Father Walking with Child in the Park

What we want to do with our children, is not merely to control them and keep them in order—but to implant true principles deep in their hearts which shall rule their whole lives; to shape their character from within into Christ-like beauty, and to make of them noble men and women, strong for battle of life. They are to be trained rather than governed. Growth of character, not merely good behavior—is the object of all home governing and teaching. Therefore the home influence is far more important than the home laws; and the parents’ lives are of more significance than their teachings. Whatever may be done in the way of governing, teaching or training—theories are not half as important as the parents’ lives. They may teach the most beautiful things–but if the child does not see these things modeled in the life of the parent, he will not consider them important enough to be adopted in his own life.

J. R. Miller’s classic book, Home-Making, originally published in 188

Friends—fathers, we must forsake the pharisaical desire for trophy children, children who obey so that we can look spiritually successful. We must, by God’s grace, seek to be spiritually successful – not so we can look good, but so that we can teach our children the way of wisdom – by being an example that authenticates our rule. And when they fail, and they will, we should show them that their sin can only be overcome by the power of the Cross. Use every failure—every sinful action, not as a time of discipline or anger, but a time of discipleship! These are God-ordained opportunities to share the richness of the grace of God in Christ.

If we not only teach Christ, but live Christ, we will not be concerned about having “trophy children;” we will see the promises of God manifested in the hearts of our children, for generations.

excerpt from Trophy Children: A Father's Day Challenge from Family Reformation

Labels: Christianity, Family, Train Up a Child

Labels: Heart of the Matter, Homeschooling, Train Up a Child

As mothers there is so much that we do. Often times when we allow ourselves to become discouraged we wonder if anyone notices or if we are making a difference. I would like to encourage you to continue on and refocus during those times when you might feel invisible or unappreciated.

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Homeschooling, Train Up a Child, Videos

There you have it! My confession! At heart I am a curricula junkie! I love homeschool materials! We have tried numerous programs, curricula, subjects, and approaches to homeschooling over the years. As of now we are finishing up what has been my 12th year of homeschooling. I think I am considered a veteran homeschooler by now. About 6 years into our homeschool journey I ran across a curriculum that I absolutely feel in love with and we have used it ever since. We, of course, have made a few adjustments but have stuck with the same program. It works well for us!

Then I run across another curriculum that looks to be wonderful! I think to myself maybe I should try it out but then I remember that every time I try something new I always come back to what I am using now. Sometimes I will add something and then I frustrate myself because I have to much to try and accomplish! I keep reminding myself that sometimes less is more. So what is the cure? Please someone tell me!

There is one idea that has been floating in my head for several years. I often kick this idea around and have even discussed it with my husband. Maybe just maybe I should just write my own, perfectly suited, everything I desire incorporated curriculum! It would be complete with day to day instructions, necessary resources (real books & supplies), planners and scheduling tips, Biblically sound and deep, totally comprehensive, more and more! Maybe I would entitle it Classical Christian Schooling for the Large Family. It is a grand idea and one that is probably biting off much more than I could ever chew. Then once I get excited and worked up and am ready to plunge in, the realization of the time and effort that would go into such a feat overwhelms me! Then the idea diminishes into a dream way back in the corner of my mind until I see another new curricula out there I want to try.

I am hopeless! Or am I? What do you think???

ADDED: Everyone keeps asking what we use that we love...it is updated in the comment section! So now, if you use something you love share with me too!

Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Train Up a Child

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is placed in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse into the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into it's soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny,--she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands the sacred and holy trust given to her."

---JR Miller, a preacher from the 19th century, from the book Homemaking

Labels: children, Encouragement, Quiverfull, Train Up a Child

Today I was sitting and talking with my 6 year old and 4 year old. I was explaining how the baby in my tummy gets food, drink, and breathes. I continued to tell them how we need plants to live, you know the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange. I continued by asking them, "Isn't it amazing how God made everything to work?" My 4 year old, shown in the photo, piped up and matter of factly said, "It's for God's honor!"

This is just a glimpse that the love of the Lord is growing within her and our teachings are being rooted in her heart. Even at 4 years old, she knows the chief end of man and of all creation; to glorify God!!

Thank you Lord for such a rich blessing!!

Labels: children, Christianity, Encouragement, Give Thanks, Homeschooling, Preschoolers, Train Up a Child

The Lord has been dealing with me a lot lately concerning my dependence upon Him. This dependence must be in every area of my life.

When I started blogging a year ago I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I have been hurt, discouraged and forced to look more deeply at who I am. Though most painful, this has stretched me and caused me to grow. But I have also made many friends along the way. They have encouraged me, spurred me on and challenged me which has also caused me to grow.

The Lord is actively at work in my life and I have a peace that passes all understanding. I have been allowed to be a blessing to others and the Lord continues to open new doors of ministry for me in the blogging world. This adds a great responsibility I did not anticipate and is one I constantly feel ill-equipped to fulfill. I am humbled each time I am praised because I know that it is only by the power of the Spirit that anyone is touched.

Humility is what we are called to and we are told in scripture that when we are weak we are strong. When we are weak is when we know that the strength of the Lord is at work. Often times when I feel the most inadequate and unqualified is when people see the Lord at work. This is as it should be. Then I am unable to boast but must give credit where credit is due, to the Lord.

This humbling is needed in any relationship. It matters not if I am dealing with my husband, my children, those I meet day in and day out in real life, or those I seek to minister to here in blogland. I know that by my nature, I am not kind, compassionate, or loving. This is a weakness. But through my weakness can flow the kindness, compassion, and love of Christ, not because of me or anything I can do but because of who God is!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I shall strive to have a weakened kindness, a weakened compassion, a weakened love. A kindness, compassion, and love that is not given just out of ourselves and our own might but is given out of a dependence on the Lord Jesus which flows through me. Then my weak efforts at kindness, compassion, and love will be made strong.

It will matter not if I am dealing with my husband, my children, those I meet day in and day out in real life, or those I seek to minister to here in blogland. They will all be blessed by my obedient submission to rely upon the Lord.

Labels: Christianity, Fruit of the Spirit, marriage, Train Up a Child, Weekend Kindness

In this life many trials and temptations will come. Some of these come as a result to our sin, but not all. They are to teach us, stretch us, and grow us. We are often attacked by the evil one; he will even use other Christians to do his bidding. When going through trials and temptations we must also check our lives in light of the Word to know if it is because of our own sin. If this is so we must repent. We need to seek to see God glorified in all situations in our lives.

While I have gone through many trials in the last year I have been learning that God does not want me to be defeated. Living as one who seeks to be humble does not mean being one who has been so humiliated that they are frozen. That does not bring glory to God. Now my husband and I are self-evaluating people. We look at ourselves, scripture, and with prayer seek the guidance of the Lord concerning when to repent and to grow into Christ's likeness. This definitely does not mean that we do not sin. We do, in fact, I think we see more of our sin this way because we are opening ourselves to the ever-exposing light of Christ.

It can be difficult however not to cross the line between being humbled by the Lord and being discouraged by the evil one. Each time we repent it should be a humbling experience. In repentance we acknowledge in full our place before the Lord. We are a fallen creature before a holy God. Thankfully, He is also loving, gracious, and merciful to His children, those who believe. We must also not let the lies of the evil one to distract us from the fact that even in our weakest moments, we as believers are children of the King. We are called to be humble and there is honor in that humility. This seems contradictory doesn't it? The key is to use that honor to keep the evil one at bay and to be encouraged but to not hold that honor as our own (thus defeating our humility & becoming prideful of our then false humility) but to lay that honor at the feet of Jesus!

I had such an experience recently. I was allowing the lies of the evil one to take over. I was feeling as if my failings had given others cause to throw my past in my face and exclaim that I was indeed the trash from the wrong side of the tracks that they had always thought me to be. I was discouraged and frozen in my effectiveness for Christ. I cried and shared this with my husband. One of my teenage daughters overhearing went and wrote me a letter. Using scripture she reminded me of the honor Christ had bestowed upon me. She said that she did not care where I had come from or what I had done in the past but she was thankful that I was her mother. She shared that she wished to be like me. That she saw me as a godly woman! She quoted scriptures displaying godly character that she thought applied to me. She closed it with this verse.

Proverbs 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

What an encouragement she was to me, what an encouragement she continues to be! All I could say was thank you Lord! I know that I am nothing apart from God. All that I have ever or will ever accomplish for good is because of Christ! I am so thankful for the husband and the children he has blessed me with. They are a gift to me from the Lord which causes me to rely more and more upon the Him. They give me cause to praise and thank him each and every day for his abundant blessings. To God be the glory!

Labels: Blogging, Christianity, Encouragement, Prayer, Train Up a Child

1. Contentment~ Father, teach my children "the secret of being content in any and every situation…through him who gives (them) strength." (Philippians 4:12-13)

2. Faith~ I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them. (Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40)

3. Servant Heart~ Lord, please help my children develop servant hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly "as if (they) were serving the Lord, not men." (Ephesians 6:7)

4. Purity~ "Create in (them) a pure heart, O God," and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions. (Psalm 51:10)

5. A Willingness and Ability to Work Hard~ Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work hard at everything they do, "as working for the Lord, not for men." (Colossians 3:23)

6. Self-discipline~ Father, I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they may acquire "a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair." (Proverbs 1:3)

7. Heart for Missions~ Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see your glory declared among nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples. (Psalms 96:3)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

1. Generosity~ Grant that my children may "be generous and willing to share (and so) lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age." (1 Timothy 6:18-19)

2. Peace, Peaceability~ Father, let my children "make every effort to do what leads to peace." (Romans 14:19)

3. Hope~ May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

4. Perseverance~ Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to "run with perseverance the race marked out for (them)." (Hebrews 12:1)

5. Humility~ Lord, please cultivate in my children the ability to "show true humility toward all." Titus 3:2)

6. Compassion~ Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion. (Colossians 3:12)

7. Prayerfulness~ Grant, Lord, that my children’s lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:18)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

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To find some more great homeschooling resources just follow the geese by clicking on the graphic.

Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Train Up a Child, Weblink Wednesday

1. Mercy~ May my children always "be merciful, as (their) Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36)

2. Respect~ (for Self, Others, Authority) Father, grant that my children may "show proper respect to everyone", as Your Word commands. (1 Peter 2:17)

3. Strong, Biblical Self-esteem~ Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are "God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:10)

4. Faithfulness~ "Let love and faithfulness never leave (my children)," but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts. (Proverbs 3:3)

5. A Passion for God~ Lord, please instill in my children a soul with a craving for You, a heart that clings passionately to You. (Psalm 63:8)

6. Responsibility~ Grant that my children may learn responsibility, "for each one should carry his own load." (Galatians 6:5)

7. Kindness~ Lord, may my children "always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

1. Salvation~ Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10)

2. Growth in Grace~ I pray that they may "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18)

3. Love~ Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love through the Spirit who dwells in them. (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22)

4. Honesty and Integrity~ May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection.(Proverbs 25:21)

5. Self-Control~ Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be "alert and self-controlled" in all they do. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

6. A Love for God’s Word~ May my children grow to find Your Word "more precious than gold, than much pure gold; (and) sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb." (Psalm 19:10)

7. Justice~ God, help my children to love justice as You do and to "act justly" in all they do. (Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

1. Ask God to protect your children with His loving care, so that no evil can reach them and lead them into temptation. Pray that they will be safe from harm (Psalm 33:20).

2.Pray that your children would use Godly wisdom. Ask God to give each child a discernment about people, as well as knowing the difference between right and wrong in the actions of their friends.(Proverbs 18:24; Deuteronomy 13:6,8).

3.Pray that your children would stay pure in their thoughts and deeds, striving for God’s way of holiness for their lives (Psalm 24:4-5;Ephesians 1:4)

4.Pray that your children will accept responsibility quickly and with humility when they fall into sin. (Matthew 5: 23-24).

5. Pray that your children will be alert and thinking clearly as they study their schoolwork and in their extra curricular activities. Ask God to help them to be motivated to do the best they are capable of doing (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

6. Pray that your children will have an appetite to live the spiritual truths they have learned at home. Pray also that they will set goals and a purpose for their lives in accordance with God’s design for them. (Deuteronomy 5:29).

7. Ask God to help your children live their lives for Him, and that He will use them as a testimony and witness for His glory. Pray that they will grow to full spiritual maturity (Psalms 78:1-8, 103:17-18; Isaiah 54:13; Ephesians 3:20-21).

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Sunday Seven, Train Up a Child

My first official post is up over at Weekend Kindness. I would love for you to go and read it. Please comment there (and here). There is also a lot of great stuff over at WK so take some time and look around. Here is a snippet of my post for today.....

The Lord has been dealing with me a lot lately concerning my dependence upon Him. It matters not if I am dealing with my husband, my children, those I meet day in and day out in real life, or those I seek to minister to here in blogland. I know that by my nature, I am not kind, compassionate, or loving. This is a weakness. But through my weakness can flow the kindness, compassion, and love of Christ, not because of me or anything I can do but because of who God is!

Labels: marriage, Quiverfull, Train Up a Child, Weekend Kindness

Lisa, a mom of four, and Jacque, a mom of eight, both have a desire to raise their daughters to live a virtuous life. With eight daughters between the two of them, they partnered together to form an online magazine for Christian girls. Although the articles are inspired and laced with scripture, the teaching is applicable to any girl desiring to live a life that would please her parents and bring honor to herself and her family.

Growing in Grace Magazine is an online publication designed to inspire girls to live a virtuous life. Our team of authors are Christian girls under the leadership of our moderators, some of them being their own mothers. They are zealous in bringing God's Word to the girls of today and each reader has the opportunity to communicate their uplifting thoughts about the articles.

GGM is a unique place where the readers can ask questions about the articles and receive further admonishment from their peers. Finding a good, godly place for girls to study God's Word is very difficult in today's world. Many girls wonder if they are the last girl in the world who still wants to live a pure life, but at GGM they'll find that they're not alone. Their articles cover a wide range of topics applicable to girls today from peer pressure, purity, family life, beauty, health, and much more.

Labels: Modesty, Train Up a Child

This week the Photo Hunter theme is "important." Since my family is so important to me, second only to the Lord, I thought I would post a photo of us this past Christmas. So all of you who have wondered what my family looks like, he we are. For family and friends who know what we look like, here is an updated photo. It is not the best but for 10 people in a photo and tired children (and parents) I think it is pretty good!

Labels: Christmas, Family, marriage, PhotoHunt, Quiverfull, Train Up a Child

When we moved into this house we had to purchase a refrigerator. Now of course it didn't matter to my husband which refrigerator we bought; guys just do not seem to care about those types of things. I told him I had always wanted a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. So that is what we bought. I absolutely love it! Not only is the fridge, the part you utilize the most, on top and more accessible; it reminded me of when I was a small child. There were a few years when I was young that I lived with my grandparents. My grandmother had a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. I remember swiping ice cubes for snacks. This has become a scene in my home also. My little ones love to get ice cubes out for a snack, especially my 16 month old. It brings a smile to my face. As crazy as it sounds watching my little ones take ice cubes out of "the freezer on the bottom" lets me reminisce on one of the few good memories of my childhood. It also reminds me that my children will follow my footprints.

Today at lunch, I was sitting with my 3 year eating pizza. Daddy and all of the other children were in the other room. We chatted a bit and after a short silent moment a smile spread across her face. She looked up at me with the sweetest smile and said, "When I grow up, I want to be a mommy just like you." Is that not enough to melt your heart?? It is also another reminder that my children will follow my footprints.

God provides so many opportunities to remind us that our children are watching us. That they are imitating us. It causes me to evaluate my life. Am I living in a way that I want my children to imitate? How would I react if my children did (my current action)? Would I approve?

I am not the perfect example, if left to myself, I will always fail. God is the one who allows any good to come of my life. If I want any good to come of my children's lives then I must point them to the Savior. I must imitate the one that I desire them to imitate. I must be like Christ so that they will want to be like Christ.

• 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

As my children follow in my footprints, these verses express my prayer.

• Job 23:11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
• Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

Labels: Christianity, Family, Homeschooling, journal, newsletter, Preschoolers, Quiverfull, Train Up a Child

WESTMINSTER LARGER CATECHISM
Q. 118. Why is the charge of keeping the sabbath more specially directed to governors of families, and other superiors?

A. The charge of keeping the sabbath is more specially directed to governors of families, and other superiors, because they are bound not only to keep it themselves, but to see that it be observed by all those that are under their charge; and because they are prone ofttimes to hinder them by employments of their own.

Exodus 20:10. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.
Joshua 24:15. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Nehemiah 13:15, 17. In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.... Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
Jeremiah 17:20-22. And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates: Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
Exodus 23:12. Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

Labels: Catechism, Christianity, Family, Train Up a Child

WESTMINSTER LARGER CATECHISM
Q. 117. How is the sabbath or the Lord’s day to be sanctified?

A. The sabbath or Lord’s day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day,[1] not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawful;[2]and making it our delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy[3]) in the public and private exercises of God’s worship:[4] and, to that end, we are to prepare our hearts, and with such foresight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose and seasonably dispatch our worldly business, that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day.[5]

[1]Exodus 20:8, 10. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.... But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.

[2]Exodus 16:25-28. And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?
Nehemiah 13:15-22. In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold o