Three Steps to Overcoming Homeschool Fears

June 28, 2009 by Robin

Are you constantly worried about your homeschooling? Do you fretfully ask questions such as “Am I doing enough?” “What about…?” “What if…?”

God is sufficient for every situation we will ever encounter. Because of His abundant goodness, kindness, and love for us, we do not have to be anxious or worry.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:6-8)

Fear comes from trusting in your own ability. God has called you to homeschool and He will direct your paths. Instead of trusting yourself your focus and dependence should be on God’s promises and ability.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith… James 1:5-6)

When you delight yourself in Him, He will direct your paths. God guarantees His Word and fulfills His promises. It is when we remind ourselves of all He has done, and recognize all He is doing in our lives, that our faith grows.

Fear and faith cannot operate at the same time

Fear and faith cannot operate at the same time—they are mutually exclusive. You cannot wait on God to direct your path and then sit around and worry that He won’t.

Three Steps to Building Homeschool Confidence

Believe God’s promise
Use sound strategy
Call on the Lord in prayer

These three steps come from the book of Joshua, the story of how God led the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan.

The lessons in Joshua explain how choosing obedience brings victory and blessing, and how disobedience brings defeat. Joshua was commanded to rid the land of the Canaanites. After the battle of Jericho, the Israelites defeated Ai.

The news of Joshua’s victories reached the Gibeonites. In their fear, the Gibeonites came up with a plan. They pretended that they came from a far away place (outside of Canaan) and wanted to make peace with the children of Israel. Joshua and his men believed them because of the way they looked (walking by sight/in the flesh), and because they did not ask for God’s advice—two big mistakes.

Joshua made a treaty with the Gibeonites and then had to keep his promise to not kill the Gibeonites (once an oath was taken, it could not be revoked). However, he made them slaves. Adonizedec, a Canaan king, heard that the Gibeonites had made peace with Joshua; so he sent word to the other kings and asked for help to kill the Gibeonites. The Gibeonites appealed to Joshua to deliver them from Adonizecec (Joshua 10:6–10). God reassured Joshua that He was with him and the Israelites would win (Joshua 10:7–8).

When the battle began, God sent hail stones to fall on their enemies. He granted Joshua’s request, and the sun stood still until they had defeated their enemies!

Joshua’s Plan for Success
Three elements combined to give Joshua success in this battle in Joshua 10.

Believing God’s promise (v.
Using sound strategy (v. 9)
Calling on the Lord in prayer (vv. 10–15)

1. Believing God’s Promise

The Israelites didn’t have to be afraid because God had already promised them victory—and you don’t have to fear either, because God has promised to direct your paths. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5–6). When we live by faith in God and in His promises, we can expect to receive God’s help.

2. Using Sound Strategy

I’m not suggesting that you run your homeschool on a whim, but to create your plan with prayer and submission to God.

Leaning on God does not negate self-discipline or forming good habits. God has always been working in your life, from before the time you were first formed in your mother’s womb. He has been preparing you, just as Joshua was prepared many years for what would belong to him. You will need to plan, but allow time for a variety of unplanned activities; keep some flexible time in your schedule to meet your children’s needs and delights; in other words, schedule by faith.

I use the Heart of Wisdom plan that includes a framework and objectives with structure and flexibility. This four-year plan is a framework you can use as a guide as you schedule your curriculum and time by faith. There are other plans and frameworks available or you can create your own. Just remember the Lord wants us to be dependent upon Him not on a homeschool method or program.

3. Calling on the Lord in Prayer

D. L. Moody said, “Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.” Prayer is your first step in planning and the first step in daily Bible study. Use Colossians 1:9–12 as a guide. Ask God:

To fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and
understanding;
That you would bear fruit in every good work;
That you would grow in the knowledge of God;
That you would be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience; and
That you would joyfully give thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Faith begets more faith.

Developing faith is much like developing muscles; our muscles grow stronger as we use them, and become weaker when we don’t use them. Faith comes from prayer and learning about God’s ways through studying and obeying His Word; it is through these exercises that we receive the confidence and peace that God gives when we trust Him.

Faith is something we must practice continuously. It is a continuing cycle. The more you turn to God, the more your faith is strengthened.

We’ll also know our dependence is on God when we trust He will bring us through difficult times with deeper intimacy and greater faith at the end.

Homeschool Prayer

Father, give me wisdom and grace to be a teacher of my children. Fill me with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding; fill my heart with Your love and Your Word. Help me daily teach by example that Your Word should be priority over the things of this world.

Give me strength according to Your glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience. Help me be diligent and wise to teach these children Your Word as You command. Help me persevere in Your ways, Your love and presence. Make my life an example, an influence as I educate these children for you. Keep my eyes on You, on Your vision, Your plans, and Your purposes for our family.

Robin Sampson has been homeschooling for 20 years. She and her husband Ronnie are blessed with a “yours, mine, and ours” blended family of eleven children (ages 6 to 34) and thirteen grandchildren (ages 1 to 12). She is actively teaching the two youngest children still at home. Robin is the author of the Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach and a business owner. Please visit her at www.heartofwisdom.com.

Tags: asking God for guidance, Encouragement, faith, God's Promise, homeschool confidence, homeschool worries, praying for wisdom, Proverbs, Scripture, teaching worries, the story of Joshua

An Unplanned Delight-Directed Homeschool Day

January 7, 2009 by Robin

Halloween for Christians?

October 23, 2008 by Robin

26 Comments

It’s that time of year again. Vampires, ghouls, ghosts and skeletons will be haunting our doorways. American retailers celebrate a 5 billion dollar a year candy, card and costume business ($1.5 billion in Canada).

But, Halloween is not just a time for cornstalks, pumpkins, apples and cute and not-so-cute costumes. There is much, much more. Before deciding to celebrate or not celebrate any holiday, it is important to understand the history of that holiday.

Before we look at the history and what the Bible says about pagan holidays answer these questions:

How would you feel if your spouse kept photos of his or her former girlfriend of boyfriend?

How would you feel if he or she celebrated an anniversary of special times with another after marrying you?

Our God is a jealous God demanding exclusive devotion (Exodus 20:5). Do you think He cares if you encourage your children to partake in a holiday that honors Satan, the god of this world?

Halloween’s History
Halloween’s roots come from the ancient Celts, a tribe living about 2,000 years ago in the areas that are now Ireland, Great Britain and northern France.

The Celts were first described as a fierce, warlike, terrifying people, many of whom would have strings of human heads tied on their bridles. Halloween was their main holiday, called Samhain. It was a festival that honored the Samhain, the Celtic lord of death. The celebration marked the beginning of the season of cold, darkness, and decay. The Celts related this with human death; they believed the Samhain allowed souls of the dead to return to their earthly homes for that evening. On the evening of the festival, the Druids, the priest and teachers of the Celts, ordered the people to put out their hearth fires.

The Druids built a huge New Year’s bonfire of oak branches, which they considered sacrificed. They burned animals, crops, and even human beings as sacrifices. Then each family re-lit their hearth fire from the New Year’s fire. The lighted jack-o’-lanterns used today are symbols of fires and torches. During the celebration people wore costumes made of animal heads and skins. They told fortunes by examining the remains of the sacrifices.

These pagan Celts believed that evil spirits lurked about as the sun god grew pale and the Samhain grew stronger. The Celts believed the evil spirits would come to your house and you would have to treat them or they would trick you.

The Romans conquered the Celts in A.D. 43 and ruled what is now Great Britain for about 400 years. During this period, two Roman autumn festivals were combined with the Celtic festival of Samhain. Both pagan rituals, one of them, called Feraila, was held in late October to honor the dead. The other festival honored Pomona, the Roman Goddess of fruit and trees. Apples became associated with Halloween because of this festival.

Regional Halloween customs developed among various groups of Celts. In Ireland, for example, people begged for food in a parade that honored Muck Olla, their sun god. The leader of the parade wore a white robe and the head of an animal. In England, families sat by the fire and told stories while they ate treats such as apples and nuts.

Halloween in the United States
In the United States, many early American settlers brought with them various customs such as the above. However, because of Christianity among so many of the settlers, Halloween celebrations were not celebrated until the 1800’s when several immigrants from Ireland and Scotland introduced their Halloween customs. They brought various beliefs about ghosts and witches with them. Other groups added their own cultural influences to Halloween customs. German immigrants brought a vivid witchcraft lore, and Haitian and African peoples brought their native voodoo beliefs about black cats, fire, and witchcraft.

All Saints Day, a day the seventh century church set aside for remembering early Christians who died for their beliefs, was first celebrated in the month of May. By the year 900 the date was combined with the pagan rituals to be celebrated November 1. Another name for All Saints Day was All Hallows. October 31 was known as All Hallows Eve which was shortened to Halloween.

The church made a grave mistake trying to combine pagan worship with Christianity. This is not scriptural! Because of that unwise decision, Halloween remains a holiday in America today.

Scriptures warn us that the sins of the fathers are visited upon the third and fourth generations. You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me. Exodus 20:5.

Those who disregard God’s warning and make contact with occult spirits risk terrible repercussions in the form of misery, sickness, insanity and even early death.

Why do people living in this age, especially Christians, desire to be a part of any pagan worship? This pagan belief, even celebrated by Christian churches, celebrates the union of gods and a goddess in the universe that supposedly control the seasons, bring fertility to crops and animals, and bestow magical powers on their followers.

What Does the Bible Say About Halloween?
Although the Bible doesn’t specifically mention Halloween by name, it makes it very clear that the origins and practices of Halloween (adapting pagan customs or borrowing the ways of those who worship a false god and using them to worship the true God) are detestable to God. Deuteronomy 12:29-32. The Bible clearly teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14
When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who…practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium, or spiritist or who consults the dead. Deuteronomy 18:9-11

Ephesians 5:1 tells us to be imitators of God. Our Lord Jesus would not go to a party to honor the feast of the Samhain. Moses did not come down from Mount Sinai and combine the Israelites Passover holiday with the idol worship that was going on. Allowing children to dress as witches and sorcerers or hanging evil decorations in our windows is imitating that which is evil.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people. Therefore Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.

The verse says, “come out from among them, says the Lord.” Does that mean come out from among them–but don’t deprive your children from all that fun and candy — celebrate the same pagan ritual in your church building? The Bible is very clear about Christians being involved in such celebrations. Ephesians 5:8-11 says,

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Halloween is more than childish fun.Witches have eight special holidays during the year. Halloween is their day above all days. Witchcraft is not child’s play. It is an abomination to the Lord. Johanna Michaleson, former occultist and author of The Beautiful Side of Evil said, “For a true Christian to participate in the ancient trappings of Halloween is as incongruous as for a committed Satanist coming from blood sacrifices on Christmas Eve to set up a nativity scene in his living room singing Silent Night, Holy Night with sincere devotion to baby Jesus!”

One thing Halloween should not be for the Christian is a time of fear. It should be a time to rejoice in the fact that The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8). This is a time of spiritual warfare. October 31 should be spent in prayer for the community and children; a time of worship by singing praise to the Lord. This can be a good time to teach our children to sacrifice by not sharing in the rituals because you love the Lord. Whatever your family decides to do on this day, ask yourself, “Does it glorify the Lord?”
…they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. Leviticus 17:7.

Halloween and Purim?
Someone recently mentioned they thought Halloween came from the holiday Purim. It is true children dress up during Purim to reenact the story of Esther but it has nothing to do with Halloween. Halloween is centuries older and Purim costumes are Bible characters. Purim is observed on the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month of Adar (February-March). It is a celebration of the deliverance of the Persian Jews over one of the most dastardly plots in history to exterminate the Jewish people. The book of Esther tells the story.

More Halloween Articles
Halloween for Christians (video)
Read about the Holidays Ordained by God

Share your Halloween experience in the comments. Did your family put away Halloween? How did your children handle the decision? How does your church handle this holiday? Is there anything wrong with compromising and promoting a Christian Halloween?

Robin Sampson has been homeschooling for 20 years. She and her husband Ronnie are blessed with a “yours, mine, and ours” blended family of eleven children (ages 6 to 34) and thirteen grandchildren (ages 1 to 12). She is actively teaching the two youngest children still at home. Robin is also an author and business owner. Please visit her at Heart of Wisdom.

Tags: christian living, Family Life, holidays

Resting in Him

July 7, 2008 by Robin

1 Comment

In The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach I compare the homeschool journey to the Exodus from Egypt (leaving public school), traveling in the desert, and seeking the Promised Land.

The Passover story and journey to the Promised Land is a meaty symbol of our spiritual journey and growth. The Israelites were saved from Egypt but not all entered the Promised Land – only their children and a few men of faith entered. Likewise, in our spiritual journey we can be saved but fall short of arriving in the Promised Land.

The words Promise, Inheritance, Rest, and Land are meaningful spiritual symbols in the Bible. In Hebrews, Paul compared spiritual rest with the physical Promised Land:

For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterwards have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God.
Hebrews 4:8-9

Jesus said He would give rest to those who were weary and heavy laden. Spiritual rest is not lying down to take a nap. God didn’t rest on the seventh day because He was tired. His rest was a cessation of labor.

Rest is the Opposite of Work or Striving

Rest is found in a relationship with God through Jesus. Resting in Him is peace, joy, healing, and provision. Spiritual rest is looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith. Hebrews 12:2.

In the book Sit, Walk, Stand Watchman Nee said, “Christianity is a queer business! If at the outset we try to do anything, we get nothing; if we seek to attain something, we miss everything. For Christianity begins not with a big DO, but with a big DONE.”

Later in the book he continues, “The Christian’s secret is in his rest in Christ. His power derives from his God-given position. All who sit can walk, for in the thought of God the one follows the other spontaneously. We sit forever with Christ that we may walk continuously before men. Forsake for a moment our place of rest in him, and immediately we are tripped and our testimony in the world is marred. But abide in Christ, and our position there ensures the power to walk worthy of him here. If you desire an illustration of this kind of progress, think, first of all, not of a runner in a race but of a man in a car, or better still, of a cripple in a power driven invalid carriage. What does he do? He goes – but he also sits. And he keeps going because he remains sitting. His progress follows from the position in which he has been placed. This, of course, if a far from perfect picture of the Christian life, but it may serve to remind us that our conduct and behavior depend fundamentally upon our inward rest in Christ.”

Jesus came to give us Life– it has nothing to do with our ability to work. We need to simply enter his rest and watch the freedom from our mess begin to unfold. The Christian life is dwelling in Him. As we dwell we become transformed into His image, being changed by His glory.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1

The “Rest” is The Kingdom of God

The ‘rest’ in Hebrews refers to the Kingdom of God. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33). We learn to rest in God by conforming our minds to His through His Word. This is why His Word is the most important thing we teach with our children daily. There is a work involved to enter the rest.

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:12

The labor to enter the rest is a labor of love, spending time in God’s Word, renewing our minds, little by little each day.

For the word of God [is] quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:13

Resting in the Knowledge of God

Spiritual rest – and come to think of it, all spiritual fruit – begins with the knowledge of God (knowledge of His Word). Faith begins with knowledge.

The more time we spend in the Word, the more we reap from the Word. The more time we sow the Word in our children’s hearts, the more spiritual fruit will be evident.

Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides. Mark 4:24

God has wonderful promises in store for us when we spend time getting to know Him. Personalize these verses from 2 Peter 1:2-4 :

“God has given [your name here], through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord…exceedingly great and precious promises that [your name here] can be a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world…”

God promises us a new spirit and victory over flesh when we walk in His ways. Personalize these verses from Ezekiel 11:19-20:

And I will give [your name here] one heart, and put a new spirit within [your name here]. And I will take the heart of stone out of [your name here]’s flesh and give [your name here] a heart of flesh, that [your name here] may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them…”

Take Possession of the Land

Don’t make an 11-day journey into forty years in the desert. Due to our sinful nature, we would rather go our own way contrary to the Lord; we tend to wander off the path God has chosen for us in life. My spiritual journey has taken many detours. Each time I lost my way was because I was focusing on self and my failures instead of God’s promises. It’s not that I don’t have faith in God – my faith can be compared to the story of Peter walking on the water. I never doubt Jesus can walk on the water; it’s me I doubt. I struggle to see myself as an heir.

But, when I stay in God’s Word – instead of focusing on my failures and shortcomings – I can fix my eyes on Christ, not circumstances, and then I can enter His rest. When we stay close to God, even while we make mistakes, He will love us, forgive us, lead us, heal us, and bless us as we abide with Him. Sometimes we take two steps forward and two steps back (fruit needs to mature before it is sweet). But if we choose God’s will over our own will at every fork in life’s road, the Shepherd will lead us.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

Resting in Christ means we rely on His work, not ours. And then we will know firsthand of the promise of His rest.

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. Hebrew 4:1

Robin Sampson has been homeschooling for 20 years. She and her husband Ronnie are blessed with a “yours, mine, and ours” blended family of eleven children (ages 6 to 34) and thirteen grandchildren (ages 1 to 12). She is actively teaching the two youngest children still at home. Robin is also an author and business owner. Please visit her at Heart of Wisdom.

Tags: christian living, Encouragement, Scripture

Rejoicing in Weakness

June 7, 2008 by Robin

1 Comment

When we acknowledge and admit our weakness, we learn to understand the power of God’s strength.

God gives us the strength to endure and even rejoice in trials. We can rejoice in weakness, trials, hardships, persecution, and calamity when we understand God is building in us dependence on the glorification of the grace and power of His Son. Thanks be to God – our sins are forgiven and are as distant from us as the east is from the west. To God, it is as if they never were. Don’t be misled, this doesn’t mean there are no consequences to sin. I, and those I love, suffer the consequences of my sins. And yet, through God’s grace, all will be well. I know He will work out everything for the greater good.

“Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.” 2 Corinthians 3, 4-5.

We become humble by identifying and admitting our complete reliance upon the Lord for any righteousness. When we are aware of our weaknesses, the Lord can use those very weaknesses to bless our lives through Him and prevent sins of pride and self-exaltation.

2 Corinthians 12:9,10 says “My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore will I rather glory in my weakness that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in weakness: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

We are Called to be Salt and Light: Even in Our Weakness

Matthew 5:13-14 explains that we are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” I Corinthians 1:27 explains that we are also the weak and the foolish of this world. God called me in my weakness, in spite of my failures, to be salt and light. He allows me the privilege of sharing parts of my life with others – things I have learned, discovered, and studied. My desire is to share my findings and my mistakes with the hope that I might encourage others to seek God and keep others from making the same mistakes — from having to live with the same consequences.

For What I Want to Do I Do Not Do, But What I Hate I Do

Paul said , “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Romans 7: 14-25

I sincerely, with all my heart, want to produce the fruit of God’s Spirit — love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness and self-control. But at times I produce the fruit of my flesh – self-centeredness, pride, impatience, a judgmental attitude, anger, and bitterness. I default to my sin nature daily. I sincerely want to be a Proverbs 31 woman, but I have been a less than godly wife and I have failed in marriage. I sincerely want to be a loving mother, but I have acted in anger to my children; times I will regret the rest of my life. I have been a disobedient and disrespectful daughter. I have been an uncaring sister and a selfish friend.

I make hundreds of little decisions a day, and many times I get them wrong. These are the things I don’t want exposed – things I prefer never to admit. But I must be open about how I have failed, because only then can God forgive me, cleanse me, and use me. “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13. Praise God!

“Only when I abide in the Lord and in the power of His might, then I become strong.” Ephesians 6:10

Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

I stand before the throne of God and marvel. I deserve hell and He has not given me what I deserve. He gave me Christ. He gave me hope. He blesses me over and over in spite of my failures. He has turned my mourning to laughter and my heaviness to joy.

My favorite Bible story, the one I have clung to since I gave my life to Christ, is the story of the sinner woman with the alabaster box.

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was sitting at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “What is it, Teacher?” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more. And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:36-47.

The woman publicly declared her sorrow over her sin and displayed humility and deep gratitude. She surrendered all that she was and had to Him. My sins are many; they are numerous and heinous. I have been afflicted, crushed, forsaken, desolate, and miserable. Out of pure compassion, the God of infinite mercy forgave my sins. He has shown me mercy according to His loving kindness. His tender mercies have blotted out my transgressions. He has washed me thoroughly from my iniquities, and cleansed me from my sin.

“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” Romans 5:20

Since the foundation of the world, God’s purpose has been to bring all things into harmony with Him, giving us an exhilarating and inspirational relief from the fearful and depressing heaviness of sin. Christ’s sacrifice gives us the opportunity to choose to live in Adam, under condemnation, or in Christ, justified. Christ accepts those who are unacceptable and receives those who are rejected. I am filled with gratitude that He accepts me.

When we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us the depth of our sin and the dear price paid for those sins we will not be able to help but resist pride, recognize His mercy and love Him with all our being.

Has God used you in spite of your weakness?

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ”

Robin has been homeschooling for 20 years. She and her husband Ronnie are blessed with a “yours, mine, and ours” blended family of eleven children (ages 6 to 34) and thirteen grandchildren (ages 1 to 12). She is actively teaching the two youngest children still at home. Robin is also an author and business owner. Please visit her at Heart of Wisdom.

Tags: christian life, Encouragement, Scripture

Power in the Blood

May 7, 2008 by Robin

3 Comments

A few days ago I was hospitalized to receive a blood transfusion. What a difference! I received two units of iron rich blood and feel 20 years younger (a fountain of youth!)

Last week, I was so anemic I couldn’t walk up the stairs. Well, I could kind of – I could take three steps, then rest a few minutes then try another few. By the time I got to the top, I would have to lie down for 15 minutes to catch my breath (a major hindrance for the mother of active boys.)

This morning, I bounded up the stairs, changed the sheets on all the beds, and picked up toys and dirty clothes without stopping once! I never though I’d be praising God for dirty clothes on the floor. I pray I never take my health for granted again.

Thank you blood donors! If it weren’t for someone’s selfless giving I would still be very weak. Every 3 seconds, someone in America needs blood. Approximately 40,000 units are used each day in the U.S.

Anemia Can be Very Serious

For those of you interested, anemia is the result of inadequate numbers of red blood cells circulating in the body — cells that are responsible for keeping the body’s tissues rich with oxygen. It’s the most common disorder of the blood (20 percent of women of childbearing age are low in iron). I’m sure many reading this have dealt with it. I have been anemic in every pregnancy (evidenced by ice cravings or pica).

My current anemia is from heart medication and menorrhagia. Blood transfusions are used to treat anemia as a last resort. Anemia can be very serious for heart patients. It causes the heart to work harder, causing severe problems for people with heart disease.

For women, the normal hemoglobin range is 12.3 to 15.3 and average hematocrit is 35% to 47%. My levels were 8 and 26%. (When I dropped from 9 to 8, walking across a room became very difficult). Hemoglobin below 6 for heart patients is deadly.

The Bible Calls Blood Life

The Bible calls blood life. (Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:11, 14; 19:16; Deut. 12:23; Matt. 27:4, 24) Blood is not only that which is essential to life, but is also the seat of life’s power. It is usually connected with God, our life-giver.

Blood is central to the theology of the Bible. As the institution of sacrificial atonement, it is applied to the altar as a sin offering. The Passover celebration remembers the blood on the doorposts of Hebrew houses in Egypt (Exod. 12:7). The New Testament focuses on the shed blood of Jesus and its atoning character.

Imperfect Blood Is Only a Temporary Solution

The doctors tell me as I battle this anemia, I may need future blood transfusions. I am still anemic and need to continue to receive iron infusions once a week. The blood units I received are only a temporary solution.

In the same way, the animal sacrifices in the Bible covered the sins of the Hebrews temporarily as shadow of things to come (Heb 9:2–5). The blood covered sin but never washed it away. While the animal sacrifices brought about ceremonial cleansing for the body (Heb 9: 13) they could never reach into the heart. But the blood of Christ, shed once and for all, purges the conscience and gives the believer an unchanging and perfect standing before God.

Christ’s sacrifice does not need to be repeated. He offered himself up once and for all in order to clear the way to the Holy of Holies.

The Veil Was Torn

The most significant act dealing with blood in the Bible was on the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. The high priest entered the inner room of the tabernacle, the most holy place, carrying the blood of an atoning sacrifice. This veil was used to separate Hakodesh (the holy place) from the Kodesh Hakodashim (Holy of Holies) – the most sacred part of the entire Temple.

The veil between the two parts of the tabernacle was a symbol of the separation between man and God. In the temple, a partition wall separated these two places. In it were two folding doors, which were supposed to have been always open, the entrance being concealed by the veil which the high priest lifted when he entered into the sanctuary on the day of Atonement.

In Bible times a blood covenant was an agreement between two contracting parties, originally sealed with blood. The Hebrew word berith is a covenant. Berith is derived from a root which means “to cut,” a covenant is a “cutting.” Circumcision was a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham. Circumcision — cutting the foreskin — was a continual reminder that God had cut a covenant with Abraham and his descendants. The blood covenant included the cutting of a sacrificial animal into two parts, between which the contracting parties passed, thereby showing that they were bound to each other.

When Christ died, the veil was torn from top to bottom. (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). The torn veil is a symbol of God’s everlasting covenant with us – we can now enter the Holy of Holies through Christ!

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom…” (Matthew
27:50-51a)

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience” (Heb 10:19-24).

I will surely recall my physical transformation this week each time I partake of the Passover cup symbolizing the blood of Christ.

Thank you Father!

Tags: christian living, Encouragement, Family Life, Scripture

Motivate Your Child to Learn Using These Four Steps

March 9, 2008 by Robin

Motivate Your Child to Learn Using These Four Steps

March 8, 2008 by Robin

Three Steps to Overcoming Homeschool Fears

February 8, 2008 by Robin

1 Comment

Three Steps to Overcoming Homeschool Fears

Are you constantly worried about your homeschooling? Do you fretfully ask questions such as “Am I doing enough?” “What about…?” “What if…?”

God is sufficient for every situation we will ever encounter. Because of His abundant goodness, kindness, and love for us, we do not have to be anxious or worry.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:6-8)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith… James 1:5-6)

Fear and faith cannot operate at the same time

Believe God’s promise
Use sound strategy
Call on the Lord in prayer

These three steps come from the book of Joshua, the story of how God led the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan.

When the battle began, God sent hail stones to fall on their enemies. He granted Joshua’s request, and the sun stood still until they had defeated their enemies!

Joshua’s Plan for Success

Three elements combined to give Joshua success in this battle in Joshua 10.

Believing God’s promise (v.
Using sound strategy (v. 9)
Calling on the Lord in prayer (vv. 10–15)

1. Believing God’s Promise

When we live by faith in God and in His promises, we can expect to receive God’s help.

2. Using Sound Strategy

I’m not suggesting that you run your homeschool on a whim, but to create your plan with prayer and submission to God.

3. Calling on the Lord in Prayer

To fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and
understanding;
That you would bear fruit in every good work;
That you would grow in the knowledge of God;
That you would be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience; and
That you would joyfully give thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Faith begets more faith.

Faith is something we must practice continuously. It is a continuing cycle. The more you turn to God, the more your faith is strengthened.

We’ll also know our dependence is on God when we trust He will bring us through difficult times with deeper intimacy and greater faith at the end.

Homeschool Prayer

Father, give me wisdom and grace to be a teacher of my children. Fill me with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding; fill my heart with Your love and Your Word. Help me daily teach by example that Your Word should be priority over the things of this world.

Give me strength according to Your glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience. Help me be diligent and wise to teach these children Your Word as You command. Help me persevere in Your ways, Your love and presence. Make my life an example, an influence as I educate these children for you. Keep my eyes on You, on Your vision, Your plans, and Your purposes for our family.

Related Posts:

Spiritual Mountain Climbing

A Wisdom Parable

What is Your Focus? Your Foundation?

Robin has been homeschooling for 20 years. She and her husband Ronnie are blessed with a “yours, mine, and ours” blended family of eleven children (ages 6 to 34) and thirteen grandchildren (ages 1 to 12). She is actively teaching the two youngest children still at home. Robin is also and author and business owner. Please visit her at Heart of Wisdom.

Tags: homeschool life, Homeschool Methods, homeschooling, planning

Discover the Biggest Mistake Made by Homeschoolers

January 9, 2008 by Robin

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Discover the Biggest Mistake Made by Homeschoolers

Too many homeschoolers make the mistake I made in my first years homeschooling–setting aside Bible time for academics.

We can so easily get anxious about the academics that we miss wisdom. Education must contain more than facts, theories, and objectives. God’s written Word provides the principles and wisdom we need to live lives that are pleasing to Him. True wisdom rests in our knowledge of and relationship with Jesus Christ, God’s incarnate Word. A focus on studying God’s Word will transform both the teacher and the student by the renewing of their minds.

No matter how solid the methods of Bible study, you should purpose to study every single day. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word in all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Our important objective in homeschooling should be, as Jesus summed up the entire Law and the Prophets, to encourage every person to love God passionately–with all of his heart, soul, and mind–and to love his neighbor as himself. A.W. Tozer said, “We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God.”

Our goal should be to live effectively by seeking His wisdom, and becoming hearers and doers of His Word. It is my prayer that all who read my writings will, at a minimum, take away this advice: Commit to begin each school day in God’s Word. Make a promise to yourself that you will make God’s Word your first priority, and never even open another book before you have spent time in prayer and Bible study.

A Command from God

We worry about state requirements but what does God require? God commands you to diligently teach your children His Word. Deuteronomy 6 says, And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Read the Amplified version of these verses: And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then] You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children…

Do you see how efficient God’s plan is? While you are teaching the Word to your children, you are learning. Once you begin to read the Scripture for yourself (instead of relying on a pastor to teach you) you will understand more and more of the Biblical truths on a deeper level.

Daily Bread

The Word of God is nourishment like milk or meat (Hebrew 5:12). To help you really grasp the importance of this truth here is a disturbing photo of a poor, starving child’s hand. Now imagine that there is a bottle of rich nourishing milk on the table that would save his life and comfort him, but his mother leaves the bottle sitting on the table because she thinks it’s too much trouble to give it to him.

Would you skip feeding your child a meal? Visualize that image every time you feel tempted to skip Bible study.

Paul told Timothy that we are nourished by words of faith and good doctrine (1 Timothy 4:6). God’s Word contains nourishing life-giving power–don’t withhold it.

Imagine the Potential

you imagine the potential results if every Christian homeschooler in America began devoting the first part of each school day to studying God’s Word?

Time spent in God’s Word can produce a spiritual transformation. Christ’s prayer in John 17:16-17 was that His followers not follow false loves or the values of this world, but that they would be holy. It is possible for us to produce an entire spiritually mature generation comprised of young men and women trained and equipped to feed themselves the Bread of Life–and to be able to discern the sacred and spiritual from the profane and carnal–a generation that would know Truth and be able to boldly answer a false teacher by saying “That’s not what that verse means. You are taking it out of context.”

George Muller read the Bible over 200 times in his lifetime. He said,

The most important thing I had to do was to read the Word of God and to meditate on it. Thus my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, and instructed… As my heart is nourished by the truth of the Word, I am brought into true fellowship with God. I speak to my Father and to my Friend (although I am unworthy) about the things that He has brought before me in His precious Word.

It often astonishes me that I did not see the importance of meditation upon Scripture earlier in my Christian life. As the outward man is not fit for work for any length of time unless he eats, so it is with the inner man. What is the food for the inner man? Not prayer, but the Word of God–not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe. No, we must consider what we read, ponder over it, and apply it to our hearts.

… Through His Word, our Father speaks to us, encourages us, comforts us, instructs us, humbles us, and reproves us. We may profitably meditate, with God’s blessing, although we are spiritually weak. The weaker we are, the more meditation we need to strengthen our inner man. Meditation on God’s Word has given me the help and strength to pass peacefully through deep trials. What a difference there is when the soul is refreshed in fellowship with God early in the morning! Without spiritual preparation, the service, the trials, and the temptations of the day can be overwhelming. (George Muller, Autobiography, 139)

How much more would we know our Lord if we read the Bible like this man?

You should also have the necessary Bible tools so your entire family can learn about biblical culture, historical settings, and language in order to fully understand God’s instruction for life. There are some that won’t hesitate spending $25.00 on a video or game but won’t invest in a good Bible atlas or Bible dictionary (useful for a lifetime).

Seek and be Filled

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Mathew 5:6

God gives us a relationship with Him through His Book. The Creator of the universe wants to speak to you and your children. He wants you to understand the depths of the knowledge of his love, his grace, and the gift He offers to us through the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ.

Feed your children daily.

You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. -James 4:14

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