Some Favorite Sermons

Are You Humble Enough to Be Care-Free by John Piper
Relates anxiety to pride.

Ten Shekels and a Shirt by Paris Reidhead
Message taken from the book of Judges. A story of the social conditions of that time and compares it with the social conditions of today. One of my most favorites.

The Joy of Giving It All Part 2 by Paul Washer
Romans 12:1 What does it mean to put yourself at Christ’s disposal? What does it mean to die to self? Powerful message.

A Sermon That Has Angered Many (2 Corinthians 13:5 & 1 John) by Paul Washer
“This sermon has angered many of the church people and many of the youth — the parents of youth have been especially angered. Parents think that if they can get some sort of a claim out of their children that they profess faith in Jesus Christ then they seem to hold on to that and it gives them some sort of assurance and joy. And it seems they are bothered whenever somebody would come and question that claim. It seems we would rather hold on to a false hope than to hear the truth. There are many people who don’t want to hear the truth because it will shake up the false hope they have that they’re going to heaven when indeed they are not. There are so many people in American Christianity that believe themselves right with God, that believe themselves saved because they were told that by a preacher who should have spent more time studying the Bible and less time preaching….”

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What is Christian Counseling? by Jay Adams

…..Counseling is not a science; it’s an art. In biblical terms, that means it is a function of divine wisdom. It does not conflict with true science, but reaches beyond science into venues about which the latter has no competence to speak…..

… three major factors stand out:

1. Nouthetic counseling is the wise application of biblical truth to persons whose lives dishonor God through the cessation (or slowing) of the progress of sanctification.
2. Nouthetic counseling functions so as to reinstitute the normal process of Christian sanctification in the counselee.
3. Nouthetic counseling seeks, in addition, to capitalize upon overcoming hindrances to spiritual growth by using the opportunity to promote greater ongoing growth….

Read the entire article here.

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Peacemakers

Found quoted in Your Family God’s Way: Developing & Sustaining Relationships in the Home by Wayne A. Mack

“Peacemakers… carry about with them an atmosphere in which quarrels die a natural death.” — R. T. Archibald

Read this book together as a family and do the homework at the end of each chapter. I guarantee it will benefit your family in a thousand ways. Do it now, while your family is young.

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What did your kids teach you this year?

Interviews with homeschoolers at the Illinois Christian Home Educators State Convention 2009. Homeschoolers talk about their experiences.

Nathaniel Bluedorn, camera
Hans Bluedorn, editor

Posted in Homeschooling | 2 Comments »

Finished the Race

Hi Laurie,

I first heard you and your husband speak at a homeschool conference in Watertown, Wisconsin 16 or 17 years ago at Maranatha Baptist Bible College, which just happened to be the college my husband and I attended.

We soaked up all that you and your husband spoke on!

We homeschooled our 3 kids to the tune of “Teaching the Trivium” and some of your other endorsements.

It’s been 7 years now since we “finished the race” of homeschooling. Our two oldest girls are married and our son is on staff at a church in California.

Thanks for all of your great ideas and helps.

Homeschooling is the only way to fly!

May God continue to bless you as you serve HIM!

Linda, Florida

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Baby Steps

Baby Steps (English) from American Life League on Vimeo.

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Books About Raccoons

Children’s books about raccoons:

The Hideaway (aka The Hideaway Summer) by Beverly Hollett Renner
Rascal: A Memoir of a Better Era by Sterling North
The Story Of Mr. Pippin by Johannah Bluedorn Stanford
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Raccoons Don’t Use Spoons by Sharon Hanzik
Rowdy Raccoon and the Turtle Who Wanted to Fly by Donna Braymer
Adam Raccoon in Lost Woods by Glen Keane
Please Pick Me Up, Mama by Robin Luebs
The Adventures of Bobby Raccoon by Thornton W. Burgess
The Wonder of Raccoons by Rita Ritchie and Jeff Fair
Raccoon Moon by Nancy Carol Willis
Raccoon on His Own by Jim Arnosky
A Boat Ride For Two Raccoons by Betty Westen

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Eric the Brave

Posted in About Our Family | 5 Comments »

The Promises of God

… by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature … II Peter 1:4

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

Psalms 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.

Isaiah 40:11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 55:1-2 Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.

Lamentations 3:22-23 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

John 6:37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

John 14:2-3 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Acts 2:36-42 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Philippians 1:6 …being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 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. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “ The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

James 1:5 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.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Jude 24-25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.

I Peter 3:1-4 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

2 Timothy 1:7-8 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

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Bob, Son of Battle

Bob, Son of Battle by Alfred Ollivant

Hoo aboot sich a yarn that’ll bring the tares to the eyes o’ e’en the sternest mon. Bob, Son of Battle (copyright 1898) is about:

1. Bob, a bonnie tyke and last of the Gray Dogs of Kenmuir
2. Davie, a puir mitherless lad
3. Davie’s fether, Adam M’Adam, a little man turned harsh after the death of his wife

Chapter VIII

…With a choking gasp the little man turned into the house, and ran up the stairs and into his room. He dropped on his knees beside the great chest in the corner, and unlocked the bottom drawer, the key turning noisily in its socket.

In the drawer he searched with feverish fingers, and produced at length a little paper packet wrapped about with a stained yellow ribbon. It was the ribbon she had used to weave on Sundays into her soft hair.

Inside the packet was a …photograph…It was a sweet, laughing face that looked up at him from the frame, demure yet arch, shy yet roguish-a face to look at and a face to love.

As he looked, a wintry smile, wholly tender, half tearful, stole over the little man’s face.

“Lassie,” he whispered, and his voice was infinitely soft, “it’s lang sin’ I’ve daured look at ye. But it’s no that ye’re forgotten, dearie.”

Then he covered his eyes with his hand as though he were blinded.

“Dinna look at me sae, lass!” he cried, and fell on his knees, kissing the picture, hugging it to him and sobbing passionately…

Memories swarmed back on the little man.

It was more than a decade ago now, and yet he dared barely think of that last evening when she had lain so white and still in the little room above.

“Pit the bairn on the bed, Adam man,” she had said in low tones. “I’ll be gaein’ in a wee while noo. It’s the lang good-by to you—and him.”

He had done her bidding and lifted David up. The tiny boy lay still a moment, looking at this white-faced mother whom he hardly recognized.

“Minnie!” he called piteously. Then, thrusting a small, dirty hand into his pocket, he pulled out a grubby sweet.

“Minnie, ha’ a sweetie—ain o’ Davie’s sweeties!” and he held it out anxiously in his warm plump palm, thinking it a certain cure for any ill.

“Eat it for mither,” she said, smiling tenderly; and then: “Davie, ma heart, I’m leavin’ ye.”

The boy ceased sucking the sweet, and looked at her, the corners of his mouth drooping pitifully.

“Ye’re no gaein’ awa’, mither?” he asked, his face all working, “Ye’ll no leave yer wee laddie?”

“Ay, laddie, awa’—reet awa’. HE’s callin’ me.” She tried to smile; but her mother’s heart was near to bursting.

“Ye’ll tak’ yer wee Davie wi’ ye mither!” the child pleaded, crawling up toward her face.

The great tears rolled, unrestrained, down her wan cheeks, and M’Adam, at the head of the bed, was sobbing openly.

“Eh, ma bairn, ma bairn, I’m sair to leave ye!” she cried brokenly. “Lift him for me, Adam.”

He placed the child in her arms; but she was too weak to hold him. So he laid him upon his mother’s pillows; and the boy wreathed his soft arms about her neck and sobbed tempestuously.

And the two lay thus together.

Just before she died, Flora turned her head and whispered: “Adam, ma man, ye’ll ha’ to be mither and father baith to the lad noo,” and she looked at him with tender confidence in her dying eyes.

“I wull! afore God as I stan’ here I wull!” he declared passionately. Then she died, and there was a look of ineffable peace upon her face.

My advice is:

If you find this book at a garage sale, auction, or used book store, buy it. It’s one of those books that is ignored by modern youth and thus tossed out by modern librarians. The 21st century will see a redefining of the term “classic fiction.” Gone from the shelves will be books such as The Adventures of Perrine and Hitty, Her First Hundred Years, only to be replaced with great works of art like The Babysitter Club and Goosebumps.

It is up to faithful homeschooling families to rescue the true classics from oblivion and build a library that we can pass on to our children.

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