Better to Obey God than Serve a Foreign King - Bible Study

Below are my reflections as I studied 2 Chronicles Chapter 12.  I hope you will be blessed.

The theme in this chapter is repeated time and time again in human history.  And again and again God’s mercy shines through as repentance takes place.  It is amazing to me how often when we feel secure or have achieved all of our aspirations we stop obeying God.  We lose sight of him and allow our relationship to deteriorate.  We stop leaning on him as our source of life and fall into pride, self-reliance, and true deception.  King Rehoboam “had control of his kingdom, he and everyone in Judah stopped obeying the Lord (2 Chronicles 12:1).”  It’s funny how it says everyone in Judah.  People will follow there leaders.  Isn’t it ironic how we look at others to justify our falling away?  This is especially true of our leaders.  We say “he’s doing it so why not me.  After all he is the king and look at how safe the king has made us.  God must be ok with what he is doing.  So we will do it to.  After all we are safe now.  God is on our side.”  Then comes the deception, disillusionment, and ultimately sin brings forth death in some form.

Sabbath Day Rest for Children - Teaching our Children the Commandment to Rest

Last week at my church's moms meeting we did a bible study entitled "Rest for Those He Loves."  This is a wonderful women's study found in series entitled "A Mom's Ordinary Day Bible Study Series - Managing Your Time."  The ladies and I had a wonderful time discussing things in our lives that prevents us from taking a regular Sabbath rest.  In addition, we discussed the benefits and consequences of adhering to or neglecting a Sabbath rest.  You can find this series at amazon.com at:

Managing Your Time

Also, while we were doing our bible study the children also had a study to work on.  I want to offer this study for you to do with your children.  You can download it here:

Free Printable - Teaching Children About the Sabbath

This is an excellent way to teach our children the principle of the Sabbath.  Our society is very driven.  The Sabbath belongs to God and we must teach our children to follow Godly principles.  The world will teach them that they must keep going and going to be on top, to achieve success, to get ahead.  God teaches us that we must rest and honor him and our families and he will make our six days more productive and peaceful than our 7 days could ever be.

Positive Christian Music For Our Children

I am always looking for music for my daughter to listen to.  She loves to dance around the house and make dance routines with her sister and brother.  I love to see her uninhibited creativity it is truly God inspired.  Since she loves music so much it is often a challenge finding music that has an upbeat, contemporary, feel she likes.  Then I came across Jaime Grace.  I absolutely love her and would recommend her music to any person with young girls.  Her music is upbeat, positive, and reflects her intense love for Jesus Christ.  Below is a link to her website:

http://www.jamiegrace.com/

Here is a clip of her on YouTube:

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Family Event - Starting the Christmas Season of Right

The kids and I were so excited today to finally fill our shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.  After picking up the two little ones from preschool we headed off to the collection site to drop off our shoe boxes and help out where we could.  This was a wonderful way to kick off our holiday season.  This year my husband and I have resolved to make Christmas more about memories and sharing the love of Christ versus spending stressful hours in the store. 

At home my oldest and I filled our boxes with toys, candy, toothpaste, stickers, and all sorts of fun items.  Once we got to the collection site the kids had even more fun.  Many other home school families were there from our support group and all the kids sat down while the head of the collection site explained how each child would be helping to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world by filling shoe boxes.

We started with the two boxes we already had at home

It was wonderful. The kids both chose even more shoe boxes to fill and we went through all of the items at the site and chose fun items for each box.  All the while the kids enjoyed cookies, drinks, and hanging out with other families. They colored "all about me" pages to include in the shoe boxes and even made a little blanket to put in the boxes.  Finally we prayed over our boxes and the children that would receive them.



Kids Writing Their "all about me" pages to include in their boxes



They wanted to make even more boxes!

Once again I want to encourage you to visit my sister's website. It is awesome and she really has a heart to see people saved and set free. Below you will find one of her recent blog posts. If you like what you see visit her at www.lovedandforgiven.com and tell a friend.

www.lovedandforgiven.com

Are You Among the Faithful Few?

While reading in Revelation chapter three today, something really stood out to me. It's as if although I've read it many times, it just leaped off of the page (don't you love it when that happens)! In verses 7-13, the Lord is speaking to the church in Philadelphia. In the margin of my bible I have written, "the faithful church."

Agnus Dei From Jotta A. - You Have Got to See This!

"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?" - Matthew 21:16

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger - Psalm 8:2

The video speaks for itself!

Second Grade Daily Homeschool Schedule / Stay At Home Mom Schedule

For some time now I have wanted to post my daily homeschool schedule.  Admittedly, I do not always follow my schedule.  However, when I feel I am going too far off course I always go back to it to get back on track.  It has been very helpful to have a schedule.  I am just not one who can wake up and just go with the flow.  The days I try that I always feel as if I have not accomplished anything by the end of the day.

Our Homeschoool Room

Here is a link to download my schedule:
Second Grade Homeschool Schedule

Fun Autumn Glyph for Kids

Recently during a mom's meeting at my home the kids made the following autumn glyphs.  What is a glyph?  It is a symbol that conveys a message or information nonverbally.  This is a great way for kids to learn data collection and learn how to interpret information.  Below are the directions for creating this glyph:

To download a copy of these directions click here:
Fall Wreath Glyph

Our Field Trip to Mt. Vernon - Revealing HIS-tory

Yesterday we went to Mt. Vernon's Homeschool day.  For those of you who may not know Mt. Vernon was the home of George Washington and his wife Martha.  It is the most popular historic estate in our country.  My oldest was so excited to go on this field trip.  From public school she of course learned about George Washington.  Also, this year in social studies she has learned some interesting facts about George Washington.  Prior to visiting the estate we went online to Mt. Vernon's official website.  I have to say that this site is very well.  There is another interactive site just for kids called Washington's world that I highly recommend if you will be visiting Mr. Vernon http://www.washingtonsworld.org/.

While reviewing the site prior to visiting, Ayanna was astonished to learn that Washington owned slaves.  It really took her aback.  She was well aware that he was a Christian man, the Father of our country, and we have taught her to honor and respect leaders from the past and present.  She was very confused.  However, this was a wonderful opportunity to teach Ayanna principles of our faith and more about her history.  During our visit, as we went into the slave quarters and visited the blacksmiths shop, we talked about how it is not God's will for men to be held in bondage by others.  We also talked about Jesus is our standard.  We don't make idols out of men even good men because from Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The Most Important Subject During My Homeschool Day

Like many homeschoolers I often find my day going way off schedule.  To be perfectly honest I have a pretty great schedule written down.  However, most days I find I am actually going off schedule.  I don't know if I am just trying to cram too much in one day.  Perhaps my schedule just doesn't allow for any interruptions or moments when I have to explain a concept over and over again.  I just know that lately I have become increasingly frustrated with my lack of consistency in following my schedule.  This frustration has been amplified by not always knowing what subjects to teach and which to let go when my day does not go the way I plan.  Then I was challenged by the thought of letting Bible slide.  After all isn't it important that we cover at least math and language arts daily.  Those are the two subjects we are required to test our children on (at least in Virginia) and report their scores to the superintendent.  Then it struck me Bible is not just a subject and if I treat it as just one more thing to get through on our daily checklist that is exactly the view my children will have towards God's Word. 

Today we read in John chapter 6 that Jesus is the bread of life.  Nothing will sustain my children more than learning God's Word.  And not just memorizing verses but learning the daily discipline and privilege of spending time with Jesus.  She is learning to discern the voice of Holy Spirit.  She is learning of the faith that will keep her everyday of her life.  We don't know what the future holds.  There is no guarantee that the America we live in today, that is still so full of opportunity and wealth, will be that same America our children and grandchildren experience.  The best and most important thing we can teach our children is to have a hunger and thirst after God.  To live life in light of eternity.  This will only be accomplished if we make sure we don't neglect the most important subject in our homeschool day and our entire life - God's Word.  Everything else can wait.

Do As I Say Not As I Do

Below is a blog post from my wonderful sister.  She is absolutely awesome!  God has given her so many gifts one of which is writing.  If you enjoy this post check out her website at:

http://www.lovedandforgiven.com/

"This is a phrase that I have heard many times...but is it truly realistic to expect our children to do that? I have two sons. A 10-year old and a 14-month old. I have realized this year more than ever how much our children watch us. Fortunately I'm relieved to say that my oldest has noticed that I'm actually trying to live what I've been trying to teach him. He lets me know, and asks questions about how I would have handled certain situations when I was his age. I even catch him watching me sometimes, studying me to see how I will react when faced with difficult circumstances. Even my toddler, although he's not old enough to understand the spiritual tidbits I try to deposit into him, I've realized how much he watches me too. He knows all of my routines. It always amazes me that even though he can't tell the time on a clock, he has observed me so much that he has a concept of time based on what I'm doing. As I'm writing this, I'm reminded of:

2 Timothy 1:5 - I'm reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, now I am persuaded, lives in you also.

What a wonderful testimony to have someone see God's light shining in our children and grandchildren as adults, and also recognizing that our godly lifestyle influenced them as children.

If you enjoy this post check out:
What Was I Thinking!