.  We see the "outside world", and perhaps begin to think how we can work on that.  Don't get me wrong - reaching out to help others in need is GOOD.

But, how's the corner where YOU are?

MY corner?

My little, teeny, tiny, but OH so important corner?

My children are my mission field.  God has given them to me, and they need to be taught the gospel, and how God expects them to live.

 Their souls, first and foremost, need to feel the touch of God's quickening power.  It's my earnest plea for their hearts.  Without that, all the rest will only be good living.  Not a bad thing, but nothing without Christ.

Then, they also need to learn how to behave, in a way that is right and good.  That "training up a child", that is my responsibility as a parent.

For both, they need the light of the Word of God, shone brightly into their hearts.  It's our only guide - our only light - to shine and guide.  It's the source of brightness that is our delight, and DUTY, as a mother, to shine.

So, the work we have been doing this week has centred first upon God's Word.  What does the BIBLE teach about how we ought to live, and to treat each other? It's the spark that may set their hearts on fire for God.

It's just not going to happen  on its own.  Our hearts are inclined towards sin, and if I don't set out to INTENTIONALLY guide them and shine that light, it just ain't going to happen.

Missionaries do a sterling job, reaching the lost in far flung nations.

Preachers do a vital job, sharing God's Word with the groups of believers who gather together to serve the Lord.

Mothers, we do an embryonic work, shining that light in the "corners" of our homes, setting the spark in their lives - from before they are even born, as we pray for their souls, to the early moments of life when we talk to them of God and His greatness, into the growing years, when from dawn until dusk we can tell them of God and His Word, and why they need the Saviour most of all.   It's a vital work - nothing greater can we do, than speak words of Truth to the precious souls that God has placed into our life.

The words of a song, penned by a woman a century ago, carry the weight of what our light shining in our homes should be.

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,

Do not wait to shed your light afar,

To the many duties ever near you now be true,

Brighten the corner where you are.

Brighten the corner where you are!

Brighten the corner where you are!

Someone far from harbour you may guide across the bar;

Brighten the corner where you are!

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,

Let not narrow self your way debar;

Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,

Brighten the corner where you are.

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,

Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;

Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,

Brighten the corner where you are.

Our work is the first work in their hearts - that brightening the corner - before ever they hear of anything spiritual outside the home.

We do an important job - let's set out to intentionally illuminate the hearts and lives of our precious children!

A godly generation - part 3

I have had a bit of a break since I had my first 2 posts on this subject.  I saw that I had started to jot down some more thoughts, but hadn't got around to finishing it off.  So, here we go on the last points!


7.  GUARD THEM FROM UNGODLY INFLUENCES

I think this is sooooooo important.  And, they don't always come from the places you would expect!

We got rid of our TV license when Joshua was young.  It was as much to do with what I was tempted to watch, as much as anything else.  However, it became increasingly obvious that there were so many issues, even in CHILDREN'S programmes, that I wanted to avoid.  We do still watch DVD's, but even with those, I am getting increasingly fussy, and chucking things away.  We got a recent Disney DVD.  The princess and the Frog.  Don't buy it! A lot of Disney is fairly harmless, but I was seriously unimpressed with this addition.  It has VOODOO in it, and talks of "going over to the dark side".  A lot of Disney has a very clear "good over evil" storyline, and is purely fantasy.  (I will not get into the debate about fairy tales right now....)  But, this was too close to the real dangers of Satanic influence, which is a reality in life.

So, as I say, I am more particular these days!  I prefer factual programmes (it's been a bit "cold turkey" for certain children, who prefer the story type DVD's!), but have story type ones as well.  Stories like "The Railway Children" or "Swallows and Amazons" (very British, I know!) are nice.  I like Little Women.  But, do you know what, I found, even with that, that I have to emphasise to the children what the Bible teaches on certain subjects that are not reinforced in a movie like that! (ie, Jo being very independent, and being unsatisfied with being a girl!....)  I see no harm in them watching them, as they are being taught clearly enough, from God's Word, what the right way is to live.

I am very careful about reading material.  I think carefully about whether something is profitable for them to be reading, and at best it should actually reinforce our Christian beliefs.  A lot of the classics are much better than the modern rubbish that is being published.  There are some lovely Christian books for children.

The "Moody Family" series, by Sarah Maxwell, is a lovely set of books.  Sarah Maxwell is the daughter of Steve and Terri Maxwell who run Titus 2  Ministries.

I love the books by Janette Oke, and she has a series for children as does Beverly Lewis.  Beverly Lewis has some GORGEOUS picture books, that teach character to chidlren.

These make a beautiful gift, or a family treasure!

Elizabeth George also has lovely picture books, teaching Godly character.

Another set of books, which appealed more to my son, is called Building on the Rock.  They are a devotional set of books, which teach Biblical truth based around true stories from history. They are really interesting,  and exciting!

Choose books that will build them up in God's truths, so that the become a natural part of their lives.  You need to reinforce, not tear down, the truths you are trying to instil in the lives our your children.

Now, for a big one. We have to be wise what company they keep.  This is one that divides Christians.  Personally, I do not guard my children from the ungodly influences of school, only to have them go and play with all the neighbourhood children, the moment THEY get out of school!  I will NOT have them go and play alone, in the home of an unbelieving family.  It has been given to ME to raise my children and to protect them from the evils of this world.  How can I protect these precious "saplings", if I leave them with ungodly families??  I can't.  That's the simple answer.  I don't keep them at home all the time (erm, although in the last few weeks, we have hardly been out at all....couldn't face the energy required, and busy packing to move...lol) - they meet all sorts of peole as we are out and about.  Old people, young people, and everything in between.  But, they are under my guidance and protection.  I can tell you, from experience, that I had some very ungodly influences in my younger days, visiting the homes of the unconverted.  But, because I ENJOYED some of the things I was experiencing, I wouldn't have told my parents for fear of not being allowed back!! I distinctly remember the bad influence some children had upon my life.  I am NOT saying that the children of Christian families are perfect.  I have my OWN children to see that quite clearly! However, I at least know that we, as parents, are trying to teach our children in the right ways!

We just have to be so wise, as parents, and seek to do what is right before the Lord, to raise our children as a godly generation.


8.  TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WHY YOU HAVE THE RULES IN YOUR HOME

This is one that was suggested to me by a dear friend.  She told me that they had a lot of "dos and don'ts" growing up, but had NO idea why she was to do or not do those things.  I know that a child learning to obey without question is very important.  They need to be trained to obey without feeling they need a reason to do so.  HOWEVER, if you have ground rules, it is vitally important for your children to understand where those rules come from.

First and foremost, we must first of all make sure that the rules we DO have are based upon God's Word.  We need to have scriptural authority for all that we choose to be the ground rules in out home.  There are numerous places where you can find scriptural references for family rules.

Some of the resources that I have found to be valuable...

I mentioned here about the book by Clay and Sally Clarkson "Our 24 family ways".  This devotional seeks to go through 24 "rules" of their home, explaining from the scriptures why these are good attributes to apply in our lives.  It's the perfect way to have family guidelines and ALSO teach your children WHY you do it!

The Duggar's have a great list of the "Operational definitions of character qualities" - in other words, how do we put into action various attributes, such as being truthful, obedient, honest, etc, etc, as well as what the opposite behaviour would be, along with scripture basis.  It's a GREAT list, and you can find it here.

There is nothing worse that constantly telling a child to do something, simply, "because I say so"! They need to do know WE are guided by God's Word, as we guide and teach them.  Otherwise they will never understand that we are training them to ultimately please GOD, first and foremost, and not us!  If they understand that our authority is GOD, then it puts a whole different perspective upon their instruction.


9.  PRAY, PRAY AND PRAY SOME MORE!

I think, to finish off, that this must be our watchword - "PRAY"!!! We are nothing without the aid and assistance of the Holy spirit.  We need to plead, every day, for His help, strength, wisdom, grace and humility.  raising our children for His glory, is a hard task, and which needs to be watered with prayer.  Ultimately, we cannot save our children.  We cannot do the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.  We are, however, His instruments - His tools - His workers.  We are doing a great work for Him, which will be used to speak to their souls, and for them to see their need of a Saviour.  We cannot be lax or remiss in this huge, but incredibly important, role.

Pray as we start the day - that we would be guided by His Word, in all we say and do in our family.

Pray as we open our mouths to speak to others - that our words would be wise, grounding, encouraging, and gentle.

Pray as we make decisions - that they would be governed by God's Word, and God's wisdom - not our own.

Pray as we train and discipline - that we would not be governed by anger - rather that we would be firm, yet gentle in how we deal with our family.

Pray for forgiveness - we can never be perfect, and we need to have the humility to see that and seek forgiveness firstly from our Heavenly Father, ad from those who we have wronged.  

Pray at the end of the day - that the Lord would use our labours for good - to the saving of their precious souls, and to build up those who already belong to Him.

My prayer is that we all honour the Lord in our dealings with our children, in order to raise a godly generation for Him.


Now, these are just my tuppeny worth on the subject, and  I am sure there will be many other things that I will forget, or don't mention.  PLEASE feel free to chime in, in the comments section, or blog about it yourself, linking in with this post, in order to share your views.

Matriarch's on a Monday - Eve

I have been thinking.  (I hear you....you could hear the strange noise, ALL the way from wherever you are...!) I have been thinking about how many women are mentioned in the Bible, and JUST how much there is to learnt from them.  As women in the 21st century, you could think that these ladies are just a part of the story of salvation, with little to apply to our modern lives!?  How wrong you would be.  Their lessons reach out to us across the thousands of years that have passed, and still have relevance today.  Indeed, they have more to teach us than so many of the bad examples of womanhood from today's society.

Where to start?  Well, there can only be one place to start, really.  At the beginning!  The woman who we "blame" for all our problems.  The one who passed onto us such things as the pain of childbirth.  And yet.....and YET, there are positive lessons to learn from the mother of all living.  Eve.

Can you imagine the first conscious moments of Eve.  To become aware of her surroundings, as God breathed life into her.  The most perfect picture of man that was ever created, was right before her.  (And you thought YOUR man was the most perfect picture of manhood?...sorry to disappoint!).  An absolutely stunning world, filled with beauty and splendour.  And, of course, I'm sure the feeling was mutual, as Adam woke from his deep sleep!  It's not everyone who wakes from his sleep to see something as beautiful as Eve, for the first time!

There is a tremendous picture for us, simply in the creation OF Eve.  Eve was created because "it was NOT good" for the first time in God's creation.  He created Adam, and realised that he was not complete.   That something - someone - was needed to complete his creation of man.  He NEEDED woman.  He had created all creatures male and female, so that they could procreate "after their kind".  But for man, it was so much more than that.  He was a living soul - different from the animals.  He needed a companion.  So, God created Eve.  To complete him.  So that they could be one.

I have always loved the analogy, heard so many times.  God did not take some of Adam's skull, so that woman would be over him, or from his foot, so that she would be under him - he took it from his side, so that she would be protected, close to his side, under his arm and equal with him before God.

However, don't we so often look to the biggie.  The part where everything falls apart.  Eve - the one who took the fruit.  The one who convinced her husband that he should eat of it, too.  The one who brought the curse upon womankind, so that they would forever have to submit to out husbands, and have pain in childbirth?  It's true, though.  Because these are the things that we SO need to learn from - lessons which we have to learn.  HARD lessons - but, needful lessons.

I think, before we look at these hard, but needful, lessons, we need to first look at the positive.  God created us, women, to be the completion of our husbands.  We have a vital part to play, in making our marriages a complete thing.  It's a God-created position.  Not something to be belittled, scorned or even dismissed.  Why should we NOT want to be all we can for our husbands.  That help meet  - or suitable - for him.  We are perfectly suited to be the wives we should be for them.  God created us for it!  It's not contrived by the 50's housewife brigade!  It's stated clearly in God's Word.

It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Genesis 2:18

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one 
flesh. 

Gen 2:24  

God gave it as a pattern for us - something that is right and good.  That man and woman, as one, should cleave - hold fast to each other - stick close together - in all that they do as man and wife.

There are so many marriages where they as well not be married.  The husband is off doing his own thing, evening after evening - or the wife is forever off with her girlie friends, leaving her husband at home alone.  You forsake that single life when you get married.  You should desire to be together when you can - sticking close to each other, not to other people!  I'm not saying you can never have a night out, but there are some people who just want to be out ALL the time, and those football/pamper nights (that's an "or" - can't imagine them TOGETHER!) take priority over their marriage.  We have to cherish our time together.  We have to desire that oneness and closeness that God has gifted us with!

In the New Testament, we again see instruction as to where our place is.


 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 
 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 

Titus 2:4-5

I think these are some of the most sobering verses directed to me as a woman!  If I DON'T do these things - I am blaspheming the word of God!  That's VERY serious!   You can't add "but, things have changed, so we don't need to do this any more....."  God's Word NEVER changes.  If we are to love our husband and children, then we equally should be keepers at home!  We should WANT to stay at home, and care for it.  To be the guardians of our domain.  It's no weak position, or some menial task.  It's a HUGE responsibility and a privilege to undertake!  It's no job for a weakling! In fact, I have always maintained that the EASY thing would be to go and work outside the home.  But, who said that obeying God was easy.....?

Again, I am not saying there is never a circumstance that a woman should work outside of the home, but it is not the primary responsibility and role given to women.  We shouldn't go LOOKING for ways to escape our responsibilities, just because we don't like  the role that we have been given!  There are many scenarios where  it has become a necessary.  But, it's NOT the pattern that God has given us.

Now, to the negative.  The bad part we always think of, from which we can glean important lessons.

Eve was deceived by Satan.  She believed his lies.  She was convinced enough that she questioned God's Word.

"hath God said?......", said the serpent.

The first sin was doubting God's Word.  She doubted what she had been told about the trees.  She believed the word of the serpent, and not the Word of her creator - the one with whom she fellow-shipped with in the garden.  She lusted after something other than the perfect life that God had given her.

Is this not one of our temptations?  To doubt that the role God has given us is the best one for us?  That our place at home as a wife and mother is better than anything else we could possibly do?

"Hath God said that you can't go and work outside the home and put your children in day-care, just because you might be able to do something worthwhile elsewhere?"

"Hath God said that doing some kind of ministry outside of the home is more important than looking after YOUR family - God's VERY important ministry for you?"

Dear sister - don't doubt God!  Don't doubt the vital role you  have to play.  As an encourager and help to your husband.  As the one to nurture and care for your children, and train them up in the way they should go.  If GOD has given you this role, there could be NOTHING more important out there for you to do!  It's such a special job, that there couldn't be something more exciting or rewarding elsewhere!  I KNOW there are tough days (I just had a whole pile of them!....)  I KNOW that it isn't always easy!  But, it's still the BEST.


Then comes the other "biggie"!  Submission.


"and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."

Genesis 3:16

Ohhhhhh, how we struggle with this concept!  Our husbands have the final word and authority over us.  Our flesh rebels and despises that, so very often!   We don't like having to obey, especially when we think we are right (*gasp*.....).  We don't like having to obey, when it goes against what WE want to do.  But, it's God's pattern.

Meekness is the key.  Meek is NOT weak.  Meekness is humility.  We have to be humble enough to accept that our husband has the final word, and that is the way that GOD has planned it.  Not out husband.  Not our Church leaders.  GOD!  We have to humbly accept that his decisions are the final word, whether they are our first choice or not.  In ALL areas.  Big and small.  Hard, isn't it?  But, the reassurance is, it's GOD'S way.  And, in His perfect wisdom, he has ordained that our husbands have the final authority.  I'm not saying that we shouldn't have good enough relationships to share ideas.  Or, that husbands should be unloving  tyrants who give no value to our opinions.  Rather, we need to trust them to have that authority that God has given them.  We have to trust that they are honouring God in their decisions, and that even if we don't understand the "why's and wherefore's", that we should still lovingly, and humbly submit to what they decide.  AND, remember that God is sovereign, and so long as they are not asking us to do something sinful, God will work all things together for our good - so long as we are obeying HIM! Plus, we need to DO it with a loving, happy and contented attitude.  Submission isn't real if anyone can plainly see we don't actually WANT to submit to our husband's authority!

Eve, these are hard lessons we are learning from you.  Hard, but SO important.  Right up there at the top of our list of "things to do"!   Thank-you for being an example for us.  May God give us the grace to learn from you.

(PS - sorry for the silence for a little while....things have been happening around here....getting ready for a house move, and various other thing, large and small.....I'll expand on some of the things as as soon as I can, but would appreciate your prayers as our family goes through some changes!)

Top Tips Tuesday - Marriage

I was thinking that it would be a good idea to share some wisdom with each other, about various topics.  Everything from favourite books to read with your children, to the best soup recipes that you have!  There are endless possibilities, and what could be better than sharing with others and being helpful!

I had no trouble deciding what today's should be to start it all off, when I read a truly excellent excerpt from the writings of Richard Baxter, the great Puritan preacher.    It is titled "Directives for Avoiding Dissension in the Home" - the subtitle which I would give, being - "How to live in harmony without arguing"!

I am going to be honest with you here.  On our honeymoon we argued.  Sorry, correction.  On our honeymoon *I* argued.  I couldn't tell you what it was about, but it happened.  I would unequivicably state that it was my fault entirely - largely due to the fact that I had issues with submission and humility.  (Can I quickly add....I still have my moments.....).  I would really like to deal with the topic of Biblical submission at some point, but not today, and not without a lot of thought and applying myself to the task with prayer. I have taken a long time to improve in this area, and I wish I had had more understanding of how to avoid it, in those early days.

As I know a dear, sweet friend who recently got married, I thought that sharing tips on how to have a successful, happy and BIBLICAL marriage, would be a great way to start my "Top Tips Tuesday".  What do YOU wish you knew in those early days.  What have YOU found to be vital in maintaining a God-glorifying marriage?

I really believe that there are many marriages that are secretly floundering and failing - and I am talking about CHRISTIAN marriages - simply because they have had no Biblical teaching about marriage from pastors, no sound advice from "older women" and SO sadly, no godly example from parents.  The world is full of books about marriage advice from a worldly philosophy, but what about a Biblical point of view?  People either don't know what it is, or don't understand it properly so dismiss it.

I would like to come back to the topic of marriage, but for today, here is my Top Tip - try to avoid disagreement and arguing.  The excerpt below gives some EXCELLENT advice about this, and we would all do well to put it into practice.  If you read it and find it doesn't apply to you, you are either deceiving yourself, or you have a prefect marriage......hmmmm.......what do you think?

Read it, and be challenged!

Directives for Avoiding Dissension in the Home by Richard Baxter

Richard Baxter

It is a great duty of husbands and wives to live in quietness and peace, and avoid all occasions of wrath and discord. Because this is a duty of so great importance, I shall first open to you the great necessity of it, and then give you more particular directions to perform it.

(1) Your discord will be your pain, and the vexation of our lives. Like a bile, or wound, or fracture in your own bodies, which will pain you till it is cured; you will hardly keep peace in your minds, when peace is broken so near you in your family. As you would take heed of hurting yourselves, and as you would hasten the cure when you are hurt; so should you take heed of any breach of peace, and quickly seek to heal it when it is broken.

(2) Dissension tends to cool your love; oft falling out doth tend to leave a habit of distaste and averseness on the mind. Wounding is separating; and to be tied together by any outward bonds, when your hearts are separated, is but to be tormented; and to have the insides of adversaries, while you have conjugal outsides. As the difference between my house and my prison is that I willingly and with delight dwell in the one, but am unwillingly confined to the other, such will be the difference between a quiet and an unquiet life, in your married state; it turneth your dwelling and delight into a prison, where you are chained to those calamities, which in a free condition you might overrun.

(3) Dissension between the husband and the wife, doth disorder all their family affairs; they are like oxen unequally yoked, that can rid no work for striving with one another. Nothing is well done because of the variance of those that should do it, or oversee it.

(4) It exceedingly unfitteth you for the worship of God; you are not fit to pray together, nor to confer together of heavenly things, nor to be helpers to each other’s souls: I need not tell you this, you feel it by experience. Wrath and bitterness will not allow you so much exercise of love and holy composedness of mind, as every one of those duties do require.

(5) Dissension disableth you to govern your families aright. Your children and servants will take example by you; or think they are at liberty to do what they list, when they find you taken up with such work between yourselves; and they will think you unfit to reprove them for their faults, when they see you guilty of such faults and folly of your own; nay, you will become the shame and secret derision of your family, and bring yourselves into contempt.

(6) Your dissensions will expose you to the malice of Satan, and give him advantage for manifold temptations. A house divided cannot stand; an army divided is easily conquered, and made a prey to the enemy. You cannot forsee what abundance of sin you put yourselves in danger of. By all this you may see what dissensions between husband and wife do tend to, and how they should be avoided.

For the avoiding of them observe these sub-directions:

(1) Keep up your conjugal love in a constant heat and vigor. Love will suppress wrath; you cannot have a bitter mind upon small provocations, against those that you dearly love; much less can you proceed to reviling words, or to averseness and estrangedness, or any abuse of one another. Or if a breach and wound be unhappily made, the balsamic quality of love will heal it. But when love once cooleth, small matters exasperate and breed distaste.

(2) Both husband and wife must mortify their pride and passion, which are the causes of impatiency; and must pray and labour for a humble, meek, and quiet spirit. A proud heart is troubled and provoked by every word or carriage that seemeth to tend to their undervaluing. A peevish, froward mind is like a sore and ulcerated member, that will be hurt if it be touched. He that must live near such a sore, diseased, impatient mind, must live even as the nurse doth with the child, that maketh it her business to rock it, and lull, and sing it quiet when it crieth; for to be angry with it, will do no good; and if you have married one of such a sick or childish temper, you must resolve to bear and use them accordingly. But no Christian should bear with such a malady in themselves; nor be patient with such impatiency of mind. Once get the victory over yourselves, and the cure of your own impatience, and you will easily keep peace with one another.

(3) Agree together beforehand, that when one is in the diseased, angry fit, the other shall silently and gently bear, till it be past and you are come to yourselves again. Be not angry both at once; when the fire is kindled, quench it with gentle words and carriage, and do not cast on oil or fuel, by answering provokingly and sharply, or by multiplying words, and by answering wrath with wrath.

(4) If you cannot quickly quench your passion, yet at least refrain your tongues; speak not reproachful or provoking words: talking it out hotly doth blow the fire, and increase the flame; be but silent, and you will the sooner return to your serenity and peace. Foul words tend to more displeasure. As Socrates said when his wife first railed at him, and next threw a vessel of foul water upon him, ‘I thought when I heard the thunder, there would come rain’; so you may portend worse following, when foul, unseeming words begin. If you cannot easily allay your wrath, you may hold your tongues, if you are truly willing.

(5) Let the sober party condescend to speak fair and to entreat the other. Say to your angry wife or husband, ‘You know this should not be betwixt us; love must allay it, and it must be repented of. God doth not approve it, and we shall not approve it when this heat is over. This frame of mind is contrary to a praying frame, and this language contrary to a praying language; we must pray together anon; let us do nothing contrary to prayer now: sweet water and bitter come not from one spring,’ etc. Some calm and condescending words of reason, may stop the torrent, and revive the reason which passion had overcome.

(6) Confess your fault to one another, when passion hath prevaileth against you; and ask forgiveness of each other, and join in prayer to God for pardon; and this will lay a greater engagement on you the next time to forbear: you will sure be ashamed to do that which you have so confessed and asked forgiveness for of God and man. If you will but practise these directions, your family peace may be preserved.

If you are able, please link up below, and share your top marriage tips with us all on your own blog.


If you haven't got a blog, please feel free to share in the comments below!

Daily Bible reading

When I was deciding how to restructure my quiet times, I decided that it would be profitable to have a sytematic plan for my Bible readings.  I had previously used a One Year Bible, like this.

The principle of it is good.  It is laid out so that you have a portion from the Old testament, New Testament, Psalms and a few verses from Proverbs, for each day.  So, you systematically read through the Bible.  However, it is set specifically to dates - so, it starts with Genesis 1 on January the 1st, and so forth.  I found that if I missed a day, it could be hard to catch up.  I also found it hard going going through some books of the Bible.  As much as there was always some New Testament to read as well, you could spend quite a long time in one book (think Chronicles here!...)  Also, if you start using it, say, in July, you don't start at the beginning, in Genesis.


My copy of it was also quite a large and bulky paperback.  It wasn't the most practical thing to use.  You can, however, now get a compact hard-back copy, which is much better.


My other frustration was, if I read something and wanted to cross-reference with another scripture, it's NOT easy to find it in there! Simply because everything is all jumbled up, and books spread out through it.  I found myself having to get another Bible out to find what I wanted, or else I would spend ages looking for things.  When time is already precious in the mornings, before the children waken, speed is of the essence!


I'm sure it works for many people (I KNOW it does!), but i was looking for something different.


Then I found it!


Again, it's a "read-the-Bible-in-a-year" format.  However, I work with a printed guide for a start. Then, you can use whichever Bible you have on hand.   I have it in my Prayer Journal, although I plan to put another copy in my small Bible that goes everywhere with me.  It was put together by someone who had struggled to complete other Annual Bible reading plans.  Each day of the week, you read between one to six chapters out of a different part of the Bible. Each week I cover one or more chapters out of each major area of the Bible - Epistles, The Law, History, Psalms, Poetry, Prophecy and Gospels.  It provides some variety by changing the area you read from every day.  There is an element of consistency insofar as you still read through each book systematically, albeit on a weekly basis, rather than a daily basis. I am certainly enjoying it, and enjoy the variety.  


You can find it here.



On that page you can also find a PDF version which you can print off.  Alternatively, the passage to be read each day can also be emailed to you!


Here's my printed version, in my Journal.

  I think that it is important to have the Bible as the backbone to our Quiet Time each day.  Devotional books are great as an extra, but I don't think they should be a substitute for getting into God's Word.


I think that any other studies should be in ADDITION to the reading of God's Word.


Some other day I will share HOW I study through - what I try and draw our from my readings, to apply to my life.


So, how do YOU study through the scriptures?  I would love to hear!


Link up, if you have a Blog, and comment below, if you haven't!