DoodleBlog

Although there are many and varied important reasons to homeschool, most importantly based on God, an article I read recently presents an interesting slant.

Written from a non-religious viewpoint, it is startling to find in a recent article by CNN such strongly stated options as, “Our educational system is essentially a Soviet-style government-run monopoly that could only be loved by the likes of Lenin and Stalin.”

Curious as to what even a CNN columnist sees as wrong with the current school system? Read entire article here.

This Friday’s video clip from the past is an assortment of short news-clips.

My favorite? The Canadian farm boy who ingeniously turns himself into a one-man band playing the piano, violin, guitar, harmonica, bass drum, snare drum, triangle, wood blocks, cymbals, cowbells and chime – together! Inspire your musically inclined homeschooler!

Report from Alliance Defense Fund:

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney filed motions with a New Hampshire court Monday asking it to reconsider and stay its decision to order a 10-year-old home-schooled girl into a government-run school in Meredith.

Although the marital master making recommendations to the court agreed the child is “well liked, social and interactive with her peers, academically promising, and intellectually at or superior to grade level” and that “it is clear that the home schooling…has more than kept up with the academic requirements of the…public school system,” he nonetheless proposed that the Christian girl be ordered into a government-run school after considering “the impact of [her religious] beliefs on her interaction with others.” The court approved the order…

…In the process of renegotiating the terms of a parenting plan for the girl, the guardian ad litem involved in the case concluded, according to the court order, that the girl “appeared to reflect her mother’s rigidity on questions of faith” and that the girl’s interests “would be best served by exposure to a public school setting” and “different points of view at a time when she must begin to critically evaluate multiple systems of belief…in order to select, as a young adult, which of those systems will best suit her own needs.”

Full Article Here.

When I first stumbled across this post by Steve Marquardt, I almost clicked right by it. Lists about why I should not be doing what I already know is wrong but often fail to heed, is not something that I find very appealing.

Yet as I gave this list a cursory skim, I found myself pulled in, encouraged and aroused towards God.

Give it a chance and see if you find it just as helpful!

35 Reasons Not To Sin

1. Because a little sin leads to more sin.
2. Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
3. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
4. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
5. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
6. Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
7. Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
8. Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
9. Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
10. Because my sin saddens the godly.
11. Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
12. Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
13. Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
14. Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
15. Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
16. Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
17. Because my sin may influence others to sin.
18. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
19. Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
20. Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
21. Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
22. Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
23. Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
24. Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
25. Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
26. Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
27. Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
28. Because my sin is adultery with the world.
29. Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
30. Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
31. Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
32. Because to sin is not to love Christ.
33. Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
34. Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it’s own.
35. Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.

Relinquish Your Rights – Reject the Sin – Renew the Mind – Rely on God

Copyright © 1992 Jim Elliff
Christian Communicators Worldwide, Inc.
201 Main, Parkville, MO 64152 USA
www.CCWtoday.org
Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in exact form including copyright
Other uses require written permission. Write for additional materials.

Nearly everyday now, I find waiting in my email inbox another update from families who are experiencing difficult health issues and yet who are still clinging to the God who has a firm hold on them.

The two individuals who have especially been on our hearts of late are Chris Klicka* and Jeff Diez-luckie.** Both of these men and their families have been undergoing overwhelming trials and yet every day they have been a testimony to and of God’s faithfulness.

If your family is not already praying for these families, we would encourage you to do so. These homeschool families are in the midst of hard times and your prayers would be much appreciated.

Read their CaringBridge updates and discuss them with your homeschooled children. Discern what your children’s thoughts are on the God of and in suffering, determine if they have a biblical perspective. And then leave a note for these families to encourage them that they are not alone in their battle.

*Chris Klicka is a veteran in the homeschooling world having represented and defended homeschooling families in court for many years.

**Jeff Diez-Luckie is the husband of the author of Famous Figures of Ancient Times.

Kimani Nganga Maruge died this month at 90 years old, holding the Guinness World Record for being the oldest person to start primary school, at the age of 84.

One of the reasons this father-of-five began primary school? Because he wanted to learn how to read the Bible for himself!

Read BBC article here.

I think small towns are a blessing.

And while ours is not exactly the idyllic small town of which I have read exist, we are blessed with a small enough population of 9,065, that we are able to form some recognition and relationship with the regular employees of the businesses we frequent.

So when our car breaks down or we have general tune up needing done, we do not hesitate to use our local shops. With their superb customer service and car care, we trust their diagnosis and repair.

And yet those of you who find yourselves dwelling in locations with a reputation for questionable resources may find RepairPal’s website helpful, especially for determining whether the quote you received is a reasonable quote or if you are being ripped off.

RepairPal’s claim to fame: “RepairPal gives you independent and unbiased repair estimates, user ratings and reviews, plus advice you can’t get anywhere else. It’s easy, accurate, and FREE!”

I’m impressed!

This Friday’s movie clip from the past is for your inquisitive homeschooled child.

An olden day ad for Chevrolet, this clip is full of information on friction, what it does for speed and how it impacts the design of a brake pad in Chevrolet vehicles.

I can already think of one homeschooled child I know who would especially enjoy this clip!

Have your homeschooled children ever wondered why flamingos spend so much of their time standing only on one foot?

If so, they are not alone. And while many theories have been proposed none have yet been conclusive. Now a new theory has been propose that may in fact prove accurate.

Reported by BBC Earth News:

The scientists ruled out each (reducing fatigue in the birds’ legs, or escaping from predators more quickly) as a benefit of standing on one leg… however researchers did find that flamingos prefer to stand on one leg far more often when they are standing in water than when standing on land, they report in the journal Zoo Biology.
“As water invariably draws away more body heat, this result supports the thermoregulation hypothesis,” says Anderson.
In short, the birds stand on one leg to conserve body heat. If they put two legs in the water, rather than one, they would lose more heat than is healthy, particularly as they spend so much time wading.
“The results provide definitive evidence that thermoregulation is a principal function of unipedal resting in flamingos,” Anderson confirms.

So now you know!

Read entire article here, even includes several other fascinating facts about flamingo habits!

Wouldn’t it be fun to have grandpa and grandma visit all the relatives this fall? If your parents/grandparents haven’t seen the extended family for a while, this may be a great option for them.

Purchase an unlimited flight pass through JetBlue for only $599, valid for unlimited flights between Sept. 8 and Oct. 8. JetBlue’s offer is good only through today and tomorrow!

Read CNN’s article here for more details.