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You can find the Homeschool Encourager at www.homeschoolencourager.com

Living life fully alive...

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” (Howard Thurman).

This is a great quote to meditate on...I for one don't want to live life going through the motions! I want to be fully alive and engaged. I want my life to matter to more than just my family and for more than just one generation.

Whether I pass on my legacy through homeschooling or sowing into others every day that I'm here, I pray that my life inspires others for many years...into eternity.

Does that sound arrogant? I hope not. I think we all want to leave an impression, don't we? That can only happen when we refuse to live routine lives and insist on living inspired, spirit-led lives that make a difference.  Jesus promised a life that is fulfilling and impactful...that's what I want.

"I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."  (John 10:10)

2008 Movies

Wow, some great family movies coming out in 2008...I think Inkheart and Prince Caspian top my movies I want to see list!

Click here for 15 Movies to See in 2008

Something Only God Can Do

"The world doesn't need to see what we can do for God; the world needs to see something only God can do."    Donna Partow

I want my life to be something only God can do!  I've done some many things "for" God...I want to see God do something through me.  This means it will be something beyond my ability to manufacture or manipulate on my own. 

How often do I allow myself to be so stretched and out-of-control that God works entirely in spite of me?  What am I believing Him for that if He doesn't do it, it won't happen? I guess that's the kind of faith I want to have this year...

Tips for a Great Year

"The Lord has done great things for us! We are glad!"  (Psalms 126:3)

Seek God more than ever
Practice Galatians 5
Keep it SIMPLE
Don't major on the minors
MYOB
Let God be God
Exercise & eat right
Conquer the details
Seek wisdom
Pursue peace
Have fun
Love each other
Lighten up
Laugh more
Begin each day with prayer
End each day with prayer
Be flexible
Be forgiving
Have your own interests
Teach your children your passions
Read "for fun"
Set realistic goals
Keep a journal
Take pictures
'Be silly once in a while
Refuse to compare yourself to other moms
Choose a theme scripture for the year
Live with the end in mind
Don't despise small beginnings
Don't try to do it all.

The secret to their success

"Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character is in their own hands."  Anne Frank

This quote sums up what I truly believe about parenting and homeschooling.  Homeschooling is about giving our kids the best opportunity to succeed, but the ultimate responsibility for that success will be on their shoulders.

I would add of course, that parents can do more than give good advice, we can pray for God's will in their lives and speak the Word over them--which does influence the outcome! But, even with our spiritual influence, they will choose their paths and be accountable to God for those choices.

A Great investment

When you boil it all down, everything we sow into our kids lives is sown through an investment of our time.

Homeschooling takes time, no question about it. This statement is a good reminder of how valuable our time is—when we are sowing it into our kids and into their futures. What greater goal could a parent have than to invest in their child’s future? But, we are talking about more than money here…something far more valuable. Your time.

Remember this the next time you begin to resent your kid’s demands, and the demands of homeschooling. Remember that you are investing into a priceless commodity! One that will have eternal rewards, both for them and for you!

Creativity is a terrible thing to waste!

I thought this was a great quote and study...albeit a sad one.  Please let your kids play today...creativity is a terrible thing to waste.

"Early on in life, creativity is natural and even encouraged as we develop.  In our childhood years, our lives are filled with creative thought and potential.  Studies reveal that children in the on-to-six age group score in the ninetieth percentile of creative ability. Those same studies show that once these children hit aga seven, they experience "creative cramping" that drastically lowers their creativity score.* What happens to children between the ages of six and seven? One word: school."

Ed Young, from the Creative leader
*Marlene LeFever, Creative Teaching Methods: Be an Effective Teacher, Cook Communications

I was trying to think of some of the most imaginative playtimes my boys had, for example:

• Building a cockpit out of cardboard in the workroom which lasted many months

• Alphabetizing the books on the bookshelf while playing library

• Eating lunch on top of the swingset pretending to be high-rise construction workers

• Building a fort that filled an entire room with three sleeping quarters and a campfire (lincoln logs and night lights)

I'm sure there were hundreds more. Looking back, I am so grateful that they had plenty of time to just be boys and let their imaginations run wild! I'm even more grateful that I got to be there to see every minute...

Merry Christmas from The Brage Family

Here are the Brages doing a little elf dance for you!
Go here to make your own...

Thoughts on the Golden Compass

I am quite curious over the buzz yet another movie is stirring up among Christians.  The Golden Compass is built on a troubling premise, written by a troubling author, agreed.  However, I want to be on the side of engaging discussion and offering truth, not blacklisting and boycotting.  This thoughtful and thorough review offers much food for thought. I am considering seeing this movie to weigh for myself the ideas being propagated.

What are you thinking or saying about this movie? Anything?

Sunset

Sunsets

 

I can't help see a sunset without thinking of a friend from my past.  Last night as I watched the breathtaking sky on my drive home I thought of her again.

 

She and her family considered moving to my beautiful state, and were all prepared to do so, save one thing. She had the idea that you couldn't see sunsets in Colorado. I don't know where this idea came from. I believe the most gorgeous sunsets are in Colorado!  The sky is bigger here and add the mountains into the mix, what's not to like?

 

As I was contemplating this last night, it struck me that this is how many people live their lives.  They have seen some beautiful sunsets, and they are afraid if they embrace change they will lose the security of what they already know.  I think we all have things that we believe were better when.  We have no idea if that is the truth, but it's all we have.  When we do finally let go and move into something new, we may be amazed that the new thing far outshines the old. 

 

I have this running dialog with myself, that I need to "get back to" the prayer times I used to have with the Lord. They were intense, meaningful, and so intimate.  Yet, since I became a working person, that just isn't doable--at this time in my life. Still I find myself looking back to what was...instead of allowing--and asking--God to do a new thing.

 

So, like my friend who wanted to keep her sunsets, I cling to the familiar as though it is a standard. It's not, it's just what I know.  I want the new thing, I want bigger sunsets, I want what God wants to do now, not yesterday.

4 Conversations Christians need to have in 2008

I found this to be an interesting article by Phil Cooke. Regardless of where you find yourself on the Christian landscape, these thoughts and ideas impact us--because they influence the way the world views Christians as a whole. Although Phil is talking about ministry organizations in particular, I think his points apply to the local church and the Body of Christ at large.

Four Conversations:
1) The Prosperity Gospel is done.
2) The luxury life of TV Evangelists* is over. (*and may I add pastors and ministers in general)
3) Fundraising is undergoing a dramatic change.
4) We're seeing a dramatic shift from a first generation leadership style (confrontation) to a second generation leadership style (engagement).

Read rest of article here...

Not in our schools??

This article reminded me of the time I spoke on a panel at a MOPS group. We were discussing educational options, and I was representing homeschooling. One of our discussions was centered around the idea that the local Denver schools weren't "that bad." That's a common line of reasoning for opponents of homeschooling. One woman stated that the climate in our local schools wasn't bad at all, not like if we were in "Berkley." I'm not sure what that meant exactly, but I understand the reasoning. She needed to defend her choice to send her child to public school and at the same time convince herself that there was not a problem with what was being taught.

This brings me to today's article! A midwestern junior high school in Des Moines, Iowa, promoted a "Gender-Bender" Day as part of their Homecoming Week. Outraged parents have begun to pull their kids out of that school. The point is, if this sort of thing is happening in Iowa, you can bet there are questionable things happening in schools across America.

Perhaps, as the story unfolds, some may feel these parents overreacted. Yet, the fact remains, parents have less and less control over what their kids are being taught and exposed to. It is our responsibility to keep our eyes wide open to what is going on out there and to respond accordingly.

Thoughts for Thanksgiving

from the Homeschool Encourager

"Don't always be asking, Where are the good old days? Wise folks don't ask questions like that. On a good day, enjoy yourself; On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days So that we won't take anything for granted. "
Ecclesiastes 7:10,14

One thing I've learned as a parent and a homeschooling mother, is that regret is inevitable. I'm sorry to start with such a melancholy thought. But it is true. I used to think that regret meant I did something wrong...or that if I was spiritual enough I would never make mistakes that carried the sting of regret. I have learned, its just not true. Life carries with it a risk and reward system. (My kids grew up hearing this from their father.) You must weigh every decision against its possible risk or reward.

That means the nature of life brings the possibility of failure and regret. The bigger question is how will we respond to and deal with life's risks and the inevitable regrets?

First, we must recognize that, at times, we will be disappointed: in ourselves, in our children, in our spouses, even in God. We will look back at events or conversations and feel the sting of regret. As a mom whose been there, I promise: you will live through it.

The second thing I've learned about regret is: Some of the sweetest comfort comes in those times when the damage has already been done. The hardest thing may be knowing there is nothing you can do to change a situation! That's the time to rest in the grace of God and trust that in His providence He will work all things together for your good. When you turn you regret and disappointment over to God, He can begin to heal your memories and remove the sting from those disappointments.

Death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?
(I Corinthians 15:55)

Even the death of a dream can hurt less when we allow God access to it. When we lose something precious, or are forced to face a reality we would prefer not to, God can give us the strength. He will help us move past failure, regret, and replace the pain with His peace that passes all understanding. If that is where you find yourself today, I pray these words will encourage you.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to move from regret to grace, and from fear to faith! I thank God for each one of you and for your commitment and faithfulness to your families. I pray you have a special time of thanksgiving, free from the sting of regret and overflowing with the awareness of Gods goodness, amen.

Thought for the Week

I've seen many hard-working, faith-filled parents drop the baton and walk away from homeschooling because of discouragement, fear, and frustration. Most of them struggle with issues that stem from unrealistic expectations. It becomes a mental and spiritual battle to keep homeschooling. Even mature believers may begin to think that homeschooling is just too hard or the problems they are dealing with are somehow caused by homeschooling. They are lured into believing that if they just quit homeschooling, their problems would be solved.

Does your experience as a homeschooler bear this statement out? Or am I overexagerrating the struggle homeschooling can be?

Please comment...

Are you smiling today?

"Strength and honor are her clothing, she shall rejoice in times to come. She smiles at the future."(Proverbs 31:25)

As you consider the future…are you filled with excitement or trepidation? Are you facing it head on, with a smile? If you've ever tempted to give up or tested to doubt God's call and your ability to follow—you are not alone.

Today we can take a cue from our dear friend, the Proverbs 31 woman! It says she smiles at the future. Maybe she didn't have to worry about her children's education or perhaps she did. Maybe she didn't even feel like smiling, but she did anyway. She faced her family's future head on with a faith-filled, childlike smile…and so can you!

You don't have to have all the answers to smile. You don't have to understand life all the time to be joyful. God has a purpose and a plan for you, your children, and your homeschooling efforts. He will show you what you need to know, when you need to know it; until then leave the details up to Him and just smile!

Utterly Overwhelmed?

"Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it…"(I Thess 5:24 AMP)

Have you ever felt totally unqualified and overwhelmed by a task that lies before you? Like educating your children, being a wise parent, cleaning a house, helping at church? I know I have.

When I was a busy mother of young children, managing my home, caring for five children not my own, I was many times utterly overwhelmed. Yet, every time, God was utterly trustworthy to give me strength and fill in the gaps where I was spread too thin.I have learned over the years that when God 'calls' us to do something, He will be the One to carry us through.
Remember David facing down Goliath? He could have felt overwhelmed and under qualified, yet he knew God would equip him to defeat the giant. Remembering God's faithfulness helped him to rise to the challenge.

Consider on the other hand, the Israelites in the wilderness. The spies (military leaders) all went into Canaan to spy out the land. The report was terrifying. Giants, mountainous terrain, obstacles and opposition as far as the eye could see. That was all the Israelites needed to hear! They forgot completely about the miracles they had seen and the deliverance they had experienced. Instead they cried and complained because the task before them was too big.

Can any of you relate? I know I can. Just this morning I was bemoaning the facts of my life. The full-time job, the tiredness, the messy house…and on it went. Until God brought me up short and reminded me that He is big enough. His faithfulness will be more than enough to get me through this rough patch...and He's big enough for whatever you may be facing today, too!
I want to remind you (and myself) that He Who called you is faithful. He will enable you to meet your giants and to defeat them.

The Musk Ox in ACTION!

Read my previous post on the Mighty Musk Ox to understand the significance of this video...

Building on the foundation...

"The best way to help a student is to move her just one step from what she knows to what she doesn't know. Education is a process of building upon a foundation of previous learning."

This works in life, too! When I am frustrated with a situation, I'm always tempted to institute a total overhaul, instead of building on what is working. The foundation is the place to start, whether we are talking finances, relationships, house work...etc. Recognize what's already in place and look for ways to tweak the system. I think this will help us make more consistent progress than starting over time and time again. Consider the areas of your life this applies to...

Just food for thought!

Great Article about the Importance of A Great Library

I just read last night that the average vocabulary consisted of 55,000 words thirty years ago. Today, the average person's vocabulary contains only 15,000. That stresses to me the importance of reading and making quality material available to our kids...and ourselves!

In this article by Phil Cooke, he gives lots of helpful thoughts and ideas on creating a great library. Check it out!